Ram Setu, also known as Rama's Bridge or Adam's Bridge, is a natural bridge-like structure that stretches between the southern coast of India and the northwestern coast of Sri Lanka. It has been a subject of fascination and debate due to its connection to the Hindu epic, the Ramayana, which narrates the story of Lord Rama's quest to rescue his wife Sita from the demon king Ravana.
According to the Ramayana, Lord Rama, along with his army of Vanaras (monkey warriors), constructed a bridge across the sea to reach Lanka. The bridge was said to have been built by floating stones, which were inscribed with the name of Lord Rama, and it enabled Rama's army to cross the sea and wage war against Ravana.
From a scientific perspective, the origin and formation of Ram Setu can be attributed to a natural geological process. It is composed of a chain of limestone shoals, sandbanks, and reefs that were formed over time due to sedimentation and coral growth. These formations eventually created a land bridge between India and Sri Lanka.
While there is no concrete archaeological or scientific evidence to prove that the Ram Setu was specifically built by Lord Rama and his army, the bridge's existence has been a matter of cultural and religious significance for centuries. Many Hindus consider Ram Setu to be a sacred site associated with the legend of Lord Rama and believe in its divine origins.
In recent times, there have been debates and controversies surrounding the Ram Setu due to proposed projects that could potentially impact the structure. In 2007, the Indian government's plan to dredge a shipping canal through the area sparked a legal and environmental dispute. The project was eventually put on hold, taking into consideration the sentiments of people who regarded Ram Setu as a religious symbol.
In summary, Ram Setu is a natural bridge formation between India and Sri Lanka that holds religious and cultural significance in Hindu mythology. While the bridge's existence is supported by geological processes, the connection to the epic Ramayana is a matter of faith and belief.
The Ram Setu Bridge offered a land connection between India and Sri Lanka during the time of lowered sea level for the last 100,000 years. Owing to shallow waters, the bridge provided hindrance to navigation through the Palk Strait. Trade activities across the India – Sri Lanka boundary have been taking placing since at least the first millennium BC, it was limited to small boats and dinghies.
In 1823, Sir Arthur Cotton surveyed the Pamban channel, that divides the Indian mainland from the island of Rameswaram and forms the first link of Ram Setu bridge. As per geological evidence, a land connection bridged this in years ago. According to some records of Ramanathaswamy Temple violent storms damaged the link in 1480.
Cotton suggested that the channel must be dredged to allow the passage of ships but no action was taken. However, in 1828, Major Sim directed the blasting and removal of some rocks. In 1837, a detailed marine survey of the Ram Setu Bridge was carried out and operations to dredge the route were recommended the following year. Despite these efforts, the passage could not be made navigable for vessels except those with a light draft.
According to NASA and images captured by satellite, there are a naturally occurring chain of sandbanks. It says that the photos taken by its astronauts do not prove the existence or otherwise of a man-made bridge, as specified in the Ramayana.
