Rama Sethu

Rama sethu-aerial view

Rama Setu is a chain of limestone shoals, between Pamban Island,

also known as Rameswaram Island, off the southeastern coast of Tamil Nadu, India, and Mannar Island, off the northwestern coast of Sri Lanka. Geological evidence indicates that this bridge is a former land connection between India and Sri Lanka.The bridge is 18 miles (30 km) long and separates the Gulf of Mannar (southwest) from the Palk Strait (northeast).Some of the sandbanks are dry and the sea in the area is very shallow, being only 3 ft to 30 ft (1 m to 10 m) deep in places, which hinders navigation.It was reportedly passable on foot up to the 15th century until storms deepened the channel: temple records seem to say that Rama’s Bridge was completely above sea level until it broke in a cyclone in 1480 CE.

The bridge was first mentioned in the ancient Sanskrit epic Ramayana of Valmiki. The western world first encounters it in "historical works in the 9th century" by Ibn Khordadbeh in his Book of Roads and Kingdoms (ca. 850 CE), referring to it is Set Bandhai or "Bridge of the Sea". Later, Alberuni described it. The name Rama's Bridge or Rama Setu (Sanskrit; setu: bridge) was given to this bridge of shoals in Rameshwaram, as Hindu legend identifies it with the bridge built by the Vanara (monkey-men) army of Rama , which he used to reach Lanka and rescue his wife Sita from the Rakshasa king, Ravana, as stated in the Sanskrit epic Ramayana.

The sea separating India and Sri Lanka is called  

Sethusamudram "Sea of the Bridge". Maps prepared by a Dutch cartographer in 1747, available at the Tanjore Saraswathi Mahal Library show this area as Ramancoil, a colloquial form of the Tamil Raman Kovil (Rama's Temple) Another map of Mogul India prepared by J. Rennel in 1788 retrieved from the same library called this area the area of the Rama Temple Many other maps in Schwartzberg's historical atlas and other sources call this area with various names like Koti, Sethubandha and Sethubandha Rameswaram along with others.Valmiki's Ramayana attributes the building of the bridge to Lord Rama in verse 2-22-76. The earliest map that calls this area Adam's bridge was prepared by a British cartographer in 1804, probably referring to an Islamic legend, according towhich Adam used the bridge to reach Adam's Peak inSri Lanka, where he stood repentant on one foot for 1,000 years, leaving a large 

hollow mark resembling a footprint. Both the peak and

the bridge are named afterthis legend.

Adam's Bridge starts as chain of shoals from the Dhanushkodi tip of India's Pamban Island and ends at Sri Lanka's Mannar Island. Pamban Island is connected to the Indian mainland by 2 km long Pamban Bridge. Mannar Island is connected to mainland Sri Lanka by a causeway. The border between India and Sri Lanka is said to pass across one of the shoals constituting one of the shortest land borders in the world. Adam's bridge and neighbouring areas like Rameswaram, Dhanushkodi, Devipattinam and Thirupullani are mentioned in the context of various legends in Ramayana.

Floating stone of rama setu

 

 

Scientific evidence of Ramayana

Archeo-Astrology  is a technique of charting the future or past sky using a scientific tool. This tool helps to arrive at planetary positions given a date in future or past and vice-versa i.e. given a set of planetary configurations, arrive at the date either in future or in the past. Such tools are collectively called Planetarium software. There are probably over 50 such different software available. Each software can be used specifically for a particular application, like, plotting the current night sky chart, predicting eclispes and the likes.

When spacecrafts are launched to visit far-off planets like Jupiter and Saturn, it would take a travel time of well over 12 years for the spacecraft to reach these planets. This software helps determine orbital positions of the planets when the spacecraft reaches their orbits. For this, a high level of precision is required in the software.

Unlike any other civilization so far, the literature of the Indian civilization is characterised for being embedded with night sky observations. Feeding the observations of the planetary configurations into the Planetarium software gives us the English calender dates when these configurations could have occured in the past. When these dates are logically arranged along with the events, it helps us to scientifically assign dates to events mentioned in Indian legends and historical texts, and validate them.

Thus the astronomical remains left behind in our literature can be analysed scientifically to arrive at historic dates for various events. This approach is parallel to archaeology where physical remains are analysed to arrive at historic dates and hence gives rise to a new branch of scientific dating which may be called Archaeo-astronomy.

Various modern day researchers have made use of this software to arrive at such historic dates for various events described in the Indian literature. We have collated the outputs of such credible work which are worthy of standing up to cross validation.

In the context of the Historicity of Rama, the works of Shri. Pushkar Bhatnagar, as brought out in the book "Dating the Era of Lord Ram" form the basis of what is presented here to understand the dates of the events in Rama’s lifetime.

Sri Ram Navami - Birthday

Sri Rama Navami is the birth day of Rama Rama was born on the Navami tithi of Shukla Paksha of Chaitra masa (9th day of the increasing phase of the moon in the lunar month of Chaitra). At that time, the nakshatra was Punarvasu, and Sun, Mars, Saturn, Jupiter and Venus were in Aries, Capricorn, Libra, Cancer and Pisces respectively. Lagna was Cancer and Jupiter & Moon were shining together. -- Ramayana 1.18.8,9
Sri Rama Navami - 10th January 5114 BCE - Birth Day of Rama at 12.30 p.m.

 Birth of Bharatha

The Sky Chart of Bharatha's birth is depicted on the right. This is about 16 hours after birth of Rama. Birth of Bharatha - 11th January 5114 BCE, 4.30 a.m.

Pre coronation eve

	King Dashratha to his courtiers - "This month of Chaitra is beautiful and holy. The woods and trees are full of flowers. At this time coronation of Rama is most appropriate." -- Ramayana 2.4.21-22
"Astrologers have told me that my nakshatra has been surrounded by malefic planets like Sun, Mars and Rahu. Under such planetary configurations, the king either dies or falls in some deep conspiracy. Thus, before I face any such problem, you take over the kingship" -- - Ramayana 2.4.18 "Today the moon is on Punarvasu nakshatra and tomorrow it will meet the Pushya nakshatra. In that Pushya nakshatra, I am eager to hand over the kingdom to you." -- - Ramayana 2.4.21-22	King Dashratha with Rama
	4th January 5089 BCE

 Vali Vadham

"Hearing the roar of Sugreev, Vali's face became red like the sun caught by Rahu during the eclipse."    - Ramayana 4.15.3
"Vali Vadham" occured on 3rd April 5076 BCE during the Solar Eclipse, in the Amavasa Ashada during the morning hours.

 Hanuman's Visit to Lanka

Hanuman's Visit to Lanka - 12th September 5076 BCE - Lunar Eclipse

Hanuman's Return from Lanka

Hanuman's Return from Lanka - 14th September 5076 BCE

Army march to Lanka

The Vanara Army march to Lanka - 20th September 5076 BCE Lakshmana's observation : "The Venus has gone to the back side, Sapta-rishi (Ursa Major) are visible brightly, Trishanku (Crux) is visible in front. Moola nakshatra, protector of Rakshasa, is inflicted with Dhumra-ketu (node)."

Internal consistancy of all dates
Sri Rama Navami - Birth day Birth of Bharatha Pre coronation eve Khar, Dushan episode Vali Vadham Hanuman's Visit to Lanka Hanuman's Return from Lanka Army March to Lanka	<-> <-> <-> <-> <-> <-> <-> <->	10th January 5114 BCE 11th January 5114 BCE 4th January 5089 BCE 7th October 5077 BCE 3rd April 5076 BCE 12th September 5076 BCE 14th September 5076 BCE 20th September 5076 BCE		<-> <-> <-> <-> <-> <-> <-> <->		- 1 day 25 years 12 years 6 months 5 months 2 days 6 days

It may be noted from the table above that the dates arrived at for the events are not haphazard. They tally with the chronological sequence for the events as found in the Ramayana text. Not only that the elapse times between the events as indicated by these dates also tallies with the elapse-time and duration/age as described in the Ramayana text.
This establishes internal consistency in these dates and proves the credibility of the technique.

Ramayana is geographically very correct

Every site on Rama's route is still identifiable and has continuing traditions in the form of temples to commemorate Rama's visit.
In those remote days no author had the travel facility to concoct a geographically credible story and build it into local folklore.

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All the places visited by Rama still retain memories of his visit. Some places have commemorative temples, others commemmorate Rama's visit in local folklore. There is convergence in literature, archaeology and local tradition.

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Dunagiri

	As per the history we know, in the Lanka war, Lakshmana was mortaly wounded. The Sanjeevani herb was needed to revive him.
	Hanuman picks up whole hill of medicinal herbs.

Hanuman brings hill with herbs to Sushena who treats and revives Lakshmana .

Not that well known is the story that, Hanuman then returns the hill to its original place after use, on the same night, before dawn. The boulders, stones, etc. of Dunagiri fell in many places enroute. Hence the complete hill was not returned.

Dunagiri - Uttarakhand: In the Gandha Madhana mountains, now known as Dunagiri, there lies a scar on the side of Dunagiri where Hanuman sliced off a big chunk. In most re-tellings of Ramayana, after the medicines were used, Hanuman flies again to replace the mountain in its rightful place.

According to Dunagiri local folk lore, Hanuman failed to return full hill.
Because of his failure to keep up his word local villagers refuse to take the temple prasad at village's annual festival.

	One of the medicinal plants on Hanuman's list, Visalyakarani, in Samskrit meaning "removing spikes & arrows." - Found in Dunagiri

Devaprayag

Ravana – Lankeshwaran Ravana was: A Shiva baktha, An Exponent of the Vedas, A gifted veena player, played the Sama Veda on veena and A Brahmin Rama did brahmana vadham prayashchitham, i.e., an atonement for killing a Brahmin, at Devaprayag – Uttaranchal
Devprayag Sangam - Confluence Alaknanda Ganga
Rama performing brahmana vadham prayashchitham

Kishkinda

Kishkinda is near Hampi in modern day Karnataka. Anjanadri near Hospet is the birthplace of Hanuman Anjaneya. Sugriva lived in Rishyamukha on the banks of the Pampa Tungabhadra.
In the British records of the gazette of Bellary district, which is very near modern day Hampi, or Kishkinda of earlier times, the then collector has noted that the forest tribes of that area call themselves the Vanara people, and used Monkey as a symbol in their totem pole and flag. This vanara totem in Bellary District Gazetteer is to the right. The Jaina Ramayana also mentions a banner of the Vanara, Vanaradhvaja, vanara flag

Rameswaram

Rama worshiped Shiva at Rameshwaram and prepared the Linga out of sand.

Bridge

Connection between Adam's Bridge - Rama Bridge Nobody else in Indian history has claimed its construction Though Valmiki did not visit the south     Valmiki would know the difference between a sea and a river.

Lanka

Ravana Ella Falls - Ravana hid Sita to prevent Rama from finding her Sitai Amman Temple Numara Eliya Ashokavana - Ravana Kept Sita Prisoner

Haridwar

temple at haridwar

Haridwar pronunciation is an important pilgrimage

city and municipality in the Haridwar district of Uttarakhand, India. The River Ganga, after flowing for 253 kilometres (157 mi) from its source at Gaumukh at the edge of the Gangotri Glacier, enters the Indo-Gangetic Plains of North India for the first time at Haridwa which gave the city its ancient name, Gangadwára. Haridwar is regarded as one of the seven holiest places to Hindus. According to the Samudra manthan, Haridwar along with Ujjain, Nasik and Allahabad is one of four sites where drops of Amrit, the elixir of 

Ganga at haridwar

immortality, accidentally spilled over from the pitcher while being carried by the celestial bird Garuda. This is manifested in the Kumbha Mela being celebrated every 3 years in one of the 4 places, and thus every 12 years in Haridwar. Amidst the Kumbha Mela, millions of pilgrims, devotees, and tourists congregate in Haridwar to perform ritualistic bathing on the banks of the river Ganga to wash away their sins to attain Moksha. Brahma Kund, the spot where the Amrit fell, is located at Har ki Pauri (literally, "footsteps of the Lord") and is considered to be the most sacred ghat of  Haridwar.

Shiva statue

                                                                               A paradise for nature lovers, Haridwar presents a kaleidoscope of Indian culture and civilization. In the scriptures it has been variously mentioned as Kapilsthan, Gangadwar and Mayapuri. It is also an entry point to the Char Dham (the four main centers of pilgrimage in Uttarakhand viz, Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri), hence, Shaivaites (followers of Lord Shiva) and Vaishnavites

(followers of Lord Vishnu) call this place Hardwar and Haridwar respectively, corresponding to Har being Shiv and Hari being Vishnu. The legendary King, Bhagirath, the great-grandson of the Suryavanshi King Sagar (an ancestor of Rama), 

Ganga river

is said to have brought the river Ganga down from heaven, through years of penance in Satya Yuga, for the salvation of 60,000 of his ancestors from the curse of the saint Kapila, a tradition continued by thousands of devout Hindus, who brings the ashes of their departed family members, in hope of their salvation. Lord Vishnu is said to have left his footprint  on the stone that is set in the upper wall of Har-Ki-Pauri, where the Holy Ganga touches

it at all times.

Rishikesh

temple in rishikesh

Rishikesh, also spelled Hrishikesh, Rushikesh, or Hrushikesh, is a city and a municipal board in Dehradun district in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is located in the foothills of the Himalaya in northern India and attracts thousands of pilgrims and tourists each year, from within India, as well as from other countries.It is also known as the gateway to the Himalayas and is located around 25 kilometres away from another holy city, Haridwar. "Hṛṣīkeśa" is a name of Vishnu that means 'lord of the senses' The place gets its name after Lord Vishnu who appeared to 'Raibhya Rishi' as a result of his tapasya (austerities), as Lord Hrishikesh. In Skanda Purana, this area is known as 'Kubjamrak' 

river ganga

as Lord Vishnu appeared, under a mango tree. Rishikesh has been a part of the legendary 'Kedarkhand' (the present day Garhwal) Legends state that Lord Rama did penance here for killing Ravana, the demon king of Lanka; and Lakshmana, his younger brother, crossed the river Ganga, 

at a point, where the present 'Lakshman Jhula'  bridge stands

today, using a jute rope bridge. The 'Kedar Khand' of Skanda Purana, also mentions the existence of
Indrakund at this very point. The jute-rope bridge
was replaced by iron-rope suspension bridge in 1889, and after it was washed away in the 1924 floods, it was replaced by a stronger present bridge.

Lakshman Jhula

The sacred river Ganga (Ganges) flows through Rishikesh. It is here that the river leaves the Shivalik mountains in the Himalayas and flows out into the plains of northern India. Several temples, ancient as well as new, can be found along the banks of the Ganges in Rishikesh.

Kedarnath

Kedarnath is a Hindu holy town located in the

Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is a nagar panchayat

in Rudraprayag district. The most remote of the four

Char Dham sites, Kedarnath is located in the 

Himalayas, about 3584m above sea level near the

head of river Mandakini, and is flanked by

breathtaking snow-capped peaks. Kedarnath hosts

one of the holiest Hindu temples, the Kedarnath Temple,and is a popular destination for Hindu pilgrims from all over the world, being one of the four major sites in India's Chota Char Dham pilgrimage.

Kedarnath is named in honor of King Kedar who

ruled in the Satya Yuga. He had a daughter named 

Vrinda who was a partial incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi.She performed austerities for 60000 years. In honour of her, the land is named Vrindavan. However, Kedarnath and its temple exist from the Mahabharata Era when the Pandavas are supposed to have pleased Lord Shiva by doing penance there.

Road to kedarnath

The temple is believed to have been built by Adi Sankaracharya and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the holiest Hindu shrines of Shiva. The older temple existed from the times of Mahabharata, when the Pandavas are supposed to have pleased Shiva by doing penance in Kedarnath. The temple is also one of the four major sites in India's Chota Char Dham pilgrimage of Northern Himalayas.

The temple opens on Akshaya Tritiya (April end or first week of May) and closes on Bhai Duj (October end or 1st week of November) due to heavy snowfall and extreme cold weather during winter. The actual temple is an impressive stone edifice of unknown date. According to the Puranas, the Pandava brothers performed penance in Kedarnath to please Lord Shiva. As a matter of fact, as one enters the main temple, the first hall contains
statues of the five Pandava brothers, Lord Krishna,

Nandi, the vehicle of Shiva and Virabhadra, one of 

the greatest guards of Shiva. An unusual feature of the temple is the head of a man carved in the triangular stone fascia of the temple. Such a head is seen carved in another temple nearby constructed on the sitewhere the marriage of Shiva and Parvati was held.

Kedarnath temple

No specific family of pujaris supervise rituals at Kedarnath, where the focus is on veneration of thestone lingam that rests in the inner sanctum of the temple.

Behind the temple is the samādhi mandir of Adi Sankara.Tamil saints Nayanars of 1st century like Sundarar and Sambanthar praised the deity in their hymns famous bythe name of Tevaram.

Badrinath

Badrinath is located at 30°44′N 79°29′E / 30.73°N 79.48°E / 30.73; 79.48. It has an average elevation of 3,415 metres (11,204 feet). It is in the Garhwal hills, on the banks of the Alaknanda River. The town lies between the Nar and Narayana mountain ranges and in the shadow of Nilkantha peak (6,560m). Badrinath is located 301 km north of Rishikesh. From Gaurikund (near Kedarnath) to Badrinath by road is 233 km.

Badrinath has been mentioned as a holy place in scriptures and legends for thousands of years. 

According to the Bhagavata Purana, "There in

Badrikashram the Personality of Godhead (Vishnu),

in his incarnation as the sages Nara and Narayana, 

had been undergoing great penance since time 

immemorial for the welfare of all living entities."

(Bhagavata Purana 3.4.22) Badri refers to a berry

that was said to grow abundantly in the area, and

nath means "Lord of". Badri is also the Sanskrit name for the Indian Jujube tree, which has an edible berry. Some scriptural references refer to Jujube trees being abundant in Badrinath. The Badrinath temple is the main attraction in the town. According to legend Shankara discovered a black stone image of Lord Badrinarayan made of Saligram stone in the Alaknanda River. He originally enshrined it in a cave near the Tapt Kund hot springs^. In the sixteenth century, the King of Garhwal moved the murti to the

present temple.

The temple is approximately 50 ft (15 m) tall with a small cupola on top, covered with a gold gilt roof. The facade is built of stone, with arched windows.A broad stairway leads up to a tall arched gateway, which is the main entrance. The architecture resembles a Buddhist vihara (temple), with the brightly painted facade also more typical of Buddhist

temples. Just inside is the mandapa, a large pillared hall that leads to the garbha grha, or main shrine area. The walls and pillars of the mandapa are covered with intricate carvings.

The mountains around Badrinath are mentioned in the Mahabharata, when the Pandavas are said to have ended their life by ascending the slopes of a peak in western Garhwal called Swargarohini - literally, the

'Ascent to Heaven'. Local legend has it that the Pandavas passed 

nilkantha peak from badrinath

through Badrinath and the town of  Mana, 4 km north of Badrinath, 

on their way to Svarga (heaven). There is also a cave in Mana where

Vyasa, according to legend, wrote the Mahabharata.