We reached Rameshwaram quite late. Night driving in Rameshwaram island was fun. This is the end of highway which ends in front of Ramanatheshwara temple in the ocean.

Preparation

1. Plan to reach the destination before 11pm or after 5 am speially if you are not driving back to home
2. Make sure your petrol tank is full. In some of the state high-ways you need to literally drive hundreds of kilometers before you reach a bunk. There are very few 24/7 petrol bunks. Most of them close before midnight. So fill the tank as and when you think you need
3. Carry enough potable water
4. Carry enough music and light food
5. If you are driving alone then music is must
6. Learn to change the tyre and other minimal repair stuff
7. Carry torch

Some small towns wake up very early. Sri Rangam, Tamilnadu.

While driving

1. Keep the driver side window open but make sure it covers side mirror. Wind keeps you awake and raised glass reduces the glare from side mirror
2. Try to drive in low bean ( do bean adjustment). If not reduce to low beam when there is traffic from opposite side. This is very important on state highways and local roads
3. Give way to vehicles climbing up and use low beam ( you can use fog lamps if req)
4. Use night mirror
5. Keep the windshield clean
6. Keep the seat backrest straight
7. Its good to have somebody to talk to. But sometimes I end up driving alone or with everybody sleeping. So music is much required. Play soothing but not sleepy music
8. Most of the state highways are two ways. Try to avoid looking into the opposite headlamps. Try to be on the left edge of the road and drive concentrating on the left side of the road
9. Don’t try to speed, enjoy the drive and conversation.
10. Drive slowly first 50kms and last 50kms. Most of the accidents occur during this period
11. When on state highways try to take a break every 120kms (approx 3 hours). This gives enough rest to your eyes. You can take coffee, tea or water if you like
12. On national highways you can take break once in every 200kms (approx 3 hours)
13. Average speed of 50kmph-60kmph is very good in night. Top speed of 80kmph on state roads and 100kmph on national highways is very good. Dont try to speed, enjoy the drive and conversation
14. Drive cautiously when you pass through cities or villages specially between 6pm to 9pm
15. Driving in early mornings (3am to 6am) is of different league. If you are starting at this time then its cool. But if you have already driven for about 5 hours then its tough. Reduce the speed and take more frequent breaks
16. I avoid ring road if there is not much traffic due to safety reasons. I usually follow inter-state/district buses when I enter the city
17. Avoid overtaking from left. Its only private buses and cars who have disappointed me. Most of the professional drives give you way
18. Be doubbly careful while overtaking on state highways. Most of the drives will give you way/hint you when its safe to overtake. Just flash once (rarely you need to honk once) to let them know you need way
19. Give way. There are better drivers and professionals on the road. Indicate them to over take when its safe to overtake

This is on pamban bridge. A bus zipping on the bridge.

Driving in reserved forests

1. Do not stop or take a break inside reserved forests. It is dangerous and most of the times its illegal
2. Its good to follow ahead a public transport bus. Its simple make sure bus is visible in the mirror (follow ahead)
3. In Karnataka and Kerala you will find elephants resting on the road. I met one on my drive back from Coorg. I usually dim the head lights and wait for it. Never honk or get down from car

According to Wikipedia “Hindu myth says that at the request of Vibeeshana, brother of Ravana and ally of Rama, Rama broke the Sethu with one end of his bow and hence the name Dhanushkodi, Dhanu meaning Bow and Kodi meaning end. It is also said that Rama marked this spot for Setu with one end of his famous bow. Bath in holy Sethu at the junction of the two seas normally precedes the pilgrimage to Rameswaram. A series of rocks and islets found in a line are shown as remnants of the ancient Setu also called as Rama’s Bridge.”

On the way you will see many abandoned boats and huts.



After about 7-8kms from the parking place you will see the end of land. From there you can see the land under the sea which looks like a crude bridge. As we all know its Ram sethu.



That is me ordering my vanara sena..Lets go to Lanka.

Another picture of submerged Ram Sethu.

We can see lots of such ship wrecks in and around.


There are few fishermen even today living at Danushkodi. You can see their kids having fun.

It is much more beautiful than what I have captured in my 5 year old 3mp camera. The Ram Sethu looks beautiful and very real . I guess at least for the beauty it is, it should be preserved.
Updated:
I actually live transmitted video from the top of 4X4 and forgot about it. Check it here