Monday, February 19, 2007

PodMagazine 3 - Mysterious happenings at Sethu (Ramar) bridge at Rameswaram

Adams Bridge (popularly known as Sethu bridge or Ramar bridge) at Rameswaram, Southern tip of India is believed to have been constructed by Lord Ram and Hanuman to go to Srilanka to rescue Sita during Ramayana days. Scientists have also confirmed the existence of a bridge and matching of the bridge to the Ramayana days (see picture on left taken by NASA through satellite)

As part of Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project (SSCP), Indian Government initiated the process for cutting open the ancient Ramar Bridge. Mysteriously all the costly equipments like cutters, dredgers, spuds, cranes including ships got damaged and fell into the sea.

Generally, Hindus believe that this bridge is being safeguarded by Hanuman and any attempt to damage the bridge would be failure. Inspite of the public sentiments and heritage value of the bridge (as defined by UNESCO), Indian Government wants to go ahead with the dredging of this ancient bridge. According to media reports that the Dredging Corporation of India Limited which has undertaken the project has suffered huge loss and many senior officials have also submitted their resignation.

An advocate Mr Kuppu Ram from Ramanathapuram has filed a case in a court seeking injunction against damaging the ancient bridge.

We are bringing out a special 'news feature' on this 'mysterious events' covering the public sentiments.

Please click 'play' to listen to the full podcast (19 m). If you have broadband, you can listen through streaming audio. Otherwise, we suggest you to download the mp3 format (18 mb) to your desktop and listen through any mp3 players.

Click here to download mp3 format

7 comments:

  1. It is an excellent podcast. We are able to understand the views of cross section of the people. The Government should come forward to respect the sentiments of the people and try to work out a different solution.

    Sanjay, Delhi

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is our heritage, this is not only Indian heritage, it is the the history of the world.

    This adds tremendous value to the story of Ramayana and in itself, this is crucial to preseve it.

    We have to preserve this bridge at any cost, indeed, we may need to explore this and bring out the pictures and learn about the science and art of bridge making.

    This is world history and we need to value it.

    Mike Ghouse
    www.Mikeghouse.net
    Dallas, Texas

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is our heritage, this is not only Indian heritage, it is the the history of the world.

    This adds tremendous value to the story of Ramayana and in itself, this is crucial to preseve it.

    We have to preserve this bridge at any cost, indeed, we may need to explore this and bring out the pictures and learn about the science and art of bridge making.

    This is world history and we need to value it.

    Mike Ghouse
    www.Mikeghouse.net
    Dallas, Texas

    ReplyDelete
  4. no one can push aside steps that the government is taking for the development. we as loyal citizens of india cannot just go on accusing the government of trying to dredge the bridge. it would be unwise to pull the trigger so early. from one side we keep mouthing off at the government for slow development and from the other we ourselves r hindering the progress of steps that are taken towards improving infrastructure. after all going by the history our government isn't any heritage destroyer.

    ReplyDelete
  5. With FAITH as bedrock, we must yet have reason and logic guide our thoughts and actions and not superstition.

    The RAMAYANA says that Rama built the bridge. The proof of existence of the bridge increases our faith.

    But, let me ask : If Hanuman is guarding and protecting the bridge, do we have to pray to Hanuman or to Rama to protect the bridge? If it is God's will, the bridge will not and cannot be destroyed. I have faith that God knows how to take care of these things.

    ReplyDelete
  6. It was a good feature, well covered. I have also written an article on the same topic which can be found at, http://dharmagraha.blogspot.com/2007/03/dont-touch-ramas-bridge.html

    Kindly feel free use this material if necessary for any future podcasts. I can also give you more material if required.

    ReplyDelete
  7. The government should reflect people's view and wishes. It is a shame that money plays a major role in decisions that are neither good for the people nor good for the archaeological reasons. We have upheld our tradition of one man-one woman which was a lesson from Rama-Sita, saving millions of us from AIDS and elevated our culture above all. With the advent of modernization or better called westernization, it would be horrific to see a symbol like Ramar sethu bridge collapse. Moreover as Dr.Kalyanaraman has pointed out if we get Thorium deposited from this bridge, that is a better financial advantage in the long run than the present ship traffic tax money we may get from this project. Hope the government will look at these aspects more carefully before going ahead with this project. Jai Hind.

    ReplyDelete

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