Rama’s Bridge, also known as Ram Setu and Adam’s Bridge is a bridge mentioned in the Hindu epic Ramayana, which was built by Lord Rama with the help of the ape army. Per geologists, it is a chain of natural limestones between India and Sri Lanka. A lot of controversies are there around this topic.
Different Names of Rama’s Bridge:
Nala Setu.
Setu Bandha.
Adam’s Bridge.
Ram Setu.
Geographical Significance:
Rama’s Bridge is a chain of limestone shoals that connects Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu and Thalaimannar in Sri Lanka. It is 48 km long and 50 m to 2-3 km wide. The depth of the sea in the area rarely exceeds 1 m. Because of its shallow depth, it is difficult for ships to pass over it and have to take a long route to cross it.
The coral reef platforms between Rameshwaram and Thoothukudi in the Gulf of Munnar were notified as a marine biosphere reserve in 1989. About 36,000 species of plants and animals live there. It is also a breeding ground for many sea creatures.
How was Rama’s Bridge Made per the Valmiki Ramayana?
“Those army chiefs of monkeys, who resembled mountains, broke the rocks and trees there and dragged them away towards the sea. Those monkeys filled the ocean with all types of trees like Sala and Asvakarna, Dhava and bamboo, Kutaja, Arjuna, palmyra, Tilaka, Tinisa, Bilva, Saptaparna, Karnika, in blossom as also mango and Asoka. From here and there, the monkeys brought Palmyra trees, pomegranate shrubs, coconut, Vibhitaka, Karira, Bakula, and neem trees. Some monkeys were holding poles for measuring the bridge and some others collected the material. Reeds and logs resembling clouds and mountains, brought by hundreds of monkeys, led by the command of Rama, fastened some parts of the bridge.”
Within a matter of 5 days the bridge was made:
“On the�first day, fourteen Yojanas of the bridge were constructed by the monkeys speedily, thrilled with delight as they were, resembling elephants. In the same manner, on�the second day, 20 Yojanas�of the bridge were constructed speedily by the monkeys of terrific bodies and mighty strength. Thus, on the�third day, 21 Yojanas�of the bridge were constructed in the ocean speedily by the monkeys with their colossal bodies. On the�fourth day, a further 22 Yojana�were constructed by the dashing monkeys with great speed. In that manner, on the fifth day, the monkeys working quickly constructed 23 yojanas of the bridge up to the other seashore.” – Valmiki Ramayana
Was Ram Setu Made from Floating Stones?
The Valmiki Ramayana mentions the bridge was built as any other bridge without the use of floating stones, but big rocks, boulders, and trees. Nala was an engineer, and he built it scientifically. There is no mention of floating stones or stones floating after writing the name of Lord Raman on them. But other versions of the Ramayana mention it.
It is noteworthy that limestones are porous and can endure large weights. Therefore, it is possible that Rama’s army used limestones to build the bridge.
Popular Stories About the Rama’s Bridge:
Why Did Lord Rama Build the Bridge?
The main aim of Lord Rama was to cross the ocean and reach Lanka along with Vanar Sena. At first, he was not planning on building a bridge but wanted a route through the sea to cross it. Therefore, he started praying to Ocean God. He prayed to him for three days and nights, but he did not respond.
This enraged Lord Rama, and he decided to teach him a lesson. He hurled an arrow into the ocean, which shook it. Then when he was about to release the second arrow to dry up the ocean, Lakshmana stopped him.
At that moment, the ocean god appeared before them with joined palms. He advised Lord Rama to let Nala, the son of Vishwakarma, build a bridge across him, and he would hold it so that his army could cross over.
But Lord Rama was already prepared to launch the arrow, and it could not be taken back, therefore, he asked the ocean god to suggest a place where he could throw the arrow. He advised him to throw it to a place named Drumatyula, which was inhabited by robbers and thieves. Therefore, Lord Rama released the arrow toward that place. When the arrow struck there, it dried up all the water there, and the place turned into a desert (present-day Malwar in Rajasthan).
The Squirrel Story:
The story of a squirrel helping Lord Rama is not in the Valmiki Ramayana but is found in other versions, like Ramcharitmanas and Ranganatha Ramayanam.
When Vanar Sena was building the bridge, they were carrying huge rocks and boulders, but there was a squirrel that was carrying small pebbles and filling the gaps between rocks. But doing this, she was coming in the way of monkeys carrying rocks. Therefore, one of the monkeys shouted at her and told her to get out of the way. He laughed at it and said, “What can you do, you small creature?”
Seeing this, Lord Rama approached the monkey and reprimanded him not to underestimate the work of small creatures because these were the pebbles that were filling the gaps between big rocks and making the bridge stronger.
He lifted the squirrel, thanked it, and blessed him by stroking its back. It is believed that because of his handstroke, the squirrels have three lines on their backs.
Nala and Nila:
The Valmiki Ramayana credits Nala as the engineer of Ram Setu. Sagar, the ocean god, advised Lord Rama to instruct Nala to build the bridge because he was the son of Vishwakarma, the architect of gods.
Some other versions of the Ramayana credit both Nala and Nila for building the bridge. Nila was the twin brother of Nala.
Why is it called Adam’s Bridge?
Adam’s Peak is a mountain located in central Sri Lanka. It is sacred for Buddhists because they believe there is a footprint of Lord Buddha near the summit. Muslims believe that Adam fell at this place when he was expelled from the Garden of Eden. Then, he crossed over to India via the bridge (Ram Setu).
Therefore, it is called Adam’s Bridge.
The Sethusamudram Project:
The Sethusamudram Project was conceived during British rule in India and accepted in 2005 by the Indian Government. The project involved creating a shipping channel that cuts across Ram Setu from Rameshwaram Island off the south-eastern coast of Tamil Nadu and the northwestern coast of Sri Lanka to provide a continuously navigable sea route around the Indian Peninsula. The project involves digging an 83.2 km long deep-water channel through Rama’s Bridge.
Many Hindu organizations and environmentalists oppose the project, and hence it is being on hold for the time being.
Ram Setu Saved Many Lives from Tsunami:
According to Justice VR Krishna Iyer, former judge of the Supreme Court, Ram Setu reduced the impact of the tsunami and saved Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Prof Tad S Murty of the Department of Civil Engineering, University of Ottawa in Canada, who is a world-renowned expert on tsunamis, claimed that widening and deepening the Sethu Channel will provide a route for some of the tsunami energy to travel and impact South Kerala.
How Old is Rama’s Bridge?
There is no consensus among scholars about the age of Ram Setu.
According to a study conducted by Madras University and Anna University, the Ram Setu was formed as many as 18,400 years ago.
Per another Oceanography study, the bridge is about 7000 years old.
According to Brittanica.com, the Valmiki Ramayana was composed around 300 BCE, which makes the bridge at least 2300 years old.
Per Hindu epics, Ramayana happened in the Treta Yuga. After that, there was Dvapara Yuga, and we are 5000 years into Kaliyuga. The age of Dvapara Yuga per Hindu scriptures is 864,000 years, plus 5,000 years of Kali Yuga makes it 869,000 years, which is close to about 1 million years.
So, per Hindu epics, we can say that Rama Setu is approximately 1 million years old.
Is Rama’s Bridge Natural or Artificial?
Although scientists say that the bridge is a natural formation, some things suggest that the bridge might be man-made also.
1. Some evidence states that the rocks on the bridge are 7,000 years old, while the sand is only 4,000 years old.
2. Per Rameshwaram Temples’ records, Rama Setu was walkable until the 15th century when a cyclone destroyed it in 1480.
3. The bridge is also mentioned in Kitāb al-Masālik wa-l-Mamālik (c. 850) by Ibn Khordadbeh, which refers to the structure as Set Bandhai (Bridge of the Sea).
The correct answer to the question is that the bridge is partially natural and partially man-made. There existed a chain of limestones before, but Rama’s army built a bridge over it using the rocks and other things available. Valmiki Ramayana mentions that the bridge was built using big rocks and trees. The story of floating stones is not mentioned in it but is in other versions of Ramayana.
Conclusion:
Apart from the Ramayana, which has emphatic references to the construction of Setu Bandha in 85 shlokas in a separate sarga in Yuddha Kanda, Mahabharata also refers to the continued protection of Nala Sethu following the command of Sri Rama. Kalidasa’s Raghuvamsa also refers to the Setu of mountains. So does Skanda Purana, Vishnu Purana, Agni Purana, and Brahma Purana refer to the construction of Rama Setu. Therefore, no doubt, Rama’s Bridge holds an important position in Indian culture.
Many experts believe that Ram Setu saved many lives during the 2004 tsunami. Therefore, breaking even some part of it might cause havoc in the future. Also, it will no doubt affect the ecology in the area. Therefore, the government should be cautious before implementing any project like Sethusamudram.