Adam’s Bridge (Ram Setu): Everything you need to know

There are only a few historical structures across the globe that link mythological and historical theories together. One such construction is Adam’s Bridge, also known as Ram Setu. Recently, the central government approved an underwater exploration, to study the structure and determine the age of the Ram Setu and its formation. This study will also help in understanding if the structure is as old as the Ramayana period. Also, there is a demand to make Ram Setu a national monument, although the matter is sub-judice. With this, it becomes more interesting to know if there are possibilities to link Indian mythology with modern day structures. Here is everything interesting that you need to know about Adam’s Bridge.

Proven facts about Ram Setu (Adam’s Bridge)

• Ram Setu or Adam’s Bridge is a structure akin to a causeway, connecting Pamban Island in Tamil Nadu to Mannar Island in Sri Lanka.
• The total length of the bridge is approximately 50 kms. Adam’s Bridge also separates the Gulf of Mannar from the Palk Strait. The sea around this structure is very shallow, ranging from three ft to 30 ft deep.
• According to several scientific reports, the bridge was completely above sea level till 1480 but was damaged by a cyclone that hit the area. It was passable on foot until the channel deepened.

See also: All about Chittorgarh Fort, India’s largest fort

• There is geological evidence to prove that the bridge was earlier a land connection between India and Sri Lanka.
• There are studies that show that the bridge is made of limestone shoals and is a linear sequence of coral reefs. There is also proof that it is made of floating rocks found scattered across Rameswaram and there are theories that believe volcanic rocks do float on water.
• As the sea water near the coral reef is very shallow, navigation of ships is impossible, because of which ships have to take roundabout routes, to reach Sri Lanka.
• The Sethusamudram Project was proposed, to provide a shortcut route from Pamban Island to Mannar Island in Sri Lanka. However, environmentalists say that the project could destroy the natural reefs, which had existed for thousands of years. Although the Sethusamudram Project was planned to be executed by deepening the Pamban pass, so that the Rama Sethu could also be preserved, the project is still at a standstill.
• Oceanography research suggests that the bridge is 7,000 years old. This tallies with the carbon dating of beaches near Mannar Island and Dhanushkodi.

Mythological importance of Ram Setu

Ram Setu was first mentioned in Valmiki’s Ramayana, a Hindu epic. The bridge is believed to have been built by Lord Rama’s Vanara Sena, with instructions from Nala, for Lord Ram to reach Lanka to rescue his wife Sita. According to legend, the bridge was built using floating stones, with name of Lord Rama engraved on it, which made it unsinkable. Apparently, Lord Rama prayed to the ocean, for a path from India to Lanka, so that he could go and rescue Sita from the clutches of Ravana, the king of Lanka.

Also read all about Daulatabad Fort: An imposing structure with historical significance

Ram Setu, also known as Adam’s Bridge, Nala Setu and Setu Banda, is the only archaeological and historical evidence of Ramayana. According to Hindu mythology, Ram Setu is a holy site. Therefore, no bridge should be built over it.

Is Ram Setu really man-made?

There are a lot of studies and researches that are trying to understand the true nature of this structure. Recently, Raj Bhagat Palanichamy, who works as a GIS and remote sensing analyst at World Resources Institute, tweeted satellite animations explaining the formations between India and Sri Lanka.

Since many had asked this, Writing a short thread on the formation between India and Sri Lanka

Usually many get deceived by “static” satellite images and believe that the Tombolo section as permanent relics of a man made bridge. pic.twitter.com/TEzvgwqnTc

— Raj Bhagat P #Mapper4Life (@rajbhagatt) July 7, 2020

Deeper ocean currents don’t enter the section between Sri Lanka and India because of the Cont Shelf. The sea surface in this section is dominated by longshore currents in two directions – one from Gulf of Mannar and other from Palk strait and they are in opposite directions pic.twitter.com/TyyDmklhSL

— Raj Bhagat P #Mapper4Life (@rajbhagatt) July 7, 2020

Longshore currents bring a lot of sediments. And at the meeting point of the currents they settle and form these islands. Notice in the satellite images below how these islands change a lot owing to current direction, tides, etc. This is just a short term timelapse (<4 years) pic.twitter.com/pkMJuVHcm5

— Raj Bhagat P #Mapper4Life (@rajbhagatt) July 7, 2020

The sediment deposition is a gradual process and has been happening over long time. In the last 30 years, we can notice the changes in the Pamban Island near Dhanushkodi where the islands in deeper section had been volatile whereas sand closer to Pamban have been consolidating pic.twitter.com/ENrBSm9Del

— Raj Bhagat P #Mapper4Life (@rajbhagatt) July 7, 2020

The sediment accretion and erosion is not limited to the section between Rameshwaram and Mannar, deposition has been happening close to the group of islands between Thoothukudi and Mandapam. There is also a spit formation in Kodikarai which has formed Muthupet salt marshes pic.twitter.com/NSLRgqMQJB

— Raj Bhagat P #Mapper4Life (@rajbhagatt) July 7, 2020

What these tell is that these formations are caused by the sea n are not manmade. The desc/location of bridge as mentioned in epics don’t match this either

The future of this Tombolo is dependent on Sea level, Currents etc. It might either consolidate in future or might be lost!

— Raj Bhagat P #Mapper4Life (@rajbhagatt) July 7, 2020

Why is Ram Setu known as Adam’s Bridge?

The bridge first appeared in Ibn Khordadbeh’s Book of Roads and Kingdoms (c. 850), in which it is referred to as ‘Set Bandhai’ or ‘Bridge of the Sea’. Other sources describe this bridge in the context of Adam, crossing over to India from Sri Lanka via the bridge, after his expulsion from the Garden of Eden, leading to the name of Adam’s Bridge. Apart from this, a British cartographer, in 1804, prepared the earliest map that calls this area by the name Adam’s Bridge.

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