{"id":97758,"date":"2022-08-17T18:34:41","date_gmt":"2022-08-17T18:34:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/?p=97758"},"modified":"2022-08-17T18:35:39","modified_gmt":"2022-08-17T18:35:39","slug":"adams-bridge-indicating-a-primordial-bond-by-arundathie-abeysinghe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/adams-bridge-indicating-a-primordial-bond-by-arundathie-abeysinghe\/","title":{"rendered":"Adam\u2019s Bridge \u2013 indicating a primordial bond By Arundathie Abeysinghe"},"content":{"rendered":"

Adam\u2019s Bridge \u2013 indicating a primordial bond – <\/strong>By Arundathie Abeysinghe<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n

\"Adam\u2019s<\/p>\n

\"\"A chain of pale gold limestone shoals that stretch between *Mannar Island, off the Northwestern coast of Sri Lanka and Rameswaram, off the Southeastern coast of Tamil Nadu indicate an ancient connection between Sri Lanka and India by land.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to chronicles, during the British Colonial Era, the British had named this chain of limestone shoals as \u201cAdam\u2019s Bridge\u201d after the theistic legend regarding *Adam, the first man on the Earth. The British were of the view that Adam had used this bridge to reach *Adam\u2019s Peak. The Bridge is also known as \u201cRama\u2019s Bridge\u201d or \u201cRam Setu\u201d. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Indian epic *Ramayana has also described a bridge over the ocean connecting India with Sri Lanka. According to the epic the credit of constructing the Bridge is attributed to the ape army that was assisting *Rama in his war against demon king *Rawana to save *Sita. According to folklore, the Bridge was constructed by Rawana utilizing \u201cfloating rocks\u201d that are made of weightless corals. Hence, the Bridge was a collapsible structure made to cross the sea to reach India, when necessary.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s Bridge is 30 kilometers long and separates the *Gulf of Mannar from the *Palk Strait. According to folklore, the surrounding sea is believed to be very shallow ranging from three feet to 30 feet deep (approximately 1-9 meters), depending on the location with sandbanks changing shape and shifting with the tide. Hence, the ride to the sandbanks takes approximately 45 minutes. It is a long stretch of sand protruding out into the water. The color of the sand in the location is different compared to other locations in Sri Lanka as it is a rare shade of black and pale gold with intricate designs similar to a pattern made from the waves constantly lapping at the shore. Yet, the vicinity is covered with tall grass and colorful plants.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sandbanks in the location are no larger than a small playground and each sandbank could be encircled in approximately 15 minutes. There are 16 sandbanks out of which eight belong to Sri Lanka and eight to India. According to many visitors at the location, on a very clear day the Indian flag on the last of the Indian sandbanks of the Adam\u2019s Bridge too can be spotted.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to folklore, this bridge was constructed by an army of apes (forest-dwelling men often characterized as apes) to help Rama cross the ocean to rescue Sita. In another folklore, this was a bridge utilized by Adam during his journey between Sri Lanka and India.<\/span><\/p>\n

Scholars are of the view that the Bridge is the remains of a land connection between the two countries, a result of them splitting apart, whereas some scholars are of the view that this is a buildup of sediment, coral and sand over several thousands of years.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to scholars, in 1480, a cyclone apparently deepened the channels between India and Sri Lanka leading to the present condition. Nevertheless, some sections are only between 1 and 10 meters (3 and 30 feet deep), even at present.<\/span><\/p>\n

The landscape at the location is surreal with views of the ocean as far as the eye can see\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

In the past, visitors could go on boat rides around the shoals that make up the bridge, organized by either the Navy or local fishermen. Yet, these boat rides have been stopped due to recent incidents of human smuggling.<\/span><\/p>\n

Route to Adam\u2019s Bridge:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Travel up to Talaimannar Police Station. From this location onwards, it is necessary to seek permission from the security at Vayu Kitesurfing Resort and also to park the vehicle to visit the Bridge.<\/span><\/p>\n

During high season, May to September, visitors can have a meal at \u201cVayu\u201d and subsequently access the Bridge. Yet, during off season, this resort is closed.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are also several routes used by fishermen in adjacent villages.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Adam\u2019s<\/p>\n

Image courtesy – brilliantmaps.com & deccanchronicle.com<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n