The Ram Setu
Ram Setu, also known as God Ram's bridge from the tale of Ramayan in Hindu mythology, is an incredible chain of limestone shoals (bridge of floating stones on water in simpler words), between the islands of Mannar, near north western Sri Lanka, and Rameswaram, off the south eastern coast of India.
The bridge is 30 miles (48 km) long and separates the Gulf of Mannar (southwest) from the Palk Strait (northeast). Some of the sand banks are dry and t...he sea in the area is very shallow, being only 3 ft to 30 ft (1 m to 10 m) deep in places, which hinders navigation.The name, Rama's Bridge or Rama Setu (Sanskrit: setu : bridge) for the shoal of islands derives from the Sanskrit epic Ramayana, in which a bridge from Rameswaram was built by allies of Rama that he used to reach Lanka, and rescue his abducted wife Sita from the asura king, Ravana. The sea separating India and Sri Lanka is called Sethu samudram, based on the same episode.
Danger to Ram Setu:
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According to Hindu scriptures and belief, Lord Ram and his vaanar sena had built a bridge from Rameshwaram to Sri Lanka about 17 lacs 25 thousands years ago. The discovery of Shri Ram Setu by NASA confirms that Hindu scriptures and belief are correct in this matter and that Ramayana is history and not mythology as is often construed.
Setu Samudram [shipping canal project] is based on the notion that it is inevitable to break the Shri Ram Setu for easy navigation. This will amount to damaging a monument of both, historical and religious importance to Hindus.
Why Ram Setu should not be damaged
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Ram Setu prevented the tsunami from advancing from Rameshwaram to Kerala.
Spiritual Significance:
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This is a divine bridge.
Lord Rama and his vaanar sena had built it 17 lacs 25 thousands years ago.
In Puranas, the importance of Setu is explained in great details, especially in Skanda Purana, Vishnu Purana, Agni Purana, and Brahma Purana
Physical Significance
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Ram Setu a natural barrier to Tsunami: During the last tsunami, the Ramar Bridge (at a high elevation) from the rest of the shoal accumulations acted as a natural barrier preventing the direct devastation of the entire Bharatam coastline south and southwest of Nagapattanam. Many geologists, earth scientists, and oceanographers have commented critically, against the disastrous consequences of constructing SSCP. Amongst these is the impending devastation of Kerala, which will suck in after implementation of SSCP, after next Tsunami hits it.
Many Naval officials are saying that even after the completion of SSCP, the depth of the canal shall be only 12 meters (about 36 feet ), and only small and medium sized vessels shall be able to pass. Large sized vessels and carriers shall not be able to pass.
Social Significance:
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The construction of SSCP is trampling upon the feelings and emotions of millions and millions of Hindus.
Besides, this bridge is world's oldest man-made structure. It is much much older than the pyramids of Egypt, and the Great Wall of China. Ram Setu has sentimental, religious and historic value. People have crossed the sea using the Rama- Setu , for many thousand years, until the 15th century.
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