Controversy over Rama’s Bridge

Posted by Harsh Nevatia Jun 21, 2007

When Rama wanted to invade Lanka with his Vanara Sena (Monkey Army) to defeat Ravana and rescue Sita, he was obstructed by the body of water now known as Palk Strait. In the Vanara Sena were two monkeys Nala and Neel, who were the sons of Viswakarma – the architect of the demi-Gods. They instructed the monkeys to collect rocks and on them wrote the word “Rama”. This enabled the rocks to float. The floating rocks were then arranged in a bridge formation from what is today known as Rameshwaram to the northern end of Srilanka. Rama and his Vanara Sena crossed over that bridge into Lanka.

Today there is a rock formation that is visible just below where Rama’s bridge was constructed. Such is the intensity of this rock formation that it is visible in satellite images. Hindus believe that this rock formation is the remnant of Rama’s bridge. The British have given the name Adam’s bridge to this formation.

Ships traveling from the east coast of India to its west coast and vice versa today go around the island of Srilanka. Shipping has grown enormously in recent times and this long route is now being perceived as a burden. Going through Palk Strait is expected to save over500 kilometers and 36 hours. But the Rama’s bridge and shoal formation in the Palk Strait prevent the passage of ships. The Government of India has come up with the Samudrasetu Ship Canal Project that proposes to dredge out a 260-kilometer long and 30-kilometer wide section of the Palk Strait so as to create a canal wide enough for ships to pass through. The problem is that they will have to cut through Rama’s bridge as well. Samudrasetu in fact means Sea Bridge.

Many Hindus consider this an act of desecration against something they hold sacred. The proponents of the project claim that the rock formation has nothing to do with Rama’ bridge and is millions of years old. Opponents argue that the rock in Rama’s bridge is geologically different from the surrounding underwater terrain. Other’s do not care about such arguments and feel that such sentiments have no place in modern society. Such decisions can be based only on techno-economic arguments. Environmentalists too have chipped in citing damage to the environment if the project is carried out.

There are stories that Hanuman, the monkey-God and one of the stalwarts in the Vanara Sena and Rama’s right hand, is protecting his master’s bridge. One dredging vessel has sunk. Another broke its spud. While the spud was being retrieved the crane snapped. These accidents are believed by many to be God’s way of protecting his work.

Incidentally this project was first mooted a hundred and fifty years ago by one Commander Taylor during the British occupation of India.