Trip to Rameshwaram

Our New Year’s resolution to travel more as a family started with a bang! We kicked things off with our first trip of the year to Rameshwaram — a place I’ve always wanted to visit since watching Kannathil Muthamittal. This trip was extra special because it was my first time taking a 10+ hour road trip, covering 550 km behind the wheel.

Excited? Yes. Nervous? Absolutely!

Day 1

This trip was pretty last-minute. We booked our hotels just the day before, so it had that spontaneous vibe. Soundarya and I woke up at the ungodly hour of 3:30 AM to pack, thanks to the chaos of having two kids and zero prep time the previous day. By 6:00 AM, we were on the road, cruising out of Chennai.

With cruise control on, I maintained my speed around 80-85 kmph, and set the AC to a cozy 26°C. Guess what? my car gave me an impressive mileage of 19.6 kmpl! Honestly, I was surprised since we were traveling with a full house—four adults (hello, in-laws), two kids, and all our heavy luggage on board.

We rolled into Rameshwaram around 4:30 PM, pretty worn out from the journey, so we decided to call it a day and relax at the hotel.

Day 2

While my in-laws went to the Ramanathaswamy Temple to perform rituals, Soundarya and I decided to take the kids on an adventure to Dhanushkodi. We started around noon and reached there by 12:30 PM, only to find the place bustling with crowds. It took us a while to navigate the traffic and find a spot to park.

Once parked, we headed straight to Arichalmunai, where the Bay of Bengal meets the Indian Ocean. Climbing down the rocks, we let the kids dip their feet in the sea. Watching their pure joy as they splashed around and played in the water was priceless.

After our time in Dhanushkodi, we headed out to visit the Dr. Abdul Kalam Memorial, which was a deeply inspiring experience for me. Dr. Kalam has always been a role model, a shining example of how humble beginnings can lead to greatness. The memorial was packed with personal artifacts from his final days, along with photos, quotes, and speeches that told the story of his extraordinary life.

From there, we went to visit his house nearby. I was amazed on seeing his achievements on the display—the Bharat Ratna, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan and numerous other awards. It was a great experience to witness the legacy of someone who left such a profound impact on our nation.

Day 3

Since we planned to head back to Chennai, my family decided to catch up on some much-needed sleep before the 10+ hours “spine-breaking” drive. But me? I had other plans. I woke up early at 4:30 AM and took a peaceful walk around Rameshwaram, soaking in the quiet charm of the city at dawn.

By 6:15 AM, I was back in the car, heading solo to Dhanushkodi to catch the sunrise. I reached just in time, and the view was mesmerizing. Unlike the previous day, the place was calm, with just a handful of people. I sat there, listening to the waves and watching the sun slowly light up the horizon.

On my way back, I stumbled upon a broken bridge. There was no one around, so I parked nearby and walked to the edge. Sitting there in solitude, overlooking the quiet surroundings, felt like a scene out of the movie - Interstellar. After that little detour, I returned to the hotel, and by 9 AM, we were on the road back to Chennai.

Thanks to the Pongal holiday rush, the roads were jam-packed with people heading to their hometowns for the week-long celebrations. What should’ve been a 10-hour drive stretched into a 12-hour endurance test. We finally reached Chennai by 9 PM, tired but content.

Reflections from the Trip

Visiting Dhanushkodi felt like fulfilling a childhood dream. When Kannathil Muthamittal released, I was a 6th grader dreaming of this place, and now, I’ve not only made it but got to share the experience with my family.

Soundarya deserves a big shoutout for ensuring our kids ate home-cooked food on the first day by preparing everything in the early hours of Day one. For the rest of the trip, she kept them away from processed foods as much as possible and made sure they ate well. Adhiyan, meanwhile, took on the role of entertainer, keeping Athira happily engaged in the car while we navigated maps and roads. Despite breaking their usual 12-hour sleep routine, they managed the trip like champs, giving us hope that traveling more as a family this year is totally doable!

Adventures are always sweeter when shared with the ones you love.

All in all, it was a memorable start to the year—a perfect blend of family time, personal reflection, and childhood dreams coming true.