Understanding the Yet Unsolved Mystery of “RAM SETU”
What is Ram Setu?
Adam’s Bridge, also known as Rama’s Bridge or Rama Setu, is a chain of limestone shoals, between Pamban Island, also known as Rameshwaram Island, off the south-eastern coast of Tamil Nadu, India, and Mannar Island, off the north-western coast of Sri Lanka.
In simple words, Ram Setu is a bridge that connects South India (Rameshawaram) to North Sri-Lanka (Mannar Island).
- Factoid : THE BRIDGE IS 48 KM LONG & RAMESHWARAM TEMPLE RECORDS SAY THAT ADAM’S BRIDGE WAS ENTIRELY ABOVE SEA LEVEL UNTIL IT BROKE IN A CYCLONE IN 1480.
Why we need to study Ram Setu?
Geological evidence does suggest that this bridge is a former land connection between Bharat & Sri Lanka. There are certain disagreements among experts as to if it is “natural” or “man-made”.
We will see the points of both and leave the readers, not with the answer but a curious thought.
Is Ram Setu MAN-MADE?
According to Historical text RAMAYANA, it was build by Lord Rama with the help Vanara (monkey) army. He had to construct this bridge to reach Sri Lanka as his wife Sita was kidnapped and was imprisoned there.
Surprisingly, the time of Ramyana ( 5000 BCE) and the carbon analysis of the bridge sync properly.
We can confirm this only through the historical evidence. Some believe Ram Setu is the only archaeological and historical evidence of Ramayana. The detailing of the construction in the epic can be related to some scientific theories. However, it is hard to believe everything through a mythological perspective..
Why it has so many names?
- NOTE : “SETU” means Bridge.
- RAM SETU : As the bridge was built by Rama & his army
- NAL SETU : As Nal was the chief Architect (designer) of the bridge.
- ADAM’S BRIDGE : The name Adam’s Bridge comes from some ancient Islamic texts referring to the Adam’s Peak in Sri Lanka (Adam is suppose to fallen in this part of earth).
What is the Scientific Explanation of Ram Setu?
After so many years of research, Scientists have discovered the existence of stones used in Ram Setu Bridge. Science believes that the stones used to build the Ram Setu bridge are some special types of stones, called ‘Pumice’ stones. Actually, these stones originate from the volcanic lava. When lava heat meets the atmosphere’s less hot air or water, they transform themselves into some particles.
Many times these particles form a large stone. Scientists believe that when the volcanic hot lava meets the atmosphere’s cool air, the air balance deteriorates.
- Factoid : The studies of Oceanography suggests that the bridge is 7000 years old. Interestingly, the carbon dating of beaches near Dhanushkodi and Mannar Island sync with the date of Ramayana.3
What critic scientists say about the Pumice Stone Theory?
Let us start from the scientific fact that, if air is trapped within silica, it would look like a stone but would be very light and float. Example is of “Pumice” stones. Pumice is the hardened foam of lava when it comes out of a volcano. The inside of a volcano has very high pressure and can be as hot as 1600 C. When the lava comes out of the volcano, it meets the cool air or sea water. Then air and water that was mixed in the lava bubble out. Due to temperature differences, it freezes and so bubbles trapped inside them. Hence weight is reduced, so it floats.
Dense stones do not float on water. But because pumice is full of air bubbles, it is less dense than water. So In the beginning, it will float. But in time, water will enter the bubbles driving out the air. Slowly, the pumice sinks. This also explains why the Ram Setu is under water today.
3 Logical Reasons to tackle Pumice Theory :-
- Pumice doesn’t float forever, but Ram Setu stones are still seen floating even after 7000 years.
- There is not even a single Volcano near Rameshawaram, from where the Pumice Stones could have been taken by Vanara Army.
- Some floating stones of Rameshawaram are not light weighted like pumice rocks and doesn’t have the chemical composition similar to pumice rocks. Also, the color of the pumice rocks is white or cream but there are many black floating stones in Rameswaram. (Experimental Observation)
Above points are completely rational and kind of disapproves the Pumice Stone theory.
If not Pumice Stones then what is the science behind Ram Setu?
There are many other theories but none of them is completely impeccable and has many setbacks. Currently, No theory about Ram Setu can be wholly accepted but the research is going on.
Setu Samudram Project initiated by the government in which Ram Setu was needed to be broken being put on stay by Court because Hindu people & many groups stood against the project. But the government recently proposed an idea to do it without demolishing the bridge.
What are my opinions about it?
Now-a-days, Being agnostic is considered “cool” by youth. But the main thing is one should have full knowledge about the “subject” before denying it. I will surely write about this in very detail in some later blog.
Till the time a well efficient theory come in existence, it is of no harm to believe that RAM SETU is an “ENGINEERING MARVEL” built by Vanara army under the leadership of LORD RAM to connect BHARAT with SRI LANKA.
It may be possible that Ancient people have more advanced tech to build such marvelous thing at that time some of which are still impossible to build even with great techs of today. But due to some Natural Disasters or mysterious reason, all techs or info about these techs were erupted from the planet.
Source of Data : INTERNET RESEARCH (Wikipedia, YouTube videos & Some News Articles)
That’s all for this Article cum Blog. Hope all readers may get the value of their time after reading this article.
From where did I get the motivation or idea to write about this?
After watching above video from YouTube, I get the motivation to write about the mystery of Ram Setu.
