Kurusadai Islands
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Kurusadai Islands houses rare and extinct marine species. This island is globally known for its coral reefs.
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 Kurusadai Islands are near the borders of Mandapam. A favorite exploration spot of marine specialists and aquatic researchers, these Islands have a global recognition for its unique coral reefs. It is also visited by the common masses with proper approval of the fisheries department. Found near the borders of Mandapam, Kurusadai Islands offer a visual delight to tourists who can watch the dolphins and sea-cows diving freely in the Gulf of Mannar. It offers a visual treat as one can see dolphins, sea cows and others in the Gulf of Mannar. In its serene atmosphere, the place is veritably an eternal abode for silent meditation.
The name "Kurusadai" symbolically means Lord Shiva with matted locks- as a manifestation of Lord Dakshinamurti. The morph metric features of these islands with thick algal seaweeds, mangroves, sea grasses, coral reefs, fringing reefs, patch reefs, shingles, cay etc, are said to resemble, in a bird's eye view, the matted-locks of Lord Dakshinamurti. Hence the island is named so and also Pamban means snake which is worn by Lord Shiva around his neck.
Tourism in Kurusadai Islands
Kurusadai Islands are the haven of rare and near extinct species of marine sphere. It is abound in atypical balanoglossus organism which is a living fossil that is available in the aqua biosphere of earth.  Sea anemone is other creature which is worth watching. The moment it is touched it takes the shape of amoeba. It has sea weeds, multi-hued reefs and a sea grass that is spread over the shallow bed of the water. On the south-east of the Kurusadai Island is the famous coral reef that is one of its special attractions. The coral reef is known as Galaxea reef which gets exposed at low tides. Completely surrounded by a chain of coral reefs, the shallow waters sustain a remarkable variety of marine life - Starfish, Algae, Sea cucumbers, Crabs, Sponges and many more. Kurusadai Islands symbolize wonderful flora and fauna.
Only a 20km driveway from Rameswaram, the Islands offer convenient transportation facilities to the visitors. The boat ride takes about 15 min during which Pamban Bridge can be seen. These islands on the west of the Pamban Bridge are an ideal place to explore the sea. Clear blue water and white sand is not something we see in India very often. There is a famous shrine of Raja Rajeswari Amman about 35 kms from Ramnathapuram built inside a palace. The Gulf of Mannar has been declared as a Bio-sphere Reserve that is being developed as an ecologically sensitive area.
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