Ram Setu: Myths vs facts and things you must know

The first teaser of Akshay Kumar’s Ram Setu also starring Jacqueline Fernandez and Nusrat Bharucha released today. Based on the famous mythological structure 'Ram Setu' from Ramayana, the topic has been under debate for some time now regarding what are the facts and the myths.

Here are a few things that will help you come to a plausible conclusion:

NASA confirmed Ram Setu is a manmade structure

Also known as Adam’s bridge, earlier it was believed that Ram Setu was created by corals and hence, was a natural phenomenon. However, after gathering several pieces of evidence from the site and getting an overview from the air, NASA came to the conclusion that this Setu connected with the legend of Ram and Ravana fight was constructed by a man almost 1.2 million years ago.

These facts have given a boost to the popular Indian belief that Lord Ram and his 'Vanar Sena' constructed this particular long bridge stretching up to 30 km so that Lord Ram and his brother Lakshman could fight with the King Ravana and bring Mata Sita back.

Multiple views and studies on Ram Setu

On the other hand, there are a few scientific studies that continue to say that the bridge has been formed by limestone and causeways formed naturally. However, Oceanography studies have confirmed that the age of the Ram Setu Bridge is 7000 years. The carbon dating conducted near Mannar Islan and Dhanushkodi matches with the dates when Ramayana took place.

Walkable Bridge until 15th Century

The bridge connecting Pamban Island in Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka’s Mannar Island was reportedly a walkable bridge until the 15th century. There are historical documents that indicate that it was a walkable bridge and was above sea level. Modern science estimates its depth to be around 3 to 30 feet in the causeway.

Ram Bridge is also known as Nala Setu

Ram Setu has many names including Adam’s Bridge and Nala Setu because it was believed that Nala was the architect who constructed this bridge so that Ram’s army can reach Sri Lanka.

Mystery of floating stones and more

The story of Ramayana says that Nala constructed the Setu by using floating stones. Even today such floating stones are easily found in Rameswaram scattered everywhere. Scientific studies say that volcanic rocks have a tendency to float in water. So, there is other evidence to support that the bridge could have been built using floating stones.

Even though Ram Setu is now submerged in water, it is not very deep which is why ships cannot sail from here and hence, they have to take another route to reach Sri Lanka and vice versa.