When viewed from above, satellite images reveal a faint strip connecting India and Sri Lanka. Known as Adam’s Bridge, Ram’s Bridge, or Ram Setu, this natural chain of limestone shoals stretches across the Indian Ocean for 30 miles (48 kilometers). With a blend of geological, historical, and mythological significance, Adam’s Bridge has become a subject of intrigue for scientists, scholars, and spiritual believers alike. Here, we delve into the formation’s rich background across history, mythology, and scientific exploration.
Adam’s Bridge, bridging India’s Rameswaram and Sri Lanka’s Mannar Island, has long fascinated historians and archaeologists. For centuries, this land bridge was traversable on foot up until the 15th century, shaped by natural forces over thousands of years. According to geological research, such as that by the Geological Survey of India (GSI), the Rameswaram and Talaimannar landmasses likely became exposed as sea levels shifted between 7,000 and 18,000 years ago. This shift led to the emergence of the shoals we see today, with coral forming over sand deposits to create the visible structure.
Through thousands of years of shifting landscapes, natural forces drove India and Sri Lanka further apart, forming the Palk Strait. Deposits from the Kaveri River and strong coastal currents molded the present-day islands and sandbanks collectively known as Adam’s Bridge. “Some corals in the area date back 125,000 years,” researchers have noted, underscoring the deep history behind this geological wonder.
There are two predominant theories about how Adam’s Bridge came to exist. One theory suggests that the shoals emerged through sustained sediment deposition, leading to the formation of barrier islands. Another perspective posits that the Bridge may represent an ancient shoreline, hinting that India and Sri Lanka were once connected by land.
The idea of constructing a navigable channel between southern India and northern Sri Lanka has intrigued engineers for centuries. In 1782, English oceanographer James Rennel proposed a maritime route through these waters. This concept took form in the Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project, initially proposed in 1955, which aimed to create a 167-kilometer channel through the Palk Strait, linking it to the Gulf of Mannar. Such a channel would save up to 36 hours of travel time for maritime routes and reduce distances by over 400 kilometers.
Despite the logistical advantages, the project has encountered significant challenges and delays. In 2005, the Indian government greenlit the initiative, which involved dredging the shallow seabed. However, environmentalists raised alarms, warning that dredging could destroy fragile coral ecosystems and disrupt the livelihoods of local fishing communities. Concerns were also raised about potential environmental hazards, including the possibility of releasing thorium deposits, an element found in India’s seabed that could increase the area’s vulnerability to natural disasters like tsunamis.
Beyond environmental concerns, the project stirred religious and cultural sensitivities. For many, Ram Setu is more than a geological formation; it is a revered cultural structure believed to have been constructed by Lord Rama’s divine intervention. This view has spurred strong resistance from various religious groups and political parties, ultimately halting the project. In 2013, the Indian Supreme Court acknowledged these sentiments, ruling in favor of protecting the Bridge on cultural grounds. As a result, the Sethusamudram project remains stalled, and its future remains uncertain amid ongoing debates.
Beyond its historical and geological facets, Adam’s Bridge is a significant symbol in both Hindu and Abrahamic mythology. In the Hindu epic Ramayana, dating back to 1000-500 BC, the Bridge plays a pivotal role in Lord Rama’s journey to rescue his wife, Sita, from the demon king Ravana of Lanka. According to legend, Lord Rama’s army, the Vanara Sena (Army of Ape Men), constructed the Bridge by writing Rama’s name on stones that floated on the water through divine grace, providing a path from India to Lanka.
The Bridge’s mythological significance extends to the Abrahamic traditions as well. Islamic and Christian folklore identify this formation as Adam’s path after he was expelled from paradise. According to certain traditions, Adam is believed to have traveled across the Bridge from Sri Lanka’s Adam’s Peak to India. This connection is echoed in ancient texts, including Ibn Khordadbeh’s 9th-century work, Kitāb al-Masālik wa-l-Mamālik, where it is referred to as Set Bandhai or “Bridge of the Sea.” Additionally, the 11th-century writings of Al-Biruni add to its mythic reputation.
Whether created by natural forces or ascribed to divine construction, Adam’s Bridge is a timeless symbol, uniting lands, faiths, and generations through wonder and intrigue.
