Adam's Bridge (Rama Setu), a chain of limestone shoals, connects:

Adam's Bridge, also known as Rama Setu or Ram Setu, is a chain of limestone shoals, sandbanks and small islets about 48 km long, between Pamban Island (Rameswaram) in Tamil Nadu, India, and Mannar Island in Sri Lanka.

Location:

• It separates the Gulf of Mannar in the south-west from Palk Bay in the north-east.
• The shoals are very shallow, with water only about 1 to 10 metres deep in places, so large ships cannot pass through.

Names and beliefs:

• In the Ramayana, it is believed to be the bridge built by Lord Rama's army of vanaras (monkeys), under the engineering of Nala, to reach Lanka and rescue Sita.
• The name "Adam's Bridge" comes from Islamic tradition, according to which Adam crossed it to reach Adam's Peak in Sri Lanka after being expelled from paradise.

Geological view:

• Most geologists consider it a natural formation of sand, coral and limestone, built up by sediment deposition and coral growth.
• Some records suggest that it was above sea level and could be walked across until a storm in the 15th century.
• In 2022, the government told Parliament that it was not possible to say conclusively what the structure was made of, as it is underwater.

Environmental importance:

• The Gulf of Mannar side has coral reefs, seagrass beds and rare marine animals, such as the dugong (sea cow).
• The Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park and Biosphere Reserve protect this area.

Pamban Bridge:

The Pamban rail bridge connects Pamban Island (Rameswaram) to the Indian mainland. A new vertical-lift sea bridge was opened in April 2025.

Why not the other options?

• ✗The Maldives and Myanmar are not connected to India by these shoals.