The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Mandapam beach park a hit with tourists

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, May 17, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Mandapam beach park a hit with tourists

Staff Reporter

On an average it earns between Rs.3,000 and 5,000 a day by way of entrance fee

Cost: Rs. 24.30 lakhs
Extent: over 40 acres

Features: Children's swimming pool, seahorse fountain, artificial hillocks etc.

RAMESWARAM: The recently-opened beach park at Mandapam, near here, has turned out to be a top tourist attraction of Rameswaram, thanks to its design and location.

The park was established at a cost of Rs. 24.30 lakhs on 40 acres of land belonging to the Mandapam Special Village Panchayat.

It was designed to meet the expectations of tourists, who were often disappointed over the inadequate tourist spots at Rameswaram.

The major attraction at the park is the children's swimming pool, just 50 metres off the sea. It has a spectacularly designed seahorse fountain, artificial coral reefs at the entrance and an artificially created starfish.

This part, colourfully decorated artificial hillocks and play equipment do not fail to draw attract tourists of all age groups. The calm and gentle waters of Gulf of Mannar scintillate those visiting the park.

An evening walk along the beachfront is said to be one of the most satisfying experience by many.

Glass-bottom boats

The park provides a spectacular view of the famous Pamban road-bridge and the 87-year-old rail-bridge.

An added attraction is the glass-bottom boats operated by the Forest department, which gives a sight of the coral reef formations underwater.

"We never thought that the park would get this much of response. More than 25 per cent of tourists who come to Rameswaram visit the beach park. On an average it earns between Rs.3,000 to Rs.5,000 a day by way of entrance fee during the season period. It has become one of the important revenue sources of the panchayat," says G. Umakanthan, Executive Officer, Mandapam Special Village Panchayat, which maintains and runs the park.

People from Ramanathapuram, Killakarai, Paramakudi and nearby areas also visit the park on holidays. The trend is expected to pick-up in the coming months, he said.

Thanga Maraikayar, panchayat presidentsaid Rs.5 lakhs has been sought from the MLA's fund to create additional facilities at the park.

A one km path would be laid at the beach to encourage walkers. The authorities have requested the Tamil Nadu Tourism Department to include the beach park in its tourist brochures.

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