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Ram Sethu, the mythical bridge which got embroiled in a controversy over the Sethusamudram project, is back in the news, for the trade of coral rocks, considered a part of the holy structure. Droves of pilgrims in India are buying the coral rocks sold by agents and tourist guides who claim that the rocks were a part of the bridge built by the ´Vanara Sena´ for Lord Ram to crossover to Lanka to rescue Sita, reports PTI.
"Pilgrims visiting this temple town buy these stones thinking that they are from the Ram bridge. But they are actually coral rocks," an official of the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park said. As coral rocks tend to float naturally, pilgrims believe that the rocks are the ones used by Rama´s army and buy it, he said.Despite a ban on the trade of coral rocks under the Wild Life and Marine Life Protection Acts, they are being sold at five places -- ´Seetha Theertham,´ ´Ram Theertham,´ ´Lakshman Theertham,´ ´Kandhamadhanaparvam´ and at an ashram -- in the island at rates varying between Indian Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000 per piece, he said.
"Pilgrims visiting this temple town buy these stones thinking that they are from the Ram bridge. But they are actually coral rocks," an official of the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park said. As coral rocks tend to float naturally, pilgrims believe that the rocks are the ones used by Rama´s army and buy it, he said.Despite a ban on the trade of coral rocks under the Wild Life and Marine Life Protection Acts, they are being sold at five places -- ´Seetha Theertham,´ ´Ram Theertham,´ ´Lakshman Theertham,´ ´Kandhamadhanaparvam´ and at an ashram -- in the island at rates varying between Indian Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000 per piece, he said.
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