Adam's Bridge

Adam's Bridge or Rama's Bridge (rä'mu) [key], chain of shoals, c.18 mi (30 km) long, SW Palk Strait, between India and island nation of Sri Lanka. At high tide it is covered by c.4 ft (1.2 m) of water, forcing oceangoing vessels to travel around Sri Lanka instead of through the Palk Strait. According to Hindu tradition, the bridge was built to transport Rama, hero of the Ramayana, to the island to rescue his wife from the demon king Ravanna. A proposed ship channel through the Palk Strait and Adam's Bridge has been protested by devout Hindus and environmentalists.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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