The Archaeological Survey of India has given the green signal to an underwater exploration project that is set to determine when and how the Ram Setu came about in the first place. If it proves to be successful, it might actually help in determination of how old the Ramayana period actually was. It could also help uncover a lot of historical questions that have been revolving around it for several decades.
This is in response to a proposal by the CSIR and the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) to explore the Ram Setu for the purpose of research. The NIO’s exploratory vessels, Sindhu Sadhana or Sindhu Sankalp will be used in the process of collection of samples that will help in ascertaining the age of the setu (bridge).
The radiometric technique will be used to determine the age of the 48-km-long bridge. The project assumes both religious and political significance.
The Ram Setu is a chain of shoals between Pamban Island (also known as Rameswaram Island) in Tamil Nadu of India and Mannar Island in Sri Lanka. According to past geological evidence, the structure is a former land connection between India and Sri Lanka. According to Ramayana, a ‘vanar sena’ had originally built the bridge over the ocean to help lord Ram cross over to Sri Lanka to rescue his wife Sita.
The Congress-led UPA government had had approved the Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project that will cut through th Ram Setu. When opposition protested against the move and petitioned the Supreme Court, it filed an affidavit arguing that Ram Setu which is believed to have been built by Lord Ram, lacked scientific and historical veracity. The Modi government scrapped the project and decided to leave the Ram Setu untouched.
Scientists and geologists have argued that the Ram Setu is man-made and not natural. Carbon dating of beaches near Dhanushkodi and Mannar Island roughly matches the dates of Ramayana.