Adams Bridge

views updated May 23 2018

Adam's Bridge or Rāma's Bridge. The chain of small islands linking S. India to N. Śri Lankā, which could be crossed on foot until the 15th cent., when storms widened the gaps. According to Rāmāyaṇa, Hanumān built the link to enable Rāma to cross and rescue Sītā. According to Muslim tradition, Adam crossed here after his expulsion from the Garden of Eden.