He was disheartened by obstacles preventing him from finding a way to cross the sea.
He receives guidance from a local who asks him to visit Uppur Vinayaga temple:
‘You will recognize the temple by the first rays of the sun falling on the deity'
Ram prays to Vinayaka here who had earlier pardoned Surya's sins for attending Daksha's yagna. The temple is called Veyil Ugantha Vinayagar temple.
Uppur = Lavanapuram
As is customary, Ram propitiates Vinayakar before beginning his campaign.
Ram moves south to Devipattinam, to Kadal Adaitha Jagannatha Temple. Here, he examines his horoscope & finds that the planets are not favoring his journey.
He prays to the planets by making sand idols. However, each time Rama set the idols for pooja, the sea would wash them away
Finally, the Sudarshana Chakra in the temple recognised its master.
It came whirring at the sea, forcing it to recede so that Ram could consecrate the idols.
This temple is in Devipattinam & is often confused with the temple in Thirupullani.
After their victory and crowning Vibheeshana as prince, he requests Ram to destroy the bridge.
This is at Dhanushkodi, which literally means "Bow tipping over"
Every inch of Rameswaram & Dhanushkodi island is connected with Ramayana.
In an age where politicians say "I am from Tamilnadu and I do not know who Rama is", it is essential to educate oneself with the geography of this sacred land.
Jai Shri Ram.
Source: 1. In the footsteps of Rama by Vikrant Pande & Neelesh Kulkarni
At its core- the story theme is the same as Mahabharatha, Baahubali & Game of thrones, if you will.
One king is retiring. Who is going to become the next king?
The fight is for the Chola throne. The period is 968 AD according to Kalki.
Also, according to history!
A quick history lesson:
Parantaka-1 has 3 sons - the elder son died early in a war.
The middle son Gandaraditya became the next king. His son Madhurantaka was 1 year old when he dies.
So, Gandaraditya asks his younger brother Arinjaya to succeed him.