1) Rameshvaram Yatra

Let me answer the first one first. Pilgrimage or Yatra in general is good for several
reasons.

A) Since the holy places have immense spiritual vibrations, it serves firstly as
prayash-chittam for many a severe papas. Owing to some terrible papas carried from
previous birth or sometimes committed in this very life (such as murder, rape theft,
exploitation and others), some people seem to be suffering from some or other sever
problems in life. If done properly with shradhha and Bhakti (and not as an enjoyment or
entertainment and pomp) it wipes out the papam and thereby solves the problem.

B) Secondly it serves as a means of acquiring some special punyam if done with a or

desire (i.e. as a Kamya-Yatra). Those who need some betterment or progress in economic,
health and other conditions can undertake Yatra with such a motive.

C) Thirdly those who have some spiritual inclination but not able to progress much in
sadhana and something seems to be blocking or distracting them or stubbornly pulling
back, can do the Yatra in order to clear such a kind of papam which has been causing
obstruction to vairagyam or preventing inwardness. This is a Nishkama-yatra, in the
sense one does not want any worldly gain or enjoyment, but wishes only purity of mind,
vairagyam, continuous satvic mood and devotion to God.

D) Those too who are already on the track of Sadhana which is going on well, may
visit holy places because some family traditional custom demands or some respectable
person insisted that you must accompany them which you could not refuse out respect for
them. Or if you happened to be a Sanyasi whose Dharma is to wonder about and not stick
to one place, you could visit. But in this case, it is only a continuation of one’s sadhana as
before wherever one goes. He goes to the Holy places to provide another external
atmosphere to test his inner mood of devotion and reinforce it. The Holly places provide
encouraging as well as disturbing or rather testing atmosphere. The spiritual vibrations or
accidentally meeting another seeker or saints are conducive, on the other hand, physical
and mental strain of journey, inconvenience of new climate and place, likely ill-health
some disturbing elements (i.e. people) accompanying us --- are also inevitable irritations
but have to be faced patiently and by continuing see, with more alert effort, Ishvara and
his leela in all these without loosing inward outlook.

Some people plan to visit all the 12 Jyotir-lingas, (although many other places coming
on the way), some 7 Subrahmanya temples in Tamila-nadu, and some 18 Shakti-pithas
(i.e. Devi Temples). Some people go on yatra in specific auspicious months and some any
convenient time. Thus there are so many varied methods, some of them are recommended
by the sastras and some are accepted from the sastra with slight modification and some
are chosen by the devotees themselves by a way of a vow (called mokku in Telugu).
 Regarding Kashi – Ramesvaram Yatra, I heard that people should do abhisekam of
Shri Rameshavara linga with Ganga-jalam carried from kashi. Similarly, something
(probably mud or something I don’t remember now ) should be carried from
Rameshvaram to Kashi to offer it to Vishvanatha or Vishveshvara. (I was looking for
some book to verify this, hence the delay in reply. I had a big book of five volumes which
served as a ready reference for any thing. A Swamiji forcibly barrowed it from me and
passed away before returning. I could not get it back however much I tried after his
death.) In order to be able to complete this circle of Kashi-Rameshvara yatra , one of
them has to be visited twice. I feel keeping strictly to this rigid ritualistic procedure is not
compulsory for a serious Vedantic sadhaka like you. Let others follow and you need not
disturb them but you can continue your all time Vedantic sadhana Yatra and allow it to
pass through Rameshvara also when it comes on your way.