Dhanushkodi
India · Asia
About Dhanushkodi
Dhanushkodi (தனுஷ்கோடி Tanushkōḍi) is an interesting ghost town in Tamil Nadu, at the southern tip of Pamban Island. This strip of land is about 1 km (0.62 mi) wide and 18 km (11 mi) long on the eastern end of Pamban Island.
Dhanushkodi travel guide
Understand
The name "Dhanushkodi" (धनुष्कोटि Dhanushkoṭi) means the "tip of a bow" in Sanskrit, referencing the bow of Rama in the Ramayana. Dhanushkodi was completely washed away by the 1964 cyclone after which the city was deserted. It seems to revive between the ruins: many wood bungalows are around the old harbour (fishermen) and others with handicrafts along the road. A primary school is also active. You can see the post office, railway station, church and rail tracks in ruins. On one side are the waters of the Indian Ocean and on the other is the Bay of Bengal. The two seas, otherwise known as Ratnakaran and Mahodadhi, with their confluence, are shaped like a bow while the strip of land resembles an arrow poised for release. Devout Hindus consider the Adi Sethu, or the arrowhead, a sacred place to perform religious rites. It is also a place worth visiting for its scenic beauty and bird life.
Getting there
The only way to reach Dhanushkodi is by the fully paved road from Rameswaram to the tip of India towards the Adam's Bridge (Rama Setu). Buses #3 and #2a from Rameswaram bring you there for ₹30. Both buses start a bit north of the temple east gate at the seashore. On the trip, you see the sea on both sides: on one side the Bay of Bengal and on the other the Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal side is relatively calm and hence goes by the name (Penn Kadal, Lady Sea) and the Indian Ocean is rough with waves lashing and is called (Aaan Kadal, Male Sea). It's best to go in the evening or early morning to avoid the scorching sun, the bus starts at early as 6AM and till sunset 6PM. You might experience the travel with the former mini-truck instead of the bus.
See
1 Abondoned Church. The abondoned church is one of the prime attraction of Dhanushkodi. Nothing much is left of the church. The entrance wall still stands. The alter and portions of the back wall can still be seen. On the sides remains of arches can be seen to this day. Make shift stalls at the church entrance sells artifacts made of locally collected sea shells. (updated Mar 2025) 2 Abondoned Railway Station. Opposite the church and across the road stand the ruins of the once busy Dhanushkodi station. Three tall arches and a few scattered ruined structures are the only remains of the busy station. This is a quiet place with the feel of an abandoned town. (updated Mar 2025) 3 Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park. A protected area consisting of 21 islets and adjacent coral reefs in the Gulf of Mannar. The park includes marine components such as coral reefs, seaweed communities, sea grasses, and mangroves. Access inside the park is limited to glass-bottom boat rides. (updated Jun 2023) 4 Kothandaramaswamy Temple. A popular belief is that Vibhishana, brother of Ravana, surrendered before Rama here. (updated Jun 2026) 5 Rama Setu (Adam's Bridge). A chain of limestone shoals that stretch from India to Sri Lanka. These are believed by geologists to be remnants of a former land bridge, which Hindus believe to have been built by Rama for his troops (vānaras) to cross over to Lanka to rescue his wife Sita from Ravana. (updated Jun 2023)
Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.