To say that India is a country of many wonders and mysticism would be very appropriate especially regarding this place called Dhanushkodi, which is the end of the Indian mainland and is at a distance of only 24 kms from the country of Sri Lanka. Dhanush means Bow and arrow and this place is so named because the bridge ( Ram Setu ) built by the Vanar Sena of Lord Rama to the kingdom of Lanka, was broken at one end at the advice of Vibhishan, brother of King Ravana. So Dhanshkodi literally means breaking by dhanush.
State - Tamilnadu
Where - The east coast of the Pamban Island
Island - Pambhan, Rameshwaram
Name - Dhanushkodi
Distance from Rameshwaram - 15 km
Significance - The last road of India
Historical importance -
The starting point of Ram Setu
Arrival of Swami Vivekananda via the sea route from Sri Lanka after his Dharma parliament in the USA
Things to do - Watch the sunset, stroll on the white sand beaches, Surfing, Boating, Sightseeing of the confluence of the mighty Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal, visit the many ancient temples especially of Lord Ram, check out Ram Setu, have a look at the southern neighbor, Sri Lanka across the Palk Strait.
Connected by the National Highway
5 km from Mukuntharayar Chathiram to Dhanushkodi
4.5 km from Dhanushkodi to Arichamunai
Once a bustling port town, today this place wears a deserted look. In fact it is often referred to as a ghost town. Although the tourists do visit this place, the visit is only allowed during the day time and the place is shut down by the authorities after the sunset. The sad state of the town is due to the devastating cyclone of 1964 which is also called the Rameswaram cyclone which had created havoc in the ocean and the nearby coastal places. The village of Dhanushkodi was destroyed completely with 1800 estimated deaths and the pamban train was drowned killing hundreds of passengers. The hustling and bustling life came to a standstill with most of the villagers losing their lives and utter devastation of the coastal region. It was never rehabilitated by the authorities and finally turned into an isolated and deserted place. Nowadays it's only the tourists visiting for the scenic ocean views, the white sandy beaches, the historical and religious importance due the Ram Setu. More importantly it is the place where the Indian ocean and Bay of Bengal meet.
There is clear demarcation in the two water bodies with the water color being of different shades. It is a uniquely mesmerizing sight. The amalgamation of the geographical beauty, historical and religious importance, the eerie and deserted silence all around, the ruins of the village and the many temples still standing make Dhanushkodi one of the most unique places as a tourist destination. Suffice to say, it is definitely worth a visit.
Pictures credit - @vertigowarrior from Twitter
