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Dhanushkodi is a small town in located around 20 km from Rameshwaram. It was once a busy port exporting goods between India and Sri Lanka.
Now declared as a Ghost town by the government after the massive cyclone in the year 1964.
1964 Rameswaram Cyclone
If you want to know about this place, then you should know about the Life Changing Rameswaram cyclone which is also known as Dhanushkodi Cyclone.
On December 15, 1964, a low pressure was spotted near the Andaman Sea, which later formed into a cyclone on December 18, 1964, and lashed on the Bay of Bengal surrounding areas.
As time passed, the low depression cyclone turned into a massive cyclone and moved close to Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) with 280 km/h wind speed and 10 meter high tides devastating all the things in its way.
Later on, this Cyclone moved along the Palk Strait area and hit the Dhanushkodi town around midnight of December 23 without any alarm and swept down the entire town into the water.
This cyclone killed around 1800 people in both Dhanuskodi and Sri Lanka and 150 million worth property was damaged.
It is estimated that 800 people alone killed in the Dhanushkodi town along with 115 train passengers (110 travelers and 5 Train Employees).
This cyclone left this town with just remnants of some buildings like port office, railway station, a school, a Church and an unaffected Ancient temple in this town.
Geographically, Dhanushkodi lies in the South East side of Pambam Island and also lies in the Palk Strait region of the sea. On one side you will see the Bay Of Bengal Sea and another side Indian Ocean.
From here Sri Lanka is just 30 KM. People who visit Dhanuskodi could receive mobile signals of Sri Lankan operators.
Myths around Dhanushkodi
According to the epic Ramayana, this is the place where the God Rama ordered his Vanara army in guide of Lord Hanuman to build the Bridge to Sri Lanka in order to rescue his consort Sita from Demon king Ravana’s captive.
And the bridge is known as Rama Setu or globally known as Adam’s bridge which is still there submerged into the sea and partly visible from Dhanushkodi sea shore.
Another myth about this place is, that after victory over the Ranava, Lord Rama with his wife and army returned to this place. As per the request from Vibishna, Lord Rama broke the bridge with the one end of his bow.
That’s why this place got its name as ‘Dhanushkodi’, where Dhanush means Bow and Kodi means End.
Best Time to Visit Dhanushkodi
The best time to visit Dhanushkodi Beach will be during the winter season as there will moderate rain and sunlight to enjoy the view.
And also summer is also a best to visit this place. Though summers can be very hot, you can enjoy the beach in the morning and early evening times. Visiting this beach during Monsoons can be dangerous and so it is not recommendable.
Dhanushkodi Beach
This sandy region is all covered by water in all 3 sides. This untouched and mystery place has a long shore that stretches upto 15 KM.
You can enjoy this beach with your family and friends for a day by exploring the remnants or by simply walking along the shore and getting lost in the beauty and secrets of the long sea and blue sky.
Dhanushkodi Beach can be dangerous for people who don’t know swimming, as some areas are 12 feet deep. So bathing or swimming can be fatal. And also visiting this place after the evening or at night is completely prohibited.
Place to visit in Dhanushkodi
Tourist Walking Port
This is the first place you will be visiting while going into the Dhanushkodi Beach, which is also known as Mukundarayar Chatram. Only till this place tourist can travel in their vehicle, after that they have to walk along the shore to the main beach area or can hire the special jeep. Here you will see starting of the beautiful beach with heavy breeze and water current of the Bay of Bengal along with some food stalls.
- Timing: 6 AM to 6 PM
- Entry Fee: Free (charges apply for jeep service)
Kothandarama swamy Kovil temple
The Kothandarama Swamy temple is one of the ancient temples and it is believed to be built more than 1000 years ago. It is the only monument which was not destroyed in the 1964 cyclone in Dhanushkodi. This temple situated in a place, from where you can see the entire Gulf of Mannar and the Bay of Bengal sea area.
The main deity is this temple is Lord Rama with a bow and so this temple is known as Kothandarama Swamy and other idols of Lakshmana, Sita, Hanuman, and Vibhishana. Whoever comes to Rameswaram for the holy trip visits this temple too. Inside the temple, you can see beautiful painting depiction of Ramayana. The best time to visit this temple is early morning.
- Timing: 6 AM to 6 PM
- Entry Fee: Free (charges applied for jeep service)
Kodi Swamigal Thava Boomi
It is another interesting place in Dhansukodi, where you can see a small hut or home meant for mediation. This place is called as Kodi Swamigal Thava Boomi why because a saint called Kodi Thatha meditated here for 18 years in this place. People generally visit this place to take rest and do meditation.
- Timing: 6 AM to 6 PM
- Entry Fee: Free (charges applied for jeep service)
Arichal Munai
Arichai Munai is the magnificent place where the two water bodies Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean meet. This place is the last land in the Dhanushkodi town. At this point, you can see the water surrounded by all the 3 sides; one side with gushing Bay of Bengal, another side calm the Indian Ocean and the third and center side with the Merging point of the water (sangamam). Earlier there was no bus service to this place, but now in event of encouraging tourism in this place, Government laid road till this place. There are small shops around this area but no shelter for shade. The beauty of this place is well enjoyed in the early morning and evening with amazing Sunrise and Sunset scenes.
- Timing: 6 AM to 6 PM
- Entry Fee: Free (charges applied for jeep service)
Dhanushkodi Remnants
The Remnants which are present here shows and tells the story of the town and how people were living there. The building remains of school, post office, port office, church and also pieces of Railway tracks and the Railway Station along the shore provides the glime picture of once flourishing town.
- Timing: 6 AM to 6 PM
- Entry Fee: Free (charges applied for jeep service)
Rama Setu
Rama Setu or Setubandhanam is another major tourist attraction in Dhanushkodi. It is also known as Adam’s Bridge. This place is situated near to Arichal Munai point. It is a bridge with a chain of Limestones to about 50 km from the tip of Dhanuskodi to Munnar Island in Sri Lanka. Though this bridge is not completely visible, one can see part of it as it is shallow is some places by 1 to 10 meters.
According to Ramayana, this bridge is built by the Vanara Sena under supervision of Nala and Lord Hanuman by writing Lord Rama name on the stones to make it float on the water. This bridge was built in order to help Rama to cross over the sea between India and Lanka and rescue his wife Goddess Sita who was held captive in the demon king Ravana’s place.
Still today, this Bridge has always been in the debate of whether it is a man-made bridge or naturally formed one and studies are still going on. Every year thousands of people flock to this place to see this Theological significant place.
- Timing: 6 AM to 6 PM
- Entry Fee: Free (charges applied for jeep service)
How to Reach Dhanushkodi
Dhanuskodi does not have direct trains or busses. The Best way to reach Dhanushkodi – Board Bus from Rameswaram Bus Stop or Angi Theertham which goes till Rama Sethu Point (arcichal munai), there are a lot of bus services to this place every in 30 to 45 minutes. Or you can hire a private jeep/vehicle to reach this place from Rameswaram or from the Arcichal Munai.
Hotels to Stay in Dhanuskodi
Dhanuskodi does not have any hotels to stay. One can stay at Rameshwaram and can visit Dhanuskodi. Click here to check room availability and price from Tripadvisor.com
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