Dhanushkoti – The Silent Land Of A 1.7 Million-Year-Old Story

WHY DHANUSHKOTI

Dhanushkoti, the ghost town – puzzled for not knowing in which category a visit to this place will come under. Nothing divine as no temple exists here. Nothing entertaining as there are no rides or malls. No amazing sceneries with mountains or hills but this place is every traveller’s dream and was mine too. A place surrounded by sea except the road leading to it and a 1.7-million-year-old bridge that NASA has confirmed is in existence to those who had doubts about it and the stories surrounding it was more than enough to make this place so popular.

WHERE IS DHANUSHKOTI

Better to use Wikipedia for mentioning “Where is Dhanushkoti”. It says “Dhanushkoti is an abandoned town at the south-eastern tip of Pamban Island of the state of Tamil Nadu in India. It is south-east of Pamban and is about 24 kilometres (15 mi) west of Talaimannar in Sri Lanka. The town was destroyed during the 1964 Rameswaram cyclone and remains uninhabited in the aftermath. “.

Dhanushkoti is 18 km from Rameswaram, another holy city on an island called Pamban Island on the west coast of the Arabian Sea. Strategically, it is the country’s border too, after which it is India’s part of the sea for some nautical miles.

A RARE MOMENT WHEN A WELL-BUILT ROAD DISAPPOINTED

But I paid a price for being so late in choosing this place for the visit. The struggle to reach Dhanushkoti from Rameswaram in jeep was one thing to be experienced as it was the only mode of transportation possible between Rameswaram and Dhanushkoti earlier. And the same mode of transport was not allowed for the trips in the late afternoon for security and climatic reasons. The disappointment was hard to explain through words. The naturality that expected for this trip by reading many travel stories and blogs became history with one mere sight of blacktop road leading to Dhanushkoti.

Experiencing the travel in old model jeeps on sand dunes was no longer available to anyone. It was all over – no jeeps, no bumpy rides. But instead, it looked like a freshly built tarmac road. A road that was as smooth as a black silk saree with a white border on both sides. And on an honest note, this made a bad day to start with.

By the time we started journey towards the ghost city, curiosity had taken over the disappointment, and our first halt was a brief visit to Kothandarama swamy Temple (Dedicated to Lord Rama) which is believed to be more than 1000 years old.

This temple is considered to be where Lord Rama conducted Paatabhishekam of Vibheeshanur, brother of King Ravana, after the epic battle against Demon Ravana, who abducted Devi Sita. This temple survived the fury of both the cyclone in 1964 and the Tsunami in 2004. This is located almost in the middle of Rameswaram to Dhanushkoti.

ENTERING DHANUSHKOTI – THE GHOST TOWN

Approaching Dhanushkoti we experienced the unnatural silence surrounding the area in reality despite driving through a neatly laid road similar to any main roads in any town. Though expected, as mentioned in almost all travel write-ups about this place but it made a little bit surprised. Traditional fishermen huts made from coconut leaves were seen on both the shores of the sea may be for storage purposes of items that used for fishing since no one stays in Dhanushkoti overnight. Rumblings remained intact from the deadly cyclone of 1964 were visible. Not a single shop or small tea stalls had seen on the way. And all these things made to think that we were travelled back to few decades within a few minutes. Comfort and luxury seemed to be an aberration here.

A ROAD STRIP BETWEEN TWO SEAS

And that eerie feeling of being in a ghost town, as it is known to be, didn’t last for too long either. The fact that we were traveling between two seashores was enough to overcome all those unpleasant thoughts. At the final point where we all needed to get down, the feeling of silence changed to joyful expressions as we joined many people in a place where all are surrounded by sea on three sides. The area was crowded with many tourists and their vehicles trying to park on both sides of the road.

THE MYTHICAL HISTORY

We were in a place where another country is said to be visible, or in the mythologically important area where Lord Rama, Lakshman, Hanuman, and his Vaanar sena might have spent some sleepless nights thinking about how to reach Raavan’s fort in Sri Lanka and get back Sita Devi. The bridge they constructed ahead was worth enjoying the moments with the only question prevailing, “Why was I so late to visit this place?” Not sure though, whether we had seen Sri Lanka or not, but the mobile operator was so prompt in instantly delivering a message which read “wishing a pleasant stay in Sri Lanka and roaming charges will apply too for any calls”.

Everyone could see here, only the sea all around, except the road behind had just been travelled. The sea can be seen on the west side while traveling through the neighbouring state of Kerala, and on the opposite side in Tamil Nadu. But it must be a rare feeling for anyone to wander between two great oceans through a strip of road that ends abruptly with a post.

@ THE CONFLUENCE OF SEAS

The beauty of the place, where only seawater is visible on three sides, with the prospect of identifying Sri Lanka far away and finding the location of Ram Setu, the 1.7-million-year-old bridge, was quite fun and memorable. It was a sight that will be beheld for time to come. It is, in fact, where one ocean joins with another. No wonder someone from the group raised a question about why this place doesn’t look popular in movies. Any restriction by the Government? But no clue. All those things were not a point for discussion, though.

The temptation to get into the sea forced all of us to move towards the Bay of Bengal side first. Not sure whether exactly it is the Bay of Bengal or not, but geographically it makes sense, and the calm and clear water peacefully approaching the shore was almost matching the descriptions I read about it. Suddenly, someone was trying to point out the location of Ram Sethu; that particular word from the crowd was enough for everyone to get a feeling of some divine thoughts.

NASA AND A 1.7-MILLION-YEAR-OLD BRIDGE

It is very difficult to explain Ram Sethu in a few lines. Everyone knows about Lord Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita, and how the ten-headed Ravan from Lanka had kidnapped Sita and made her a refugee there. The myth goes that a monkey named Nala has been credited with the construction of a bridge with floating stones for Lord Ram to travel all the way to Lanka to bring back Sita. And the moment I started wondering whether it was possible long back to construct a bridge of about 30 km in this way, or is this really true, the news report flashed through the mind in which NASA has confirmed the existence of such a bridge.

The sun was gradually showing its might with the temperature soaring. And it didn’t seem to be a deterrent to spending much time on the sandy beaches as a kid. Excursions during college days flashed through memories. The nights spent together with college mates in one of the peaceful beaches among the coastal belt of Kerala, viz Kollam, brought many nostalgic memories.

DISTANCE BETWEEN TWO SEAS = APPROXIMATELY 100 METERS
After some time, we moved across the road to see the next sea, namely the Indian Ocean, which lies less than 100 m across the road. Many may find it hard to believe such a place exists where hardly a few steps are enough to access the beaches of two great oceans. It is possible, as seen here, or it is like a see-it-to-believe-it kind of place. Maybe the only place in India where one can crisscross between two oceans, or enlarging the Google map of this location may help to see it.

This place looked entirely different than the other side. Looked like almost all the people who came to Dhanushkoti were gathered on this side. The beach was spread across a small length only which made it a crowded place. People were seen taking baths, posing for photos, and exploring different ways to capture a perfect selfie shot. Small waves of the sea looked not risky for many and were perfect to indulge in the sea for some time. As we came prepared to take a bath in the sea, we too joined with hundreds of people on the seashore to enjoy a good time at Dhanushkoti beach.

WHY IS IT A GHOST TOWN

This small stretch of land is also known as a ‘ghost town’ from many books that have been through, as this entire village has been wiped off the map during the (in)famous cyclone of 1964. The magnitude of the cyclone and how the waves from the sea, which we play on a beach, can become monsters of death was still evident to everyone in this small area it occupies.

The skeletons of the church, the water tank, and other buildings still stand tall like proof to understand the extent of destruction due to the cyclone that happened more than half a century ago, a disaster that literally converted this place into a ghost town. It was a scary feeling when I remembered about 100 plus travellers’ fate in that unfortunate train which vanished for eternity in the fury of the sea God.

While looking at the leftover structures after the cyclone, the thoughts were searching for such skeletons in the places affected by the Tsunami in 2004 to remind ourselves about the tragedy, but none it seems. But what this place is famous (or infamous) for is that its appearance is enough to convey the tragedy to anyone who comes to this small, picturesque place.

OLD IS GOLD – HERE IT IS CONSTRUCTION

On a positive note, as a Civil Engineer, I wondered too. Because even after the cyclone in 1964 and the Tsunami in 2004, the foundation and most of the superstructure of a few buildings were not damaged. It was still standing with a distant look of “building in progress”. Kudos to the designers and Engineers who worked then. Maybe because at that time there may have been no corruption and bribes, unlike nowadays.

On return back it is seen that some rock samples were kept in a large water body in one of the temples we visited. These stones were floating, similar to the one used for Ram Sethu, as they claim to be. Seems like a practical demonstration to clear any doubts on the floating bridge that monkeys made for Lord Rama.

History and myth remain forever despite any man-made changes that happen over the years. Because this is the land that no one can ignore its importance. Whether it is the story dated back millions of years ago about Lord Ram, Lakshman, Ravan, etc., or the emotional attachment this seaside village has with the memory of great Dr. Kalam, or with India’s first sea bridge. While leaving back it was hard to distinguish whether it was a feeling or if there really existed a mysterious calmness in the entire place.

Dhanushkoti may have lost its people to time, but not its soul — it stands as a reminder that faith, nature, and history can all coexist in silence.

How to Reach Dhanushkodi

By Air ✈️

The nearest airport is Madurai Airport (about 200 km away). You can hire a taxi or take a bus from Madurai to Rameswaram, which is the gateway to Dhanushkodi.
Alternatively, Tuticorin Airport (around 140 km) is another option with limited connectivity.

By Train 🚆

The Rameswaram Railway Station is the nearest railhead (around 18 km from Dhanushkodi). Trains from Chennai, Madurai, and other major Tamil Nadu cities operate frequently.
From the station, taxis, auto-rickshaws, and local vans are easily available to take you to Dhanushkodi.

By Road 🚗

Dhanushkodi is well connected by road from Rameswaram town via a scenic 18 km stretch.
You can:

• Hire a private cab or rent a bike/scooter in Rameswaram.
• Take local jeeps or vans, which usually run from Rameswaram temple area to Dhanushkodi beach.
• The newly laid road through the sand dunes offers breathtaking sea views on both sides — a must-experience drive!

Travel Tips for Visiting Dhanushkodi

1. Best Time to Visit:
   November to February is ideal — cool weather, calm seas, and clear skies. Avoid monsoon months (June–September) due to rough sea conditions.
2. Timing:
   Visit early in the morning or around sunset for the best light and cooler temperatures. The area closes for visitors after sunset.
3. Permits:
   No special permits are needed, but note that entry beyond Dhanushkodi Beach Point (toward Ram Setu) is restricted for civilians.
4. What to Carry:
   • Sunglasses, hat, and sunscreen (the sun can be harsh).
   • Drinking water and light snacks — very few shops near the beach.
   • Camera or drone (check local drone-use rules).
5. Local Transport:
   Shared jeeps are the most common way to explore the last stretch to the Land’s End, where the Bay of Bengal meets the Indian Ocean.
6. Safety:
   • Avoid swimming far — the currents are strong.
   • Stay within marked areas, especially near the merging point of the seas.
7. Nearby Attractions:
   • Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram
   • Pamban Bridge
   • Ram Tirtham and Lakshman Tirtham
   • Old Dhanushkodi ruins – remains of the 1964 cyclone