Dhanushkodi - A Ghost Town at Pamban Island in Rameshwaram, Tamilnadu State.
Dhanushkodi is an abandoned town at the south-eastern tip of Pamban Island, Rameshwaram state of the Tamilnadu in India. It is about 24 kilometers Western of Talaimannar in Sri Lanka. Dhanushkodi town was destroyed during the 1964 Rameswaram cyclone and remains inhabited in the aftermath.
On 22 December 1964, an estimated 1800 people died in the cyclonic storm. A running train from Pamban - Dhanushkodi passenger with onboarding 115 passengers vanished Away and the entire village was submerged in water. Till to date, not even the debris of the Vanished train was found.
In December 2004, around 40 years of the deadly cyclone, the sea around Dhanushkodi receded and briefly exposed the submerged part of the town.
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| Ruined School at Dhanushkodi |
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| Ruined Post Office at Dhanushkodi |
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| Ruined Vigneshwara Temple at Dhanushkodi |
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| Dhanushkodi Ruined Houses |
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| Dhanushkodi Ruined Church |
Later on, the government of Tamilnadu declared Dhanushkodi as a Ghost Town and that land is not suitable for a living but even today some fisherman are living in that seashores. Now Dhanushkodi Ghost Town is one of the best Tourist places in Tamilnadu and lakhs of people visit this place to see the unmerged village.
Local Information on Dhanushkodi Tragedy:
I met a Retired Revenue Officer in Train when I'm returning from Dhanushkodi, Rameshwaram. He was one of the survival in the 1964 Rameshwaram Cyclone. He explained clearly about that tragedy as It's was the most powerful storm that never happened in India. A depression with its center in South Andaman Sea on 17 December 1964 turned out as a powerful superstorm with a wind flow of 280km/hr. No one estimated that this depression in the Bay of Bengal was going to destroy happiness in their lives. On December 22, 1964, estimated tide waves of 8 meters high fully submerged Dhanushkodi Village into the Ocean. Memories and happiness of 500 people of Dhanushkodi were dragged into the Ocean. Just a day before this tragedy Film actors Mrs. Savitri and Mr. Gemini Ganeshan left this island completing their film shoot. Both Railway lanes of Dhanushkodi and Rameshwaram were fully damaged in the 1964 Rameshwaram Cyclone and people started using Boats to cross the Palk strait to connect with mainland Mandapam. later on, the government was reconstructed the Rameshwaram Railway bridge from meter gauge to broad gauge with the suggestion of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Sir.
Before the 1964 cyclone, Dhanushkodi was a great place for living. There were ferry services ran between Dhanushkodi to Thalaimannar of Srilanka for transporting Goods and Travellers. There were hotels, textile shops, and Dharmashala's for pilgrims and travelers. There was a Railway station with a meter gauge, Secondary High School, A post Office, Customs and Port Offices, etc.
Here is the video link of Dhanushkodi Ghost Town. Click on the below link ⬇️⬇️ to watch the Dhanushkodi Ghost Town.
Places to Visit in Dhanushkodi:
1. Arichal Munai Beach
Arial Munai Beach is one of the most beautiful and cleanest beaches in India. A drive away was constructed between the Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal. Before constructing the road people used to travel on fish carrying trucks to reach the Arichal Munai Beach. Either side of the road was covered with water. The road ends in the beach with an Indian Emblem represented Pillar. There was a sufficient parking space. The beach is guarded by Coastal Guards as it is only 3kms from the Srilanka border. The beach is unsafe for bathing or even walking as the soil is extremely soft and feels like quicksand. We suggest you carry water, Snacks, wear Sunglasses and if possible carry a hat. There was no Toilet facility at the beach. So women should be taken care of bathing on the beach.
2. Dhanushkodi Ghost Town And Beach
After the 1964 tragedy, Tamilnadu police were not allowed to stay in Dhanushkodi Village and the Government announced it as a Ghost Town. There was a ruined Houses, A Church, Post Office, School, Vigneshwara Temple, a Railway meter gauge, a Railway station, etc. Dhanushkodi Beach looks beautiful and also dangerous to swim or walk as similar to Arichal Munai Beach. Policemen were guarded to cautious the public about their safety. Small shops were arranged on both sides of the road. Here you can find the best and tasty fish fries and curry for a very affordable price. It was the only place to have seafood in Rameshwaram as Alcohol and Non-veg food were not sold in Rameshwaram.
3. Rama Sethu
Rama Sethu bridge was once the main tourist attraction in Dhanushkodi, Rameshwaram. But now the government constructed a drive away to the Arichal Munai Beach and Closed the path with Rocks. Police and Coastal Guards will not allow the tourist to cross the endpoint to reach the Rama Sethu bridge. Before this road construction, tourists were walked in water nearly 500 meters far from this present endpoint to see the Ram Sethu bridge.
Whatever I am sharing in this travel blog is based on my experience of traveling to Dhanushkodi - Ghost Town in Rameshwaram and information I heard from locals in Dhanushkodi, Rameshwaram. Please feel to comment that If you have any other Information about Dhanushkodi Village.
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