Dhanushkodi: Exploring the Ghost Town Frozen in Time
Tracing Footprints in the Sands of Time
In our last blog, we shared the unforgettable moments from our journey to Rameshwaram (if you haven't checked it out yet, you can read it here ⬇️)
Now, let's dive into another chapter of our adventure—one that leads us to the beautiful ghost town of Dhanushkodi. Because, as we've come to discover, no trip to Rameshwaram is truly fulfilling without a drive to Dhanushkodi. The haunting beauty of Dhanushkodi lies in its tragic past—the profound impact of the 1964 Rameshwaram/Dhanushkodi cyclone that left the area in ruins. The devastation caused by the cyclone was intense, when the train connecting Pamban and Dhanushkodi overturned and swept away, claiming the lives of numerous passengers. The entire town was submerged, reducing it to a ghost town where everything lay in ruins.
But, the drive to Dhanushkodi was the stuff of dreams—a road that's not just great but mind-blowingly phenomenal, a narrow piece of land, and the sea/ocean flanking you on both sides. If this isn't a recipe for a magical journey, I don't know what is!
Right at the start of this fantastical drive, there's this small Ram temple, just casually hanging out at a lovely location—kind of like it's dipping its toes into the sea. Say hello to Kothandaramaswamy Temple, the temple that survived the 1964 cyclone like a boss. Now, the cute factor kicks in. Picture this: the temple, surrounded by water on three sides. In the front, there's a shallow area where devotees take a dip. But wait, it gets cuter. Some of these devotees go all artsy and start crafting shiva-lingas with beach sand. Result? The entire beach becomes an open-air museum of tiny, handmade shiva-lingas. It's very, very cute.
Then, because why not, we decided to join in on the fun. Walking into the cool water was an experience straight out of a dreamy movie scene. And, obviously, being near a beach, we had to indulge in the classic beach beverage—tender coconut water. Because hydration is key, even in dreamy paradises!
So, to sum it up: phenomenal drive, cute temple shenanigans, artsy beach activities, and coconut water by the sea. If this isn't a picture-perfect day already, I don't know what is!
Then we continued our drive towards the enchanting ruins and the Dhanushkodi beach, and let me tell you, the drive was like a symphony with water playing the lead role everywhere—absolutely phenomenal!
Now, the ruins were a sight to behold—pretty as a picture. The remnants of structures like the church and railway station stand as poignant echoes of the 1964 cyclone's wrath. Witnessing these remains, unlike the ancient ruins from distant eras, feels surreal yet profoundly moving. The contrast of encountering something as recent as 1964 amidst the historical landscape adds a unique and captivating layer to the experience.
And then, without any restraint, we couldn't resist the call of the beach. Cue the spontaneous decision to jump right in! (Yep, we were prepared with our swimwear cleverly hidden under our clothes—total beach ninjas, right? 😜)
The water was not just clean; it was unbelievably pristine. And the beach sand? A spotless shade of white. This beach shares the number one spot in my beach-loving heart, alongside Radhanagar Beach in Andaman (which BTW is one of the world's best beaches, ranking No 7 in the world for 2023). Spick and span, crystal-clear water, and a beach that's perfectly shallow for some playful splashing.
We frolicked and swam for a solid two hours. Could have gone longer, but alas, hunger pangs crashed the party. So, we gracefully exited the beach, only to be hit by the harsh sun. Drying up in 3 minutes flat (hello, sunburn—no tan, mind you!).
Now, Dhanushkodi, being a bit of a ghost town, has limited food options, mostly in temporary hut-like places. We grabbed a bunch of fruit plates—watermelon, cucumber, mango, pineapple—all crazy yum. Fruits to the rescue for those rats dancing in our tummies 😁
Then, we stumbled upon these quirky little shops selling a gazillion things made with shells. Wind chimes, jewelry, room separators, ashtrays, mirrors—you name it, they had it, all shell-tastically crafted. Talk about entrepreneurial creativity! We picked up a couple of things as souvenirs because, honestly, we were head over heels in love with Dhanushkodi.
Back in our cars, we headed to the last tip of the land, contemplating the fact that just a few kilometers of swimming would land us on the beaches of Sri Lanka. The insta-reels that we see of Dhanushkodi, usually show this last tip. And when we reached, the sight was mind-blowing. Bay of Bengal meets the Indian Ocean in a picturesque confluence. Two different colored waters on either side, and the water gushes in such diverse styles—calm and still on one side, and on the other, lovely, gorgeous waves. We soaked in the view (and put our phones on airplane mode—we weren't about to catch the Sri Lanka network and unknowingly go on international roaming). Phone network? Almost zero. Perfect excuse to chill, play in the water, and go completely off the grid. Pure bliss!
As we bid adieu to Rameshwaram and Dhanushkodi, our hearts were full of memories—of charming temples, beachside shenanigans, and the promise of a future train ride with scenic views. Until next time, Rameshwaram, you adorable little wonder!
P.S: This long weekend trip to Rameshwaram and Dhanushkodi was absolutely the best and a true blogger and podcaster, we shared FOMO inducing vlogs of our trip on our Instagram page. Head over and check it out.
Suggested itinerary:
The trip to Dhanushkodi must start with Rameshwaram (that is the entry point into the island). The itinerary for the initial 2 days are mentioned in our blog on Rameshwaram - read here ⬇️
Dhanushkodi needs half a day. Points to note and cover
Entry to Dhanushkodi is between 6AM and 5PM. No vehicles are allowed pre/post that
Please try to reach by 6AM so that once the entry starts, you can reach the last point and view the magical sunrise from there
There is a lovely Ram temple at the Dhanushkodi-Rameshwaram border. Surely go there. The pujari narrates an interesting story at the temple.
Pro-Tip: The area behind the Church ruins is a fabulous area for getting into the water for a swim
The end point of Dhanushkodi is the most touristy one. But is it crazy beautiful and a must-visit. So try going as early as you can to get some peaceful time (& mind-blowing pictures too)
If you need any more details, do write to us and we’ll be happy to help you plan your trip 🙂 Happy travelling!