A small settlement called Dhanushkodi is located on Tamil Nadu's southernmost point, close to Rameswaram. The meaning of Dhanushkodi is "Tip of the Bow." Dhanushkodi is referred to as the tip of the bow due to its shape and the meeting point of the two oceans. In the native language, the destination is known as Arichal Munai, which translates to "Erosion point." It is roughly 20 km (12.5 mi) from the Pamban Island's Rameswaram and 30 km (18.5 mi) from Talaimannar, Sri Lanka. There is the calmer Bay of Bengal on one side and the rougher Indian Ocean on the other.
The name of the place is a play on the words "dhanush" (bow) and "kodi" (end). Adam's Bridge, or Ram Setu, as it is popularly called, was built by Lord Rama with a bow, according to tradition.
It links this region with Sri Lanka. Owing to the spiritual significance of Dhanushkodi, pilgrims from all across the country come here.
One of the strongest storms to ever hit India on record was the 1964 Rameswaram cyclone, sometimes called the Dhanushkodi cyclone. On December 15, the system was first detected over the Andaman Sea as an area of low pressure.
A powerful cyclone that swept through Dhanushkodi in 1964 caused unheard-before levels of devastation and fatalities.
The settlement was abandoned and deemed unfit for human occupancy by the authorities, which resulted in its overnight transformation into a ghost town.
Huge waves enveloped the train "Pamban - Dhanushkodi passenger" on that fateful night as it approached Dhanushkodi, carrying 115 passengers and 5 railway workers.
Following this tragedy, the location was designated as a Ghost Town by the government.
More than 1800 persons are said to have perished in the cyclonic storm. In Dhanushkodi town, every home and other building was abandoned. The village was completely destroyed by the enormous tidal waters that came deep into this island.
Nearly 54 years ago, the coastal town of Dhanushkodi in Southeast India was a thriving community complete with a train station, police station, hospital, and other essential services.
Those who have already visited Dhanushkodi have stated that on a clear night, the Sri Lankan coast, which is only 30 kilometers away, is clearly visible! Only if you dare to drive to the extreme southeast, jutting into the Gulf of Mannar, will you find this scenic treasure. After being destroyed by a big typhoon 54 years ago, most travel experts have termed this area Dhanushkodi Ghost Town. Nonetheless, I consider the quaint small settlement on the Indian mainland as a must-see for curious travelers.
