Dhanushkodi

Cultural

Tamil Nadu

30°C / Clouds

History
Places to visit
How to reach

Dhanushkodi can undeniably be called a hidden natural beauty of South India. While not many people live here owing to its geographical and climatic conditions, it still is one of the most fascinating places for tourists and adventure lovers who continue to visit Dhanushkodi.

It is situated in the south-eastern tip of Pamban Island in the state of Tamil Nadu. It, mostly, is uninhabited ever since the Rameswaram cyclone hit it in 1964, which more or less left the place destroyed. Now, there remain only the ruins of that catastrophe.

Furthermore, it is very intriguing to know that Dhanushkodi is located on the tip of Pamban island which is separated by Palk Strait. This place’s only land border lies between India and Sri Lanka which is one of the smallest borders in the world covering a stretch of just 45 meters.

This is, indeed, the kind of place where you can enjoy some of the most heart-melting views of nature. Especially the famous Pamban bridge cannot be missed if you are planning to visit Dhanushkodi. We can say that for a traveler this place is no less than heaven.

Best Time to Visit Dhanushkodi

If you have zeroed in on Dhanushkodi for your next vacay then the best time to do so would be in the winter months from October through February.

History of Dhanushkodi

It is intriguing to know that the name of this place translates into ‘end of the bow’. The bow mentioned here is of Lord Rama himself. As the legends suggest, after Ravana the demon king kidnapped Goddess Sita, Lord Rama had to travel all the way to Lanka to save his beloved. And when he reached the end of the geographical boundaries he came across the giant ocean. So, to cross it a bridge was needed to be constructed. And in this process of making this bridge, Lord Rama earmarked this very spot as the place from where the construction of the bridge would begin. He used his bow to mark the place and that is how the name of this place came into being.

Modern History of Dhanushkodi

Around five decades ago, this place was quite a busy town located along South India’s coast having all the necessities like a railway station, police station, etc. Everything was going perfectly until the day when a massive storm engulfed the whole region. The day was December 21, 1964. The tides had gone as high as 20 feet and left nothing but destruction and ruins. After this catastrophic event, the government declared this place to be uninhabitable. And now in the current timeline, only a few people live here. However, it continues to be a place that has time and again proven to be a great destination for travelers and history and mythology lovers.

Places To Visit In Dhankushkodi

1. Dhanushkodi Beach

It is one of the most amazing places which you can definitely visit Dhanushkodi. What will really intrigue you is the white sand of the beach. Here you can enjoy silent walks on the beach and the best part is that you don’t even have to worry about anything. It is no less than a heaven for beachgoers. Dhanushkodi beach is one of the main attractions of Dhanushkodi.

2. Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park

The Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park is absolutely one of the few Marine National Parks located in the country. Consisting of about 21 islands it is a beautiful place to experience the natural scenic views of nature such as estuaries, magical beaches, and forests.

3. Adam’s Bridge

Also known as Ram Setu, Nala Setu, this place is one of the most amazing places to experience the history of our culture which literally dates back to thousands of years. Yes, this is the same bridge that Lord Ram had built in order to travel to Lanka and save Goddess Sita from the demon King Raavana.

4. Pamban Island

The deep blue sea and the picturesque clear waters of Pamban island will simply take your breath away. To visit here you will need to cross the Pamban bridge. This is the kind of place that will give you just so many unforgettable memories to cherish.

How to Reach Dhanushkodi

The abandoned town of Dhanushkodi is situated in Tamil Nadu at an approximate distance of 2,803, 1,616, 2,291, 626 km from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru respectively. Here is how you can travel to Dhanushkodi by the following means of public transportation.

By Air

From Dhanushkodi, Madurai Airport (IXM) is the nearest airport sited at about 200 km. In terms of passenger activity and aircraft movement, it is considered the 32nd busiest airport in India. Apart from that, Tuticorin Airport (TCR) is another airport situated 200-220 km from Dhanushkodi. However, both of these airports are not very close thus it becomes somewhat a lethargic task to travel via flights. But still, you can get a flight from major cities to reach here. From the airport, you will need to cover the remaining distance by some means of local transportation like a cab or a bus.

Here is a list of Indian cities from where flights are available to Dhanushkodi

By Train

The nearest railway station is located at a distance of around 18 km in Rameswaram. So, it won’t be an issue for you to travel to this place via rail networks. It has good connectivity via Madurai, Coimbatore, Hyderabad, and other important cities. The journey will take you around 1 or 1-and-a-half days on average to reach this place. You will have to cover further distance through some means of local transport such as a cab or perhaps a local rickshaw or auto.

By Road

It has overall good connectivity via road networks. If you have your own vehicle then it would be more convenient for you to travel. Dhanushkodi is connected with prominent nearby regions. For traveling, you can consider booking interstate/private buses or book a taxi. Otherwise, you can also take your own vehicle to reach here.

From Madurai - 200 km via Kochi-Madurai-Dhanushkodi Airport
From Thanjavur - 256 km via NH32
From Dindigul - 254 km via NH87

Frequently Asked Questions about Dhanushkodi

Q. Where is Dhanushkodi located?
A. Dhanushkodi is a small town located on the southeastern tip of India in the Rameswaram district of Tamil Nadu.

Q. What are some popular tourist attractions in Dhanushkodi?
A. Some popular tourist attractions in Dhanushkodi include Dhanushkodi Beach, Dhanushkodi Temple, Adam's Bridge, and Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park.

You can plan your trip and create your own route to the city with Adotrip’s technically driven circuit planner. Click here.