There were no survivors on the train. Dhanushkodi is still an offbeat destination and not too crowded. A cyclonic storm now referred to as the 1964 Rameswaram cyclone or the Dhanushkodi cyclone started with the depression that formed in the South Andaman Sea on December 17, 1964. On December 22, 1964, as the Dhanushkodi railway station awaited the arrival of the Pamban-Dhanushkodi Passenger, its last train for the day, a cyclonic storm with a wind velocity of 280 kmph swept in, flinging the train and all 115 on board into the ocean and flattening the entire town forever. Tamriel Rebuilt Not Working Model Errors I just get tons of model load errors and crashes whenever I get near the mainland. The people of Dhanushkodi were caught unawares. While the sea at nearby Rameshwaram continues to be mired in pollution in the name of rites of absolution for the deceased, with ashes dissolved in its waves and mountains of ritually discarded clothes and non-biodegradable waste left to stagnate on its shores, the clear waters of Dhanushkodi seem to have been spared by default. In 2015, Silverstein forecast the entire site would be rebuilt by 2020, but that changed after the planned anchor tenant for 2 World Trade Center pulled out. The idyllic beach could have been usurped by tourists and resort barons, but the relentless influx of sand and sea salt into the mainland has been a major deterrent to the process of restoration, leading successive governments to abandon all hope of progress and declare Dhanushkodi a “ghost town” unfit for human habitation. Pamban Island is home to Ramsehwaram Township. Due to these associations with the Ramayana, the Hindus of India consider Dhanushkodi a holy town and frequent it on pilgrimages. A half-day road trip from Rameshwaram to Dhanushkodi is enough to explore this ghost town of India. (Clt13 / Wikimedia Commons). No contacts with Sri Lanka ! Dhanushkodi … Walk on the soft sand until you are tired and then lay back to gaze up at the sky and listen to the music of the rolling waves. Show us some love! This was ostensibly done to improve a lot of the impoverished fishermen. There was a steamer ferry service which operated daily from the pier on the south-east of the Dhanushkodi town to the pier at Talaimannar. 50 years after a cyclone wiped it out, Dhanushkodi is slowly finding its feet. We know, the title of our latest travel story is a bit different but would like to share the experience with our audience in a way that is more relevant and justify the place. Visit the beaches and if possible, hitch a ride on a fishing boat. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. After rescuing his wife, Lord Ram destroyed the bridge with arrows from his bow, on request of Vibhishan … It is clearly visible in the aerial view, remote sensing photographs that NASA astronauts took from space, and, according to NASA, it is a formation of naturally occurring sandbanks and not the mythological manmade bridge of floating stones. Dhanushkodi is an abandoned town at the south-eastern tip of Pamban Island of the state of Tamil Nadu in India. The cyclone had been brewing for a while. The fishermen eke out a meagre livelihood with their fishing and their wives collect water from springs that they claim came into being after Lord Ram shot an arrow into the ground. The railway connection was gone and there was no bus service. Tragically nearly 1,800 people lost their lives, and all the houses in the town were razed to the ground. Dhanushkodi is located on the south-eastern tip of Pamban Island in Tamil Nadu (state of India), about 20 km from Rameswaram (town). This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. If you stand on the beach and look seawards, you can clearly see the green turbulent waters of the Indian Ocean on the right and the calm, blue waters of the Bay of Bengal on the left. What this could also mean for the livelihoods of the fifty-odd locally registered van and jeep operators who have been transporting tourists and pilgrims for decades, and whose strong trade union had ensured equal opportunities thus far, only time will tell. There are plenty of hotels available there in every category. The child in me was thoroughly enjoying the ride while holding the camera and phone carefully. Dhanushkodi is located on the south-eastern tip of Pamban Island in Tamil Nadu (state of India), about 20 km from Rameswaram (town). The town had a railway station, a hospital, a higher secondary school, port offices, a church and a temple. The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways launched an ambitious road project to connect Rameswaram and Dhanushkodi in 2014. Dhanushkodi is about 18 miles (29 km) West of Talaimannar, Sri Lanka (then Ceylon). When you reached the erstwhile town, there was nothing to do at Dhanushkodi. However, in recent years, Dhanushkodi has caught the attention of the powers-that-be at the centre. Remember the stunning panorama of sea, sand and a solitary boat run aground in the song ‘Oru deivam thantha poove’ from the 2001 Mani Ratnam movie Kannathil Muthamittal? On this night, a sudden cyclone from the South Andaman Sea, blown in by tremendous winds of velocities of 250 kilometres per hour and accompanied by 23 feet high tidal waves smashed into the town and destroyed it. Dhanushkodi old railway station. Enjoyed this article? 3. We have reviews of the best places to see in Dhanushkodi. It was an important port town and the British used it to ship tea, spices, and other goods from India and Sri Lanka, then called Ceylon, to Europe. There was a regular ferry service between the town and Talaimannar on Mannar island in Sri Lanka. This fragile last frontier deserves to be preserved, and not just in the picturesque frames of Mani Ratnam’s films. Perhaps the Bharatiya Janata Party, whose keenness to rebuild the Ram temple in Ayodhya is no secret, saw an opportunity to reclaim Dhanushkodi as a place of significance from the times of the Ramayana. The town also watches over the confluence of the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal. For this, the red heifer ashes are not required, only going to the mikva, like any lady visiting on a monthly basis. One can only fervently hope that Dhanushkodi does not meet with the fate of its neighbour Rameswaram under the onslaught of tourism and development. Legend has it that Dhanushkodi, which literally means “end of the bow”, was marked by Lord Rama with his bow as the spot from where the bridge to Lanka would be built by his vanarasena. Dhanushkodi was also connected by railway to various parts of India. It is getting polluted at a faster rate. Even so, the place retains its almost otherworldly charm. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in December. The ruins of the station and the railway track were left untouched and Dhanushkodi could never be rebuilt. In one night, the entire town was wiped out and parts of it submerged as the sea rushed three kilometres inland. Dhanushkodi is not your typical tourist destination as it doesn’t have much on offer except for the beautiful landscape. The parts of the town that the sea had claimed remained submerged underwater. Back then, it wasn’t a town of ruins, as it is today. Am surprised not to find any listing here in TA for Dhanushkodi The people who were in Dhanushkodi on the night of 22 December 1964 would never forget it as long as they live. On the night of 22nd December 1964, cyclone washed away Pamban Bridge, Dhanushkodi Railway Station and other nearby areas. The legend has it that when Ravana kidnapped Sita and took her to Lanka, the events propelled Lord Rama to build the Rama Sethu Bridge also known as Adam’s Bridge. Also, check out “The Disappearing Aral Sea and its Abandoned Ships“. Corroded remnants of brick buildings stand bare against the bright blue arch of sky and sea, telling their own tales of endurance. Wade into the shallows and watch a breathtakingly beautiful sunrise. The main reason for this isolation was the difficulty in reaching the town. The railway links to Dhanushkodi, which once had railway connections to different parts of the country, were entirely destroyed and never restored. Dhanushkodi itself was devastated, with heavy loss of human life and a near complete destruction of all the town buildings. Electricity is yet to reach these shores. At that juncture, the cyclone struck. M. Bhaktavatsalam, then the chief minister of Madras State (now Tamil Nadu), flew over the place and reported that the tip of the engine was barely visible in the water.Incidentally, the disaster did not take place on Pamban Bridge as is popularly believed now, but at the Dhanushkodi end of Pamban Island, which is 28 kilometres (17 mi) away from the bridge. Therefore, there is a spearate mitzvah to daven on the Har Habayit, even without a Temple, and thereby fulfill pilgramage. In the 1964, Dhanushkodi was hit by one of the worst storms India has ever seen. Dhanushkodi Tourism: Tripadvisor has reviews of Dhanushkodi Hotels, Attractions, and Restaurants making it your best Dhanushkodi resource. The ruins of the station and the railway track were left untouched and Dhanushkodi could never be rebuilt. In this episode, we are going to see some unbelievable scenes from Dhanushkodi blue sea three sides. Dhanushkodi: A ghost town hopes to come alive. Accommodation facilities are not available in Dhanushkodi, you have to come back to Rameshwaram. According to the locals, these submerged parts were briefly revealed in the 2004 tsunami when the sea receded some 1,600 feet before rushing back in and reclaiming the town. Half a century (and a tsunami) later, all that remains of the station are rail tracks buried under layers of sand. You can plan to visit Dhanushkodi on a weekend. However, it's likely you'll feel that you've reached the end of the earth as well. The public sentiment in India, however, is not going to be swayed anytime soon by NASA’s rebuttal. We now know, as Jews did in the early medieval period, where the Bet Hamikdash was not located. It is best to stay in Rameshwaram and make a day trip Dhanushkodi as there aren't any options for staying in Dhanushkodi. Bordered by the Bay of Bengal on one and the Indian Ocean on the other, Dhanushkodi, some 20 kilometres away from Rameshwaram, is one of the most spectacular stretches of Tamil Nadu with not more than 50 fisherfolk dwellings with a population of around 500. So, Dhanushkodi means bow’s end. From December 21, it moved westwards, 400 km to 550 km… An enormous tidal wave crashed into the train and flung it as if it were a toy into the roiling sea and destroyed the Pamban bridge. This is a place shrouded in mystery, that’s easy to miss by the regular tourist. As per mythology, Dhanushkodi was the spot where Lord Rama and his army built Ram Setu, otherwise known as Adam’s Bridge across the sea connecting Rameshwaram Island (Tamil Nadu) and Mannar Island (Sri Lanka), to rescue his wife Sita from the clutches of the demon king Ravana. All they can afford above their heads, bearing the brunt of cyclone, are only makeshift thatched roofs. Once accessible by railroad, the supercyclone of 1964 turned this bustling port town into an expanse of ruins overnight. Dhanushkodi is an experience. A community of around five hundred fisherfolk constitutes the current population of Dhanushkodi. Until 2017, Dhanushkodi remained an isolated, nearly forgotten place. Visit Dhanushkodi, one of the top tourist destinations in Tamil Nadu, and you'll have reached the end of India. however in the ruins of the old island town, that was swept away in the recent history, now is a small fishing hamlet around 10-12KM away from … Once to indicate that this was where he, his brother Lakshmana, and their allies, Vibhishana, Hanuman, and the Vanar Sena were going to start building the Ram Sethu from, connecting Bharatvarsha to Lanka to rescue his abducted wife, Sita, from the clutches of the Rakshasa King Ravana. Shacks selling shells, trinkets and snacks have long since appeared above them. The identity of Catholicism has been lost and the proponents of Rebuilt don’t even recognize it. For centuries, we have called it the Ram Sethu bridge and we will continue to call it the Ram Sethu bridge. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. 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 … Dhanushkodi History. This page presents a visual Dhanushkodi travel guide. M. Bhaktavatsalam, then the chief minister of Madras State (now Tamil Nadu), flew over the place and reported that the tip of the engine was barely visible in the water.Incidentally, the disaster did not take place on Pamban Bridge as is popularly believed now, but at the Dhanushkodi end of Pamban Island, which is 28 kilometres (17 mi) away from the bridge. I think I have the right load order for the mods but I don't know how to change it < > We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Dhanushkodi. However, things can go wrong. It is an important religious destination among Hindu pilgrims and many of them take a dip in sea here after visiting Rameshwaram. Autorickshaws can take you to Dhanushkodi from Rameshwaram. It is the only monument which was not destroyed in the 1964 cyclone in Dhanushkodi. (Shubham Gupta / Wikimedia Commons). A view of the ocean at Dhanushkodi. Would request toclick the below picture and read the statement which itself present the tailoring part of the whole story and experience we are going to share. Amazing landscape it was from Rameshwaram. Parts of the town went under water and those that remained above water level were isolated from one another. (D Kartikeyan / Wikimedia Commons). Dhanushkodi being declared as ghost town by State Government is one such destination for enthusiastic adventurists and travel explorers but still entrance into this small island in nights is strictly prohibited. You might walk about amidst the stone ruins of the church, the post office, the medical college, the railway station, the hospital, the water tank, the school, and the other still-standing structures. Apart from the ruins of the town’s stone buildings, there are no other buildings in Dhanushkodi. As a result, 90 % devotees go back to Rameshwaram without having ‘darshan’ of holy ‘Rama-setu’. Our visit to Dhanushkodi. One day plan - Reach Dhanushkodi by morning. Dhanushkodi, located in the Rameshwaram district of Tamil Nadu, is the place where the wonders of nature and man become one. On the night of 22 December 1964, as the cyclone was about to strike Dhanushkodi, the Pamban-Dhanushkodi Passenger, a six-coach train that provided a daily commuter service between Pamban and Dhanushkodi, was nearing Dhanushkodi railway station. As mentioned earlier, the Madras government declared the town to be a ghost town and, except for some fishermen whose livelihood depended on the sea and who therefore stayed put, the rest of the surviving inhabitants of the town left and did not ever return. Tourist at Dhanushkodi. When one look for such instances in the history, Dhanushkodi, a small island in the tip of south India stands first. It was the last train of the day and there were 110 passengers on board this train, along with five railway staff members. If you are lucky, you will get an entire isolated stretch of beach to yourself. Surveys concluded that the Dhanushkodi township sank by almost 5 meters during the 1948-49 tectonic movement leading to a 7 by half kilometer stretch in the north – south direction getting submerged. It was frequented mainly by tourists looking for a back of beyond destination and determined religious pilgrims. Well, Lord Rama’s bow of the Hindu Epic, Ramayana. however in the ruins of the old island town, that was swept away in the recent history, now is a small fishing hamlet around 10-12KM away from the Adam's Bridge, famously called the Ghost Town. Ruins of post office and hospital. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Whose bow though? Or you might gaze wide-eyed at the surpassing beauty of the pristine beaches, the green-blue sea, and the deep-blue sky. Why do people go to Dhanushkodi ? We remain at the mercy of natural forces like all living creatures on this planet. 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