Dhanushkodi is an abandoned town at the south-eastern tip of Pamban Island in the state of Tamil Nadu in India. It is situated to the South-East of Pamban and is about 24 kilometres (15 mi) west of Talaimannar in Sri Lanka.
It is a deserted place from which Sri Lanka is visible. There was a time when people used to live in this place, but now this place feels like a ghost town.
It shares the only land border between India and Sri Lanka, which is one of the smallest in the world at 45 metres (148 ft) in length on a shoal in the Palk Strait.
It is a tourists spot now but they are not allowed to stay after twilight. People return to Rameswaram before dusk, due to the route which is scary and mysterious.
Before the terrible cyclone in 1964, Dhanushkodi was an emerging tourist and pilgrimage site. In those days it was equipped with railway station, hospital, church, hotel and post office all of which were destroyed during the Rameswaram cyclone.
It is said that a train carrying more than 100 passengers sunk at that time. Since then this place is completely deserted.
According to local legend, Dhanushkodi is the place from where the Ram Setu was built. It is said that this is the place where Lord Rama ordered Hanuman to build a bridge, through which the Vanar Sena entered Lanka, where Ravana kept goddess Sita. There are many temples related to Lord Rama at this place.
It is said that on the request of Ravana’s brother Vibhishana, Lord Rama broke the bridge since then it was named Dhanushkoti.
PNN/Agencies
