The Ghost Town now they say had a popular name called ‘end of the bow’. The Indian epic Ramayana says that Lord Rama built a bridge called Rama’s bridge, to bring his army troops, between the mainland and Sri Lanka. He then destroyed the bridge with one end of his bow and hence the name end of the bow. 

Situated at the south eastern tip of Pamban Island of the Tamil Nadu state, was once a tourist spot and a pilgrimage for many people. But the tragedy that took in the year 1964, where a cyclone (also known as the Dhanushkodi cyclone) struck and cause catastrophic damages. The train 653 Pamban- Dhanushkodi Passenger which left with 110 passengers and 5 railway staff submerged into the deep sea after being hit by a huge wave, it was only minutes later entering into Dhanushkodi Railway station.

Over 1800 people died and other dwellings and structures were destroyed by the storm. Each and every hair will bristle when you learn more about Dhanushkodi and the tragedy that struck in 1964. After this disaster, it was announced Dhanushkodi as a ghost town and not fit for living. But you could still see some fishermen living there, risking their lives every day.

Thinking of to take a trip to Dhanushkodi? Don’t do it alone, form a group. The railway lines were demolished by the cyclone and so one has to walk through the sand dunes along the sea shore or arrive either in jeeps or tempos of the people who live there. It is strictly advisable to return to Rameshwaram by night time. You can get snacks and water from the shops available there.