Dhanushkodi is a small fishing village at the southern tip of Ramehwaram Islands. Its about an hours train ride from Rameshwaram railway station.Now the story about Dhanushkodi is quite an interesting and scary one. This ill-fated village was destroyed in a freakish storm in the year 1964. On that fateful night (December 22nd) at 23.55 hours while entering Dhanushkodi railway station, the train No.653, Pamban-Dhanushkodi Passenger, a daily regular service which left Pamban with 110 passengers and 5 railway staff, was only a few yards away from the Dhanushkodi Railway station when it was hit by a massive tidal wave. The whole train was washed away killing all 115 on the spot. The angry storm destroyed the whole village in a few hours altogether killing over 1800 people. All the houses and other structures in Dhanushkodi were marooned in the storm. The high tidal waves moved almost 10 kilometers onto the island and ruined the entire town. Pamban Bridge too was washed away by these disastrous tidal waves. Following this disaster, the Government of Madras declared the town as Ghost town and unfit for living. Today only a few brave fishermen live there.I got into the train at around 8 in the morning, the weather wasn’t too hot and the train was not too crowded either, so a comfortable ride. The best part about the train ride is crossing the Pamban Bridge, the second longest sea bridge in India (2.3 km). I went and stood at the door of the train and it was breathtaking!!!! The wind on my face, the smell of the sea, greenery at a distance ,it was sheer bliss. It was a little scary too coz if I slip a step, it was a 50 feet drop to the ocean.
So after the train journey, I reach Dhanushkodi, had a quick breakfast of dosa and omelet at a small shack and headed to the bus stand .There are a few buses that go to Danushkodi I took bus no 5 or 3 cant remember but all I can remember is that it was jam packed!!!! There were a lot of fishing folks in the bus and there was the unmistakable smell of dried fish .Ten minutes into the bus ride and I ran out of mobile coverage but I din care, I was on a adventure and I din want any calls from work .The bus ride was nice but I din get a window seat (make sure you get one or hire a jeep if u ever go there). The bus dropped me off at a fishing village 6km off Dhanushkodi, I don’t remember the name of the place but from here the only way to get to Dhanushkodi is by small fishing pickup vans. The ride cost me 150rs to and fro for the van ride where I had to sit on top of the van and the ride itself was an experience!!!!!(Check out the video), a total bumpy ride right through; at some point we were going on water, there was no road at all.
Dhanushkodi though called a ghost town, is not exactly a ghost town any more and people have made make shift huts all around the ruins and there are vendors selling shells and small trinkets to tourists which was a little annoying as it spoiled the naturality of the spot. I wanted to get a nice shot of the ruined church which is like an iconic structure there but it was surrounded by such shops which totally ruined the shot. Inside the church ruins something caught my attention and it was the face of Jesus on the crucifix.
The Broken Cross - The face showed pain and sadness, i tried researching online for some eye witness accounts of the incident but was not able to find anything.
Along the shores of the sea there were innocent children unaware of all the calamities that have happened in their land. They quite excitedly posed for me.
The once famous dhanushkodi church bustling with the faithful now remained in ruins.
At Rameshwaram station
On the Pamban bridge
Fishing Boat
The Altar
The Ruins
