Ever been to a ghost town??
If not, welcome to the Ghost town of Dhanushkodi. Even if you have been there, still you are welcome 😉 By the way Ghost town is not a town where ghosts are living nor it is a haunted town! Ghost town simply means that its an abandoned town. In the year 1964, because of a cyclone, the entire area was destroyed. The Dhanushkodi railway line running from Pamban Station was also destroyed killing hundreds of passengers present in the train. It also destroyed the bridge that was connecting Dhanushkodi with the mainland along with the railway station. The cyclonic storm killed thousands of people living in that village. Later government declared this place as unfit for living and it became a ghost town. Once this area was filled with fishermen and people who were travelling from India to SriLanka by ships. Now only ruins of the old town can be found. A few fishermen still lives somewhere around this place.

Dhanishkodi is in the Ramanathpuram district of Tamilnadu. The famous pilgrim spot Rameshwaram is 18 km away from here and this is the nearest town. And Sri Lanka is around 30 km from Dhanushkodi!! Earlier there used to be a port with ferry service between Dhanushkodi and Sri Lanka.
Getting there
The nearest town and railway station is Rameshwaram. Cheapest possible way to get there from long distance will be by trains. Public transport is also sort of cheaper than many other neighbouring states. Nearest airport is Madurai airport, just in case you are wondering. But I am mostly looking forward to have a great trip at the least possible cost. So I am concentrating on that particular point.
As Dhanushkodi is an abandoned town, permission for visitors is only during day. So you will have to stay at Rameshwaram. Anyway you can not leave the place without visiting Rameshwaram and the 1000 pillars. So you can plan one day for Dhanushkodi and the other day for Rameshwaram.
From Rameshwaram, jeeps and auto rickshaws can be hired which will take near Dhanushkodi. Or else wait for the bus, which are not very frequent. Taking a bus is the cheapest option. You can find similar buses from Rameshwaram.

After some time as beach side shops selling stuffs for tourists will start to appear. That’s the sign saying its where you need to get down.

In order to visit the ruins of the town, from here jeeps or other vehicles are to be hired. There will be many mini vans and jeeps, waiting for the tourists. They can charge starting from 100 rupees per person, depending on the number of people.

Some of the tourist vans look like this. Don’t expect a very comfortable ride, but its going to be a fun ride. These are very special machines. This can run both on land and in water 😉


And yes! People do sit on top of the van. If you are looking for more fun, you can always opt the upper berth. Safety is entirely upon your luck. Everyone was lucky that day though.

The journey looks like this on the beach sand, sitting on the edge. Yes this is living on the edge :p
And you might get to see some jugaad ( innovative fix )engineering.

Can you guess?
Well this is the diesel tank of our tourist vehicle!! :p
After the eventful fun ride, you can take some cool photos to upload on Facebook!

At the end van ride, you will be dropped off at point. From here you can roam here and there and later come back to the place to find the van.
The whole place is covered with sand. Houses, places of worship, schools and many other building were there once! Now only some ruins and bricks are remaining.



It not just the ruins attracts people’s attention to this place. This place has some connection with Indian epic Ramayana. Ramayana says that Lord Rama built a bridge, called Ram Setu or ‘Rama’s bridge from Dhanushkodi to Sri Lanka. It is also called Adam’s bridge according to Muslim legend.

Encyclopædia Britannica says “Adam’s Bridge, also called Rama’s Bridge, chain of shoals, between the islands of Mannar, near northwestern Sri Lanka, and Rāmeswaram, off the southeastern coast of India. The bridge is 30 miles (48 km) long and separates the Gulf of Mannar (southwest) from the Palk Strait (northeast). Geologic evidence suggests that Adam’s Bridge represents a former land connection between India and Sri Lanka. Traditionally, it is said to be the remnant of a huge causeway constructed by Rāma, the hero of the Hindu epic Rāmāyaṇa, to facilitate the passage of his army from India to Ceylon (Sri Lanka) for the rescue of his abducted wife, Sītā. According to Muslim legend, Adam crossed there to Adam’s Peak, Ceylon, atop which he stood repentant on one foot for 1,000 years.”

This is what we were talking about. What is left now as the land connection between India and SriLanka!
Sight seeing was almost finished . So went back to the van. Otherwise if somehow we miss the van, then it can be really an adventurous journey!! Everyone advices to return to Rameswaram before sunset as the entire 15 kilometre stretch is regarded as very lonely and scary. Since there is no electricity and means of communication between Rameswaram and Dhanushkodi. Even mobile network is not available. And taxis do not work on the stretch after sundown. So it is not recommended to stay there after dark!

Came back to the place from where we started the van journey. There are some small shops selling stuffs made from sea shells and pebbles. There are mirrors, sea shell curtains and many other things made out of sea shells.

Try the caption above, if you want to have some adventure 😉
I had some fun with the sea shell decorated mirror.

Mirrors were beautifully decorated with the sea shells. But first let me take a selfie 😉
Waiting started for the bus which will take me back to Rameshwaram. The boats on the beach side were waiting for the fishermen while I was waiting for the bus.

So are you planning to visit the Ghost town?!
All pictures are taken by Trablogger. Please contact for approval, if you would like to use them for any purpose.
Haunting and beautiful ruins! great photos! Thank you for sharing the post. I look forward to reading more of your great work.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much for your kind words. I will post soon 🙂
LikeLike
“Jugaad”, hahahahahaha…..Seems like a fun place especially after sunset 😉 Great photos and apt description. Those ‘land and water’ trucks are pretty cool too, their ground clearance says it all. Travelling Indian Ishtyle!
LikeLiked by 1 person
haha.. you caught all the right points 😀
jugaad rocks and you know it 😉
Yep, indeed, its awesome after dark! but make sure to come back to tell the stories :p (just kidding)
You are a hardcore machine fan! I can see that! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
fantastic pictures…truly this is a hidden gem
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much. maybe you should visit the place 🙂
LikeLike
Hey Buddy! Help me out by following my blog. Would appreciate it, I have already started to follow you. Waiting for you to return in kind 🙂
LikeLike
Done 😀
LikeLike
Great story in photos! I learned a lot that I did not know, including its existence.
So jugaad is what I should call it. Excellent that I have another word for what we call ‘McGuyver-ing’ around here 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
haha..its the same thing. Jugaad is Hindi term for McGuyver
Thanks for reading 🙂
LikeLike
Great post and beautiful pictures! Hope to visit the ghost town of Dhanusjkodi once too! Looks like an amazing place! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much.
Yes, indeed its a great place and you should visit if possible. I am planning to visit again 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Are bikes allowed up to Dhanushkodi or any permit required -any idea ?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I guess bikes are allowed. No permit or anything needed. You have to be back before the night fall. But this place is full of sand and I am not sure if you can ride through the sand.
LikeLike
Thanks , just a quick follow up , any place to stay near to Dhanushkodi away from rush of Rameshwaram ( maybe sea facing) also any place to pitch tent near to Dhanushkodi without entering restricted zone
LikeLike
I did this trip a while ago. so these are based on my memory. Well nearest hotels are in rameshwaram. And you can pitch a tent anywhere in dhanushkodi away from the sea. But the entire area is restricted. I never stayed there at night. But no one stay there at night, as no electricity, no mobile network, no food and no transportation available. Maybe you can meet some fishermen of that area for some advice on pitching a tent and staying overnight in there.
Please do share your experience. Have a safe trip.
Well what are you planning? Just curious
LikeLike
Thanks mate , we are on a bike trip to this place (5 bullets) and were planning to stay away from the rush & noise of city like Rameshwaram – for this camping is always the best option.
LikeLiked by 1 person
But Rameshwaram isn’t a place like that. Its calmer than any other city you are thinking.
Bullet trips are fun. Respect ! 🙂
LikeLike
I can see that you are specialised in Ladak region. Its always remained as a dream for me till date. Maybe one day! Lots of things to be done before that!
LikeLike
Caption is entirely misleading 😀 I really thought der would be some photos of ghosts 😛 …great photos as always…didn’t know the Muslim legend about our Setu…
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s why you at least checked it 😉 Well you can check the meaning of ‘ghost town’.
“our setu”! Were you part of the making?!! 😉
LikeLike
I might have been a tiny squirrel…but due to long term memory loss spanning over many lives 😛 cannot remember it now…
mmm…my bad about the misconception…
LikeLike
alright tiny squirrel..
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have been to Rameshwaram…wish I knew about this place then.
LikeLiked by 1 person
yea.. this place is kinda near and awesome place to go and check out.
LikeLike
probably we would not have been allowed even if I knew…it was the same time that the tsunami hit Southern parts of India…
LikeLike
It must be scary travel memory then!! Because due to a big cyclone and resulting tsunami this place got washed away.
LikeLike
no we didn’t face the actual tsunami or cyclone…but the tide timetable was all disturbed…I remember our professors banning us to go in water since the tides were changing every two hours..
LikeLike
College tour to Rameshwaram?! Where did you study?! 😀
LikeLike
It was coastal regions actually…I studied in Maharashtra 🙂 but had lots of opportunity to travel South India since my subject was Zoology..
LikeLike
Why is south India favourite part for Zoology??
LikeLike
coastal regions…fishery… but that was just an excuse to travel and have fun…whatever der reasons may be …I got to travel a lot because of the subjects I chose to study…one of which was Zoology 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like fun. So you are studying oceanography?!
LikeLike
No..dat time it was Zoology..later Environment Science..
LikeLiked by 1 person
the budding environmental conservationist! 😀
LikeLike
🙂 maybe…lets see..wht did you study btw…photography?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I studies travel from photography and photography from travel 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very evasive I see 😛
LikeLiked by 1 person
yes, because I am Mr. Anonymous 😀
LikeLike
ok as you wish 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
that is a nice documentary 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much Joshi 🙂
LikeLike
The picture of the tree really appeals to me. At some point in the not too distant future, would you give me permission to use it as inspiration for a story, please? With full credit and link back to you of course 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Of course, sharing is caring. You want a picture without watermark?
LikeLike
Really nice photo essay! I feel like I were there myself 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much. Glad you liked it and you could ‘photo walk’ with me 😀 Thank you for your support.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful photos. I had no idea Dhanushkodi was abandoned!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much . Its not abandoned in the day time though 🙂
LikeLike
Found another ghost town 😀 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhangarh
maybe you could visit der and let us know whether it is haunted or not.. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yea, this is really a GHOST town. Not like my ghost towns. And why do you hate me so much?!! 😛
LikeLike
hahaha…I didn’t know you were afraid of ghosts 😀
LikeLike
I never said I am afraid of you 😛
LikeLike
then why won’t you visit the place 😛
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just hate them 😉
LikeLike
oho…hate them eh…why won’t u admit you’ll quake in ur boots if u ever go der… 😛
LikeLiked by 1 person
I will never!!! I go there bare foot 😉
LikeLike
hahaha… 😀 you do have a good sense of humour..
LikeLiked by 1 person
oh.. I must say thank you now 😉
LikeLike
well you did make me laugh with that barefoot comment.. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am glad that I did 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
so are you learning some peace and discipline 😛 in Auroville…
LikeLiked by 1 person
So you meant to say I didn’t have it before :p
LikeLike
Ok..more peace and discipline:P is that ok now.. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yea a bit ok now. Anyway I’m making some new friends here 🙂
LikeLike
which is always a great thing..have fun dear friend…
LikeLike
You too 🙂
LikeLike
Great photos! Looks like quite an adventure to get there 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Supriya. It is really nice to visit Dhanushkodi. Hope you will visit soon 🙂
LikeLike
wow! loved it :-). I have been to Rameshwaram and Pamban bridge when I was a kid so the memories aren’t intact. Been wanting to go there for ages and thank you so much for the info.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for reading. I hope to read your post on Dhanushkodi soon 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations, good work! 65Luna
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much Luna 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! Nice pics!!! Sounds so interesting!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you 🙂 So you got curious by the name, picture or what?! 😀
LikeLike
Interesting post! Thanks for taking me there 🙂 Bye. Kamila
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you enjoyed the photo walk with me 😀
Do come back for some more walks. Thank you very much 🙂
LikeLike
What a beutiful place. Your pictures and words make me want to visit it! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha.. thanks 🙂
You should visit this place. Pretty awesome place to visit 🙂
LikeLike
Wow this place sounds beautiful, and totally looks it too! Amazingly caught on camera 🙂 I love those on-land-and-water boats! I’ve went on one like that before, off the shores of Halifax, and it was really fun! 5km of beach, really?? I could take ten hours to walk the whole way, ahaha. Are those shell necklaces? They look lovely! 😀 and the Rama’s bridge is so fairytale-like! Does it still connect india and sri lanka? I’d love to stand upon that trail sometime 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
There you go again! With plenty of questions firing towards me!! 😀 First of all Thank you so much again 🙂
And it turns out that you have travelled pretty much too!!
The beach, the sand area is pretty long. You can walk as much as you want, just be back before night 😉
Yes, they are shell necklaces. I have two with me, I can parcel it to you if you want 😉
The bridge doesn’t connect India and Sri Lanka now. But a part of which is still can be seen like in the picture.
Thanks again for reading 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ahaha, yeah I suppose I did.. I’d never really put most of it down into words and pictures though, and I really regret that 😦 wow, really! Shell jewelry is so little-mermaid 😛 I’d be sure to get a few (or a whole bunch, lol) when I go there 🙂 And it’s always a pleasure to read when you’re given such nice things to read 😉 Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Next time you can do it 🙂 Sure, now you have one more reason to visit the place. Shell Jewellery 😀 Thanks again 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Some real cool place to visit. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed. Glad you think so. Thank you for checking out 🙂
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Techno Geek Ritwik and commented:
You must visit this ghost town. 😀
LikeLike
Haunting !! Eerie !! awesome clicks and so well documented
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, this is indeed an interesting place to visit. Glad you liked the story. Thank you for reading 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
all your southern travel adventures make me long to travel down south!! Loved reading this one 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Same thing happens to me when i read the Himalayan chronicles and Leh-Ladhak biker adventures 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! Didn’t know such a place existed! Nice pictures 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it is not a popular tourist destination 🙂
Glad you like the photo walk 🙂 Thank you
LikeLike
Great post. I went to Dhanuskoti in 2013 and you brought all the memories back.
LikeLiked by 1 person
COol, maybe you can write a post about it 🙂
LikeLike
Maybe I will, haha. I will be composing one shortly on very different places though..Cambodia and Vietnam
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds awesome. Looking forward to it 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
I have a travel journal with hundreds of places in the wishlist. And Number 1. Its Dhanushkodi…. I’m a lover of everything haunting.. Movies, stories, places..I’m definitely gonna consider this post to be my guide 🙂
You are lucky that you can travel as you wish. I barely get to step out of my home. But I’m not gonna give upon my dream. I’ll runaway for sure :D!
~Uma~
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oops, I missed this comment.
Good to know that Dhanushkodi tops your list. Dhanushkodi doesn’t look haunting during daytime. But at night, no one is allowed too.
Do run away and once you do it, let me know 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is one place which has been in my list for quite sometime now. Hopefully I am heading there soon, in one of the extended weekends that are coming up.
Thanks for sharing this nice article 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for reading the post 🙂
Do let me know your experience once you come back from there 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a good post 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks again 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Welcome 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
hmmm…as I read this write up lot of thoughts came in my mind… First good going, lot of people I think won’t go to a deserted place that seems to have very little means of transport, not many will understand the undercurrent of the place, the excitement of the jeep ride or the ruins which show a bit of history that happened before of the storm, or that bridge that comments to Srilanka… well… it is vusual and that tells a story, but I don’t think most of us will like to go there, just because we are quite unimagitative… you will know the South Indian Culture and Karnataka culture and I feel in the South people are less friendly than those in Karnataka, do you agree?… just a vibe or impulsive feeling… looks like Rameshwaram is a good place to visit(:… there is more than temples there I suppose anyway
LikeLiked by 1 person
You cannot quite generalise and come to a conclusion. I don’t think one set of people are not so good and others are good. There will be all kinds of people in a community.
Yes, of course Rameshwaram and Dhanushkodi are some great places to visit. Do visit. It is nearby only 😉
LikeLike
Absolutely loved the description and pictures. I must take a trip down south someday 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks again. Yes, you should visit South and let me know when you do that. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person