Proof logo

"Ghost town of Tamilnadu"

Uncovering the mysteries

By Seven StonePublished about a year ago 4 min read
12

Dhanushkodi, a small town located on the southeast tip of India, has been filled in mystery for centuries. On the wide southeast sand point of Pamban Island, Dhanushkodi is located just off the coast of Tamil Nadu in South India.  On one side lies the rough Indian Ocean, while the Bay of Bengal is on the other. It is known as a “ghost town” because of its mysterious ruins and ancient legends. In this blog post, we will explore its history and famous explorations to what you can do while visiting the mystical land.

Exploring the remains of ghost town

About 54 years ago, Dhanushkodi on the Pamban Island was a busy coastal city in Southeast India with a train station, a police station, a hospital, and other utilities. Right until the massive hurricane covered the entire region on December 21, 1964, taking boats from Chennai to Talaimannar in Sri Lanka was the best tourist activity. With floods up to 20 feet high, the cyclone left nothing but ruins in its path. In the following days after the accident, the government declared Dhanushkodi to be uninhabitable after analyzing its unsafe location. As a result, the area became known as the ghost town. Currently, nobody else lives here but the 50 to 60 fisherman and a few small business owners. The location never stops to captivate history buffs and adventure seekers!

Popular explorations of town

1. Amazing sea

One can be interested about the beautiful beach and clean ocean. There are no large buildings or hotels, no garbage, just a clear blue sea, and the best views are along the road that leads up to the water. The overpopulated metropolitan areas are in complete contrast to Dhanushkodi, which, due to its small population, provides tourists with a level of calm and quiet incomparable by any other place.

2. Ram Setu

Hindu mythology refers to the bridge as the "Ram Setu". The later ruler of Lanka asked Lord Ram to destroy the bridge, and Ram did so, giving the town its name. NASA has created satellite photographs that show a bridge exists below the surface of the sea.

3. Pamban Bridge

This bridge was India's first sea bridge and is currently the second-longest sea bridge. This bridge, which crosses the Pal Strait and connects Rameshwaram with the Indian subcontinent, exhibits outstanding architectural talent. Sadly, after the hurricane hit Dhanushkodi in 1964, the bridge suffered severe damage. But it only took 48 days to rebuild the bridge once more.

4. Ghost Town

During the cyclone in December 1964, more than a thousand people died, including those arriving at the island by train through the Pamban Bridge, and the entire region was reduced to a barren wasteland. Due to reports of ghostly activity, the authorities declared this area to be a "ghost town," and after 6 o'clock no one is allowed on the beach. It is true that as night falls, the tales of Dhanushkodi give you the chills, the calm blue sea darkens, and the surroundings might make you feel uncomfortable.

Lifestyle of people

The only people living there are local fishermen. They live hard lives in handmade thatched houses with no running water or power.

Cyclone and its major impact

This cyclone was created on December 17, 1964, by a depression that had its centre in the South Andaman Sea. It became a cyclonic storm on December 19th. By December 21st, 1964, it began to move westward at a rate of 250 to 350 miles (400 to 560 km) each day. It entered Palk Strait at night on December 22 and crossed Vavuniya of Ceylon (now known as Sri Lanka) on December 22 with a wind speed of 280 km/h. On December 23 and 24, 1964, it crashed into Dhanushkodi of Rameshwaram island. When it passed over Rameshwaram, the tidal waves were reportedly 8 yards high. According to reports, the cyclonic storm caused the deaths of nearly 1800 individuals. There are currently only a few locals left fishing in the city's abandoned building remains.

City after government preservation

The government declared the town "unfit for living," hence no development was undertaken.It was never rebuilt because it is said to be haunted by the souls who lost their lives in the cyclone. So much so that even the government forbids you to visit there after dark.

Conclusion

Being the "Last land of India," Dhanushkodi has captured the hearts of many and gives a memorable experience. There is something for everyone in this ghost town, from learning about its fascinating history to spotting its unique flora and fauna. Visitors can experience all that Dhanushkodi has to offer and make priceless memories with the proper planning. Even though it may have lost some of its flourishes, it continues to stand with great beauty and exposing tales of old histories.

travelhistory
12

About the Creator

Seven Stone

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2024 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.