Dhanushkodi is a coastal destination at the south-eastern tip of Pamban Island in Tamil Nadu, India. Its main draw is Dhanushkodi Beach, where the Bay of Bengal and the Gulf of Mannar meet, creating a notable coastal viewpoint. The area also offers views associated with Adam's Bridge, a chain of limestone shoals between India and Sri Lanka. Visitors come to see the abandoned town, destroyed in the 1964 cyclone and still uninhabited, along with the remains of its old railway station. The nearby Kothandaramaswamy Temple adds religious interest, while the wider Rameswaram island has Hindu temples and island scenery. Dhanushkodi suits travellers interested in beaches, coastal viewpoints, abandoned places, Hindu shrines and stories connected with Rama Setu. It also suits those exploring Pamban Island and the surrounding Gulf of Mannar coast.
Known for: Coastal viewpoints, Abandoned town, Rama Setu, Hindu shrines, Island scenery
Top things to do in Dhanushkodi
Dhanushkodi Beach: Beach at Rameswaram Island's tip where the Bay of Bengal and Gulf of Mannar meet, with views towards Ram Sethu.
Ghost Town of Dhanushkodi: Abandoned town destroyed in the 1964 cyclone, visited for its historical and mythological relevance.
Adam's Bridge (Rama Setu): Chain of limestone shoals between Pamban Island and Mannar Island, separating the Gulf of Mannar from the Palk Strait.
Old railway station ruins: Abandoned railway station destroyed during the 1964 cyclone, once a halt on the Boat Mail route to Ceylon.
Kothandaramaswamy Temple: Hindu shrine dedicated to Rama, the only historical structure said to have survived the 1964 cyclone that washed away Dhanushkodi.
Ramanathaswamy Temple: Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva on Rameswaram Island, one of the twelve Jyotirlinga temples and a Char Dham pilgrimage site.
Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park: Protected coastal area of 21 small islands and coral reefs, with public access limited to glass-bottom boat rides.
Pāmban Island: Island separated from Sri Lanka by the Palk Strait, with Palk Bay to the east and the Gulf of Mannar to the west.
When is the best time to visit Dhanushkodi?
Best months: January to March
January to March is the usual time to visit, dry and before the hot months. October to December bring the heaviest rain, with November the wettest.
January: 60 mm of rain, dry (good time to go)
February: 20 mm of rain, dry (good time to go)
March: 22 mm of rain, dry (good time to go)
April: 55 mm of rain, dry
May: 78 mm of rain, some rain
June: 22 mm of rain, dry
July: 25 mm of rain, dry
August: 38 mm of rain, dry
September: 59 mm of rain, dry
October: 169 mm of rain, rainy
November: 259 mm of rain, rainy
December: 174 mm of rain, rainy
How to reach Dhanushkodi
By air: Madurai Airport (IXM), about 155 km from Dhanushkodi in a straight line
By air: Tuticorin Airport (TCR), about 156 km from Dhanushkodi in a straight line
By train: Rameswaram railway station, about 9 km from Dhanushkodi in a straight line