Photo Travelogue!
This discovery is most unique and once in a lifetime must, if not for the amazing visual delight it gives than the journey itself, which is no less a thrilling adventure one-of-its-kind. One reaches Rameshwaram, from Chennai and devotes the next day only to this pursuit. Moving out from the famous holy-town of Rameshwaram, early morning, in the long stretch of land with a well maintained road that one has to take.
The journey can take almost 2 hours, depending on the speed with which one drives. But the road journey itself is simply fabulous. It is rustic, earthy and one can really get into the groove of it. One passes by the last of the electric poles and few of the last villages left, then it is only yourself in the car, and no one else in that long road ahead. Getting a flat tyre can leave you in a fix, especially if you don’t know the local language too, so going with local trusted guide is recommended. Moreover, there’s a 3-gear only vehicle rule ahead, so most local guides will know the best 4x4 vehicle to take.
As the blue seas with white sands begin to appear on the sides, you know that’s when the real thrill begins. You reach the point, where you can relax a bit. But wait! This is not the main point i.e. our destination I’m talking about. This is just to stretch your muscles a bit and relax, grab some bites. When the jeep starts going ahead, you’ll find that it travels more in the sea than on the road. Yes, that’s what I’m talking about. Total Off-Roading experience, with the vehicle driving on the shallow sea itself ( also it explains the special vehicle required ) till you reach the famous Dhanushkodi point.
During high tide this flimsy stretch of land vanishes altogether, thus, is accessible only when the water has ebbed ( that too with great difficulty ). Once you reach Dhanushkodi, there's a well not far that has fresh water in it since forever....amazing and astonishing considering the fact that the place is surrounded by seas all around. Dhanushkodi is the place where Lord Rama and his vanar sena lead by Hanuman built a bridge ( rama setu ) across the sea to reach Sri Lanka using light floating stones to rescue Sita from Ravana.
The place has a eerie vibe to it as it is abandoned after being destroyed; and, the only people you see are few stray tourists and odd hawkers who vanishes after sun set. Cyclone had destroyed the place and many lives were lost overnight making this place a stark example of nature's fury. As the sun goes down and its all dark, starts the whispers of those who perished untimely and are still seeking answers. It is supposedly a haunted place with lots of paranormal activity.
Dhanushkodi is an abandoned town at the south-eastern tip of Pamban Island of the state of Tamil Nadu in India. It is south-east of Pamban and is about 24 kilometres west of Talaimannar in Sri Lanka. The town was destroyed during the 1964 Rameswaram cyclone and remains uninhabited in the aftermath ( wiki ).
Address : , Dhanushkodi Beach Rd, Dhanushkodi, Tamil Nadu 623526.
Stay tuned for all my road, rail, flight, cruise & walk trips.
( Images - Google. )
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