Dhanushkodi
தனுஷ்கோடி
A seaside town levelled by the 1964 cyclone, where the ruins of a church, railway station and post office stand on a sandbar between two seas.
Dhanushkodi was once a busy port with ferries to Sri Lanka. In December 1964, a devastating cyclone and storm surge flattened the entire town and overturned a train, after which the place was declared uninhabitable. Today, only coral-stone remnants of the church, station and water tower remain on the sandbar. On one side lies the calm Bay of Bengal, and on the other the rough waves of the Indian Ocean, making the scene desolate and haunting. Since a new road opened in 2017, you can drive straight there, and along the way are fishermen's huts and shell stalls. It is about 20 km from the temple. Leave before sunset, and do not go into the sea, as the water is dangerous.
Opening hours
Approx. 06:00–18:00 (no staying after sunset)
Nearby sights
- Arichal Munai
- Kothandaramaswamy Temple
- Agni Theertham
- Ramanathaswamy Temple
- House of Kalam
- Panchamukhi Hanuman Temple
- Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam National Memorial
- Gandhamadhana Parvatham (Ramar Padam)