Dhanushkodi ('end of the bow') is at the south-eastern tip of Pamban Island in the Tamil Nadu state of India. It is about 18 miles (29 kms) west of Talaimannar in Sri Lanka. Rameshwaram tour is incomplete if Dhanushkodi is not in one’s itinerary.
Dhanushkodi has a sad history attached to it. But today, it is one of the most significant tourist attractions in South India. The tip of Dhanushkodi needs a special mention. You definitely need to go there to experience serenity at its best.
Dhanushkodi has a stretch of 15 kms of beach alone. Dhanushkodi was a functioning town at the very end of the Rameshwaram Island 'til 1964. There were regular ferry services from here to Talaimannar in Sri Lanka which is just about 18 kms across the sea. A violent cyclone destroyed the town in 1964 and submerged most of it.
Srilanka is about 15 kms from here. Dhanushkodi has the only land border between India and Srilanka which is one of the smallest in the world.
At Dhanushkodi one can see the deep and rough waters of Indian Ocean meeting the shallow and calm waters of Bay of Bengal. Since the sea is shallow there, one can walk into Bay of Bengal and witness the colorful corals, fishes, seaweeds, star fishes, sea cucumber etc. However one is forewarned from venturing into the Indian Ocean as it is extremely violent.
The calm and quiet atmosphere at this area is absolutely spell-binding. One really feels like just standing there forever and experiencing the bliss, doing nothing else. People also come here to perform pooja and other last rites or immerse ashes at this place. There are a few shops here that sell sea-shells.