“Danush Kodi ! – The land that is no longer there.”

Just imagine that some town which existed about half a century ago no longer exists now? This scariest imagination had led me to Danush kodi. Here begins my first solo travel.

The Island of Rameshwaram in Ramanathapuram district is quite famous for its religious importance. The Pamban island is connected to the main land by Pamban bridge-the India’s first cantilever bridge which has survived many devastating cyclones.

As soon as I decided to travel solo to Danush Kodi, I started the navigation in Google to know how the city was lost. The devastating cyclone in 1964 had ultimately taken away Danush kodi from India map. Yes the entire town.

Adding onto the disaster, I was astonished to know that more than 100 passengers in Boat mail express were washed away by a massive tidal wave in Danush Kodi. Following the havoc, the Government declared the city as “Ghost city- City unfit for living”. The Boat mail was a train and steamer ferry service connecting India and Ceylon. The boat mail express had been used to take passengers from Madras to Danush Kodi and from there, a shorter ferry service took passengers to reach Ceylon.

Danush Kodi is 18 kms from Rameshwaram. This includes a 10 km adventurous ride through the saline beach sands all the way to the tip of Danush kodi.

Date : Nov 1st
I was sitting in the beach of Ghost city admiring the serene beauty. Sea was in a ravishing greenish blue colour dotted with few distant fishing boats. There were few shops selling tender coconut and sea shells. I sat there calmly before starting to see the ruins of old Danush kodi.

From this point onwards, only Jeep and Van services are allowed. I got into a van which was about to start. It was almost full. One Gujarati family was there inside. After a bumpy ride in sand dunes, we reached the old Danush kodi.

I could see the remains of church, railway station and post office. I closed my eyes 5 minutes, to realize how the city which was buzzing in 1964 had turned into a city unfit for living. Just one cyclone had changed a town to nothingness. So is the uncertaintity of life.

As I mentioned earlier that Rameshwaram is famous for its religious importance, so is Danush Kodi for its rich history – Adam’s Bridge(Ram Sethu Bridge). As per Ramayana scripts, Danush Kodi was the point from where the Vanara army under the command of Nala, started to construct the Ram Sethu Bridge on the sea ridge. The bridge connected Danush Kodi of India to Talaimanar of Srilanka.

I ended the day watching a mesmerizing sunset and headed to Tuticorin.

Danush Kodi, being my first solo venture, would always remain close to my heart.

Month of Trip         – Nov’15
No of days of trip  – 1 Day
Overall Trip cost  – INR 1500