Day 2 - Rameshwaram and Danushkodi

Rameshwaram and Danushkodi are two places, approximately 17 km apart in the Ramanatapuram District of Tamil Nadu. Rameshwaram is approximately 160 km from the South Indian city of Madurai.

A very important pilgrim centre for the Hindus, Rameshwaram, according to legends, is the place from where Lord Rama, built a bridge across the sea to Lanka to rescue his consort Sita, from her abductor, Ravana. This is also the place where Rama worshiped Shiva to be absolved of the sin of killing Ravana. Both the Vaishnavites and Shaivites visit this pilgrimage centre which is known as the Varanasi of the south. (from the wiki)

Dhanushkodi was a city at the southern tip of the Rameswaram island, at the eastern coast of the Tamil Nadu state of India. Dhanushkodi is situated in the South-East of Pamban, the Dhanushkodi railway line was destroyed in the 1964 cyclone from Pamban Station and a train load of passengers was washed into the sea. Even though the railway line was laid between Rameswaram and Dhanushkodi, it was in course of time covered by six sand dunes and it was abandoned.

Danushkodi is about 18 miles West of Talaimannar in Jaffna, Ceylon. Before 1964 storm there was a train service up to Danushkodi called Boat Mail from Chennai Egmore, the train linked a steamer to Ceylon. During 1964 storm a huge wave of about 20 ft came crashing on the town from Palk Bay/Strait east of the town and destroyed the whole town, a train, the pamban rail bridge etc all happened at the dead of the night. Danushkodi has the only land border between India and Ceylon which is one of the smallest in the world just 50 yards in length on a sand dune in Palk Strait.

The Government of Madras declared the town as Ghost Town and unfit for living after the storm, now a small group of fisher folk resides there. For reaching the village one has to go in a four wheel drive or in a fish cart.

Most of the city is now in ruins, and the Church, the railway station and other buildings serve as a reminder of that horrible night. (from the wiki)

Some pics from the first day that we spent here.

The bus to rameshwaram

The friendly driver. Explained all the sights
along the way. :)
The new rail bridge that can be raised to allow ships to pass through.

The Horse Cart Ride to Hotel Tamil NaduThe first dip at agni-theertam. Mom and I
The super long corridor. Lucky to avoid hanger-ons

The architecture in the temple

Some of the pics that follow are from the road to Danushkodi.

The rail lines that got washed off.

At Danushkoti.

The Church.

Walls of the church constructed with what looks like coral.

Mom and Dad on a fishing boat.

Fishing Boat

The ruins. All thats left of a thriving coastal city ...

The temple the fisherfolk pray to now

Survivor

This old man spent the entire night of the cyclone out in the rain, and survived by tying himself up to the telegraph/light posts with cables. He lives to tell tales of how the British took care of them, and how the present day government promises Rs. 2 per kg of rice, but provides no basic infrastructure facilities. He is hoping for some reduction in price of cement and other essentials. He lives in a shack to the side.
The water that mom is drinking is sea water, that gets filtered through the sand, and looses all salinity. Tasted great after the 20 km ride in the jeep, most of it over sand dunes.

On the way back from Danushkodi, we halted at the spot where it is said that Ravana's brother surrendered to Rama. The temple to this event is a must see.

Incidental extras.

A cow cools off among the crowds at agniteertham.


Waves on the way back from Danushkodi.
A lovely piece of drift wood.

next post. Snorkeling at Rameshwaram.
listening to: Brad Paisley - Who needs pictures.