35 Stunning Abandoned Places Around the World You Can Still Visit

20. Dhanushkodi, India: The Storm-Swept Town at Land’s End

Located at the southeastern tip of India on a narrow strip of land stretching toward Sri Lanka, Dhanushkodi was once a thriving trade port and sacred pilgrimage site. In 1964, a devastating cyclone struck with brutal force, wiping out the town and killing over 1,800 people, including passengers aboard a train that was swept into the sea. Declared uninhabitable by the government, Dhanushkodi was never rebuilt, and the haunting remains of churches, railway stations, and homes now sit in windswept isolation, surrounded by salt flats and crashing waves. Despite its desolation, the town still draws pilgrims due to its religious significance and myths linking it to the Hindu epic Ramayana, where Lord Rama is said to have built a bridge to Lanka. Accessible via a sandy causeway and best visited during daylight hours, Dhanushkodi offers haunting beauty and profound silence. It’s a place where myth, memory, and nature converge—perfect for travelers seeking more than just a destination, but a story whispered through ruins.