In particular, the confluence of waters is an extremely impressive and elevating phenomenon for the Hindu consciousness. On holy days the Hindus make it a point, wherever they can, to bathe where rivers branch off or join (Nadi Sangam – नदी संगम) or join the sea (Sagar Sangam - सागर संगम). The most wonderful of all such watery phenomena to the Indian mind must have been the confluence of two oceans at Dhanushkodi Point. What particular confluence the mystic Vedic bard had in his mind, when he compared the clash of the waves of two extensive sheets of water to be ‘‘the kicking of the heels of the baby in the womb” is not known. But the only place where such a grand phenomenon could have been observed in ancient or in modern India is where the Bay of Bengal called the “Mahodadhi" (महोदधि), mixes with the Indian Ocean, locally called the Ratnakar (रत्नाकर). Lord Ram is said to have bridged the gulf in his invasion of Sri Lanka. But on his return, he broke up the bridge at two or three places at the request of Vibhishan (विभीषण) to prevent future invasions. The grandeur of the meeting of the waters and the religious sanctity connected with Ram’s bridge, combine to inspire the mind of the pilgrim at Dhanushkodi Point. There are three stories regarding this name (Dhanushkodi - धनुषकोटि). As per the most popular one, Lord Ram, according to the Skand Puran (स्कंद पुराण), broke with the end of his bow the ‘setu’ at this place in compliance with the request of Vibhishan. Another view suggests that the name could have been derived from the bow-like shape of the South-West coast of the island of Rameshwaram, the point of it at the bridge being called the Bow-point or Dhanushkodi. Another story suggests that the Dhanushkodi has been termed thus because Lord Ram dug a mark here with his bow to indicate the starting point of the ‘setu’.
Even in these days, with ample facilities for travelling, one cannot help feeling the rapture of the pilgrim at the sight of the grand phenomenon of two oceans making advances to each other. The temporary meeting of the Bay and the Ocean at Pamban is again interrupted by the pleasant island of Rameshwaram with its sand-dunes and forests of umbrella trees (locally called ‘ Odai ’) here and there interrupted by small villages and cocoanut and plantations. As a pilgrim trudges along the sands to the point, where the Bay and the Ocean seem to clasp each other in an eager embrace, he gets mesmerized having seen one of the grandest and most impressive scenes that the earth has to show.
Dhanushkodi is one of the historical and religious pilgrimage sites. Association with Lord Ram makes it a must-see place to visit in Rameshwaram . A genuine Hindu pilgrim goes in for the purification of his body and soul in the places sanctified by the foot-steps of the ancient hero, who toiled for Dharma and who has through his valour, nobleness, and purity, come to be regarded as an incarnation of the supreme spirit of the Universe, that which loves and makes for righteousness. A pilgrim experiences religious rapture while he / she immerse himself in a whirl of ceremonial baths and offerings at Dhanushkodi. The pleasure of a pilgrimage like Dhanushkodi lies much in the difficulties endured and overcome.