10 Lighthouses in Kerala

People used to sail long distances in trading ships to buy and sell goods as well as to explore foreign lands. It's been said that our first lighthouses were taken from nature herself. Glowing volcanoes were used by sailors as landmarks to guide them. Then years before when people decided to explore the waters by boat, friends had to light a bonfire on a high point to guide them to the right landing area. Later on poles or tripods were used to hang a metal basket containing a fire for signaling the ships during nighttime. In the days when wooden ships with sails were used for sailing there were higher chances of the wind and waves wrecking them. Therefore, the need for lighthouses were needed as warning signals for ships out in the sea.

A lighthouse is a tall tower topped with a very bright light called a beacon. The beacon helps the sailors guiding their ship at night. The beacon which is installed in the lantern room with glass windows, works as a flashlight and allows boats and ships to sight land from far away at sea. It also helps to alert the sailors about  rocky coastlines,reefs and sandbars. Lighthouses  are usually located on the coast, on islands, or in the middle of busy harbors. The light beam system is so powerful and effective that it helps sailors lost at sea find their way back to shore even during storms and foggy nights. Today Lighthouses have become a sight of tourist attraction. Here are the top ten lighthouses in Kerala.

 Tangasseri Light House

Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

The Thangassery Lighthouse, also known as the Tangasseri LightHouse, one of the most visited lighthouses and also is the tallest lighthouse on the entire coast of Kerala. This lighthouse is located at Tangasseri in the city of Kollam. The Thangassery Lighthouse is one among the two lighthouses in the Kollam Metropolitan Area. This lighthouse comes under the surveillance of the Chennai Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships.

The majestic tower with its painted red and white oblique bands is clearly visible and distinct. The tower has been operational from the year 1902 and has a total height of 41 meters, or 135 feet. One can enjoy the stunning view of the Arabian Sea, Kollam City, and the Ashtamudi Lake after climbing up the vertiginous stairs. For people who have difficulty in climbing stairs, there is an elevator available that can take them to the top.

 Where is it situated : Kollam, Kerala

The Alappuzha Lighthouse

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In the coastal town of Alappuzha, Kerala is the Alappuzha Lighthouse (or Alleppey Light). It was built in the year 1862 and is a major tourist attraction of Alleppey. This 150-year-old towering Lighthouse is located at the distance of 4 km from the Alappuzha town in Kerala and near the Sea Bridge. It was one of the fussiest ports and trade centers of Kerala during that time. It is one of the oldest lighthouses on the south-west coast of India which celebrated its 150 years on 28th March 2012. This lighthouse is a square skeletal tower painted white and red and has a height of  15 m (49 ft).

Where is it situated : Alappuzha, Kerala

Vizhinjam Lighthouse

Image Courtesy: Tripto

In Kerala, Vizhinjam was one of the busiest seaports during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The Vizhinjam lighthouse is located  10 kilometers away from Trivandrum city. This ancient lighthouse was constructed in 1925 and the lighthouse started functioning on 30 June 1972. The Vizhinjam Lighthouse is situated near Kovalam beach in Kerala.This 36-meter high tower stands tall at 57 meters above sea level and is open for public viewing for just 3 hours every day. One can truly enjoy the stunning view of the Arabian Sea lined with coconut trees from atop the lighthouse as you climb the 144 steps and a ladder. 

Where is it situated : Trivandrum, Kerala

 Beypore Lighthouse

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The Beypore Lighthouse is a lighthouse situated at Feroke, Kozhikode, on the south shore of the Chaliyam River. The six-sided tower has a height of 30.48 metres (100.0 ft). Like most of the lighthouses, this lighthouse too has painted red and white bands. This lighthouse started functioning on 21 November 1977. The light source of this lighthouse is a metal halide lamp. 

Where is it situated : Calicut Kerala

 Kozhikode Lighthouse

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 The Kozhikode Lighthouse is a defunct light in the Kozhikode District of Kerala. It was constructed in 1907. This lighthouse was constructed in 1847 at a height of 33 meters (108 ft) first. After it was recommended that the height of the tower be reduced to improve the efficiency of light, a  new tower 15 meters (49 ft) was built later. The current tower is only 15 meters (49 ft) tall and is painted white. The Kozhikode or Calicut lighthouse is automated and has an LED flasher apparatus in use.

Where is it situated : Calicut Kerala

 Vypeen Lighthouse

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 The Vypeen Lighthouse or Cochin Lighthouse is situated at Puthuvype in Kochi, Kerala. The Vypin Lighthouse was first built in 1839 at Fort Kochi and was functioning there. Later on, in 1979, the lighthouse was shifted to Puthuvype. It is the tallest lighthouse in Kerala. The lighthouse’s tower has a height of 46 meters (151 ft) and is made of double-layered concrete. The light beam has a range of 28 nautical miles (52 km; 32 mi). Climbing to the top of the Puthuvype Lighthouse one can immerse in the scenic views of the city, the Arabian Sea, and the lake with its backwaters. One can either climb to the top using the stairs or take the elevator. 

Where is it situated : Cochin, Kerala

 Kannur Lighthouse

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The Kannur Lighthouse is the first lighthouse to be constructed in Kerala. This lighthouse towers high at the height of 75 feet. This lighthouse which was first built in 1903, thas a historical as well as cultural significance. The Lighthouse offers spectacular and awe-inspiring views of the entire district of Kannur, the Arabian sea, and the Baby beach.  The captivating scenery and the gush of wind hitting one’s face at the highest point will leave you truly breathless. Tourists can also enjoy a leisurely walk in the well-maintained gardens and there is also the water fountain show in the evenings.

 

Where is it situated : Kannur, Kerala

 Ponnani Lighthouse

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The Ponnani Lighthouse is situated at the converging point of the Arabian Sea and the Bharathapuzha river in Malappuram district, Kerala. It was first commissioned on 17 April 1983. The tower has a circular cross-section and has a height of 30 meters. The light source of this lighthouse also is a metal halide lamp. The lighthouse has a direct drive in facility. Near the lighthouse beacon there is a steel pole which was raised in 1937 to light the wick of the oil lamp. It is open on days only. If you are in Ponnai this lighthouse is a place worth exploring.

Where is it situated : Malappuram, Kerala

 Kadalur Point Lighthouse

Image Courtesy: Wikipedia

On the coast of the Arabian sea, in Kadalur, near Koyilandy in Kozhikode district is situated the Kadalur Point Lighthouse. The lighthouse is a circular stone masonry tower and has a height of 34 meters. Black and white bands are painted on the lighthouse. The lighthouse started its operations in the year 1907. The light source is a metal halide lamp. The Kadalur Point Lighthouse is also known as the Nandi lighthouse.

Where is it situated : Kozhikode, Kerala

Kovilthottam Lighthouse

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The Kovilthottam Lighthouse is situated at Kovilthottam in Kollam district of Kerala. Alternating bands of black and white are painted on this 18-meter tall lighthouse tower. The lighthouse serves the Port of Neendakara situated at the entrance to Ashtamudi Backwaters.

Where is it situated : Kollam, Kerala

These are the ten lighthouses to be visited in Kerala.