Fort at Thangassery
About: |
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Thangassery Old Fort is just 5 km from Kollam, Thangassery or Dutch Quilon as it was called was once a British enclave. Meaning is gold village in local parlance, this was the hub of a flourishing trade that used gold as currency. This seaside village of historic importance shelters the ruins of an old Portuguese fort and churches built during the 18th century. The famed lighthouse of Thangasseri which is 144 ft high, constructed in 1519 by the British Thangasseri, a silent sentinal warning seamen of the treacherous reefs of the Thangasseri, since 1902.Thangasseri was once a favourite settlement of the Portuguese, the Dutch and the English in succession, as Kollam was one of the oldest and most important port for international cashew trade on the Malabar coast. Today, it showcases a few ruined forts built by the Portuguese, and the Dutch |
Location info: |
| Address: Thangasseri, Kollam, Kerala, India. |
| District: Kollam District. |
| Nearest City: Attingal,Trivandrum, Shenkottah,Chirakkara, Eravipuram, Kalluvathukkal, Kilikolloor, Kizhakkke Kallada,Kovalam |
| Best time to visit: February to November. |
Climate/Weather: |
| Climate is largely tropical and the weather Temperature ranges from Max 36oC Min 22.4 oC. |
History: |
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History records that the Portuguese originally approached the Rani of Quilon in 1517 to build a factory at Thangasseri for the purpose of trade, which was granted. Thangasseri was successively under the Dutch who defeated the Portuguese in 1761 and then passed into British hands with the defeat of the Dutch at Kochi in 1795. |
Interesting things to do: |
| You can see 144 feet tall lighthouse nearby. |
Interesting things to Visit: |
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Thangasseri Lighthouse: The lighthouse has been there from 1902. It is a 144 feet tall sentinel which guides the lost fishermen and navigators in the sea. It is open to visitors from 15-30 to 17-30 hours. Thangasseri Beach: This beach is situated at a distance of about 5 kms from Kollam town. There are many historical sites that you can explore while at the Thangasseri Beach. You can see the ruins of an Old Portuguese fort and churches built in the 18th century. One of the major attractions is the Thangasseri Lighthouse, open to all visitors. The Thangasseri Light house was first used in 1902 and is 144 ft tall which used to warn the seafarers about the dangerous reefs in the Thangasseri coastline. Thenmala: The Thenmala Eco-Tourism shares its resources with the famous Shenduruney Wildlife Sanctuary at the foothills of the Western Ghats anf is situated about 72kms from Thiruvananthapuram, in the District of Kollam . Chavara: Chavara is situated 14 kms north of Kollam on the Kollam-Alappuzha road. Thousands of tonnes of mineral sand are exported from Chavara to various countries. The Kovilthottam port is situated within the limits of Chavara Panchayat. Karunagappally: Karunagappally is situated 27 kms north of Kollam. It is linked with Kollam by rail and road. There is a mini civil station at Karunagappally .Padanayarkulangara, which forms part of the town, was once the military station at Kayamkulam Rajas. An idol of Buddha, recovered from a local tank here, is now preserved in the Krishnapuram palace the headquarters of Kayamkulam Rajas situated north of Oachira. Kundara: Kundara is linked with Kollam by rail and road, a distance of 18 kms. Large deposit of china clay discovered here, helped in the establishment of the Government Ceramics. Paravur: Paravur is an important fishing and coir production center. It is situated 13 kms south of Kollam and is connected with Kollam town by rail and road. It is the birth place of K.C.Kesavan Pillai(1865-1913) and Kesava Asan(1869-1917) ,two leading literary men of eminence. Mayyanad: Situated at a distance of 10 km south of Kollam town, Mayyanad is a beautiful village on the banks of Paravur Lake. 'Mayyam' means middle and the place got its name because of its location in the middle of the erstwhile Venadu. Another description says that the land was named after ‘Mayyanad Ellam’ who were the rulers of this place during the eighteenth century. The place is famous for its shrines, temples, churches and mosques. Sasthamcottah: Sasthamcottah is an attractive village situated about 19kms from Kollam town. It is a beauty spot , a health resort and a centre of pilgrimage. The extensive fresh water lake here is said to be the biggest of its kin d in Kerala. Water supply to the Kollam town is met by purifying the water from this lake. Thirumullavaram Beach: The Thirumullavaram Beach in Kerala is situated at a distance of around 6 kilometers to north of Kollam town, Kollam District. Unexplored and untouched by time, the beach offers unadulterated tranquility and peace of mind. In case you are looking for an ideal way to spend a peaceful and quiet day, far away from the bustling life, in Kollam, Thirumullavaram beach is the place for you. Just lie down on the soft sands while soaking up the sun and relaxing quietly in the lap of nature. |
Mobile range info: |
How to reach? |
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Nearest Railway Station: Kollam Railway station. |
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Nearest Airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport. |
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Road Transport: Kollam (Quilon) is connected by road with many tourist centers in India. Regular buses are available for intra state transport. Buses also run to the neighboring states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. And from Thiruvananthapuram - Attingal - Kollam - Karunagapalli - at the end Alumkadavu. |
Nearest Visiting places: |
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Oachira: It is Situated ,32 kms north of Kollam on the Kollam Alappuzha National Highway and on the boundary of Kollam district, Oachira is a unique pilgrim center. The peculiarity of the temple here is that there is no temple building as such nor is there any idol. All classes of people workship the presiding deity the parabrahmam. Oachira draws thousands of Pilgrims for Oachirakkali, a festival held annually in June. Ashramam Picnic Village: Ashramam picnic village is located in the 48acre Guest House complex. The children's traffic and entertainment park, designed by NATPAC is also located in this village. It is the largest traffic park in Kerala. The adventure park located in the village along the shores of the Ashtamudi back waters , is a novel experiment in the country. Different types of boats, including luxury cruise boats, power boats and motor boats are available on hire from the boat jetty near to the adventure Park. A budget hotel for tourists, Yathrinivas, run by Kerala Tourism Development Corporation, is also located in this village. The Govt. Guest House here is 200 years old . Jatayu Para: Jatayu Para, a huge rock is another attraction in Kollam district. This huge rock is in the Chadayamangalam village on the M.C. Road. The name comes from the epic , Ramayana. It is believed that Jatayu, the giant bird in the epic fell here after falling in its attempt to stop Ravana from taking Sita away. The rock is ideal for trekking by the lovers of adventure. Krishnapuram Palace: The Krishnapuram Palace is fully restored in March 1999, is a fine example of Keralan Architecture. The palace is well worth a visit . The palace is open 10am to 5pm every day except Monday. Kottukal Rock Cut Cave Temple: A beautiful temple that has been carved out of rocks, this magnificent temple is a must see for all those who like unique architecture. Shendurni Wildlife Sanctuary: Located at a distance of 70 kilometers from Kollam, this beautiful wildlife sanctuary is situated on the banks of the Shendurny River. It a splendid green valley and is home to diverse flora and fauna. Kollam Police Museum: India's first and only one police museum. Explores India's police history other attractions are watch tower, meditation hall, garden, traffic guidance. Matha Amrithanandamayi Ashram: Mata Amritanandamayi Math, is situated at Amritapuri in Vallickavu, a small fishing village at a distance of about 30 km from Kollam town. The ashram which houses more than 2,500 disciples and householders as full-time residents is located at the site of the birth place and childhood home of Mata Amrithanandamayi or Amma or Ammichi as she is popularly known. Courtalam Waterfalls: Though the famous waterfall at Courtalam is situated in Tamil Nadu, it shares the boundary of Kollam also. Season to visit the place is from June to January. |
Nearest Petrol Pump: |
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Indian Oil Petrol Pump Leela petrol pump Indian Oil Petrol Pumb |
Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation: |
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Hotel Aquaserene Club Mahindra Ashtamudi Resorts Hotel Sudarsan Palace Hotel Kollam Karthika Plaza Resort Keys Hotels Trivandrum |
Things to carry: |
Tips & Suggestions: |
Help Line/Phone Number: |
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Police Station: Pothencode Police Station Vizhinjam Police Station Nedumangad Police Station |
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Nearest Hospital: ROY MEDICAL CENTRE KIMS Hospital Chaithanya Eye Hospital Sree Ramakrishna Mission Hospital Medical College Hospital Divya Prabha Eye Hospital |
| Society/Community Phone Number: |
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Link: http://keralahangout.blogspot.com/2008/02/kollam-quilon.html
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Video Gallery
| Thangasseri Beach |
| This beach is situated at a distance of about 5 kms from Kollam town. There are many historical sites that you can explore while at the Thangasseri Beach. You can see the ruins of an Old Portuguese fort and churches built in the 18th century. One of the major attractions is the Thangasseri Lighthouse, open to all visitors. The Thangasseri Light house was first used in 1902 and is 144 ft tall which used to warn the seafarers about the dangerous reefs in the Thangasseri coastline. It is open to the public from 1530 to 1730. Thangasseri, once favoured by the Portuguese, Dutch and the British has its place in history due to the ruins of their old forts. Other places of interest are the churches built in the 18th century. The Thangasseri beach stands as a silent spectator of the golden past and the glorious present. This beach envisions the glory of life and ages.....more |
| Thirumullavaram Beach |
| The Thirumullavaram Beach in Kerala is situated at a distance of around 6 kilometers to north of Kollam town, Kollam District. Unexplored and untouched by time, the beach offers unadulterated tranquility and peace of mind. In case you are looking for an ideal way to spend a peaceful and quiet day, far away from the bustling life, in Kollam, Thirumullavaram beach is the place for you. Just lie down on the soft sands while soaking up the sun and relaxing quietly in the lap of nature.The quiet and isolated beach provides plenty of opportunities for not just relaxing, but also other activities like swimming and sun bathing. The waves over here are pretty calm so you can venture out in the sea without much of hindrance. The beach is a favorite haunt among tourists and locals and is easily accessible from anywhere in Kerala. The beach has golden sands and the turquoise blue sea makes it picture perfect.....more |
| Alumkadavu Backwaters |
| The Alumkadavu is in little place in the town of Karunagapally just 23 km from Kollam. Hub of the Kettuvallam building industry, Karunagapally has hundreds of artisans who can be seen busy at work putting together a traditional houseboat like it has been done for hundreds of years.At Alumkadavu,you might get a chance to see a floating conference hall, perhaps the only one of its kind in the world. Designed for 35 persons, it has a dais and a sophisticated public address system. these days working at full capacity to churn out as many houseboats as they can to meet the ever growing demands of the kerala's tourism industry. The boats which were earlier called kettuvallom's were originally intended to carry cargo. but as more and more places gained road and rail access the faster transport through road and rail took over the job from the traditional water transport.....more |
| Kollam City |
| Kollam, located 71 km to the north of Thiruvananthapuram, is the center of the country's cashew trading and processing industry. One of the oldest ports on the Malabar Coast, Kollam was once the port of international spice trade. It is interesting to note that about thirty per cent of this historic town is covered by the renowned Ashtamudi Lake, making it the gateway to the magnificent backwaters of Kerala. The boat trip between Kollam and Alappuzha is the longest and most captivating experience on the backwaters of Kerala. The district also has some interesting historic remnants and a number of temples built in the traditional ornate architectural style.....more |
| Munroe Island |
| 27 km from Kollam formed by the backwaters of Ashtamudi Lake and Kallada River, this island is named after Colonel Munroe, the British Resident of erstwhile Travancore State. He is credited with having integrated several backwater regions by digging canals. The discovery of stone age tools and megaliths stand testimony to the antiquity of this islet which shelters a quaint little village.Monroe Island is a private island owned by a local family. It is not open to the public. It has been open to MITA members for many years. If you are a MITA member visiting the island be sure to read up on where to camp and pull up boats. There are absolutely no open fires on the island.....more |
| Ashtamudi Lake |
| Ashtamudi Lake is located in Kollam district, Kerala, South India.The Ashtamudi is one of the largest wetland ecosystems in Kerala State. It is a palm-shaped extensive water body with eight prominent arms, adjoining the Kollam town. The arms converge into a single outlet at Neendakara near Kollam, to flow into the Arabian sea.The river feeds on the Kallada River, which is formed when the Kulathupuzha, the Chedurni and the Kalthuruthy merge together.t is a palm-shaped extensive water body with eight prominent arms, adjoining the Kollam town. The arms converge into a single outlet at Neendakara near Kollam, to enter the Lakshadweep sea. This estuary is the deepest among all the estuaries of Kerala with a maximum depth of 6.4 m at the confluence zone.The backdrop of Chinese fishing nets lends an oriental ambience.....more |
| Paravur Kayal |
| Paravur Kayal is located in Paravur , Kollam district, Kerala. Paravoor is located along the Malabar Coast in the district of Kollam.Paravur is stated to have the largest natural backwater lakes (the Paravur Kayal), This in turn has given rise to a number of tourist resorts, with facilities for boating, swimming and surfing.It is a fishing village with traditional coir making factories and coconut palm weaving centers.Although it is small, with an area of only 6.62 km² , it is the end point of the Ithikkara River and part of the system of lakes and canals that make up the Kerala Backwaters. Paravur Kayal is a lake in Paravur, Kerala, India. It has been connected to Edava Kayal and Ashtamudi Kayal as part of the Trivandrum - Shoranur canal system since the late 19th century.Paravoor has it's share of temples and churches.Paravoor has many temples.One of the famous temples is "PUTTINGAL TEMPLE".....more |
| Sasthamkotta Lake |
| Sasthamkotta Lake is located Sasthamcotta, 27 kms. from Kollam Town, Kollam District, Kerala.It is the largest fresh water lake in Kerala, the water in the lake is special in that it does not contain common salt or other minerals and metals. t is a beauty spot, a health resort and a centre of pilgrimage. he place is gifted with natural beauty and is surrounded by hills and vallies. A must visit place in Kollam. The lake and its very setting is an ideal spot to experience some quite moments, occasionally broken by the shrill pitched call of the monkeys in the trees by the lake side.The lake is surrounded by hills on all sides except south where a bund has been constructed separating the lake from the neighbouring rice fields. It is a freshwater lake spread over a huge area of 375 hectares. The highlight of this lake is that it neither gets frozen during the winter season nor does it dries up in the summer.....more |
| Ithikkara River |
| Ithikkara River is a 56 km long river in Kerala, India. It originates in Ponmudi in Thiruvananthapuram District and flows through Kollam District, finally emptying into Paravur Kayal.10 acres of land having a fertile soil, suitable for plantation, situated near ithikkara river at kaithakuzhy, aadichanelloor in kollam district along with an old bungalow suitable for resort, ayurveda tourism, amusement park etc is available for sale, No brokers.....more |
| Kallada River |
| Kallada River has its origin on the Kulathupuzha hills near Ponmudi in Thiruvananthapuram District. This is 121 km long river traverses the state through Pathanapuram, Kunnathur, Kottarakkara and Kollam before draining into the Ashtamudi Lake at Kollam District. kallada is a river whose serenity lies in its stillness, the pythonic pace with which it embraces the muddy riversides.Emanate from here are the rusticsimplicity and emotionality of a village populace, named east kallada.untouched by the onslaught of administrative modernisation,here is an area called uppoodu.The virtues of the word called "kinship", define itself here better than anywhere else.these words are attempted for nothing,but to eulogise the umblical relation between the river kallada and the unique life of rustic magnanimity.The famous Hanging Bridge is built across this river. Palaruvi Waterfalls is another highlight in this river.....more |
| Palaruvi Waterfall |
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Palaruvi waterfalls is 75 Kms away from Kollam on the Kollam-Shenkottai road near Aryankavu. Aryankavu. This waterfall is one of the attractions in Kerala.Palaruvi Waterfalls, Kollam. Palaruvi is one of the most picturesque waterfalls in Kerala that cascade down from the height of 300 feet. Palaruvi is inside thick forests on the high ranges off Thenmala in Kollam district. It is near the Tamil Nadu border, 5 kms from Ariankavu. The waterfalls is from a height of 300 feet. This fall is into a shallow pool and is ideal for swimming. During the rainy season, Palaruvi waterfalls is attarctiveand normally get crowded by thousands of tourists. The water gushing during the monsoon season attracts huge crowds at this waterfalls. The fall gets dry during the summer season and the mansoons bring it to its full glory.....more |