Tangasseri Lighthouse
Lighthouse in Kerala, India
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tangasseri Lighthouse or Thangassery Lighthouse is situated at Tangasseri in Kollam city of the Indian state of Kerala.[2][3] It is one of the two lighthouses in the Kollam Metropolitan Area and is maintained by the Cochin Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships.[4][5] In operation since 1902,[6] the cylindrical lighthouse tower painted with white and red oblique bands has a height of 41 metres (135 ft), making it the second tallest lighthouse in Kerala coast.[7] Tangasseri Lighthouse is one of the most visited lighthouses in Kerala.[8]
The lighthouse in 2017 | |
 | |
| Location | Tangasseri, Kollam, India |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 8°52′50″N 76°33′57″E |
| Tower | |
| Constructed | 1902 |
| Foundation | reinforced concrete |
| Construction | masonry tower |
| Height | 41 metres (135 ft)[1] |
| Shape | cylindrical tower with double balcony and lantern |
| Markings | red and white diagonal stripe |
| Light | |
| Focal height | 42 metres (138 ft) above mean sea level |
| Lens | 700 mm 2nd order 3 panel revolving optic inside 3.65 m diameter Lantern House (Chance Bros) |
| Intensity | 1,27,950 CDS (220/250 volt) AC 400W X 3 nos. (Metal Halide Lamps) |
| Range | 26 nautical miles (48 km; 30 mi) |
| Characteristic | Fl (3) W 15s. |
History
Prior to construction of the lighthouse, the British East India company had installed a tower with an oil lamp. In 1902 the present Tangasseri Lighthouse was completed, which by 1930 had suffered cracks in the tower that required jacketing masonry to be installed.[9] The light source was modified in 1932, 1940, 1962, 1967, 1990 and 1994.[10]
In 2016, the Tangasseri Lighthouse got an elevator facility for its visitors.[11]
Location
The lighthouse is located on the coast at Tangasseri in Kollam city and is one of the locations in India that still maintains Anglo-Indian culture. Tangasseri is home to remnants of an ancient Portuguese built coastal defence, the St Thomas Fort, a Portuguese Cemetery, a canal, the ancient Port of Quilon and the Infant Jesus Cathedral.[12][13][14]
Visitors are allowed access to the lighthouse between 11 am and 5 pm on all days except on Mondays.[15]
Gallery
Upstairs in Tangasseri Lighthouse
Tangasseri Lighthouse
Close view of Tangasseri Lighthouse
A distant view of Tangasseri Lighthouse from Kollam Port Road
Information board in Thangassery Lighthouse
Tangasseri Lighthouse as seen from Tangasseri breakwater
