Waves hit the shore with a vengeance , their sound almost wanting to tell a tale .
I am standing on the shores of a small coastal town of Tharangambadi, formerly Tranquebar.
This town happens to be in the Nagapattinam district of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu on the Coromandel coast.
Me and my husband are thoroughly amused as this is no ordinary coastal holiday but a walk down the history/memory lane. Tranquebar was the first Danish trading post in India established in 1620.
Masilamani nathar (Shiva) temple almost stands stoically in one corner here having withstood the onslaught of the sea for many centuries. This temple was established in 1306 . Part of it was gobbled up by the sea and the Vimanam stuck down by the Tsunami of 2004.
The lamp glowing continuously in one corner keeps hope alive.
Walk down straight and you see the Dansborg Fort.
This of course is located on the shores of Bay of Bengal.
This fort is the second largest Danish fort after Kronborg (Denmark ).
Before the arrival of the Danes, up to 1620, the place was under Thanjavur Nayak kingdom.
Danish admiral Ove Gjedde realized the potential of the place as a trading centre and made an offer and deal with the Nayak king. That's what lead to the establishment of this fort
Danish Admiral Ove Gjedde , entered into agreement with Thanjavur king, Ragunatha Nayak in 1620 and the fort was built and acted as the base for Danish settlement and trade in the early 17 century.
The fort was sold to the British in 1845. for British this was not an active trading port.
Post independence it was used as an inspection Bungalow by the state government till 1978 after which it was taken over by the department of Archaeology.
The fort has undergone renovations twice . First by Tranquebar Association with help from Danish Royal family and scond by Department of Tourism , Government of Tamil Nadu.
The Danish Fort is open from 10 AM to 5:45 PM and is closed on Fridays. So plan your visit accordingly. The Fort houses a museum as well. Since it was almost 6 PM that we made it to the sea side are we decided to visit the fort the following day. I will take you through a pictorial journey inside the fort now.
The Danish fort housed the Governor and his other officials.
Lets go into the museum now..
Now we explore the various sections of the Fort.
The architectural style is Danish.
The lower compartment in the basement adjoining the fort was used as a store room, prison and a rest room for the soldiers, while the governor and priests resided in the second level.
Major export- cotton textiles.
The Neemrana property can be seen opposite to the Fort. This is called Bungalow on the beach.
Very appropriately so. This was the erstwhile collectors Bungalow.
Neemrana is know for taking over old mansions and converting into hotels. They have another property called The Gate House. More can be found out from their website.
It was getting dark and we did not want to hang around here for too long. Time to head back to our hotel.
Staying options here are limited. Its either the high end Neemrana Hotel or budget hotel like Nippon Palace hotel . Average room rent here would be 1000 odd for non Air conditioned and about 1500 for A/C room. The average temperature during my visit was 36 to 37 degrees C. Air conditioning became essential as being a coastal town it was humid.
More can be found about beautiful Neemrana properties here :
Neemrana Hotel
I have stayed at their Pataudi property and can vouch for the ambiance, beauty and aesthetics.
I will take you through rest of my journey in the next part...
I am standing on the shores of a small coastal town of Tharangambadi, formerly Tranquebar.
This town happens to be in the Nagapattinam district of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu on the Coromandel coast.
Me and my husband are thoroughly amused as this is no ordinary coastal holiday but a walk down the history/memory lane. Tranquebar was the first Danish trading post in India established in 1620.
 |
| \Waves crashing in onto the Coromandel coast at Transquebar |
Masilamani nathar (Shiva) temple almost stands stoically in one corner here having withstood the onslaught of the sea for many centuries. This temple was established in 1306 . Part of it was gobbled up by the sea and the Vimanam stuck down by the Tsunami of 2004.
 |
| This old weather beaten gate almost seems like a work of art |
 |
| Shiva's Nandi bull sits confidently in this nook |
The lamp glowing continuously in one corner keeps hope alive.
 |
| Glorious Shiva Temple |
Walk down straight and you see the Dansborg Fort.
This of course is located on the shores of Bay of Bengal.
This fort is the second largest Danish fort after Kronborg (Denmark ).
Before the arrival of the Danes, up to 1620, the place was under Thanjavur Nayak kingdom.
Danish admiral Ove Gjedde realized the potential of the place as a trading centre and made an offer and deal with the Nayak king. That's what lead to the establishment of this fort
Danish Admiral Ove Gjedde , entered into agreement with Thanjavur king, Ragunatha Nayak in 1620 and the fort was built and acted as the base for Danish settlement and trade in the early 17 century.
The fort was sold to the British in 1845. for British this was not an active trading port.
Post independence it was used as an inspection Bungalow by the state government till 1978 after which it was taken over by the department of Archaeology.
The fort has undergone renovations twice . First by Tranquebar Association with help from Danish Royal family and scond by Department of Tourism , Government of Tamil Nadu.
The Danish Fort is open from 10 AM to 5:45 PM and is closed on Fridays. So plan your visit accordingly. The Fort houses a museum as well. Since it was almost 6 PM that we made it to the sea side are we decided to visit the fort the following day. I will take you through a pictorial journey inside the fort now.
The Danish fort housed the Governor and his other officials.
 |
| Entry to Danish Fort- buying the ticket |
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| A brief history lesson |
 |
| View of the Coromandel coast from inside the fort boundary |
 |
| This side houses the office and the museum |
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| Thats me- mesmerized !! |
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| Museum entrance |
Lets go into the museum now..
The lower compartment in the basement adjoining the fort was used as a store room, prison and a rest room for the soldiers, while the governor and priests resided in the second level.
Major export- cotton textiles.
Very appropriately so. This was the erstwhile collectors Bungalow.
 |
| Neemrana Hotel- Bungalow on the beach |
Neemrana is know for taking over old mansions and converting into hotels. They have another property called The Gate House. More can be found out from their website.
 |
| Promenade leading to the beach with Danish fort on the right and Neemrana hotel on the left |
 |
| Close shot of the Bungalow on the beach |
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| Hotel Nippon Palace |
More can be found about beautiful Neemrana properties here :
Neemrana Hotel
I have stayed at their Pataudi property and can vouch for the ambiance, beauty and aesthetics.
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