Tranquebar

By Sanjeev Nayyar Sanjeev@esamskriti.com | 2016

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We drove in from the old Chola capital of Poompuhar to reach about 5.30 pm. Never knew it was a sea shore so were excited. U see pal Rahul and driver Velu on the rocks. "There is nothing Danish about Tranquebar except its name". The Indian name of place is Tharangambadi. Places to see Dutch Fort, old Shiva temple and a Neemrana property called The Bungalow on the

In earlier pic saw people on a brick thing going out into the sea. U see me there. It was high tide, so water was hitting hard against the walls. Loved it. The place is 15kms from Karaikal, 53 kms from Chidambaram and 117 kms from Pondicherry.

Left of pic is The Bungalow on the Beach hotel, right is old Shiv temple. Opposite hotel is Danish Fort. We drove through a fort type wall into Tranquebar. "All you get in the 5 kms sq area of Tranquebar Fort is the Dansborg caste, a few colonial style bungalow and the Land Gate''. Entry into town is a through an impressive 200 year old Town Gate.

This is the Dansborg Fort. We reached late so had closed. A friend says the museum has many Maratha paintings whilst they ruled Thanjavur. The Danish East India Company lasted only 34 years. They established a trade post here on 1620. By 1625 they stopped trading.

This is the 14th century Masilamaninathar (Pandya) Temple on sea shore. It is an old Shiv Mandir that is being damaged by the sea. Behind it is a new Shiv Mandir that we visited too.

Devotees inside the new Shiv Mandir. To briefly read about History of Tranquebar Click here

View of the hotel. We spent about an hour here, just loved it. It was very windy that evening making it more enjoyable. Do check out the Handicrafts that are made locally.

First floor of hotel, outside rooms is this huge verandah. U can sit there, relax, recharge your batteries in the company of noisy waves.

First floor of hotel, can say lobby. Doors open into rooms. Very nice place. Good to visit for a longish weekend or for a honeymoon as the hotel says.

A typical room. Simple, elegant and functional. Felt like spending the night there but cost of app Rs 7,500/ was too much whilst on a yatra. 2 other heritage properties where u can stay are The Nayak House or The Gate House. Tamil Nadu Tourism run a budget guest house. To know more Click here

Sitting area was lovely. Windy, noise of waves and very quiet. To visit hotel site Click here

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