Vattakottai Fort Kanyakumari,Circular Fort Kanyakumari, Vattakottai Fort,Circular Fort, Vattakottai Fort Timing, Kanyakumari Vattakottai Fort

VATTAKOTTAI FORT (Agasteeswaram Taluk): Vattakottai is popular for granite fort called as Circular Fort, which is 6 km from Kanyakumari. It was built along the coastline in the 18th century mainly as a costal defense. The fort covers about 3 and half acres with strong tall walls of 26 feet high and 28 feet thick walls. Marthandavarma the king of Travancore built this fort under the command of captain De Lannoy. It is rectangular in shape and covers an area of about three and a half acres. The fort is enclosed by walls 25 to 26 feet high, including the parapet, 29 feet thick at the front, 18 feet at the corners and 6 feet at the rear. The portion running into the area is the most strongly built underText Box: the orders of De Lannoy during the reign of Mathandavarma (1729-58). About 1810 A.D. the British forces under the command of St. Leger marched into Nanjilnad through the Aramboly pass and demolished the defense lines. The small river by the side of the fort, and the green vegetation all around add to the scenery of the fort and has now become a holiday resort and picnic centre.

It is said that there is a subway (tunnel) about four feet width, supposed to connect the 

Padmanabhapuram palace. Now the tunnel has been closed. On the northern side of the fort is found a slop to being the canon from the lower to the upper part of the parapet of the fort. There is well of about 6’ diameter. The whole wall around the fort is repaired and fresh mortar is being applied. Literary or epigraphical evidences are not in store to know much about Vattakotai. However, from the evidence left by the fort itself, it may be presumed that his fort was the military base to protect the Kumari port which was a rich pearl harbour. Since the emblem of the Pandya Kings was ‘Fish’ and we find this emblem in some of the places of the fort, it can be safely concluded that the Pandya Kings had control over this fort for sometime.

Next to Vattakottai, we can see the traces of a light house in Leepuram being called so after Colonel Lee who has destroyed most of the Kadukkarai Kanyakumari Fort in 1806. This is a picnic spot, the sea is calm and suitable for bathing.

 

Vattakottai Fort, Kanyakumari is one of the first things that comes to the mind of many people, while discussing Kanyakumari. It’s true that there are quite a few other interesting things to see and do too. However, like all other attractions, the Vattakottai Fort in Kanyakumari also has its own brand of unique charm. In fact, countless visitors just can’t stop gushing about the place. In short, rest assure that a trip to Vattakottai Fort Kanyakumari will leave you with a lifetime of fond memories.

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