Circular fort

Circular fort(Vattakkottai)

It was in the afternoon of thiruvonam we planned for a small trip to Vattakkottai near Kanayakumari. It is a circular sea fort built on the coast near Kanyakumari, by 'Captain De Lannoy for Marthanda Varma as a defence measure for Nanjil Nadu. .It is located about 6 km to the north-east of Kanyakumari town, in Agasteeswaram taluk.

on the way to Vattakottai fort -greeneries, lakes, ponds & hills

The place is serene and calm without the rush of crowd unlike kanyakumari.The Fort is circular in shape, and a part of it extends into the sea. It is made of granite blocks  There is a huge open courtyard,with a big pond in the centere.  The space around that ends up in huge stone walls of the fort. Which is of 25 feet high .These walls have some mandapas and rooms inside consists of watchtowers, rest rooms and weapon rooms

The walls of the fort

The south end of the fort  leads us to a flight of steps with a ramp for hauling cannons up to the parade ground ,where there is a watch tower and firing point of big cannons

We climbed up those steps and a heavenly  scene was waiting there

A view of the sea is available from the raised parade ground situated atop the Fort

In one side it is arabian sea and other side it is  Bay of Bengal

There was a single tree and here also the lawn was well maintained

There were lot of windmills on the northern side

I never thought this place is so beautiful. Eventhough I have been to Kanyakumari many times

It was a pleasant day day with perfect clouds floating over the clear blue sky

in   the long distance we can see the windmills  dancing in the cool air

wall with  spaces like windows in between

Charu had a busy time running around these sprawling lawns

Anyone who visits Kanyakumari, should not miss this Fort as it is only some 15 min drive from there

History:  The Dutch army srrendered to the Travancore King Marthanda Varma in Colachel war in 1741. The Dutch Army was lead by De Lanny, who was captured by the king. He opted to serve the King rather than getting killed. The King had asked him to train his Travancore Army. He served loyally to the King and the impressed King made him the chief of his Travancore Army. De Lannoy built several forts across the country to check the Foreign invasions. This Vattokottai Fort is one among them, built to check the entry of enemy forces through the sea.