Kerala’s Forts – Anjengo Fort

Situated 36km north of Trivandrum and near Varkala, is Anjengo Fort. It was started as a strategic centre by the Dutch in the mid 17 century. It was built as a fort in 1684 by the English East India Company, and the fort protected their powerful position in the state of Kerala and played an important role in the British military strategy during the 17 and 18 centuries. The Fort was also used by the British as a trading centre to carry on trade and commerce. It gets its name from ‘Anju Thengu’, meaning five coconut trees.

There is a cemetery nearby, where you can find graves of the Englishmen and their families that once occupied the fort. There’s a beach in front of the fort, and is an ideal spot for tourists.

The Anjengo Lighthouse is about 6km from Kadakkavur Railway station on the Ernakulam-Trivandrum route and is about 8km from Atingal on the NH-47 highway. The fishing village of Anjengo was the part of the Atingal Rani’s principality in the 17 century, and was later merged with the state of Travancore.

The English East India Company is said to have built the Lighthouse at Varkala. There are reports that in the beginning of 18th century, one of the round columns of the fort on sea side may have been used for placing a lantern whenever a vessel was expected to call. The present lighthouse tower was built in 1987 and it was commissioned on 30 April 1988.

A little further away is the Papanasam Beach located between two cliffs. It makes for a relaxed walk and exploration. The beach is known for its natural spring waters which are said to have curative powers. They rise out through the base of the laterite cliff towering above the beach.

Be Sociable, Share!