10 Things to do in Tharangambadi, old Danish Colony
It is strange how the roaring sound of crashing waves can have a calming effect on mind! Water in general has this property of both calming and kindling our feelings. Sometimes it brings out emotions that have been suppressed for long. We were at Tharangambadi Beach, near Chennai. Being so close to sea that day deepened my contemplation on life, my mind was filled with deep sense of wonder!
Tharangambadi – Old Danish Colony in India
Original name of Tharangambadi, also spelt as Tarangambadi, a port city in Coromandel Coast of south India was Sadanganpadi. The word Tharangambadi translates to land of the singing waves. True to its name we were mesmerized by the fall and rise of the sea waves. In between it was known as Tranquebar. It used to be the base of Danish settlements in the 17th century.
From Karaikal we drove on and reached Tharangambadi just after noon. We spent few hours exploring this old Danish colony of India. Read on to know the 10 interesting things to do in Tharangambadi.
Dansborg Fort
We headed to the fort first because the closing time was 5PM and we didn’t want to rush through.
Brief History of the Fort – The Danish Admiral Ove Gjedde constructed Fort Dansborg in the year 1620, after making an agreement with the preceding Thanjavur King Ragunatha Nayakkan. The land for constructing the fort was given by the king. In those days Dansborg Fort was the second largest fort built by the Danish, right after Kronborg in Denmark. (Kronborg castle was home to Hamlet, one of Shakespeare’s most popular plays.)
Location of the fort is breathtaking. From its enclosures the vast blue water body, Bay of Bengal is visible. The British later controlled the fort, along with Tharangambadi, in 1845. It was used as bungalow till 1978. Later Archaeological Survey of India took over the fort and converted it into a museum to display all the artifacts of the fort and the Danish Empire.
Thankfully the fort was renovated by the State Archaeological Department along with the Danish Royal Family in 2001 and 2011. That has increased the tourist appeal to the fort.
One of the most Ozone-rich beaches in the world
Tranquebar, with its rich Danish heritage is called Denmark of India
Masilamani Nathar (Shiva) temple was built here in 1306
India’s first printing presses on Goldsmith Road
Zieganbalg Museum Complex – The museum today houses the first printing press of India. The first book, a bible in Tamil language was printed here.
Zion Church
Old Danish Cemetery
Town gate on King’s street
Tranquebar Beach
Last in the list of things to do in Tharangambadi is enjoying the sea spray at the beach. Read on our experience there.
The lively salt water and the openness of the sea had a magnetic effect on us. We stood rooted there on the rocks. Initially we were enjoying the splash of the wild waves. As the waves approached we scampered for dry sands, this went on for sometime.
And during one such hurried retreat my younger daughter fell over the rocks. The huge wave drenched her completely. Did she need any other reason to stay put there and get more wet.
“Ma… this is awesome! Leave the camera and join this fun!” she screamed with delight.
Sea Spray At Tranquebar Beach
One look at her laughing face I knew she was experiencing the ever elusive “alive is awesome” moment. I let her be! Though there was the fear of safety I decided to join her. Soon we were drenched completely and were competing who could stand like a rock facing the crashing waves without falling down. I let my inhibitions go, why suppress the urge to bath and have fun in open sea.
As we moved out I cast one last look at the sea which entertained us. It seemed as if the big sea was waiting to serve us again, the infinite patience it has!
How to reach Tharangambadi
By air – Nearest airport is Tiruchirapalli and Chennai. By rail – Nearest Railway station is Karaikal at a distance of 13km and Mayiladuthurai at a distance of 29km. By road – All the buses from Chennai to Velankanni are run via Tharangambadi.
Related read: Pattaya Beach Thailand
Lovely pictures and interesting post. The sea is quite mesmerising and meditative. What fun to "bathe" in the sea spray.
I have heard people saying to me too to get away from the camera.. Its fun but too much of fun is boring 🙂
PhenoMenon
So much behind the camera, I wonder if at time we fail to enjoy, I felt this quite often
The ever powerful and transforming power of water…esp. moving water. Always takes my breath away!
What a wonderful moment you shared.
Hugs
SueAnn
How nicely expressed
Un felice fine settimana a te…ciao
Must visit this beach sometime. Lovely pictures and I can imagine the feeling. 🙂
Oh!! wow! What huge waves! and I can understand it was quite fun for your daughter, but I was so glad to read that she is all right and did not hurt herself!
take care, there is power in the waves!
when that is said, I agree with you that waves and water calms the soul..
happy weekend to you my friend! 🙂
Storms and powerful and cleansing and amazing. The sound of waves is therapy. I so agree!
I love waves, I wish I could be somewhere on a beach now..
Yes, it is like therapy.
Please have a good weekend.
true sometimes we have to experience it and not just capture the moment with our cameras.
Oh, yes! The perfect description of how I feel as well, every time I go to the shore! Always an incredible experience! Beautiful captures and a wonderful, meaningful post, Indrani!
I like the first snap..Beautiful..
What a wonderful post. You've beautifully described the joy of visiting the sea. That last photo is amazing.
a very nice moment.
What an 'enlightened' post and awesome fun ~ Great photos ~ (A Creative Harbor) ^_^
Beautiful shots of the water crashing against the rocks.
Wowee, you must have been “alive is awesome”, really great.
I found that same affect whenever I am near the water too! I miss seeing the ocean. Beautiful photos!
Nice pictures, yes, the sea is very relaxing.
Nice post, Indrani! Sounds like a happy moment for your daughter. Wonderful photos, have a happy weekend!
I love watching water spilling against rocks, but not too much !
Luuuvvvved it. The ocean brings back so many memories. I liked how you imbibed it with the feeling of being alive!
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Awesome indeed! I also got to watch water splashing the rocks in Tranquebar.
Well i hope you listened to the little one and had some fun in that water 🙂
lovely fotos though
Bikram's
Nice experience. Would love to visit this place.