Vattakottai, literally meaning circular fort, is an 18th century granite fort. It was built by King Marthanda Varma to serve as defense for Nanjil Nadu. Located 6 km north-east of Kanyakumari, Vattakottai overlooks the sea and is an ideal tourist spot.
This small 18th century fort overlooking the sea is worn visiting. It is located at a distance of 6kms from kanyakumari. The sea is not rough and suitable for bath.Overlooking the sea, it is a circular serene tourist spot. It is a beautiful picnic spot and an ideal spot for relaxing with abundant coconut trees.
Vattakottai has a rectangular shape and covers an area of about four acres. It is enclosed by 25 to 26 feet high walls, including the parapet of 29 feet thick at the front, 18 feet at the corners and 6 feet at the rear. A well can be seen on the northern side of the fort. There is a small river by the side of the fort. Besides, the fort has a subway or tunnel of about four feet width, which connects the fort to Padmanabhapuram Palace.
Evidences left by the fort itself specify that it served as a military base to protect the Kanyakumari port which was a rich pearl harbor. The emblems of fish in the fort substantiate that it was under the control of the Pandyas for sometimes. The lighthouse in Leepuram, named after Colonel Lee, is a nearby attraction.
Vattikottai Fort
Vattakottai Fort is a seaside fort near Kanyakumari, the southern tip of India. It was built in the 18th century as a coastal defence-fortification and barracks in the erstwhile Travancore kingdom.
It was constructed under the supervision of Captain Eustachius De Lannoy, an ex-Dutch naval officer of the VOC, who became commander of the Travancore army (the very army that defeated him in the Battle of Colachel) in the 18th century, after he earned the trust of the Travancore King Marthanda Varma. De Lannoy constructed Vattakottai, as part of the defence-fortifications he undertook throughout Travancore.
The fort is made of granite blocks and, today, a part of the fort extends into the sea. It is a protected site under the Indian archaeological department. A major renovation of the fort was undertaken recently by the department, and the site is now a popular tourist spot.
Vattakottai Fort commands a picturesque view of both the sea on the one side, and the hills (Western Ghats) on the other . Another interesting feature near the site is a beach of black sands. It is about 7 km from Kanyakumari town.
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