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Tranquebar or Tharangambadi as it was formerly known, is a town in Tamil Nadu's Nagapattinam district. Formerly a Danish Colony from 1620 to 1845, it is still referred to as Trankebar in Danish. Tranquebar's days of glory were during the early 17th to middle 19th century, the time when it was an important port under the control of the Danish.
The Tranquebar of today is a town juxtaposed against the sea with the slow rhythm of its singing waves. The place still remains pristine and is one of the most under-explored spots along the Tamil Nadu coastline. Here is a guide to the scenic town of Tranquebar.
Danish Fort
Danish Fort was one of the first structures constructed by the Danish after their settlement here. The fort, built almost 400 years ago, has been rebuilt and renovated many times since its construction. It was the official headquarters of the governor of the territory and other important officials of the establishment for as much as 150 years.
The fort still stands and houses a priceless collection of artifacts from that time period. The architecture of the fort appears to be an amalgam of various styles, but one can spot out the Danish influence easily, as the structure has not changed so much.
Scenic view of the fort.
Photo Courtesy: Joseph Jayanth
Danish Museum
The Danish Museum has an exquisite display and preservation of several important artifacts from the times of the Danish Settlement. Articles preserved here include items that precede this time period, most of which were originally discovered by the Danish settlers.
The museum is under the direct supervision of the Archeological Survey Of India and houses several rare copies of Dutch manuscripts, porcelain ware, terracotta figurines and much more. It is also dedicated to the preservation of several pieces of weaponry such as swords, daggers, shields and spears.
Tranquebar Beach, set on the Coromandel Coast, is a gem that is yet to be discovered and explored. Set in an aura of calm and serenity, its exactly what the weary mind needs. The beach also offers a view of several churches built by Christian missionaries over the centuries.
Beautiful view of the beach
Photo Courtesy: Sankara Subramanian
How to Reach Tranquebar
By Air: The closest airport to Tranquebar is the Chennai International Airport. It is well connected with all the major cities in the country.
By Train: The railway stations closest to Tranquebar are Chidambaram and Nagapattinam. It is well connected with other railheads of Tamil Nadu.
By Road: There are many ways to get to Tranquebar. It is only 15 kilometres from Karaikal, which comes under Pondicherry and is also quite close to Chennai. Buses bound for Tranquebar ply regularly from both places. There are also regular buses to Tranquebar from Thanjavur, Bangalore, Thiruvarur and Pondicherry.
So when are you heading to Tranquebar?
Photo Courtesy: Joseph Jayanth
