The story of Bhatkal’s famous light house
03:51PM Tue 14 Nov, 2017
Bhatkallys News Bureau/ Hira Ekkeri
November 14, 2017 – Reminiscent of British engineering and planning – a tall tower with red and white stripes beckons a few tourists with its glorious past at the gates of Bhatkal light house. Shining a bright white flare out at sea, the famed light house is reminiscent of a bygone era of sea travel.
For over a century, it has guided sea farers and mariners to the shores of safety as it aids marine navigation off the coast of Bhatkal. Designed in 1891 during the British rule, the lighthouse still serves an important role as a marine aid for small and large vessels passing through the western coast.
“The light beams for over 35 kilometres,” says a freckled xx. She has been at the lighthouse for over 20 years and every evening – she turns up to power the generators.
Bhatkal has been a maritime hub for centuries and till date fishing vessels dock at the local port to offload their daily catch.
About the lighthouse
The lighthouse is powered by an independent power unit and a pump house with three store rooms attached to the light house. A unique striped pattern presents the light house as a day mark for mariners crossing through the area.
The 14 meter high masonry tower was initially lit by a double wick lamp before being replaced by a flashing light in 1936. In later years, a storm warning system was also installed. On 21st March 1998, a metal halide replaced the main light source.
During the day, mariners at sea can identify the lighthouse by the day mark painted on the exterior of light house.
India is home to 185 light houses and the Mahabalipuram light house in Tamil Nadu serves as India's oldest lighthouse built in 640 AD by Pallava King Mahendra Pallava.
For over a century, it has guided sea farers and mariners to the shores of safety as it aids marine navigation off the coast of Bhatkal. Designed in 1891 during the British rule, the lighthouse still serves an important role as a marine aid for small and large vessels passing through the western coast.
“The light beams for over 35 kilometres,” says a freckled xx. She has been at the lighthouse for over 20 years and every evening – she turns up to power the generators.
Bhatkal has been a maritime hub for centuries and till date fishing vessels dock at the local port to offload their daily catch.
About the lighthouse
The lighthouse is powered by an independent power unit and a pump house with three store rooms attached to the light house. A unique striped pattern presents the light house as a day mark for mariners crossing through the area.
The 14 meter high masonry tower was initially lit by a double wick lamp before being replaced by a flashing light in 1936. In later years, a storm warning system was also installed. On 21st March 1998, a metal halide replaced the main light source.
During the day, mariners at sea can identify the lighthouse by the day mark painted on the exterior of light house.
India is home to 185 light houses and the Mahabalipuram light house in Tamil Nadu serves as India's oldest lighthouse built in 640 AD by Pallava King Mahendra Pallava.
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