Tourism News
Alappuzha gets a New Lighthouse
The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Mr. Sarbananda Sonowal has inaugurated the Valiyazheekkal lighthouse in Alappuzha. It is India’s first pentagon-shaped lighthouse and the second tallest in Kerala.
The lighthouse, a 41.26-metre-tall reinforced cement concrete tower with an elevator, was constructed at Rs. 8.49 crores in 1,830 square metres. Powered by solar energy, it has an LED marine lantern, with a luminous range of 24 nautical miles.
Located on the Alappuzha-Kollam coastal stretch, it has a lighting system stretching up to 20 nautical miles from the shore. It is normally functional from 7 pm to 6:15 am, but the timings can change depending on the sunrise or sunset.
The lighthouse faces Azheekal beach and estuary. Tourists get a good, full view of the lighthouse from the beach and the breakwater.
The lighthouse is expected to help local fishermen and mariners sailing through the area and boost tourism activities in the region, especially from Thottapally to Vellanthuruthu.
Valiyazheekkal Bridge, the longest bowstring arch bridge in South India, starts near the lighthouse. Popular among tourists, the bridge connects Arattupuzha grama panchayat in Alappuzha and Alappad in Kollam. Running parallel to the sea and Kayamkulam Kayal, the bridge offers a spectacular view of the both the sea and the lake.
Mangrove Forest in Ayiramthengu, TM Chira, Azheekal Tsunami Memorial, Amritapuri, TS Canal, Oachira Parabrahma Temple, Krishnapuram Palace and Shankar Memorial National Cartoon Museum & Art Gallery are nearby tourist spots.
