Kovilthottam Lighthouse: Difference between revisions

Created by BrownHairedGirl
Last edited January 4, 2026
m Removed empty portal template using script
slightly added page for consistency and updated info
 
Line 6: Line 6:
| caption                = The lighthouse in 2016
| caption                = The lighthouse in 2016
| location              = Kovilthottam, [[Kollam district|Kollam]], [[India]]
| location              = Kovilthottam, [[Kollam district|Kollam]], [[India]]
| coordinates            = {{coord|8.984715|76.524523|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates            = {{coord|8.984715|76.524523|format=dms|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| yearbuilt              = 1953 (first)
| yearbuilt              = 1953 (first)
| yearlit                = 1962
| yearlit                = 1962
Line 13: Line 13:
| marking                = black tower with a horizontal white band, black lantern
| marking                = black tower with a horizontal white band, black lantern
| shape                  = square tower with balcony and lantern
| shape                  = square tower with balcony and lantern
| height                = {{convert|18|m}}<ref name="Kerala_bizhat">{{cite web |url=http://www.dgll.nic.in/WriteReadData/Publication/Publication_Pdf_File/LighthousesofIndia(2).pdf |title=Indian Lighthouses – An overview |access-date=2 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218163515/http://www.dgll.nic.in/WriteReadData/Publication/Publication_Pdf_File/LighthousesofIndia(2).pdf |archive-date=18 December 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| height                = {{convert|18|m}}
| focalheight            = {{convert|20|m}} above [[mean sea level|MSL]]
| focalheight            = {{convert|20|m}} above [[mean sea level|MSL]]
| lens                  = 250&nbsp;mm 4th order cut & polished drum optic inside 1.8&nbsp;m diameter Lantern House (BBT)
| lens                  = 250&nbsp;mm 4th order cut & polished drum optic inside 1.8&nbsp;m diameter Lantern House (BBT)
Line 21: Line 21:
}}
}}


'''Kovilthottam Lighthouse''' is situated at Kovilthottam in [[Kollam district]] of [[Kerala]]. The 18-meter tall [[lighthouse]] tower is painted with black and white alternating bands.<ref name="Lighthouses">{{Cite web |url=http://kerala.bizhat.com/lighthouses.html |title=Lighthouses in Kerala |access-date=19 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150319042907/http://kerala.bizhat.com/lighthouses.html |archive-date=19 March 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> The lighthouse has been provided to serve the Port of [[Neendakara]] situated at the entrance to [[Ashtamudi Lake|Ashtamudi Backwaters]].
'''Kovilthottam Lighthouse''' is situated at Kovilthottam in [[Kollam district]] of [[Kerala]]. The 18-meter-tall [[lighthouse]] tower is painted with black and white alternating bands.<ref name="Lighthouses">{{Cite web |url=http://kerala.bizhat.com/lighthouses.html |title=Lighthouses in Kerala |access-date=19 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150319042907/http://kerala.bizhat.com/lighthouses.html |archive-date=19 March 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> Operated by the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships, the lighthouse features a 70 W LED light with a range of 15 nautical miles and the characteristic Fl (3) W 15s.
 
== Location ==
Kovilthottam Lighthouse is situated at [[Kollam Metropolitan Area]]. It is about 20&nbsp;km away from [[Kollam]] city centre.
* [[Chavara]] – 2.6&nbsp;km
* [[Neendakara]] – 8.6&nbsp;km
*Karunagappally - 10&nbsp;km
* [[Tangasseri Lighthouse]] – 15.2&nbsp;km
* [[Kollam]] – 20&nbsp;km
* [[Paravur, Kollam|Paravur]] – 40.7&nbsp;km


== History ==
== History ==
Before the construction of Kovilthottam, there was a flag mast at this location. Later, a wooden tower was constructed here. A blinking DA gas light was installed on 14 February 1953. This temporary arrangement was replaced later in 1960–1961 after the completion of the masonry tower. The emergency source was replaced by 12V 100W Halogen lamp in a 200&nbsp;mm optic outside the lantern on 14 February 1999.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dgll.nic.in/WriteReadData/Publication/Publication_Pdf_File/LighthousesofIndia(2).pdf |title=Indian Lighthouses – An overview |publisher=DGLL India |access-date=2 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218163515/http://www.dgll.nic.in/WriteReadData/Publication/Publication_Pdf_File/LighthousesofIndia(2).pdf |archive-date=18 December 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref>
== Structure & Technical Specifications ==
The Kovilthottam Lighthouse stands on the Arabian Sea coast near the mouth of the [[Ashtamudi Lake]]. The lighthouse was constructed to aid navigation for vessels entering the [[Neendakara]] and [[Chavara]] backwaters, which are vital for the local fishing and cashew industries. The tower is a cylindrical concrete structure with a height of 18 meters (59 ft), painted with black and white horizontal bands, and topped by a red lantern. The focal plane of the light is situated 17 meters above mean sea level. The lighthouse originally used an oil-based light source, later replaced by an electronic flasher powered by solar energy. The current light characteristic is Fl (3) W 15s, meaning three white flashes every 15 seconds, with a range of 15 nautical miles. The light source is a 70 W LED, and the lantern uses a 6-panel optic manufactured by [[J. Stone & Co|M/s J. Stone & Co. Ltd.]], UK.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kovilthottam Light house DGLL |url=https://www.dgll.nic.in/sites/default/files/2022-12/Master%20Ledger%20Cochin%2014.pdf |access-date=11 July 2025 |website=dgll.nic.in}}</ref> The structure includes a service room and gallery, and is operated and maintained by the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships (DGLL) under [[Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways]].<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/Indian_Journal_of_Radio_Space_Physics/nN76foOYsGwC |title=Indian Journal of Radio & Space Physics |date=1994 |publisher=Council of Scientific & Industrial Research |page=257 |language=en}}</ref>


== See also ==
== See also ==
 
{{Portal|India|Engineering}}
* [[List of lighthouses in India]]
* [[List of lighthouses in India]]


== References ==
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
<ref>{{cite web |title=Indian Lighthouses – An overview |url=http://www.dgll.nic.in/WriteReadData/Publication/Publication_Pdf_File/LighthousesofIndia(2).pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218163515/http://www.dgll.nic.in/WriteReadData/Publication/Publication_Pdf_File/LighthousesofIndia(2).pdf |archive-date=18 December 2014 |access-date=2 April 2015 |publisher=DGLL India}}</ref>{{Reflist}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
* {{Lighthouse Digest|6315}}
* {{Lighthouse Digest|6315}}
*  
* {{Commons category-inline|Kovilthottam Lighthouse|position=left}}
* {{ARLHS link}}
* {{ARLHS link}}


Line 56: Line 48:
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Kollam]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Kollam]]
[[Category:Lighthouses completed in 1961]]
[[Category:Lighthouses completed in 1961]]
{{lighthouse-stub}}
{{India-struct-stub}}

Latest revision as of 04:04, 4 January 2026


Kovilthottam Lighthouse
The lighthouse in 2016
Lua error in Module:Infobox_mapframe at line 197: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
LocationTemplate:Wikidata location
OS gridTemplate:Gbmappingsmall
Coordinates8°59′05″N 76°31′28″E / 8.984715°N 76.524523°E / 8.984715; 76.524523
Constructed1953 (first)
Foundationreinforced concrete
Constructionmasonry tower
Tower height18 metres (59 ft)
Tower shapesquare tower with balcony and lantern
Markingsblack tower with a horizontal white band, black lantern
Template:Infobox lighthouse/light

Kovilthottam Lighthouse is situated at Kovilthottam in Kollam district of Kerala. The 18-meter-tall lighthouse tower is painted with black and white alternating bands.[1] Operated by the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships, the lighthouse features a 70 W LED light with a range of 15 nautical miles and the characteristic Fl (3) W 15s.

History[edit | edit source]

Structure & Technical Specifications[edit | edit source]

The Kovilthottam Lighthouse stands on the Arabian Sea coast near the mouth of the Ashtamudi Lake. The lighthouse was constructed to aid navigation for vessels entering the Neendakara and Chavara backwaters, which are vital for the local fishing and cashew industries. The tower is a cylindrical concrete structure with a height of 18 meters (59 ft), painted with black and white horizontal bands, and topped by a red lantern. The focal plane of the light is situated 17 meters above mean sea level. The lighthouse originally used an oil-based light source, later replaced by an electronic flasher powered by solar energy. The current light characteristic is Fl (3) W 15s, meaning three white flashes every 15 seconds, with a range of 15 nautical miles. The light source is a 70 W LED, and the lantern uses a 6-panel optic manufactured by M/s J. Stone & Co. Ltd., UK.[2] The structure includes a service room and gallery, and is operated and maintained by the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships (DGLL) under Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.[3]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

[4]

  1. "Lighthouses in Kerala". Archived from the original on 19 March 2015. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  2. "Kovilthottam Light house DGLL" (PDF). dgll.nic.in. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
  3. Indian Journal of Radio & Space Physics. Council of Scientific & Industrial Research. 1994. p. 257.
  4. "Indian Lighthouses – An overview" (PDF). DGLL India. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 December 2014. Retrieved 2 April 2015.

External links[edit | edit source]