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When you go for sightseeing in Pondicherry, you will find an old lighthouse
on Goubert Salai. This 19th Century Lighthouse in Pondicherry is a significant
landmark in Pondicherry. Its unique architecture of a round tower has made it
a modern lighthouse at the time it was built.
There is an interesting story behind the construction of the 19th Century Lighthouse
in Pondicherry. At that time there was no signal for the ships coming to Pondicherry.
The only light that was there was the fire located on the top of the Red Hills,
and it was not serving the purpose at all. Therefore, all the principal merchants
and captains of the ships set up a committee and asked the government to build
a lighthouse. After much delay the project was finally taken up during the tenure
of Governor Saint Simon in 1835. The engineer of the project, Louis Guerre laid
the foundation of the 19th Century Lighthouse in Pondicherry at the end of 1835
and the inauguration ceremony of the lighthouse took place in February 1836.
However, the lighthouse was not used from that time since the beacon that was
coming from France did not reach Pondicherry till that time, and therefore the
first time it was lighted was in 1St July, 1836.
The 19th Century Lighthouse in Pondicherry is regarded as a milestone in French
technical achievements in Asia. The 29 meter high lighthouse with the unique
features of round tower and a square base took just few months to be completed
and the cost was just 10,000 francs. The foundation of the lighthouse was made
with nine meter deep masonry wells which stabilized the building on the sandy
ground.
When the 19th Century Lighthouse of Pondicherry was in operation then its light
was seen from a distance of 15 miles. This strength of light was provided with
six oil lamps and two reflectors. The beautiful view was not restricted to just
the night sea travelers; the citizens of Pondicherry could also see the view
from the top after dropping a little money in a box at the gate of the lighthouse.
The lighthouse keeper was a Frenchman who was paid 600 francs a year for lighting
it at the onset of evening.
This lighthouse was subject to changes at various times. The major change was
made in the structure when a round base was built encircling the older square
base of the lighthouse. The first floor of the lighthouse was an addition made
at the beginning of the 20th century. Modernization came in the method of lighting
also, first it had electric lights in 1913 and then in 1931, a more powerful
lamp was placed there.
So, when you go for a trip to Pondicherry make sure you do not miss this 19th
Century Lighthouse at Pondicherry, which is however, not in use in the recent
times.
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