Nagapattinam Lighthouse

Nagapattinam Lighthouse is a historic coastal lighthouse located near Nagapattinam Beach in Nagapattinam town, Tamil Nadu. Built in 1869 during British colonial rule, the 20-metre white masonry tower with red horizontal bands guides vessels along the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal. Maintained by the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships, it remains an active navigational aid and a notable maritime heritage landmark for visitors to the coastal town.

Visitors can expect a 20-metre cylindrical masonry lighthouse painted white with red horizontal bands, situated close to Nagapattinam Beach and the old port area. The site offers views of the Bay of Bengal, the coastline and the town from the gallery at the top, accessible via a narrow spiral staircase. The surrounding area is open and coastal, with a small compound and ticket counter. Photography of the exterior and panoramic views from the top are the main visitor experiences.

Constructed in 1869 by the British administration to guide vessels along the Coromandel Coast, the lighthouse served the historic port of Nagapattinam, which was an important trading port under the Cholas, Portuguese, Dutch and British. The 20-metre masonry tower has functioned as an active aid to navigation for over 150 years and is maintained by the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships.

The lighthouse represents the maritime heritage of Nagapattinam, a historic port town on the Bay of Bengal. It is a landmark associated with the town's long seafaring and trading history and is commonly visited as part of the coastal cultural circuit.