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Amenities
- Museum
- Shop
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To Book Mahabalipuram Lighthouse Tickets!
Highlights
- Explore the fascinating history of lighthouses through engaging exhibits and rare artifacts.
- Take home a piece of your lighthouse visit with souvenirs, local crafts, and gift items available at our charming on-site shop.
Mahabalipuram is connected to Chennai 35 KM North, by East coast highway. Mahabalipuram, also known as Mamallapuram, was an important port built by the pallavas during the seventh Century AD for maritime trade with the countries of South East Asia and Mediterranean. The rock cut temples, pavilions and monuments, all sculpted during the same period, are the principal attractions here drawing visitors from around the world.
In ancient times, the log fire on one of the high rocks used to serve as a beacon. The first conventional lighthouse was established by placing a wick lamp inside a 4th order optic and lantern on the roof of Olakkaneeswar temple in May1887.
The existing dressed stone masonry circular tower 26M in height was built on the rock in 1900. Its exterior surface was left natural and unpainted so as to blend with surroundings. The light was commissioned in to service in March 1901. The PV Source was replaced by incandescent electric lamp in 1994. The Main light and emergency light source were modified to a cluster of three 150W230V Metal Halide lamp in August 2004. National Heritage, Maritime Museum were thrown open to Public since 28th February 2014.The Main light source was modified by an array of 236W LED lamp in August 2020 which is first of its kind in the Directorate of Lighthouses and Lightships, Chennai.
