Alamparai Fort

Driving from Chennai to Puducherry on the East Coast Road, about 50 kilometres from Mamallapuram I noticed a small board on the left that reads “Alamparai Fort” with an arrow. I have never heard about this fort, so I got curious and took the turn to a small road towards the shoreline. I had to drive through a local market for about two kilometres to cross a wide bridge and then reach a dilapidated wall. A big blue board in front announced this was the fort.

The entry was free, there were no gates or tickets to buy. There were no crowds or tourist buses to bother the visitors. Remember, there are no shops or toilets nearby.  Next time you are driving through ECR, take an hour to check out this fort. Kids will like the place.

About Alamparai Fort 

The existing ruined fort walls were built by the Muslim rulers during the 18th century A.D. from 1736 to 1740 A.D. There are references to the region in Sangam literature Ciṟupāṇāṟṟuppaṭai as a trading post. Wikipedia says portions of Pithamagan (2003), the Tamil film were shot in the fort.

கிழக்குக் கடற்கரையில் அமைந்துள்ள ஆலம்பரை பண்டைய நாளில் ஒரு துறைமுகப் பட்டினமாகத் திகழ்ந்துள்ளது, சங்ககால இலக்கியமான சிறுபாணற்றுப்படையின் மூலம் இப்பகுதி இடைக்கழிநாடு என்று பெயர் பெற்றுருந்ததாக அறியப்படுகிறது. கி.பி. 18 ஆம் நூற்றாண்டில் முகமதியர்களால் ஆலம்பரையில் கோட்டை கட்டப்பட்டது.

Bridge to reach Alamparai Fort

A local village temple and the lighthouse near the Alamparai Fort

The ruined walls of Alamparai Fort

Only these walls survive today

The long tall fort walls can be seen intact in this section

A revered dargah inside the fort walls

Whats left of the ruined buildings

The other side of the fort

Tourist enjoying a sunny day in the water with no disturbances

Venkatarangan posing for a picture with the backwaters behind me

A serene setting overlooking the lighthouse

I didn’t want to leave this place