PONNANI LIGHTHOUSE

Ponnani Lighthouse is situated close to the South bank of Bharathpuzha River joining the sea on the outskirts of Ponnani town. The nearest Railway station is Kuttipuram 21 km away. The NH-17 connects Ponnani to Kuttipuram. Ponnani is also linked by an inland water navigation system canal .to southern Kerala. Hyder Ali of Mysore conquered Malabar in 1766 and established an out post at Ponnain. During his son Tippu Sultan‟s regime Ponnani became an important centre for Islamic studies. Tippu developed the port at Ponnani for security and trade. After Tippu‟s defeat in 1799, the British took the territory of Malabar under their control. The port facilities at Ponnani were improved. A canal was constructed connecting Ponnani to Cochin port through Cranganore back waters. A flag staff used to assist the crafts to negotiate the entrance to the port. Subsequently in 1937 a steel mast was erected from which an oil wick lamp was hoisted. The present Lighthouse site is adjacent to that mast site. In 1948 a steel trestle was raised on which was placed the DA gas flasher inside 4 th order optic and lantern. The flag signalling system was also introduced in the same year. For the general navigation there was a need to provide a reliable major light at Ponnani: Accordingly the construction of the present Lighthouse tower was taken up in 1982 and completed in 1983. The lighting equipment supplied by M/s J.Stone India, Calcutta was installed (this equipment was originally bought for Luhara pt. LH). The lighthouse was commissioned into service on 17th April 1983. The incandescent lamp was replaced by MH lamp on 23rd July 1995. The Direct drive was also incorporated simultaneously.

Master Ledger of PONNANI LIGHTHOUSE (1.05 MB)