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Saturday, December 15, 2007

Bungalow on the Beach

24 King Street, Tharangambadi 609313
District Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu-India

To visit the past, one does not always have to hop into a time machine. Sometimes history lives on in tiny forgotten nooks and crannies of the earth, waiting to be rediscovered. As it does in Tranquebar, a sleepy fishing village of Tamil Nadu. Known originally as Tarangambadi - the place of the singing waves - Tranquebar owes its name and identity to the Danes who made it one of their major trading posts in the early 17th century.

Two restored buildings will stand as reminders of a Danish Admiral, Ove Gedde, sent by the king of Denmark with two ships. They were well received by the Nayak ruler of Tanjore, and given this territory.

Then Dansborg, the fort of Tarangambadi - Tranquebar for the Danes- was established to export pepper to Denmark.

Today you can drive in through a beautiful gate of the majestic King Street, past Lutheran churches and grand bungalows of the Danish Governors' and the British Collector's residence. Re-live marine history, visit the temples of Kumbakonam and Tanjore. Stopover for that 'while' which seems eternity.

Now a part of the fort is being converted into a heritage hotel by none other than the famous Neemrana Group, which has perfected the art of restoring ancient masterpieces. Aptly named Bungalow on the Beach, the hotel is set to be operational before the end of the year. Going by the standards set by their past efforts, one can safely say, that the new hotel will offer more than a chance to discover a piece of Denmark. It will offer tranquillity in great style.

Location :

Tranquebar, 15 km south of the ancient Chola port of Pumpuhar, and 15 km north of the former French comptoir of Kar0ikal, was a Danish settlement from 1620 to 1845.

Accommodation :

The hotel has 8 types of well appointed air conditioned suite rooms for comfortable accommodation. The rooms are equipped with all the modern amenities.

Dining :

  • Fixed menus are offered at the per head rates of Breakfast Rs. 100/-, Lunch Rs. 250/-, Dinner Rs. 350/.

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