Manipal is surrounded by beaches. Seas and Oceans frame the city and once you show up here, you can’t escape the blueness that envelopes the oh-so-green Manipal.
In a place that abounds with natural beauty, there exists a beach that is a different feeling altogether. Many memories are made right here, many writers have mused here, many singers have crooned here and many dreamers have walked here. Innumerable footprints have been washed away by the clear waters, the intrepid spirit of sailors, the awestruck eyes of travelers, the joy of aesthetes, filming of movie scenes, children and adults teeming with happiness, and one of the most favorite hang-out spots for the Manipal folks- the 34m high circular stone masonry tower has witnessed it all!
By now, dear reader, you must have conjectured- yes, it’s the Kapu lighthouse. Personally, I have always been spellbound by it and its vicinage. Having fossicked through a little, here are some interesting facts about the tourist attraction:
Prior to independence, the region was a part of Mysore.
The tower has been standing tall for 119 years! It is a British construction from 1901. The tower was painted white. It stands at a height of 43m above the mean sea level, and possesses a range of 24 NM. The inside masonry lining of the tower has been elevated and serves as murette. The outside masonry lining supports cornice projection to form a platform around the murette.
The Light and the Illumination:
The second order optic assembly and PV lighting equipment with 55 mm burner was supplied by M/s. Chance Bros., Birmingham, installed and commissioned first on 30th April, 1901. It is flashed every 20 seconds.
Noteworthy Visits to the Lighthouse:
Mr. D. Alan Stevenson, the LH expert, in December, 1926; Mr. John Oswald, the Chief Inspector of Lighthouses, had carried out his inspections on 1st March 1929 and 23rd November 1929.
Over the years, the place did see some changes. In 1935 general improvements of the lighthouse were carried out. The tower was at the time, painted with black and white bands. The PV light source was replaced by 230V 400W metal halide lamp on 28th March 1996, which was changed to 3 X 70 W MH cluster lamps and UPS on 31st July 2003.
The place is the heartbeat of so many, Manipal has loved the place and its history since forever. Hope you enjoyed reading as much as I enjoyed bringing you some facts. I can’t wait for the day to view another magnificent sunset there.
Source: ‘Indian Lighthouses, an Overview’ by Mr. R.K. Bhanti.
Feature image: Aishwarya Sharma
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