A Tale of Time and Tide

Pondicherry’s old lighthouse stands as a monument to maritime history, a silent witness to the ebb and flow of this coastal town’s past. Built by the French in 1836, this lighthouse is esteemed for being the first of its kind on the Coromandel Coast, guiding sailors with its beams of light magnified through reflectors and mirrors.

This beacon of yesteryears, which once used the glow from 12 oil lamps to signal ships to the safety of Pondicherry’s harbor, has now transitioned into a custodian of heritage, housing a museum within its aged walls. Although the exact date is celebrated, the lighthouse’s first light shone on September 1, casting a path across the waters for vessels navigating the treacherous shores.

Standing 29 meters high, the old lighthouse’s structure is a testament to the engineering feats of the era with a cylindrical tower and a square base. Inside, a spiral staircase of 218 steps leads to a Madras terrace, offering views that once captivated the eyes of lighthouse keepers and now await the return of visitors post-restoration.

The lighthouse’s legacy is intertwined with the daily life and history of Pondicherry. Positioned along Goubert Avenue, it is in good company, amidst other colonial-era buildings like the grand Mairie, the Customs House, and the dignified French Consulate. While the current restoration involves replacing rafters and beams, landscaping, and re-plastering, the spirit of the structure remains unaltered, promising to stand for generations to come.

Though presently closed to the public, anticipation grows for the day when its doors will reopen, allowing history enthusiasts and curious tourists to step inside and back in time. Until then, the old lighthouse remains an iconic feature of Pondicherry’s skyline, a beacon not of the sea, but of the rich narrative of this quaint town.