After having taken our lunch, we had
two options in hand, either to go for a Siesta or for a long ride. My younger
brother with whom I am staying had no problems either as it way a Sunday.
However the cloudy weather was dissuading me from venturing out, for the camera
could not be put to use. Nevertheless the call of my brother to move out before
it really starts pouring made me get ready. When we drove out it was drizzling.
We headed towards the Marine Drive of Kochi yet the destination remained
undecided. Moving further we crossed over to Bolgatty island. Here we thought
of visiting the Palace now converted into a Hotel, Unfortunately we could not
gain entry due to some big gun having reserved the entire hotel for some private
purpose, presumably a marriage reception. Then I said let us now go to Vypin
Island. In between there an another island known as Vallarpadam which is a very
large container terminal. Here one could see hundreds of trucks lined up for
transporting containers to and fro from the hinterland. Soon thereafter my
brother stopped the vehicle at one point and told me come this is Vypin. I could
not believe it but then the signboards did say so. We got down and surveyed the
area, particularly the topography. I could visualise that we were standing at
the Southern end of the island and farther south it was Fort Kochi. From the
Boat Jetty we could see steamers arriving and departing with loads of passengers
and vehicles.
Six major rivers emanating from the Western Ghat Mountain Ranges submerge into the Arabian Sea near Kochi passing through the Vembanad lake. The deltas and soil erosions appear to be the cause of six scattered islands except Wellingdon which is man made. All the islands are inhabited and movement of people used to be through waterways in the past. Now all the islands are made accessible overland with interconnecting bridges. From Fort Kochi if one has to travel by road to Vypin Island, it would be a long distance and therefore the ferry service thrives carrying passengers as well as all vehicles.
Thanks to trade relations with
China in the distant past, some amount of technology transfers have also taken
place in the area of fishing. The local fishermen deploy “Chinese fishing
nets” which were installed in the vicinity in large numbers. We could witness
them while they worked. However they have limitations as regards water
coverage. Nevertheless they have managed to sustain themselves by mechanising
the operations.
After having observed the operations
at the boat jetty and the Chinese fishing nets, it was time for us to move. My
brother asked me, now where should we go. Vypin Island is a peace of land which
is around 26 kilometres long. The main light house of the Port of Kochi is
located in this island. There is also a beautiful beach known as Cherai at the
north western side. What I had in my mind was a Portuguese fort at the northern
end which I had seen some 5 decades back but at that time approached it from the
North and not from the South. Fortunately I could remember the place name and
told my brother to proceed to Pallipuram in the North direction. He also
instantly said Oh! Pallipuram. There is a fort there. I have heard about it but
the location was not known. I said, I am also not very much sure but the fort is
in the northern end.
After travelling for over 20 minutes, we came across a hoarding to our right with the name of the fort. We parked our vehicle on one side and got down. Although there was no need to consult any one, my brother seeing an otherwise educated looking lady going that way, casually enquired about the fort. She said Tipu Sultan’s fort is here and showed us the pathway. She also said if the fort is locked, we may check with the guard there. When I had visited long long ago, the fort could be viewed from the road but now a school building has come up in front and the approach is round about.
Western side while we approach |
The main entrance is towards the East through a small iron gate and few stairs lead you onto a platform constructed above 5 feet from the ground level. There is a small opening at the right side and it appears that the space below was used for storing arms and ammunition. Apart from the ground floor two more floors above would have existed as there are spaces for mounting cannons at two different levels. In the middle there is a circular plastered space and it is presumed that a heavy wooden pole could have supported the two floors (also made of wood). This could have facilitated reaching and manning the cannons positioned facing the sea on three sides. Right now it is open to the sky.
Although the monument is under the State Archaeology department, it appears to be grossly neglected. A broken lock was found on the main gate and no care taker was found during the duration of our stay at the place. There was lot of unwanted vegetation growing close by obstructing a clear view. Some plants have also taken roots on its walls. If the situation remains the same, the monument may not survive for long.
This is awesome information. Should definitely visit this fort.
ReplyDeletehttp://rajniranjandas.blogspot.in/2013/02/maha-kumbh-mela.html
Hello PNS Sir
ReplyDeleteWelcome back after a long break ! Hope you are keeping good health. Great post. Beautiful pictures of the boat ride, the Chinese fishing nets and the fort.The narration is equally informative & interesting. Warm Regards Ram
Lovely pictures and informative narration. Its quite unfortunate that some of the monuments of our country are actually neglected.
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beautifully narrated post...
ReplyDeleteyour photos also good...
a post after long time...
thanks
PNS Sab! Nice to have you back. And what a post, Would love to see this fort in my next visit
ReplyDeleteinteresting place...how do you manage to find them
ReplyDeleteWe have been to cherai beach when in kochi....but did not know about this fort(building).....
ReplyDeletelooks interesting...and ancient :)
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The fort looks amazing. The green colored moss laden walls actually seem to give it a very antique look, at least in the pictures. The chinese fishing net capture is very beautiful too.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing :)
I love to visit ancient places. Your narration and pictures of this place compels me to visit this place.
ReplyDeleteYes, our people never take interest in protecting historical places. Felt sorry looking at the vegetation everywhere.
Thanks for the introduction to a new place.
hi Pns..
ReplyDeletelots of intersting history conencted with this fort. But it is sad that we care a hoot about keeping them and maintaining them for the future. There is so little awareness of such things in our part of the world, but well that is life.
Sad that the such an ancient structure is neglected. When did you go to Kochi? Did you also visit the ongoing Kochi Bienalle?
ReplyDeleteI was there between September to November last year and the Bienalle was scheduled for December. Obviously I could not witness it.
DeleteA lovely post! How come I did not know of this place despite spending more than six months in Kochi:)
ReplyDeleteWonderfully informative.
ReplyDeleteThis is indeed a hidden treasure. I spent a couple of days only in Cochin, wish I knew of this place then. Your pictures give a good idea about the place.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteHello, P.N. Subramanian.
Your heartwarming works fascinates my heart.
Thank you for your kindness and support.
And i pray for you and yours peace.
Have a good week-end. From Japan, ruma❃
good account and lovely pictures
ReplyDeleteHello PNS,
ReplyDeleteGreetings and good wishes.
This post was a surprise to me. Although I go to Vypeen very often, I have never been to Pallipuram. You have packed so much information in this post with interesting photos. Excellent post.
Best wishes,
Joseph
Would love to visit this place.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing
Amazing fort..Beautiful pictures and informative narration..Overall excellent post-thanks
ReplyDeleteWhoa! The most ancient European building in India??? That's special! Its really sad, its not maintained well...
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So sad to note that it is allowed to decay...
ReplyDeleteNice to know about this place .
ReplyDeletethanks..how u doing sir? best wishes alwys
ReplyDeleteहमेशा की तरह सार्थक एवं उपयोगी पोस्ट। आभार एवं बधाई।
ReplyDelete............
एक विनम्र निवेदन: प्लीज़ वोट करें, सपोर्ट करें!