Cannanore lighthouse, Maritime navigation tower in Payyambalam Beach, India
Cannanore lighthouse is a cylindrical concrete tower with a red band located on Payyambalam Beach and rises about 35 meters above sea level. The structure remains operational as a navigation facility for ships and houses a museum displaying maritime artifacts and historical equipment.
British authorities first installed a beacon here in 1843 to guide ships approaching the Malabar Coast. The current tower was built in 1903 and has been upgraded several times since, progressing from simple oil lamps to modern lighting equipment.
The lighthouse takes its name from the historic port town of Cannanore and reflects the maritime identity of this Kerala coast. Visitors can observe how the structure continues to serve passing ships and connects the land to the busy shipping routes below.
The lighthouse welcomes visitors for guided tours through its interior, offering views of the surrounding area and coastline from above. The best time to visit is in early morning or late afternoon when the light is most favorable for observing the landscape.
Inside the tower visitors can see a historical Fresnel lens, a complex optical device that was visible to sailors across great distances. This lens is now preserved in the museum collection opened in 2015 and shows the technological progress of maritime navigation.
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