Tharangambadi

Tharangambadi is a small town on the Bay of Bengal in the state of Tamil Nadu in southern India. The streets run parallel to the coastline and pass colonial-era buildings, residential quarters and several churches.

Traders from Denmark founded a trading post on this coast in 1620 and built Fort Dansborg as the center of their operations. The settlement remained under Danish administration until 1845 and was then sold to the British.

The name comes from the Tamil word for »place of singing waves« and refers to the sound of surf along the beach. Local people use the narrow lanes between old trading buildings and residential houses for daily trips to the market or temples.

Most visitors reach the town by road from Chennai, about 280 kilometers (175 miles) to the south, or from smaller towns in Tamil Nadu. The museum in the fort opens during morning and afternoon hours, and churches can be visited outside service times.

A small plaque near the gate recalls that the first Bible in Tamil language was created here. The printing took place in a workshop inside the fort walls, where missionaries and local craftsmen worked together.

Location: Tharangambadi taluk

GPS coordinates: 11.03250,79.85306

Latest update: December 14, 2025 17:23