Kovilthottam_Lighthouse Knowpia

Kovilthottam lighthouse
	The lighthouse in 2016
Location	Kovilthottam, Kollam, India
Coordinates	8°59′05″N 76°31′28″E / 8.984715°N 76.524523°E
Tower
Constructed	1953 (first)
Foundation	reinforced concrete
Construction	masonry tower
Height	18 metres (59 ft)
Shape	square tower with balcony and lantern
Markings	black tower with a horizontal white band, black lantern
Light
First lit	1962
Focal height	20 metres (66 ft) above MSL
Lens	250 mm 4th order cut & polished drum optic inside 1.8 m diameter Lantern House (BBT)
Intensity	500W halogen lamp (220/250 volt) AC
Range	15 nautical miles (28 km; 17 mi)
Characteristic	Fl W 5s.

Kovilthottam Lighthouse is situated at Kovilthottam in Kollam district of Kerala. The 18-meter tall lighthouse tower is painted with black and white alternating bands.^[2] The lighthouse has been provided to serve the Port of Neendakara situated at the entrance to Ashtamudi Backwaters.

Location edit

Kovilthottam Lighthouse is situated at Kollam Metropolitan Area. It is about 20 km away from Kollam city centre.

Chavara – 2.6 km
Neendakara – 8.6 km
Karunagappally - 10 km
Tangasseri Lighthouse – 15.2 km
Kollam – 20 km
Paravur – 40.7 km

History edit

Before the construction of Kovilthottam, there was a flag mast at this location. Later, a wooden tower was constructed here. A blinking DA gas light was installed on 14 February 1953. This temporary arrangement was replaced later in 1960–1961 after the completion of the masonry tower. The emergency source was replaced by 12V 100W Halogen lamp in a 200 mm optic outside the lantern on 14 February 1999.^[3]

References edit

^ "Indian Lighthouses – An overview" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 December 2014. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
^ "Lighthouses in Kerala". Archived from the original on 19 March 2015. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
^ "Indian Lighthouses – An overview" (PDF). DGLL India. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 December 2014. Retrieved 2 April 2015.