Bungalow on the Beach, Tharangampadi, Nagapattinam
The Bungalow
on the Beach is an 18th century Danish colonial house which has belonged to the Governor
of Danish India, who was styled Opperhoved, and after their exit in 1845, to the British administrator of the colony. Built in the 18th
century, opposite the Fort Dansborg, by the Danish East India Company in what was once a pepper trading post of Tranquebar, now known as Tharangampadi, in Tamilnadu.
Tranquebar
is a Danish term and came from the native Tamil word Tarangambadi, meaning
'place of the singing waves'. The bungalow was acquired by Neemrana
Hotels in 2000, and after
restoration was opened in 2004, the company also runs two more heritage hotels
in the town, Gate House and Nayak House.
History
Founded
in 1616, following a privilege of Danish King Christian IV, the Danish East India Company, set up its base
in Tranquebar, in the fort Dansborg, which was the seat of its
Governor of Danish India, styled Opperhoved. Here Ove
Gjedde, a Danish admiral arrived
in 1620. He was given territory by the Nayak
ruler of Tanjore. The Danish then settled
there so as to export pepper to Denmark. They remained there until 1845, when
after suffering heavy losses, the colony of Tranquebar was sold to British
Raj, and thereafter the house became the residence of the
British administrator of the colony.
The
bungalow was then sold to Rao Bahadur Vellia Nadar; who was a prominent
distillery owner whose descendants lived in it for over 125 years. Rao Bahadur
Vellia Nadar was the uncle of Rao Bahadur T. Rattinasami Nadar of Porayar (a
nearby town) T. Rattinasami Nadar was famous for forming the Nadar Mahajana Sangam
and the Tamil Nadu Mercantile Bank (formerly called The Nadar Bank). The house
was referred to as "Nadar Veedu" and was sold during the 1990's to
the Taj group.
In 2000,
the Bungalow was bought by heritage hotel company, Neemrana Hotels, which after
two years of extensive restoration, the hotel opened on Christmas Eve in 2004,
though the next day, Indian Ocean tsunami seriously damage it, and another
three months of restoration was required thereafter.
Bungalow
This
place is a 17th century British Collector’s bungalow that faces the
East Coast of India in the sleepy fishing town of Tranquebar or locally known
as Tharangampadi. This 17th century heritage bungalow is now the property
of Neemrana non-hotel Hotels, who manage it as a luxury resort. This hotel
property is a 2 storied bungalow with a huge courtyard. Most of the courtyard
is now beautifully landscaped gardens with a huge swimming pool to the
east.
Everything
about this place oozes royalty starting with the name of the street ‘King’s
Street’ where this Bungalow is located. The bungalow from inside resembles the
architecture of the 17th century. It is entirely built with
thick wood with some support from bricks. Even the beams and the pillars are
built using this wood. The stairway through the centre of the bungalow, the
porticos, the hallways, the high ceilings all look magnificent.
All the
rooms share a similar architecture. With the exception of the air-conditioner,
the water system and the water heater, everything looks like antique material,
but very rich and presentable. All the rooms in ‘Bungalow on the Beach’
are named after the Danish ships that were docked at the port of Tranquebar in
the 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th centuries.
These names also help in bringing an air of charm within these rooms. The
rooms on the ground floor do not have a beach view and hence come cheaper plus
luxury tax.
The
rooms that have a beach view are slightly larger and come with a higher price
plus luxury tax. All rooms come with a verandah and a sit out. Breakfast for
two people comes complimentary with the room. For food, there is an
in-house kitchen that serves a reasonable number of French and Indian dishes.
Food here tastes great, but if you need your food spicy, please inform before
placing your order. Alcohol is not served at this place with the exception of
wine, champagne and beer.
Food
prices are fairly reasonable. In terms of luxury, the place in itself feels
royal. In addition, there is a swimming pool and a lovely green garden. For
sightseeing, one can visit the 13th century Chola temple, the 17th
century Dansborg Fort and Danish churches which are located nearby. In the
mornings and the evenings, one can explore and enjoy the sandy Tranquebar beach
and the city ruins. One can also use the ‘Bungalow on the Beach’ as a base to
explore the historic and religious port town of Poompuhar and the temple
district of Kumbakonam that are situated at most a couple of hours away.
If you
are the kind of person who loves an idling vacation, then this place provides
the right amount of privacy and serenity. Neemrana, the hotel group that
manages ‘Bungalow on the Beach’ also runs another property close by called ‘The
Gateway’.
Contact
The
Bungalow on the Beach,
24 King
Street,
Tharangampadi
– 609313,
Nagapattinam
District
Phone: +91 – 4364 289036
Phone: +91 124 4666 166
Mobile: +91 9786100461
Email: bungalowonthebeach@neemranahotels.com
Connectivity
Bungalow
on the Beach is located in Tharangampadi, located 283 kms (176 miles) from the state
capital Chennai and 30 kms from
Mayiladuthurai, in Nagapattinam District. Nearest Railway Station is located at
Mayiladuthurai & Nearest Airport is located at Trichy.
