Aralvaimozhi Fort, Kanyakumari
Aralvaimozhi
(Aramboly) Fort is an ancient Fort located at Aralvaimozhi in Kanyakumari
District of Tamilnadu. Aralvaimozhi is an important mountain
pass through the Western Ghats which leads to the West
and many of the invasions faced by the Chera and the successor kingdoms came via the Ghat. The
name Aralvaimozhi has got a beautiful meaning, something like the 'whispering mountains’.
The strong wind blowing through the ridges and valleys with a whispering sound
creates a romantic effect. The history of this beautiful place is connected
with the Travancore Kingdom.
The name
"Aral" was derived from the fort built and maintained by the rulers of Venadu and later by the kingdom of Travancore to defend the kingdom from invasions from the east
regions. The fort was captured by the English East India Company in 1809 from
the soldiers loyal to Velu Thampi Dalawa. The remains of the fort can be seen near railway
station; but neglected by both railway and archeology departments.
The
Aramboly Fort was built and maintained by the rulers of Venadu and
later by the kingdom of Travancore to defend the kingdom from
invasions from the eastern regions. The 27 kilometers long Fort was from
Kadukkarai hills touching Aramboly and ending at Kanyakumari. It was
constructed in A.D.1744 by the Dutch Naval commander Eustachius De Lannoy, who
later served in the Travancore Army. He appointed one Marthanda pillai Valia
Ejaman as the commander of the soldiers stationed at the eastern side and
the latter who reconstructed the demolished fort at Aramboly, the eastern
frontier village of Travancore.
Another
notable point is that this fort played an important role in the war between
Dewan Velu Thampi and the English East India. Company’s army Col.Wales of the
English army mentioned that in the Aralvaimozhi fort, 50 cannons were preserved
and nearly 10,000 soldiers were stationed there to protect it. The fort was
captured by the English East India Company in 1809 from the soldiers loyal
to Velu Thampi Dalawa. About 1810 the British forces under the command of
St. Leger marched into Nanjilnad through the Aramboly pass and demolished the
defence lines.
The
rubbles of this fort can be seen at a number of places near the railway
station. A well which once provided water to the soldiers of Travancore still
exists near the Fort wall. The Murugan Kuntram Watchtower, is a
leftover of the Aramboly Fort. The view of a sparkling temple with an ancient
Fort creates a beautiful contrast. The Murugan Kutram Temple is located on a
small hillock near the Murugan Kutram Watchtower. The flight of stairs leads
the devotees from the foothill to the shrine. From here, one can enjoy the
scenic beauty of Western Ghats, the Arabian sea, Indian ocean and the Bay of
Bengal. A series of Fort remains can be seen throughout the region.
Portions
of the Aramboly Fort can be seen at Mahadhanapuram, Kottaiyadi, Kottaram,
Punnaarkulam Pottalkulam, Chuttupottai and Aramparakottai. The fort was made of
granite stones with bastions for keeping canons and served as watch towers. The
wall was 12.20 feet high. In some areas, it was made of burned laterite bricks
and granite stones. The bricks were heavy. It was a wonder how these massive
structures were made in those days (before 300 years) when everything should be
done manually. Manaltheri, located near the Kanyakumari sea shore is where
the great Kadukarai – Kanyakumari fort ends.
Aralvaimozhi
is located at about 2.5 Kms from Thovalai, 4 Kms from Thovalai Railway Station,
17 Kms from Nagercoil, 11 Kms from Boothapandi, 26 Kms from Kanyakumari and 94
Kms from Thiruvananthapuram. Nearest Railway Stations are located at
Aralvaimozhi and Thovalai. Nearest Airport is located at Thiruvananthapuram.
