Marunthukkottai Fort (Fort of Medicine), Thuckalay,
Kanyakumari
Marunthukkottai
Fort is an ancient Fort located near Thuckalay Town in Kanyakumari District of
Tamilnadu. The Marunthukkottai was used to treat the wounded soldiers, to
manufacture and store the gunpowder. This fort was built during the reign of
the King Bala Marthanda Varma (1729-1758) by his illustrious European General,
Delaney (1715-1777). It was located on the hillock at a height of 895 feet from
the sea level. The area of the fort, which was well fortified with bastions and
gun holes, was about an acre.
The fort
has an entrance on the eastern side with a granite frame. There was an
inscription on the large door, measuring about 5 feet in height and 3 feet in
width. Inside the fort there was a stone mandapam measuring 15 X 10 X 8 feet.
Today all these were in ruins. Wild growth of trees and its ramifying roots
have done great damage to the fort walls and the mandapam. From this fort, one
can see the enchanting natural scenery of Padmanabhapuram.
The
structural details of the fort indicated that this was one of the active forts
during the time of Venadu Kings. The Fort is located at a walkable distance
from Marunthu Kottai Bus Stop. The Fort is located at about 14 Kms from Kulasekharam,
4 Kms from Thuckalay, 15 Kms from Colachel, 15 Kms from Nagercoil, 43 Kms from Kanyakumari,
7 Kms from Eraniel, 24 Kms from Boothapandi, 23 Kms from Suchindram, 15 Kms
from Marthandam and 61 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram. Nearest Railway Station is
located at Eraniel and Nearest Airport is located at Thiruvananthapuram.
