Pondicherry Lighthouse
The old lighthouse of Pondicherry. The new lighthouse is seen in the background. | |
| Location | Pondicherry, India |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 11°55′59″N 79°50′08″E / 11.932972°N 79.835585°E |
| Tower | |
| Constructed | 1836 |
| Construction | stone (tower) |
| Height | 27 m (89 ft) |
| Shape | cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern |
| Markings | White (tower), green (dome) |
| Light | |
| Deactivated | 1979 |
| Pondicherry lighthouse (new) | |
| Coordinates | 11°55′00″N 79°49′51″E / 11.9166°N 79.8308°E |
| Constructed | 1979 |
| Construction | concrete (tower) |
| Height | 46 m (151 ft) |
| Shape | hexagonal tower with balcony and lantern |
| Markings | Black and white (tower) |
| Focal height | 48 m (157 ft) |
| Characteristic | Fl(2) W 15s |
Pondicherry Lighthouse (French: Phare de Pondichéry) is a central government institution under ministry of ports, shipping and waterways, providing navigational aids to the mariners. The old lighthouse was constructed in Pondicherry in the nineteenth century by the French rulers. A new lighthouse was constructed in 20th century by the government of India. The old lighthouse had first beamed light on 1 September 1836. It is a 29 m tall cylindrical tower with a square base initially used six oil lamps and two reflectors, later electrified in 1913 and upgraded in 1931 to extend its range to 26 nautical miles. The structure underwent significant modernization and is now equipped with 70 W LED lamps, solar-power backup, and automated systems. Alternating black and white bands, a double gallery, RACON, and DGPS support make it a critical aid for vessels navigating the southeast coast of India.