The Manora Fort is situated 20 km (12 mi) away from
Napoléon Bonaparte. It is an eight-storeyed, hexagonal tower, which is 23 m high overlooking the Bay of Bengal. The fort derives its name Manora, from the word Minaret
In December 2004, five monuments including the fort were damaged in the
Indian Ocean Tsunami.[2] It was planned in 2007 by the State Tourism Department to renovate the structure and improve its infrastructure by building several additional facilities including upgrading the children's park and building a tourist's shed.[3]
The fort acted as a residence for the royal family and also as a light-house.
Architecture
The fort is located in 20 km (12 mi) away from
minar meaning tower.[7] The fort is hexagonal structure and has eight storeys, raising to a height of 75 ft (23 m) tapering to its top. The tower is surrounded by a wall and a moat ant it resembles a fort. The monument looks like a pagoda, with arched windows, circular staircase and eaves separating one storey from the other.[1][3][4][5][8]
An information board at the fort
Renovation in modern times
The restoration and conservation of the monument was started in 2000 and completed in 2003. Tourists are allowed access up to the second level of the fort. A considerable part of the fort was damaged during the
Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004.[2][5] The Tamil Nadu state Tourism Development Corporation allocated ₹3,195,000 (US$40,000) for improving the infrastructure around the fort. The project was to develop children's park to have additional facilities, provide additional lighting, install display boards, plant saplings along the road, lay new road from Sethu Road to the fort and modify thatched umbrella roof structures on the beach.[3] The fort is one of the most prominent tourist attractions in the district.[8]
References
^ abJoshi, G.V. (15 February 2003). "Victory Tower". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 10 July 2003. Retrieved 9 April 2008.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
