| Two restored buildings will stand as reminders of a
Danish Admiral, Ove Gedde, sent by the king of Denmark with two ships.
They were well received by the Nayak ruler of Tanjore, and given this
territory. Then Dansborg, the fort of Tarangambadi - Tranquebar for the
Danes- was established to export pepper to Denmark. Today you can drive
in through a beautiful gate of the majestic King Street, past Lutheran
churches and grand bungalows of the Danish Governors' and the British
Collector's residence. Re-live marine history, visit the temples of
Kumbakonam and Tanjore. Stopover for that 'while' which seems eternity. |
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If the Bungalow on the Beach with its high ceilings,
evolves the formality of colonial rulers, the Gate House and Nayak House
are examples of indigenous Tamil architecture where red tiled roofs
surround courtyards of domestic proportions. The Gate House, just by the
gateway to this haloed world of white homes and Lutheran churches is a
palm-ringed property with a cooling pool at its heart. The rooms are
traditional with a contemporary uncluttered feel. The Nayak House is a
honeymooners idyllic cottage parked at the edge of civilization with a
private sea attached. Guests can live in any of these but are free to
dine at the Bungalow on the Beach or at the Tamil Nadu Hotel that offer
traditional Tamil cuisine. |
| Tranquebar is a Dutch, Danish, British Colonial
heritage town of pristine beauty and perennial charm, situated on the
Coromandel Coast in the Nagapattinam District in Tamil Nadu, South
India. Tharangambadi, ‘the land of the singing waves’ as the town is
known in Tamil, became Tranquebar for the Danes! This picturesque
coastal town lies 15 km south of the ancient Chola port of Pumpuhar, and
15 km north of the former French comptoir of Karikal. |
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Motivated by huge profit made by the British and the
Dutch East India Companies and driven by the desire of the Danish
Monarch to play a dominant role in the world trade of that time, the
Danish East India Company was formed in Denmark in 1616. In 1620 a
treaty was entered into between Christian IV, the king of Denmark and
Ragunatha Nayak, the king of Tanjore by which the Danes were given
permission to erect a fortress at Tranquebar (the Dansborg Fort) and pay
an annual rent of Rs. 3111/-. Till 1845 Tranquebar was a Danish Trade
Settlement ruled by Governors, till the British took over its
administration. |
| Bartholomaeus Ziegenbalg and Heinrich Pluetschau, the
German Missionaries from Halle sent by Frederick IV, the king of
Denmark, to spread the Gospel in the Danish settlement, reached
Tranquebar in 1706 and founded the Tranquebar Lutheran mission. A
printing press was installed in the year 1712 and, in 1715, The New
Testament, translated into Tamil by Ziegenbalg, was printed in the
Tranquebar Mission Press. For the supply of paper and printing ink a
Paper Mill and an ink manufacturing unit were established in nearby
Porayar. |
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Since Lutheranism spread to the length and breadth of
India from here and a mint started functioning from 1753, Tranquebar is
called “The Gateway of Protestantism to India”. Impressed by the Mission
work of the missionaries the king of Denmark sent Moravians to
Tranquebar in 1760 to do missionary work in the Nicobar Islands. Since
43 out of 73 Moravians met with untimely death due to tropical heat and
yellow fever the enterprise in Nicobar was closed down in 1803. |
| The 700 year old Masilamani Nathar Temple built in
1306 AD by the Pandya King Maravarman Kulasekara Pandyan is unique in
its architecture. It was built combining Chinese architecture with Tamil
architectural technique, possibly in an attempt to attract Chinese
merchants who were visiting India. |
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Tranquebar is also associated with personalities like
the Governor General Peter Anker (a great painter), Catherine Worlee
(the great beauty who was to become the Marchioness of Tallerand), Lady
Clive, Mayuram Vedanayagam Pillai (the first Indian judge), Thillaiyadi
Valliammai (a Tamil Satyagrahi who sacrificed her life in South Africa).
Tranquebar is also famous for its train that functioned from 1926 to
1986. The Tsunami hit Tranquebar on 26.12.2004 and nearly 800 persons
died, mostly women and children, but the 400 year old Danish Fort was
not affected. |
| The restored Bungalow stands as a reminder of a
Danish Admiral, Ove Gjedde, sent by the king of Denmark with two ships.
They were well received by the Nayak ruler of Tanjore, and given this
territory. Then Dansborg, the Fort of Tharangambadi – a solid example of
Scandinavian military architecture was established to export pepper to
Denmark. The oldest Lutheran church in India was built here in 1706.
Today you can drive in through a beautiful gate of the majestic King
Street, past Lutheran churches and grand bungalows of the Danish
Governors’ and the British Collector’s residence. Re-live marine
history; visit the temples of Kumbakonam and Tanjore. The town remains a
glorious tribute to architecture from across the world. Tranquebar is
reputed to have the thickest ozone layer in India which is ideal for
relaxation as it rejuvenates and helps all those who visit prolong their
life. Facing full east, The Bungalow on the Beach gives guests their own
encounter with the sun and sea breeze. Time becomes irrelevant when you
stand facing the sunrise: a 14th century Pandya temple on your left and
a 17th century Danish fort to the right. |
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Rooms
Christianus Septimus:
This room is named after a Danish ship which sailed to Tranquebar (named
after King Christian VII of Denmark and Norway). It is situated on the
first floor level in between Princess Louise and Countess Moltke and has
views of the garden. A contemporary four-poster bed in peach commands
the tone of the room while an old colonial almirah and desk lend it the
coastal charm. The high louvered doors and the woven, striped sea grass
mat announce the coastal flavours. |
| Countess Moltke:
This room is named after a Danish ship which sailed to Tranquebar. It is
situated on the first floor level and has access to the verandah that
faces the garden and the Dansborg Fort. A contemporary four-poster bed
in lemon commands the tone of the room while an old colonial almirah and
desk lend it the coastal charm. The high louvered doors and the woven,
striped sea grass mat announce the coastal flavours. The antique rocking
chair is a perfect place to sit and catch up with leisure reading. |
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Crown Prince of Denmark:
This room is named after a Danish ship which sailed to Tranquebar.
Situated adjacent to Prince Christian on the first floor level, this
room has pale blue interiors which evoke the same peaceful feeling as
the sea view does. Walk on to the verandah to enjoy the sea breeze and
180 degree views of the sea and surroundings. |
| Prince Christian:
This room is named after a Danish ship which sailed to Tranquebar (named
after Christian IV, the king of Denmark). It is situated on the first
floor level and has views of the pool, sea and the early 14th century
Masilamani Nathar temple from its window and the Dansborg Fort from its
verandah. A walk-in dressing room provides ample space for storing
luggage. Lavender voils adorn a turned four poster bed in a room
evocative of the heyday. Walk on to the verandah to enjoy the sea breeze
and 180 degree views of the sea and surroundings. |
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Princess Louise:
This room is named after a Danish ship – Princess Louise (named after
the British Princess Louise who was also known as Marchioness of Lorne
and Duchess of Argyll by marriage). This is the largest room in The
Bungalow on the Beach and is situated on the first floor level. It has
access to the verandah with views of the garden, the pool, and the sea.
Jade green voils adorn a brass four poster bed while an old colonial
almirah and desk lend in the colonial charm. |
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Bronze: The Bronze Room is housed in a tower above
the tree tops with 360 degree views of the sea and the palms. It is a
favourite hideout for young couples – literally a lovers’ nest!
Platinum: The Platinum Room has 2 single beds. A window faces the sea
and a door leads on to the verandah on the sea-view. The lounge chairs
are a perfect venue to relax and listen to the waves.
Silver:
The Silver Room is a monastic room with a double bed and a detached
bathroom. A great option for a person on a budget.
Gold: The Gold
Room has a four poster double bed, laced above in slatted wood. A window
faces the sea and a door leads on to the verandah on the sea-view. The
lounge chairs are a perfect venue to relax and listen to the waves.
Queen Anna Sophia: This room is named after a Danish ship (named
after a Danish noble, royal mistress, spouse by bigamy and, later, queen
consort of Denmark and Norway 1721-30, the second spouse of King
Frederick IV of Denmark and Norway). Situated on the first floor level,
this room has sea-blue interiors which evoke the same feeling as the
sea. It has views of the sea and the Dansborg Fort. Walk on to the
verandah to enjoy the sea breeze and 360 degree views of the sea and
surroundings.
Oldenburg: This room is named after a Danish ship
that sailed to Tranquebar. It is situated near the pool on the ground
floor level and has access to the back verandah facing the garden and
sea. Barrels that once travelled the ships stand tame reminders as
bedside tables. Pale pink voils adorn a contemporary four-poster bed
while an old colonial almirah and desk lend it the coastal charm. The
high louvered doors and the woven and striped sea grass mat announce the
coastal flavours.
Elephant: A ship sailing for India could
certainly have been named The Elephant, a well-known cliché of the
Orient. This room is situated near the front entrance of the Bungalow on
the ground floor level and has access to the back verandah facing the
garden and sea. The posters of the bed evoke elephant legs while an old
colonial almirah and desk lend it the coastal charm. The high louvered
doors and the woven, striped sea grass mat announce the coastal
flavours. |
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Tariff Valid from 1st October
2011 to 30th September 2012 |
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| Rooms |
Type |
Beds |
Price |
|
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A/C |
Honeymoon |
|
|
| 1. Prince Christian |
Grand Room |
1 Double |
Rs 6000 |
|
| 2. Crown Prince of Denmark |
Grand Room |
2 Single |
Rs 6000 |
|
| 3. Queen Anna Sophia |
Grand Room |
1 Double |
Rs 6000 |
|
| 4. Princess Louise |
Grand Room |
1 Double |
Rs 5000 |
|
| 5. Countess Moltke |
Grand Room |
1 Double |
Rs 5000 |
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| 6. Christianus Septimus |
Grand Room |
1 Double |
Rs 5000 |
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| 7. Oldenburg |
Grand Room |
1 Double |
Rs 4000 |
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| 8. Elephant |
Grand Room |
1 Double |
Rs 4000 |
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The Gate House |
| 1. Kumbakonam |
Grand Room |
1 Double |
Rs 3000 |
| 2. Thanjavur |
Grand Room |
1 Double |
Rs 3000 |
| 3. Chidambaram |
Suite |
1 Double & 1 Single |
Rs 4000 |
| 4. Swamimalai |
Grand Room |
2 Single |
Rs 3500 |
| 5. Darasuram |
Grand Room |
1 Double |
Rs 3500 |
| 6. Srirangam |
Grand Room |
1 Double |
Rs 3500 |
|
(Rooms 5 & 6 are inter-connected through the verandah) |
| Nayak House |
|
| 1. Platinum |
Room |
2 Single |
Rs 3000 |
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| 2. Gold |
Room |
1 Double |
Rs 3000 |
|
| 3. Silver |
Room |
1 Double |
Rs 1000 |
|
| 4. Bronze |
Tower Room |
2 Single |
Rs 3000 |
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Food & Beverage
Breakfast is included in the room tariff. Fixed menus are offered at The
Bungalow on the Beach at per head rates: Lunch/Dinner Rs 530.
Bar facility is not yet available. |
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