What to expect
Udayagiri Fort
This 17th-century fort was rebuilt between 1741 and 1744 by Maharaja Marthanda Varma under the Flemish commander Eustachius De Lannoy, and served as Travancore's chief military barracks and gun-casting foundry. De Lannoy, his wife and son are buried in a ruined chapel inside the fort, marked by a bilingual Tamil-Latin tombstone. The 90-acre granite-hillock site is now managed as a biodiversity park by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department.
Practical guide
Plan Udayagiri Fort
Typeheritage
Nearest baseThuckalay
Best timeOctober to March is the cooler, drier season in the Cauvery delta
Time neededAbout an hour
EntryNominal entry fee
Nearest town/baseThuckalay
DistrictKanniyakumari
Place typeheritage
Time neededAbout an hour.
This 17th-century fort was rebuilt between 1741 and 1744 by Maharaja Marthanda Varma under the Flemish commander Eustachius De Lannoy, and served as Travancore's chief military barracks and gun-casting foundry. De Lannoy, his wife and son are buried in a ruined chapel inside the fort, marked by a bilingual Tamil-Latin tombstone. The 90-acre granite-hillock site is now managed as a biodiversity park by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department.
Udayagiri Fort is planned from Thuckalay, one of the travel bases in Kanniyakumari district. Use Thuckalay for stays, food and local transport, then plan this place as a focused stop.
Visiting
Udayagiri Fort — at a glance
TimingsDaily 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Best timeOctober to March
Entry: Nominal entry fee
Getting here
How to reach Udayagiri Fort
About 2 km from Thuckalay; nearest railway Nagercoil Junction (~20 km) or Kuzhithurai (~13 km); nearest airport Thiruvananthapuram (TRV) ~60 km.
Combine the fort ruins with a walk through the surrounding biodiversity park; wear sturdy footwear for the rocky trails.
Getting there
How to visit
- Base yourself in Thuckalay or nearby in Kanniyakumari, then confirm the last-mile route locally before travel.
- If access depends on temple, museum or seasonal rules, check on the day before you go.
Timing
Best time
October to March is the cooler, drier season in the Cauvery delta.
Weather in Udayagiri FortSeasonal guide
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Visitor notes
Safety
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On the map
Where Udayagiri Fort is
Photos
Udayagiri Fort in pictures
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What’s near Udayagiri Fort
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Udayagiri Fort — frequently asked
When is the best time to visit Udayagiri Fort?
October to March is the cooler, drier season in the Cauvery delta.
What are the entry fee and timings at Udayagiri Fort?
Entry: Nominal entry fee. Timings: Daily 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Fees and timings are indicative — confirm on site before you travel.
How do I reach Udayagiri Fort?
Base yourself in Thuckalay or nearby in Kanniyakumari, then confirm the last-mile route locally before travel. If access depends on temple, museum or seasonal rules, check on the day before you go.
How much time do I need for Udayagiri Fort?
About an hour.
What else is near Udayagiri Fort?
Nearby you can pair Padmanabhapuram Palace (1.3 km), St. Antony's Church, Chemmanvilai (2.1 km), Peer Mohammed Dargah (2.2 km), Thiruvithamcode Arappally (St. Mary's Orthodox Church) (3.7 km).
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Image credits
- Udayagiri Fort:Sugeesh, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0