India Set To Begin 'Lighthouse Tourism'

Both Chiranjeevi and Deora said that the development of such lighthouses will not only help protect national heritage, but also kindle interest among youth in the country's rich maritime history and heritage.

Named after Kanhoji Angre who led the Maratha navy between 1708 and 1729, and engaged British, Dutch and Portuguese navies in battle, the lighthouse is located on Kanhoji Angre Island, a hillock in the Arabian Sea, earlier known as Kennery Island and Khanderi Island.

It is located opposite the tiny Thal fishing port, nine nautical miles from Gateway of India, to the south and serves as an important landmark at the entrance of the busy Mumbai Harbour.

In 1852, a beacon was constructed on the Khanderi Island, which was later demolished because of its similarity with the Colaba lighthouse.

In October 1866, a new 17-metre-high octagonal masonry lighthouse was constructed, and the first light was lit there June 1867 to guide shipping vessels.

The first large wick lamp and optic assembly were supplied by Messrs. Chance Brothers, Birmingham, UK, which was replaced by a PV burner in 1930.

On the tiny Khanderi Island, there is a fort built by the Portuguese and later conquered by the Marathas.

In 1998, on the occasion Mumbai Port Trust's 125th anniversary celebrations, the Khanderi Island was renamed "Kanhoji Angre Island".

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