View source for Kovilthottam Lighthouse

{{Short description|Lighthouse in Kerala, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2018}}
{{Infobox lighthouse
| image_name             = Kovilthottam Lighthouse, Nov 2016.jpg
| caption                = The lighthouse in 2016
| location               = Kovilthottam, [[Kollam district|Kollam]], [[India]]
| coordinates            = {{coord|8.984715|76.524523|format=dms|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| yearbuilt              = 1953 (first)
| yearlit                = 1962
| foundation             = reinforced concrete
| construction           = masonry tower
| marking                = black tower with a horizontal white band, black lantern
| shape                  = square tower with balcony and lantern
| height                 = {{convert|18|m}}
| focalheight            = {{convert|20|m}} above [[mean sea level|MSL]]
| lens                   = 250&nbsp;mm 4th order cut & polished drum optic inside 1.8&nbsp;m diameter Lantern House (BBT)
| intensity              = 500W halogen lamp (220/250 volt) AC
| range                  = {{convert|15|nmi}}
| characteristic         = Fl W 5s.
}}

'''Kovilthottam Lighthouse''' is situated at Kovilthottam in [[Kollam district]] of [[Kerala]]. The 18-meter-tall [[lighthouse]] tower is painted with black and white alternating bands.<ref name="Lighthouses">{{Cite web |url=http://kerala.bizhat.com/lighthouses.html |title=Lighthouses in Kerala |access-date=19 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150319042907/http://kerala.bizhat.com/lighthouses.html |archive-date=19 March 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> Operated by the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships, the lighthouse features a 70 W LED light with a range of 15 nautical miles and the characteristic Fl (3) W 15s.

== History ==
== Structure & Technical Specifications ==
The Kovilthottam Lighthouse stands on the Arabian Sea coast near the mouth of the [[Ashtamudi Lake]]. The lighthouse was constructed to aid navigation for vessels entering the [[Neendakara]] and [[Chavara]] backwaters, which are vital for the local fishing and cashew industries. The tower is a cylindrical concrete structure with a height of 18 meters (59 ft), painted with black and white horizontal bands, and topped by a red lantern. The focal plane of the light is situated 17 meters above mean sea level. The lighthouse originally used an oil-based light source, later replaced by an electronic flasher powered by solar energy. The current light characteristic is Fl (3) W 15s, meaning three white flashes every 15 seconds, with a range of 15 nautical miles. The light source is a 70 W LED, and the lantern uses a 6-panel optic manufactured by [[J. Stone & Co|M/s J. Stone & Co. Ltd.]], UK.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kovilthottam Light house DGLL |url=https://www.dgll.nic.in/sites/default/files/2022-12/Master%20Ledger%20Cochin%2014.pdf |access-date=11 July 2025 |website=dgll.nic.in}}</ref> The structure includes a service room and gallery, and is operated and maintained by the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships (DGLL) under [[Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways]].<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/Indian_Journal_of_Radio_Space_Physics/nN76foOYsGwC |title=Indian Journal of Radio & Space Physics |date=1994 |publisher=Council of Scientific & Industrial Research |page=257 |language=en}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Portal|India|Engineering}}
* [[List of lighthouses in India]]

== References ==
<ref>{{cite web |title=Indian Lighthouses – An overview |url=http://www.dgll.nic.in/WriteReadData/Publication/Publication_Pdf_File/LighthousesofIndia(2).pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218163515/http://www.dgll.nic.in/WriteReadData/Publication/Publication_Pdf_File/LighthousesofIndia(2).pdf |archive-date=18 December 2014 |access-date=2 April 2015 |publisher=DGLL India}}</ref>{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Lighthouse Digest|6315}}
* {{Commons category-inline|Kovilthottam Lighthouse|position=left}}
* {{ARLHS link}}

{{Lighthouses in Kerala|state=expanded}}
{{Kollam |state=collapsed}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Lighthouses in Kerala]]
[[Category:Lighthouses completed in 1953]]
[[Category:1953 establishments in Travancore–Cochin]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Kollam]]
[[Category:Lighthouses completed in 1961]]