Manora Fort

Very underrated fort and beach... It was really an awesome experience. The fort was built on 18th century by maratha King serfoji. The monument is 8 storied hexagonal tower which was used to store weapons and acts as a lighthouse. The fort was renovated with children's park. Evenings many kids will use the children's park having many rides to play and have toilet facilities. One disadvantage is no shop to dine. Only juice shops will be there near fort. If we take food with us we can park out car n eat under the trees. The beach is also has a good vibe has less tide so anyone can enjoy the sea.... Lots of shops at the shore so after the bath you can have ur favourite snacks like fish fry, potato spring roll etc.

Manors Fort is a place of historic importance and is located about 60kms away from Thanjavur. You can reach by 2/4 wheeler. There is parking facility and parking fee needs to be paid. This fort is built to commemorate the victory of British forces over Napoleon Bonaparte in 1814 by Maratha King Sarofoji- II. You cannot go upto the peak but can go upto two levels. You could see the traditional pit around the fort. It is close to beach. There is a light house but it is closed. Hence you cannot go inside. Beach is close by. You cannot take a boat since it is prohibited by the Govt of Tamilnadu. A must visit place :)

The Manora fort is situated 65 km (40 mi) away from Thanjavur, Tamilnadu, India. The fort was built by Maratha ruler Serfoji II in 1814–1815 to commemorate the successful advance of the British over Napoleon Bonaparte. It is an 8-storied, hexagonal tower, which is 23-meters 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. 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 buildi ng a tourist's shed. Manora fort is 20 km away from the town of Pattukkottai in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu. The fort is picturesquely located in lush greenery surrounded by swaying coconut palms, overlooking the azure waters of the Bay of Bengal. You can’t miss it with its 8-storey, 75-feet high hexagonal tower soaring towards the sky. The tower, which is a striking blend of different architectural styles, is surrounded by a moat and offers stunning views of the sea and the surrounding dense green coconut groves. Locals claim that in the olden days, the Fort overlooked Sri Lanka, a claim unproven so far. Manora was earlier an important port and a center for ship-building. Manora Fort was a summer palace for the Maratha kings and the moat, which had sea water, provided drainage facilities to the fort. There are rest shed surrounding the moat and in olden days, soldiers who guarded the fort, used to stay in these sheds. There were hanging lasers that were used to reach the fort. Manora Fort has been declared a monument and was handed over to the Tamil Nadu Archaeological department. There stands a rather splendid and unique tower at Manora, a few kilometres southeast from Orathanadu, on a deserted stretch of coastline on the Bay of Bengal. It is 65 kilometres from Thanjavur and 20 km from Pattukkottai, and is situated at Mallipattinam alias Sarabendra Rajanpattinam. The name Manora is derived from the word "minaret" meaning small tower. The tower stands within fortified walls and a moat. The multi-storeyed and tapering tower rises to a height of 22.30 metres. With its arched windows and eaves that separate one storey from the next, the monument resembles a pagoda.

Manora, a historic tower in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, stands as a testament to architectural brilliance. Built in 1814, this 8-storey tower is a symbol of Maratha glory. Its unique blend of Indo-Saracenic design and Muslim influences captivates visitors. Climbing its spiral staircase reveals panoramic views of the town and the Bay of Bengal. Manora's rich history and stunning vistas make it a captivating destination for history enthusiasts and travelers seeking an elevated perspective