en Vypin Lighthouse

Vypin Lighthouse
*Cochin Lighthouse*
	The lighthouse in 2023
Location	Puthuvype, Kochi, Kerala; India
Coordinates	9°59′54″N 76°13′18″E / 9.998397°N 76.221599°E
Tower
Constructed	1839 (first)
Construction	concrete tower
Height	46 metres (151 ft)
Shape	octagonal tower with balcony and lantern
Markings	white and red horizontal bands, white lantern
Light
First lit	1979 (current)
Focal height	49 metres (161 ft)
Range	28 nautical miles (52 km; 32 mi)
Characteristic	Fl (4) W 20s.

The Vypin Lighthouse or Cochin Lighthouse^[1]^[2] is situated at Puthuvype in Kochi, Kerala. India. It started as an oil-fuelled lamp at Fort Kochi in 1839, and was updated over the years. It was replaced by a structure in Puthuvype in 1979. It is the tallest lighthouse in Kerala.

The lighthouse, near Putuvype beach, is open to visitors.

Technical details

The tower is 46 metres (151 ft) high, and is made of double-layered concrete. The light beam is visible at 28 nautical miles (52 km; 32 mi).^[3]

History

Left: the Fort Kochi Lighthouse, between 1850 and 1897. Right: the structure in 2013.

An oil lamp light started functioning at Fort Kochi in 1839. In 1902, a new light and reflecting mechanism was introduced. Modifications were made in 1914. In the 1920s, a new 10-meter tall tower was erected.

In 1936, a 25-meter-tall steel tower was installed with a gaslight. In 1966, a mechanism called sun valve was introduced. Plans to construct a taller and brighter light and a radio beacon were drawn up. Since there was a paucity of land, the new light was transferred to Puthuvype in the Vypin Island and the radio beacon was shifted to Azhikode.^[4]