How I Reached : My homeland (Odisha) is a place full of surprises! After a long time back I visited one such place called “The Light House”Popularly know as locally (Batighar). It was the unusual name that attracted me to the place. From my sweat home Ghantiapalli to Batighar it takes to reach more than two hours after crossing two river(Bijaynagar river & Kharnasi river via boat) by pulser 220 me with my two other friends to reach this place.
About : This is the first lighthouse installed in eastern coast of India. It is around 45 KM from District HQ. It is situated in a village named Batighar, on the other bank of river kharnasi
It is surrounded with pleasant natural beauty. Once upon a time, this was known as Kaudia Dwip and used as hunting ground of Kujanga Kings. Construction of this lighthouse was started on 6th December, 1836 and it was lighted on 16th October 1837. The stones used were transported from Barabati Fort, Cuttack. The height is 125 feet, foundation wall is 15 feet thick. The diameter at land level is 10 feet. To reach the top, 138 steps made of cement concrete and a 16-step ladder are there.The speciality of this lighthouse is that it is operational from the date of its lighting and presently it is managed by Calcutta Light House.
At the ‘False Point’, the ships had to anchor in a comparatively exposed roadway, and loading and unloading could only be carried on in fair weather. However a considerable export of rice in sailing ships, chiefly to Mauritius and Ceylon used to take place from here.
Construction of this lighthouse was started on 6th December, 1836 and finished on 16th October 1837. A plaque at the lighthouse informs that the first light was exhibite3d on 1st March 1838 by H. Righly, 2nd Lieut., Executive Engineer.
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| Bottom to top view of steps of lighthouse |
The height of the structure is 125 feet. To reach the top, one has to climb 138 steps and a 16-step ladder. The speciality of this lighthouse is that it has remained operational from the date of its lighting.
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| The Lamp bulb of the lighthouse A very large bulb, it can be used to fix the signal on the top of lighthouse. |
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| The bird view of lighthouse campus |
Just next to the boundry wall of the Light House, in the shadow of trees, is a small cluster of graves. These are the graves of the English Superintendents of the Lighthouse, their assistants and the families. There is the grave of Madeline, daughter of Capt. A. Smith, who died in the prime of her youth on May 18, 1880, aged only 24 years.
Inscription on another grave reminds us of Capt. H.A. Harris, the Conservator of Orissa Ports who died by drowning on 8th May, 1877. The tombstone on the grave with the inscription was got erected by his Assistant J. S. Black.
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| Zooming view of paradeep port from lighthouse |
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| Ship passes on bay of bangle |
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