Danish Delight - Past, Polished to Perfection
Article in India Today Monday,  September13th 2004.

travel


SPOTLIGHT | TRANQUEBAR

 To visit the past, one does not always have to hop into a time machine. Sometimes history lives on in tiny forgotten nooks and crannies of the earth, waiting to be rediscovered. As it does in Tranquebar, a sleepy fishing village of Tamil Nadu. Known originally as Tarangambadi - the place of the singing waves - Tranquebar owes its name and identity to the Danes who made it one of their major trading posts in the early 17th century. 

Though this is a little known chapter of Indian history, the magnificent examples of Danish architecture scattered around stand as silent testimony to their presence.
Incidentally, Tranquebar has another claim to fame - the first Tamil Bible was printed hare thanks to the efforts of Danish missionary Bartholomaeus Ziegenbalg who arrived in 1706 and built the New Jerusalem Church, just over a decade later.
This is the first Danish-built structure that greets the eye on entering King's Street if one discounts the less significant baroque archway at the entrance to the town which is inscribed with the royal insignia and the year 1792.

But the most important structure by far is the 400-year-old Fort Dansborg, complete with enclosing stone walls and cannons facing the sea. Dansborg was in fact one of Denmark's biggest forts - second only to the more famous Kronborg located in the town of Elsinore, the inspiration for Shakespeare's Hamlet. By 1755, rough seas destroyed much of the fort and it remained in a dilapidated state till 2002, when a group of Danish volunteers started the process of restoration and the Indian government followed suit. An archaeological museum has been set up within the fort's premises which showcases marine exhibits and other memorabilia.

Now a part of the fort is being converted into a heritage hotel by none other than the famous Neemrana Group, which has perfected the art of restoring ancient masterpieces. Aptly named Bungalow on the Beach, the hotel is set to be operational before the end of the year. Going by the standards set by their past efforts, one can safely say, that the new hotel will offer more than a chance to discover a piece of Denmark. It will offer tranquillity in great style.

 INDIA TODAY INTERNATIONAL. * SEPTEMBER 13.2004

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