The short answer
Udayagiri Fort, Puliyoorkurichi: what visitors should know first
Worth adding if you are already visiting Padmanabhapuram Palace, which is close by. It is a shaded, low-key site of old walls, a foundry and De Lannoy's tomb rather than a grand fort, so give it an hour and check that it is open on the day.
History and context
The story behind Udayagiri Fort, Puliyoorkurichi
The fort was first built in the 17th century and rebuilt in the 18th by Maharaja Marthanda Varma of Travancore. Between 1741 and 1744 the work was supervised by Eustachius De Lannoy, a Flemish naval commander with the Dutch East India Company who later became chief of the Travancore army. The fort was once known as Dillanai Kottai, 'De Lannoy's Fort'.
In 1810 a British East India Company force passed through the Aramboly Pass to suppress a rebellion led by Velu Thambi Dalava, and company troops were stationed here until the mid-19th century. A gun and cannonball foundry operated inside the fort.
Useful facts
Udayagiri Fort, Puliyoorkurichi facts at a glance
- Location
- Puliyoorkurichi, Thuckalay, Kanyakumari district
- Experience type
- Fort ruins and forest-department biodiversity park
- Known for
- De Lannoy's tomb, old foundry, granite walls
- Built
- 17th century; rebuilt 18th century under Marthanda Varma
- Size
- About 90 acres including a 79 m hillock
- Access
- Hours and fees not published; confirm locally
Why it matters
Why Udayagiri Fort, Puliyoorkurichi is worth your time
Udayagiri shows the military side of the Travancore story that the nearby palace only hints at. The fort is where the kingdom's army was organised and equipped, and the foundry is a physical reminder that cannon were made on the spot.
De Lannoy's tomb adds a human story: a Dutch East India Company officer who joined Travancore's service and rose to command its army. It is one of the few European burial sites in the district that still stands among the ruins of the place he helped to defend.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
De Lannoy's tomb
The Flemish commander lies in a partly ruined chapel with Tamil and Latin inscriptions.
- 02
The foundry
Remains of the place where guns and cannonballs were cast for Travancore.
- 03
Granite walls and hillock
Large granite blocks and a small hill give views over the surrounding country.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Come in with the history in mind. The fort was the military base of the Travancore rulers when Padmanabhapuram was their capital, and it was rebuilt in the 18th century under Marthanda Varma. The walls are large granite blocks, and the grounds cover roughly 90 acres including a small hillock.
The point most visitors head for is the tomb of Eustachius De Lannoy, the Flemish naval officer who became chief of the Travancore army. It lies in a partly ruined chapel, with inscriptions in Tamil and Latin, and his wife and son are buried beside him. Look also for the old foundry where guns and cannonballs were made.
The Forest Department has developed the site as a biodiversity park, so the experience is a quiet walk under trees rather than a monument tour. Start with the tomb, take the shaded paths, and climb the hillock only if the weather and your knees allow. Pair it with Padmanabhapuram Palace, a short drive away, in the same morning.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Check opening hours before going
- Combine with Padmanabhapuram Palace in one morning
- Wear sturdy shoes; paths are uneven
- Carry water; services are limited
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Puliyoorkurichi, Thuckalay, on the Nagercoil-Thiruvananthapuram highway; about 14 km from Nagercoil and roughly 50 km from Kanyakumari
- Time needed
- About 1 to 1.5 hours
- Best time
- Early morning or late afternoon in the cooler months
- Walking level
- Moderate
- Senior comfort
- Paths inside the grounds are uneven and partly shaded by trees, and the hillock is a climb. The tomb and chapel area is on easier ground, so older visitors can see the main historic point without the ascent. Carry water and wear grippy shoes.
- Tickets and access
- Opening hours and entry fees are not published; the fort is run as a forest department biodiversity park around the protected historic remains, so check at the gate or with the forest office.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Udayagiri Fort, Puliyoorkurichi
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
Paths inside the grounds are uneven and partly shaded by trees, and the hillock is a climb. The tomb and chapel area is on easier ground, so older visitors can see the main historic point without the ascent. Carry water and wear grippy shoes.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Who was De Lannoy?
A Flemish naval officer with the Dutch East India Company who joined the Travancore service and became chief of its army.
Is it close to Padmanabhapuram Palace?
Yes. Thuckalay is next to Padmanabhapuram, so the two fit into one morning by car.
Is there an entry fee?
Fees and hours are not published here; confirm at the gate.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
