Masilamani Nathar Temple, on the waterfront, dates to the 1300s, and is a major landmark in Tranquebar.

From the Danish Quarter of Tranquebar, we amble down Post Office Road to explore the Tamil Quarter.  Like in Pondicherry, the Tamil Quarter is also segregated into a Hindu Quarter and a Muslim Quarter.

The walk down Post Office takes us to the waterfront of the Tamil Quarter, which is where the Hindu community resides. We turn up Goldsmiths Street, which has been immaculately restored by INTACH, to visit and admire traditional Tamil House architecture.

Goldsmiths Street becomes Mosque Street, and along both sides of the street stand Muslim variations of traditional Tamil houses. Personally, I found these houses – in a variety of styles, traditional and Art Deco – far more interesting.

We drop by New Mosque and the nearby Muslim School, before heading down Nagutha Street to Queen’s Street, back into the heart of the Old Town.

But before returning to our hotel, we take a detour outside the gates of Tranquebar to Tharangambadi proper, to visit the Holy Rosary Church, also known as the Goan Church. The present building dates from 1854, but there has apparently been a Catholic Church here since before the Danes came.

Post Office Road to Goldsmiths Street

Old residences along Post Office Street.

Buildings along Post Office Street.

A quaint square at the end of Post Office Street and at the edge of the sea presents a map of Tranquebar.

Hindu Temple.

Residents on the beach, near Masilamani Nathar Temple.

Masilamani Nathar Temple again…

View along the beachfront of the Tamil Quarter.

Goldsmiths Street – this building in the INTACH Heritage Centre.

Another Hindu Temple

Across the street is Nayak House.

Tamil House on Goldsmiths Street.

Tamil House on Goldsmiths Street.

Tamil House on Goldsmiths Street.

Tamil House on Goldsmiths Street.

The Muslim Quarter and Queen’s Street

Tamil House, Mosque Street.

Tamil House – view down Maraicar Street.

Art Deco

Tranquebar’s New Mosque.

The Old Madrasah.

Flora Cottage, a B & B on Queen’s Street.

Rundown house along Queen’s Street.

Holy Rosary Church, or the Goan Church, in Tharangambadi, beyond the walls of Tranquebar.

And finally, another view of a Tamil House, before we return to our hotel.

Reference:

• INTACH Tranquebar Heritage Walk Map.