Tharangambadi, also known as Tranquebar, is a famous sea side village situated 12 km from
Pondicherry. This former Danish settlement has remains of a 400 year old fort and a palace. The place is accessible by road either from Pondicherry or from
Nagapattinam. The old name Tharangambadi means the village of waves. The village is famous for the
New Jerusalem Church of the Danes. The churchyard holds the grace of the first Danish missionary named Bartholomew Zeigenbalg. There is a memorial to the landing of Danes at the end of the King's Road, and at the right is the old fort Dansborg. The fort has a museum with marine exhibits and a list of Danish ships which sailed into this trading colony. The pillared houses built by the Danes and the 16th century
Shiva Temple can be visited.
