Ranjankudi Fort

Trip members: Karthik, TP, Murugan, Saravanan, Anand, Madhu, Gopu
Trip date: 01 Apr 2017
Trip Plan : Chennai - Trichy - Chennai (Stopped at Ranjankudi Fort)

We started for a marriage to attend and planned to stop somewhere inbetween, Murugan suggested to goto Ranjankudi Fort - 3 kms off the NH.

Ranjankudi Fort - this is located around 2-3 kms from the NH-Chennai to Trichy. This fort is located about 22 km before Perambalur on the way to Trichy from Chennai. It is 231 kms from Tambaram.

The roads are mud roads from the NH to the fort. There are no notable signboards on the highway, and one has to get guided through google maps. There are no shops and entrance tickets here. Its not maintained even. One can drive into the fort entrance by car/bike and reach the inner grounds and then park the vehicle in shades. The place is under ASI.

This fort seems to be a focal point during a war between French and British who used local people under them in wage in war. There are fortifications in the fort that could have held Canons during war. The construction at entrance is in S-Shape which shows that the fort was build to be a secure place. There is also a swimming pool like structure atop the highest level.

There are atleast 3 watch towers which gives grand views all around. That day, they could have been use for sighting enemies and today they make for excellent view towers - quite ruined. One has to be doubly careful as we go near to the edges of watch towers. One can see small Hindu temple as well as Islam prayer place inside the fort premises.

There is a steep and narrow passage half way through the tower and this leads to a well. May be, this could have been used as a water source as well might lead to a backdoor entry.

The place does not look like being maintained. There are lots of broken bottles and almost wears a deserted look - getting into real ruins! A small stopover on a long NH drive. 30-45 minutes is a fair time to spend here - could be great to visit during sunsets!