NITK Lighthouse

The NITK Lighthouse, also known as the Surathkal Lighthouse, stands at the edge of the National Institute of Technology Karnataka campus at Surathkal, north of Mangaluru, which is how it got its name. It was set up in the 1970s to guide ships through a stretch of the Arabian Sea where wrecks had been common, and it has watched Mangaluru grow from a quiet harbour into a large port.

The tower is a 41 m concrete cylinder painted in dark red and white bands, built on a strong base to withstand coastal weather. Spiral stairs lead up to the lantern room, where a Fresnel lens boosts the beam, said to reach up to 32 nautical miles. A balcony near the top gives a full circle view of the sea and coastline, and it is a favourite spot for photographers, especially in the evening.