Udayagiri Fort

Udayagiri Fort stands on a hill in Kanniyakumari district and is unusual for having been built for the kings of Travancore by a former Dutch naval officer. In 1741 Marthanda Varma of Travancore heavily defeated the Dutch East India Company at the Battle of Colachel, and one of its naval commanders, Eustachius De Lannoy, then entered the king's service.

De Lannoy built the fort for his new masters, and his grave can still be seen within its walls next to those of his wife and son. The hilltop setting gives wide views over the surrounding country, which adds to its appeal for those interested in old architecture. Padmanabhapuram Palace and the Chitharal Jain monuments are close by and are often visited on the same trip, and the local markets sell regional handicrafts, handloom cloth and spices.