Pathimoonnu Kannara Bridge - 4 Things to Know Before Visiting
About Pathimoonnu Kannara Bridge
The 13 Kannara bridge or 13 Arch Bridge (Pathimoonu Kannara Bridge) is a 108-year-old bridge from the British era consisting of 13 arches. It is a major landmark on the Kollam-Sengottai railway line. The bridge connects two hillocks and stands on thirteen granite pillars each almost a hundred feet tall. The bridge is sandwiched by the Kollam-Thirumangalam National Highway on one side and the River Kazhuthurutti on the other. It is 102.72 meters (337.0 ft) long and 5.18 meters (17.0 ft) tall.The 13 Kannara Bridge or 13 Arch Bridge (Pathimoonu Kannara Bridge) is a 108-year-old bridge from the British era consisting of 13 arches. It is a major landmark on the Kollam-Sengottai railway line.
The bridge connects two hillocks and stands on thirteen granite pillars each almost a hundred feet tall. The bridge is sandwiched by the Kollam-Thirumangalam National Highway on one side and the River Kazhuthurutti on the other. It is 102.72 meters (337.0 ft) long and 5.18 meters (17.0 ft) tall.
The Bridge was built by the British in 1904 to transport goods from Kollam (Quilon) to Madras and is part of one of India’s oldest mountain rail lines. The bridge was constructed with just rocks, limestone and jaggery (in the Surki method). This rail route was once one of the major routes that connect Kollam (Quilon) with Chennai for the trading of crops and spices. The rail journey through this rail line is still one of the most scenic because of its route through dense forest, long tunnels, with many steeps, and downs. The meter gauge that was originally in place is now replaced by a broad gauge railway in order to accommodate newer, standard locomotives.