Places of Interest
Tourism Places in Chengalpattu District
KANDHASWAMY TEMPLE, TIRUPPORUR
This temple is one of the 33 Murugan temples in Tamil Nadu. Built during the Pallava period. The temple is located at a distance of 25 km from Chengalpattu. Poriyur, Yudhapuri and Samarapuri are the names given to Thiruporur. Started an ancient temple in OMR dedicated to Lord Muruga is located here. The temple contains several inscriptions. The temple is open from 6.30AM to 12.00PM and 4.00PM to 8.00 PM.
VEDAGIRISWARAR TEMPLE THIRUKALUKUNDRAM
It is famous for the rare phenomenon of two eagles visiting to worship Lord vedagiriswarar round noon daily at the hill to temple. Hence the village got this name. This small Siva temple is situated on the top of the Vedagiri hill, which is 160 metres high. There is also a Siva temple in the town below. At the southeast end of the town is a spacious tank where the water is said to have curative powers. Once in every 12 years, a conch is discovered in this tank and thousands of devotees throng to bathe in the tank at this auspicious time. This is also the Laksha Deepam (lighting of 1 lakh lamps) festival. A collection of the conches is displayed in the Siva Temple in the town.
TIRUVIDANTHAI
The Nityakalyana Perumal Temple more than 1000 years old is situated on the East Coast Road between Chennai and Mamallapuram. The beautiful deity here is Varaha Perumal, otherwise called Nitya Kalyana Perumal. The deity is believed to bestow marital bliss to the unmarried devotees who worship him.
SRINIVASA PERUMAL TEMPLE, SEMMANJERI
The Archaeological Department confirms that the present structure could be around 500 years old. But locals call it a 1500 years old temple. It is located at Semmenjeri on the Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) 30 kms from Chennai. It is said that, a Pallava king who lost his eye sight got back his vision on worshipping Srinivasa Perumal here. Even now, people believe that anyone with eye problems get it cured by worshipping the Perumal here. This is also said to be a Prahtana sthalam for the unmarried and childless couples. Contact : 9840388836, 98400 69650 for further details.
Timings: Morning 7.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m., Evening 4.00 p.m. to Night 8.00 p.m.
CROCODILE BANK
The Crocodile Bank is situated at around 44 km away from the capital city of Tamil Nadu, near Mahabalipuram. It extends over an area of about 3.2 hectares, comprising a wide range of Indian and African crocodiles, alligators and other reptiles including turtles and snakes. Here the crocodiles are kept in their natural habitat. Founded by Romulus Whitaker, the German Biologist in 1976, to conserve the species of crocodiles and alligators wich are endangered, it is provided with lush tropical vegetation for giving ample shade to these reptiles. At the time of its establishment, the total population of the crocodiles was only 30. Presently, it has 14 varieties of crocodiles, 12 specriesof turtles and 5 types of snakes, with total number of 2,400 reptiles in the Crocodile Bank.
Opening Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 7.00 p.m. – 8.30 p.m.
(By advance booking only) Phone : +91 -44 27472447
ARINGAR ANNA ZOOLOGICAL PARK, VANDALUR
The work to establish the Zoological park was started in 1976. It was opened to public in 1985. It is one of the largest Zoological Complex in South East Asia sprawling over an area of 602 ha. This houses 40 varieties of mammals, 20 avian species and 14 species of reptiles, Animal Welfare, research,veterinary, horticulture and sanitation teams, apart from maintain Zoological complex, conducts awareness campaigns for the school children and teachers as a part of its education program. Separate natural habitat enclosure has been created for the Butterflies in an area of 2.7 acres, with 200 species of nectar plants at a cost of 4 crores. Timings : 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. Tuesday holiday. Phone: 044 – 22751089.
KOVALAM
MUTTUKADU BOAT HOUSE
TTDC operates a Boating centre in this ideal picnic destination with enticing green back ground and glittering blue sky and sea, with food court facility. Annual Windsurfing Regatta is organized in the month of February. Muttukadu Boat House is a water sport facility on the East Coast Road at Muttukadu, Chennai. Offering rowing, wind surfing, water skiing and speedboat riding. It is a backwater area of the Bay of Bengal located 36 kms. From the city centre and 23 kms from Adyar on the way to Mamallapuram. Phone: + 91 – 9952995827.
Operating Hours: Morning 9.00 a.m. to Evening 6.00 p.m.
MAMALLAPURAM( MAHABALIPURAM)
Mamallapuram is a resort and tourist centre. In addition to the ancient monuments and temples. It has an extensive beach front on the ocean. It was created by the Pallava Dynasty and it was their seaport during their regime. The Pallava king Nrasimha Varman I, was a great wrestler with the title, MAMALLAN, hence it was named MAMALLAPURAM. This has an exotic and long sea shore, temples in the form of Chariots called Rathas, mandapams ( cave sanctuaries) huge open air reliefs such as the famous and excellent 100 foot long “ Arjuna Penance”. And the Temple of Rivage, with innumerable glorious sculptures of Lord Siva.
Built in Dravidian Style of architecture the shore Temple complex has one large and two small temples. It is one of the oldest structural excellence of South India and has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A new and modern addition to the town of Mahabalipuram is the Open Air Museum. Sculpture and Art College, Sculpture workshops, Handicrafts long and beautiful sea shore attracts millions of tourists throughout the year. Accomodation: Hotel Tamilnadu (TTDC) Unit I, Beach Resort Complex, PH: 2744 2361-64.
MUDALIARKUPPAM
Also called as Rain Drop Boat House, maintained and operated by the TTDC, it is 90 kms. from the city of Chennai and 30 kms south of Mamallapuram on the East Coast Road. This boat house has varieties of boats like Banan Boat, water scooters, speed boats to suit the taste of the visitors. Boating trip is also arranged to the nearest beach island in the Odiyur Lake.