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RAJIV GANDHI MEMORIAL
Sriperumbudur, 40 km from Chennai. In memory of
the late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. On
assassination spot. Also the birthplace of Sri
Ramanujar, a Vaishnavite saint.
CHOLAMANDAL ARTISTS VILLAGE
18 kms Mahabalipuram Road. Artist commune built in
1966. Artists and sculptors live and work in this
seaside colony. Exhibit and sell contemporary art,
sculpture, paintings, batik work and terracotta.
Dance and music performances are held in the
open-air theatre.
CROCODILE BANK
42 km, on Mahabalipuram Road. Indian and African
crocodiles and alligators bred in captivity.
Reptiles kept in open pools and can be viewed from
a safe distance.
KOVALAM
70 kms. Luxury beach resort with facilities for
windsurfing and swimming. A picturesque fishing
village on the way to Mahabalipuram. Originally a
port built by Sadat Ali, the Nawab of Carnatic. An
ancient Catholic Church, a mosque and the ruins of
Ali's Fort make for interesting viewing.
TIRUKKAZHUKUNDRAM
64 kms. On top of the 160m high Vedagiri Hill.
Shiva temple. Before noon everyday, two white
kites stop at the temple to be fed by the temple
priests. Legend has it that these birds are saints
en route from Varanasi to Rameshwaram. Large Shiva
Temple in the town below. The South Temple has a
spacious tank. Water of the tank is known to cure
ailments. Sacred conch found here once in 12
years. Collection of conches displayed in the
larger Shiva Temple.
MAMALLAPURAM OR MAHABALIPURAM
50 kms. Built in the 7th century, by Rajasimha
Pallava. Several ancient shore temples. Also
referred to as Mamallapuram ('Mamalla' means the
'Great Wrestler' and 'puram' means place).
Narasimhavarman I who made this port a flourishing
trade centre was a 'great wrestler'. Many shore
temples sucked into the sea. The only remaining
shore temple is a spectacular two-spired shrine,
which has idols of Vishnu and Shiva. Rock
sculptures and temples made without using brick,
mortar, or timber. Panel depicts the descent of
the Ganges from its source in the Himalayas and
popular fables from the Panchatantra.
VEDANTHANGAL BIRD SANCTUARY
85 kms. Best season Nov - Feb. Best time for bird
watching early mornings or 3 -6 early evening.
Among the largest bird sanctuaries in India.
Marshy, 30-hectare park with lake. Over 1,00,000
migratory birds come here every year. Herons,
darters, spoonbills, pelicans, sandpipers,
cormorants, bull-winged teals and swans. For
reservations for Rest House, contact the Wildlife
Warden, 49, 4th Main Road, Adyar, Chennai.
KANCHEEPURAM
76 kms. City of temples. Among seven great ancient
Hindu cities. Capital of the Chola Kingdom in the
2nd century. Later, capital of the Pallavas. Main
town of the Vijayanagar Empire. Chariot festival
during (January, April, May) and 'Garudothsavam'
in (May) are festive occasions. See the Kamakshi
Temple, Ekambareswarar Temple, Varadarajaswamy
Temple, Vaikuntha Perumal Temple, and
Kailasanathar Temple. Famous for exquisite silk
sarees. Do visit the homes of silk weavers. Seat
of the great Hindu spiritual guru Shankaracharya,
of the Kamokoti Peetam
TIRUPATHI
147 kms. Lord Venkateshwara Temple at Tirupathi.
Important pilgrim centre for the Hindus. Millions
of pilgrims visit the shrine. Elaborate and
complex structure, with three 'prakaras' or
enclosures surrounding the central shrine, ornate
'gopurams' and smaller shrines. The
thousand-pillared Mandapam houses the temple's
numerous artefacts. Weekdays are less crowded.
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