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Must Explore Temple Trail of Chennai

Chennai Temples

One of the reasons why each one of us craves to visit Chennai at least once in our lifetime is the trail of temples. The city is popular for the ancient temples that have survived all the adversities of nature and still stand erect. These can truly be termed as the guardians as well as custodians of the rich past and legacy of Chennai. These amazing temples are spread across the city and each one of these has its own history to boast and each one of these stands elegantly in the glow of their architectural marvels. In one or the other way, by following the oldest temple rituals that are conducted in these temples, they tend to carry forward the ancient history and legacy.

Temple trail

Having read a lot of the temples of Chennai, we (Ghoomophiro sisters) also planned a trip to Chennai and decided to utilize most of our time exploring these beautiful temples. One thing that we would like to mention here is that even if you are not that devoted to the religious aspect of visiting the temples, still these temples deserve your time because of a lot of things that are hidden within them about our ancestors and more because they have a lot to reveal to us. History, unlike ever before, especially to people who share the same interests as we (Ghoomophiro sisters) do seem to be very exciting here. There are four major ancient temples that you must visit in Chennai and the best time to begin exploration is 6.30 am. it is not at all necessary to do the entire trail in a single go. However, we would like to mention that doing the same is possible if you hire a cab for the entire day. This saves a lot of time, especially if you have less time at your disposal.

1. Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Mylapore

We (Ghoomophiro Sisters) decided to begin our trail with Kapaleeshwarar Temple which is one of the most visited temples in the city. It finds a beautiful location in the Mylapore area and is basically an ancient shrine that is glorified via the Tamil hymns of Tirugnanasambandar dating back to 7th century CE. Paravati, the wife of Lord Shiva is worshiped here. Lord Shiva is the residing deity at this amazing temple. The lord is worshiped in the form of a Peacock named Mylai in Tamil.

History

Originally, Kapaleeshwarar Temple found the location on the shore quite close to the location where it is currently located. It was the destruction caused by the Portuguese that resulted in this shift. The current structure of the temples found its origin back in the 15th Century.

Best time to visit

The temple is open in the morning from 6.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. and in the evening at 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. The most appropriate time to visit the temple is early morning, the first instance when the gates are opened for the public. However, it is totally a personal choice. Early morning, there are mostly devout localities visiting the temple implying less crowd and less eagerness which further means that you have ample time to explore the temple in peace and calm.

Special occasional perks

Early morning visits also leave you with an opportunity to attend the typical Tamil marriage ceremony during early hours though you might not be allowed to click pictures of the same. This site is not guaranteed but depends on your luck. We were lucky enough to witness one.

2. Parthasarathy Temple, Tiruvallikeni

This is the oldest temple in Chennai built in the 8th Century dedicated to Lord Krishna. The second temple that we visited was the Parthasarathy temple. This temple is currently undergoing some restoration work because of which the major section of gopuram is somehow in current times covered restricting the sight of the temple. Somehow, out of all the temples on the list, this is one of the strictest temples on our list. you have to be extra careful while taking pictures also as certain areas of the temple might not be open for being clicked and on doing so you might get scolded. Again, there are weddings that take place in the temple but as already said not necessarily every day.

Best time to visit

Again, early morning visit to the temple is the best for the same obvious reasons as listed above. The temple is open in the morning from 5.50 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and in the evening from 4.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m, so you ought to ensure that you do not land there in between these timings. As we visited it after already visiting another temple, so we missed the morning glory but no worries, we enjoyed our visit.

3. Marundeeswarar Temple, Thiruvanmiyur

The third temple in our list was Marundeeswarar Temple, again one of the most amazing temples. Unlike the previous one, the atmosphere here is not that strict and hopefully, no one scolds you at taking the pictures also. This particular temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is spread across 1 acre having enough open spaces. There are two separate entrances to the temple, one is from the East Coast Road and the second is from West Tank Street. The two entries are adorned by five-tiered gopuram. There is a holy water tank that is located on West Tank Street. The side entrance has a beautiful hallway offering amazing fresco work on the ceiling. The ample open spaces facilitate taking some rest prior to heading to the next one in the list.

Best time to visit

The temple is open from 5.00 A.M in the morning to 12.00 P.M at the noon and then in the evening from 4.00 P.M to 9.00 P.M. Again if you are covering just one temple a day, we would recommend visiting it in the morning. If not, then visit it in the evening when the gates reopen for again the same obvious reasons as mentioned above. However, in the evening the temple remains to be more crowded.

4. Thyagaraja Temple, Tiruvottiyur

Tiruvottiyur is one of the oldest parts of the Chennai and Thyagaraja Temple there also dates back to the 7th Century. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and has a very interesting legend associated with it. Brahmā in the Hindu religion is considered to be the god of creation and is known to create all the gods and demons, a complete contradiction to one another.  Here you will find a wishing tree of gods, named, makizha tree which over the time gained the title of being a sacred tree of this temple. There are some factors that differentiate this temple from other temples on the list. This temple is comparatively huge. Unlike other temples, the floor of this temple not paved with stones, it is ideally the sand as well as the mud because of which the walking around the temple becomes a bit difficult.

Best time to visit

You can visit the temple any hour of the day, there is no restriction but the early morning clause still goes well. if you are planning to cover all the four temples in one day then go in for covering this one in the evening.

We (Ghoomophiro sisters) had less time at our disposal so we decided to complete the entire trail in one day. However, it can get really exhausting at times. We would recommend you wear really comfortable clothes that cover most of your body because at times in temples it really gets embarrassing especially in front of elderlies who do not adore short western dresses. We are not asking you to change your preferences for others who don’t even matter to you but there is no harm modifying your preference if it saves you from some issues.

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Architectural Beaches Itinerary South India

Travel Guide To Visit Mahabalipuram

Since ages, Mahabalipuram has served as the seaport of India. Apart from being important from a commerce point of view, the place is equally vital from the tourism viewpoint. The historical touch associated with the place along with a plethora of tourist activities to do there, just like anyone else, we (Ghoomophiro sisters) too got fascinated to plan a trip to Mahabalipuram and believe us when we say that the trip was one of the most amazing times of our lives. Having gained a lot of experience, we are nowhere to offer you splendid guidance to prepare your visit to Mahabalipuram so that you do not miss out on important things and most importantly so that you can plan excursions accordingly to the time available with you.

How to reach Mahabalipuram

Around 58 km from Chennai, Mahabalipuram is easy to access via road, rail, and air. Chengalpattu is the closest railway station and the Chennai railhead is the nearest major railway station to which you can take trains from major cities including Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata. From the railway station, you can take a cab to reach Mahabalipuram. However, we (Ghoomophiro sisters) resorted to taking a bus the ticket of which cost us INR 80 each. Choosing to self-drive via your own car or ZOOM Car will give you an opportunity to halt at numerous places to enjoy the beauty. Ola Outstation is another option if you want to hire a taxi.

Best time to visit Mahabalipuram

The place remains worth exploring throughout the year in case you have no option to be choosy with the months. However, we recommend visiting the place in the months that mark the end of summers and the onset of winters and again before the onset of summers. To be specific, you should be planning a trip between the months of October to March. During these months the climate remains awesome with warm days in addition to cold nights. The weather during these months is ideal for performing all the outdoor activities as well as for exploring the beautiful town.

Where to stay at Mahabalipuram

Comfortable stay is an important aspect of our entire trip. Only if we are able to have a peaceful sleep at night, are we able to explore the place wholeheartedly the next day? So, be very careful about choosing the place to stay. From as expensive as Radisson Blu Resort Temple Bay Mamallapuram, to as pocket friendly as Vinodhara Guest House, there are plenty of options for you to stay. To list a few names that will not disappoint you are Mamalla Beach Resort, Hotel Mahabs, Vinodhara Guest House, and many more. However, we resorted to staying at Bay Inn as it was within our budget and close to the major attractions.

Things to Do In Mahabalipuram

Believe us, there are literally a lot of activities and sightseeing to do in Mahabalipuram. Not only will you find visitors from across different states of India but also from across the globe. This is one of the most happening places that stand quite against our belief of this place being more spiritual and historic.

Religious touch at temples

The Panch Ratha (five chariots) is the first thing that we (Ghoomophiro sisters) explored in Mahabalipuram. It is a monolithic temple where five rathas are carved, amazingly with a single stone. Having clicked few pictures there are appreciating the architecture we (Ghoomophiro sisters) headed towards shore temple which contrarily is a masonry temple having a diverse construction. We suggest visiting the temple early at 6 am when it is blessed with the resplendent morning glow. To enter both the premises we paid INR 30 each. The two temples are at a distance of 1.8km which makes covering both sides convenient. Arjuna’s penance and Butterball are again a must-have sight if you have ample time to spare.

Lighthouse and Mahishamardini cave

Lighthouse is an important sightseeing point. However, we were lucky enough to find a way to Mahishamardini cave close to Light House, free of cost and facilitating a view of beautiful sculptures, namely, reclining Shiva and reclining Vishnu. Not many people are aware of Mahishamardini cave and honestly, we weren’t either. We (Ghoomophiro sisters) halted for snacks at a place where the owner of the stall suggested us to go to the cave and believe us it is worth seeing. The entry to the cave is free of cost. Side by side, be aware that you are strolling across the hill area that is again one of the must-do things at Mahabalipuram.

Sculpture museum

Having a lack of time, we (Ghoomophiro sisters) were not able to explore the sculpture museum in depths but it is a really good place for those who are extremely fond of sculptures. Also, you can buy marvelous sculptures from the shops that offer them forsake.

Ayurvedic Message

We (Ghoomophiro sisters) are a diehard fan of Ayurvedic therapies so missed getting one at Mahabalipuram neither. There are some of the most stunning Ayurveda centers in the city, highly professional implying that you need to ask them to give you a piece of cloth to cover some portions of your body in case you do not mind it otherwise. Mostly, the centers charge you around a grand for a massage of an hour.

Sea surfing

Last but not least, we (Ghoomophiro sisters) also tried our hands at sea surfing at a Surf Club situated on the East Coast Road connecting Chennai to Pondicherry. It is undoubtedly one of the must-have experiences. There are experts available there to give you detailed guidance on how to go about doing the activity. To those who simply want to enjoy the lukewarm water can have a dip at the sea.

 

Things to eat in Mahabalipuram

There are plenty of French cafes as well as restaurants in Mahabalipuram serving not only amazing French cuisine but also stunning French wine. Apart from this, you will also find good Italian, Chinese, Punjabi, and South cuisines. There are plenty of stalls also set up around the places that offer street food at very affordable prices. We (Ghoomophiro sisters) tried French Cuisine at Le Yogi Restaurant, Chinese at Sea Shore Garden Beach restaurant, and Indian cuisine at Hotel Mamalla Bhavan during our entire stay. You can also explore Moonrakers Restaurant, Bambino Beach Restaurant, and Searock Restaurant also among many that offer lovely food and drinks.

Shopping places at Mahabalipuram

It is obvious that we (Ghoomophiro sisters) could have not returned home without buying beautiful things and obviously the souvenirs from this mesmerizing location. So, we (Ghoomophiro sisters) went for some Street Shopping Close to the Shore Temple ad bought some really nice stuff for ourselves ta a very reasonable price. Local people also guided us to explore Babu Stores that are popular among them. Other places that we explored were Sri Krishna Shopping Centre and sri shakthi Handicraft.

This is our story of travel to Mahabalipuram. We (Ghoomophiro sisters) have tried listing each and everything that a tourist usually needs to know. However, in case you feel we have skipped something you can surely add your reviews in the comment section below and we will surely add the same to our article. Also, if you have some questions to ask regarding the trip to Mahabalipuram or Do’s and Don’ts then feel free to use that little comment box below, we will revert to your queries as soon as possible

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Beaches Corporate Outings Relax South India

Give that tight work schedule and plan a team outing in Chennai

Chennai is one of the four Indian Metropolitan cities and one of the busiest Indian cities in general. The stress and the pressure on them to perform are quite unimaginable and it becomes more ruthless, given the amount of competition that those people may have to face on a daily basis. But thankfully, there is a concept of corporate outings to make things easier for them, if not completely tolerable. And there is no dearth of perfect spots for that in the city. Let’s take a look at a few of them.

Radisson Blu temple bay- The Radisson Blu hotel range may very well be the most famous and the best one in the country in terms of services. The resort in Mamallapuram is not only having all the facilities for a 5-star resort but also provides enough ways for the corporate teams to enjoy some spare time. The place is very close to the main city and a perfect location for holidays as well.

Ideal Beach Resort- Offering a great view of the surrounding beaches, the Ideal beach resort happens to be located near the very famous Mahabalipuram. The team outings are perfect here as they offer some great features and services along with some really good options for having fun and entertainment.

Beachside Frolic resort- This is one of the best affordable venues for the teams and corporate groups. It also acts as one of the UNESCO world heritage sites and that just enhances the importance of the place as a tourist spot. There is also a museum on the premises of the resort to cater the more curious ones of the people.

Indeco Resort- Indeco Resorts has a great reputation of being one of the most important heritage hotels in the entire area. The iconic shore temple is also nearby in the celebrated tourist spot Mahabalipuram. The rugged beauty of the surroundings makes it easily one of the very best group outing spots in the area.

This place is ideal for a team outing as it offers a relaxing and serene environment to the people as well as offers activities good for team members to de-stress. The hotel possesses the necessary infrastructure to organize picnics and get-togethers. The hotel at Mahabalipuram is at a walking distance from some of the important historical tourist attractions in the area.

Sparsa Resort- Thiruvannamalai is the place where the resort is located and is known to be the premier leisure resorts nearest to Chennai. The place is filled with the corporate teams, families and international tourists all the time. The entire duration of the stay is eco-friendly and amazing. The team can relax and soak in the tranquil and zen-like atmosphere and cherish their break time away from deadlines, client pressures, and the likes. The resort will be your new favorite spot for excellent vegetarian food and dishes that are wholesome and healthy to eat. The conference hall in this resort can accommodate close to 100 people easily. The resort is a team friendly place to vacation much ideal for team gathering, other fun indoor team activities and team-building exercises. The team will love the resort to the hilt.

Adventure Arena- It is located in the very beautiful Andarkuppan village, which happens to be located at a few kilometers away from Anna Nagar. The place secured a place in our list because it has come up with some great activities that can be done by the families and corporate teams together. What makes this place idyllic for team outings is that it provides a specially designed outdoor training program so that the team members get a chance to enhance camaraderie and team spirit.

If you think team gathering should be much more than just camaraderie, this place offers activities for different age groups and skills which different people possess who are on the visit to this resort. The resort has a specially defined area for training and character development that you would never want to miss out. Also, it has a well-equipped and well-furnished accommodation for the entire team.

Le Pondy- Located at a few kilometers distance from Chennai in Puducherry, the Le Pondy is one of the most favorite tourist destinations in southern India. It also happens to be the one and only historical resort in the entire area and offers some great luxury services to the people who come here in corporate groups or even individually.

There are many more places near Chennai where the groups can spend some great time filled with fun and adventure, and most of them are located in Puducherry. These events are gaining much popularity and many more such places are growing at a rapid pace near the metropolitans. The resort also has a spa which provides soothing treatments from well-trained therapists that help ease the body and mind making it the favourable spot for couples.
The Windflower Resort, Puducherry
The multi-cuisine restaurant in the resort has an attached lounge for casual gatherings perfect for team bonding. What more? Soothing spa treatments await you, inspired by the Balinese school of massage.

VGP Golden Beach Resorts, Injambakkam
VGP Golden Beach Resorts situated in picturesque Injambakkam is one of the more well-known resorts in Chennai perfect for a team outing. The resort emanates its grander in a striking manner where all the rooms (65 in total) offer an impressive view of the beach. It’s a pure joy to wake up to the gratifying sounds of the birds chirping and the cool sea breeze softly tapping at your window. Being host to some of the unique settings, the resort also serves a variety of food options for the team members.

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Architectural South India

The temple city Thanjavur

Located in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu, Thanjavur exists. Also known as the temple city, it was formerly known as Tanjore. If we say that the city happens to be the center of all the religious, artistic and cultural activities in the southern part of the country, we won’t be exaggerating. The Tiruchirapalli airport is the nearest airport to the place at 50 kilometers distance and after that, a bus or a taxi can bring you here to the very important place in that particular part of the state. The season between November to February is the most pleasant one to have a visit at the place and out of the countless places that you can find here to spend some good times at, here are a few-

South zone culture center- The center was built in the city by the government of India in order to preserve the art and culture heritage of the country. The place is one of the biggest crowd pullers in the entire state and gives a great glimpse into the rich combined cultural landscape of Indian subcontinent. It serves also as a great way to promote the Indian culture as foreigners also can be seen here in great numbers.

Brihadeeswarar Temple- Out of the many places that are among the favorites of the tourists, this temple gets the top spot. Built in the 11th century, even the most prolific of the architects have described it as a milestone in the history of monumental architecture. The Chola king Raja Raja Chola built it and the inner walls of the temples are covered in the paintings from the Chola and Nayak empires.

Thanjavur Maratha Palace- This was the official residence of the Bhonsle lordship who ruled the place for a few hundred years between the 16th and 18th century. It was initially the residence of the Nayak dynasty kings but after their fall, the Thanjavur Marathas got the hold of it and got it as their residence during the whole time they ruled over the place.

Saraswathi Mahal Library- The library was built and established in about 1700 AD and is located in the Maratha Palace itself. It holds the ancient scriptures from the legendary Indian and the international scholars. It was known in its time as a great source of knowledge about the world and now it serves as a very important tourist spot in Thanjavur.

Schwartz Church- The beautiful church was built in the latter half of the 18th century and presents some medieval era architecture brilliance in front of the world. Serfoji 2 built the church in order to show his affection for C.V. Schwartz who belonged to the Danish mission.

One can visit the Sathar restaurant, one of the oldest and favorite non-vegetarian restaurants in Thanjavur and an iconic place with authentic taste. Sree Ariya Bhavan in Thanjavur serves great tasting rava masala dosa, rava onion dosa, and coffee. It’s an amazing veg restaurant with a variety of cuisines.

When the rest of the country suffers the dreaded winter, the weather in Thanjavur is excellent and is the perfect time for having a visit to the place. As a country, India is culturally significant to the whole wide world and as a city; Thanjavur keeps alive the spirit of art and culture of India.

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Architectural Beaches South India

Mahabalipuram – the glorious mix of ancient temples, monuments and beach resorts

Situated right in the heart of Kancheepuram district around 60 kms away from the Chennai city is the blue gemstone of the Indian heritage called Mahabalipuram. Regarded as one of the oldest cities in India, Mahabalipuram is famous for a host of ancient temples, monuments, and friendly nature of its local people. Most of the monuments situated in the district were built by Pallava dynasty rulers.

We bring you a list of some of the most popular attractions of the town to explore.

Arjuna’s Penance Sculpture

One of the major attractions in Mahabalipuram, Arjuna’s Penance sculpture is visited by thousands of tourists from around the globe. As the name suggests, the monument depicts the series of events that took place in the life of Arjuna during his penance period. These events of his life have been carved on two huge rocks atop which lies a collecting pool. It is around 43 feet high.

The art of sculpture on the rocks is unmatched and detailed way beyond one can imagine in that time.

Thirukadalmallai Temple

Thirukadalmallai temple appears like a pearl in the heart of Mahabalipuram. It is known by several names in the country. Some of which are Sthalasayana Perumal Temple and Divya Desams. According to the Indian mythology, this temple has been dedicated to the Lord Vishnu. This is one of the 108th temples built to prove devotion towards the Lord Vishnu.

This temple was built by Pallava rulers and saints who were known as Tamil Azhvars. This temple is one of its type in the country. It stands out for its ancient Dravidian art.

Cave Temples

Adorned by some 8 cave temples, Mahabalipuram is recognized for its cave arts and temples commissioned by the Pallava rulers. Touted as one the finest masterpieces from the ancient India, most of the sculptures in the caves are dedicated to the deities in Indian Mythologies. The detailing of these sculptures is unmatched. Names of these temples are Varaha, Krishna, Tiger, Panchapandava, Mahishasuramardini, Trimurti, Atiranachanda, and Kotikal.

Shore Temple                                       

Major attraction breathing amid cultural amalgam of Mahabalipuram is the Shore Temple. Built by Pallava rulers, the temple has their indelible traces of style, art, and culture. Just like most places and other major attractions in Mahabalipuram and in other parts of South India, Shore Temple is also known by a different name—7 Pagodas.

According to local traditional beliefs, Shore temple had 7 Pagodas before a ravenous Tsunami struck down the temple in around 13th century AD. There are several sculptures and other art pieces on the temple.

Pancha Rathas

The exact English translation of Pancha Rathas is five chariots. These Pancha Rathas have been named after the five Pandavas of the Hindu epic Mahabharatha.

Pancha Rathas has been carved out on pink granite. One of the tallest monuments is around 40 feet high. Like other temples and monuments in Mahabalipuram, Dravidian style and art dominate Pancha Rathas.

The catastrophic Tsunami in 2004 has affected many monuments in the district. However, this monument stands tall without a single sign of damage.

Sadras

Mahabalipuram is home to exquisite beach resorts that, one of the beach resorts is Sadras which has taken full advantage of the striking landscape. The beaches that surround Mahabalipuram are a glorious sight to watch as they are beset by beautiful, casuarinas groves.

The vibrant green beautifully contrasts with the sparkling white beaches is a sight that is a delight to everyone. This beach resort is located 13 kilometers outside of Mahabalipuram.

How to reach Mahabalipuram

Instead of Mahabalipuram, you can choose to take a flight to Chennai Airport on regular basis. The driving distance between Chennai and Mahabalipuram is 56 km, while the in-flight distance from Chennai to Mahabalipuram is 48 km.

There are no regular or proper train services from other major cities to Mahabalipuram. The nearest train station is Chengalpattu Junction.

Mahabalipuram is well connected to other major cities of the country via regular buses.

Food

While you are at this destination, look out for dishes such as try Grilled Fish, Vegetarian thali, Prawns, Lobsters, Crabs and more. South Indian cuisine lovers can try a typical South Indian platter which consists of Idli, Dosa, Appam, Vada, Upma Sambhar, Sweet Pongal, Kesari, Payassam and much more 

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Beaches Corporate Outings South India

Must Do’s while in Puducherry!!

Located at a distance of 160 km to the south of Chennai, Puducherry being a former French colony is still hovered by that ambiance. It should be visited by you at least once in your lifetime for the following reasons.

Aurobindo Ashram

This ashram was founded in 1926 by Sri Aurobindo when he decided to withhold from public view and carry on with his spiritual growth. It is now visited by hordes of spiritual seekers from all over the globe. If inner peace is what you are looking for, this is where you should be heading. The ashram also gives a lot of importance to Yoga.

Beaches

Beaches add on to the grandeur of Puducherry. While the early morning serenity inspires awe, the radiance of the streets boasting of fun, food, and frolic in the evening hypnotizes one into its charm. Unlike other beaches in India, they are cleaner and well kept.

Sunrise

Watching the sunrise is one of those things by which one can never get bored of and if you want to witness a magical one, you should be in Puducherry. The sight of the sun coming out of the azure sea can lift your heart and be a good start to your day!

Cuisine

Puducherry cuisine is the perfect blend of various customs and cultures. A lot of sea- food can be enjoyed here and because of being located in the south, the traditional South Indian fare of idli-dosa is also available. Owing to the French influence, good steak and wine are served in most of the restaurants.

 Churches

There are 32 churches in Puducherry!!  Sacred Heart Church, Church of Our Lady of Angels, Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Dupleix Church, and Immaculate Conception Cathedral are a few of them. Their beauty lies in the French architecture and the peace they contain within. Irrespective of your religion, experiencing just a few moments of silence and reflection in these churches can put your mind at peace.

Old Lighthouse

One of Puducherry’s most famous landmarks is this lighthouse which was constructed in 1836 and at that time, used to be considered quite modern because of its distinctive round tower. Although it is not operational now, it still remains a famous tourist attraction.

French War Memorial

The majesty of French War Memorial lies in its simplicity. Along the beach on Gobert Avenue, it is a plain construction of 4 pillars erected in the memory of the French soldiers who lost their lives during the World War I. Not located too far away is the Statue of Dupleix, which was installed in the honour of Joseph Francois Dupleix, a Governor General of the French Establishment in India.

Scuba diving

You do not need to go abroad for an adventurous activity like scuba diving. You can have your breath taken away by going under-sea in Puducherry only. February-April and September-November are the best times for undertaking this activity at this place.

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Adventure Beaches Rejoice Travel Tips wildlife

Discovering the Picturesque Pichavaram – Second largest mangrove forest in world .

We all are aware of the largest mangrove jungle is Sunderbans delta, but very few are aware that second largest also lies in India, which is based out in lesser known areas of Tamil Nadu and is known as Pichavaram. It is spread over 3000 acres and has around 4500 big small canals, which are sun-flecked tunnels of roots and branches and some are dense to the extent that they hardly leave any space for even sunlight to pass through.

These plants together have made the place so exquisite with their viviparous roots and aerial roots. These roots are so very strong and they are in fact used to steer the boat at times instead of using the paddles.

How to reach there:  Pichavaram is just 30 minutes’ drive from Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu and around 250Kms from Chennai via East Coast Road.  The drive through ECR is beautiful, as it gives you a glimpse of the coastal culture wherein you can find paddy fields, females selling fishes, traditional houses.

You can take both paddle boats and motor boats, which are operated by the Tamil Nadu tourism department. They run on all days from 9 AM to 6 PM. watching the sunset is always scenic in these forests. What makes more fascinating is the stories, legends that boatmen will continue while they are rowing the boats. These stories range from movie shoots to religious legends attached to the place.

Quick Tips

  • Take sufficient cash, as there are no ATMs in the place.
  • Plastic is banned
  • Use paddle boats rather than motor boats, as they can reach to more interiors
  • If you would want to check the breadth and height of these beautiful forests, tipping the boatmen is not a bad idea. Afterall, they are the masters of the place.

 

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