Chennai - Pulicat Lake - Pazhaverkadu - A joyful trip - Tamilnadu

Once again to Pulicat Lake.  But this time I choose the right path which was more simple and safe.  Enjoy the post with cool pictures captured around Pulicat Lake.

 

Pulicat Lake or பழவேற்காடு 

One of the tourist spot around Chennai to be enjoyed within a day.  This spot can be reached either through direct bus or train to Ponneri.  From CMBT direct buses are available to Pazhaverkadu.  If you are near the Central station of Chennai, taking suburban train to Ponneri would be best option.  From Ponneri, lots of local buses are available to Pazhaverkadu.  Its about 18 km from the Ponneri bus stand.  Share auto services are available from Ponneri train station to bus stations.  You can also, hire a share auto (tata auto) directly to Pulicat lake.  Depending upon the group of people, you can bargain the share autos.  

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Directions to Pulicat or Chennai from Ponneri

The first thing you can see at the Pulicat Lake is the very old Dutch Cemetery with 22 tombs.  Most of the tombs are getting eroded.

Dutch Cemetery View

We have arranged for a boat to roam around the lake.  Many boats are available to visit the lake.  But before taking the boat journey, please carry the required things.  Water bottles, food, extra clothes, etc.  Since the weather was normal at the time and there was cool breeze, we enjoyed the time there.

Newly built flyover bridge across the Pulicat Lake

Pulicat lake is brackish water where it mingles with the Bay of Bengal Ocean.  So, while you reach the end of the lake, the waves will be more and care has to be taken for the safety.  The tidal waves are more and it is danger to take a dip without the care of any known people about the place and depths.

We had a good friend of my colleague as the guide to take the boat all around the lake.

Our gang

We also enjoyed the beautiful waves of the beach after our lunch and passing through the bushes.

Beautiful and higher tides at Pulicat Lake beach.

This beach is isolated and I strongly advice to go in groups and return before it gets dark and with some guide.  Our guide Mr.Senthil suggested a good place to take a dip where there is no depth and less current.  We enjoyed a good time there.

A joyful dip at the Pulicat Lake

As were a good gang to enjoy all the places, our day went on well at Pulicat.  Unlimited happiness at the lake and boating.  Kids will enjoy this ride.  But be cautious while taking kids for their safety. 

You can see the place where the lake and ocean emerges.

Lots of hotels, shops are available at reasonable rates.  But you have to carry those to boat to survive for few hours.  Chances are there to get exhausted because of the dry weather.  So, carry more water and it is mandatory there.

View of Light house from the newly built flyover bridge

Fishes and variety of crabs are sold in the market of Pulicat at reasonable rates. 

View of fisheries from the bridge

A beautiful spot to enjoy with friends and family.  Please visit in groups and take more water, food, extra clothes.  And the most important thing is to avoid taking bath at the lake or the beach.  Many had lost their lives here being ignorant about the place.

Keep visiting for the next spot with beautiful pictures.  Do comment about your views about this post.
Keep smiling and exploring.

Ashok


Please find the below link, which will be useful for finding best hotels options matching your requirements and with best deals.  Its cool!!!

Recommended booking for stays with best reviews of places too

   

Courtallam & Papanasam Waterfalls - Tamilnadu

Friends

With the refreshment which I got from the trip amidst of heavy work stress, I'm writing this for all.

From my childhood days, I have been knowing only one place which is famous for the waterfalls in Tamilnadu and that is Courtrallam.  An amazing place to trip out and enjoy with family and friends.  You don't have to spend more for this trip.  This tourist spot is for all the classes of people.

Let me take you to the core idea of the trip.  We were a group of 7 and we started from the temple city Madurai. 

We took the NH 7 road towards Courtrallam.  We have to cross Srivilliputtur and have to reach Tenkasi.  From Tenkasi, Courtrallam is just 4 kms ahead.  Beautiful view everywhere throughout the journey.  It was awesome to see all the paddy, corn fields.

Corn Fields on the way to Courtrallam

The weather was enjoyable at Courtrallam which welcomed us with drizzles.  My heart was singing Thenmerku paruvakatru song.  I really enjoyed.  We searched for a decent lodge with TV and other facilities.  Most of the lodges are old and I searched for half an hour to get a decent and a brand new hotel.  The main falls of Courtrallam is surrounded with a lot of lodges and community halls.  

Finally we got a hotel named Muruga Vilas opposite to the entrance of Main Falls.  I recommend this lodge.  Room was neat and with brand new LCD TVs.  

Immediately we started to take shower at the main falls.  What an experience.  The shower for half an hour really made us fresh.  We felt really good.  A lot of Idly shops and variety shops with spices, chips, fruits, halwa, hot bajjis are available.  Lot of stalls provide the oil massage before taking bath at the falls.

Tourists visit the falls all through the night there is full protection provided by the Tamilnadu police.  It makes us feel safe there.  We were wandering at 12 at the night and we had tasty idly and dosa near the falls.  I felt happy because of choosing the right time for this trip. 

Main Falls, Courtrallam

Early morning we woke up to enjoy the cool weather with drizzles.  The view from the room was amazing.  My heart wanted to go out and enjoy.  We started leaving room and to have a oil bath at the falls.  The tourist crowd a little bit heavy and the Police protection were also more.  Oil bath made the day an amazing.  

We had hot idlis and dosa immediately after the bath.  It was awesome.  Also tasted the Rafta fruit.  We packed our things and started our journey.  We visited the 5 falls of Courtrallam.  

5 falls of Courtrallam

We didn't took bath there as it was crowded and we started our journey towards Papanasam.  

There are two more waterfalls available at Courtrallam.  The honey falls, Old Courtrallam falls, Senbaga falls which is considered as the dangerous spots were several people lost their lives.  So, it is not recommended to visit those waterfalls.  

We reached Papanasam in 1 hour of journey from Courtrallam.  It was a forest area.  We crossed the small waterfalls before reaching the Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve.

Papanasam Water falls.

Our minds were in search of a good waterfalls to enjoy.  So, we ignored this falls and started towards the origin of Thamiraparani River.  

We reached the Mundanthurai Tiger reserve forest and the last entry time is 4.  We reached by 3:30.  After 4 we cannot reach the falls through the boating.  A lot of boats are available to reach the waterfalls.  Rs.20 per person is charged for the boating.  It was thrilling to travel in boat to reach the waterfalls.  We enjoyed boating.

We were amazed to see the Panatheertham waterfalls while the boat reached the shore.  

Panatheertham Waterfalls, Papanasam.

Our minds started to beat fast for the waterfalls.  We have to cross some distance to reach the waterfalls through the forest.  

We had a cool dip at the falls.  This was the waterfalls were the Roja film song Chinna Chinna Aaasai was shot by Mani Ratnam.  

Origin of Tamiraparani River. Paanatheertham Waterfalls.

We were really hungry after the refreshing bath.  Our minds and mouths were searching for the fish fry which we saw while entering the falls.

We had an excellent food from a local woman who sell fishes caught from the dam.  

Then we started from the forest by 6pm and took the Tirunelveli route towards Madurai through the NH 7.  We reached Madurai at 10:30 and took train to Chennai at 10:40.  

It was a great trip and my friends really enjoyed the trip.  Please visit Courtrallam and Papanasam.  Excellent places of Tamilnadu.  Less expense, good places.  Enjoy the weather and choose the July - September season.  

And the road map is as follows.


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Please take your family and friends to Courtrallam.  Enjoy life and weather.  Do let me know for any travel vehicle and hotels.

Gingee/Senji Fort | Thiruvannamalai Temple -Trip

Arunaachaleswarar Temple - Tiruvannamalai
It was a long time I made a trip to be published on my blog. I planned to visit the Gingee fort a long time back with my friend Udaiya. So, we wanted to implement it. As per our plan we started our journey from Koyambedu. As I have not visited Tiruvannamalai temple, we travelled towards that first.

Location: Tiruvannamalai or Senji


Direction: 185Km - NH 45 till Tindivanam. A right turn before the Tindivanam bypass road and travel towards Tiruvannamalai.

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As we travelled on the day of New Moon Day immediately after the Maha Siva Rathri, it was festival all through the way from Tindivanam to Tiruvannamalai. Devotees dressed in disguise of MahaKali and Sivan was seen in most of the place.



The view of the Arunaachaleswarar Shrine. It is one of the towers. It has totally 7 towers. This temple got very familiar to the world only after the movie staring Super Star Rajinikanth, Arunaachalam. This temple is famous for the Girivalam which is a 13km walk surrounding the temple. This path has been made comfortable with street lights by Super Star. So, from that time this temple become a popular spot for all the devotees of Lord Shiva. Karthigai Deepam is lighted here on top of the mount which is witnessed by crores of devotees every year.


A very long queue is present everyday there and lot of people and foreigners visit this temple. All the temples are made with a lot of arts.

I stayed that night in my friend's house at Senji/Gingee.

Gingee Fort

Gingee is a small town with three forts which were ruled by various emperors. Nawabs, Nayakars, British etc. This fort is linked with the Vellore fort and to Pondicherry. There were three subways made at that time for the King to travel through that at times of danger.



Gingee is surrounded by green paddy fields everywhere. It was a pleasant view for our eyes.

This is the Krishnagiri Fort where the Queen lived. This fort is connected to the Gingee Fort.

And the picture below shows the view of the Gingee fort.



Entrance of Gingee Fort



Only one shop is available in this place which sells cool drinks such as water, aerated drinks etc. There is no restaurant available nearby. So, plan well for the food before going. It will be nice to see people carrying Puliyodarai and making it as a picnic spot.




This is the marriage hall and the view point for the VIPs(Kings and Queens) to see the marriage happening in the hall.

This fort has many divisions such as Granary, Magazine storage, Gymnasium, horse and elephant ranch. There is also an Elephant Lake.


Apart from these divisions of the fort there is a main part which has to be climbed up to the hill. Its a very tall hill and the way is surrounded by steps. It will be a tough time for normal people to climb. Better to have stock of waters or food to take rest at any place. And the weather have to be noted. It will be very sunny and it is advised to climb early.

After a struggled climb, you can witness a Ranganathar temple there and a watch tower of soldier. There is also a canon used at that times.



And this canon is made of stone. It was really nice to see those canons and the canon balls used as the bullets which will be big in size.



The entry ticket is Rs.5 for Indians and Rs.100 for other citizens. Only the Video Cameras are charged. A trip to this place can be made in groups to spend some good time. Like a picnic. Come on friends.... !!! Indian architecture can be understand well here.

There is also a mosque which is built for the friend of the Nawab ruler. And there is a Venkateshwara temple there. It was awesome with the sculptural arts.

Gingee is well known for this fort. It has another special thing. Egg Cake which is a special one which is not available nowhere other than Gingee. It tastes good and only one shop produces that item. Do not miss it while you visit Gingee.

So keep reading the blog for the latest trips of mine to explore India more.