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


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Chennai - Pulicat Lake | Tada - Road Trip

Pulicat Bird Sanctuary

Its been a long time for me after Gudium Caves trip. So, I planned to take a trip towards Pulicat lake which is located in the TN-AP border. So, invited some friends and started the journey on a fine Sunday from Anna nagar, Chennai.

Location: Pulicat Lake / Bird Sanctuary

Direction: NH 5 towards Kolkatta.

There are two three entry points for Pulicat Lake.

1. Tada - A right turn which takes you from the NH5 towards Kolkatta.

2. Sulurpet - A round turn junction road 3km after Sulurpet and there towards Sriharikota.

3. Ponneri - A right turn from NH 5 road towards Ponneri and from there again you have to travel a lot towards the lake.

Pulicat lake is covered in a long way and so the right side of NH 5 will take you to there. But we have to choose the exact path to reduce the unwanted travel.

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From this picture you can see the vast area, which is surrounded by lake. These transmission lines goes to Sriharikota rocket lauchpad.

The location was wonderful but the season which you choose is important. Better try to go in December - March.




The two sides of the road is covered by this lake and the birds.





Great Flamingos are seen here in large numbers.

A few kilometers ahead Sriharikota rocket launching site is there. You can see the prototype of PSLV in the entrance of that site. Public is allowed to visit this site on all Wednesdays.



We were disappointed by the dry weather and the dry lake were we could not see more birds and boating in that spot. Boating can be taken if you choose the Tada route to Pulicat. I mean the first route I have mentioned above. But we choose the second route. We really got tired driving all along in the hot sun.

While returning we planned to go to Tada waterfalls. So, we returned from Sriharikota road again to NH 5 and from there we went to Tada. A right turn has to be taken in that direction of return. The road which goes to Srikalahasti takes you to Tada waterfalls. Its around 20 km from the highway.

Kalki Oneness Temple

There is a lot to travel even after reaching the entrance of the Tada waterfalls. There is a small locality there from there around 5 km has to be traveled in a rough road. There is a parking lot there and the time to visit tada is from 8 to 5pm everyday. Cameras are charged Rs.50 and two wheelers are charged Rs.15.



From that parking space, a lot of distance have to crossed by walk through the forests way. You can witness some streams while walking. Approximately it will take around 1:30 hours to reach the main waterfalls. Its best to go in groups. Please do not litter the place. Its a beautiful place which is being littered by drunkards. Save the beauty of Tada.


We returned to Chennai after enjoying the beauty of Tada waterfalls. Two wheelers are preferable but the distance is very long and there are risks of tyres being punctured. So, better travel in a 4 wheeler in groups and explore the beauty.


 

Chennai - Gudiyam Caves - Road Trip

Gudium Caves ( As mentioned by Archaeological Department of Tamilnadu)

This name is not familiar to Chennai people. So, I though I should make this familiar at least among my network. I found a day with awesome weather in Chennai. So, my mind started to think about a long travel in bike to enjoy the weather.

Decided to travel to Gudium Caves. My friend and colleague Kamal joined me happily and we started our trip in Honda Unicorn bike of Kamal's. The destination is more than 70 Km from Guindy. We took the Poonamalle High Road and from there a diversion towards Tiruvallur.

Gudium Caves is known for its 1 lakh year old rock-shelters, statues etc. Prefered for trekkers and who loves to travel.

The travel was very fine as we found a lot of green fields everywhere.

Shivan Temple at Tirumizhisai

Kamal posing after a long drive

Till you reach Tiruvallur, you can't find any ATMs, restaurants, fuel stations(limited) etc. Hotel Akshaya Bhavan was excellent and has good service. Its in Tiruvallur.

After a healthy lunch, we started our trip again. From Tiruvallur, you have to take a right which goes to Poondi reservoir.

It's around 30 minutes travel from there. You can find the reservoir starts in the left side of the road. Lots of Mango trees, palm trees surrounding the reservoir entries. From the main road, you have to take a left turn to reach this Reservoir. Keep in mind that, you must take the left turn. Otherwise the road may take you somewhere.
There are two hair-pin bends before reaching this reservoir. A narrow road wherein only one heavy vehicle can pass.




















Crossing this dam, a road that goes right has to be taken. There will be some direction to reach the Goonipalayam. I don't know whether that place is related to Gudium village. People around the Poondi dam doesn't know clearly about Gudium. Enquired many and continued our travel blindly.

There starts the adventure. The roads are not good after this point. Care has to be taken while driving.


We were travelling for around 10 km and we did'nt find any traces of Gudium Caves or Hills. There was another diversion towards right which took us to the destination. Immediately after taking right, we found the directions for the Gudium Caves for the First time. We felt really happy that we have reached the destination. The place was surrounded with eucalyptus trees.


A 4 km travel after this point. A small village was there. The way we traveled after this village was very bad. Full of rocks.


Better consult some local people in the village before proceeding.

Better come with a good vehicle. Other than bikes for a safe return. We didn't expect such a road with pebbles and sands. After a long hard walk of around 2km, we realized that we can not move with bike after that. A big provision to park vehicles is there. But really it is not safe and there is no other go. So we parked there.




This was the only pattern of soil found there. But there was no big thorns on the paths. Stones colored with white paints directs you to the cave.

Directors to the Cave

A way which goes right and then takes to the top of the hill. Very steep way. We got tired at this point as we didn't take water or food with us. Climbing this way leads you to a big cave wherein lots of small stones are carved in that. It was amazing to see that. But to say in real, everyone will get disappointed to see just the rock-shelters and stones.

























Climbed yet to reach the top of the hill. Total surrounding was viewed at that point. It was awesome to spend time there with cool breeze.


But we totally got exhausted.


We didn't lose our heart. Saw some more places there and then came out of the caves since it was getting dark and there is no one all around the place except the two of us.

This was the only water place we found there.

We drove very fast in search of water. Found water and quenched our thirsts.

It was very exciting for us to cover such an area which is unknown to many people and there are no proper directions.

Take a water bottle and some eatables for sure if you plan to visit this caves. Come in groups which will be safer. Come early and leave early. DO NOT travel alone as Gudium caves is in a forest and no one can come for any assistance early in case of any emergency.


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Our return journey towards Chennai at 100kmph speed.

I was so satisfied with this road trip. I enjoyed the weather, the nature, unknown place. We explored a lot.

Keep reading. Will upload the next post soon after a trip. Keep Smiling :-)

   

Chennai - St.Thomas Mount

St. Thomas Mount, Chennai, Tamilnadu

One of the hillock in Chennai located near Guindy. Well known as 'Parangi Malai' in Tamil and its famous for 'Jyothi' theatre. 'Parangi' a saint lived in earlier centuries and hence this hillock is called 'Parangi malai'.

This hillock has a church built by Portuguese in 1523 and this church has been visited by Pope John Paul II.

This mount can be reached very easily from Guindy with two ways. A way to walk by stairs and another way for the vehicles.

The picture posted above shows the entrance of the St.Thomas Mount Church. And the picture posted below is the statue of St.Thomas.




This is the cross which is on the church. From this mount, the city can be viewed well. View of Tidel Park, Kathipara flyover, Airport runways etc.










This church has a lot of paintings in it and there is a holy cross which is made in a granite stone.







And this is the view of the St.Thomas mount Church.

And this is the way we can reach the mount with the 160 step stairs from the Butt road entrance.