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.