Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary

Vedanthangal is about 90 kilometers from Chennai. That's if you take the road like we did, on public transport.

Chennai Egmore station to Chengalpattu by train and then by bus to the sanctuary. Buses go there every 40 minutes or so. You could hire a taxi too.

The moment you arrive at the Chengalpattu station you get the feeling of mild adventure. Climb the over-bridge at the station to get a better view of the surroundings. There's a huge water body, a lake I suppose, besides the railway station that sets the mood just right.

The whole place is quaint. Old British construction that is now being done up and added to. I hope they follow the original design to the extensions as well. You'll pass a few quaint villages on your way. There's one that gives you a very good feeling inside, peaceful and grounded. What's with quaint villages that are so joyous?

The Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary itself is a little quite. What am I saying? Aren't sanctuaries quite? Apparently, the villagers celebrate any event or occasion quietly during the bird season at Vedanthangal. That's so good to hear. In fact it's the villagers who protect the sanctuary from exploitation.

You need to buy your tickets at the entrance and pay for your cameras and digicams. And then you're in! Oh, don't forget to rent binoculars just outside the gates. Costs you just thirty rupees.

Can you see all the birds? There are thousands all over. And thousands more in the early mornings and late evenings. I did hear someone mention 4.00am sightings. If you can get up that early in the morning...

There's a viewing tower from where you can get a good view of all the birds. Those are the steps leading to the tower. And below you see the water at the foot of the tower. Mind you, that's full of fish, though you don't see them.

The path way is stone-paved.

If you plan to open your picnic lunch inside, bewarned! There are a bunch of really clever monkeys around. The one sleeping down there is only pretending so.

If you plan to stay, there is a Forest Rest House at Vedanthangal. You'll have to contact the Wildlife Warden though. (DMS Compound, No. 256, Anna Salai, Teynampet, Chennai – 600006.) There's more about the sanctuary here and here.

Mahabalipuram - The UNESCO Heritage Site

Mahabalipuram is a small fishing village by the sea, 60 kilo meters south of Chennai. Some people say that it’s fast becoming the Goa of south India. (God forbid!). You’ll bump into many travellers at this seventh century port city.

There are beaches and then there are temples in this ancient place.

You must stop by at the rock-cut shore temple. And also take in the art of stone carving. Did I catch you by surprise? You really can watch artisans carving stones into exquisite figures and figurines. But the shore temple is the one you mustn’t miss.

The ancient Pallava (650 – 893) dynasty built many cave temples. The shore temple is one of the earliest. I must say here that this shore temple along with the rock-cut sculptures fall under UNESCO’s world heritage sites. (Or is that the entire village itself… I’m not sure. But it definitely is a UNESCO site.)

Set against the canvas of the endless blue sky and the majestic sea, the shore temple is a treat for your eyes. Follow the exquisite forms carved in sheer rock and you’ll begin to appreciate the effort that has gone into making this abode of Lord Shiva as well as Lord Vishnu.

Scattered throughout the village are various other rock-cut temples. The vivid tableaux in rock transports you to an era when all you could hear were the lapping of waves timed to the bang of a thousand hammers, the chirping of birds and the measured chatter of artisans going about their commissioned work. Here you will find some of the finest examples of ancient temple art.

The rock sculptures date back to 630 BC. (How could that be when the Pallava reign commenced only in 650 BC is hard to tell. I aint no historian, so you must forgive me. I’ve culled this part from sources all over the net.)

But imagine this… 1400 years after Tamil artisans first began chipping rocks into beautiful temples; sculpture still remains a part of everyday life at Mahabalipuram, also called Mamallapuram.

Katherine Tanko of the International Herald Tribune describes this quaint land in four words – sun, surf and ancient ruins. That’s a potent combination, you’ll agree.

This great rock is called Krishna's Butterball. Remember Lord Krishna and his liking for butter? That's some imagination, huh? I call it the gravity rock. Does that sound frivolous?

Watch the Mahabalipuram stone carvers at work here.

More pics of Santhome Church

Here’s what was left out the last time - Santhome Church has just under gone a renovation. You can now worship at the tomb of the Saint, which is underground and can be reached by a passage.

Santhome Church

You’d never guess there’s so much behind a name. Gosh! There I go putting the cart before the horse again. Typical of me.

Santhome Church at Santhome, the southern end of Marina Beach derives its name from St. Thomas, the apostle of Christ who is believed to have come to Madras sometime in 52 A.D. But of course if you know a smattering of Portuguese, you’d have guessed as much. Saint Thomas in Portuguese is São Tomé.

Legend has it that the Apostle, after preaching on the west coast of India, arrived at the east coast and fixed his see at Mylapore, which was then a flourishing city. The number of converts he made, aroused the hostility of the local priests so much so that he had to flee from their anger to Little Mount (Chinnamalai in Tamil).

He was martyred in 72 A.D. at Little Mount (Saint Thomas Mount, as it would be known in later years) and was interned in Santhome Beach, where a church was presently built.

Several years later, another church was built further inland and his mortal remains were moved from the old church to the new one. In 1606 the church was rebuilt as a cathedral. In 1896 it was made a basilica.
The beautiful stained glass windows at the basilica portray the story of St. Thomas and fourteen wooden plaques at the central hall illustrate scenes from the last days of Christ. The statue of Virgin Mary, three feet high, is believed to have been brought from Portugal in 1543.


So much history here. It’s a place you mustn’t miss when you’re in Chennai the next time.