Top Tourist Attractions in Chengalpattu
Chengalpattu, formerly Chinglepet, is a town in Tamil Nadu, India, and the administrative centre of the Chengalpattu district. The town is close to an industrial and information technology cluster. It is the district headquarters and is located 56 kilometres from the state capital, Chennai, on National Highway 45. By 1900, the town was known for its pottery production and served as a regional market centre, particularly for the rice trade. Cotton and silk weaving, indigo dyeing, and tanneries were all located in the area. Along the shore, there was also a lot of salt production.
Best Places to Visit in Chengalpattu
- Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary
- Mamallapuram The Ancient Port City
- KANDHASWAMY TEMPLE, TIRUPPORUR
- VEDAGIRISWARAR TEMPLE
- TIRUVIDANTHAI
- SRINIVASA PERUMAL TEMPLE, SEMMANJERI
- CROCODILE BANK
- ARINGAR ANNA ZOOLOGICAL PARK, VANDALUR
- Vandalur Zoo
- KOVALAM
- Mamallapuram
- MUDALIARKUPPAM
Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary
It is one of India’s biggest water bird sanctuaries, located 25 kilometres from Chengalpattu. The birds build their nests on the limbs of submerged trees. Some of the species that visit during the season include storks, egrets, cormorants, darters, flamingos, pelicans, moor hens, herons, kingfishers, sandpipers, white ibis, spoonbills, swans, and grey wagtails. The finest season is between October and March, when many migrating birds arrive. The birds may be seen from either the bank or the watch tower. From November through March is the best time to visit this refuge.
Mamallapuram
Mamalapuram (Mahabalipuram) is a popular tourist destination in Kanchipuram. During Pallavas’ reign, it was a thriving port town. The chisels of Pallavas breathed new life into this prosperous port city. Mamallapuram’s monuments are exceptional examples of Dravidian temple architecture and Pallava art.
The art of the magnificent structures with carved panels, caverns, monolith rathas, and temples focuses on robust earthly qualities that are infused with vitality. Mythological episodes, epic battles, demons, Gods, and animals are all shown vividly on the wall. These sculptures are stunningly realistic and creative. During the reigns of Narasimha Varman I and Narasimha Varman II, the majority of the temples and monuments were completed.
Tourism Places in Chengalpattu District
KANDHASWAMY TEMPLE, TIRUPPORUR
This temple is one of Tamil Nadu’s 33 Murugan temples. During the Pallava period, this structure was constructed. The temple is around 25 kilometres from Chengalpattu. Thiruporur has been given the names Poriyur, Yudhapuri, and Samarapuri. This is where an old temple dedicated to Lord Muruga was founded in OMR. Several inscriptions can be found throughout the temple. The temple is open from 6.30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
VEDAGIRISWARAR TEMPLE THIRUKALUKUNDRAM
It is noted for the unique phenomena of two eagles visiting the hill to temple every day at noon to worship Lord Vedagiriswarar. As a result, the village was given this name. This modest Siva temple is located on the top of the 160-meter-high Vedagiri hill. In the town below, there is also a Siva temple. A large tank in the southeast corner of town is reputed to have healing properties. A conch is discovered in this reservoir once every 12 years, and throngs of worshippers go to bathe in it at this fortunate time. This is also the celebration of Laksha Deepam (the burning of one lakh lights). A collection of the conches is on exhibit in the town’s Siva Temple.
Thiru vidanthai
The almost 1000-year-old Nityakalyana Perumal Temple is located on the East Coast Road between Chennai and Mamallapuram. Varaha Perumal, also known as Nitya Kalyana Perumal, is the lovely deity here. Unmarried devotees who worship the god are said to receive marital happiness.
SRINIVASA PERUMAL TEMPLE, SEMMANJERI
The Archaeological Department indicates that the current construction is around 500 years old. Locals, however, refer to it as a 1500-year-old temple. It is located 30 kilometres from Chennai on the Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) in Semmenjeri. It is stated that a Pallava monarch who had lost his vision came here to worship Srinivasa Perumal and regained his vision. Even now, locals think that worshipping the Perumal here would heal anyone with eye issues. This is also supposed to be a Prahtana sthalam for childless and unmarried couples.
Timings: Morning 7.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m., Evening 4.00 p.m. to Night 8.00 p.m.
Crocodile Bank
The Crocodile Bank is located in Mahabalipuram, around 44 kilometres from Tamil Nadu’s capital city. It covers around 3.2 hectares and is home to a diverse population of Indian and African crocodiles, alligators, and other reptiles such as turtles and snakes. The crocodiles are kept in their natural environment here. It was founded in 1976 by Romulus Whitaker, a German biologist, to save endangered species of crocodiles and alligators. It is surrounded by thick tropical flora, which provides adequate shade for these reptiles. The entire number of crocodiles at the time of its creation was only 30. The Crocodile Bank now houses 14 different species of crocodiles, 12 different types of turtles, and 5 different types of snakes, for a total of 2,400 reptiles.
Opening Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 7.00 p.m. – 8.30 p.m.
(By advance booking only) Phone : +91 -44 27472447
ARINGAR ANNA ZOOLOGICAL PARK, VANDALUR
The process on establishing the Zoological Park began in 1976. It first opened to the public in 1985. It is one of the largest zoological complexes in South East Asia, spanning 602 acres. Apart from maintaining the Zoological Complex, which houses 40 different species of mammals, 20 different species of birds, and 14 different species of reptiles, the Animal Welfare, research, veterinary, horticulture, and sanitation teams conduct awareness campaigns for school children and teachers as part of its education programme. At a cost of 4 crores, a separate natural habitat enclosure for butterflies has been built over an area of 2.7 acres, with 200 varieties of nectar plants. Hours of operation: 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. Tuesday is a holiday.
KOVALAM
On the route to Mamallapuram, a seaside town 40 kilometres from Chennai metropolis. Within the village limits, there is a prominent Church and a Dargah that draw pilgrims from the surrounding villages as well as Chennai. Catamaran rides and mid-sea diving organised by locals draw a large number of tourists.
On the route to Mamallapuram, a seaside town 40 kilometres from Chennai metropolis. Within the village limits, there is a prominent Church and a Dargah that draw pilgrims from the surrounding villages as well as Chennai. Catamaran rides and mid-sea diving organised by locals draw a large number of tourists.
MUTTUKADU BOAT HOUSE
The TTDC offers a Boating centre at this perfect picnic spot with appealing green backdrop and brilliant blue sky and sea, as well as a food court. The annual Windsurfing Regatta is held in February. Muttukadu Boat House is a water sports facility located on the East Coast Road in Muttukadu, Chennai. Rowing, wind surfing, water skiing, and speedboat rides are all available. It is a backwater region of the Bay of Bengal approximately 36 kilometres away. From the city centre and 23 kilometres from Adyar on the road to Mamallapuram.
Operating Hours: Morning 9.00 a.m. to Evening 6.00 p.m.
MAMALLAPURAM( MAHABALIPURAM)
Mamallapuram is a resort town and tourist destination. Aside from the ancient structures and temples. It boasts a long stretch of beach on the ocean. The Pallava Dynasty built it and used it as a seaport during their reign. Nrasimha Varman I, the Pallava monarch, was a brilliant wrestler with the title MAMALLAN, hence it was named MAMALLAPURAM. This unique and lengthy seashore features temples in the shape of chariots called Rathas, mandapams (cave sanctuaries), and gigantic open air reliefs such as the famed and superb 100 foot long ” Arjuna Penance.” And the Temple of Rivage, which houses a plethora of magnificent Lord Siva statues.
The seaside Temple complex contains one main and two tiny temples built in the Dravidian style of architecture. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the oldest structural excellences in South India. The Open Air Museum is a new and modern addition to the town of Mahabalipuram. Sculpture and Art College, Sculpture Workshops, Handicrafts The long and gorgeous seashore draws millions of tourists all year. Hotel Tamilnadu (TTDC) Unit I, Beach Resort Complex, Chennai
MUDALIARKUPPAM
It lies 90 kilometres from Chennai and 30 kilometres south of Mamallapuram on the East Coast Road, and is also known as the Rain Drop Boat House. It is maintained and administered by the TTDC. This boat house includes a variety of boats to meet the tastes of the tourists, such as Banana Boats, water scooters, and speed boats. A boat tour to the nearest beach island in Odiyur Lake is also organised.
Best Time to Visit in Chengalpattu
Finest Time to Visit — According to climate studies, February is one of the best months to visit Chengalpattu. Mar: The weather in Chengalpattu is pleasant in March.
How to Reach Chengalpattu
BY ROAD:
Air
Due to the existence of an international and domestic airport in the district, Chengalpattu is well-connected to the rest of India and the rest of the globe.
By Train image
Rail
The district is easily accessible from any region of the country due to the presence of major railway stations/junctions within the district, such as Tambaram and Chengalpattu. Furthermore, the EMU service from Chennai Beach to Chengalpattu Junction provides a good connection between the district and Chennai’s metropolitan area.
By Bus Images
Road
Apart from planes and trains, important national highways crisscross the area, especially the Grand Southern Trunk Road (GST), which connects the district to the state’s southern regions.