August month is called as “Madras day -whole month celebration”. This year since I was in Chennai, I decided to explore the heritage part of city by joining their walks. Some walks are free while very few are paid. I attended many heritage walks and made a list on - Unknown heritage spots of Chennai, which I am sharing with you all below.
Before starting, let me say some history about Chennai, which was once upon a time called as Madras. It’s history starts from Tondaimandalam province, ruled by Chozhas and Pallavas. The present day history starts from Fort st.George. Narimedu was the first area to be named in 1639, followed by Triplicane to Mylapore. In 1705, after British rule then called Madras has lot of unsaid history and heritage, till present day Chennai.
1) RANADE LIBRARY
Listed as one of the oldest library of Chennai, it is located at the corner of Luz area and beginning of Alwarpet. This library is 180 years old. Named after Sri Mahadev Govind Ranade, the foundation stone was by PR Sundaram Iyer and Mr. Alladi Krishnaswamy Iyer. There are more than 30,000 books out of which history records publishing of monthly magazines like Viveka bodhini and Desiya Geetham. Years later publication for Indian-review paper was done here. Today this library comes under heritage spot of Chennai. It is open from 10am to 7pm everyday. This walk was organised by madrasinherited.in
2) AMRUTANJAN HOUSE
Located next to Amrutanjan factory, which is seen at the brink of Luz corner where three roads meet, Sri PR Sundara Iyer built this house in 1930. It is a place where formation of Andhra state was done. Lot of telegu leaders met at this house. After meetings, Mr.Sundaram Iyer would distribute a yellow gel with light pungent smell. This later was named as Amrutanjan. Without prior appointment visiting the premises is not possible. This walk was organised by Madrasinherited.in.
3) SPCA-
Society of protection and care association is the full form of SPCA. Built at Vepery area for prevention of cruelty against animals, the hospital name is Rajah Venugopala Bhadurs hospital for animals. Named after Rajas of Venkatagiri built in 1877 idea was first conceived by a group of Englishmen who were then residing in Chennai. A non profit organisation much later handed over to the government of India. From Rippon building you take a right and walk for about 20minutes this building arrives. Without prior permission entering this heritage spot is not possible. This heritage walk was organised by Mrs.Sudha Umashankar Storycorner at Bookmine.
4) KATHIPARA URBAN SQUARE-
It is termed as new hangout spot of Chennai. Kathipara junction is where lot of roads meet and connect to many parts of Chennai. Below the flyover is the urban square. From Alandur metro walking past Sri Jawaharlal Nehru statue you enter the Urban square area. With both sides parking a fleet of eateries welcomes you. Ahead is a children park and a small garden. This square has two portions. One you walk on the right, then cross and walk on the other side where another set of shops prevail. During Metro hopping heritage walk our last stop was to this place. This walk was organised by Ms.TiripuraSundari Sevval founder of Nam veedu Nam Oor Nam Kadhai. A writer, curator and narrator currently working with Madras Literary Society.
5) NAGESHWAR RAO PARK-
This park is not an offbeat spot but one of the popular, famous landmark place of Chennai. Initially it was called as Arathakutti which was named after Desodharaka Nageshwara Rao Pantulu. Filled with Tabulica, Tabubia ixorasp, Neem palms, and Lapostromea lush green welcome me. There are seaters and round seaters facing the greenery. A long pathway is laid to walk for as long as you want. There is a shoe house adjacent to children park. From 6am till 8pm this park is open. Lot of free activities are organised in this park, besides heritage walks.
6) LUZ CHURCH-
Located in the brink of three streets from all three sides this church is seen. Named as Our lady of light church, after Nossa Senhora da Luz built in 1516 you would find lot of European architecture. Belief is Vasodagama visited this church . It is named as Kaatukovil in Tamil. Located inside the Luz corner at the corner where road from Luz meet, it is an offbeat heritage spot.
7) RAMAKRISHAN MATH LIBRARY-
Located inside the Ramakrishna math premises, as you come out of the meditation center and take a round, on the left is this library. A huge statue of Swami Vivekananda welcomes you. Filled with lot of tables, there are lot of book racks places around the library. This library is open from morning 10am to evening 7pm. It is an unknown library located in the heart of the city Mylapore, where from Sri Kapaleeshwarar temple is yards away.
8) SANTHOME BEACH
This beach is adjacent to St.Thomas church. From the church backside exit if you walk for about 7 minutes you reach this beach. We stopped near the entry point to view the beach. A less crowded beach which is used for catching fishes that by 8am the beach is totally deserted. The view of sun, glistening on the blue waters is a beautiful sight to watch. So if you are visiting Santhome church don’t forget to visit this lovely offbeat spot.
9) PERAMBUR LOCOMATIVE WORK STATION-
It is a huge area, where you get to see carriage and wagon works office of Chief workshop manager, and steam locomotive area. Besides there is a parade ground small tempos and lot of thick, lush greenery. It’s a long walk say about forty minutes up and forty minutes down, you get to see lot of trains from ancient days to present day. We got an opportunity To go into office of chief workshop manager and get a glimpse of the premises. This walk was conducted by Dr.Uma Vangal who is a resident of this area.
10) CSI ST THOMAS ENGLISH CHURCH
It is an offbeat church of Santhome area, which nobody knows much irrespective of many times you pass by the road. It is one of the oldest Protestant church built in 1842. As you enter the premises the first thing you will note is the sprawling ground filled with fangipani trees. Walking few steps visibility of church falls in your eyes. This church is much near to santhome beach from where ships were visible. The inside premises of the church is calm filled with spiritual atmosphere. Every Sunday morning during service a unique instrument is played in this church. There are rods from where rolled notes begin and they get hooked to the piano in front of it. The person who plays this instrument has to use their fingers foot and mind to sync with the notes. This heritage walk was conducted by madrasinherited.in
The above shared list is very less. There are more heritage spots in Old Washermenpet, Thousand Lights, St.George Fort and Aminjikarai areas. Regular weekend walks are organised to these areas. Though I am a proper chennaite, lot of places are unknown to me. Heritage walks openend me to a new world. At present I am attending to heritage walks organised in Mumbai. So see you all soon with another set of heritage based article.
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