Pulicat Beach

About Pulicat Beach

A fishing village in Thiruvalluvar district of Tamil Nadu, Pulicat is located at a distance of 60 kilometers from Chennai. It is known as the second biggest brackish water lagoon in India and the blockade of Sriharikota Island separates it from the Bay of Bengal. It stretches about a total of 60 kilometers along the Coromandel Coast. This lake town is visited as a part of eco-tourism itinerary. Yet while in Chennai one must set out his excursion to Pulicat. Bird lovers will sure spot various marine birds here.

Owing to the number of monuments and lakes present here, a trip to Pulicat is interesting from travel and tourism point of view. The cemetery is looked after by the Archaeological Survey of India. The main attraction of the place is the Pulicat Lake. The lake is separated from the Bay of Bengal, by a strip of land which comprises of the Pulicat town. Owing to its proximity to the sea, it has turned into a salt water lagoon. It is the second largest lagoon of India and boasts of a rich biodiversity.

The small island of Pulicat is inhabited by a population of 30,000 most of whom are fishermen of the “Pattanavan” fishing caste of Tamil Nadu. The island is ecologically enriched with varieties of wildlife which makes the Pulicat island a paradise for the nature lovers. One can encounter the rare and endangered species of migratory birds in the Pulicat Beach. The Pulicat Beach presents a colorful and lively picture with many different types of aquatic and terrestrial animals that adds to the attraction of the place.

Therefore, the lagoon has been preserved as a Wildlife Sanctuary. A host of animals, such as the fish, aquatic and terrestrial birds, mammals and reptiles, find shelter here. It is the hub of migratory birds like Flamingos, which are the most frequent visitors, with about 15,000 of them visiting every year. Pelicans, Kingfishers, Herons, Painted Storks, Spoonbills and Ducks are some of the other birds that show up at Pulicat Lake every year. There is also a light house on the opposite side of the lake. Thus, Pulicat makes a good picnic spot for all.

The Pulicat lake bears testimony to the rich historical and architectural past of our country as well. The 17th century Dutch cemetery highlights the historical significance of the place. The fact that the island served as an important area of the Dutch settlements can be ascertained from the archaeological remains of the old Danish fort and the Church which attracts many visitors throughout the year.

Due to its rich bio-diversity the lagoon is preserved as a Wildlife Sanctuary. It is home to wide variety animals, such as the fish, aquatic and terrestrial birds, mammals and reptiles, etc. One will see here huge folks of migratory birds like Flamingos. And other birds seen in Pulicat Lake are Pelicans, Kingfishers, Herons, Painted Storks, Spoonbills and Ducks. There is a light house on the opposite side of the lake.

Climate/Weather

**winters:**The average temperature of Madras at this time is around 24o C and never falls below 20o C. Winters also receive moderate rainfall, making the weather pleasurable and comfortable to roam around.

**Summer:**April and May are the hottest months of the year, with mercury crossing 40o C mark. The scorching heat of the sun is nearly unbearable restricting you to your houses.

Interesting things to Visit

Lord Veeraraghava Perumal Temple:
The legend connected with the origin of this temple shows that once upon a time, in Krita Yuga, a sage by name Purupunyar lived with his wife Satyavathi in Badarikashram. They had no children. Purupanyar performed a Sali Yajna. (Putrakameshti Yaga) with great fervor and devotion. The Sage offered 1000 Ahutis (oblations of gheeto the sacrificial fire after chanting the mantra each time) every day, for one full year. ’On the last day, when Purnahuti (the final offering) was performed, Lord Narayana was pleased with the austerity of the ritualistic observances of the Sage, and appeared in the sacrificial fire in a blissful mood to offer boons. The Sage prayed for a noble son.The boon was granted with the condition that he should be named after the name of the Yajna as Salihotran. With this blessing, Lord Narayana disappeared.

Nearest Visiting places

Ambattur:
Ambattur is an industrial Centre and township which is 16 km. Lu the west of Chennai city and situated in the Chennai Avadi Trunk Road. It has railway station, bearing the same name on the Chennai - Arakkonam broadgauge line. Frequent bus service, both town and mofussil, help the people in transportation. There is also biggest small scale industrial estate not only in Tiruvallur district but in the whole of South Asia.

Avadi:
Avadi is situated at a distance of 24 km, on the road leading to Tirupathi and to the west of Chennai. It is served by a good network of buses which pass through, originating from Chennai. It is also served by the Avadi railway station situated on the Chennai-Arakonam broad gauge line. It has got an Air Force Station in that area. The headquarters of the Special Armed Police of the Tamil Nadu Government.

Chembarambakkam:
Chembarambkkam is a Village, situated about 21 km. to the west of Chennai and is five km. from the nearest town Poonamallee. One could see plenty of buses passing through this place enroot to the destinations like Kanchecpuram, Sriperumpudur, Vellore, Bangalore, etc. Pattabiram, the neatest railway station is about 11 km. from here. An ancient Siva Temple could he seen here in a dilapidated condition. The village has big lake which derives supply from anicut thrown across Cooum at Koratur through new Bungaur channel. The water from this tank is not used for irrigating this village hut the Mangadu village down below.

Kunrathur:
It is the birth place of the great poet Sekkizhar. He built the Nageswarar temple here. A Shiva temple, the presiding deity being Tirunageswarar, an old Vishnu temple with excellent sculptures of Rama and Hanuman and a hill shrine dedicated to Lord Muruga are other temples in Kunrathur.

Pattinathar:
One of the 18 Superior Saints of Tan Siddha tradition, who lived in 10th Century AD attained Salvation in a temple in Thiruvottiyur which is 8 Km drive from Chennai. Time Morning 6 am. to 1.00 p.m. Evening 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Pazhayanur (Tiruttani Taluk):
Pazhayanaur, a village as ancient and as good sacred place as Thiruvalangadu, is situated at a distance of about 1.5 kilometers from Thiruvalangadu village. The contribution of Pazhayanur to the great tradition and glory of Tamils is unique. It was here that seventy Tamil vahalars together sacrificed their lives to uphold a Tamil worker. The opinion of the scholars is that nowhere could they come across such a unique incident involving the sacrifice of so many lives at an appointed hour.

Poondi:
Poondi is a small village, is situated at a distance about 60 km. from Chennai. Frequent buses are available from Chennai and Tiruvallur to reach this place. ‘Poondi’ the name, it is said, is derived from Poondu in Tamil, the shrub which was once abundant in this place. Poondi has acquired a significant importance as it has a huge reservoir called Sathyamurthy Sagar. The water from this reservoir goes to the Red Hills lake from where the Madras city receives water supply after undergoing necessary processing. Poovirundavalli .

Pulicat Lake/Bird Sanctuary:
A shoe shallow water spread formed by the confluence of Backwaters, Pulicat Lake and Buckingham Canal situated on the northern end of Tamil nadu is an ideal picnic spot. A catamaran ride on the shallow water spread and a visit to Bird Sanctuary ate two most leisure activities to he undertaken here.

Sri Karumari Amman Temple:
18 Km from Chennai. This Temple is situated at Thiruverkadu. Thaipoosa Latcharechana and Poornima Latcharchana are very auspicious. Other important festivals are. Masi magam, Tamil New Year, Panguni uthiram and Garudaseva. Sundays are very special. The poojas are Archana Sagasranama Archana, Ashtothra Archana, Abishekam. Each Sunday the temple offers free food to its devotees.

Surutapalli:
This village is on the Chennai route and can he reached easily from Puthur which is about 8 km. Location : Sri Pallikondeswara Swamy Devastanam, Surutapalli. Dasukuppam Post, Darshan Time: 6.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. & 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. Pradosham days morning 6.00 am. To 8.30 p.m. Sani Pradosham is especially important when about 15,000 devotees throng this temple. On the occasion of Maha Sivaratrj well over 30,000 devotees wait for the darshan of Pallikondeswarar.

Veeraraghava Perumal Temple:
Tiruvallur is glorified by the location of a famous Vaishnavite temple dedicated to Lord Veeraraghava. Tiruvallur, formely known as “Tiruvvull”, is 42 km from Chennai. The chief deity of the temple is Sri Veeraraghava Pemmal, reclining on Adi Sesha. His consort is Kanagavalli also known as Vasumati

Thirupasur:
Thirupasur temple is built by Karikal Cholan, it is on the Thiruthani National Highway, about 60 km. away from the city, to the east of Thiruvalankadu and west of Thiruvallore Veeraraghava Swamy temple. Considered to hel6th out of the 32 shrines sung by the savants of Saivism, Thiruppaasur has the special distinction of having been sung by Thirunavukarasar and Thirugnanasambandhar.

Tiruttani:
Tiruttani is one among the six abodes of Lord Muruga. The temple is situated on a hillock and has 365 steps. An important Thirtha called kumara Thirtha under this hill and this place is also called as Saravana Poigai. The important festivals are Adi Kirthigai Theppa Thiruvizha. Shiva Rathiri, Shasti Thiruvizha. They are celebrated in mid of July and August. Opening time of the temple is 5 am to 9 p.m. Ph: 044-27885243.

Vadivudaiamman-Sri Thiagarajaswamy Temple:
Vadivudaiamman-Sri Thiagarajaswamy Temple Of the 275 Paadal Petra Stalams, 32 lie in the Tondi Nadu, among which the Thiagarajaswamy temple at Tiruvotriyur is unique. Saivites, Vaishnavites, Saaktar, Uchavar, Adi Saivites and Namboodris visit and worship the manifestations of Shiva and Shakthi at this temple.

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation

Accommodation near Pulicat Beach includes budget hotels, guesthouses, and beach resorts. Book ahead during peak season (October-March).

Help Line/Phone Number

Police station:Chennai Tiruvallur High Road,Avadi, Thiruvallur,Tamil Nadu,India

Police station:Avadi,Thiruvallur, Tamil Nadu,India

Sir Ivan Stedeford Hospital:Thiruvallur, Tamil NaduIndia

IK Hospital:15th Main Rd,Anna Nagar,Chennai,Tamil Nadu,India,Ph:044 2616 3355

Location info

• **Address:**Pulicat Beach,Chennai,Tamilnadu,India

• **District:**Chennai

• **Nearest City:**Chennai

• Best time to visit: November to February

Things to do at Pulicat Beach

Carry lots of drinking water and light foods, snacks, swim wear, fishing rods and beach umbrellas among others the enjoy the places to its fullest.

How to reach Pulicat Beach

**Nearest Railway Station:**The nearest railway station is at Chennai, which is well connected by rail with the important cities and towns within and beyond the state.

• **Nearest Airport:**Chennai is the nearest airport, with both national and international terminals.

**Road Transport:**Chennai being the capital city is well connected by road with the important places within and beyond the state. From Chennai get on to the East Coast road towards Mahabalipuram, 15 kms down Pondicherry road will take you to Tarsha.

Nearest petrol pump

**Petrol Pump:**Poonamalle High Rd, Thiruverkadu, Tamil Nadu,India

**Petrol Pump:**National Highway 205, Padi, Ambattur, Tamil Nadu,India

**Petrol Pump:**SH 104, Tamil Nadu,India

Best time to visit Pulicat Beach

November to February when the weather is pleasant with lower humidity. Early mornings and late afternoons are the best times of day to visit. Avoid midday (11 AM–3 PM) when the sun is harsh. Monsoon (June–September) brings rough seas.

Timings & opening hours

The beach is accessible at all hours. The best time to visit is early morning (5–7 AM) for sunrise views and evening (4–6 PM) for sunset. Swimming is discouraged outside designated safe zones.

Entry fee & tickets

Entry to the beach is generally free. Some maintained stretches may have a nominal entry fee of INR 10–20 per person. Parking may cost INR 20–50 for vehicles.

Duration needed

1–3 hours for a relaxed visit. Longer if you plan to spend time at the shore, walk along the coast, or visit nearby shacks and eateries. Sunrise visits typically take 1–2 hours.

Safety tips

Swimming is at your own risk — many Tamil Nadu beaches have strong undercurrents. Observe lifeguard warnings. Avoid swimming during monsoon. Keep valuables secure while on the beach. Watch for jellyfish during certain seasons.

Things to carry

Sunscreen, drinking water, sunglasses, hat or cap, towel, and a change of clothes. Carry a bag for trash — help keep the beach clean. Snacks and water may be available at nearby stalls.

Nearest airport, railway & bus

Nearest airport: Chennai International Airport (MAA) for northern coastal areas, Madurai International Airport (IXM) or Tuticorin Airport (TCR) for southern coastal areas. Nearest railway station: the nearest station in the respective coastal town. By road: TNSTC buses, private taxis, and local auto-rickshaws serve beach destinations along the Tamil Nadu coastline.

Mobile network coverage

Airtel, Jio, BSNL, and Vi all provide coverage across Tamil Nadu. 4G is reliable in Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, and along major highways. Coverage may be weaker in remote sections of the Western Ghats, deep forest reserves, and certain rural interior areas. Free Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels and cafes in urban areas.

Food & restaurants nearby

Tamil Nadu’s beaches have seafood stalls and local snack vendors. Marina Beach in Chennai is famous for sundal, bhajji, and fresh coconut water. Beach areas near Mahabalipuram and Rameswaram offer excellent seafood restaurants with fresh catch.

History of Pulicat Beach

Pulicat Beach is part of Tamil Nadu’s extensive coastline along the Bay of Bengal. The beach has been a recreational spot for locals and visitors for generations. The area around the beach reflects the coastal culture of Tamil Nadu, with fishing communities maintaining their traditional way of life.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best time to visit Pulicat Beach? Early morning (5–7 AM) for sunrise and cooler temperatures, or late afternoon (4–6 PM) for sunset. November to February offers the best weather.

Is swimming safe at Pulicat Beach? Swimming is at your own risk. Many Tamil Nadu beaches have strong currents and undercurrents. Always observe warning flags and lifeguard instructions.

Are there food options near Pulicat Beach? Yes, beach shacks and nearby stalls serve snacks, coconut water, and fresh seafood. More dining options are available in the nearest town.

Accessibility

The beach is accessible from the main road by a short walk across sand. Wheelchair access may be limited due to soft sand. The nearest approach road ends at the beach entrance, and beach wheelchairs are generally not available. Visitors with mobility concerns may find the shacks and parking area more accessible than the beach itself.

Rules & restrictions

Dress modestly — Tamil Nadu is culturally conservative. Many temple-town beaches have dress codes. Swimming may be restricted at certain beaches — check locally. Alcohol is restricted or prohibited in many areas. Respect temple traditions if visiting pilgrimage-linked beaches.

Best photography spots

Tamil Nadu’s coastline offers unique subjects: the colourful fishing boats at dawn, temple gopurams visible from shore, and the meeting of three seas at Kanyakumari (spectacular sunrise and sunset). The living fishing harbours, catamarans, and nets drying on beaches provide authentic local colour.

Visitor information

Please check locally for current visitor information.