Pulicat Beach

About:

Pulicat is 60 km north of Chennai on national Highway No.5.A saline shallow water spread formed by the confluence of backwaters. Pulicat Lake and Buckingham Canal are 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 are two most anticipated activities. A Dutch cemetery of 17th century is located on shore.

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.

Location info:

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 do:

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.

Mobile range info:

How to reach?

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.

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

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation:

Ambica Empire:79 100 Feet Road,Chennai, Tamilnadu,India,Ph:044 23621986

Days Inn Shan:No. 85, Poonamalee High Road,Tiruvalluvar Street, Koyambedu,Chennai,Tamil Nadu,India,Ph:044 26221221

Hotel Grand Residence:85/86, Arcot Road, Porur,Chennai, Tamil Nadu,Ph:044 2476761

Things to carry:

Tips & Suggestions:

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

Pulicat Beach