Mahabalipuram/Mamallapuram -- Redefention of architecture

Locality:Mamallupuram (En route to pondicherry)
District: Kanchipuram
Type:Historical
Google map location: Mahabalipuram
Timings for visiting the shore Temple: 9 AM to 5.30 PM
Illumination Timings at shore temple:From sunset to 8 PM
Entry Fee
The fee is around Rs 15 for Indians and Rs 250 for foreigners

History

Mahabalipuram (Tamil: மகாபலிபுரம்) also known as Mamallapuram (Tamil: மாமல்லபுரம்) is a town in Kancheepuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It has an average elevation of 12 metres (39 feet).

Mahabalipuram was a 7th century port city of the South Indian dynasty of the Pallavas around 60 km south from the city of Chennai in Tamil Nadu. It is believed to have been named after the Pallava king Mamalla. It has various historic monuments built largely between the 7th and the 9th century, and has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Trip

On Friday evening we decided to visit mahabalipuram. Even if I was born in Chennai and traveled through ECR many times ..this is was my first visit to shore temple so I was anxious .We four started in 2 bikes from nungumbakkam at 6:30 am and took the scenic ECR ( East Coast Road ), stopping at little beaches along the way.
Tiger Cave


It took around 2 hours for us to reach the tiger wave .They charge 5 rupees for parking in Tiger cave .The name `Tiger's Cave' may conjure up awesome images of tigers living in caves, it is far from it. It gets its name from a cave set apart among the rocks with a crown of carved tiger heads around the temple.

With the maintenance of the cave the responsibility of the Archaeological Survey of India, the space has now been neatly developed with lawns dotted by palm, casuarinas and other trees. The small hillocks and rocks offer a natural excuse for children and adults alike to climb and run around.

An Archaeological Survey of India board at the entrance outlines that the ancient monument is protected and quotes the rules on its preservation from damage. A significant step in maintenance is the presence of a guard who instructs people to throw waste in the bin in his presence. The rock cut cave temple with a Shiva Linga and a Nandi is at a corner of the Tiger's Cave complex, which a few visitors remember to visit. The temple is situated below ground level and hence the top of the rock that forms the roof of the temple is accessible for climbing. Sitting over the roof of the cave temple is a photographer's delight with rocks dotting the foreground, trees in the middle and the Bay of Bengal in the background.

From the Tiger's Cave premises, the beach is also accessible. For those who take a car to get there, besides the Rs.45 paid to and fro at the East Coast Road toll gate and the Rs.10 as car park fee, there is no other payment to be made for entry into the Tiger's Cave.

Arjuns Penance


After traveling for 1 Km we reach the entrance of Mahabalipuram where they charge again 5 rupees for bikes ...then traveling for few kilometers we can visit the Arjuna's penance.Measuring 96 feet long by 43 feet high ,the figure in the bas-relief interprets as Arjuna is standing on one leg performing an austerity Tapas to receive a boon from Shiva as an aid in fighting the Mahabharata war.

Five Rathas

Then we visited the Five Rathas(Pancha Rathas).The five monolithic pyramidal structured shrines are named after the Pandavas (Arjuna, Bhima, Yudhishtra, Nakula and Sahadeva) and Draupadi.Each shrine is not assembled from cut rock but carved from one single large piece of stone.After visiting Five Rathas. we decided to go for lunch ..so we had chosen Mamalla hotel...The hotel atmosphere seemed to be fine but the service is disgusting ..the hotel service was very irritating they took around 1 hour to serve our orders.The cost is very expensive ..My advice is to try some other hotel instead of this .

Shore Temple


The Shore Temple (700-728 CE) is so named because it over looks the Bay of Bengal. It is a structural temple, built with blocks of granite, dating from the 8th century AD.Legend has it that six other temples once stood with it (Seven Pagodas).The Shore Temples configuration of the two Shiva shrines with the small Vishnu shrine in between illustrates an attempt to balance the different, competing religious requirements.The shore temple is very beautiful and after 6pm shore temple is Illuminated to give a spectacular sight of the shore temple.

On the way back we went to DELHI ECR Dhabha.....We where able to see emu and carry rabbits .The food was good but the place as not so clean.By 10:00 pm we reached back home .

Sweet chariot cafe - lip smacking

Sweet Chariot Cake Shop and Cafe

Address: 1. 123/124, Ispahani Centre, Nungambakkam, Chennai
2. No. 2, Nungambakkam High Road, Chennai
Locality:Nungumbakkam
Landmark:Ispahani Centre and opposie Anadha bhavan
Type:Pastries and Coffee shop
Google map location:Sweet Chariot
Contact No: 044-28214133 / 28215133
Open: 10 a.m. to 10.30 p.m
website:www.sweetchariot.co.in

The charm in the bright orange colors of the cafe and the sumptuous looking cakes/mousse Guess what ? The answer is Sweet Chariot. The aesthetics, ambiance and the sweets look a feast to the eye .The very sight of mousses, pastries, cakes gets everyone drooling.


They server the best chocolate items that you can get in Chennai.This certainly is the place for all pastry lovers, for all chocolate decorated, cocoa coated sweets. Sweet chariot cafe serves surprisingly good fare burgers, juicy fresh pizzas , rum filled cakes, pastries of all kinds ,have the best chocolate mousse in the city ,hot dogs, doughnuts, tarts, flans, beverages cold coffees, cappuccino, mock-tails, desserts, ice creams and mouth watering brownies, Ratatouille.



The cafe is on two floors and is cozy.Awesome place to throw a birthday party, you can have the top floor all for yourself! The service is not very fast, but it is not very intrusive either. The ambiance is so 'pretty' to be precise, just what a cake cafe should be like.It's a place to get away to feel young again.The Black Forest n Chocolate Mousse rocks in this place which needs a special mention.


The prices are moderate and party orders are also taken. This is the best place to order a birthday cake .The sandwiches may seem costly but are worth the money.The mayonnaise they provide is very tasty . People visiting Isphani center preferring to spend like 100rs can visit Sweet Chariot .The cost is far lesser than coffee day.They have two shops in Nungumbakkam, one in Isphani Center and other opposite Adyar Anadha Bhavan.

I would rate this place 8/10.

Additional Information

• Air conditioned
• Credit card accepted
• Party orders Taken
• Av. cost for two : Rs.150

Gudiyam Caves---Near Poondi(Cavern to prehistoric times )

Gudiyam Caves--Cavern to prehistoric Times

Locality:Gudiyam
Landmark:Poondi reservoir
Type:Adventurous Trip
Google map location:

A 90-kilometer drive from Chennai to Gudiyam village past Poondi a road less traveled brings you to an inaccessible forest of evergreen and deciduous trees .This is where Robert Bruce Foote in 1863, a British geologist, discovered a stone tool - a hand axe, made, used and discarded by the Stone Age man - from a gravel pit in suburban in this place . The discovery, small but momentous, opened up an entire new area of research about the Paleolithic Age in the Tamilnadu region, and pushed back the antiquity of the Tamil man by 1,00,000 years.

We planned on Friday for the trek to this mystic place .On Saturday 9:15 am we 5 started in Ritz car and reached Gudiyam around 10:45am.On the way we took photos of the Poondi reservoir.The place was not polluted after long time I could feel silence and breathe fresh air.


The Gudiyam village is located at 11 km drive from Poondi reservoir.The road is not well maintained but adjustable .You need to consult the locals to find the way through.Most of the people are aware of the caves(kugai in Tamil).Mention kugai(caves) for them to guide you .

Take the road to Nambakkam to reach Goonipalyam. Right direction as shown in the photo.


If you traveling by car then you can park the vehicle at the end of the cement road ,there begins the forest .Jeeps and all terrain vehicle can go 400 meter more ,there is ample space for parking offer a biscuit packet to locals boys they can take care of your vehicle.I feel it is safe to stop the vehicle at the cement road to avoid any puncture.The invisible bike with luck of not being punctured and gutsy heart can go 3 km more inside the terrain.

The adventure begins,The locals in the last village will help you in showing the starting point . The trek for 7 km inside the lonely forest is all yours expect for the few stones painted in white act as route markers. The path for the first few km is big and easy to walk,On approaching near the mountain the pathway is full of pebbles and rocks.Follow the pathway ,dont divert as it is very difficult to trace back the route.Please wear shoes to avoid any ankle twists.

First cave

The walk is around 4 km then you would see the first cave.The right diversion from the pathway lead you to the steps for the first cave . On reaching the first cave you we amazed to see the big rock formation.We reached the cave around 1:30pm and had our lunch (2 slices of bread with Jam).Please clean the place after having your lunch and don't pollute the place with plastic bags.

View Inside the first cave



We could see a path leading upwards near to cave ,we decided to take the path ,the route is slightly steep and full of pebbles(please proceed with caution),Within few meters of walk you can reach the top of the mountain .The view from the top is spectacular and gives the complete map of the area. You will surrounded by greenery,it is worth to take photos.It would be like you are in the center of the forest.The feeling of standing in top of the hill is great. It is easy to climb up but be very cautious while getting down is difficult from the hills as the pebbles are slippery ,avoid if it rains.

From the top of the hill



Then after ample rest we got down from the first cave and proceeded further for another 3 km.The path get narrower and covered with thick bushes .

Second Cave



On nearing the Second cave we could hear the sound of parrots and other birds. The view of this cave was spectacular,The entrance looks like a giant toadstool that has keeled over. And in contrast to the sun-drenched exterior, it is cool within .Look up at the ceiling I bet you will be awed at the sight of massive beehives clinging to the porous & damp roof of the cave.The foul smell of bat can be sensed.




There resides a Amman temple within the cave worshiped by locals.. A kindly Amman deity sits in a framed photo, as other deities and their war-worn steeds stand impressively by. Colorful pieces of cloth are strung on a tall plant. The primordial silence is shattered only by the humming of bees and the querulous twitter of birds.We also spotted a snake skin inside the cave.



After taking lot of photos inside the cave we decided to walk back.This journey was a cavern to the past and away from mechanical,polluted life in Chennai.The walk of 7km was deserving and adventurous.

We walked after on the way back and reached the car at 3:40 am and had our snacks at Akshaya Bhavan in Thiruvallur.The food was tasty and the place was well maintained.


Important Note

• Shoes is compulsory as the pathway is rugged.
• Carry lots of Water (2ltr per person).
• Buy Food for the travel in Thiruvallur.
• No human contact for the 7 km trek
• Avoid plastic bags
• Avoid climbing up the hill during rains.
• Don't disturb the beehive it may prove disastrous
  

Kolkata Mithai Bhavan - Authentic Bengali

Address:Chitra Shopping Inn, No. 9A, Choolaimedu High Road, Chennai – 600 094
Locality:Choolaimedu
Landmark:First left after the Loyola College underpass
Type:Bengali Sweets
Google map location:Kolkata Mithai Bhavan
Contact No: 044-23451297.
Open: 10 a.m. to 10.30 p.m

This sweet shop on Choolaimedu High Road has been specializing in Bengali sweets and savories. A.K. Das, along with wife Kakoli Das and brother Madhusudan Das, has been running the place, with 15 others working as kitchen staff.

The shop serves one of the best Bengali sweets in the city.For sweet tooth persons the menu card is really tantalizing . The shops is famous for there Chitrakut, noukabilash, sita bhog, raj bhog, radha ballavi (served only on Saturdays and Sundays) and Jala Bhara . You get Variety of Bengali Sweets need more than a visit to try all the items .



Do try chum-chum, which is not very sweet yet soft and comes with a shelf life of four hours. Chittaranjan also falls in a similar category. Both chum-chum and chittaranjan are prepared in limited quantity, so make sure you place your order in advance.Rasmalai(Rs10) is the very tasty and cost is cheap compared to other sweet shops

Sandesh is one of the best-selling items on the menu. The steamed milk sweet is available in different shapes – fruits, vegetables, fish (for wedding ceremonies), pond, etc.The sugar, especially that used for preparing Sandesh, is extracted from the khajur plant only in winter. "It has a different flavor, which you will get while relishing our sweets." Around 100 kilos of the sugar is bought, which he sparingly uses to last him a year. Otherwise, around 150 liters of sweets are prepared a day.

There is also a live parotta, chappati and chaat counter in the evening. The place is buzzing with lot of youngsters and Bengali people in the evening . You get varieties of stuffed chapaties and parothas, like gobi, paneer,Mixed vegetable.The paneer is freshly prepared daily.

The Punjabi dish aluparatha gets the lot of people gathering from day till ten in the night.Its awesome being there in the evening whole lot of crowd n lots of people talking different languages

The service is excellent .The shop can occupy around 8 people and there is enough space outside where there are other shops to gorge upon.

Additional Information

• No card accepted
  
• Moderate Cost
• 1kg of sweet 180-250rs
• Worth a Try
• A/C shop