Tiruvallur: Pulicat Lagoon, Temples and History

A large brackish-water lagoon, religious sites and traces of history give Tiruvallur several distinct points of interest. To plan your trip, you can first decide whether you want to focus on nature at Pulicat Lake, temples or cultural history. These interests can also guide your hotel search.

Pulicat: Lagoon and Bird Season

Pulicat Lake is a large brackish-water lagoon and the second-largest lagoon in South India. It lies partly in Tamil Nadu and partly in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Numerous birds regularly gather along its shores between October and March. If you are interested in birdlife, this seasonal period is a specific guide for planning your trip. Fishing boat trips are a way to explore the Pulicat Lake area. The seasonal birdlife and exploring the lake by fishing boat are two distinct aspects of the lagoon.

Pulicat: Historical Traces and Crafts

In Pulicat, historical traces range from religious buildings to Dutch trading history. The Our Lady of Glory Shrine Church was founded around 1500 AD. In 1609, the Dutch built the fort “Geldira” there to trade with the East Indies. An old lighthouse stands opposite Pulicat Lake, and the Dutch cemetery is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India. The area is also known for work with Palmyra leaves: women in Pulicat, especially from Muslim communities, make items from them. The local Palmyra Leaf Co-operative Society exports these products. So, alongside its buildings, the area also offers a craft tradition.

Temples and Religious Calendars

In Tiruttani, the Arulmigu Subramaniya Swami Temple crowns a single rock at an elevation of 700 feet above sea level. The temple in Tiruttani is one of the six Padaiveedus of the god Murugan. Every year on December 31, numerous devotees gather at midnight on the sacred Tanikai Hill at the temple to receive darshan. In Periyapalayam, the Bhavani-Amman Temple attracts numerous devotees on weekends and during the Tamil month of Aadi and the month of Avani. Religious observances practiced there include Angapradakshinam, Vaepanjalai and Garagam.

The Sri Veeraraghava Perumal Temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu. Its chariot festival and float festival take place in the Tamil month of Chittirai, which falls in March or April. The religious occasions therefore follow different rhythms: a fixed date at the end of the year, weekends and Tamil months, and the period of Chittirai. Another religious attraction is the 32-foot-tall statue of Sri Viswaroopa Panchamukha Anjaneyaswami in Periakuppam, Tiruvallur. It was carved from a solid block of monolithic green granite.

Cave, Reservoir and Getting There

Near Poondi is Gudiyum Cave, considered the first of its kind in India. It was discovered by geologist Sir Robert Bruce Foote and can be reached via adventurous trails through quiet forests. The Poondi Reservoir, also called the Sathyamoorthy Reservoir, lies on the Kotralai River in Tiruvallur district. The cave and reservoir represent different aspects of the area: a cave reached by forest trails and a named body of water on the river.

Ponneri is the nearest railway station to Pulicat; local trains run frequently from Chennai Central. Check the timetable for your travel date before departure.

Choose a Hotel Location Based on Your Travel Interests

First, consider what you want your stay to focus on, and use that as a guide when choosing a hotel location. This will help you tailor your search to your travel interests.

Discover more destinations: Minjur, Gummudipoondi, Puthagaram, Nagapattinam, Ariyalur, Krishnagiri, Cuddalore, Vellore.

For the regional travel overview: Tamil Nadu.