Republic Day Heritage Ride to Pulicat 2014

                                         There could have been no better way to celebrate the 65th Republic Day than a ride to the Pulicat on 25th January 2014. At the early hours of the morning around 45 of us set off from MCC High School, Harrington Road to Pulicat passing through Perambur, Madavaram, Moolakaddai, Puzhal, Redhills, Thatchoor, Ponneri and reached final destination Pulicat. The Pulicat lagoon is the second largest brackish water wetland in Asia measuring 720 sq km,the built heritage of Pulicat or Pazhaverkadu reflects the thousand years of maritime history beginning from Chola period to the starting of European administration in India. This place acted as a threshold for creation of Madras (Chennai) in 1639 AD. For the past 1300 years this place was attracting traders and lately many tourists. It can take pride of establishing modern history of India. The Europeans established their trading post beginning with Portuguese in 1502 AD followed by the Dutch in 1603 AD and then British in 1619 AD. The traces of history are reflected in its monuments some of which are unique to Indian history and architecture. The built and natural heritage with its craft and unique language (Arwi) makes it one of the best tourist spots closer to Chennai. With the sun behind our back we pedalled across the streets of Pulicat visiting the following places 

Periya Jamia Palli Vasal:

At Periya Jamia Pallivasal (Mosque) built sometime in 17th Century, uncharacteristic of of Muslim Mosques there is no dome at the top. Pulicat has rare language called Arwi, it is Tamil written in Arabic script thus indicating a long standing direct relationship with Islam and this Port town. 

Periya Jamia Mosque, Pulicat 

Sri Adi Narayana Perumal Temple: 

An architectural marvel made of laterite. It was under Vijayanagar rule in 14th and 17th Centuries that this Adi Narayana Perumal Temple was built.

Dutch Building: 

This building could have been used as Port office during the Dutch days. This building has tall four side sloping roof and verandah with typical circular columns found in other Dutch buildings. It is possibly the earliest European built structure in South East India.

Dutch Cemetery: 

The new cemetery, which is three centuries old, is located at the south-west corner of the fort . It  consists of a total of 77 graves. Most of the graves belong to the Dutch and most of them have detailed carving on the tomb stones. Five graves have structures built over them. Three of these graves have arched pavilions with detailed cornice and band work supporting the vaulted dome on the top. Two of them are covered with Obelisk on the top with detailed rectangular offsets at the bottom. The entrance gate to the cemetery is a semi circular arched opening. Two skeletons are inscribed on the supports on either side. The key stone is inscribed with a time fly. Words in Dutch language are inscribed on either sides of the key stone.

                                               Having criss crossed just 4 of the Heritage Spots in Pulicat our day at the office came to an end with a sumptuous lunch at the MSS Building which also houses the Interpretation Centre. And as the focus now shifts to the Catamaran Race which is part of the Pulicat Day festivities, loading the cycles into trucks and bidding adieu to this bustling fishing town our Heritage ride comes to an wonderful end and memories of the ride that would be imbibed in all the participants minds for years to come especially our ride across the bridge and the scenic view of the lagoon with the Lighthouse as the background which would be a certainty.

For further reading on the History of Pulicat please visit my earlier blog titled "Recce ride tracing the origin of Madras" dated 27th December 2013. 

This blog was later published in MyVyapar's 'Harrington Post' edition on Sunday 9th February 2014