Pranav Inbavijayan: Visit to SADRAS or Sadhurangapattinam - Dutch Fort and Malaimandala Perumal Temple

I searched in internet for places near Chennai and I got some information on Sadras. It admired me a lot and asked my appa for a trip there. He made a positive nod and planned the trip the next day i.e. 4^th August 2013. Meanwhile I called Krishna anna, my guru in photography and said about this trip. He said that he would join us. I am very excited and went to bed. We woke up by 4.30 am and got ready by 5.15 am. On the way Krishna anna also joined us and there started our real journey on ECR Road beyond Mahabalipuram

Our Team

On the way I and Krishna anna got down to take some photos of a farmland in Kadampadi village. We strolled down the farm and capture some beautiful pictures of local flowers and paddy fields.

My Guru in Photography - Krishna Anna

The land was slippery and somehow managed. Anna told that sometimes snakes could be seen there and asked me to be careful. I was little frightened but my interest towards clicking made me to walk forward.

On return we took some panic shots of the movement of vehicles on road.

Once again our journey started towards Sadras. On the way we saw Kalpakkam Atomic Power Station. In that junction we have to take right to Sadras. Sadras welcome us by a small board.

Straight away we went to Dutch Fort at around 8.00 am. On seeing the locks on the gates of Dutch fort I was disappointed. We enquired nearby people about the timings and they told it would be opened around 9.00 am. On hearing that we thought of finishing breakfast and peeped into a mess (Hotel Latha) where homemade dishes are served for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We were served with hot idlis with sambar and coconut chutney and it was tasty.

Instead of waiting for the fort to open we had a drive in and around the village.

We spot some monkeys on the way.

Malai Mandala Perumal Koil

We were stopped by my mother on seeing a Perumal Temple and went inside for worship. The priest told some interesting facts about the temple. The name of the temple is Malaimandala Perumal Koil. It is also known as Giri Varadhar Temple. It is an ancient temple. History dates back to 2000 years ago. Actually the temple was situated on a hill top surrounded by water. Due to natural calamities it is now on land level. It was considered as a Prathana Sthalam and people can fulfill their promises made to other temples like Balaji Temple, Tirupathi and Guruvayoor. The gate of this temple was built in 1603 and Vijendra Cholan , grandfather of Raja Raja Cholan worshipped this temple. Boodha alwar and Sri Raghavendra were the other important persons who came and worshipped this temple. A bell of this temple is in Chinese Museum.

Stone Carved Kodimaram

We had a drive through a canal nearby and it was interesting to watch a jolly fighting between two goats.

On return to fort gate (still not the gate is opened) we had a chat with the local people.

The caretaker arrived and the Dutch fort and Cemetery was opened. I revealed a surprise to Krishna anna – about my folding cycle which was waiting in the dikki (boot space) of our car. I rode the cycle inside the fort.

The fort welcomes us by an arch like structure and two cannons.

We asked about the history of the fort to the caretaker. He told that the fort belongs to Arcot Nawab and they gave to the Dutch people. Once Sandras was a port and this fort was build near to the sea.

Dad

Mom

Then we went to cemetery where we find many cemeteries with inscription on them like ship, danger symbol, a mother and child cemetery etc. This fort was mainly used as godowns for Muslin cloth and Ghee by Dutch traders.

Broken Piece of roof - Preserved

Ship Inscription

Mother and Daughter Cemetery

There were rooms for the people to stay

Prayer Hall

Loading and unloading base

All are dome shaped with high roofs without ceilings. There was a prayer hall. There were some platforms for loading and unloading goods. Soldiers sentries were seen. The buildings had good drainage system and rest room facilities.