Sight Seeing in Various South Indian Cities - Chennai

SRI KAPAALEESWARA TEMPLE: This most important Shiva temple in the city is also the most splendid example of Dravidian temple architecture in Chennai. In the heart of bustling Mylapore, the 120 feet tall Gopuram (spire or tower), the 18th century tank and the bronze statues of the 63 Shaivite saints make this shrine a must-see pilgrimage spot for visiting devotees. The 63 figures are carried in a procession on the eighth day of the 10-day Aruvathumoovar festival in March-April. The temple has goddess Parvathi depicted as a Peacock worshipping the Shiva lingam. In the outer courtyard is the sacred Punnai tree - one of the city's oldest. A sculptural representation in front of the temple flagmast, shows Saint Gnanasambandar singing to raise up a dead girl. The temple is believed to be the site where this miracle took place.

SRI PAARTHASAARATHY TEMPLE: This temple that dates back to the 8th century, is dedicated to Lord Krishna who took on the role of a charioteer (saarathy) to Arjuna also known as Partha. The temple houses five avatars (incarnations) of Lord Vishnu. Originally built by the Pallavas, the temple underwent several modifications across the centuries. At various times the French, the Dutch and the Golconda rulers occupied the temple as a battle imperative. This most important temple to Vishnu in Chennai, has a December festival that is a highlight in the Chennai events calendar.

RIPON BUILDING: West of Central Station is Ripon Building, the dazzling white headquarters of the Corporation of Chennai. One of the few public buildings in Chennai that time has not managed to ravage. Named after Lord Ripon, the Father of local self-government, the foundation for the magnificent building was laid by Sir Gilbert John Elliot Murray Kynyn Mound Bart and Carl of Minto, then Viceroy and Governor General of India on December 12, 1909. The Municipal Corporation of Madras, after functioning from several other places, settled at Ripon building in 1913, with P.L.Moore as the President of the Municipal Corporation at the time of the inauguration.

With a floor area of 9,628 square metres, this classic structure, built at a cost of only Rs.7.30 lakhs, is a combination of three types of architectural styles - Gothic, Ionic and Corinthian. Four engineers at various points of time, were involved in the construction of this beautiful building - C.L.T.Griffith (1909), J.E.Hensman (1910-1911), E.P.Richard (1912) and James R.Coats (1913).
To support the gargantuan structure, the walls have been constructed with stock bricks, set in lime mortar and plastered with lime mortar. The roofs are supported with Teak wood Joists. On the ground floor, the Cuddapah stone flooring has now been re-laid with marble flooring. The flooring on the first and second floors is of the pressed terracotta variety. The overall depth of foundation including footing is 5.34 metres. The ceiling height on the ground floor is 5.64 metres.
The highlight of its construction is that all joinery works for the building were made with the best teak wood. The West Minister Quarter Chiming Clock, installed by Oakes and Co. in 1913, about 20.58 metres from terrace level, is one of the main attractions in the building. The clock is provided with a mechanical key system, which is wound every day. There are a total of 4 bells, which were cast by Gillet and Johnston in 1913. It is perhaps ironic, but the recent addition of a Golden Jubilee memorial (for Indian independence) has only managed to mar the once unobstructed view of this great landmark.