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Monuments/ Fort / Historical Palace in Tamilnadu |
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 Madras War Cemetery
The Madras War Cemetery, a tribute to the valiant men and women who laid
down their lives in the Second World War, was set up in 1952 by the
Imperial War Graves Commission, which is now known as the "Commonwealth
War Graves Commission" (CWGC). The Cemetery is maintained by the CWGC in
partnership with the Indian Government.
The Stone of Remembrance greets the visitor to the Madras War Cemetery
with the words from the Book of Ecclesiasticus 'Their Name Liveth For
Evermore'. Then there is the Cross of Sacrifice, which is set up on an
octagonal base bearing a bronze sword upon its shaft. These two monuments
are common to all large CWGC cemeteries.
The Madras War Cemetery honors 855 men and women of the Commonwealth
forces and one Polish airman who died during the war of 1939 - 1945. It
has been a kind of second burial for these armed forces personnel, who
died in the line of duty at different places while serving in various
units during the war. Most of the graves were brought together from civil
and cantonment cemeteries in the South and East of India. The Cemetery
also has three non-world war graves.
Of the 857 war graves in the Madras War Cemetery, 659 served for the
forces of United Kingdom, 110 served for the forces of West Africa, 49 for
the forces of undivided India (India before partition), 17 for the forces
of Canada, 14 for the forces of Australia, 5 served for the forces of New
Zealand, one for Burma (Myanmar), one for Malaya and one for Poland.
Rock Fort Temple
The Rock Fort Temple tops on a 83m high outcrop. This temple was built by
the Pallavas as a small cave temple, but the Nayaks made use of its
naturally fortified position. It is a stiff climb, up the 437 steps cut
into the stone to the top but well worth for the view.
The monument is open daily from 6 am to 8 pm. Kamaraj Memorial House
Built in the memory of Shri Kamaraj, the late chief minister of Tamil Nadu,
Kamaraj Memorial House is now a permanent gallery that showcases
photographs and personal effects of Kamaraj who rose out of poverty to
become the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (elected to the post thrice).
Kamaraj Memorial House was inaugurated on 15th July 1978, by the then
Chief Minister M.G Ramachandran
On the ground floor is the bedroom of this bachelor, whose austere living
comes across so clearly in the plain furniture that occupies the room.
Leaning over the railings, one can spot yellowed volumes of 'Lok Sabha
Debates', '100 Modern Lives', 'Churchill' and 'Doctor Zhivago' amongst the
books lined up in the well-stocked library. Obviously, having to
discontinue his schooling did not stop him from becoming a well-read man.
Arjuna's Penance
This is an immense bas relief, ornately carved on the open face of two
adjacent granite rocks. Also called the 'Descent of the Ganga' and 'Bhagiratha's
Penance', the carving tees with human figures, animals, deities and
ordinary people watching the descent of the holy river from the Himalayas.
A natural cleft between the two stones has been creatively used to
simulate the cascading Ganga. Among the profusion of figures is an
emaciated ascetic (close to the cleft towards the top of the left-hand
rock) in the posture of penance. It has been variously identified as
Bhagirath beseeching the Ganga to come down to earth and as Arjuna praying
to Shiva.
Thirumalai Nayak Mahal
The palace is situated 2kms south east of Meenakshi Temple. The palace was
built in 1636 by Thirumalai Nayakar. A classic example of the Indo-Saracenic
style, the piece de resistance of this mahal is its carved dome outsoars
without the support of girders or rafters.
The stucco work on its domes and arches is remarkable. The gigantic
pillars and structures represents the amazing architectural mastery of
Nayak Kings. The courtyard and the dancing hall are being the center of
attractions. There are around 248 pillars of each 58 feet toll and 5 feet
diameter.
Furniture and utensils used by the kings have been exhibited inside the
palace. The palace is equipped to perform Light & Sound shows depicting
the story of Silappathikaram in both Tamil and English languages.
Vivekananda
Illam Originally called Ice House, this
landmark was re-christened Vivekananda Illam in 1963. This was in
remembrance of Swami Vivekananda's brief sojourn here. (in 1897 when he
delivered seven historic lectures at Chennai).
The building served the Tudor Ice Company, which used it for storage of
ice from 1842 to 1874. Its structure was such that Ice could remain
without melting for long periods. The Government took over the building in
1930 and it has been renovated recently, with a statue of Swami
Vivekananda installed. Today, it houses a Gallery of 150 rare photographs
on the life of Swami Vivekananda. It also houses a section on India's
cultural heritage and on the history of the building itself.
Open from 9.00 am to 12.30 pm and from 3.00 pm to 6.30 pm
Closed on Wednesdays.
Valluvar Kottam
Opened in 1976 in memory of the poet-saint Thiruvalluvar, Valluvar Kottam
is a massive auditorium, constructed on reclaimed land from an unused lake
filled with the city's garbage and debris. The auditorium can seat up to
4000 people.
All 1330 verses of the poet's epic - the Thirukkural, are inscribed on the
granite pillars that surround the auditorium. The auditorium itself is not
supported by any pillars!
There is a 101-feet high temple chariot structure with a life-size image
of the poet in it. The base of the chariot shows in bas-relief the 133
chapters of the Thirukkural.
Over 3000 blocks of stone were used to create this memorial to Tamil
culture.
Open from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm.
Closed on Fridays and National holidays
Aranthangi Fort
Aranthangi is the second largest town in Pudukkottai district. Aranthangi
was the most populous locality in the south of the Thanjavur district till
it was added to Pudukkottai. The main centre of attraction of Aranthangi
is a ruined fort.
There is a unique feature about this fort; the walls are not constructed
of brick or stone. Large interstices are filled with mud. There are no
ruins of palaces or any other striking building inside.
No indications are found about the history of the fort, but a line of 'Tondaimans'
indicates that they built the fort. Little is known about the time of the
Tondaimans, a lineage of feudal chieftains who controlled this Aranthangi
region of India from the 15th to the 18th century AD. Vellore
Fort Vellore Fort, built in 16th century
by Sinna Bommi Nayak, a vasal chieftain under the Vijayanagar kings,Sada
Sriranga Maharaja. It is constructed of granite blocks and surrounded by a
moat which is supplied by a subterranean drain fed from a tank. Later, it
became the fortress of Mortaza Ali, the brother-in-law of Chanda Sahib who
claimed the Arcot throne, and was taken by the Adil Shah sultans of
Bijapur. In 1676, it passed briefly into the hands of the Marathas until
they, in turn, were displaced by the nawab, Daud Khan, of Delhi in 1708.
The British occupied the fort in 1760, following the fall of
Srirangapatnam and the death of Tipu Sultan
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