Does the kitten know that it is in the 1000-year old Varadaraja Swamy Temple built by the Cholas? Does she know that the temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams venerated by the Alwars and Acharyas and where millions throng for darshan? Does she know that she is standing on a pillar where master craftsmen of the Vijayanagar era have carved exquisite battle scenes? Does it know that it is eating the famous Puliyodarai prasad offered to Perumal?
It may not. It is concerned about its survival. This is part of the large eco-system of a Hindu Temple.
Devices to protect from the wrath of the evil eye are very common on doors and vehicles. Here, a door in Kolakaranpet has multiple devices to protect from ‘Drishti’. Being in a locality with the name ‘Kola kaaran pet’ (Murderer’s area) such shotgun approach may be called for.
Many of us lament that unlike Delhi, Bangalore or even Trivandrum Chennai has fewer options for weekend outings near the city.
On closer examination, I find several options ex-Chennai which are not well known or well presented by the authorities and enthusiasts.
One such is the Nelapattu bird sanctuary in Andhra Pradesh which is a little over hundred kilometres from Chennai.
Along with 3 NRI friends (birders & photographers), I visited this place recently and was happy with the experience.
From Chennai hit the Madhavaram roundabout and take the Calcutta Highway. Getting into the Andhra Pradesh border you cross Tada and Sullurpeta. Just after the toll booth, take a right turn under the flyover. There is a railway line to cross after which you take a left turn into a village road. One kilometre down this road you can see the gate of the Sanctuary on the left.
The Sanctuary is open from 8 a.m. till 5 p.m.
Entry ticket for adults is Rs. 25. Camera Rs.100 Binoculars Rs.50. Car parking Rs.100.
The car can go inside up to the tourist Centre parking lot. On the way, we could see a Deer Park and a few cottages under construction. The Sanctuary has an area of about 400 hectares In the middle is water body which with its trees form the centre for the Birds to flock and roost.
There is a well-designed path about 500 mtrs long encircling the pond with convenient viewing Towers.
Being a weekday there were hardly any other visitors and we had the entire area to ourselves. I can imagine the crowd during weekends with school children, picnickers, tourists and others besides serious enthusiasts.
The Sanctuary is famous as the largest Pelicanary. Besides pelicans, there are several aquatic birds including open-billed storks, ibises, herons, and egrets. {see photographs}
A view of the Nelapattu sanctuaryA pelican in flight
Even in February, it was quite warm and we carried our own water. The centre had provided mineral water bubble tops at various places. And there were signs of a small canteen and a tuck shop.
A flock of birds
Ibis
Pelican in flight
landing!
Pelican In the pond
The Calcutta Highway (GNT) is fairly good but be prepared for speed breakers, barricades, and traffic indiscipline., There aren’t many options by way of restaurants on the way unlike the Chennai-Trichy and Chennai-Bengaluru highways. If you are fussy about food, better carry with you as we senior citizens did. We supplemented it with some snacks on the way.
The staff at the centre were very friendly and ready with information. Being first week of February there were lots of birds. A few weeks later, it may not be the case.
We got quite a lot of good frames and were overall happy with the experience.
On the way back we went into the Sriharikota Road through the Sullurpet town hoping to see more birds especially flamingos but we were disappointed. We just had a glimpse of the Sriharikota Gate and some egrets and herons in the receding backwaters and saline marshland. Pulicat Bird Sanctuary Information Centre which was partially closed informed us that we were too late as the birds left in January.
Madras Nalla Madras. A photo blog on Madras, that is Chennai 