RGB Monday

Red bicycle frame – shot at Palavakkam Beach

Green Motorcycle – belong to one of my old neighbors, while residing in apt.

Blue Baby Stroller – obviously from the same Palavakkam beach

A private beach house off ECR

While driving past few private beach by-lanes on ECR, I find this house and the gate (perhaps made of planks or steel) prettier to capture. The house was outstanding from the many others structures through the traditional kind of architecture and exterior that carries red brickwork. The hip or gable tiled roof is another interesting aspect of the house that has arch windows and portico and balcony supported by pillars.

The other sides (above and below) of the same house

Linking this post for Run a Round Ranch's Good Fences

A boat fishing offshore

During my visit to Palavakkam beach on Sunday, I find two fishermen putting their manpower in oar against the offshore tides in their catamaran rather using a motor. But only later I realized it is because of 45 day annual ban on deep sea fishing, to facilitate breeding of fish. According to the Tamil Nadu Marine Fisheries Regulation Act 1983, the ban was enforced for the conservation of species propagation during the breeding season, which comes into force from April 15^th, halts the fishing operations by mechanised and motorised boats.

The fishermen were on their chance looking for fish and the flag coloured boat was rowed by both the men but in two different ways. One was putting oar sitting well on the rear and the other stood centre and propel the boat with a pole, which seems to be called punting. I really wonder how long could they go by like this against the heavy ocean wind. I know this is how fishing has been before motors are found and fixed to catamaran, and there are fishermen who don’t know anything rather fishing seem to be hooked this way instead sit back and wait for the ban period.

While the scene here was like this, the other side, were the sunset, was quite drastic and splendid. Even though the beach was crowded enough for being Sunday and summer evening, it was quite wonderful being out and to Palavakkam beach after long time. During my reside in our flat in Thiruvanmiyur I used to visit this beach at least twice a month and it is the most quiet being among the beaches in Chennai. 

Palavakkam Beach

Sunday Photos: Volkswagen Beetle

There was a heritage car rally happening in Chennai this weekend, where the old cars are drove to and fro to Pondicherry. Being close to Elliots Beach in Besant Nagar, I couldn't visit the venue – where cars are parked in front of the promenade – although I was interested, I wasn't intended to go to be the truth. But I have been to one of the rally held in VGP (Golden Beach) parking lot, few years back on ECR and got chance to capture some of the vintage cars on park, as well as on move. Follows one of the cars I found in rally: a yellow color Volkswagen Beetle, a 1964 model!

The Volkswagen Beetle, also known as VW Type 1 or VW Bug, is a two door come four passenger car with rear engine manufactured and marketed by German automaker Volkswagen from 1938 until 2003. The need of this car and its functional objectives were formulated by Adolf Hitler, leader of Nazi Germany, who wished for a cheap, simple car to be mass-produced for the new road network of his country. He contracted Porsche in 1934 to design and build it to his exacting standards was one of the first rear-engine cars, which was on designing for four years.

The bug on move

With over 21 million manufactured in an air-cooled, rear-engine, rear-wheel drive configuration, the Beetle is the longest-running and most-manufactured car of a single design platform, worldwide. Although designed in the 1930s, the Beetle was only produced in significant numbers from 1945 was internally designated the Volkswagen Type 1 and marketed simply as the "Volkswagen". The model became widely known in its home country as the Käfer (beetle in German) and was later marketed as such in Germany, and as the Volkswagen Beetle in other countries.

(Source of info Wiki)

Sunday Photos: Ready for R Day

Yesterday I went to Marina beach, casually, and come across the arrangements for Republic Day (Jan 26). I actually forget about it even I watched news on the rehearsals related to Republic Day parade on TV. I usually used to visit marina beach, a day ahead to the celebration to check what’s happening around. For the last few years I couldn't make up to the marina beach during that time, and it was nice to be there seeing a bit of the display.  Here I share some photo taken last evening:

 An elevated stage erected opposite to Ghandi statue, in Marina beach, as part of Republic Day celebration.

A helicopter displayed near the Marina beach lighthouse as part of Republic Day celebration – car procession.

 

Tanks (above and below)

Zoom on people watching from the top of Marina Beach Lighthouse

PS: I received another lovely handwritten card from our fellow blogger friend Indrani, following Chandra’s greeting. It is so nice to receive cards from friends and it gives a feel that words can’t describe. But it produces a sense that was truly bliss and inspiring to go ahead with a feel of significant. Thank for your support dear Indrani!

Here her beautiful card

Insists

Change is a thing obviously everyone needed and hence to beat boredom or to be frustrated, a change in environment or activity is must at least. For a Chennaitie or whoever lives in a coastal town/city, the first thing comes to mind of escaping could be the beaches, if there isn’t malls, restaurants and events happening around. A place just to relax, breathe in fresh air or sit ideal watching the waves and things happening around, in random, is an entertainment unplanned.

Last week I went to Elliot’s Beach and in the usual way spent something sitting inside the car parked in front of the promenade.  Though it’s good to see new faces and people from various walks, there are certain things keep disturbing. The average fee collected for cars to park at Elliot’s beach is 5 ₹ and 10 ₹ for vans, but what they insist was 20 ₹, that too without producing a ticket. My dad, who is a regular walker at Elliot’s beach, had come across the board, that mention the exact ticket price which is only five, many times, but what they insist is against the regulation of corporation.

The other day when we parked the car, the person in charge demanded 10 ₹ by placing a ticket valued for just 5 ₹... No matter where the partial amount goes, but how dare they bring it into force without any hesitance or thing to prove their price is fair. I think the amount they collect differs from person to person, and anyone dare to deceive could easily implement their task. Among them I find few genuine people like the one who (understanding - with the number plate - that we are from the local) gave us excuse from paying even the fair amount.

If the parking system was like this, the mobile vendors who do business along the promenade have touched the worst state of ever. Already the beauty of Elliot’s beach has lost its charm to the occupation of number of shops/eateries spread all over the sandy beach. Though I am not dared to explore the eateries to put my health at risk, I always go with the bordering items like peas and peanuts. But this time I was quite surprise to note when I bough peanuts (plain nuts), it was very less than usual and priced doubled i.e. from 10 to 20 ₹. But what really bothered me much was what I heard from my dad who came back the vendor...

He has been insisting 150 ₹ from a foreigner to get slices of spicy mango! ...expressed provoke and anger. Even a whole mango doesn’t cost more than 10 ₹ and however rich in class they doesn’t going to extend more than 50 ₹, but in which way a few slices spread with spice become special for him to insist such amount. Whoever let it be, fairness is oneness and just being fair and came  far away from isn’t we have to be cruel or scare them to never turn back. Let us be smart and generous to consumers whichever country and skin tone they bore.

I don’t understand why there’s so price difference between local/national resident and international visitors. Not only tourist places, but I guess at every level/layer foreigners have to pay more than the amount Indian pays. Let’s keep away the economic boon perhaps involved it in, but what comes with food and restaurants? Why do we need to make big holes in their pockets just because they are foreigners? Food is an essential of life and there shouldn’t be partiality/discrimination at least with the price tag at eateries. I don’t know does it happen with every other country in the world or we Indians alone insist this pattern. But I wish we become a moral example to be fair enough at least with eateries. When we say globalization, I wonder why there’s still differentiation. 

Sunday Photo: Ice-cream vendor

Here’s a photo of an ice-cream vendor waiting for the customers at Marina Beach, Chennai. It was a common sight at beaches but viewing through the camera lens, I find something special with the light and darkness surrounding the ice-cream vendor.

Two weeks back and while coming back from my dad’s friend house in Chetput; we landed at Marina beach for sometime before head to home. Being Sunday it was crowded. But in front of the Vivekananda house, in Kamarajar Salai, where the rain water stagnant into the beach sand restricted people movement. Usually I used to check marina beach after rains to watch the fun happening with the stagnant water along the service road aside the beach sand. Vehicles wade thought the water make wonderful splashes and few times we too have made through it but never in a way of threatening others.

The darkness behind the ice-cream vendor is full of water, so I was glad to shoot the photo without any hindrance at background distracting the view. Though there were few kids playing in the water doesn't interfered in anyways. 

Renovated Kaj Schmidt Memorial

A long time dream had come true by the renovation of Kaj Schmidt Memorial at Elliot’s Beach in Besant Nagar, Chennai. The monument erected in the memory of Kaj Schmidt, a Danish sailor who drowned in attempt to save the lives of three Europeans, which include two woman, has been abandon for long time and a huge crack was suppose to break it apart. But glad the Chennai Corporation had taken steps at last after various attempts by NGOs and public requesting the government to restore the memorial.

I had been around the memorial number of times (while I was able to walk), without giving thought what it was and why built there. I also liked climbing upon the memorial through the broken steps and taking seat at the rear front that used to embrace in cool sea breeze. Getting close to the memorial never seems to be graceful unlike watching from distance and catching it during sunrise or sunset is always wonderful sight. Against the blue sky and sea, the renovated (not yet quiet) white monument beautifies the entire beach site, and it is also protected by fence on four sides.

The ambassador of Denmark who recently visited the monument revealed that Schmidt wasn't a Dutch national like we know so far, rather he was Danish! Schmidt born in Denmark in 1901, joined the East Asiatic Company in 1921 was sent to Madras to work at their first Indian office, which opened in (1928) hope to buy/export peanuts and market Danish dairy products and cement. Schmidt and his colleagues who went bathing to Elliot’s Beach on December 30, 1930, noticed people fighting the waves, jumped in and saved the people before he lost his battle. (check here for my early post detailing  the monument's exist)

The monument unveiled a year later from his drowning, was built in honoring his dedication and savior attitude towards others.  The memorial originally a brick and mortar construction, and colored in Ivory was renovated using lime and stone for the lattice window and sunshades. The monument is stitched with stone to withstand so many years was done by Mamallapuram based sculptor and temple-restoration expert K. Rajendran and his six member team. The building without a stone foundation is now paved in granite sables to enhance the stability and prevent cracks.  

P.S. Photos capture by my cousin on my behalf 

Blood Moon

Anew moon or blood moon... relieved eclipse.

A orange popped up the cloud or shadow of earth  

As a light of hope, moon bloomed out of gloom. 

Footnote:

I was at Elliot’s Beach last evening and quite forget about the eclipse until I find some orange shade on the sky. It was surprise to watch the moon unveiling the eclipse against the dark blue sky… though unclear, it was wonderful capturing the moon at it’s glorious.  

Happy Birthday Chennai

Our city celebrates 375^th year of establishment today… here I share a couple of photos on one of the city’s oldest bridges, Napier Bridge.

Also known as Iron Bridge was built in 1869 by Francis Napier, who was then Governor of Madras. The bridge was constructed over the Cooum River, connecting Fort St. George with the Marina Beach. Although the bridge was narrow before, it was soon converted to a concrete structure in 1943 by Arthur Hope.

funny to see buffaloes across the bridge

Alongside the old bridge, a new one was built in 1999 with a 10.5 meter-wide carriageway on the western side. The bridge is 138 meter long with 6 spans (bowstrings) across the river near the mouth. As part of the Marina Beach beautification, special lights have been fixtures beneath and on the arches and surface of the bridge, provides visual effect during night times. This architectural marvel stands tall and proud, making it one of the most significant landmarks in the city.

 

How beautiful it feel?

Picture by Jeevan

How beautiful it feel?
Holding someone’s hand
and stroll on the sand?
At the end of the day
embracing
while sun kissed the sea.

How beautiful it feel?
Taking someone into behold
where eyes only speak?
At the end of the day
life delights
under the twilight sky.

How beautiful it feel?
Sitting together with someone
who’s very close to heart?
At the end of the evening
life glitter
beneath pretty moon lit.

How beautiful it feel?
Kissing someone very sweet
before saying good night?
In the absence of light
splendid silhouette
conveys our love.

A drive up to Mamallapuram, Kokkilamedu Kuppam, Airplane & ECR

I had a drive up to Mamallapuram on Sunday evening after long time or past summer. I haven’t planned for a drive but decided to go out to beach in the evening and my cousin on his own plan of dropping his grandmother at her house in Mamallapuram enriched my idea of going out. I joined my cousin family, following their interest to accompany me during the ride and living adjacent to ECR (east coast road) that begins at Thiruvanmyuir Bus Depot; and touching the road after 3 month (due to femur fracture)  put me into lot of surprise the changes brought alongside the road. Number of showrooms had emerged either sides of the road, like mushrooms emerging after a brief rain; many villas have also take place on the ECR towards Mamallapuram.

(click images to enlarge)

Since fracture I couldn't take seat into our SUV due to its height, so we took our uncle’s car and made a pleasant drive into ECR… and I wasn't comfort with my camera to take pictures using this car but my cousin sis took few pictures for me. After dropping my cousin’s granny at her home, we took a brief drive around the Mamallapuram which we sometime used to do while visiting the town. We drew beyond the town and went up to the rear gate of Kalpakkam Atomic Power Station and checked a beach beside a fishing village. Kokkilamedu Kuppam (village) is one of tsunami affected area where NGOs had built number of identical house to the villagers residing very close to shore. A big wave is enough to touch or test their houses and there were number of boats resting on the shore after week-long fishing.

The coconut palms at the distance of waves kissing were pleasing to check and the cool breeze rushing from the sea makes cold embraces. The houses in the village were all built neatly with narrow lanes in-between   and each house is left with concrete benches, outside, to sit and relax in evening and there were also few benches facing the sea which I am sure will make it feel pleasure sitting and watching the beach. The village was also laid with concrete roads and interestingly there are three graveyards for this village which I guess must be distinguished regarding their caste and community. Nice the road leads up to seashore to make it possible getting close to it but the environment wasn't clean to spent there more time.

We also come across a big airplane near Five Rathas, which I still have no idea how it should have brought there and why... but each one has different ideas about it and some says there’s a hotel coming up inside the plane or at the premises the plane is parked. I think it must have brought there to support the marine heritage museum that going to exists there soon and a submarine is also on the way to lay there which right now stable at Karaikal port. I still can’t believe how they brought the plane there, because the roads weren't wide enough leading to this place and even if they depart the wings and tail, how comes the big body. But I am excited seeing a plane near!

Surprising there wasn't much crowd at Mamallapuram (a UNESCO World Heritage Site of sculptures) being a Sunday and the roads were also unusually less crowd of vehicles and perhaps, absence of many buses on that day could be a reason for the shortage of crowd. We find number of Great Egrets on the Muttukadu backwater, but we couldn't stop and take pictures unlike before since vehicles passing constantly. The day ends with bright sunset for us and the sun was too fast that day rising down to pinkish red without giving a chance to capture in-between trees and buildings. The ECR has become much accident pone there days and we see more than couple of accident that day and I think the barriers kept along the road to control speed were also in a manner of creating accidents. I think the police need to consider alternate source to this to reduce the accidents and the way buses crossing those barriers where threatening!

Health and House search

I went through the final review on Friday for the femur fracture and the x-ray shows quite healed but left with the message of weak bones, for which I have to continue on medicine for few more weeks. Doctor has also advised to be very cautious with the leg being weak bones, I can’t think of getting up or standing very soon… my knee wasn’t steady yet to support standing on my feet. Pain has reduced much now, except for the little more stiffness on knee to bend normal to keep my foot on the wheelchair footrest and I am almost sitting on the wheelchair for the whole day to only lie at night, life has been nearly back to normal. I stepped out of the home after quite three months in rest and tried climbing into the car and went a round around the neighborhood.  

First I went to the beach nearby, since moved very close to beach in Palavakkam I couldn’t make visit to it frequently unlike being little away from the beach, it was quite surprise to see it pretty clean in my life. Can’t even see a bit of litter anywhere and the newly laid road leading to the beach was inviting with road studs neatly placed on both sides. Next we drive to Elliot’s beach in Besant Nagar and find the Schmidt Memorial taking a new leash of life in pretty white… glad at last the authorities are taking action before it become apart. While returning we checked few house for rent at Besant Nagar and Adyar, as we suppose to shift house this month we are in serious search of house.

We checked an independence house in Kalakshetra colony and it was very pretty and modern facade  with enough space around the home, but it seems they are suppose to rent it only for a year and that too to IT salaried. Another house near Besant Nagar bus stand was spacious inside and also quiet in environment but the owner is said to not allow pets and we are expecting to talk with him to convince. My parents checked many apartment flats, but most of them deny allowing pet and the houses that doesn't have issue with pet aren't convenient. The house searching has become quite irritating these days and the brokers we approach were also taking us to the houses the other one showed and in real not many knows the detail about the houses they show! In between we are also looking forward to extend our stay with the current house to search for a better one without much hurry, because we are already paying for being hurry at deciding the house with just outlook, this time we’re careful not to repeat the mistake. 

Ready for immersion

Every year following Ganesh Chathurthi, immersion of idols takes place at Chennai’s seashores on the first or second Sundays, that depend on the celebration of the festival. Here are photos shot at our nearest beach (Palavakkam) which is allotted for the idols kept around south Chennai to get immersed and on this day, the idols kept flowing into the beach front following number of processions. A Sunday back we tried to check the beach to see the immersion, but we couldn’t make it possible and the roads to the beach were blocked by row of vehicles standing for a km. The picture above and below are few years old, showing the idols kept on the beach before cranes uplift them into the sea and a fishermen taking an idol in the catamaran to immerse into the sea.

P.S. Posting under the series PowerShot Sunday

Simple joys

Life is filled with many simple joys to enjoy. There are events and special occasions to celebrate once in a while.  But the simple joys we experience every day in life are a constant pleasure that keep us going. We no need to spend much. They are shattered all over our life, from wake up to asleep and even watching moon at midnight is simple joy.  Waking up early and watching the sunrise (even it was occasionally like me who check while only began to travel at early morning) there is something magic in the moisture air and bearing tender sunbeam at dawn causes great energy throughout the day.

enjoying a pleasant moment amid swinging nature

If sunrise enriches energy, the sunset is quite pleasure and simple joy watching the different hues on sky. Sunrise and sunset are everyday task simply never get bored even they are similar with familiar sky. There is something that never lost zeal how much time drink as beverage. Sipping coffee is an energy booster always and there is something eternal in its flavor that desire to drink often. I am not addict to coffee and it isn't a matter if I haven’t drink coffee for days but the desire will always rest inside and never want to miss a chance of sipping.

Expose to cool breeze is sometime caress the innermost and inspire a lot. I really want to say wind is my inspiration and it bears immense joy carrying numerous fragrance and sound of birds. It changes from time to time and landscape to mountains, but I enjoy the simple cool breeze however it blows. Bird watching is another simple joy and yet filled with surprise each time reveal to a new species of bird in neighborhood and travel to Western Ghats inspired me a lot looking for birds.

Memories are a wonderful thing cherish forever, sitting solely on couch or swinging, we experience a joy, a world that could only be alive at past. I love afternoon silence and there couldn't be a best time recalling our sweet memories and it is a moment I feel quite inspired. Visiting beach is true joy, watching the restless waves kissing soft sand and essence of peanut or bajji flow in air against pretty women diverting the attention. Music is a consoling fact and listening to melody or a good peppy number is simply joy.

Looking at beautiful flowers and flow of stream, fragrance of earth and droplets of rain, gazing through windows and inhaling fresh air and tasting ice cream and warmth in cold are simple joys overlap by dreams. Imagination is a boon especially for those immobile we live a normal life and become super heroes in our dreams. We achieve many things from our comfort seat and if not dreams and imagination we miss a great joy.

Masilamani Nather Temple – Tranquebar

Just few meters away from the Danish Fort in Tranquebar, towards north, situated the Masilamani Nather Temple on the water splashing shore of Coromandel Coast of India. It’s the only temple on the land of colonial buildings, churches and bungalows! The temple looked like a mid-size shrine was constructed in 13^th century under Pandyan Dynasty. Results from coastal erosion and salt breeze, the temple turned ruin in later days breathing life on the verge of Bay of Bengal.

After visited the Fort, we moved to the temple area through the newly laid platform from the fort entrance and moving close to rock shore, I felt cool, expose to mild drizzle cause by splashing waves. During our visit, the temple was going through renovation work and only yesterday I come across news in television about its completion supposes to be observed by a ritual. It was about 2 pm when we explored its ruins structure and restoring building adjacent to the main shrine.

It was a hot sunny day, but being close to sea we couldn’t feel the heat, instead I enjoyed the shelter of bright blue sky and sparkling sea and splashing waves along the rock shore. The temple is protected by both sides of rock seawalls, preventing the ruins getting more damaged. Below are the pictures showing the rock shores (on both sides) of the sea facing temple, cheering up with wave splashes, like holy water sprinkled on devotees.

(The left hand side of the rock shore and the below is the right one on this east coast)

Beach Girls

Image courtesy: tumb

Two piece of cloth 

is so fun on shore;
under sultry sun
bodies bestow in glory.

Blessed by hot sun
beauties beckon in bikinis;
embrace to cool breeze
bodies glare under golden
- sunshine.

Sometime in lace bikini
girls fascinates to core;
lying on the hot sand
babies set ablaze.

Expose to sunlight
and out of salt water;
babies sparkle a lot
like starfish out of sea.

It’s so fun and frolic
watching girls in bikini;
expose to their sweet bums
baked under warmth sunbeam!

Brahminy Flight Show

It’s not a regular flight show that happens during national events, where air force planes fly at a terrific speed and display their daring feats. And fighter jets adorn the blue sky by releasing colorful smokes and creating various symbols. And coming down very close to ground and take off vertically into the sky. A stunt that never been stunning and delight seeing flights at touching distance. But the flight you see here was pioneer to airplane aviation and had been inspiration for man to build his own wings to fly.

It’s a flight over stunning blue sky and close to sparkling sea. A pleasure watching it peacefully took off into the sky and leaving cheerful lighter movements rather heart throbbing dare feats. And like a patrol aircraft, the flight flies over the Danish colony while spy for prey. 

This kite doesn't need any permission to fly and no one could ban it as threaten to lives. It flies fearlessly very close to land and on ocean surface, seeking its prey. Takes off to untouchable high and fly unlike many other birds flapping its wings frequently. The Brahminy Kite you see in these pictures are captured during my last year visit to Danish Fortat Tranquebar and this kite had constantly looped around the area and sometime coming close to sea. Gave me some wonderful opportunity to capture the bird at near distance and it was first time for me then to shot on birds of prey.

I think the Brahminy Kites are a resident of Nagapattinam distinct of Tamil Nadu, whereas I know Point Calimere is home to number of this species, they are well spread around the area. I found a bunch of kites  at Point Calimere Bird Sanctuary and the bird can be easily distinguish from other birds of prey as adults own a contrasting white head and breast. I also saw the juveniles who are fully browner. The Brahminy kits are no different in size compare to Back Kite and until browsing the net I though it as an eagle! 

Low flying kite

Landing over ocean terrace 

Solitude under moonlit night

Picture by Jeevan

There we’re sitting next together 

solely under the stunning moonlight;
admiring the silky shadow, ballet
on the surface of ocean ripples.

The cold sea breeze brushes us near
while the warmth inside embrace dear;
the moon chuckles looking at us giggle
to tickle and prattle in private privilege.

We have no idea what future beholds
even the presence of nature is unpredictable
but the moment being together, I feel
I could combat anything tries to battle us aside.

The shining florescent moon bakes
a silver sandwich, using the sky and sand
as two dark layers impound to nightfall veil
gives space for us unfolding our secret fondle.

We express desire along whisper of waves
while either of us inclines on one another
grasping the arms to crab tease or caress
in fondle beside cherish moonlit night.

Footnote:

The poem is an inspiration on the scene I captured (the photo above) at our nearby beach on Sunday. The evening was early to full moon night; I had a wonderful opportunity to capture the moon’s silver shadow falling on the sea and with the presence of a pair or couple, enhanced the scene into a perfect romantic evening. This is my second time to land upon a moonlit night where a couple come sat in front of the sea, where the silver shadow falls exactly or I come across the scene.

Pondicherry Beach

One late morning we passed the Pondicherry beach while letting us ahead to Point Calimere in Nagai District; the beach looked deserted during that day of the time last March. Guess it was a weekday, and being sunny no one were left around and the way it looked (neat and clean) impressed to shoot few shots. This was the beach shaken up during the Thane cyclone that struck couple of months early to our visit then, seems taken a quick recovery to our surprise and it looked even better than our early visits.

My first time to the Pondicherry beach was at the beginning of this millennium and that time it was only rocks left behind the corridor platform and we could enjoy the drizzle splashed by waves while sitting on the platform. Now the beach was extended into the sea, creating a corridor on the seawall to keep away the erosion and building some sand area for beach visitors. This was my third time in the beach to just pass unlike early spending some time, the beach left quite with no sound of splashing waves and sight of some sea birds at distance.

The Promenade beach, as popularly known as Pondicherry beach on the Beach Road is one of the main boulevard of the city, where one could find heritage buildings and offices of the Union Govt. including the State Secretariat.  The beach extends for 1.5 km along the shore, has the statue of the father of the nation – Mahatma Gandhi – is the center of attraction.  The four-meter tall statue was beautifully adorned by eight granite pillars, surrounding a shrine like shelter.

Being close to the old harbor, the beach holds a pretty sight of the pier extended into the bay. And the old lighthouse on the beach lane, opposite to the Mahatma Gandhi statue is a wonderful old tower installed by French East India Company in year 1836. This old lighthouse was the first modern lighthouse on the Coromandel Coast, served the mariners for almost a century and half before proudly become a monument under the Union Territory Administration – a fitting tribute to its valuable services.

The old lighthouse