Elphinstone Bridge, Adyar : Bridges of Colonial Madras

Elphinstone Bridge (Old) and Thiru Vi Ka Bridge (New) across Adyar River, Chennai (Source: The Hindu)

Elphinstone Bridge Covered with Slab

Elphinstone Bridge Beneath the Concrete Slab

View from Elphinstone Bridge: Whale Island, skyscraper buildings and the Adyar river

View from Elphinstone Bridge, Adyar: Whale Island, skyscraper buildings and the Adyar river

Tunnel Below the Elphinstone Bridge

Elphinstone Bridge is  one of the oldest bridges of Colonial Madras built across the Adyar River  in 1840. This bridge is named after John Elphinstone, 13th Lord Elphinstone and 1st Baron Elphinstone GCB GCH PC (1807 – 1860) John Elphinstone (13th Lord Elphinstone), the Governor of Madras (from 1837 to 1842). The age of the bridge is 174 years and it was connecting Adyar and Foreshore Estate. The heavy flood in Adyar washed away the heavy columns of the Elphinstone bridge and damaged the bridge from active use and the bridge was not found suitable to withstand heavy vehicular traffic. Hence  the historical bridge was closed for traffic and currently not in use. The new Thiru Vi.Ka bridge  (aka Adyar Bridge) measuring about 1025 ft (312.42 meter) long with three-lanes has been built  next to the old bridge at a cost of Rs. 58 lakh  and it was thrown open to the public in October 1973. The new bridge was named after the Tamil Scholar and freedom fighter Thiru Vi Kalyanasundaranar.

The sewer and water pipelines run across the 11-metre (36 feet) wide Elphinstone bridge and therefore entire stretch of the bridge is covered fully with concrete slabs. The actual Elphinstone bridge lies below this concrete slab and the pedestrians use this bridge to walk across the river. To encourage  pedestrians a flight of stairs is located on either side of the bridge.

It is learned that some anti-social elements take advantage to get into the bottom space of the bridge using the gap between the steps and misuse it. To discourage anti-social elements and to encourage bird watchers, bird-watching point with the green garden are being planned under phase II of restoration of the Adyar river estuary. The 58 acres phase I have been already implemented.

Reference

173-year-old Elphinstone Bridge gets a makeover. Deepa H. Ramakrishnan The Hindu Chennai  January 13, 2013

Qubble Island Cemetery Chennai

Quibble Island Cemetery, Greenways Rd, MRC Nagar, Raja Annamalai Puram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu,  India

Quibble Island Map (Source Google)

Quibble Island Cemetery is one among huge and historical Christian Cemeteries in Quibble Island, Greenways Rd, MRC Nagar, Raja Annamalai Puram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu,  India. This Christian burial ground was formed in 1903 and is located in a 6.5 hectares site. With an act of ecumenism (promoting unity among Christians), the cemetery is being shared by  both Roman Catholics and Protestants of all denominations. The cemetery  has a small number of old tombstones, dating back to the latter half of the 1800’s and also bears tombstones of Comedian actor Chandrababu and political speaker Valampuri John. 

The cemetery is maintained by the Madras Cemetries Board and the Kilpauk General Cemetery and the Kasimode Cemetry also comes under this board. Since the cemetery has reached its capacity, the board is contemplating to introduce Multi-tier Vaults for future burials.

The tributaries of Adyar river forms a bend at the mouth of the estuary and this is called as Adyar Creek. The vast Adyar Estuary lies between the edges of the sandbank of the sea and Adyar bridge and includes few small islands. Adyar Creek turns to north towards mainland near Chettinadu palace and forms an U - turn adjacent to Foreshore Estate bridge  and terminate nearer to Mandaveli. The island peninsula is sorrounded by the Adyar Creek was named as Quibble Island and the original Adyar Creek comprised about one hundred acres.

Meaning of Quibble: minor criticism, trivial objection, trivial complaint, adverse comment.

Mudaliarkuppam Backwaters: Chennai Hot spot for Water Sports and Bird Watching

TTDC's Raindrop boathouse at Mudaliarkuppam backwaters (Panoramio Ramalingam N)

Greater Flamingos at Mudaliarkuppam (Wikimedia Commons)

Gull Billed Terns at Mudaliarkuppam (Wikimedia Commons)

Zitting Cisticola at muduliyarkuppam scrub (Wikimedia Commons)

Mudaliarkuppam is a striking tourist / picnic spot. The Odiyur lake  backwaters from the Bay of Bengal which extends to about 10 km forming a Beach Island. Mudaliarkuppam boat house aka Raindrop boat house (Muttukadu) is the most popular water sport facility developed by Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC). The boat house offers water sports like Banana Boating, Water Scooter, Kayaking, Speed boat ride and there is an array of boats like row boats, pedal boats, water scooters, speed boats and many more.  

Boat ride

People often prefer banana boat ride and the boat will speed up to 25 kmph and beware while your boat taking turns. Another pleasant ride could be  Kayaking and enjoy ride on single seater kayaks hours together.

Kayaking

Enjoy a relaxing boat ride which can be extended up to Beach Island through backwaters and experience the mind blowing view of sparkling  deep turquoise blue water, boat propelling on the still water with rhythmic sound of splashing water, powder blue skies punctuated with white cotton candy clouds, dazzling sunlight, swaying palm trees, wind tussling through the green leaves; as the landscape glides by and one has to fight the urge to take a nap in such idyllic surroundings.  The boat ride will bring relaxation to body and the mind will be clear and uncluttered.

In spite of its hot and humid climate Chennai acts as a haven for more than 200 species of birds. The geographical features of coromandel coast especially the East Coast Road attracts many native and migratory bird species during October to March. If any one likes birds and just want to be able to approach and watch them closely, Mudaliarkuppam backwaters is one of the hot spot to watch birds. Commonly found bird species include brahminy kite,  brown headed gull,   greater flamingo, Indian skimmer, osprey,   painted stork, slender billed gull,  stone curlew,  white bellied sea eagle etc. Bird photography, especially migratory bird photography can be quite challenging.

In total Mudaliarkuppam is the wonderful picnic spot where one can spend some quality time with family members, relatives and friends. Though the place is located in East Coast Road (way to Mamallapuram and Pondicherry) at a distance 92 kms from Chennai, the picnic spot is enjoyable and worth visiting.

YouTube 

Boating at Rain Drop - Mudaliar Kuppam Boating house 2

Flamingos at Mudaliarkuppam 

Brown Headed Gull at Mudaliarkuppam

ISKCON Temple Chennai

ISKCON Chennai Facade (Wikimedia Commons)

ISKCON Temple at Night (Wikimedia Commons)

ISKCON Chennai Prayer Hall (Wikimedia Commons)

ISKCON (The International Society for Krishna Consciousness) temple is located at Akkarai, Sholinganallur a Chennai suburb on the East Coast Road (ECR). The temple devoted to Sri Radha Krishna and Rukmini. Also there are deities being worshipped include  Jagannath, Baladeva, Subhadra and Gaura-Nitai. ISKCON's Radha Krishna temples are well known for their awesome ambiance, level of worship standards, spic and span look and the Spiritual Vibrations and Aura. At ISKCON centers spread the realization of self and the realization of God from the spiritual texts of the Bhagavad-gita, Srimad Bhagavatham and Lord Sri Krishna Chaitanya.

The Sri Radha Krishna Temple of ISKCON premises shifted from Burkir Road, Thyagaraya Nagar to a place called Akkarai located on the East Coast Road ( Chennai Mahabalipuram Road ) at Chennai. It was inaugurated in April 2012.  It is just 1 1/2 km from VGP Golden Beach and the IKCON temple's name board is visible from right side of the road. The temple is situated in a 1.5 acres of pristine land amidst lush greens  and it is one of the largest temple in Tamil Nadu. It is a quite place for meditation.

Swami Prabhupada (Wikimedia)

A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder of ISKCON is carrying the message of Lord Chaitanya to the entire world and he also visited Chennai in February 1972. In 1975 an ISKCON center was at No.50, Aspiran Gardens, 2nd St., Kilpauk, Madras-600010 which later shifted to Kilpauk Garden Road and in 1988 to Burkit road in T.Nagar.

Inaugurated in its present premises in 26 April 2012, the temple spread across 1.5 acres of land, the Sri Radha Krishna Temple of ISKCON is the largest Radha Krishna temple in Tamil Nadu.

 Radha Krihna Rukmini & Lalitha and Vishaka

The main deities at the three teak-wood altars of the temple are Krishna and Rukmini. Also houses the deity of Satyabhama who is one amongst the eight wives of Krishna. Apart from them, other deities that are worshipped include Jagannath, Baladeva, Subhadra and Gaura-Nitai.

The main temple complex is built on five levels. At the entrance there is a splendid Chakras sculpted on the marble floor and this represents the universe or bhu-mandal. The complex has the vast 7000 square feet hall on the first floor, spacious 'prasadam hall,' in the basement and the calm and serene auditorium on the ground floor for meditation, spiritual bajans and other regular ISKCON programmes. Besides this temple complex has few other buildings and temples greenery all around giving cool air and shade. The book store at the portico sells ISKCON publications,   souvenirs and Hindu spiritual books and craft store also sell pictures, icons, handicrafts, pooja articles etc.

The temple timings: from 7:30 am to 1pm and from 4pm to 8:00 pm. The last aarti (worship), known as 'sayana arati,' is at 9:00 pm, which lasts about 15 minutes.

How to get there:  ISKCON – Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple, Hare Krishna Land, Bhaktivedanta Swami Road, Off ECR, Akkarai,Sholinganallur, Chennai-119. Ph: +91- 44- 24530922/23. Distance from Chennai: Approx 23.1 Kms

Temple located about 9 Km distance from Sholinganallur to ISKCON temple  via Akkarai.

Yoga for the individual Needs and Abilities at Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram (KYM) Chennai

Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram (KYM) (Source: KYM)

Krishnamacharya (1888 - 1989): scholar, ayurvedic practioner and the architect of Vinyasa Yoga (Source: Wikimedia)

TKV Desikachar, the son and disciple of Krishnamacharya, Founder KYM

Yoga Teacher Training Session (Source: KYM)

The Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram (KYM), located at New No.31 Fourth Cross Street, Rama Krishna Nagar, Mandaveli, Chennai 600 028, was founded in 1976 by TKV Desikachar, the son and disciple of Krishnamacharya, who quit his engineering career for yoga sake. Thirumalai Krishnamacharya (1888 - 1989) is a scholar, ayurvedic practioner and the architect of Vinyasa Yoga, often referred to as "the father of modern yoga," who can be credited for the revival of hatha yoga.

For centuries yoga has been practiced in India by countless siddhas, seers, sages and enlightened beings. The glorious tradition of Yoga and Hindu religion are inseparable and it is difficult to imagine "Yoga without Hindu religion and Hindu religion without Yoga." The Hindu religion views Yoga as "union with the divine."

Few decades back Yoga gurus introduced the yoga to the west. Hatha yoga, a system of physical exercise, was introduced across the Western countries during 1980s. Westerners have undertaking many studies to establish the effectiveness of Therapeutic Yoga in curing physical and mental illness. Many therapeutic yoga centers and yoga gurus are marketing yoga as the prescription for everyone.

Desikachar learned modern yoga from his father Krishnamacharya for over thirty years and he is now being referred as an authority in Viniyoga. He believes in adapting yoga to the individuals. KYM is playing significant role in instructing yoga as a holistic science and the yoga styles followed by them include  ashtanga, hatha and viniyoga. Though KYM has deceptively simplified yoga, it is not mere physical exercises for fitness, and it evolves on well founded theoretical basis. For example their "Viniyoga,"(yoga for the individual)  is a highly  individualized approach where the beginner yogis learn to adapt poses and goals to their own needs and abilities. The tailored yoga programs are planned to address the core of the problem, uproot the problem and treat it with reference to the specific individual. Their broad approach is 'Healing people through yoga.'  Vini means differentiation, adaptation, and appropriate application.

KYM offers Vedic Chanting, Heart of Yoga and Pranayama (breathing) courses for International students and the course on Yoga Teacher training  is exclusively for Indian students.  The yoga guru claims that his KYM (a Public Charitable Trust) has been recognised by the Health and Family welfare Ministry, Government for India and his Viniyoga has “revolutionised the yoga practice in the country.” 

Reference

1. Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram www.kym.org/‎
2. Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram in Yoga.info
3. Tirumalai Krishnamacharya (Wikipedia)

Evolution of Fort St.George 1939 (As Documented by Col.DM Reid) and Present Structure

Fort St.George Map 1939 Col.DM Reid

Post & Telegraphs: Special Cover 368th Madras Day Celebrations 22-08-2007

Wallajah Gate (Island Grounds) Fort St. George

Gate Used by Military Units at Fort St.George

North Gate Fort St. George

Bastions and Revelins of Fort St.George

At the Fort Museum, one can see maps and illustrations which documents the evolution of the fort and settlement over the centuries. Col. D.M.Reid (Douglas Muir Reid) prepared drawings of the fort with Madras volunteers. These drawings describe the evolution of this fort. He has also written a book title: 'The Story of Fort St. George.'

1687 -- Governor Elihu Yale erected the 45-m (148-ft) tall flagstaff to hoist the Union Jack for first time in India.  

1715 -- The Parade ground behind the Secretariat building was known as  Cornwallis Square.

1726 -- Marmalong Bridge, the first across the Adyar River. Built by the Armenian Coderjee Petrus Uscan.

1755 -- The Wallajah Bridge was constructed connecting the Wallajah Gate of the Fort to the Island. 

1825 -- Binny Bridge, named after John Binny, whose residence became the Imperial Hotel - now the Vivanta by Taj Connemara, also known as Commander-in-Chief’s Bridge, was constructed in Binny Road.

1829 -- Anderson Bridge, named after Dr. James Anderson, who had a botanic garden in the area once, was constructed across coovum and lies adjacent to Pantheon road signal. 

1840 -- Elphinstone Bridge constructed on River Adyar

1869 -- Napier Bridge,  which connects the entire stretch of the Marina with the Fort, was  constructed by Francis Napier, then Governor.  The Napier Bridge we know today, with its six bowstrings and ethereal lighting at night, was built in 1999.  

1910 -- A second floor over the wings and the magnificent Assembly Hall to the east with numerous black columns were added enhancing its facade.

1930 -- The low width North and South Sea Gates, which remain closed for a longer time, were estimated as too small and hence they were replaced with much wider structures.

1942 -- The small Centre Gate was not used for a longer duration and it was sealed with bricks. The closure also to protect the fort from threats posed by the Japanese.

When completed, Fort St. George was spread over 42 acres inside and over 60 acres outside the Fort Walls. The Fort had 3 principal gates, the “Sea Gate”, which has now been closed, the“Wallaja Gate” and “St. George Gate” apart from a few minor gates. The Gates were further strengthened by bastions, ravelins flanked by lunettes. A wet ditch was built all around the Fort as an added security measure.

Tamil Nadu State Government's Neo Classical Secretariat is visible to those who enter through Sea Gate

Fort St.George Borders:

• Western side border: the Wall Tax Road and the Buckingham Canal
• South side border: the North Fort Road on the eastern side and the General Hospital Road on the western side
• Northern side border:  Basin Bridge Road and Old Jail Road
• Eastern side border: the Rajaji Salai (First line beach road) and the Chennai Port
• All the four sides are additionally bordered by railway lines of the Chennai Beach—Chengalpattu and Chennai Central—Chennai Beach sections.

The streets (some of streets and monuments are seen even till date) were named in the 17th Century when the Fort was a residential settlement, `White Town'. All the main streets were parallel to the coast and developed around the core, `The Castle' (The Fort).

Streets  within Fort St.George:

Sl.No.	Name of the Street	Thumbnail of the Street
1	Church Street Location: Right side of the Fort House
2	North East Parade Street Location: Parade Grounds
3	Kings Barracks Location: CSD Canteen
4	Glouceter Street  Location: Fort Square
5	York Street Location: Fort Square
6	Middle Street        Location: Fort Square
7	Charles and James Street   Location: Clive House
8	St. Thomas Street Location: Near Church Street
9	Oultry Street Location: Near Parade Ground
10	Choultry Street Location: Parade Ground
11	Inner street Location: South West
12	Wallajah West Street  Location: South West
13	Saint George Curtain StreetLocation: St. Thomas Street
14	Inner George Gate Street Location: West
15	Inner North Gate Road   Location: York Street

Monuments within Fort St.George, Esplanade and George (Black) Town:

Sl.No.	Name of the Monument	Thumbnail of the Monument
1	“Tamil Nadu State Government Secretariat (British East India Company Fort House)” . Location: Central Building
2	“Elihu Yale’s home” . Location: St.Thomas Street
3	St. Mary’s Church with tablets laid on the ground and enclosed by a compound and a buried wall  Location: Church Street
4	Clive’s house built in 1753  Location: Charles and James Street
5	“Arsenal” between Wellesley house and Clive’s House with shells and cannons piled together near the Gateway Block IV/1-12 and 14-18. (Wikimedia Commons) It was designed by Colonel Patrick Ross and is presently being used by the military as their supply depot.  Location: Charles and James Street
6	Wellesley house (Built in 1798), Block No. IV/13         Location: Charles and James Street
7	Big Warehouse, south of the Church Library (in Block No. II/7). It is situated right opposite the Last House on Snob’s Alley and is in a complete state of disrepair with half of the roof structure having caved in. (Wikimedia Commons) Location: St. Thomas Street
8	Chaplain’s house including portion which is the northern side of the old Wall II/1. (Wikimedia Commons) Location: St. Thomas Street
9	Garrison Engineer’s Depot, Block No. IV It is located opposite the Fort police station which is now in military use.  Location: Charles and James Street
10	Guard room Block No. V	Fort St. George, Chennai-9
11	King’s Barracks Block No. XXV  Location: Kings Barracks now Area CSD (Defence) canteen
12	Last house on the left of ‘Snobs Allay’ (Oldest house in the Fort with carved staircase) – Block No. I/1 It is now completely ruined with little trace left of its presence and is presently being restored by the ASI. (Courtesy: The sorry state of Fort St George Madras Heritage and Carnatic Music March 5, 2014 ) Location: St. Thomas Street
13	Nursing Sister’s House (Block No. I/3) Located in a building to the north of the Last house and is in good condition. It is currently being used as residence by some of the church staff and nuns from St. Mary’s Church. Location: St. Thomas Street
14	Old British Infantry Officer’s Mess (now housing the Fort Museum) Block XXXVI/2   Location: York Street
15	Ramparts, gates, bastions, Ravelins with vaulted chambers and water cisterns underneath; moat and defence walls all round with glacis to the extent of the existing barbed wire fence
16	Tomb of David Yale and Joseph Hymners in the compound of Law College, George Town The proposed alignment and Chennai Metro Rail Station comes within 300 meters of the Tomb of David Yale and Joseph Hymners located inside Dr. Ambedkar Law College campus.
17	Old town Wall	Tondiarpet, Chennai

Reference

1.  Bridges of Madras - The concrete connect. Anusha Parthasarathy The Hindu Chennai April 16, 2013
2. Exploring the Fort St. George: A neglected heritage complex by Anand Lakshmipathi Transparent Chennai April 1, 2013 
3. List of Centrally Protected Monuments - State-wise, Tamil Nadu, Archaeological Survey of India Chennai Circle
4. The sorry state of Fort St George Madras Heritage and Carnatic Music March 5, 2014