Puri Jagannath Temple, Kanathur, ECR, Chennai

Puri Jagannath Temple, Kanathur, ECR, Near Chennai (Source: JayaJagannath Blog)

Puri Jagannath Temple, Kanathur, ECR, Near Chennai (Wikimedia Commons)

Prime Deities: Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra at Kanathur Chennai

 Jagannath Temple Puri, Odisha (Wikimedia Commons)

Rath Yatra at Jagannath Temple Puri, Odisha (Wikimedia Commons)

Puri Jagannath Temple, located at Reddy Kuppam Road, Kannathur, on East Coast Road  close to the popular Mayajal sports complex, Chennai. The temple, built in Nagara style of architecture reminiscent of the original Jagannath Temple in Puri Odisha founded by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and dedicated to Lord Jagannath, a form of Lord Vishnu and his siblings Balabhadra and Subhadra. However it is not the total hundred per cent replica of Puri Jagannath Temple, Odisha. The temple complex has minor shrines dedicated to associate deities (parivara devatas) like Kasi Vishwanath (form of Lord Shiva), Kanchi Ganesha, Yoganarasimha, Mother Basil (Tulsi or Tulasi), Devi Gajalakshmi, Devi Vimala, and Navagrahas (Nine planets appear in human form). Similar to Odisha Puri Jagannath Temple, the deities are carved from neem wood. The Nagara style temple vimanam sculpted from black granite stone brought from Kanchipuram and the prayer hall or maha-mandapam flooring made from Rajasthan white marble. There is an imposing ornate Garuda Pillar or dhwaja sthambha before the sanctum. The Stairs with a decorated baluster lead to the elevated sanctum. They have recreated the 'Pata Chitra' paintings (from Odhisa temple) depicting Lord Vishnu's ten incarnations (Dasavatar) on the walls and ceilings. The temple was consecrated on 26 January 2001. Built near the seashore, the temple is surrounded by the Bay of Bengal. The temple complex is landscaped with lush green lawn and the flowering garden. As in Puri, Odhisa, the priests personally collect flowers for puja rituals.

Ancient days Jagannath Temple at Puri in Odisha was existing as the only original shrine. Over a period of time number of princely states constructed the replica of Jagannath temple at their capital towns. Now Jagannath devotees voluntarily assumed the responsibility of recreating Puri Jagannath temples at various places. Puri Jagannath Temple at Kanathur is one such effort.

If you have not visited the Puri Jagannath Temple in Odisha, you can make it a point to have darshan of Puri Jagannath at Kanathur. Rath yatra is the annual festival of this temple and celebrated on the same day as in Puri. They have built the stainless steel rath for this purpose. You will feel the spiritual atmosphere and the whole time spend in the temple will be pure, calming and rejuvenating. The prasadam or anna dhanam is divine. The temple also arranges cultural events like  dance performance of the Odysey dance (classical dance form of Odisha).

The sevakas (priests) from Odisha perform Sevas (Pujas) here: (1) Daily niti  (daily seva-puja or daily ritual services), (2) Occasional niti (specific occasions like Ekadasi, Sankranti, Amavasya, Grahana (eclipse), Nakshatra or any other periodical rituals ) and (3) festival niti (festivals like Jhulana yatra, Rath yatra, Snana yatra, Chandana yatra). Niti in Odisha language means policy or principle or procedure. The ambiance is perfect and all the puja rituals will be mesmerizing, injecting power vibes and its quite easy to lose track of time here.

Location:

The Jagannath Temple is located in Reddy Kuppam Road, Kanathur, Chennai. The temple around 400 meters away from the main road (ECR Road) and comes after the Mayajal (a recreation center on the East Coast Road) bus stop.

Timings: 6.30AM to 12.30AM and 3.30Pm to 7.30PM

YouTube
Puri Jagannath Temple - Lord Krishna Temple - At Chennai - A must visit temple by KVN Vasu 

Puri Jagannath Temple Aerial View HD Full by OdishaForum

Annual Car Festival of Lord Jagannath - LIVE from Puri - 10 July 2013 by Doordarshan National

Covelong Beach: Secluded Coromandel Coast Beach Near Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Taj Fisherman's Cove (View 1)

Taj Fisherman's Cove (View 2)

Sectional view (1) Public Beach at Covelong

Sectional view (2) Public Beach at Covelong

Covelong Dargah of Syedna Hazrat Tamim bin Ahmed Ansari Razi Allathu Thala Anthu, a Sufi Saint

Covelong (Kovalam) Beach Is the very clear and clean beach with the breathtakingly beautiful and tranquil ambiance and a popular destination among beach lovers. It is located 40 kilometres south of Chennai on the East Coast Road (scenic coast of Coromandel) en route to Mahabalipuram.  This less crowded and secluded beach, with radiating sun, deep blue sea and calm waters,  lovely white glistening sand, swaying palms and scenic views,  is the perfect hot spot  to relax and unwind.  Pack a picnic  and head off to Covelong and you will experience as if visiting a faraway fairytale land with a plethora of water sport activities like wind Surfing, water surfing and swimming. The enchanting beach also lies in proximity to Mahabalipuram and Crocodile Farm. There is a canal running parallel to the Bay of Bengal divides the beach from main-land.

Covelong, a  picturesque fishing village in the Coromandel coast , was developed in 1746 as the port by the Nawab of Carnatic, Saadat Ali for political and strategic purpose and soon it became the primary port. The French East India Company captured this port in 1746 and the French navy under the French General Laboudonnais  anchored till 1746. Lord Clive defeated the French in Carnatic war and the fort captured and promptly destroyed by British East India Company to prevent further French attacks in future.

A fort was built in Covelong by Dutch East India Company and the fort site has been converted into  Taj Fisherman's Cove, often regarded one among the top private luxury beach resort. The ancient Catholic Church is a must visit place on the beach. Also there is a dargah of Syedna Hazrat Tamim bin Ahmed Ansari Razi Allathu Thala Anthu, a Sufi Muslim saint.

Once you enter here,  you will learn the history and  vast array of geographic features; placidity and your body and mind positively charged with enthusiasm and energy and you may not willing to leave.

Location :

Located on the ECR Chennai Mahabalipuram State Highway.

Best Season:

Best time to visit Covelong beach is the months of November to February.

How to Get There - By Road:

The Covelong Beach is easily reachable by excellent road network that connects the town with the nearby cities. Buses and taxies are the most popular way of reaching Covelong beach from Chennai and other nearby cities.