Valluvar Kottam
The huge chariot shaped monument that stands tall in the midst of Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, is the Valluvar Kottam. It was built in the 1970s ad opened to the public during 1976. This monument was erected as a tribute and memorial to the Tamil saint and poet, Thiruvalluvar.
Valluvar Kottam is named after him. The monument houses an auditorium that can hold 3,500 people, a magnificent archway and the Kural Mandapam where all the 1,330 couplets of the 133 chapters of Thirukural are written on granite stones. The main landmark of the monument is the giant chariot sized structure inside which is a life like statue of Thiruvalluvar. This chariot is a replica of the temple chariots that go on a procession in the streets during festive seasons.
The chariot is adorned on all sides by the famous Kalamkari drawings. It is one of the most prominent landmark of the city of Chennai. This monument was entirely built with the sole purpose of honoring the saint Thiruvalluvar and remembering to follow in his words which have stood the test of time for thousands of years. There is a vibrantly beautiful park that surrounds the monument which blossoms with greenery. A place for car parking is available which gives a great view of the monument. The auditorium of the monument is surrounded by a resting place for visitors. Built in its time, this monument is a great wonder for all ages to come.
Nearby places to visit:
Marina Beach, Fort St. George and the Victory war memorial.
Best time to visit :
October to March is the best time to visit the Victory war memorial.
How to reach ?
By Air : The Chennai international airport is at a distance of 13 kilometers from the monument.
By Train :The Chennai railway station is at a distance of 6 kilometers from the Senate house
By Road :Chennai is well connected by the National and the state highways and transport is no difficulty.