Andaman Cellular Jail, a small review

A friend of me had recently visited Andaman and shared information about site seeing experience and some useful tips. In that a very interesting thing to know about is the Cellular jail in Andaman. Though it was constructed to arrest the freedom fighters, now the new look of the jail attracts the visitors and had become a good tourist spot. Lot of visitor’s visit this place since it is an icon for the sacrifices of the freedom fighters for Independence.

The architecture of this jail is unique British style, and looks like a cycle spokes with the seven wings. It has around 700 cells, and the center building is the place where the jailers used to watch the entire jail. It was constructed with the bricks bought from Myanmar. You could now see the new statue’s which tells the harassment in the jail. Apart from this there is also a statue’s kept for the fighters who have sacrificed their lives there in the jail.

A model of the building architect is also available in the jail museum, also the hanging room and the rope makes us to cry thinking about the sacrifices of our leaders.

Marina Beach (Chennai or Madras)

My frequent place to visit in Chennai is Marina beach. Whenever I am in Chennai, I some how make some free time and visit the Marina beach. This is a very big beach stretched for about 13 Kms long. This beach is considered as world’s second longest beach according to sources from wikipedia. So what there so special in this beach? There is nothing specific to say special in this beach. The sea and the great view of Bay of Bengal and the ups and downs of waves which make your mind light as air. Marina beach is a best place in Chennai for the locales and a very cost effective place for all kind of people. There are no entry fees and there is no any other extra cost. There will lot of standing shops which include corn shops, bajji(an eatable made out of besan flour dipped in oil) shop, small tea shops, toy shops, balloon shops etc. In general you can see lot of kids and even elders fly knight in this place. Another special thing about the beach is the statues which are placed on the long stretch. There are statues like Mahatma Gandhi, Kannaki, labor statue, thiruvalluar etc. Here you can also see the samadhis (tomb) of MGR, Rajiv Gandhi, Anna and few other leaders. To honor the leaders and their thoughts will remain forever in people mind for generations. There are also many buildings opposite to the beach like university of madras, Queen Mary's college, Police commisioner office, presidency collage, PWD office and so on. 

Some snaps of Marina beach:

General Look of the beach and the light house

Worst Hit by Tsunami

 

Mahabalipuram Or Mamallapuram

It’s been very long time that I had not posted anything. I was very busy with my office work and year end closure. I had been to Mahabalipuram a short day trip from Chennai (Previously known as Madras).

Mahabalipuram is very famous for its Art and Architecture, it is also called as Mamallapuram; all these were built by Pallavas. The name of the place is coined from the pallava king Mamalla. The Art and Architecture are very ancient built some where in 6^th or 7^th century. It is been approved by UNESCO as a word heritage center. The very famous shore temples and five rathas are unique and very exciting to see. I had been visiting this place from my childhood, as my father worked in a bank there. But then my current visit was very exciting and I could able to grab some snaps. The best things here are the statues in each place is been carved in one stone. The very famous site seeing places around are the shore temple very near to the sea, five rathas, elephant and other animals carved in granite, Arjuna penance, light house, seven pagodas by the sea, butter ball etc. This time when we went there was a dance festival, which was very awesome. I could able to see the authentic Indian dances which includes barathanatiyam, folk and other carnatic song events. There are more number of foreigners from different country visiting this place and you could even say it is next to Goa. My humble advice is not to take a guide here and not to encourage any beggars. If you have any contacts with the local tour operators with the help of them you can fix the guide and also there is some government of Tamil Nadu nominated guides, who help in good site seeing.  

Some of my snaps which could help you to see the places in Mahabalipuram:

Single rock carved Bull and Elephant. 

Butter stone, Stands like this is in a slope mountain for years. 

Some rock carvings

 

The great view of the Shore temples. 

The light house built on top of the small mountain.

The famous five rathas. 

The sea with the rocks!!!!