Vadapalani,Chennai

Vadapalani  is one of the popular area in Chennai.It is famous for temple,mall,theatre,hospital ,film studios, restaurant , several shops and crowded place.We spent around 3 hours roaming in this area.

1.Vadapalani temple

This is one of the famous murugan temple in Chennai and it was built in 19th century. Originally it was constructed as shed, the temple underwent renovations in the 1920s, expanding in various way with  131 ft tower approximately.There are many stories based about this temple and it was crowded when we visited the temple in the evening.They conduct lots of marriage functions in this temple.

2.Several shops

We could find several shops outside the temple premises with varieties of items and in the locality too.

3.Vijaya Forum mall

It’s one of the biggest mall in the locality and popular in this area.It is easily connected with Metro.I couldn’t find anything special about these malls as we have more than sufficient malls in each city.

I could locate clay vegetables in one of the stall in Vijaya forum mall for Rs 10 each and many wooden toys.

The children play area in the last floor had only few equipments and toy train was not available during our visit to that place.Good place for those who love to do shopping in the malls.

4.Hotels in Vadapalani

Saravana Bhavan , vadapalani,one of the popular hotel in Vadapalani area few years back turned out to be disappointment as quality of food and service was not good.

But we could find very good hotel during this visit was Sangeetha’s Desi Mane in Ashoknagar with tasty and mouthwatering south Indian foods.Highly recommend Sangeetha’s Desi Mane for good quality food in Chennai.Paravathi Bhavan is quite good in terms of service and quality of food.

You can easily spend 3 to 4 hours in this area as it is easily accessible from several places with temple,malls,theatre,restaurants and several shops.

This is all about the places which we visited in Chennai with our little hero and in my next post,I will share about places and experiences with my little hero in another beautiful city.

#summerfun #littleherotraveldairies2017 #vadapalani #chennai

Source of images: Google images

Edward Elliot’s beach,Chennai

This beach is popularly known as Besant nagar beach and is located in Besant nagar area.Since,I was advised that Marina beach is not clean and will be very crowded,we decided to visit Besant nagar beach as I was told it was one of the clean beach in Chennai.

We had lots of fun with our little hero in the beach even though we spent only around 1 hour as it was not clean as expected.My child collected different types of shells from the beach.

Only disappointment was that I could find several glass pieces of different sizes and many other stuffs.

Overall,better place to hangout in the evening with family &friends but we need to keep an eye while playing in this beach☺☺

#summerfun #elliot’s beach  #chennai #littleherotraveldairies2017

Mehandi art by littlehero

Final outcome of Mehandi art by my little hero

He started with spider web and drew whatever he could do in my hand.This was the final outcome of Mehandi in my hand ☺☺
#summerfun #littleheromehandiart #freeplay #5years

One of the best moment in my life

Some serious work going on right now by my little hero☺☺ by making Amma to sit at one place and not doing any work.One of the best and precious moment in my life.
#5years #mylittleherolove #mehandiforamma

Lovely stunt of Monkey at Guindy National park

There were many beautiful actions by animals and birds but we could not resist capturing the monkey and bird as my little hero loved it so much.
He was very much excited to see monkeys doing different types of stunts,turtles swimming in water,figuring out chameleons, different movements of birds.Each and everything was very precious.
In my previous post,I had shared few photos of Guindy National park as it is not possible to upload each and every animals,birds,reptiles.
Please do spend time with your kids at Guindy National park and worth a visit

#littleherophotography #5years #summerfun #guindynational #chennai #beautifulmoments

Guindy National park

One of the main attraction in centre of city is Guindy National park.Inside the premises of Guindy National park,you have two separate sections Guindy Snake park and Guindy Children’s park.Separate entry ticket has to be paid for both sections.

A .Guindy Snake park

You can find different varieties of pythons ,cobras and various other reptiles.My little hero was observing each and every movements of snakes very carefully.

B.Guindy Children’s park

You are welcomed inside the premises with beautiful spotted deers.You can witness turtles swimming in the water,crocodiles,monkeys,varieties of birds in action,squirrels and many more

For the first time,my little hero saw two chameleons,it was challenging to figure out two chameleons.

There is children play area with lots of equipments.

We spent around 4 hours in the Guindy National park and it is worth visit.My little hero enjoyed it very much ,we will visit this place again whenever we come to Chennai for sure.

#summerfun #5years #guindynationalpark #chennai #littleherotraveldairies2017

Chetpet Ecopark

Chetpet Eco park is located just opposite to Ega theatre and close to chetpet railway station.I heard that this place was initially a dump of garbage and the other dirty stuff. It was completely an unhealthy place dumped with sewage. Later in 2013 this place was considered for restoration by ex chief minister J. Jayalalitha. With a big budget, this 15-acre land was newly reformed by the Fisheries Department and opened for public use in February 2016.(Source : Staff of Chetpet Eco park)

Main attraction of the park

Boating,angling, acupressure walkways,children play area,different types of plants & trees with Latin names are the main attraction of the park.

If you would like to give new experience of pedaling the boat to your kids,this would be good place.

My little hero loved it as we spent around 30 to 45 minutes in the lake by pedaling the boat.You can take help of the staff if you don’t wish to pedal.Life jacket was compulsory.

Walking on the stairs to boating spot was very different and new to us.Stairs itself was awesome experience.

My child loved seeing the beautiful ducks which looked liked duck family, daddy duck,mummy duck was followed by ducklings .You could notice several fishes too.The water is very clean and it is 10ft deep.

Staffs of Chetpet park are very friendly and we owe special thanks to them who are very supportive.

Children play space area is very well maintained and very good where kids can spend lot of time.

You could also find different types of plants with names,paintings and many more.

You could experience the acupressure walkways with your child for new experience.

Another highlights which one of the staff shared with me was that the tree which you could see in the centre of the lake was the same tree where one of the scene in Anniyan Tamil movie was shooted and they have plan to commence a cafe under tree and people could experience to come to the cafe by walking on the proposed bridge.We are eager to visit this park again during our next visit to Chennai.

I forgot to mention another thing,they have walking track which is opened from 4:30 AM to 8:30 AM and from 5 PM to 7 PM. The Registration cost is Rs. 200 per month and Rs. 2000 per year.

Please do visit this Chetpet Eco park which is located in centre of city to give different exposure to your child if you wish.My little hero loved it☺☺Your little ones will have lot of fun and you could easily spend 2 to 3 hours.

#summerfun #5years #chetpetecopark #chennai #littleherotraveldairies2017 

Kapaleeswar temple,Chennai

One of the most ancient temple in Chennai which is approximately 1000 to 2000 years old.I wanted to show my son about our ancient architecture and culture.As my child shows interest,I generally share the story behind each festival celebrationand temples to him.This is very spacious and very well maintained temple and you may need 2 hours approximately to visit it.It is located in Mylapore area in Chennai.Each stone carvings you observe will speak about the temple.

I wanted him to visualise and feel our ancient sculptures and Dravidian style of architecture.This temple is worth a visit.

He loved looking at the holy cows inside the temple premises which was fed and milked .Listening to the melody of nadaswaram was new to him.

It was new feel and experience for my little hero.In this visit,I have introduced him to history☺

Here is the information about the temple in brief which I googled to convey it to my little hero in better way.

About kapaleeswar temple,Mylapore

​It is a Siva Temple, and the name of the Lord is ARULMIGU KAPALEESWARAR. The name of the Goddess is ARULMIGU KARPAGAMBAL (Goddess of wish yielding tree)

Mylapore Kapaleeswarar Temple attracts the eye of the visitor with its imposing 37-meter tall gopuram (tower). The image of the Tamil poet-saint, Gnanasambandar greets visitors. As you step out from under the gopuram, straight ahead is the dancing image of Lord Ganesha as Nardhana Vinayagar who greets the devotees.
The specialty of the temple lies in its Dravidian-style of architecture. It consists of two entrances or gopurams-a Rajagopuram(Royal entrance) on the east and a gopuram on the west, the eastern gopuram being higher. Both the gopurams are beautifully adorned with exquisite stone carvings and sculptures. The temple boasts of mandapams and an enormous sacred water tank. 
History :

Kapaleeswarar Temple was originally built by the Pallavas in 7th century CE.However, the architecture of the temple seems to be just 300-400 years old. Scholars have concluded that the original temple was built on the seashore in 7th century CE by the Pallavas and was destroyed by the Portuguese. The temple existing today is about 1 km away from the shore and was built by Vijaynagar kings during 16th century CE.

Story behind the temple:

Lord Brahmma thought that he was as great and equal as Lord Shiva as he too had five heads as Shiva.To teach him a lesson and to check his pride. Lord Shiva nipped one head and held the skull in His hand.  Kapala in Sanskrit means skull, hence Lord Shiva was praised as Kapaleeshwara and the place KAPALEESHWARAM.

Another story states that Lord Shiva was teaching Paravathi about full meaning of five lettered mantra Na ma shi va ya ,but she was attracted by the beauty of a peacock dancing before her.  Lord Shiva , for her inattention, cursed her to become a peacock.  For relief from the curse, He advised her to go to Earth and perform penance on him.  Paravathi worshipped the Shivalinga under the Punnai tree in this place.  Moved by her penance, Lord Shiva appeared before her and confirmed her release from the curse and named her Karpagavalli.Hence this place was named as Mayil(means peacock in tamil)and later changed to mylapore

Source: Wiki
#summerfun #kaapleshwartemple  #chennai #ancienttemple #dravadianarchitecture #history #5years #littleherotraveldairies2017

Birla planetarium ,Chennai

I visited Birla planetarium with my child in Chennai.It is located in Kotturpuram and very close to Anna Centenary library.

Birla planetarium is one of the largest planetarium which was built in the year 1988 in memory of B.M Birla.

They have separate ticket for entrance,3D show, planetarium . Package ticket is also available .They are working on Sundays too except public holidays.

This is very spacious place where you can watch sky theatre show ,a virtual tour in Tamil and English languages.They conduct show at different timings.The show lasts approximately 30 to 40 minutes.It will be new experience for the child.It is popular for first 360 degree sky theatre in India.

You can find hall of science & technology where lots of models would be available , unfortunately most of the models are not in working condition which leads to disappointment.

Kids do have lot of outdoor play area and Science park but I personally felt these would be better if it was maintained properly and needs renovation.

They have shop inside the premises where you can find science related puzzles at a very reasonable rate.

I had visited this place when I was kid with my parents but this visit with my child was not up to my expectations as this place needs lots of improvement.It would be the best if it was maintained properly.

Overall,new place for the kids who has interest in knowing about space and things relating to science.

#summerfun #birlaplanetorium #5years #littleherotraveldairies2017 

Anna Centenary library

This is must visit place for book lovers.My little hero is book lover and last year,I introduced him to the world of library.The pleasure of happiness to read in library is awesome and cannot be described in words.

This summer,I took my little hero to one of the largest library ,Anna Centenary library in Chennai.It is public library located in Kotturpuram,Gandhi mandapam road,Chennai.You get free access to all the books from Monday to Sunday (8am to 8pm).

He was speechless to see such big library where you can find a dedicated section for kids in the first floor.What else a book lover need?.Amazing collection of books and very spacious (approx 15000 sqft)

It has huge collection of books for children aged between 4 years to 14 years in English and other languages.We loved the set up of reading under a tree inside the kids section

My little hero had spent around 4 hours and he did not want to come out of the library.I have promised him to bring him to library again.

The library has 8 floors which are as mentioned below

Braille Section : Braille Section is located at Ground Floor.

Own Book Reading Section : This section located at ground floor. 

Children’s Section : Children Section is located in the first floor. 

Periodicals Section : Periodicals section is located in first floor. Newspapers and Magazines and Journals are kept in this section. All leading newspapers and magazines are available in this section for readers. .

Tamil Books Section : Second Floor of this library is dedicated to “Classical Language (Semmozhi)” Tamil. 

English Book Section : English Books from leading publishers occupy majority of the library space 

Third Floor : General, Computer Science, Library & Information Science, Philosophy, Psychology, Ethics, Religion, Sociology, Statistics, Political science.

Fourth Floor : Economics, Law, Public Administration, Education, Languages & Linguistics, Literature.

Fifth Floor : General Science, Mathematics, Astronomy, Physics, Chemistry, Earth science & Geology, Fossils & prehistoric life, Life science ( Biology), Plants ( Botany ), Animals ( Zoology), •Applied Science – Basic, Medicine & Health

Sixth Floor : Engineering, Agriculture, Home & Family management, Veterinary Science, Management & Public Relation, Accounting, Fine Arts, Architecture, Photography & Computer Arts, Music, Sports, Games & Entertainment.

Seventh Floor : History, Geography, Travel, Biography.

Eighth Floor  : Administrative Office.

If you visit Chennai,make sure to visit this library with your child.If your child is book lover,you will never regret this place.

#summerfun #library #annacentenary #booklover #chennai #littleherotraveldairies2017 #5years

Pic courtesy for tree image in kids section: Google images