If you are an architectural enthusiast wondering where to visit an outstanding monument in Chennai, this blog will surely help you. Yes, it is about Valluvar Kottam, one of the most-visited cultural architectures in Chennai. Valluvar Kottam is an architectural monument located in the heart of Chennai, the state capital of Tamil Nadu, India. It is situated in one of the busy areas of Chennai. Long ago, this place was a famous lake, called Nungambakkam Lake. It is one of the city’s most significant cultural centres and is named in honour of the Tamil poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar. The monument stands as a proud symbol of the city, exemplifying the rich cultural values of the Tamil language.
What are Architectural Monuments?
Monuments are massive constructions that are built to symbolize any cultural activity. India is a land of rich, unique and diverse cultures. It is a vast land of natural beauty. Various rulers had conquered different regions of the countries at different periods; each ruler followed a different religion and built many structures to prove and demonstrate power and dominance. Some structures are ruined due to foreign invasions and natural calamities. Many of them remain intact to date. These beautiful pieces of art and architecture stand as an example and proof of the lifestyle in our land thousands of years ago. Such places are known as monuments, and the government puts in a lot of effort to care for and maintain them. These monuments now stand as popular tourist attractions and attract millions of people across the globe every year.
Top Architectural Wonders of Chennai
The following is a list of ‘not-to-miss’ architectural wonders in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. These places are the solid reasons why Chennai is the most loved city in South india. Even today, these places remain a hot spot for many movie and documentary shoots. Let us have a quick look at them. If you happen to visit the city anytime, plan a one-day tour and enjoy the cultural richness of these places.
- St. George’s Fort
- Freemasons Hall
- Valluvar Kottam Monument
- Kapaleeswarar Temple
- Madras War Cemetery
- Armenian Church
- Ripon Building
- Anna Memorial
- Madras High Court
- Doveton House
- Karl Schmidt Memorial
Beautiful and spacious resorts are built along the Bay of Bengal coastline. In big cities like Chennai and Pondicherry, multiple options are available for tourists to comfortably stay and enjoy their archaeological tour. These Resorts in Chennai provide private beaches, mouth-watering seafood, and a serene atmosphere exclusively for you to relax and unwind from the city chaos. Premium resorts also offer many indoor and outdoor activities to keep the children engaged with their favourite sport.
The History of Valluvar Kottam
Valluvar Kottam Chennai stands as a testament to the vision and perseverance of Dr. M. Karunanidhi, the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Designed by the talented architect V. Ganapathi Sthapati, this architectural marvel has become integral to the state’s cultural tourism. Years later, Sthapati gifted the world with another masterpiece, the “Valluvar Statue” in Kanyakumari.
Interesting facts to know about the Architecture of Valluvar Kottam in Chennai
- The Monument is in the shape of a temple chariot.
- Inside Valluvar Kottam is one of Asia’s grandest and largest auditoriums, with a comfortable seating capacity of over 4000 people.
- It is a famous tourist spot, and thousands of people visit it within the city for tourism purposes.
- The structure is 39 meters tall and was constructed over 40 years ago.
- Three thousand blocks of granite stone have gone in for its creation, weighing a whopping 2,700 tonnes.
- The largest stone in this monument weighs around 40 tonnes.
- You will be spellbound to know the size of the magnificent four wheels of the chariot. Yes, each wheel measures 11 feet in diameter and 2 feet thick.
- The lower body of the chariot depicts all the 133 chapters or ‘athikarams’ of the holy Thirukkural.
- Thiruvalluvar, who authored the ‘Ulagappothumarai,’ is honoured by a colossal statue in the centre of the chariot.
- You cannot miss the beautiful Kalamkari paintings all over.
- The roof has a large terraced garden, aptly complemented by two beautiful pools—it will leave you completely awestruck!
- The famous Valluvar Kottam part is also a spectacular place to spend your leisure time.
- On busy, weak days, at least 700 people visit the monument, and during weekends, more than 1000 visitors form a beeline to enjoy this visual delight.
Valluvar Kottam Timings and Entry Fee
The Monument is open to the public from 8 am to 6 pm on all days of the week. It is closed on Fridays, all public holidays declared by the Government of India, and State holidays. The Entry fee is much more affordable. For adults, it is Rs 10 and for children, it is much less.
Best Time to Visit Valluvar Kottam
Chennai is a hot and humid city. It remains extremely hot in the summer. So, the best time to visit Valluvar Kottam would be between November and February, the winter months. It takes approximately about 2 to 3 hours to tour this place fully.
How can you Reach Valluvar Kottam?
Local buses and trains lead you to the place. You can also hire private taxis. Chennai Metro helps you travel around, and you can reach Valluvar Kottam effortlessly. This place is relatively easy to find, as it is in the city’s heart. Nungambakkam is one of the most loved areas of Chennai, hosting essential government offices, multi-national commercial establishments, foreign consulates, educational institutions, shopping malls, sporting facilities, tourist spots, star hotels, and restaurants.
The city is the capital of Tamil Nadu and is well-connected with the rest of the country. It has a vast airport, railway stations, and sea ports.
Valluvar Kottam Monument in Chennai is in Nungambakkam, 14 kilometres from the airport. It is approximately 8 km away from the Chennai central railway station and equally distanced from the Koyambedu Bus Terminus.
Other places that Catch your attention nearby
- Birla planetarium
- Semmozhi Poonga Botanical Garden
- Marina beach
- Vivekanandar Illam Museum
- Government Museum
When it comes to Chennai, the breathtaking architectural marvels genuinely capture the city’s essence. These jaw-dropping structures remain a true testament to the rich cultural heritage of Chennai and stand as proud symbols of our Tamil tradition. Among these, Valluvar Kottam in Chennai stands out as a must-visit destination. It’s a place where you can admire stunning art and architecture and enrich your knowledge alongside friends and family. Plan a trip to Valluvar Kottam and enjoy the cultural flavour of Chennai!