YMCA, King George Statue, SICAL Building, A Heritage Walk from Chennakesava Perumal Temple to Nattukottai Nagarathar's Chatram.

 24^th December 2016.

After Visiting the YMCA, we crossed many Heritage Buildings to reach Nattukottai, Nagarathars Chatram. Mumbai-based Ebrahim Currim & Sons started making umbrellas under the brand name "Stag" in 1860 (for further reading, the article published in THE HINDU may be referred to). Initially, the machines and clothes were imported from London. The Lakshmi Bai, the lady in the showcase stands, was named after the goddess Lakshmi, who brings wealth.

LOCATION OF EBRAHIM CURRIM & SONS:    CLICK HERE

KING GEORGE STATUE

King George's Statue, was erected in memory of King George V when he was crowned Emperor of India. The so-called black town was renamed as George Town, where the statue was erected.

LOCATION KING GEORGE STATUE:    CLICK HERE

CATHOLIC CENTER

Catholic center (this was built from the money received after selling the Gandhi Nagar Housing Plots), Oriental Insurance Building.

LOCATION OF THE CENTER: CLICK HERE

South India Corporation Agencies building

After MA Chidambaram separated from Raja Annamalai’s Bungalow, started his own business of Trading construction materials like pipes, steel rods, etc, in this building. The business expanded and diversified in many fields like logistics, coal handling, Coffee plantation, Chemical manufacturing, hardware manufacturing, etc,. After his demise, his grandson Ashwin C Muthiah took over the business. As a part of asset restructuring the building was sold to Cafe Coffee Day group.
  

LOCATION SICAL BUILDING:  CLICK HERE

KALIKAMBAL TEMPLE

Kalikambal Temple (It was said that Maratha King Shivaji worshiped Kalikambal of this temple). 

LOCATION KALIKAMBAL TEMPLE:    CLICK HERE 

Nagarathar's Chatram/Rangoon Nagara Viduthi

Nattukottai Nagarathar's Chatrams (Rangoon Chatram, Karaikudi Nagarathar's Chatram, and Devakottai Nagarathar's Chatram) on Coral Merchants Street. These Chatrams were constructed for the Chettiars and served as transit accommodation before going to Rangoon between 1870 CE to 1930. Their main business was to lend money (Kasu kadai). During the Second World War, the Nattukottai Nagarathars returned to India leaving their properties and assets. Still, Chettiars holds the documents of their property on paper, which do not have any value now.

LOCATION CHETTIAR CHATRAM: CLICK HERE

 The Pillar Pothyal all are made of Burma teak wood

 The front door panel 

 The Burma teak wood ceiling in front of a Murugan Temple on 1^st Floor of Chatram

 The Burma teak wood ceiling in front of a Murugan Temple on 1^st Floor of Chatram

 The British emblem on the storage unit. 

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Pachaiyappa's College Higher Secondary School and george Town Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

 24^th December 2016.

From Chennakesava Perumal temple to Armenian Street, we could see some heritage buildings like Ebrahim Currim & Sons, YMCA, etc,. One such 170-year-old Heritage building is the Pachaiyappa’s College Higher Secondary School. The entrance is very narrow with a courtyard at the centre. The ceiling is of Madras roof supported by Burma teak wood and Mangalore tiles are used on the top floor. The school conducts classes from  9^th to 12^th standard. The first two floors are occupied by the  Govinda Naicker secondary school, which runs classes from 6^th to 8^th Standard.

 Pachaiyappa Mudaliar

Late Sri C N Annadurai, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister studied in this school. In (1839 CE) those days the fees are collected only from the students who are afford to pay.  The school is the first Govt aided school in Tamil Nadu. Due to a lack of funds, the school authorities could not maintain it. In addition to this, admission to this school is a problem.

The retired headmaster Mr. Jeyachandran, who had 33 years of experience in the same school, had invested his retirement benefit of 4 lakhs towards the maintenance of the school. Also, the teachers are making their full effort to enroll the new students even during holidays. The details are given in the THE HINDU newspaper. 

LOCATION OF THE SCHOOL:    CLICK HERE

 Entrance to the courtyard & School 

Govinda Naicker’s Statue- the school on the first two floors in the name of Govinda Naicker 

 ---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

St Mary's Armenian Church, Armenian Street, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

24^th December 2016.

As a part of the Heritage walk in the George Town area, after Sri Chennakesava Perumal temple and Sri Chenna Malleeswarar temple, we continued our walk on the Armenian street.

A Church was built in 1712 CE inside Fort St George by the Armenian people exclusively for their worship. (Church of Astvatzatzin). The Church was destroyed by the French. After 1749 CE, the land was not allotted to construct a new Church inside, Fort St. George, this Church was constructed,  on the Armenian street of the Black Town in 1772 CE. The required land was obtained from Shameer Sultan. Even before the construction of this Church, the Shmeer room was constructed in 1765 CE. 

The deceased Armenians are buried in the Church Complex. In front hall paintings of Jesus, Old Church, etc, The bell tower was built separately and will be struck manually around 18.00 hrs. Regular prayers are not conducted in the church. The church is open to the public on all days with fixed timings and it is extended to Armenians. During the Armenian archbishop’s arrival, mass will be conducted. In the Altar picture, Mary carries Jesus (child)  to heaven. The original Altar is maintained to date and the paintings of Jesus can be seen on steps of the altar. 

There is a memory stone fixed on the wall, which speaks about an Armenian merchant Kojah Petrus Woskan’s contribution to the reconstruction of the Marmalong Bridge (Saidapet Bridge) and steps laid to St Thomas Mount. His wife Mamakhatoon died in Madras in the year 1781CE and was buried in the grounds of St. Mary's Church (this church). We could see a lot of tombstones paved on the floor of the church premises and it was said that many Armenians are buried there.

LOCATION OF THE CHURCH:  CLICK HERE

---Om SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Chenna Malleeswarar Temple, George Town, Chennai – A HERITAGE WALK.

24^th December 2016.

As a part of the Heritage Walk in the George Town area, after the Chennakesava Perumal temple’s visit, we went to the Chenna Malleeswarar temple, which is adjacent to the Sri Chennakesava Perumal temple with an interlinking passage. 

Moolavar    : Sri Chenna Malleeswarar

Consort      : Sri Brambarambigai.

Some of the important features of this temple are.....

The temple faces east with an entrance arch and is in line with the High Court. Dwajasthambam, balipeedam, and Rishaba Mandapam are after the entrance arch.

In the outer praharam Sannadhi for Subramaniyar, Brambarambigai, Arunagirinathar, Bhairavar, Adi Sankarar, and Prasanna Vinayagar.

In the inner praharam sannadhi for Nalvar, 63var, Eesana Lingam, Thathpurusha Lingam, Agora Lingam, Sri Vamadeva Lingam, Kasi Lingam, Pickshadanar, Somaskandar, Natarajar, Balamurugan, Navagrahas.

ARCHITECTURE

The Sanctum is of rectangular shape (Nagara style) and in koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma, and Durgai. The sanctum 2-tier vimana is of rectangular shape with  3 kalasam on the top is unique.

The temple tank and the Chariot are shared by both Sri Chenna Malleeswarar  Temple and Sri Chenna Kesava Perumal Temple. There is an interlinking passage also between these two temples.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The old temple was in the present High Court complex. The temple was demolished for a clear view from the port by the  British East India Company. Due to public protest, the British East India Company allotted land and donated money to reconstruct the temple. The temple was reconstructed in 1762 CE by Manali Muthu Krishna Mudaliar. Apart from the money donated for the reconstruction of both temples in the year 1762 by the British East India Company, Manali Muthukrishna Mudaliar also donated a sum of 5202 pagodas. 

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be open between 07.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS 

http://chennamalleeswarartemple.tnhrce.in/

HOW TO REACH  

The temple is about 500 meters from Broadway bus terminus and 200 meters distance from Pookadai Police Station.

About 1.5 km from Fort Suburban Railway Station.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE:    CLICK HERE 

 High court view through the main entrance 

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---