27th August
2016
On
27th August
2016, we, 12 history and heritage enthusiasts started our journey to explore
the temples and heritage sites on the banks of river ADYAR from its start
point. The group was led by the historian Mr. Venkatesh and stalwarts Mrs. Padmapriya Baskaran, Mr. Shaswath, Mr. Gopu, and Mr T K Krishnakumar. Also, the young
guide Mr Nandan joined us and explained St Thomas and Garrison church. There
are more than 100 tanks/ lakes that contribute water to the river Adyar of
which the Chembarambakkam Lake contributes about 30%. There are
many temples and historically important sites on the banks of river Adyar, of
which we could cover only a few in this trip and a lot more to go… I request my
readers to pardon me for the poor quality of the photos due to cloudy and sometimes drizzling. Started from T. Nagar and our first stop was at Saidapet
Maraimalai Adigal Bridge at Saidapet.
PC : Website
The
popularly known Saidapet bridge was constructed by an Armenian Community trader
by the name of Coja Petrus Uscan, who was born in 1680 AD and died in Madras in the year 1751. He had immense wealth, kind-hearted and he was very loyal to the British during the French Occupation of
Madras, the present Chennai. In 1728 he constructed the Marmalong bridge
which connects the Guindy and Mambalam in those days at a cost of 30,000
pagodas, also he donated the full amount of 1500 pagodas for maintenance.
A stone slab with inscriptions in four languages on the north end
of the bridge, of which one inscription is not visible.
The
original bridge was replaced by a new bridge during the year 1966
with pre-stressed concrete slabs. The length of the bridge is 770 meters.
The bridge is supported by 12 pillars spaced at an average span of 60
feet. The footpath is 10 feet on both sides. The bridge was constructed at a
cost of Rs 42.5 lakhs by Highways and Rural Department.
THE
LOCATION OF THE BRIDGE : CLICK
HERE
To
be continued ……..
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