DESTINATION--EAST-COAST-ROAD{T.N.}

The stretch of East Coast Road(E.C.R.) from Chennai to Pondicherry has a variety of exciting get-aways from Amusement Parks to Resorts to Theatres to Restaurants but of all these two important places a person with wheels on his feet shouldn’t miss are “Dakshina Chitra” and “The Crocodile Bank”.

Dakshina Chitra:-
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Literally translated, Dakshina Chitra would mean—A Picture of South India and this is just what you should expect as you step into this heritage Centre.There are different Houses belonging to various clans of these four southern states maintained intact along with their belongings.

In the Tamil-Nadu section you get to go into a Chettiar’s House, A Weaver’s House,A Brahmin pundit’s House.In the Kerala sector you have the Mapillai’s Abode, The Syrian Christian House(as seen in the picture), while from Karnataka and Andhra they have the Illkal House, Lambada House, Potter’s Hut,Fisher-men Huts etc.Each section has it’s display centre wherein you are taught various crafts like Pot making, basket weaving, paddy pounding and grinding, kalamkari or block-printing, puppet making, tribal embroidery, etc.All round the year there is some activity or the other going on in these Heritage Houses.It’s a big hit with the foreigners who throng the place.

Stay at Dakshina Chitra:-The Heritage Village has well appointed and comfortable Guest Rooms{AC/Non-AC}.Aesthetically designed and set in an ambience of a by-gone era,your stay will be truly an unforgettable one.From here you can even go to the Muttukkadu Lake which is a scenic spot, radiating peace and serenity.The Boat-house attached to the lake gives visitors a plethora of boating options.

Dakshina Chitra is situated on E.C.R. Road, Muttukkadu, Tamil-nadu-603118.
Tele:-954114-2272603; 2272783.
It’s open daily 10am to 6pm.Tuesday holiday.

The Crocodile Bank:-
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From Muttukkadu, 2kms further down the E.C.R. is the Crocodile bank.
Started in 1976 by Romulus Whitaker, The Snake Man of India, to conserve and protect the crocodile species that were nearing extinction.So, this piece of land was bought and enclosures built.Eggs were collected from various parts and hatched here.Today of the 23 species of Crocs in the world,14 can be seen at this place.

Apart from the Crocs you also get to watch many species of endangered turtles, snakes, lizards, tortoises etc.This is now the only Centre for Herpetology(study of reptiles and amphibians.) in India.

Other Attractions:-For Rs.50, you can take your photograph with a baby croc or a large Python.You can check out how crocs eat, how a snakes venom oozes out.There’s also a Crocodile Night Safari—oops, doesn’t that sound a bit scary?Well, if you are the adventurous sort, head for the Crocs!

Madras Crocodile Bank is situated at Vadanemelli, E.C.R. Road.
For further information contact mcbtindia@vsnl.net
http://www.madrascrocodilebank.org/
Telephone:-04114 2272447
So, Feet on Wheels, next time you visit Chennai or Pondicherry, don’t forget to spend a day at the Heritage Village and then go on a Safari to meet the Hundreds of Crocs in one enclosure.(see picture.—this one had 357 crocs in all.)
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