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V.G.P Golden
Beach Resort: This beach
resort is popular not just with the people of the city, but also
with tourists. There is an entertainment arcade for children and for
adults. There are folk dance performances apart from an Art Center
which sells handicrafts and articles made out of sea shells. The
beach is clean and ideal for sun-bathing.
Vandalur: Spread
over an area of 1,265 acres, the Anna Zoological Park at Vandalur is
the largest in South Asia and has a rich variety of different
species of mammals, reptiles and birds. The animals roam in natural
surroundings and there is also a special enclosure for nocturnal
creatures.
Kanchipuram (75
kms.): One of India's seven great mythological
famous Hindu cities, Kancheepuram has a plethora of temples, each
one unique in its own way. Besides being the Golden City of
temples,Kancheepuram has for over four centuries, been famous for
its weavers who till today weave sarees using the best quality silk
and pure gold thread. It has been the center of culture and learning
and Adhi Shankaracharya, one of the famous Gurus of India has
established his ashram (Kamakoti Peetam) here.
Mamallapuram
(58 kms.): Built in the 7th century, this
ancient Pallava port is the site of several antique sculptural
marvels. The only remaining shore temple is a spectacular two-spire
shrine which is unique in that it houses shrines for Vishnu and
Shiva.
The Pallavas had perfected the art of sculpting rocks to build
temples without using brick, mortar or timber and the five monolith
Raths (chariots) stand as the surviving masterpieces of Pallava
sculpture.
Arjuna's penance is the world's largest bas relief measuring 27m by
9m. This sculptural panel shows animals, Gods and Angels
contemplating the descent of the Ganges from it's source in the
Himalayas and also depicts popular fables from the Panchatantra.
Besides these, the Mahishamardhini Cave, the Krishna Mandapam and
Varsha Mandapam also have beautiful reliefs depicting Vishnu
reclining on the coils of seven headed serpent, Krishna as
incarnation of Vishnu lifting mount Goverdhana to protect his
kinsman from the wrath of Indra respectively.
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