[Mr.Boss]

Another weekend, but the destination remained same.

We made this trip early this year (or last year, couldn't recall. It was during one of the T-BHP meet, planned at Alamparai fort, but I was late) and fell in love with the ambiance. Planned for a grand get-together with friends but couldn't make it happen due to various reasons. Finally myself with my better-half and our friend (another couple) visited a couple of days back.

It is more than a decade ago, we made numerous family tours and whenever it is a single day trip, we had our Lunch & snacks packed from home. Somehow this nostalgic memories flashed inside our mind and prepared lunch and packed them. Started around 10:00am towards Vedanthangal.

Route:


On the way to Vedanthangal


Vedanthangal birds sanctuary disappointed us again It was that hard to find even crows. People over there reported due to less rainfall this year, there aren't many birds visiting the sanctuary. Only a few birds could be seen that too in the evening.















After spending an hour had a cup of Tea and started towards Alamparai Fort (Via Melmaruvathur --> Odiyur --> Kadapakkam --> Fort)

Roads were scenic, with less traffic but little damaged when compared with my previous trip









Before Kadapakkam in ECR, stopped at a restaurant to get snacks. Clicked few birds at the restaurant







At Kadapakkam junction there is a green sign board directing left towards the Fort.
Note: ECR is the safe bet to get snacks, cool drinks, food or even branded water bottles. After kadapakkam it is hard to see any decent hotels / shops.

...Continued

[Mr.Boss]

A little background about the Fort
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alamparai_Fort
Some impressive snaps http://thereddotman.com/2012/06/13/a...-fort-chennai/

I don't want to write much about the Fort here. Let the pictures speak.
When we reached we were only 4 in that area, but when time passed we could see the crowd (??? few) gathering. We spent more than 4 hours and started home before the Sunset.

[Mr.Boss]

Originally Posted by Mr.Boss

We made this trip early this year (or last year, couldn't recall. It was during one of the T-BHP meet, planned at Alamparai fort, but I was late)

Managed to find the post
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/team-b...ml#post3386649

[Ddrive]

Nice drive for a one day trip, and thanks for that link connecting the drive-meet photos. Enjoyed seeing those pics once again. But that was during hot summer and we all had a tough time with scorching sun.

[Mr.Boss]

Originally Posted by Ddrive

Nice drive for a one day trip, and thanks for that link connecting the drive-meet photos. Enjoyed seeing those pics once again. But that was during hot summer and we all had a tough time with scorching sun.

Yes, I do remember the hot burning sun that day. We couldn't spend 30 mins. But this time the climate was very much pleasing. Someone planning for a visit, it's the right time.

[PVPal]

Thanks Mr.Boss for the nice pics and introducing the Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary & the Alamparai Fort. Would have expected more birds in general, given that its almost mid-december with migrations from the north already underway.

[Mr.Boss]

Originally Posted by PVPal

Would have expected more birds in general, given that its almost mid-december with migrations from the north already underway.

Oct-Nov-Dec being the season time, with limited rainfall this year (at this region) seems no much birds stay around. Hopping to see more birds atleast by next year.

[greenhorn]

If you like to explore historical places near chennai, I'd suggest you add sadras fort (kinda small, but near alamparai), gingee fort, and the fort at pulicat. Each is a decent half a day journey!

[phamilyman]

Originally Posted by Mr.Boss

Oct-Nov-Dec being the season time, with limited rainfall this year (at this region) seems no much birds stay around. Hopping to see more birds atleast by next year.

thanks for sharing the pics mate - brought back nice memories

vedanthangal had a nice number of birds when we visited in Jan 2014.

Originally Posted by greenhorn

If you like to explore historical places near chennai, I'd suggest you add sadras fort (kinda small, but near alamparai), gingee fort, and the fort at pulicat. Each is a decent half a day journey!

Which one is safe enough to visit with a curious three and a half year old monkey?
What about the quality of roads? I got negative feedback on Gingee.

[Mr.Boss]

Originally Posted by phamilyman

Which one is safe enough to visit with a curious three and a half year old monkey?

Originally Posted by greenhorn

If you like to explore historical places near chennai, I'd suggest you add sadras fort (kinda small, but near alamparai), gingee fort, and the fort at pulicat. Each is a decent half a day journey!

Never heard about Sadras fort, added to my 'wishlist'. Thanks for sharing and expecting further details as phamilyman asked.

[Rags Rocks]

Originally Posted by phamilyman

Which one is safe enough to visit with a curious three and a half year old monkey?
What about the quality of roads? I got negative feedback on Gingee.

I went to Gingee couple of months back, The road from Dindivanam till Gingee is being extended on both sides, so most of the stretch has been dug up quite badly. For most of he journey you'll find tar on one side of the road and for that too you'll have to fight with the oncoming vehicles.

[katchkamalesh]

It’s been a few years since my last visit to Alamparai fort and today while I was driving back from Pondichery with my family, I impulsively decided to visit the fort again. As I drove towards the fort, I saw a lot of policemen and the route from ECR to fort was barricaded.

I was stopped by the police and when I told him that I wanted to visit the fort, he told me that the police have cordoned off the fort and visitors are not allowed to visit this place anymore. When I reasoned with him, he told me that there were 3 villages nearby and people have been fighting with each other for trivial stuff. This was causing a law and order situation and recently 3 people were murdered in the fort. Hence police have banned people from visiting the fort for the past 5 months. This came as a surprise because I have never heard or read about this anywhere.

The worst part is that I was not even allowed to go to the beach near the fort.

The aim of this thread is to make people, especially Chennaites, know that Alamparai fort is closed for visitors.

[hserus]

Thanks! I was thinking of that as a possible destination for a tbhp chennai road trip, it has been a while since the last one.

Originally Posted by katchkamalesh

It’s been a few years since my last visit to Alamparai fort and today while I was driving back from Pondichery with my family, I impulsively decided to visit the fort again. As I drove towards the fort, I saw a lot of policemen and the route from ECR to fort was barricaded.