Saidapet

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?Saidapet Chennai • Tamil Nadu • India
Saidapet
Coordinates: 13°01′25″N 80°13′25″E / 13.0235, 80.2237
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
District(s)	Chennai District
Planning Agency	CMDA
Civic agency	Chennai Corporation
Website: Chennai District website

Coordinates: 13°01′25″N 80°13′25″E / 13.0235, 80.2237

Saidapet is a locality of Chennai, India. Mambalam, T.Nagar, Guindy, Nandanam, K. K. Nagar are its neighbourhood suburbs. A subway joining Alandur road and Anna Salai (earlier Mount Road) has been constructed recently. This allows easier access to Anna Salai, the arterial road in Chennai. Saidapet is largely a residential area with very less number of shopping places. However, shopping places are gradually developing here.

1 History of Saidapet
2 Some interesting facts about Saidapet
3 Transportation
4 Architecture
5 Politics
6 Miscellaneous
7 References
8 External links

[edit] History of Saidapet

Saidapet is named after Sayyid Shah, a high-ranking 18-century official of the court of the Nawab of Arcot. The then Nawab of Arcot gifted these parts to Sayyid Shah in 1730. However, Saidapet at that time also included Kotturpuram and Nandanam.

The Maraimalai Adigal Bridge (preeviously the Marmalong Bridge) connects the northern banks of the River Adyar with the south. This bridge was originally built in 1726 by Armenian Coja Petrus Uscan. The dilapidated old bridge was replaced by a new one in the 1960s built as part of reconstruction and modernization efforts. The name Marmalong might have originated from the neighbourhood of Mambalam.

[edit] Some interesting facts about Saidapet

Aerial view of Saidapet bridge across Cooum River in Saidapet

Saidapet starts from the Southern boundary of Maraimalai Adigal Bridge. It was called the Marmalong Bridge for over 200 years. The Armenian trader who built the steps in St. Thomas Mount constructed this bridge. In the 1970s this bridge was broadened.

The Karaneeswarar Temple and the washing area in the Adyar River are not the only aspect that adds fame to Saidapet. An educational institution makes Saidapet very distinguished. That is the Teachers' Training College that has completed 100 years, whence thousands of trained teachers have come out and enlightened lakhs and lakhs of students. This college, located in an extensive area, has buildings that are spacious and beautiful. Since one building is in a dilapidated condition it has been kept closed. Efforts are being taken to renovate that building. Just half a kilometre away from the Teachers' Training College there is another spacious institution. The former imparted intellectual education to students, while the latter gave physical education. The YMCA school at Saidapet is a training centre for the physical education instructors. This is also a very reputed institution. In the past 20 years, dozens of Tamil and Telugu movie shootings have been held in this open field. The Saidapet swimming pool, maintained by YMCA, is also famous. There was a time when there were only two swimming pools in Chennai. One is the swimming pool on the Beach in Marina. The next one is the YMCA pool at Saidapet.

[edit] Transportation

[edit] Railway station

The Suburban Railway station in Saidapet is located between the stations of Guindy and Mambalam.Recently Automatic Ticket Vending machines have been introduced here.

[edit] Buses

Saidapet has a MTC bus terminus located on Anna Salai.There are frequent bus services originating from this place to other important parts of the city.

[edit] Metro(Proposed)

Plans have been finalised by the local government to build a Metro which connects to Alandur in the South and Chamiers road in the North as part of Chennai Metro Rail Scheme.The tentative year of completion is 2013.

Little mount church which is built on 1555 AD it has been established by the roman catholic people. St.THOMAS is the one of the disiples in the gang of jesus christ, he was arrested in a cave which is still there as a tourist spot.

[edit] Architecture

[edit] Temples

[edit] Karaneeswarar temple

This temple is located next to the railway station. This temple has a 7-storied Gopuram with two prakarams. The main deity is Lord Karaneeswara and Goddess Swarnaambikai. This temple has a beautiful tank. Annual ten day Brahmotsavam takes place in the Tamil month of Chithirai. 1

[edit] Narasimha

The temple was constructed in the middle of 15th century. According to some old inscription Popularly known as Perumal Kovil of Saidapet. The main deity is Narasimha. Annual Brahmotsavam takes place during the Tamil month of Chithirai. Vaikunta Ekadasi festival is very famous here.Other two famous festivals are Rathasapthami which is held in the month of February and Thotta Urchavam held in the month of march. One more important function in this temple is that "Sri Parthasarathy Swamy of Triplicane visits this temple yearly once .

[edit] Kadumbaadi Chinnamman kovil

A very famous Shakthi temple in West Saidapet. Fridays of the Tamil months of Aadi and Thai are famous. Annual brahmotsavam takes place during the Tamil month of Aadi.

[edit] Anjaneyar temple

This Hanuman temple is situated on the banks of the Adyar river.There is one more anjaneyar temple facing the prasanna venkatesa perumal kovil .The temple is believed to be very powerful. It is said the Hanuman in this temple is incarnated in such a way that he is worshipping lord Rama situated at the Narasimha temple.

[edit] Churches

Saidapet has about seven churches, St. Thomas church has a congregation of 500 families and is situated on LDG street, the NLAG Church is situated across the bridge. It is the biggest Assembly of God church in Tamil Nadu.

[edit] Bridges

The bridge located near the market on Jeenis road serves as a vital link to Mount Road from West Saidapet.
Jones road underpass (currently under construction) when built will serve an important link for West Saidapet.
Aranganathan subway serves to connect Ashok Nagar and Mambalam.

[edit] Politics

Kalaignar Karunanidhi, the present Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu was once elected from this constituency. It occupies an important place in Tamil Nadu politics being the starting place for election rallies.

[edit] Miscellaneous

Saidapet is an important administrative center. The health district in Chengalpet district is split into Saidapet hud and Kanchipuram hud. Panagal building which is a part of saidapet is a famous landmark.

Saidapet had a large weaver population and handlooms were in operation as late as 1990. It was quite notorious for filariasis in the olden days.

Saidapet has a very busy shopping market place called the Bazaar Road. It is famous for its fish market attracting buyers from faraway places.

St Marys Matriculation Higher Secondary School is one of the Schools situated here

[edit] References

Saidapet
Next station north: Mambalam	Chennai suburban railway: South line		Next station south: Guindy
Next station north: Mambalam	Stop number: 9	KM from starting: {{{5}}}	Next station south: Guindy