Vadapalani

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name=Vadapalani
state_name=Tamil Nadu
metro=Chennai
type=neighbourhood
latd = 13.049713
longd=80.212555
altitude=
district=Chennai
parliament_const= Chennai South
assembly_const= T.Nagar
taluk= Kodambakkam-T.Nagar
corp_zone= T.Nagar
corp_ward= 121
postal_code= 600026
website=
footnotes =

Vadapalani (வடபழநி in Tamil, meaning 'North Palani') is one of the main hubs of Chennai. It is a busy suburb, thanks to the Lord Muruga temple and its proximity to T. Nagar (the shopping district of Chennai) and Kodambakkam (the film capital of south). It has been accentuated further by the emergence of CMBT - Koyambedu. Vadapalani is close to Airport Meenambakkam (8 km), Chennai Central Railway Station (12 km) and Koyambedu (4 km] ). It is well connected to all suburbs in Chennai and has it own bus terminus.

Temples

Vadapalani derives its name from Vadapalani (North Palani) temple. Though the Vadapalani temple [http://www.murugan.org/temples/vadapalani.htm] is definitely the most famous, Vengeeswarar temple is probably older and a Chozha period structure with the "Gajabrishta Vimanam" (known as "Thoonganai Maadam" in Tamil) as it looks like the back of a sleeping elephant. With the installation of a new chariot and pilgrims from different parts of the city and the state, Vengeeswarar temple is also becoming popular. Few other popular but smaller temples are Chintamani temple in 100 Feet Road and another Pillayar temple (விருக்ஷராஜ கணபதி) under the 'Arasa' maram near 100 Feet Road (with kumbabhishekam on 28th November 2007).

Schools

*Saraswathi Vidyalaya Matric Higher Secondary School, 238 Arcot Road Chennai 600026.
At Vadapalani Saraswathi Vidyalaya Matriculation school was the oldest Matriculation School (1956) and very prominent in this locality.
The Founder and Principal Mrs. K.Saraswathi received the Presidential award from the Honourable President of India R. Venkataraman. She also received the prestigious Silver Elephant award from Respectful President Dr.Shankar Dayal Sharma. Several film personalities studied here including actress Bhanupriya. Famous Rajinikanth's movie Puthukavithai directed by S.P. Muthuraman [ [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_film_directors List of Indian Film Directors] ] was shot here.

*Janki Ramachandran Matric High School, Vadapalani Chennai 600026 was established by late p.narayanan, brother of janaki ramachandranmachandran [ [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janaki_Ramachandran] ] former chief minister of tamil nadu. the school is functioning superbly over the last 25 years and has produced good results in matriculation board exams. Mrs.BANU SRIDHAR, is the principal of this school. she was a constant worker.
*Janki Ramachandran Kalalayam Matriculation higher secondary school, vadapalani, chennai- 600026.
*Karthigeya Matric Higher Secondary School, 84 Arcot Road, Vadapalani, Chennai 600026
*Vadapalani Mat Higher Secondary School, 25 Vengeeswarar Nagar I Main Rd Vadapalani, 600026
*Shakespeare Matriculation School, South Sivan Kovil Street, Vadapalani Chennai, 600026

Marriage halls

The old Ram Theatre has been converted into a big marriage hall - Padmaram Kalyana Mantapam. There are quite a few other smaller and cheaper marriage halls near Vadapalani Bus stand, Vadapalani temple and 100 ft Road.

Software industry

Tata Consultancy Services , HCL Technologies and HCL Peripherals have huge offices in Vadapalani. The TCS office, a sprawling campus in Jawaharlal Nehru Road (also called 100 Feet Road) houses nearly 3000 employees. HCL Technologies has a big office in Arcot Road (opposite Kamala Theatre) housing 2000 employees.

Film Industry

The Vijaya-Vauhini studios (once the largest studio in Asia), Prasad Colour Lab and Studios, Efx Studios, AVM studio and few other 'mini' studios like Vikram Studio are in Vadapalani. Nadigar sangam (Actors Association) has its office operating in the 100 ft road. AR Rehman, the music director lives and work at his residence-cum-studio near Raghavan Colony. Lakshman Sruthi, arguably the most famous music troupe of Tamil Nadu have their office and shop in Vadapalani opposite to Senthil Towers at the 100 ft road junction separating Ashok Nagar and Vadapalani.

Cinema theatres

[http://www.kamalatheatre.com Kamala theatre] is located in the arcot road very much close to the Vadapalani Bus terminus. This theatre is a very famous one and is existing right from the early 1990's. Most of the famous films including "Chinnathambi" , "Veera" , "Uzhaippali" have run for more than 200 days in this theatre.

Bus travel

Almost all places of Chennai are directly accessible by bus from Vadapalani, barring exceptions like new localities like Nanganallur for which change of bus is necessary.

Buses starting from Vadapalani Bus Terminus mostly are towards the East and so these buses stop near Vadapalani Koil while North-South Buses in general stop at 100 ft Road (behind Vengeeswarar Koil). On the other hand most of the buses pass through Vadapalani :-: 100 ft Road:Ashok Pillar-Koyambedu stretch:North-South or AVM Rajeswari Theatre-Power House stretch.

Hospitals

Vijaya Hospital, Vijaya Health Centre, Sooriya Hospital and Best Hospital are prominent medical centres in Chennai and are in Vadapalani.Aakash hospitals is also located in 100 feet road.

Hotels

Adithya Hotel next to Kamala theatre is a good hotel with quite a few AC deluxe rooms. Green Park near Vijaya Hospital is the latest and biggest hotel, quite often a venue for film related functions-movie launch, audio release etc. Quite a few artists of the Tamil film industry are regular visitors of Green Park.

Eat-outs and haunts

Saravana Bhavan (whose headquarters is in Vadapalani) is a prominent eat-out in this area - the foods served are vegetarian. Ponnusamy is a restaurant that serves non-vegetarian food.

Hotel Pandyas next to Vijaya Sesh mahal has many non-vegetarian dishes.

Vasanta Bhavan is also a south Indian restaurant. Sri Krishna Sweets, Adyar Ananda Bhavan are very close to the Vadapalani bus terminus in Arcot Road.

Sri Krishnas (near Kamala Theatre) and Adyar Ananda Bhavan (near Vadapalani Bus Terminus) have very big outlets on Arcot Road in Vadapalani. Theatres like AVM Rajeswari and Kamala theatre are located in Arcot Road. Udhayam theatre complex in Ashok Nagar is also chosen as a venue very often.

Shopping Malls in the area include Doshi Gardens, which boasts a shops for various items, including a supermarket-Nilgris, electronic stores, and a fast food restaurant Merry Brown. Raahat Plaza also contains a wide range of shops.

References

External links

* [http://www.lakshmansruthi.com Lakshman Sruthi Website]
* [http://www.kamalatheatre.com Kamala theatre site]