Top things to do in Pallavaram
1. Pallavaram Hill and the cave temple
The Pallavas left titles in early Pallava script at the cave temple in Pallavaram, dating back to 600 CE, and the hill itself is where charnockite mining was carried out. It is the clearest surviving link to the settlement of Pallavapuram that gave the town its name.
Pair it with a look at the surrounding cantonment area, which the British established in the 18th century as a supplement to the one at St. Thomas Mount.
2. The site of Robert Bruce Foote's 1863 find
In 1863 the British archaeologist Robert Bruce Foote discovered a stone implement from the Paleolithic Age inside a ballast pit here, and a number of Stone Age artifacts have been uncovered since. Most of these artifacts are currently lodged in the Egmore museum.
Come with the understanding that this is a place of archaeological significance rather than a developed visitor site, and treat the ground accordingly.
3. Pallavaram Lake (Pallavaram periya eri)
Pallavaram Lake, literally the "big lake," is one of the oldest Palaeolithic culture sites in the area. It has shrunk considerably, with one side reduced to a small patch on the lines of a pond and the other a hillock of garbage.
Go in the cooler part of the day. Note that the Pallavaram–Thoraipakkam Road split the lake into two halves, and the portion south of the road has been covered by garbage, so the northern side is the more rewarding stretch to walk.
4. St. Thomas Mount-cum-Pallavaram cantonment
Part of Pallavaram forms part of the cantonment of St. Thomas Mount-cum-Pallavaram, managed by the Ministry of Defence. Both the Mughal Empire and the British East India Company had their cantonments in Pallavaram, and during the 18th century the British established one here.
This is an active defence-managed area, so plan to view it from public roads rather than expecting to walk through it.
5. Pallavaram railway station
The town is served by the Pallavaram railway station of the Chennai Suburban Railway Network, which makes it an easy base for moving around the southern part of the metropolitan area.
Use it as your arrival and departure point, and combine a ride with a look at the GST Road corridor, where the Pallavaram Flyover is being widened.
6. The Pallavaram–Thoraipakkam Radial Road (SH 109)
Two major state highways start from Pallavaram: the SH 113A Pallavaram–Kundrathur–Poonamallee Road and the SH 109 Pallavaram–Thuraipakkam Radial Road. The latter was built to connect Chennai Airport and Rajiv Gandhi Salai.
Expect roadworks: the Pallavaram to Thoraipakkam Radial Road is being widened, and the Pallavaram to Kundrathur Highway is being expanded from two lanes into four.
7. The Madras aerodrome site and airport approach
The Madras aerodrome was opened at Pallavaram in 1929, and the airport was established during the British Raj. Pallavaram sits close to Chennai International Airport today.
If you are flying in or out, build in extra time for the GST Road traffic rather than treating the airport as a quick hop.
8. The wireless station area
A wireless station was established in Pallavaram in the early years of the 20th century, part of the town's long association with communications and defence infrastructure.
Combine this with a general wander through the older quarters, which are divided into Zamin Pallavaram, Old Pallavaram, Essa Pallavaram and Cantonment Pallavaram.
9. The four Pallavaram quarters
The area of Pallavaram is divided into Zamin Pallavaram, Old Pallavaram, Essa Pallavaram and Cantonment Pallavaram. Together with Chromepet, the Pallavaram area was referred to as "Pallavapuram."
Walk one quarter at a time rather than trying to cover all four in a single stretch; the older settlement cores reward slow going.
10. The Pallavapuram Municipal office on G.S.T. Road
The Pallavapuram Municipal office is located at G.S.T. Road, Chromepet area in Pallavaram, very near to Chromepet Railway Station and M.I.T. Campus.
It is a convenient landmark for orienting yourself in the Chromepet end of town, and sits close to the railway station if you are arriving by train.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start at Pallavaram Hill and the cave temple, where the Pallava inscriptions in early Pallava script date back to 600 CE. Continue to the site of Robert Bruce Foote's 1863 discovery, keeping in mind that the artifacts themselves are lodged in the Egmore museum.
Afternoon: Move on to Pallavaram Lake, walking the northern side of the road since the southern portion has been covered by garbage. Then take in the four quarters — Zamin Pallavaram, Old Pallavaram, Essa Pallavaram and Cantonment Pallavaram — one at a time.
Evening: Finish around the Pallavapuram Municipal office on G.S.T. Road near Chromepet Railway Station, and use Pallavaram railway station for your onward journey.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to Pallavaram?
Pallavaram is served by the Pallavaram railway station of the Chennai Suburban Railway Network, and it sits close to Chennai International Airport. Two major state highways, the SH 113A Pallavaram–Kundrathur–Poonamallee Road and the SH 109 Pallavaram–Thuraipakkam Radial Road, start from the town.
Why is Pallavaram significant for archaeology?
It is considered one of the oldest inhabited places in South India. In 1863 the British archaeologist Robert Bruce Foote discovered a stone implement from the Paleolithic Age inside a ballast pit here, and a number of Stone Age artifacts have been uncovered since. Most of these artifacts are currently lodged in the Egmore museum.
What is the state of Pallavaram Lake?
Pallavaram Lake, or Pallavaram periya eri, has shrunk to a small patch on the lines of a pond on one side and a hillock of garbage on the other. The southern portion of the lake, cut off by the Pallavaram–Thoraipakkam Road, has been completely covered by garbage, while the northern side has been affected by sewage and effluents.
Is any part of Pallavaram under defence management?
Yes. Part of the area forms part of the cantonment of St. Thomas Mount-cum-Pallavaram, managed by the Ministry of Defence of the Government of India.
Use this guide to sketch your route through Pallavaram, and check current conditions on the ground before you set out.