Valluvar Kottam Monument Chennai Entry Fee
- 3 per person for Adults
- 2 per person for Children
Valluvar Kottam Monument Chennai Phone
044 2817 2177
Rating: 
| 4/5 stars
Based on total 54 reviews
Valluvar Kottam Monument Chennai Address: Tirumurthy Nagar, Nungambakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600034, India
Valluvar Kottam Monument Chennai Tour Packages
Valluvar Kottam Monument Chennai Timings
| Day | Timing |
|---|---|
| Monday | 8:30 am – 5:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 8:30 am – 5:30 pm |
| Wedesday | 8:30 am – 5:30 pm |
| Thursday | 8:30 am – 5:30 pm |
| Friday | 8:30 am – 5:30 pm |
| Saturday | 8:30 am – 5:30 pm |
| Sunday | 8:30 am – 5:30 pm |
Valluvar Kottam Monument is the memorial monument of the Tamil poet Thiruvalluvar who wrote the famous Thirukkural. This chariot-shaped memorial is 39 metre (128 feet) high, and it’s a replica of the temple chariot in Thiruvarur. A life-size statue of Thiruvalluvar has also been installed in the Valluvar Kottam chariot.
Along with the chariot, an auditorium is also present in Valluvar Kottam. Tourists come to see its magnificent design, which is a wonderful sight to behold. Back in the days, it used to be the largest hall in Asia, accommodating around 4000 people. The granite columns are shaped like book leaves. And these columns have the 1330 verses of Thirukkural inscribed on them.
This memorial monument represents the glorious culture of the Tamils, and over 3000 blocks of stone were used to build it. The auditorium also acts as a venue for cultural programs and exhibitions for handloom and handicraft items.
History of Valluvar Kottam Monument
Thiruvalluvar is one of the most important poets in the history of Tamil literature. He is said to be the greatest Tamil scholar, and known as the 'Divine Poet'. And he rose to fame with his 133 chapters of Thirukkural (short poetry), having 1330 verses in total. These are the most ancient works in the Tamil language.
His short poetries are like a guide to right conduct, love, and correct way of managing daily affairs. Thus, Thirukkural shows the way to righteous living. And to commemorate this legacy, the construction of Valluvar Kottam began in the 1970s.
Valluvar Kottam Monument stands firm at a place which was once the Nungambakkam Lake. Over the years, the lake became a dumping ground for garbage and debris. But the land was transformed to build this memorial. M. Karunanidhi, the then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, executed the plan.
It was inaugurated and opened to the public in 1976, by Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, the then President of India.
Architecture of Valluvar Kottam
The spectacular Valluvar Kottam architecture was designed by a South Indian architect V. Ganapati Sthapati. He is also the architect of the statue of Thiruvalluvar at Kanyakumari.
Valluvar Kottam Monument comprises a chariot, built with 3000 blocks of granite stones, and a large auditorium. The largest of these stones weigh as much as 40 tonnes. They're covered with Kalamkari drawings. The giant wheels of the stone chariot measure around 11 feet in diameter and 2 feet in thickness. And the auditorium measures 220 feet by 100 feet.
A unique feature of Valluvar Kottam is that it is baseless and stands without the support of any pillar. The lion on the main gateway, adorned with attractive designs, is also a remarkable feature of this Thiruvalluvar memorial in Chennai.
Image Gallery of Valluvar Kottam Monument Chennai
Things to do at Valluvar Kottam
1. Exploring the stone chariot – The massive chariot has two stone elephants in front, as if they're pulling it. It also has four wheels, two big and two small, on each side. The sanctum, with a life-size statue of Thiruvalluvar, is at a height of 30 feet. The chariot also has a kalasam on top, about 5 feet tall. As you climb up, you'll also come across intricate sculptures in the stone.
2. Walking through Kural Balcony – The Kural Balcony is a hallway which has polished granite stones inscribed with the 1330 verses of Thirukkural. These stones look like leaves of an open book on pillars. The inscriptions are divided into three parts, each in a different colour, depicting the three major sections of the revered literature.
3. Checking out the auditorium exhibitions – Valluvar Kottam in Chennai also has an ornate auditorium. It hosts many regional art and handicraft exhibitions from time to time. The entrance is decorated in line with the ancient Tamil culture, welcoming the visitors.
Valluvar Kottam Chennai Timings and Entry Fee
Valluvar Kottam memorial monument is open to the public every day. It remains open from 8.30 AM to 5.30 PM. Valluvar Kottam entrance fee is ₹3 (for adults) and ₹2 (for kids).
Best time to visit Valluvar Kottam Monument
Although Valluvar Kottam is open throughout the year, it is best to visit it in winter. During winter, from November to February, the days are more pleasant compared to the summer and monsoon months. You'll need about 2-3 hours to explore the complex.
Places to visit near Valluvar Kottam Monument
1. Birla Planetarium – Birla Planetarium is considered the most modern planetarium in India. It is known for its virtual night sky tours, 3D astronomical shows and outdoor science park for kids. It also has multiple galleries having over 500 scientific exhibits.
2. Semmozhi Poonga Botanical Garden – Semmozhi Poonga Botanical Garden has a collection of over 500 species of plants. It has many exotic plants and trees from around the world. Many medicinal and aromatic herbs are also found here.
3. Marina Beach – Marina Beach is a natural urban beach, and among the longest beaches in the world. It stretches for 12 km, from Fort St. George to Lighthouse. Statues and monuments along the beach are also noteworthy attractions.
4. Vivekanandar Illam Museum – Vivekanandar Illam Museum is where Swami Vivekananda stayed for nine days upon his return from the west, in 1897. The museum has exhibits, picture galleries, and AR and VR shows about Swamiji’s life.
5. Government Museum – The Government Museum is among the oldest museums in the world. It has a collection of artefacts and bronze sculptures related to history and culture. The museum complex also houses an art gallery and a spacious theatre.
How to reach Valluvar Kottam Chennai?
Valluvar Kottam Monument is in the Nungambakkam neighbourhood of the city, at the intersection of Kodambakkam High Road and Village Road. It is 8 km away from Chennai Central railway station and the bus terminus in Koyambedu. From Chennai airport, the distance to Valluvar Kottam Nungambakkam is 14 km.
And following are the various ways to reach the place –
By metro – Mandaveli station is 5 km away from Valluvar Kottam Monument. It is the nearest MRTS station, and from there, you can hire a taxi/auto.
By bus – Public buses are also available to Valluvar Kottam bus stop, which is only about 300 metres away from this memorial. You can walk the distance.
By taxi/cab – Booking a taxi is the best way to reach Valluvar Kottam in Nungambakkam. You can also book a full-day cab from top car rental companies in Chennai to Valluvar Kottam and explore the other tourist places around.
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