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Sadurangapattinam - Dutch fort

In a lazy weekend afternoon we decided to take a drive to the dutch fortress - Sadurangapattinam alias Sadras. This is few kilometres away from Mahabalipuram. When the ECR ends the right takes you to Sadras while the left is towards Mamallapuram. After driving for 10 mins we come across the fly over above the Buckingham Canal and a small distance from Kalpakkam. At the end of this fly over we end up at  Sadurangapattinam village and a little left turn at the end of it takes you to the fort and end up near the beach. The beach had no visitors, we could see few fishermen netting near by.

A few minutes there enjoying the beach wind we came across this scene of two boats coming across each other.
Opposite this beach site is the Fort. Adjoining this site is a the play area for kids.
The entrance to the fort is on the other side and not towards the beach. The fort has a secret chamber in its cemetery space, leading to the beach waters.

The entrance gate leads to the path with grass fields on both its sides. The fort starts with two canopies on either side. On the left side of the fort is the cemetery.



The gate to cemetery is locked but the curator to this fort opens it for visitors. The curator has been posted to this site recently from Bihar and was more than willing to help us around the fort. The only other person there was the gardener, engrossed in his duty.

We came to know the fort gets visitors during the weekends and remains deserted during week days. No entrance fee is collected to the site but being maintained immaculately. Thanks to wonderful service by the Archaeological Survey of India.

Once active fort is now giving way to blooming flowers
On the way back, the fly-over leads out..

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