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Far away from the razzmatazz lifestyle of cities full of dust and pollution, this beautiful village of Covelong is adorned with spectacular scenic beauty, where the air absolutely pure and completely healthy. So, if you are tired of the nine-to-nine all time working routine, and wish to take a break from the monotonous life, and if you are in search of a place where you can really rest in peace, then Covelong is not so far. It is the place that strikes the minds of people who have a thirst for experiencing the bliss in the lap of Mother Nature. Once here, you can rub shoulders with fishes of all kinds.
The Covelong beach, at a distance of forty kilometers from the city of Chennai, is a personal favorite of beachcombers all over the world. It is famous for its sandbanks. Once an impressive Dutch Fort, and one of the finest beach resorts in Southern India with 88 luxury cottages in the lapped waters, draw the crowds from all over the world. The rustling of palm trees, the sandbanks, the blue-green waters, the howling breeze, all display every shade imaginable. Covelong Beach lies in a picturesque village on the State Highway that joins Chennai to the temple town of Mahabalipuram.
History of Covelong
As per the pages of history, it was once the port of the Nawabs of the Carnatic, strategically built by Saadat Ali. The port fell to Lord Clive in the year 1752, during the Carnatic War, and was promptly destroyed to stop further French onslaughts. This has remained a center for trade and commerce for many years, until it became famous as the finest beach and favorite picnic destination of Tamil Nadu, recently. There have been developments in the maintenance of this marvelous tourist attraction for various obvious reasons. Covelong is set apart from the rest of the state by its culture and lifestyle; most of the inhabitants of this sleepy village are sailors and perhaps this explains why the churches, mosques, and houses here are painted in brilliant colors- a bit of the world brought back by the sea-men of Covelong. This makes it a place where religions blend in harmony with nature, making it unique and a must place to visit, if you are to step in Tamil Nadu.
Special Attractions in and around Covelong
Take a long walk around the village and you will find exquisite and mind-boggling sites of churches and mosques, all their architecture unusually rich and elaborate. The people eschew ostentatious display of wealth, and all these are special and unique in their own way.
For all the adventure seekers the breathtakingly beautiful beach of Covelong has an amazing world of sports activities like windsurfing, swimming and other water sports.
It’s the all time favorite for peace-seekers who want to relieve from the humdrum life in urban areas.
Best Time to Visit Covelong
The most favorable months to visit Covelong are from November to January.
Location
State: Tamil Nadu
Distance of Covelong from nearest cities: Covelong is located around 40 kilometers from Chennai.
How to reach
Nearest airport: The nearest airport is at Chennai, which is around 40 kilometers from Covelong.
Nearest railway stations: The nearest railway station is at Chennai, which is around 40 kilometers from Covelong.
Directions by road from nearby cities: Covelong is well connected by road to Chennai and Mahabalipuram.
Tourism Department
Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation
Tourism Complex, No.2, Wallajah Road
Chennai - 600002
Tel: 91-44-25367850 Extn.221; 25383333, 25389857, 25360294
Climate
Covelong experiences a hot climate and the monsoon bring a pleasant change in the weather of this region.
Clothing
Light cotton clothes in summers and light woolens in winters are recommended.
Tourist attractions near Covelong
- Chittor: Known for sweet mangoes, grain, sugarcane, and peanuts. The monuments here are impressive with their ornately sculpted master pieces. Chattier is 154-km from Chennai.
- Nellore: the city is a commercial center and once here, you can taste the real beauty of nature; the green meadows and hilly sideways, harbors and ports and enthralling forts, make it a cool place to hang-out, especially with kith and kin. Nellore is located 173 kilometers from Chennai.
- Chennai: Capital of Tamil Nadu, called as the Detroit of Asia and one of the metros of the Indian subcontinent, is all about buzz, crowds, cafes, IT hubs…and lot more. Chennai sets the beat, to which time hypnotically follows. It is as if the city has an élan vital, as in-dwelling spirit and force. The city is always on a party and show –time mode. All Chennai does is offer a smorgasbord of choices.
- Tirupati: synonymous with Lord Vishnu’s heavenly abode is a very sacred town drawing pilgrims from all over the country. . The temple dedicated to Shri Balaji (other name of Shri Venkateshwara), is situated on the hill-top called Thirumala. Reaching the temple is a journey full of thrill and adventure, traveling through the zigzag roads, you feel like sitting in a giant rider in an amusement park… It is always crowded, and one could hear ‘Govinda Govinda’( praising Lord Venkateshwara, of Hindu Mythology).You find people pouring into the temple for the holy darshan of the all powerful. The enchanting and diamond-steaded incarnation of the lord is considered to be the richest one among all Indian Gods. The holy hill is known as Venkatadri at the foot of which is the first step or Adipadi. Tirupati Township itself lies 3km away from here.
To sum up, covelong is a place where one could find ultimate bliss, far away from the hustle and bustle of your life; to soak you in the waves and palm trees, the latter swaying like hula dancers and with a promise to get etched in your memory forever.
This article was contributed by Abhay Tandon
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