Magazine

Some interesting and historical facts about places in and around Chennai…

1) Syed Shah Pettai has become Saidapet.

2) In 17,18-th centuries this area was under control of a Nawab and this was the garden where his horses were resting and getting fed. So, it was called “Ghoda bagh” (Horse Garden). It later became Kodambakkam.

3) Armored Vehicles And Depot of India became Avadi.

4) Several Chrome leather factories in the region resulted in this area being called Chrompet.

5) This area was full of coconut trees. Therefore, named as “tennampettai”. It was later changed as Teynampet.

6) Urdu word “che baug” (six gardens) became Chepauk.

7) Saundara Pandian bazaar became Pondy Bazaar.

8) “vilva marankal” area with the flowers used for the Lord known as Mahavilvam over time has become Mambalam.

9) pallavapuram became Pallavaram.

10) Madras Presidency head was Panagal Raja at one point and based on his name, the park was named as Panagal Park.

11) Based on the name of Justice party leader Sir. Thiagarajan Chettiar, the area is known as T Nagar.

12) “Purasai” trees were in abundance in the region, leading it to be called Purasaiwalkam.

13) “Puspakavalli” in Sanskrit due to the large amount of Jasmine plants / trees in the region became “puviruntavalli” in tamil to get transformed as Poonamalee. now.

14) In the 17th century, there was a Muslim saint ‘kunankuti Mastan Sahib’ who lived here. Thondi was his native town in Ramanathapuram district. Therefore, the local people called him tondiyar. He used to frequent this place now known as Tondiarpet.

15) The area was used for grazing cattle. It was called Mandai veli before becoming Mandaveli.

16) Peacocks used to roam freely in this area leading it to be called Mayilai puram and later becoming Mylapore.

17) The Pallavas used to wage wars in this region now known as Porur.

18) Bamboo (Perambu) trees were found throughout this region a few hundred years ago, this is now known as Perambur.

19) The area surrounding the Thirusula Nathar Temple came to be known as Thirusulam. (Trident hotel’s name has come from the same source… Trident means *Thirusulam.

20) The pond with lots of lilies (Alli flower) opposite to the Parthasarathy temple was known as Thiru allikkeni and later came to be known as Triplicane.

21) Thomas Parry used to do business in this area. He gained the respect of people resulting in the name Parry’s Corner. That is also why it is not “Paris Corner”

22) This area had many Neem trees around a big lake. In tamil Neem+Lake is Vepam+yeri this is now called Vepery