Saidapet

 

Saidapet

Saidapet  is an important neighbourhood in Chennai (Madras), India. 

The Saidapet Court, the only other court of judicature in Chennai city apart from the Madras High Court and the Saidapet bus depot are located here. Prior to its incorporation in Madras city, Saidapet functioned as the administrative headquarters of Chingleput district.

Saidapet was founded by the Nawab of the Carnatic in the 18th century AD and was named Sayyid Khan Pettah after Sayyid Khan, the army commander of the Nawab's forces. When the kingdom began to decline, Saidapet was occupied by the British East India Company and was made the administrative headquarters of Chingleput district.

Saidapet is named after Sayyid Shah (Sayyid Musalman Sahib), a high-ranking 18th-century official of the court of the Nawab of Arcot. The then Nawab of Arcot gifted these parts to Sayyid Shah in 1730. However, Saidapet at that time also included Kotturpuram and Nandanam.

The Maraimalai Adigal Bridge (previously the Marmalong Bridge) connects the northern banks of the Adyar river with the south. This bridge was originally built in 1726 by Armenian Coja Petrus Uscan. The dilapidated old bridge was replaced by a new one in the 1960s built as part of the reconstruction and modernization efforts.

A marble plaque with multinlingual inscriptions in Persian, Latin and Armenian on the northern edge of the Marmalong Bridge adjoining the Saidapet Bus Stand commemorate the construction of the first-ever Marmalong Bridge across the Adyar River by Armenian trader Coja Petrus Uscan in the year 1726

The Karaneeswarar Temple and the washing area in the Adyar river are not the only aspect that adds fame to Saidapet.

An educational institution which makes Saidapet very distinguished is the Teachers' Training College which has completed 100 years, whence thousands of trained teachers have come out and enlightened lakhs and lakhs of students. 

The YMCA school at Saidapet is a training centre for the physical education instructors. This is also a very reputed institution. In the past 20 years, dozens of Tamil and Telugu movie shootings have been held in this open field. 

The Saidapet swimming pool, maintained by YMCA, is also famous. There was a time when there were only two swimming pools in Chennai. One is the swimming pool on the Beach in Marina. The next one is the YMCA pool at Saidapet.

Panagal Maaligai or Panagal Building, built upon the site of an older building of the same name functions as a Revenue Office and is so named after the Raja of Panagal. It's predecessor functioned as Chingleput District Collectorate

Karaneeswarar temple

This temple is located next to the railway station. This temple has a 7-storied Gopuram with two prakarams. The main deity is Lord Karaneeswara and Goddess Swarnaambikai. 

Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal kovil

The temple was constructed in the middle of 15th century. According to some old inscription Popularly known as Perumal Kovil of Saidapet. The main deity is Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal. 

Kadumbaadi Chinnamman kovil

A very famous Shakthi temple in West Saidapet. Fridays of the Tamil months of Aadi and Thai are famous. Annual brahmotsavam takes place during the Tamil month of Aadi.

Anjaneyar temple

This Hanuman temple is situated on the banks of the Adyar river. There is one more Anjaneyar temple facing the Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal kovil .The temple is believed to be very powerful. It is said the Hanuman in this temple is incarnated in such a way that he is worshipping Lord Rama situated at the Narasimha temple.

Subramanya Swamy temple

This temple is situated in the center of Saidapet. Its main deity is Lord Subramanya Swamy (Muruga) and has a 5 storied gopuram. 

Soundareswarar temple

This temple is situated in the centre of Saidapet, nearer to the newly constructed Market Subway which links to the Anna Salai and Alandur. Its main deity is Lord Soundareswarar and Lord Thirupurasundari. Lord Varasithi Vinayar facing West is famous one.  The temple is also known as Vada Thirunaraiyur. 

A few meters south of the MaraiMalai Adigalar Bridge is the hill formation called Little Mount. On top of this mountain is a church dedicated to Our Lady of Good Health. The original church was built by the Portuguese in the 1551 AD. The new church was built after demolishing a part of old church in 1970s. It is believed that St. Thomas the Apostle lived in a cave, which is well preserved under the Church even today.

   1. The bridge located near the market on Jeenis road serves as a vital link to Mount Road from West Saidapet.

   2. Jones road underpass serve an important link for West Saidapet.

   3. Aranganathan subway serves to connect Ashok Nagar and Mambalam.

   4. Alandhur bride to connect Guindy Industrial Estate and West Saidapet, it helps to by-pass Guindy Katipara bridge to reach Mount road from 100 Feet road.

Kalaignar Karunanithi, the present Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu was once elected from this constituency. It occupies an important place in Tamil Nadu politics being the starting place for election rallies.

Saidapet assembly constituency is part of Chennai South (Lok Sabha constituency).[2]

Saidapet had a large weaver population and handlooms were in operation as late as 1990. It was quite notorious for filariasis in the olden days.

Saidapet has a very busy shopping market place called the Bazaar Road. It is famous for its fish market attracting buyers from faraway places.