Sadras - The Fortress Town

Sadras is a small historic settlement located about 70 km from Chennai. The name Sadras is the anglicised form of Chadurangapattinam.

The village is known mainly for two heritage sites: the remains of a Dutch fort near the coast and an old Vishnu temple located a short distance away.

Dutch Fort at Sadras

Sadras developed as an important Dutch settlement during the 17th century CE. It soon became a centre for weaving fine muslin cloth, which was exported through the Dutch trading network.

To protect their commercial interests, the Dutch built a large fortified settlement close to the beach. The site later became associated with the Battle of Sadras, one of the military encounters between the Dutch and the British East India Company.

The British captured the fort in the early 19th century, and it eventually came under their control. Today, the site is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India.

Only a few walls and structures survive within the fort complex, while much of the original settlement lies in ruins. Even in its present condition, the site gives us an idea of the scale of Dutch activity along this part of the Coromandel Coast.

One of the most interesting sections inside the fort is the old Dutch cemetery, where several tombs of Dutch officials and residents can still be seen.

Giri Varadar Temple

About half a kilometre from the Dutch fort stands an ancient Vishnu temple dedicated to Giri Varadar, also known as Malai Mandala Perumal.

The temple is small and does not have a rajagopuram. In front of the temple, facing the road, are a tall lamp post and a small shrine for Hanuman. At the main entrance, icons of Ganesha and Nagaraja are placed on either side.

The main shrine stands on a raised platform, giving it the appearance of being located on a small hillock. At the entrance to the inner courtyard are icons of Lakshmi Narasimha and Lakshmi Narayana. This combination at the entrance is not commonly seen in many other Vishnu temples.

Inside the sanctum, Giri Varadar is shown in a standing posture with four arms. He is accompanied by his consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi, positioned on either side.

Outside the sanctum are separate icons of Lakshmi and Narayana. The maha mandapa also has a separate shrine containing several bronze utsava murtis.

The temple has a single prakara. Within this corridor is the shrine of the goddess Perundevi. Other shrines in the prakara are dedicated to Vishnu Durga, Andal, and the Alwars.

Facing the main sanctum are the bali peetham, dwaja sthambam, and a small shrine for Garuda. The Garuda icon here is especially unusual, as he is shown with eight serpents and is known as Ashta Naga Garuda.

Tradition holds that Bhoodath Alwar, one of the earliest Alwars, stayed at this temple. It is also believed that Raghavendra Swamigal spent some time here.

Sadras is therefore not only about its Dutch fort. The nearby Giri Varadar Temple adds another layer to the village, bringing together colonial history and an older sacred tradition within the same small coastal settlement.

Happy travelling.

Dutch Fortress

Dutch Tombs

Malai Mandala Perumal Temple