- Built
- 1976
- Location
- Nungambakkam, Chennai
- Dedicated to
- Thiruvalluvar
- Ideal time needed
- About 1 hour
About the Thirukkural
The Thirukkural is arranged in three books on virtue, wealth and love, divided into 133 chapters of ten couplets each, making 1,330 verses in all. Every couplet is a tight two-line verse of seven words. Its advice on ethics, governance, work and family life has kept it relevant for centuries, and translations now exist in over 80 languages. Thiruvalluvar is traditionally associated with Mylapore in Chennai.
What to see
The highlight is the chariot itself, rising above the complex and carrying the life-size statue of Thiruvalluvar. Around it, bas-relief panels hold all 1,330 couplets, and many Tamil-speaking visitors like to find and read their favourite lines. The large hall and open grounds make it a pleasant stop in a busy part of the city. The monument is also a venue for literary meetings and cultural events, so you may find a programme under way during your visit.
- The stone chariot modelled on the Thiruvarur temple car
- Life-size statue of Thiruvalluvar
- Carved panels of all 1,330 Kural couplets
Tips for your visit
An hour is enough for most visitors. Allow a little extra time if you want to read the couplets slowly. Go in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the midday heat on the open stonework. If you do not read Tamil, a guide or an English translation of the Kural on your phone will help you appreciate what you are looking at.
How to reach
The memorial stands where Kodambakkam High Road meets College Road in Nungambakkam, close to the city centre. Buses, autos and cabs reach it easily, and Nungambakkam suburban railway station is nearby. We can include it in a half-day Chennai city tour.
Also nearby
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