Clutching at secrets, the North Gate of Fort St. George has witnessed Chennai’s tumultuous birth and growth. Imagine standing here in 1758. The French forces under General Lally are laying siege to Madras. Panic grips the Black Town residents. They scramble towards the North Gate, seeking refuge within the fort’s walls. But Colonel Draper, fearing treachery, orders the gates closed. The North Gate becomes a symbol of hope and despair. The desperate pleas of the townspeople echo against the stoic stone. Lally’s forces attack the North Gate. The very stones beneath your feet tremble from the cannon fire. The attack fails. Lally retreats. The North Gate stands defiant. Centuries later, this gate resonates with different echoes. Baluswamy Dikshithar, the man who brought the violin into Carnatic music, frequently passed through the North Gate with his patron, Manali Muthukrishna Mudali. Picture them, deep in conversation, their voices a counterpoint to the city’s rhythm. Another figure graces the gate’s history: Francis Whyle Ellis. He translated the Thirukkural. He even minted coins bearing Thiruvalluvar’s image. This scholar honored the goddess Ekavalli Amman at the North Gate every Aadi festival. Imagine the vibrant procession, the scent of incense, the murmur of prayers near the North Gate. The North Gate of Fort St. George is more than just an entrance. It is a living testament to resilience, a silent narrator of Chennai’s story.
CSI CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD
Built without a single piece of wood the CSI Church of the Good Shepherd stands tall. Its Gothic architecture is