Kalpakkam

Kalpakkam (கல்பாக்கம் Kalpākkam) is a township in the north coast of Tamil Nadu, India. The township's two main employers are the Department of Atomic Energy and Madras Atomic Power Station.

Kalpakkam is well connected from Chennai by bus. It is en-route to Pondicherry from Chennai just after Mahabalipuram. All buses bound Pondicherry via the East Coast Road will take you to Kalpakkam.

Buses and autorickshaws are available to take you anywhere in the vicinity.

• Kalpakkam Beach. Kalpakkam boasts some of the best non-rocky, sandy pristine beaches that have not been invaded by the masses. It is an excellent place to go swimming in the ocean since there are no rocks in the vicinity. (updated Jun 2023)
• 🌍 Kandaswamy Temple, Cheyyur. The temple was built in 11th century AD and is home to some unique, rich inscriptions of that century, giving an insight into the architectural characteristics of the style adopted by Chola Kings, who dominated those times. Veera Rajendra Chola and Kulothungan III built the Kandaswamy Temple. More two temples built here, at same time, are dedicated to Vanmikhanathar, i.e. Lord Siva, and to Perumal or Lord Vishnu. The Kandaswamy Temple is situated between the Shiva and Vishnu temples and Lord Kandaswamy or Shiva is the principal deity of the temple. The temple has number of shrines of other demigods like Lord Someswara, Goddess Meenakshi, Vinayaka, Dakshinamurthy, Chandikeswara and Muthukumaraswamy, also called as Samharamurthy. The temple has an idol of Muruga, son of the Lord Shiva, standing on five different positions, called by distinct names like: Nrutta Skandar (dancing Muruga), Brahma Sastha (created from Brahma), Balaskandar (child Shanmuga), Sivagurunathar (as teacher to Siva) and Pulinthar (vedan hunter). This Kandaswamy temple of Chennai is the most distinctive one. Other than the deities of utmost belief and the tranquil environment, the temple has an image of Kazhukundran, who had made an artful creation of a temple car in 1521 CE, which is used during the Skanda Sashti festival. 
• 🌍 Sadras. This village abutting the township is an old Dutch settlement. One can find the ruins of the old Dutch fort that once existed here. (updated Jun 2023)

There are shops in the villages on both ends of the townships: Sadras and Pudupattinam. Additionally, there are at least 2 shopping centers inside the township on either side of the bridge separating the Sadras side and Pudupattinam sides.

The best restaurant is right next to the bus depot on the Pudupattinam side, just inside the township. It serves mostly South Indian, vegetarian fare at moderate prices.

India's first nuclear reactor and much of its nuclear research program is done here. Don't wander into restricted areas.

• Mamallapuram