Pallavaram

Pallavaram (originally Pallavapuram) is a suburb in the southern part of the Chennai metropolitan area. It forms part of Chengalpattu district, and serves as the headquarters of the taluk of the same name. Formerly a municipality, it became part of the Tambaram City Municipal Corporation in November 2021. Part of the area forms part of the cantonment of St. Thomas Mount-cum-Pallavaram, managed by the Ministry of Defence of the Government of India. It is served by the Pallavaram railway station of the Chennai Suburban Railway Network, and located close to the Chennai International Airport. Archeological evidence indicates human habitation since the Paleolithic Age. The locality derives its name from the Pallava settlement of "Pallavapuram" of which it used to form a part. The cantonment and the airport were established during the British Raj. Charnockite mining activities were carried out in the nearby Pallavaram Hill. Pallavaram is considered to be one of the oldest inhabited places in South India.