Page 569 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

CHENNAI  567

VISITORS’ CHECKLIST
Practical Information
Egmore.
Tel (044) 2561 2608.
Open daily. 5 7am, 9am & 6pm
Sun. _ St Andrew’s Day (30 Nov).

The Wells of
St Andrew’s Kirk
Owing to sandy soil and a
site prone to flooding during
the monsoon, the church’s
foundations are actually a
series of wells sunk to depths
ranging from 4 m to 15 m
(13 ft to 49 ft) below ground
level. This example of engineering
ingenuity is based on a structural
practice followed by most
indigenous buildings in the
area. The wells are constructed
either of specially made curved
bricks, or pottery cylinders.
These are placed in order to ensure
maximum compaction of the soil,
allowing the water to rise within
them and thus protecting the
main structure. The 150 wells
0 metres 10
were dug by a group of itinerant
0 yards 10 well-sinkers, the Mumvutties.

. Pipe Organ
Entrance Dominating the altar is the
handsome pipe organ in
dull green and burnished gold.
Installed in 1883, this instrument
was built in Yorkshire, England.

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