The "Ice House" in Triplicane, Chennai, refers to Vivekanandar Illam, a historic building originally built as an ice storage facility by Frederic Tudor in 1842. It later became a police station (Ice House Police Station) and is now a memorial to Swami Vivekananda, known as Vivekanandar Illam. The area around the building is also known as Ice House due to its historical association.
Here's a more detailed look:
Historical Significance:
Ice Storage:
The building was initially constructed by Frederic Tudor to store ice imported from the United States.
Castle Kernan:
In 1880, the building was sold to Biligiri Iyengar, who renovated it and renamed it Castle Kernan.
Swami Vivekananda's Stay:
In 1897, Swami Vivekananda stayed at the building during his visit to Madras, and the Ramakrishna Math later operated from there.
Vivekanandar Illam:
In 1963, the building was renamed Vivekanandar Illam by the Government of Tamil Nadu to commemorate Swami Vivekananda's birth centenary.
Current Use:
Today, it houses an exhibition on the life and teachings of Swami Vivekananda and is managed by Ramakrishna Math.
Ice House Police Station:
The area surrounding the building was also known as Ice House due to the presence of the police station, which was demolished in 2017. The police station, built in the Indo-Saracenic style, had Carter air raid sirens installed during World War II.
Demolition and Relocation:
The old Ice House police station was demolished to make way for a new building, and the police temporarily functioned from a nearby building.
Traffic Issues:
The Ice House junction, where the old police station stood, has been noted for traffic congestion and accidents due to traffic violations.
In essence, the term "Ice House" in Triplicane refers to a place with a rich history, encompassing its original purpose as an ice storage facility, its later use as a police station, and its current status as a memorial to Swami Vivekananda.
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