Dutch Cemetery — Local services in Tamil Nadu

Walked to the Dutch Cemetery. It's the oldest in India. Both sides of the arch say that it was built in 1656.

Flanked by two skeletons. On the left it's a skeleton with an hour-glass, a symbol of mortality.

On the right is a skeleton deep in thought. I don't know what it signifies.

A pyramid grave in the cemetery, of a Japanese woman who fell in love with a Dutch soldier.

The domed grave in the centre is of Petronella Leembruggen, wife of Nicolaas Tadama, who signed the Dutch surrender agreement to the British.

Most graves are beautifully engraved. The engravers were from Iran and Iraq.

The stone is Charnockite, a magnetic rock. They are getting stolen now because each slab...

This one is quite obscure spot to visit. Those who have interest in knowing the history must visit this place to have a look on the colonial past of this country. It’s surprising that Dutch also had colonies in India along with the British & French. The grave stones in this cemetery are so finely engraved with the text & pictures that it seems that they are done with laser. There is no sign of deterioration & erosion on the grave stones despite many graves being more than 300 years old. Emblems & crisp text on the graves suggest that high ranking Dutch officials lie buried here. There is even an old well inside the cemetery. The skeletons sculptured on the gate...

Well maintained and a must visit if you are in Pulicat. The cemetery is located opposite Fort Geldria which is completely overrun by vegetation and needs restoration.

Please visit the museum run by AARDE nearby for information on Pulicat before you visit here.

The cemetery is well maintained. The day I visited, there were 2 gentlemen cutting the grass helped by a folk of very agile goats who were clambering all over the graves in pursuit of green to eat. Some of the walls of the graves were coming apart and needs some TLC...