Every evening at 4:30 PM, ~6,000 wild rose-ringed parakeets descend on one rooftop in Chintadripet. Here's everything you need to plan a perfect visit.
Visit Window
4:30 – 6:00 PM
Daily, year-round
Entry Fee
Free
Advance booking required
Location
Chintadripet
Chennai – 600002
Duration
60–90 min
Peak 45 min
Chintadripet is central Chennai — well connected by metro, bus, and auto-rickshaw.
~10 min walk from station
8–12 min walk from bus stop
~5 min walk from Peters Road
Park at lane entrance
Reach the sanctuary by 4:00–4:15 PM. This gives you time to settle on the rooftop, meet Sudarson, and pick a good vantage point before the birds start arriving. The rooftop holds a limited number of visitors — early arrival guarantees a prime spot.
Right on schedule — as if by magic — the first flocks appear on the horizon. Within 20 minutes, the sky fills with thousands of rose-ringed parakeets, their wingbeats creating a sound like rushing water. They land on Sudarson's arms, shoulders, and the feeding platforms he's built across the rooftop.
As the sun approaches the horizon, the parakeets' brilliant green feathers turn gold. The contrast against Chennai's pink-orange sky is breathtaking. Most visitors agree this 20-minute window is the most beautiful thing they've witnessed in any city.
The parakeet gathering is one of the most photogenic wildlife spectacles in any Indian city. These tips will help you come home with extraordinary shots.
The sanctuary is open 365 days a year, rain or shine. The parakeets come every single day — it's their home. That said, some seasons offer distinct advantages:
Cool, clear evenings. Best photography light. Largest flocks. Highly recommended.
Hot afternoons but beautiful red-sky sunsets. Arrive hydrated. Still spectacular.
Light rain rarely stops the birds. Heavy rain may thin the flock. Bring a raincoat.
Everything you need to know before you come.
Book your free visit slot now. Slots are limited each day to ensure everyone has an intimate, unhurried experience with the birds.