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Chennai
Chennai boast of a rich heritage, which is elaborately intertwined with the culture, traditions and living style of the people through generations. One of the prettiest metropolitan cities in India, Chennai perfectly mixes the elegance of past with the vibrancy of modernism. This contemporary city is often referred as the Gateway to the South India. Chennai was formerly called as Madras and to the rest of India, Madrasis represents the entire south Indians.
An ancient city, which has got a rich history of long 350 years, Chennai has been able to preserve its ethnicity and charm. In between the long busy sandy beaches, parks, sculptures and historic landmarks, one can see a vivacious and lively city which is ever growing, sprouting, mounting and shifting in harmony with the modern trends.
When we think about Chennai, the first place that comes in to our mind is the Marina Beach whose long expansion of sandy beaches with its alluring charm enthralls the spectators for a long .The pious among the visitors can go for a short trip to Milapur where ancient shrines like Kapileswara temple, St. Thomas Basilica, St.Thomas Mount and a Portuguese church situate.
An ancient city, which has got a rich history of long 350 years, Chennai has been able to preserve its ethnicity and charm. In between the long busy sandy beaches, parks, sculptures and historic landmarks, one can see a vivacious and lively city which is ever growing, sprouting, mounting and shifting in harmony with the modern trends.
When we think about Chennai, the first place that comes in to our mind is the Marina Beach whose long expansion of sandy beaches with its alluring charm enthralls the spectators for a long .The pious among the visitors can go for a short trip to Milapur where ancient shrines like Kapileswara temple, St. Thomas Basilica, St.Thomas Mount and a Portuguese church situate.
| State | : | Tamil Nadu |
| Location | : | Chennai District, Tamil Nadu |
| District Area | : | 174 km sq (67 sq mi) |
| Population | : | approx. 4,616,639 (in 2010) |
| Sex Ratio | : | 951 females : 1000 males |
| Literacy | : | 80.14% |
| ISD/STD Code | : | +91 44 |
| Best time to visit | : | September to March, specifically the winters |
| Temperature | : | Summer: Max. 42°C Winter: Min. 20°C |
| Rainfall | : | 300 mm (51 in) |
| Climate | : | Hot and Humid climate throughout the year |
| Clothing | : | Summer: Light Cottons Winter: Light Woolens |
| Local Languages | : | Tamil, English, Telugu and Malayalee |
Vivekananda House & Museum
The state government had leased this building to Sri Ramakrishna Mission. It is an imposing structure on the Marina beach along the South Beach Road. In 1897 Swami Vivekananda visited this city and stayed in this historic building in the year 1897 on his way to Calcutta, after his acclaimed speech at Chicago for the Parliament of Religions. The Government took over the building in 1930 and in 1963 it was named after Vivekananda. Photographs depicting the historical happenings associated with his life and books about him and his own written works are on display and sold here in the Museum.
Gudiyam Caves
The Gudiyam Caves are situated about 17 kms. behind Poondi reservoir in Chennai. Except some adventurous trekkers and the stout villagers, hardly anyone goes here. The reason is its tough terrain that takes 4 kms. of walk by foot. These prehistoric natural caves are evidence of the primitive tools that our ancestors had used.
Elliot's Beach
The Elliot beach is a calmer and quieter beach. It is an ideal place for lazy lounging and picnicking on your travel holidays in Chennai. The beach is situated near Adayar and the sea is safe for swimming.
Fort St. George
Fort St. George is the first fortress of British power in India and was built in 1654 and remodeled in 1749. The fort has a six-meter tall wall that withstood many invasions by Mughals in 1701, Marathas in 1741 and Hyder Ali during the late 18th century. Now the fort is turned into the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.
St. Mary's Church
The St. Mary church was built in 1678-80 and was the first English church in Chennai. There are reminders in the church of Robert Clive, who married here in 1753.
Government Museum
The Government Museum at Chennai is one of the finest museums in India. It has sections devoted to anthropology, botany, geology, numismatics, sculpture and zoology. The relics from the 2nd century AD Buddhist site 'Amaravati' and the souvenirs of the prehistoric South India are the most prized assets of the museum. The museum has a vast collection of carvings of Hindu, Buddhist and Jain faiths. There's also a good collection of South Indian musical instruments and jewelry, that are worth seeing. The bronze gallery that has a superb collection of ancient icons and modern bronzes are really lucrative.
National Art Gallery
The Art Gallery at Chennai has a fine collection of paintings, handicrafts and bronze. The collection is housed in a Mughal style building. Bronzes from 10th and 13th century, Rajasthan and Mughal paintings from 16th and 17th century and Indian handicrafts from 11th and 12th century are displayed here.
Kapaleswar Temple
The ancient Kapaleshwar temple, situated in Mylapore, is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The fragmented inscriptions here dates back to 1250 AD. But the present temple was rebuilt by Vijayanagar Kings in the 16th century. The magnificent 37m carved 'Gopuram' of gods, goddesses and saints depict important 'Puranic' legends.
Marina Beach
This popular beach runs for 12 km and is the second longest beach in the world. The beach drive runs between magnificent stately buildings like the Chetpauk Palace, University of Madras, Icehouse etc. on one side and a very wide sandy beach on the other. The aquarium is at the beginning of the beach, is another important attraction near the beach.
San Thom Cathedral
Built in 1504 and rebuilt in 1608 and 1893, the cathedral is said to house the remains of Apostle St. Thomas. The basilica has an tremendously stained glass window and a beautiful one-meter statue of Virgin Mary that was brought from Portugal in 1543.
Sri Parthasarathy Temple
One of the oldest surviving temples in Chennai, the Sri Parthasarathy temple was built by the Pallavas in the 8th century, the temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna. The Vijayanagar rulers renovated it in the 16th century. During the 16th and 17th centuries, this temple was the scene of many battles and Golconda, Dutch and French occupied the temple at various times. This is one of the oldest surviving temples in Chennai.
Valluvar Kottam
This befitting memorial for the poet-sage Thiruvalluvar, a replica of the famed temple chariot of 'Thiruvaroor', was built in 1976. The life size statue of the sage sits in the 33m chariot with 1330 couplets of Thirukkural inscribed on the panels.
Covelong Beach
Located at a distance of 40 km from Chennai, Covelong is a refreshing beach. It is a quiet peaceful village away from the Hustle Bustle of Chennai. A best weekend travel getaway from the busy city life, Covelong is famous for its fishing activities.
Anna Zoological Park
This Zoological park is situated on the outskirts of Chennai and is created out of the Reserve Forests of Vandalur to the west of Chennai. In 1855 the first Zoo in India was established in Chennai, near the Central Station. In 1979, this zoo was shifted to the 510-hectare sprawling location. It presently occupies the slope of a hill. This Zoological Park is said to be one of the biggest in the South East Asia. More than 170 species of mammals, birds and reptiles can be seen here. The lion safari, the elephant ride, and battery-operated vehicles take you around the park.
The state government had leased this building to Sri Ramakrishna Mission. It is an imposing structure on the Marina beach along the South Beach Road. In 1897 Swami Vivekananda visited this city and stayed in this historic building in the year 1897 on his way to Calcutta, after his acclaimed speech at Chicago for the Parliament of Religions. The Government took over the building in 1930 and in 1963 it was named after Vivekananda. Photographs depicting the historical happenings associated with his life and books about him and his own written works are on display and sold here in the Museum.
Gudiyam Caves
The Gudiyam Caves are situated about 17 kms. behind Poondi reservoir in Chennai. Except some adventurous trekkers and the stout villagers, hardly anyone goes here. The reason is its tough terrain that takes 4 kms. of walk by foot. These prehistoric natural caves are evidence of the primitive tools that our ancestors had used.
Elliot's Beach
The Elliot beach is a calmer and quieter beach. It is an ideal place for lazy lounging and picnicking on your travel holidays in Chennai. The beach is situated near Adayar and the sea is safe for swimming.
Fort St. George
Fort St. George is the first fortress of British power in India and was built in 1654 and remodeled in 1749. The fort has a six-meter tall wall that withstood many invasions by Mughals in 1701, Marathas in 1741 and Hyder Ali during the late 18th century. Now the fort is turned into the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.
St. Mary's Church
The St. Mary church was built in 1678-80 and was the first English church in Chennai. There are reminders in the church of Robert Clive, who married here in 1753.
Government Museum
The Government Museum at Chennai is one of the finest museums in India. It has sections devoted to anthropology, botany, geology, numismatics, sculpture and zoology. The relics from the 2nd century AD Buddhist site 'Amaravati' and the souvenirs of the prehistoric South India are the most prized assets of the museum. The museum has a vast collection of carvings of Hindu, Buddhist and Jain faiths. There's also a good collection of South Indian musical instruments and jewelry, that are worth seeing. The bronze gallery that has a superb collection of ancient icons and modern bronzes are really lucrative.
National Art Gallery
The Art Gallery at Chennai has a fine collection of paintings, handicrafts and bronze. The collection is housed in a Mughal style building. Bronzes from 10th and 13th century, Rajasthan and Mughal paintings from 16th and 17th century and Indian handicrafts from 11th and 12th century are displayed here.
Kapaleswar Temple
The ancient Kapaleshwar temple, situated in Mylapore, is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The fragmented inscriptions here dates back to 1250 AD. But the present temple was rebuilt by Vijayanagar Kings in the 16th century. The magnificent 37m carved 'Gopuram' of gods, goddesses and saints depict important 'Puranic' legends.
Marina Beach
This popular beach runs for 12 km and is the second longest beach in the world. The beach drive runs between magnificent stately buildings like the Chetpauk Palace, University of Madras, Icehouse etc. on one side and a very wide sandy beach on the other. The aquarium is at the beginning of the beach, is another important attraction near the beach.
San Thom Cathedral
Built in 1504 and rebuilt in 1608 and 1893, the cathedral is said to house the remains of Apostle St. Thomas. The basilica has an tremendously stained glass window and a beautiful one-meter statue of Virgin Mary that was brought from Portugal in 1543.
Sri Parthasarathy Temple
One of the oldest surviving temples in Chennai, the Sri Parthasarathy temple was built by the Pallavas in the 8th century, the temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna. The Vijayanagar rulers renovated it in the 16th century. During the 16th and 17th centuries, this temple was the scene of many battles and Golconda, Dutch and French occupied the temple at various times. This is one of the oldest surviving temples in Chennai.
Valluvar Kottam
This befitting memorial for the poet-sage Thiruvalluvar, a replica of the famed temple chariot of 'Thiruvaroor', was built in 1976. The life size statue of the sage sits in the 33m chariot with 1330 couplets of Thirukkural inscribed on the panels.
Covelong Beach
Located at a distance of 40 km from Chennai, Covelong is a refreshing beach. It is a quiet peaceful village away from the Hustle Bustle of Chennai. A best weekend travel getaway from the busy city life, Covelong is famous for its fishing activities.
Anna Zoological Park
This Zoological park is situated on the outskirts of Chennai and is created out of the Reserve Forests of Vandalur to the west of Chennai. In 1855 the first Zoo in India was established in Chennai, near the Central Station. In 1979, this zoo was shifted to the 510-hectare sprawling location. It presently occupies the slope of a hill. This Zoological Park is said to be one of the biggest in the South East Asia. More than 170 species of mammals, birds and reptiles can be seen here. The lion safari, the elephant ride, and battery-operated vehicles take you around the park.
Summers (March to May) are hot and sweating, soars the temperature to more than 40 °C. Tourists may prefer to visit the serene beaches in the evenings.
Monsoons (June to August) and Post Monsoons (September to November) are temperate with mild to heavy winds and rains. The main roads become congested and the lanes become muddy and water clogged.
Winters (December to February) are the coolest months with temperature about 20 °C. Cyclones in the Bay of Bengal hits Chennai occasionally during November - December.
Monsoons (June to August) and Post Monsoons (September to November) are temperate with mild to heavy winds and rains. The main roads become congested and the lanes become muddy and water clogged.
Winters (December to February) are the coolest months with temperature about 20 °C. Cyclones in the Bay of Bengal hits Chennai occasionally during November - December.
By Air:
Anna International Airport at Chennai is connected to many important cities in abroad including Singapore, Colombo. Kamraj Domestic Airport in Chennai is well connected to all major cities in India. All the major airlines provide their service from Chennai to other cities. Prepaid taxis are available and fare about Rs 250 to 300 from Airport to Chennai Central.
By Rail:
Chennai has 3 railway stations. They are Central, Egmore and Tambaram. Chennai Central is well connected to all the major cities in India.
By Road:
Chennai metro city is connected to all parts of the India by road. TSTC and other private bus services provide services to all cities in the state. Deluxe Volvo bus services are available from Bangalore, Hyderabad, Cochin and Coimbatore.
Anna International Airport at Chennai is connected to many important cities in abroad including Singapore, Colombo. Kamraj Domestic Airport in Chennai is well connected to all major cities in India. All the major airlines provide their service from Chennai to other cities. Prepaid taxis are available and fare about Rs 250 to 300 from Airport to Chennai Central.
By Rail:
Chennai has 3 railway stations. They are Central, Egmore and Tambaram. Chennai Central is well connected to all the major cities in India.
By Road:
Chennai metro city is connected to all parts of the India by road. TSTC and other private bus services provide services to all cities in the state. Deluxe Volvo bus services are available from Bangalore, Hyderabad, Cochin and Coimbatore.
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