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Chennai is the capital of Tamilnadu and the fourth
biggest city in India. Most of the city region of Chennai comes
under Chennai district. Chennai city plays an important role in the
historical, cultural and intellectual development of India. Chennai
is situated on the north-east end of Tamil Nadu on the coast of Bay
of Bengal. The city of Madras is renamed as Chennai. It is the first
city of Tamilnadu and comparitively a new city, only 350 years old.
Madras was the first major settlement in India for the British and
it was here that Robert Clive, who laid the foundation of the
British empire lived and planned his military expeditions in the
18th century. The changing moods of history are evident in the
different styles of architecture like the Dravidian architecture in
temples, Gandhi Mandapam and Valluvar Kottam, the Indo- Sarcenic
architecture in the High Court and University Senate Hall, the
Moghul architecture of the Arcot Nawab's palace at Chepauk, the
Victorian era architecture of the museum buildings and lastly the
sky scraper civilization as represented by some of the high rise
buildings and five star hotels.
Now Chennai is the automobile capital of India. Many of the
automobile manufacturers like Hyundai, Ford etc. have a base at
Chennai. Chennai is known as the Detroit of South Asia.
Accessibility:
By Rail:
Chennai is a very important rail centre of India and has trains to
almost all major destinations in India. The main Railway Stations
are Chennai Central and Egmore Stations.
By Air:
The Kamaraj Domestic Airport and the Anna International Airport at
Meenambakkam has flights to all major destinations in India nad
abroad.
By Road:
Chennai is well connected by road to most of the important places in
South India. There is a new Bus Terminus at Koyambedu which is known
as Chennai Mofusil Bus Terminus (CMBT). The terminus has all
facilities for a traveller and has buses to major places in
Tamilnadu. This is the starting point for the InterState Transport
Buses to the neighbouring states like Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra
Pradesh and Pondicherry.
For most tourists, Chennai serves as a starting point or base for a
tour of South India. It provides an excellent introduction to any of
the states in the South.
Places of Tourist
Interest:
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The Marina Beach
 The
Marina Beach is a sandy beach and is the most sought-after beach
for many. A visit to the Marina Beach is an enchanting
experience for a traveller. |
Fort St. George
 Fort
St. George is at Kamarajar Road. Fort St. George now houses the
Tamilnadu Legislative Assembly and the Government Secretariat. |
Elliot's Beach
 Elliot's
Beach is at Beasant Nagar near Chennai. The road down south of
Marina leads to Elliots beach at Beasant Nagar. The beach has
many fast food joints and other entertainments. |
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Government Museum
and Art Gallery
 The
Government Museum and Art Gallery are situated on the Pantheon
Road between Egmore and Anna Salai. The Museum is well known for
its exquisite collection South Indian bronzes and marbles. |
Kalakshetra
 Kalakshetra
or "The Abode of Arts", is an ornament to the city of Chennai.
It was established by Smt. Rukmini Arundale who dedicated her
entire life to the performing arts. |
Anna Nagar Tower
The Anna Nagar Tower is one of the
tallest park towers in Chennai. It is located in the Anna Nagar
Park near the Anna Nagar Roundana. |
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B.M. Birla
Planetarium & Periyar Science and Technology Museum
 B.M.
Birla Planetarium & Periyar Science and Technology Museum are
located at Kotturpuram near Adayar in Chennai. |
Guindy
National Park and Snake Park
Guindy National Park and Snake
Park are in Guindy and is an important picnic spot for anyone
with family. The Deer Park and the Snake Park are supported by
the World Wildlife Fund. |
Valluvar Kottam
Valluvar Kottam is built in memory
of the great Poet Thiruvalluvar and has a huge auditorium which
can seat 4000 people. It was established in 1976. |
Places of Worship:
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Kapaleeswarar
Temple, Mylapore
 Kapaleeswarar
Temple at Mylapore in Chennai is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The
main deity Shiva is worshipped as Kapaliswara and Goddess
Parvathi is worshipped as Karpagambal here. |
Sri Parthasarathy
Temple, Triplicane
 Sri
Parthasarathy Temple is situated at Triplicane near Marina Beach
in Chennai. This is a Vaishnavite temple dedicated to Lord
Krishna. |
Santhome Cathedral,
Chennai
 Santhome
Basilica Church is a Roman Church built at the southern end of
the Marina Beach, at the end of Kutchery Road, Mylapore. It is
believed to preserve the remains of St.Thomas, the Apostle. |
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Big Mosque,
Triplicane
 The Big
Mosque or Wallajah Mosque is situated at Walajah Road in
Triplicane. It is built in 1795 by the Wallajah family in memory
of the Nawab. |
Gurudwara, T.Nagar
 Gurudwara
at G.N. Chetty Road, T.Nagar, Chennai is a holy place for the
Sikh community in Chennai. The Gurudwara was built by Sri Guru
Nanak Sat Sangh Sabha. |
Thousand Lights
Mosque
 Thousand
Lights Mosque is ideally located at the heart of the city at a
junction of Mount Road and Peters Road at Thousand Lights. This
is a very beautifully built cream-coloured mosque with multi
domes. |
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