|
|
|
| Population |
5.9 million |
| Languages |
Tamil and English |
| Best Time to Visit |
November to February |
| STD Codes |
044 |
|
|
THE CITY
Chennai, one of the four major metropolitan cities
of India, is the capital the southeastern state of
Tamilnadu-the exotic state famous for its cutworks
in the temples, coconut fringes, and silk saris. Stretched
out at the coastline of the country, it has number
of sites for the tourists to visit. The Marina beach,
where the blue waters of the Bay of Bengal mingle
with the golden sands, or the forts and palaces, which
remind one of the bygone eras, Chennai is a preferred
destination of the tourists.
The city of Chennai was once a village of the fishing
community. In 1639, the British took over the place
and made it the capital of the British presidency.
It used to be the center of conflict for the supremacy
of the British and the French.
|
| LOCATION |
| Chennai (formerly Madras) has
the Bay of Bengal bordering its east, while the state
of Andhra Pradesh is on its northwest. It has the famous
district of Tamilnadu, Kanchipuram, on its south and the
states of Kerala and Karnataka on its western side. Being
situated at the tropical zone, Chennai normally has a
very hot and humid climate. The best time to visit this
city is the winter season. Winter and summer temperature
does not vary much as it rains frequently through the
year. |
| PLACES TO VISIT |
There are several places to visit in and around Chennai.
-
The Marina beach, stretched over
an area of 13 km, is the second longest beach in
Asia. It looks like a festive ground on weekend
evenings.
-
Presently used as the state secretariat,
the St. George Forte is another landmark of Chennai.
The British East India Company built it in the year
1653. It has a museum that houses a variety of British
and French antiques and other commemorations. Inside
the fort is the St. Mary's Church, the first English
church Chennai.
-
One of the many old temples of
Chennai is the Parthasarthi temple. This temple
is dedicated to Lord Krishna. Built in the 8th century
BC by the Pallavas, the temple was renovated in
the 16th century by the Vijaynagar kings.
-
Guindy National Park and Snake
Park, situated close to each other near the Guindy
station, are other places to visit.
-
Kapaleeswarar Temple, the oldest
temple of Chennai, is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This
temple is a living testimony of the architectural
skills of the Dravidian people of the 13th century.
However, non-Hindus are not allowed to enter into
the main worshiping place of the temple.
-
Santhome Cathedral, built during
the 14th -15th century, is another place worth visiting.
-
The Birla Planetarium, Elliot
Beach, Valluvar Kottam, National Art and Government
Museum, Anna
-
Zoological Park, Kalakshetra
and the Theosophical Society are some of the other
sites of tourist interest.
-
Once the port city of the Pallavas,
Mamallapuram or Mahabalipuram is situated at the
outskirts of Chennai and is approximately 61 km
from the main city. The artisanship of this place
is beyond parallel.
-
A positive step towards maintaining
the ecological balance of nature is the setting
up of the crocodile bank. Just 44 km away from the
main city, it houses many rare species of Indian
and African alligators and crocodiles.
-
Covelong beach is another place
worth visiting in order to experience the history
of the state as a whole. The fort, church, mosque
and the seashore are quite interesting.
-
Besides these, Muttukkadu, Thirukkalukundram,
Vedathangal bird sanctuary, etc., are other sites
to visit around the city.
|
| EXCURSIONS FROM CHENNAI
CITY |
MGR Film City -
Known to the world over for its film industry, MGR
Film City is a special delight, which houses various
locations and settings for film shootings besides
dubbing and re-recording theatres.
Mahabalipuram -
Located at a distance of 58 km from Chennai, Mahabalipuram
has everything that makes a site memorable; tradition,
history, piety, western annals, and current importance
as a centre of tourism.
Kanchipuram -
Is a small, rural town about 75-km from Chennai. With
the Sankara Mutt acting as the hub of Hindu activities
and the temples, Kanchipuram is one of the most highly
visited pilgrimage spots in India, and can rightfully
be called the "Religious Capital of South India".
Crocodile Bank
-
Located 42-m from Chennai is a farm where several
species of Indian and African crocodiles and alligators
are bred in captivity. This crocodile bank is on the
way to Mahabalipuram and is run by Romulve Whittaker.
Tirupati -
84-km from Chennai at the extreme south of Andhra
Pradesh is Tirupati, one of the most important pilgrimage
centres of India. .
|
| HOW TO GET THERE
|
Chennai has
domestic as well as international airports. The Kamaraj
Domestic Airport and the Anna International Airport
are located at Tirusulam, at a distance of 20 km from
the city. It is also well connected to all the major
cities in India through a wide network of railways.
The main railheads are Madras Central and Egmore.
|
[ Home ][ Profile ][ Query ][ FAQ ][ FeedBack ][ Contact
us ]This site is best viewed on resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels
|
