Location: South India in the state of Tamil Nadu
Famous For: Capital of Tamil Nadu
Places of Interest: Fort St. George, The Marina Beach,
Kapaleeswarar Temple
Temperature: summer: Max. 37, Min. 22.1, winter Max. 32, Min. 19.8
Area: 174 Sq. km.
Rainfall: 1,272 mm (June to Sept)
Ideal Time to Visit: Throughout the year (Preferably October to
March).
Language: English, Tamil
An Over all View Of Chennai
Chennai, one of the largest metropolitan cities in southern India is
situated on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal. Chennai the capital
of Tamil Nadu is also its predominate harbor and enjoys some of the
marvelous beaches in Asia.
The British East India Company established the city in 1639 AD at Fort St.
George as their major trading port. One can notice and enjoy the rich
architectural British influences in their historical splendor like old
cathedrals, constructing buildings in the Indo-Saracenic style of
architecture and in ravishing avenues of towering trees.
Historic Perspective
Chennai is the abode to the ancient Dravidian civilization, one of the
oldest articulate cultures in the world. The city has a ravishing blend of
traditional Tamil Hindu culture and the remarkable British dominance that
can be perceived in its rich architectural splendor. Chennai the 4th largest
metropolitan city of India spread over an area of 180 Sq. km. is also the
trading point andorsed with some excellent beaches of Asia. A visitor will
definitely be over whelmed by the charm of the geniality, innocence and
kaleidoscopic presence of the people while wandering over the sandy stretch
of Marina Beach.
A tour to Chennai will take back you into timeless India that is opulent in
the treasure of reminiscences, from temples and shrines to forts and
palaces. Maintaining much of its traditional charisma, this 350-year-old
city is the hatchway to the south, procuring multitudinous charming vignette
of southern heritage.
Charms Of Chennai
Fort St. George
The British Empire contrived the Fort in 1639-1640. The fort was one of the
first parapets of British Empire in India and since then the city was marked
as the modern city of the country. Now days the fort is used as a state
legislative assembly and as the secretarial offices of the Tamil Nadu
government. The Fort is a magnum opus with its architectural splendors, a
worth visiting spot.
Kapaleeswarar
Temple
The main attraction of the temple is the 13th century ancient scripts and
it is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The 37-metre gopuram is eminently unique for
its intricate carvings depicting tales from Hindu mythology and are one of
the peerless specimens of Dravidian style of architecture.
Sri Parthasarathy Temple
The temple is a chef d'oeuvre constructed in the 8th century AD. The shrine
is dedicated to Lord Krishana and has the deity with 5 avtaras of Lord
Vishnu. These Vishnu comrades are notified as Vedavalli Ammai.
The Marina Beach
Marina Beach is considered one of the second longest beaches in the world,
extending over a length of 12 km. It is an idle place for all sorts of water
activities like diving, swimming, water rafting and yachting. The ancient
structures on side of Kamarajar Salai, a main road along the Marina, will
definitely remind you of the virtuous days of British Empire.
The best time to visit the beach is mornings and evenings when the beach is
engrossed with many activities and entertainment.
Santhome Cathedral
The Portuguese constructed the Santhome cathedral in 14th century AD. It is
one of the most significant pilgrimages for the people belonging to the
Christian community.
National Art Gallery and Government Museum
The museum was founded in 1857 lies in the heart of the city at Egmore. The
museum houses admirable accumulation of sculpture and armory. Numerous
chambers on botany, anthropology, geology, archaeology, and zoology can also
be visited inside the museum.
Timings: It is open on all days except Fridays from 8 am to 5pm.
Fort Museum
This museum has a medley of residue pertaining, depicting the régime
of the East India Company and British India.
Excursion
Mahabalipuram
It is 50-kilometer from Chennai perched on the coastline of Bay of Bengal.
The place is renowned for its 9 holy shrines tunneled out of the hard rock
and other 5 shrines macadamize with concrete, known as Pancha Pandava
Rathas. Other attractions are 8th century 4 ratahas carved out of a single
rock depicting unique splendor of Dravidian style of architecture.
Kanchipuram
The city is 71km from Chennai and is also known as 'the Golden City of a
thousand temples'. The city was the seat of power for the successive
dynasties and was the capital of the Pallavas, the Cholas and the Rayas.
During 6th and 7th century Pallava Empire constructed the temples known for
their magnificent architecture, a unique marvel of splendor. The great
saints and philosopher like Sri Sankaracharya, Siruthonder and the great
Buddhist Bhikku once dwelled in the city. Another attraction of the city is
its hand woven silk fabrics, which is famous all over the world.
Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary
At a distance of 85 km is a home to the magnificent Ariel life. The bird
sanctuary can be accessed easily by means of bus transport. The sanctuary
lies in an area of 72 acres of marshy land with lush green towering trees
ideal for nesting. It is an abode to varied species of water birds, almost
24 species of birds one can encounter here. During winter season migratory
birds fly thousands of miles to reach their winter home from all over the
world, making it perfect place for photography for its visitors.
Crocodile Bank
Located 44 kms from Chennai, it is the Crocodile breeding and research
center run by Romulus Whittaker. Varied species from India and Africa are
breeder here to increase the reptile's population. A snake farm that
undertakes the demonstrations of toxin extraction from poisonous snakes is
also a great attraction.
Chennai also makes an excellent excursions to near by cities - towards the
east across the Bay of Bengal plan your journey through boat or board a
plane to Port Blair in the Andaman Islands, a celestial home with lush green
forest and abode to many exotic plant-life in the world.
Kancheepuram - 75kms. Bangalore - 334 kms. Pondicherry - 162 kms. Tirupati
- 154 kms. and Thirukkazhukundram - 74kms .
Festivities
Chennai is also the center of the Hindu tradition of Bharata Natyam
(classical dancing) the mudaras (style) of temple sculpture are well
portrayed in the dance form and gives expression to both the devotion and
the artistic skills of the people.
A unique festival of Carnatic music held every year in the month of January
at Thiruvariyar is all time favorite and one could enjoy the amazing
performance of the artists, depicting an exquisite blend of harmony and
rhythm.
Navaratri or Dussehra are celebrated in (September/October), Deepavali in
(October/ November), Karthika (November/December), Pongal in (January),
Arubathimoovar Festival, Chithirai Festival and Mamallapuram a Dance
Festival are the important festivals of Chennai celebrated with great
enthusiasm.
Shopping
Chennai is one of the important trade centers of south India and offers
variety of shoping opportunities to its visitors. It is famous for its
traditional handicrafts, handlooms and silk.
Victoria Technical Institute at Mount Road has many retail shops to go for
shopping. Srinivasa Silk and B.M. Silks at Mylapore are important silk
centers. Gold Ornaments can be best shops at Mount Road and Theyagaraya
Nagar. Parry's Corner is also one of the big markets in wholesale as well as
retail trade.
The Burma Bazaar is a renowned hub where one can shop for every kind of
imported goods ranging from electronic devices to readymade garments and
perfumes.
Getting Around
Air: Indian Airlines connects Cheenai to Bangalore, Goa, Cochin,
Delhi, Hyderabad, Tirupati,Trivandrum and Vishakhapatnam. East West Airlines
also connects Chennai with Mumbai.
Rail: Chennai is well connected with railways to Bangalore, Cochin,
Delhi, Hyderabad, Madurai, Tirupati Trivandrum and Varanasi and also to all
other major cities of India.
Road: Chennai is connected to important cities by means of road
transport. Road-distances from Chennai and Mumbai- 1329 km, Bangalore- 334
km, Kanyakumari- 693 km, Mahabalipuram- 60 km, Regular bus services are
available from Chennai to all other major cities in India.
