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.