Popularly regarded as "The Gateway to the
South", Chennai is the fourth largest city
in India and the capital of Tamil Nadu state.
With a vast population of about six million people,
Chennai is a city that is growing, expanding and
changing vigorously.
Speciality
Of Chennai
Centre Of South India's Film Industry
Chennai is the centre of South India's film industry;
its skyline is ablaze with bright movie billboards
advertising the latest celluloid fantasies. There
are many big film studios.
The Traditional And Modern Outlook Of
Chennai
It presents a culture that is distinct from that
of the northern part of India and is famous for
its traditional yet modern outlook. Chennai is
a city where the traditional and the modern blend
in life everywhere. From traditional vegetarian
fare to fast foods, from nine-yard saris to the
latest in fashion, from ancient temple architecture
to modern high-rise - with Indo-Saracenic and
Victorian as stops along the way - from classical
music and dance to discos throbbing to heady beats,
Chennai has them all and many more vivid contrasts
that are a pleasant surprise.
Road
Well connected by roads to all the major towns
and cities in Tamil Nadu, Kochi, Ernakulam,
and Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala and Bangalore
in Karnataka.
Local Transport
Local buses, cycles.
Major Places of Chennai
Marina beach
The second longest beach of the world,
Marina offers a magnificent view of the
sunset. Cold waves caressing the feet of
every visitor, walking on the Marina beach
in the evening is a favourite pastime of
many. Vendors line up small shops and sell
a variety of decoratives made of sea products.
Anna Square
Anna square is where the former Chief Minister
of Tamil Nadu Dr. C.N. Annadurai was laid
to rest. Thousands of people visit this
place to pay respectful homage to this great
son of Tamil soil. The upkeep of the place
can be described as excellent.
Fort St. George
Fort St. George remains one of the legacies
of colonial India. There is a church and
a museum here besides the state secretariat.
Jain Temple
The Jain Temple of Chennai is also visited
extensively by the tourists. The temple
has many beautiful sculptures of Lord Mahavir
and Lord Shantinath. It is the most important
place of worship for the Jain community
of Chennai.
St. Thomas Mount
The Saint Thomas Mount is also flocked
by tourists. The saint preached and travelled
the Malabar and Coromandel coasts of the
country. The tomb is near to Chennai Airport.
Parthasarthi temple
Dedicated to Lord Krishna, this beautiful
temple was built by the Pallavas. The temple
was renovated in the 16th century by the
Vijaynagar kings.
Kapaleeswarar Temple
Kapaleeswarar is the oldest temple of
Chennai. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
As religious rituals are rigidly followed
in the temple, non-Hindus are not allowed
to enter into the main worshiping place.
The architecture of the temple could be
aptly described as marvellous.
Some of the other places worth visiting
in Chennai include The Birla Planetarium,
Elliot Beach, National Art and Government
Museum, Anna Zoological Park, Theosophical
Society, Guindy National Park and Snake Park.
Excursion delights
Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram is a popular weekend getaway
from Chennai. Some of the prominent temples
are Kailasanathar Temple, Deverajaswamy
Temple Kamakshi Amman temple.
Mahabalipuram
Mahabalipuram is another popular destination
near Chennai. The attractions of the place
include the Shore Temple, Five Rathas Temple
and Arjuna's Penance.
Covelong
Covelong has a very beautiful beach. The
serene and pristine environs of the place
attracts many people from Chennai to here.
Cuddalore
Cuddalore is also well visited for its
temples and villages. Some of the famous
temples in Cuddalore are Chidambaram Nataraja
Temple and Poompuhar.
