Chennai: The Gateway City to South India
Best places to visit in Chennai, sightseeing & tourist attractions in Chennai
Chennai, or Madras as it was once called, is one of the very first cities established by the British when they landed in India over 300 years ago. Today as the capital of Tamil Nadu, it is the largest city in South India and the fourth largest in India.
The custodian of Tamil heritage and culture, it is clean and efficient with an excellent transportation system.
Map of Chennai
What’s Famous Here?: Places You Should Not Miss in Chennai
Heritage of Chennai: South India’s rich Dravidian cultural heritage – be it music, dance or architecture – is best preserved in Chennai. A modern city with a rich past, Chennai is a city of enchanting paradoxes.
Despite its size and importance, Chennai never seems to be in any great hurry. It is often the starting point of the South India Temple Tour.
What to see? Top Tourism Places Chennai
Fort St. George: Fort St. George, built by the British, today houses the State Legislature and the Secretariat. The fort also has an excellent museum which is open every day between 10 am to 5 pm, except Fridays.
Outside the Fort’s walls, the British built splendid Villas in luxuriant gardens, many of which survive till today, as do their Indo-Saracenic buildings which line the city’s famous beach: the Marina.
Marina: This beautiful 8 km stretch of glorious golden sand beach is the most prominent feature of the city. Sunrise over the water is particularly attractive when the rays of the morning Sun gild off the tall towers, colorful domes of ancient buildings and the sea-front aquarium.
Here too are the Eternal Flame Memorials of MGR and Anna, two popular silver screen personalities and politicians who shaped the destiny of modern Tamil Nadu.
St. Mary’s Church: Right next to the Fort stands St. Mary’s Church, a building consecrated in 1680 and it is the oldest surviving British structure in India. Robert Clive and Elihu Yale, the governor of Madras who later founded Yale University in USA, were both married in this church.
San Thome Cathedral: At the southern end of Marina beach is San Thome Cathedral, built in 1523 by the Portuguese. Within the hallowed walls of this ancient place of worship are the remains of the St. Thomas (”Doubting Thomas”) the Apostle of Christ who came to India in AD 52.
Parry’s Corner: The older and more congested part of the city – a jumble of offices and local markets – lies to the west of the Docks and north of Poonamalee High Road. Here you will find Parry’s Corner, a landmark alongside the High Court. Drop in at the fruit and flower market and Burma Bazaar where stalls spill over with everything from modern electronic gadgets to trinkets.
Tip: Shopkeepers expect you to bargain.
Anna Salai Road: South of the city is Anna Salai Road (still popularly known as Mount Road) which is the main artery and commercial heart of the city.
Commander-in-Chief Road: Otherwise known as C in C Road, it branches off from Mount Road and has a number of deluxe hotels, restaurants and garish film posters with cutouts of buxom film stars with ‘thunder thighs’.
Mylapore: Experience traditional Chennai at Mylapore where the Kapaleswarar Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is protected by Pyramidical Gopurams or typically Dravidian Gates. (Non-Hindus are allowed only in the outer courtyard of the temple). Surrounding the temple are little shops selling jewelry, traditional vessels of brass, steel and silks.
Theosophical Society and Neighboring Attractions: Along the banks of Adyar River are shady grounds of the Theosophical Society. A road, running parallel to the river, will get you to the sea and Chettinad Palace.
Places of interest in the vicinity are Elliott’s Beach- a good place to go for swimming, Kalakshetra- a centre which teaches classical dance and music in rural settings and Cholamandalam, an intriguing artists’ village.
Parthasarathy Temple: The temple dedicated to Lord Krishna was built in the 8th century and stands on the Triplicane High Road.
Guindy Deer Park: On the southern outskirts of the city and not too far from Raj Bhavan, is Guindy Deer Park. Here it is still possible to see the rare Black Buck, Spotted Deer, Civet Cats, Jackals, Mongooses, and various species of Monkeys. Within the grounds, is the Snake Park (open from 9 am to 5.30 pm).
Government Museum: The Museum, (open between 8.30 am and 4. 30 pm), near Egmore Station has a rich Archaeological section and interesting Bronze and Dart Galleries.
Valluvar Kottam: At Nangambakkum, is a monument dedicated to the memory of the great Tamil Poet Thiruvalluvar. The 32-meters high Shrine is designed like a temple chariot.
The High Court: The High Court building is an Indo-Saracenic monster. Built in 1892, it is said to be the largest judicial building in the world after the Court of London. Drop in at Court No. 13 and check out the decor and furniture.
Travel to Chennai:
Local Languages: Tamil and English
Best Time to Visit: November and March
How to Reach:
AIR: Chennai’s international and domestic terminals are within easy reach of each other. Chennai airport sees numerous flights taking passengers in and out of the city.
RAIL: Chennai has two main railway stations: Chennai Central and Egmore Station both are well connected with southern railway network.
ROAD: Thiruvalluvar or Express Bus Stand is located behind the High Court.
Tamil Nadu Bus Stand is on the other side of Popham’s Broadway.
Private buses operate from outside Egmore Railway station for Bangalore, Coimbatore, Madurai and Trichy.
Excursions from Chennai:
The Indian Tourism Department and the Tamil Nadu Tourism Department operate breathless one-day tours to the two magnificent ancient temple towns of Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram. The truth however is that, these towns deserve better: an overnight stay at each at least.
Chennai is often the starting and/or end point of a grand South India Temple Tour. It is also a launching point for pilgrims visiting Tirupati temple which lies to the North just across the border in Southern Andhra Pradesh.
Mahabalipuram: Mahabalipuram, also known as Mamallapuram, is the beach resort town of the Gods. For here they resided in a spectacular temple built on a languid shore washed by the waters of the Bay of Bengal. Indeed, this World Heritage site one of the most photogenic places in the country. And after you have funned & frolicked on the beach of the Gods, explore the grand monuments and temples at the adjoining village which was once a bustling Port City of the 8th century.
Kanichipuram: One of the seven most sacred cities of India, Kanchipuram is studded with a spectacular collection of over 100 temples that date back to the 4th and 7th century. The city, also referred to as the ‘Golden Girdle of the world’, was once the capital of successive south Indian dynasties. Today it is a bustling pilgrim center that also attracts a steady stream of tourists. And they are here not just for the Gods but also for the famous handmade Kanchipuram silk saris, still woven by the 16th century tradition.
Hotels in Chennai
From private luxury resorts to state run tourism lodges, Chennai has accommodation to fit in almost every budget.
Chennai Travel Packages:
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Flights to Chennai : You can take flights to Chennai. Chennai’s international and domestic terminals are within easy reach of each other. Chennai airport sees numerous flights taking passengers in and out of the city.
Trains to Chennai : You can also take trains to Chennai. Chennai has two main railway stations: Chennai Central and Egmore Station both are well connected with southern railway network.
Buses to Chennai: Thiruvalluvar or Express Bus Stand is located behind the High Court.
Tamil Nadu Bus Stand is on the other side of Popham’s Broadway.
Private buses operate from outside Egmore Railway station for Bangalore, Coimbatore, Madurai and Trichy.
Car Hire in Chennai : To experience Chennai at your own pace you can take a car hire. Hire a cab and get enchanted by the captivating locations of Chennai. You can also hire a cab for excursions from Chennai.