Chennai, the capital of the state of Tamil Nadu has many interesting tourist attractions. Despite the 350-year-old strong British influence, Chennai has retained its traditional Tamil Hindu culture more so because it was the center of Pallavan culture long before the British came.

This metropolitan city is famous for its beaches. Marina Beach, the pride of Chennai. is supposed to be the second largest in the world. On the sea- front, lie memorials dedicated to political leaders and freedom fighters. The Aquarium, Light House and Boulevard of Walks, gardens and drives make the beach one of the best attractions of the city. Eliot Beach is also a popular getaway. Cove long Beach is another picturesque beach with a fort, church and a mosque that is worth seeing.

Chennai has an obvious British touch, evident in various cathedrals and buildings. Fort St. George is a colonial reminder. It was from this focal point viz. Clives's Corner Robert Clive, the founder of the British Empire began his empire building process. The fort is still one of the finest specimens of India's British military construction. Fort St. George has grown into George Town, the commercial heart of the city throbbing with life from dawn to dusk. The maritime origins are still evident in the city's second lighthouse tower near the High Court. Corporation Complex or Ripon Building, home of the oldest municipality in India.

Chennai has many spiritual centers. Temples and churches co-exist in this city. ParthsarthyTemple, built in the 8th century by the Pallava kings of South India is famed for the beauty of its gopuram (arched gateway) and its architecture. Kapaleeshwar Temple constructed in the 13th century is a living example of the architectural skills of the Dravidians. Santhome Cathedral built over the tomb of apostle St. Thomas is an important pilgrimage centre.

Other attractions in Chennai are the Government Museum (Pantheon Road), one of the country's finest museums takes you to a journey into the past. National Art Gallery has some of the finest collection of old paintings. Kalakshetra, an internationally renowned teaching institute, founded by Rukmini Devi Arundale reverberates with classical music and dance. Not far away is Cholamandalam, a cooperative artists' colony where modern art and open-air theatre thrive. The Snake Park situated in the Guindy National Park in the Raj Bhavan Estate has a large collection of snakes and many other reptiles. The Theosophical Society, founded by Madam Blavatsky and Colonel Olcott in 1882 is set in large and tranquil gardens with several shrines of different faiths.

Excursions from Chennai

Excursions can be made form Chennai to neighboring places to make a temple tour of Tamil Nadu with its rich temple history. The best place to start a temple tour is Mamallapuram, a seaside village .The pilgrimage city of Kanchipuram is filled with reminders of an ancient history while further down the coast is one of India's rare French colonial possessions,Pondicherry, where Auroville has found a new role in the 'New Age'. The road south from Pondicherry puts one back on the temple trail, leading to Chidambaram. Thanjavur is another famous temple city famed as the birthplace of the Bharatnatyam dance. Tiruchirapalli is a commercial town with the temple complex in neighboring Srirangam being one of south India's largest. Rameshwaram, on the long spit of land extending towards Sri Lanka, and Kanyakumari, are both important pilgrimage centers, with the added attraction of a beautiful beach along the sea.

In the west of the state, the hill stations of Kodaikanal and Ooty are the premier attractions with sylvan hills and a network of trails which wind through forests and tea and coffee plantations. The Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary offers a good chance of spotting elephants, tigers and leopards. The Annamalai Sanctuary, closer to Kodaikanal in the Palani hills, is better known for its lion-tailed macaques (black-maned monkeys). The wetlands of Vedanthangal, near Chennai, and Point Calimere provide perfect resting places for migratory birds.

Festivals in Chennai

The main festival of Tamil Nadu state is Pongal, which is a harvest festival celebrated in the month of January. The Dance Festival at Mamallapuram is held in the month of January and is famous throughout the country. The summer festival at Ooty, Kodaikanal and Yercaud attracts thousands of tourists every year and is marked by boat races and flower and fruit shows. The Tyagaraja Music Festival at Thiruvaiyur in January attracts music lovers from all corners of the world.

Visit www.travel.mapsofindia.com for tour bookings and travel packages to Chennai, India. For more information or to book a tour, please fill up the form below.
TRAVEL TO CHENNAI  |  HOW TO REACH CHENNAI |  TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN CHENNAI |  HOTELS IN CHENNAI  |  SHOPPING IN CHENNAI