Chennai (formerly known as Madras) is an interesting destination for a tourist traveling to Southern India. Chennai, the capital of the state of Tamil Nadu is one of the four metros in India and the largest city in southern India. 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.

It is easy to reach Chennai by air, rail and road or even by sea. Chennai is also one of the important trade centers of south India.A tourist shopping for ethnic handicrafts and handlooms will find shopping in Chennai quite fascinating. Besides these, the city of Chennai is famous for the beautiful Kancheepuram hand woven silk sarees.

There are many fascinating tourist attractions in Chennai. Chennai offers some beautiful beach resorts. Marina Beach is the pride of Chennai A visit to Fort St. George is a travel back into time Chennai has many spiritual centers. Temples and churches co-exist in this city. Parthsarthy Temple, Kapaleeshwar Temple, constructed in the 13th century is a living example of the architectural skills of the Dravidians. Santhome Cathedral was built over the tomb of apostle St. Thomas and has become an important pilgrimage centre The Snake Park situated in the Guindy National Park in the Raj Bhavan Estate has a large collection of snakes and many other reptiles. Chennai is also the fountainhead of the Theosophical Movement with the headquarters in Adyar founded by Madam Blavatsky and Colonel Olcott in 1882.

Excursions from Chennai will give the tourist a variegated experience of this enchanting land of Tamil Nadu. The best place to start a temple tour is Mamallapuram and from there to Kanchipuram, Chidambaram, Kanchipuram, Thanjavur (also famous as the birth-place of Bharatnatyam danceform), Tiruchirapalli and Rameshwaram.Pondicherry (link to Pondicherry page), where Auroville has found a new role in the 'New Age' is one of India's rare French colonial possessions. Rameshwaram, on the long spit of land extending towards Sri Lanka, and Kanyakumari, at India's southern tip are both important pilgrimage centers, with the added attraction of beautiful beaches along the sea.


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