Chennai is the capital of Southern state of Tamilnadu and often called the cultural capital of India for its deep-rooted traditions and heritage. Chennai is a city of contrasts and diversities and is the forth-largest city in India. Known world wide as Madras until recently, the city was renamed Chennai in 1997, evolved from the age-old name, Chennapattinam. Chennai is a coastal city with the second largest beach in the world and most of the time, the climate is hot and humid. But the breeze blowing from the sea makes the climate bearable. Chennai is also economic powerhouse and a centre for Tamil film making. Chennai has many tourist attractions in around the city including the beaches, churches, temples, shopping complexes and parks.
Main Languages: Tamil and English
City Telephone Code/ STD Code: 044
Best time to visit: November to February
Tourist Information: Tamilnadu Tourism (PH: 25383333) and private tour operators.
Distance from other cities: Ahmedabad – 1826 kms,
Kolkatta – 1676 kms, Bangalore – 331 kms, Delhi – 2095 kms,
Hyderabad – 688 kms, Mumbai – 1329 kms, Trivandrum - 1543 kms
Getting there and away
By Air: Chennai is well networked with rest of the country and has many international Airlines operate flights to Chennai from various parts of world.
By Rail: Chennai is well connected with rest of the country by an extensive railway network. The Chennai Central and Egmore railway stations connects it to the rest of the country.
By Road: State transport and Private Operators have extensive services in Tamilnadu and to the neighboring states. Chennai claims to have the largest bus station in Asia, Koyambedu Bus Stand.
By Boat: A passenger liner to Port Blair in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands connects Chennai to these islands in the Bay of Bengal. The Andaman and Nicobar Administration and the Shipping Corporation of India control reservations and the harbor is in George Town north of the Fort.
Getting around
By Bus: The MTC (Metropolitan Transport Corporation) has wide network in Chennai.
By Train: Intra-city trains are the cheapest and most efficient.
Other mode of transport: Apart from the buses and trains, you may also avail the services of taxis and autos.
Attractions in Chennai
- Marina Beach
- St. George Fort
- San Thome Cathedral
- Kapaleeshwar Temple
- Parthsarthy Temple
- Guindy National Park and Snake Park
- National Art Gallery
Besides these attractions, there are many more places that are worth visiting in Chennai like Ramakrishna Mutt, Elliot’s Beach, Theosophical Society, Film Studios, Shopping complexes and multiplexes.
Around Chennai
Mahabalipuram: Mahabalipuram is famous for monolithic sculptures on the seashore and is 58 KM from Chennai. These sculptures belong to the period of Pallava Kings who ruled this part of South India many centuries ago. Chariot, Elephant and other huge sculptures out of single stone is worth seeing. After the devastating Tsunami in December 2004, many more sculptures under the sea have come to the land level and Archeologists are researching on the details of these sculptures.
Kanchipuram: Kanchipuram is a place famous for silk sarees, temples and Shakaracharya Mutt situated here. It is 75 KM away from Chennai and Varadaraja Perumal Temple and Kanchi Kamakshi temples are very famous here. There are many colonies who involve in weaving pure silk sarees worth seeing and purchasing.
Tirupathi: Situated in the Chittoor district in southern Andhra Pradesh and is situated at a distance of around 152 km from Chennai and well connected. Tirupati is the abode of the legendary Lord of the Seven Hills, Sri Venkateshwara and is one of the most famous shrines in the country where worship of the Lord has been carried out for over thirteen centuries and has the devotes coming here throughout the year from across the globe.
Dakshinchitra: Located 25 KM from Chennai, Dakshinchitra is a place presented by the Chennai Crafts Foundation as a showpiece of different living styles in the South. You can admire traditional arts and houses from Tamilnadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. This place contains recreations of Brahmin, Chettinad, Potters, Syrian Christian, a basket weaver's and a silk weaver's houses along with live representations of their craft. You can also buy the crafts here.
Muttukad: The backwater of Muttukadu have been developed by the Tamilnadu Tourism Development Corporation to serve as a scenic picnic spot and a water sport centre and is just 16 KM from the city. Here you can go for boat ride, or row your boat along the backwaters and enjoy the cool breeze of the sea.
Pondicherry: Pondicherry is a union territory and is 162 KM from Chennai. Quiet beaches and peaceful resorts to the north and south balance the towns bustling, and have yet easy going life. It is here that the famous philosopher Sri Aurobindo once lived. For sight seeing, interesting places include churches, museums, beaches and the Aurobindo ashram.
