Chennai is the capital city of Tamilnadu. In India it is the major educational, Cultural and Commercial centre. In Chennai second biggest film industry is located. Famous singers like Sivamani and AR Rahman belongs to Chennai. Since the first century several dynasties ruled this place. Few major dynasties are Pandya, Pallavas, Cheras, and Cholas. This city was majorly developed as commercial centre by Britishers. Major festivals of the city are Pongal, Indian International Leather Fair, and Music Festival.
What to see in Chennai:
Beaches: Plenty of beaches can be seen in this place. Marina Beach is the second longest beach. Other beaches are Cove long, Golden, VGP and Breezy.
MGR Film City: It is one of the major attractions of the city. This was established in 1994 in the memory of MG Ramachandra, actor and Politician.
Thousands Lights Mosque: For the Shia Community of India this place is most sacred place. This place is famous for its architecture. To illuminate the hall 1000 oil lamps are needed to lit.
Madras High Court: It is one of the 3 high courts of pre-independent India. Other high courts are located in Kolkata and Mumbai.
Marundeeswarar Temple: This temple is dedicated to Marundeeswarar Temple who is an incarnation of Lord Shiva. He is considered as God of Medicines. It is located in Thiruvanmiyar.
Government Museum: It is the oldest museum in India. In the college of St.George this was established in 1851. Major attractions of the museum are Decorative art gallery, Tanjore Painting gallery, Archaeology and Anthropology galleries etc.
Forts: Major forts of Chennai are Dutch fort (400 years old), St.Mary’s Church and Fort Museum, Anglican Church, Fort St.George.
Temples: Plenty of temples are located in Chennai. Major temples are Ashthalakshmi Temple, Ayya Vaikundar Nizhal Thangal, Kalingambal Temple, Kapaleeshwara Temple, Vadapalani Murugan Temple etc…
Other attractions of Chennai: Chennai has plenty of museums, parks, Libraries. Weavers Centre, Vivekananda House, Birla planetarium, Prakasam Salai are other major attractions.
What to see around Chennai:
Aignar Anna Zoological Park: It is located 35kms away from Chennai and located at Vandalur. Till 1855 this is inside the city but due to expansion this was shifted to outside of the city in 1877. Zoo consists of 170 species of reptiles, birds and mammals. Major attractions are Nilgiri Langur, Nilgai, Black buck, etc…
Kalakshetra: This is the dance institution situated 10kms away from the city. Training will be given in Music and Bharatnatyam. This was established by Rukmini Devi Arundale in 1936.
Sriperumbudur: Major attraction of this place is Rajiv Gandhi Memorial. Several temples are located in this place. It is located 40kms away from Chennai.
Getting to Chennai: Chennai is well connected with road, rail and airways. In Chennai there are 3 major railway stations. They are Tambaram, Egmore and Chennai Central. Chennai is having both domestic and international airports. From all the cities such as Cochin, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Guwahati, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Mumbai etc buses, trains and air buses are available to reach this place.
Getting around Chennai: Local trains, buses, taxis, autos are available to visit the surrounding places of Chennai.
Best time to visit Chennai: During summer season temperature is high. Visitors can notice heavy rainfall during monsoon season. Monson is from June to September and Mid October to Mid December. Generally tourists do not prefer to visit this place in summer and during monsoon seasons.
Where to stay in Chennai: Plenty of hotels are available to stay in Chennai. Budget and midrange hotels are available at Egmore, T Nagar, and Mylapore. Anna Salai is the place where luxury hotels are located.
Where to eat in Chennai: Plenty of restaurants are available to eat in China. Famous dishes are Puliogare and Tairchadam. Both domestic and international food is available.