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| Chennai |
| CHENNAI
Capital of the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, Chennai is one of the four major metropolitan cities of the country. Chennai is a coastal city, being located on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal. It was the British who developed Chennai as a naval base in the 17th century. Today health care and hard-ware manufacturing are its major industries and besides this it is known as one of the best educational centers of the country. The city is seeped in art and culture and its residents are very protective and proud of their rich heritage. The majority of the population of the city consists of Tamilians, who speak Tamil and English. It has a population of a little over 4 million, making it one of the most densely populated cities of the world.
How to reach Chennai
Air
Chennai is well connected to the rest of the country and the world as well and most international airlines have flights to and from the city. Chennai's Domestic airlines operate daily flights to all major cities of the country from the Kamaraj domestic terminal.
Rail
Chennai is the headquarters of Southern Railway and is connected to many cities and towns by super-fast and express trains. The city has two main railway stations- the Chennai Central, this links north and west India and Egmore, which links south India. Recently a local electric train network, MRTS (Massive Rapid Transport System), has been introduced to the city.
Road
Chennai is well connected to all the major cities of India by a network of highways and roads and most government bus services for Tamil Nadu and other states now operate from the newly opened Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminal at Jawaharlal Nehru Salai, Koyembedu, which is claimed to be the largest bus station in Asia. Inter state buses operate at regular intervals from Chennai and many private operators are also available for domestic and interstate transportation.
Places to stay in Chennai
Chennai is dotted with hotels and most of them are strategically located close to the business centers and the transportation hubs. The airport hotels in Chennai are advantageously situated close to the city airport and ideal for all kinds of tourists. For the business travelers in Chennai there are business hotels that fulfill the business requirements of all classes of businessmen. There are also weekend getaway hotels in the city, which offer a refreshing break from the hustle and bustle. For the economy travelers the city of Chennai offers several bargain hotels, cheap hotels, and discounted hotels and bed and breakfasts too are available.
Places of interest in Chennai
Chennai is a tourist's paradise as it is an enticing mix of the traditional Indian culture and modern technological advancement. This vibrant city of numerous tourist attractions offers such destinations like the serene beaches, historic churches, forts, palaces and monuments that charm all visitors with their magnificent splendor and beauty. Not only is the city a tourist’s haven but a very large number of business travelers also visit the city for work. The key tourist destinations on offer in Chennai include
Fort St. George
This was the very center from where Robert Clive, the founder of the British Empire, began his empire building process in India. Today the Fort St George houses the present Legislature and Secretariat of the Tamil Nadu government. The fort is still one of the finest specimens of India's British military construction, which has now grown into George Town, the commercial heart of the city throbbing with life from dawn to dusk. The maritime origins of the city are still evident in the city's second lighthouse tower, which is near the High Court.
Corporation Complex or Ripon Building
It is now home of the oldest municipality in India, is one of the most magnificent and awe-inspiring constructions.
Chennai is famous for its beaches and it has several of them
Marina Beach
Extending from Fort St. George all the way to Mahabalipuram, the Marina beach is a spectacular tourist attraction in Chennai and Chennaiites claim that it is the longest beach in Asia and the second largest in the world! Memorials dedicated to political leaders and freedom fighters lie on the sea- front and in addition to these, the Aquarium, Light House and Boulevard of Walks, gardens and drives make the beach one of the best attractions of the city.
Eliot Beach
This beach, close to Adyar, is also a popular getaway and is especially popular among the college goers. It has a host of roadside eateries where most of the residents as well as the tourists spend their evenings making it a very lively place.
Cove long Beach
Covelong Beach is another picturesque beach with a fort, church and a mosque that is well worth a visit.
Parthsarthy Temple
This 8th century temple built by the Pallava kings, was renovated by the Vijayanagar rulers in the 16th century and is revered for its splendid architecture, especially the beautiful gopuram (arched gateway).
Kapaleeshwar Temple
Built in the 13th century, this temple is an exemplary specimen of the architectural style of the Dravidians.
Santhome Cathedral
Built over the tomb of apostle St. Thomas, the Santhome Cathedral is an important tourist attraction in Chennai. This cathedral contains the mortal remains of St. Thomas who is believed to have arrived in India from Palestine in AD 52.
National Art Gallery
Built in 1906, the gallery is set atop a splendid Indo-Saracenic edifice and exhibits a fine collection of old paintings and sculptures including Tanjore paintings on glass, Rajput and Mughal miniature paintings.
Government Museum
The other attractions in Chennai that are worth visiting are The Government Museum, which is one of the country's finest museums takes you to a journey into the past,
Kalakshetra
The National Art Gallery that 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 and finally not far away from Chennai is Cholamandalam, a cooperative artists' colony where modern art and open-air theatre thrive.
The Snake Park
Two other destinations that should not be missed in Chennai are The Snake Park situated in the Guindy National Park in the Raj Bhavan Estate (Governor’s residence) has a large collection of snakes and many other reptiles and 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.
If you are on an extended stay in the city excursions can be made form Chennai to neighboring places, for a temple tour.
Mamallapuram
The best place to start a temple tour is Mamallapuram, a seaside town, which saw a burst of creative activity during the reign of the Pallava kings and one can see the effects till this day in the form of rock - cut caves, temples made from a single rock, temples and strives of different structures, and bas-reliefs which are so artistic and sheer creativity.
Kanchipuram
The pilgrimage city of Kanchipuram situated about 70 Km from Chennai, is one of India's holiest sites. It is also known as the city of thousand temples and is the sacred seat of the Shankaracharya.
Pondicherry
Further down the coast is one of India's rare French colonial possessions, Pondicherry, where Auroville, the ashram of the late guru, philosopher and freedom fighter Aurobindo, is visited by people from all over the globe.
Thanjavur
Another famous temple city is Thanjavur, which is famed as the birthplace of the Bharatnatyam dance.
Rameshwaram
Rameshwaram, on the long spit of land extending towards Sri Lanka, and Kanyakumari, are both important pilgrimage centers, which are forever receiving a heavy flow of tourists.
Ooty and Kodiakanal
Visit the hill stations of Kodaikanal and Ooty, which lie to the west of Tamil Nadu and are the premier attractions with sylvan hills and a network of trails which wind through forests and tea and coffee plantations.
Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
The Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary offers a good chance of spotting elephants, tigers and leopards and the Annamalai Sanctuary, closer to Kodaikanal in the Palani hills, is better known for its lion-tailed macaques (black-maned monkeys). Further, the wetlands of Vedanthangal, near Chennai, and Point Calimere provide perfect resting places for migratory birds offering great sights for nature lovers.
Don’t miss the festivals in Chennai if you are in the city while they are being celebrated.
Pongal
The main festival of the state is Pongal, which is a harvest festival celebrated in the month of January. In the month of January the Dance Festival is held at Mamallapuram and is famous throughout the country. The summer festivals organised in the hill stations of Ooty, Kodaikanal and Yercaud, attract thousands of tourists every year and are marked by boat races and flower and fruit shows. If you are a music lover then the Tyagaraja Music Festival at Thiruvaiyur in January attracts music lovers from all corners of the world.
Shopping in Chennai
Chennai is excellent stop to shop for traditional stuff like Pattamara Mats and the leaf and palmyra-fiber handicrafts from Tirunellveli, bronze and brass castings and traditional jewelry from Kumbakonam, exotic metal works from Tanjavur, stone carvings from Mamallapuram, Silks from Kanchipuram etc. There are shops with traditional jewellery, antiques and handicrafts.
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