Chennai, also known as Madras, the fourth largest city in India and the capital of Tamilnadu. The city sprawls over more than 70 square km. The population of Chennai is 5.9 million. Many of the Indian languages are spoken in Chennai, though the main language of Chennai is Tamil. For travelers with an interest in the colonial history of India, Chennai has much worth exploring and abundant transport operations make other parts of the country readily accessible.
Chennai was the first British major settlement in India and it was here that many who went on to build the Empire first learnt their trade. As a consequence, the city is replete with much that is of significance in British Indian history.
The particularly charming features of Chennai are its allegiance to ancient traditions, no matter how modernised it has become and its willingness to spread out further rather than develop into a multistorey concrete jungle.
Chennai - Known for its cultural heritage and temple architecture
The
Artists' village in Cholamandal, is where some of
the best artist of South India live and work together. The Art Gallery
exhibits breathtaking paintings and beautiful craftwork.
State :
Tamilnadu
Codes
:
Postal-
Phone-
600xxx
+91-(0)44
Area:
1, 180 Sq km
How to Reach:
Air:
Chennai is an international airport with flight connections to all major parts of the world, Domestic airlines connect Chennai with all the major cities of India.
Rail: Regular train services connect Chennai directly with all major cities of the country. Suburban Electric trains run from Beach station to Tambaram and from Central to Gummidipoondi and Arakonam. Road: Chennai being gateway to the south is connected by excellent roads to all parts of the south. Taxis, Auto-rickshaws and cycle rickshaws are available. all types of tourist vehicle are easily available on hire. Sea:
There is a sea line to Andaman and Nicobar islands.
Special Events:
Carnatic Music & Dance held in mid Dec to mid Jan is the best overview of the classical south Indian music & dance and the Kalakshetra Arts Festival is famous for cultural arts, held in
December/January.
A
suggested tour round the city is best completed by following this route:
Fort St. George, Pantheon Complex, Valluvar Kottam, St. Thomas Mount, Guindy National Park, the Shrines of Mylapore and Triplicane,
Government Estate, the Marina and Anna Salai, Vedanthangal Birds Sanctuary.
Tirupathi: One of the most important pilgrimage centres of India. The temple of Lord Venkateshwara rests on a hill at Tirumala overlooking the little town of Tirupathi. At this holy place there are never less than 5,000 pilgrims a day and often as many as a 100,000 who come in hope of being granted wishes by Lord Venkateshwara, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
Newer attractions are: theme parks such as Kishkinta, MGM Dizzy World and Little Folks, Vandalur Zoo, VGP Golden Beach
Resort and Muttukadu Boat House.
Crocodile Bank, 44 km away from Chennai. To save the Indian Crocodile from becoming
extinct, it is home to over 3,000 muggers and gharials and various species of crocodiles and lizards from other countries.
In Mamallapuram, 36 km away from Chennai one encounters the beautiful backwaters of Muttukadu where different types of
boating can be experienced.
