Chennai,
the capital city of the state of Tamil Nadu, lives ensconced under the tag
of "automobile capital". Lend-leasing India a major base for
producing vehicles, Chennai completely rejoices in its appellation of "Detroit
of South Asia". Adding to its is feathery plumes are the culture and
architectural emblem that Chennai carries with itself. Profuse yourself with
tourism cult of Chennai; 12 Kilometers of Marina Beach; sport avenues,
Guindy National Park within the city periphery. An amalgamation of rustic
and rural life style, your first day at Chennai sums up in its eloquent
manifestation of conspicuous hustle-bustle of this Dravidian City. Welcome
to Chennai or Madras! Beatified with monuments and sculptures discovering
Chennai by taking the air is unmatched experience in terms of sheer delight.
Try ferrying in the city through local transport and on rickshaws, to read
the city between its Kollywood posters.
Tourist Attractions
in Chennai
Marina Beach
No matter in which direction your hotel is located there is no other best
motif than Marina Beach to square one your Chennai expedition. The 12 km of
enticement stretches from Fort St. George all the way to Mahabalipuram.
Never ever a stroll on the beach will bore you as you have dozens of
activities to catch with. You will meet all from palm reader to ice-cream
hawkers to roasted peanuts to balloons hawkers. The water may be a
crowd-pulling factor but beware not to swim because of frequenting high
tide.
Kalakshetra
Precisely after you visit the bewitching beauty of Chennai make sure to
visit Kalakshetra, an internationally famed teaching institute echoing with
melodious tune of classical music and thumping steps of Indian traditional
dance. Its Kala Mandir Auditorium is of unique traditional architecture.
Next is, Cholamandalam, a cooperative artists' colony where modern art and
open air theater thrive.
Theosophical Society
Hop up to Theosophical Society founded in 1875 which propagates the primary
message of Universal Brotherhood based on the realization of life. The
Theosophical society of Chennai huge multi-storeyed edifice with
international conventions. Take time to surf the Library that preserves a
whole of philosophical scriptures.
St. Thomas Mount
Situated
slightly ahead of Guindy and in proximity to flying range in Chennai, St.
Thomas Mount is apostle of Christ, who is believed to have been martyred
here. The mount is called as "Peria Malai" (Big Mount-in Tamil
language) or "Firangi Malai". A small relic-filled Church built in
1523 by the Portuguese stands at the summit of the 300 foot high St. Thomas
Mount. The cathedral was paid a visit by was visited by Pope John Paul II
during his visit to India on 5th February 1986. Close to it lies Sai Baba
Temple, Ramakrishna Math and San Thomas Basillica where you can pay visit to
one after another. Time to terminate your sightseeing trip and go back to
your hotel for rest. Dine Chennai's irresistible cuisines at exclusive
outlets and go back to rest.
Parthasarthi Temple
Once again it is the time to begin your day's trip at resistless Marina
Beach. A morning walk at the beach is amazingly excellent for washing away
the fatigue of the mind. A little further walk from Marina will lead you to
Parthasarthi Temple, belonging to the 8th century acculturation of Pallava
kings of South India. The temple, based at Triplicane, another beach in
Chennai, was one of the prominent harbours during Pallava time. At present
it is famous for stupendous design of Gopuram (arched gateway) and its
architecture. The whole of locality is settled around this temple. The
erstwhile city presents a picture book town beauty letting the visitors see
its rustic beauty of brown architectures.
National Art Gallery
Further ahead of this temple town head for National Gallery whizzing past
the big mosque, aquarium( having numerous species of Dolphins) and Anna
Memorial as well as War Memorial on the way. Having a fleeting glimpse of
the memorial and countryside view of Chennai you reach to National Art
Gallery soon. The Art Gallery of Chennai is placed in a splendid
Indo-Saracenic edifice, initially known as Victoria Memorial Hall. It has a
collection of ancient paintings and sculptures including Tanjore paintings
on glass; Rajput and Mughal miniature paintings; Deccan paintings from 17th
century; and handcrafts, metal ware, and ivory carvings from 11th and 12th
century.
Government Museum
The National Gallery is said to be a " grand expression" of
Indo-Sarcenic architecture of that period. Besides these, there is another
treat for your eyes to behold. The Government Museum, established in 1857,
is one of the country's most perfect museums to rewind one self back to 2nd
century AD. It is top treasure trove of Buddhist site of Amaravati and the
prehistoric antiques of South India, marvellous carvings of the Hindu,
Buddhist and Jain faiths are exhibited in the sculpture gallery. The wood
carvings from processional temple chariots and a fine collection of South
Indian musical instruments and jewelery will serve as a feast to your eyes.
Superb ancient icons and modern bronzes, including the famous bronze Natraja
and beautiful set of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman are piled up for
visitors to view the history of Chennai in a glass case.
Shopping In Chennai
'Shopping' is in fact one of the best kept secrets of Chennai, revealed
only, in many exciting forms, on the streets of the city. As you discover
the city on your excursion just check out for art and crafts, contemporary
and traditional artwork, antiques, jewelery etc are easily available in the
city. Shop for antique items like Pattamara Mats and the leaf and
palmyra-fiber handicrafts from Tirunellveli, bronze and brass castings and
traditional jewelry from Kumbakonam, Metal works from Tanjavur, stone
carvings from Mamallapuram, Silks from Kanchipuram are all available in
Chennai. Land at Victoria Technical Institute at Anna Salaai that offers
handicrafts from all over the country. Government emporiums offer you a
range of choices for items and handicrafts. Fetching for handmade materials
go to SIPA's Craftslink at Koddambakkam High Rd. Cane'n'Bamboo at Egmore
stocks textiles and handicrafts sourced from charity based craft
cooperatives at lower prices than most of the Emporiums. For finest
kanchipuram silks Vardharams at Harrington Rd Chetput has good collection.
Co-optex Egmore sells Kanchipuram silks from their own cooperatives. Nallis
is also famous for exclusive range of silks and sarees. T Nagar is awesome
to see shop for cotton sarees and jeweleries.
Eating Out In Chennai
The South Indian cuisine at Chennai is a perfect measure to feed your most
awaited culinary delight. Try Saravanna Bhavan for mouthwatering vegetarian
dishes. Vasanta Vihar at Rajaji Salai for a cup of coffee dating back to Raj
Era. If you want to be served with those dishes directly from the Kitchen of
Chennai the right Kibosh for you is at nanda Bhavan at Triplicane High Road
serves luscious banana-leaf thalis and excellent dosas. Coconut Lagoon has
excellent Goan and Kerala fare. Roomallee at Mylapore provides an outdoor
barbecue with Hyderabadi dishes. Chennai's only revolving restaurant,
Carnival Heights is a multi cuisine rooftop restaurant. The capsule lift,
that takes you to the restaurant, gives you a panoramic view of the traffic
on Poonamallee High Road. Opposite Dhaba Express is the new Cornucopia
serving European style food, salads and soups including Cous-Cous and the
like. The largest number of restaurants though, in terms of density, is on
TTK Road. Next to these three eating-places is a new 'Spanish Tavern' called
Zarra - a rather classy bar with a wonderful collection of snacks (prawn
croquettes, grilled lamb chops, grilled fish and prawn all made very well)
and a lot of cocktails and beer.
How to reach Chennai
Enter Chennai through Anna International Airport and gear-up yourself for a
rocking experience in the 'Automobile City of India'. Chennai is virtually
linked to all sections of India through and through its proficient network
of rails. Land in Chennai with some common lingo in Tamil so as to fathom
your conversation with the locals of Chennai. Accommodation is this hip-hep
city is not at all any afflict, with dozens of star to budget hotels.
Commence your trip and try carving the city of Marina Beach amidst the
stochasticity. Heiring Guides will really prove to be helpful and a best
tact to combat the localite problems.
Hotels in Chennai
There is a huge range of hotels in Chennai for you to choose from. Whether
you are looking for 5 star deluxe hotels in Chennai, 4 star hotels in
Chennai, beach resorts in Chennai, business hotels in Chennai or budget
hotels in Chennai, you'll find all hotel categories here. Some of most
famous and much liked hotels in Chennai are as follows.
» Taj Coromandel
» Park Sheraton & Towers
» Fisherman's Cove
» Chola Sheraton
» MGM Beach Resort
» The Ambassador Pallava
» Taj Connemara
