Destination: Chennai

The Detroit of India

Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu, is situated on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal, also known as Gateway to South India. It is a metropolitan city and is recognized as the 4th largest city in India. Chennai is famous for its parks, historic landmarks, and sandy beaches; Marina Beach (12 kilometers long) in Chennai is one of the longest beaches in the world.

The city was previously known as Madras has now changed to Chennai. It was a small village before the foreigners arrived and selected it as a trading port in 1639. Chennai has a long and rich history and it has always attracted traders, merchants, and religious preachers from foreign shores,
Chennai was a collection of villages, suspended in between paddy fields and enclosed by palm trees; Ruled by every south Indian dynasty like the Pallavas, the Pandyas, and the Cholas dynasty reigned over the city. The Portuguese first arrived in 1522, later in 1612, Dutch came and settled near Pulicat. After some time British East India Company established a settlement in the fishing village of Madraspatnam and the British built a colony, known as Fort St. George. Later In 1746, the French rulers capture Fort St George and Madras but a few years later British regain control of the town. After the Independence of India, it continues to grow and became the capital of Tamil Nadu.

Chennai is proud of its long sandy white beaches that are clean and have clear blue water that adds to the beauty of the city. The dance, art, music, festivals, and religions are very distinctive of the South Indian culture. Chennai is an important centre for the very famous Bharatanatyam, a classical dance form that has been recognized the world over for its beautiful grace. Chennai celebrated the most important Pongal festival every year in January.

Best Places to Visit in Chennai

Marina Beach

This is the second-longest beach in the world. Some of the sports activities possible in Marina Beach include fishing, windsurfing, and beach volleyball, Sunrise and sunset views are picturesque in this perfect setting.

Semmozhi Poonga

Semmozhi Poonga park is Located at the city’s center, and was opened towards the end of 2010. It offers a view of scenic landscapes and lush gardens. The garden is well maintained and has over 500 varieties of trees and plants from all parts of the world.

Arignar Anna Zoological Park

Arignar Anna Zoological Park is the first ever zoo in India and was established in the year 1855. There are over 170 species of wildlife including tiger, hyena, lion, panther, elephants, and many more, Elephant rides and lion safaris are available.

Pulicat Lake

Pulicat Lake is located on Tamilnadu’s border. Boat rides are very popular here. While on the boat, you are allowed to indulge in fishing. There is the Nellapattu Bird Sanctuary located near Pulicat Lake.

Kapaleeswarar Temple

It is believed that the Kapaleeswarar Temple was built during the 7th century by the Pallava Kings. It is one of the oldest temples in the city.

Breezy Beach

It is situated in Valmiki Nagar in Chennai. This small beach remains untouched by commercialization and hence very serene. This beach is famous for its unpolluted atmosphere.

National Art Gallery

The National Art Gallery was established in 1907. This art gallery has four sections namely Tanjore Painting Gallery, Ravi Varma Painting Gallery, Indian Traditional Art Gallery, and Decorative Art Gallery.

Connemara Public Library

This Library was established in the year 1896. The library itself is intricately designed and the architecture is a blend of Southern Hindu Deccani, Gothic, Rajput, and Mughal. The library is one of the four National Depository Libraries in India that receives copies of all newspapers, periodicals, and books published in India.

Elliot’s Beach

Elliot’s Beach is situated at Besant Nagar. Here you can sunbathe, play with the sand, and enjoy with your loved ones.

Covelong Beach

It is located in a village called Covelong and is a place to relax and enjoy peace, a perfect getaway from the city.

Muttukadu

Muttukadu is a backwater situated on the East Coast road, It is a 45-minute drive from Chennai and a two-hour drive from Pondicherry. It’s famous for its boating.

Sri Parthasarathy Temple

It is one of the oldest temples in Chennai. The Parthasarathy Temple is an 8th-century Hindu Vaishnavite temple dedicated to Lord Krishna.

Top Hotels in Chennai

Best Restaurants

The best time to visit Chennai

December to March is ideal for all kinds of tourist activities. It is the most suitable time for sightseeing and enjoying the beach.

Climate

Chennai’s weather is hot and humid as it lies close to the thermal equator and is in also on the coast. Summers (March to May) are hot and sweating, the maximum temperature is 40 ºC and the minimum is 22 ºC. Tourists may prefer to visit the serene beaches in the evenings. Winters (December to February) are the coolest months with temperatures about 18 ºC and a maximum of 32 ºC.

How to Reach Chennai

By Air

Chennai is conveniently connected to all major cities in India and major international destinations. The Chennai International Airport is just 7 kilometers away from the city. The airport has two terminals. Well-connected across the globe, most of the international and domestic airline carriers have direct flights to the terminal called Anna International Airport in Chennai.

By Rail

Chennai has three major railway stations, namely, Chennai Central (code MAS), Chennai Egmore which is just 2 kilometers from the city (code MS), and Tambaram which serves the suburban areas of Chennai. It is well connected by rail with all the major cities in India like Bengaluru, Mumbai, Coimbatore, Delhi, Cochin, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and other Indian cities.

By Road
An extensive network of roads connects Chennai with major cities and towns in Tamil Nadu and other parts of the country. The Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminal at Jawaharlal Nehru Salai, Koyembedu is regarded as the largest bus station in Asia.