Chennai, the capital city of Tamilnadu state is located at the Coramandel coast off Bay of Bengal. This is the fourth largest city in India and is a cultural hub with its deep rooted traditions and great heritage. Considered as the gateway to South India this city is an also a major economic and commercial centre in South India. This cultural capital of India is a beautiful blend of traditional culture and modernity. The documented history of Chennai dates back to colonial times when the British came here and settled with the establishment of the fort St.George.
Top Tourist Places Near Chennai
Chennai which is one of the most vibrant cities in India is also one of the major tourist destinations in South India. Its beaches, temples, churches monuments etc. attracts thousands of tourist from far and wide.
Marina Beach
Marina Beach is one of the most popular beaches in India. Extending to a length of 12 km from St. George Fort to Mahabalipuram this is the longest beach in India and also the second longest beach in the world. The beach was given a makeover by Governor Mountstuart Elphinstone Grant Duff in the early 1880's and since then Marina Beach is a popular picnic spot. This long sandy beach with its blue waters is a famous picnic spot and an ideal place to watch the sunrise and sunset. C.N.Annadurai and M.G.Ramachandran Samadhis, which are the memorials of the most popular, former Chief Ministers of the state is also situated on the beach which attracts many tourists.
Covelong Beach
Situated at a distance of 40 km from the capital city, Covelong Beach is one of the most picturesque beaches and attracts many tourists. This naturally beautiful beach flanked by palm trees is also famous for various water sports activities.
Elliot's beach
Elliot's Beach which is spread along the coast down south from Marina is also known as the night beach among the Chennai youth. This calm beach is ideal for swimming. Another attraction here is the sacred Ashtalakshmi temple and famous Velankanni church which are also positioned on the beach.
Fort St. George
Named after St. George, the patron saint of England this is the first British fortress in India. Also known as White Town this is the most noticeable ancient monument in the city. The fort houses the State Legislature and the Secretariat. Saint Mary's Church and fort museum are located inside the fort. Saint Mary's Church is the oldest Anglican Church in India. The museum in the fort has a number of artefacts such as coins, medals, paintings, letters, etc. belonging to the colonial period and also houses the relics of the British personnel who inhabited this fort.
Santhome Cathedral Basilica
This is a historical ancient pilgrim centre built during the period of the 14th to the 15th century A D by the Portuguese. The church is named after St.Thomas, the apostle of Jesus who is believed to have come to India sometime during 52 A.D. It is believed that he was martyred on St. Thomas Mount and was ceremoniously buried here. After several years later another church was built and his mortal remains were transferred here.
Government Museum
The museum is located on Pantheon Road of Egmore. This museum is considered as the oldest Museum in India. The Museum complex comprises of six buildings and 46 galleries. The museum displays a wide array of artefacts pertaining to geology, archaeology, zoology, anthropology, numismatics, botany and sculpture. It has four main galleries including the Hindu Sculpture Gallery, Bronze Gallery, Amravathi Gallery and the National Art Gallery.
Thousand Lights Mosque
Thousand Lights Mosque which is located on Anna Salai Road in Chennai is famous for its architectural beauty. It is said that 1000 lamps was needed to be lit in order to illuminate the assembly hall. The mosque is has multi domes and spearing minarets. The mosque also has great historical as well as religious significance.
Vivekananda House & Museum
Also known as Ice House this place was constructed to store ice blocks imported from the USA by the Tudor Ice Company. It is in this house that Swami Vivekananda stayed in 1897.
Kapaleeswar Temple
Situated at Malayapur, this ancient temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva who is worshiped here as Kapaleeswarar and the Goddess as Katpahavalli. This temple built in Dravidian style of architecture is about 1000 years old.
Sri Partha Sarathy Temple
The temple situated at Triplicane and is dedicated to Lord Krishna. This is one of the oldest surviving temples in Chennai.
Ashtalakshmi Temple
Ashtalakshmi Temple located on the shores on Bay of Bengal. In the temple Goddess Lakshmi, Goddess of Wealth and Lord Vishnu are worshipped as the principal deities. Temple has separate shrine for the Ashtalakshmi forms of Goddess Lakshmi.
Guindy National Park
This one of the smallest national park in India and one of the few located inside a metro. This park which encompasses beautiful forests, streams and lakes is an extension of the grounds surrounding the official residence of the governors of Tamilnadu. It houses a wide variety of animals and reptiles.
Crocodile Bank
Crocodile Bank is situated at around 44 km away from Chennai. Spread over an area of about 3.2 hectares this place is home for a wide range of Indian and African crocodiles, alligators and other reptiles including turtles and snakes. This bank also houses a Snake Farm, where anti-venom is produced.
Amusement Parks
Chennai has a host of amusement parks in the vicinity of the city.
Dash-N-Splash
It is situated at a distance of 30 km from Chennai in Mevallur Kuppam Village in Chennai's MGR district.
Dolphin City
Dolphin City is situated at a distance of 46 km from Chennai along the ECR road.
Kishkinta
The park is situated five kilometres from the Tambaram Bus stand and suburban train station.
Little Folks
It is situated at about 46 m from Chennai on the way towards Mahabalipuram.
MGM “Dizzee World” Beach Resort
This amusement park is located at a distance of about 24 km from Chennai in East Coast Road.
Apart from this there are many other nearby places which are worth visiting.
Pulicat-
Pulicat is located at a distance of 60 km from Chennai in Thiruvalluvar district and the major attraction here which is the second leading brackish lagoon in India is the beaches, Dutch cemetery and a bird sanctuary.
Mahabalipuram- Formerly known as Mamallapuram this was the 7th century port city of the Pallavas. It is around 60 km far from Chennai. It forms 'Golden Tourism Triangle' with Chennai and Kanchipuramis and is known for its historical monuments and temples.
Muttukadu- It is situated in Kanchipuram at a distance of 36 km from Chennai and is a famous picnic spot because of its scenic coconut fringed backwaters.
How to reach Chennai
Chennai is one of the four metropolitan cities of India and has good transport network. Chennai’s Anna International Airport which is third busiest airport of India and Kamaraj Domestic Terminal are located at a distance of 7 km from the main city. Chennai has 3 railway stations-Central, Egmore and Tambaram. Chennai Central is well connected to all the major cities in India and runs on broad gauge. The Egmore Station houses a number of meter gauge and broad gauge trains. This station has many trains which ply to different destinations within the state as well as to the neighbouring states. Chennai city is connected to all parts of the India by good network of roads. Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminal is considered as the largest bus station in entire Asia. TSTC and other private bus services provide services to all cities and major towns in the state.
Where to Stay
Chennai has plenty of places to stay. Tourists can chose from several high end luxury hotels and heritage hotels to budgeted guest houses and lodges resorts catering to different budgets.