To See & Do
Must See, Must Do
- Savour the piping hot filter kaapi (coffee), along with some idli/dosa and chutney in one of the restaurants mentioned. Your visit to Chennai is incomplete without this.
- Drive along the scenic East Coast Rd and check out the places that lie along it and find mention above.
- Chennai?s beaches are its pride. Stroll along one of them and get your feet wet!
- If possible grab yourself a copy of the latest edition of Madras Discovered a book by S. Muthaiah. It is by far the best and most comprehensive historical guide to the city?s important landmarks.
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Beaches |
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Marina Beach
If you want to escape the heat, hurry to Marina Beach, one of the longest beaches in the world. And also the most crowded all year through. What makes it special is a promenade created by Governor Grant-Duff, who gave Marina its name in 1884. A series of statues line the promenade. Also visit the memorial built for the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, C.N. Annadurai on the beachside; this has a striking arch that has been built based on modern architecture. Summer brings extra life to the Marina. The waters look appealingly blue and inviting. The kite season, the raw and ripe mango sellers, masala papads- it is a hub of activity. A trip to the beach would be incomplete if you don't dig into the yummy typical Madrasy Sundal. You do not have to go looking for them. They come searching for you. The street hawkers, usually a young chap, may run up to you and tug at your shirt and say 'saar, sundal'. Indulge, it is a taste that sure will linger in your memory.
Elliot's Beach
Elliot's Beach is a popular hangout for the young and the old alike. Also called the Besant Nagar Beach, this is relatively neater than Marina. There are rows of trendy casual clothes shops and fast food joints along the shoreline where you can stop for a snack.
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Museums / Libraries |
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Government Museum
The first government museum in the country, it showcases Tamil Nadu's history and culture, while the building itself is reminiscent of the Raj era. Located at Pantheon Road, Egmore, It is open on all days except Fridays and national holidays. Look up www.chennaimuseum.org for more facts and what to see. Or email: govtmuse@md4.vsnl.net.in.
The National Art Gallery adjacent to the Museum is a place worth the visit. You will be captivated by the splendour of 10th century bronze and panchaloka statuettes, that depict Nataraja (Lord of Dance). Paintings by Raja Ravi Verma are among other attractions. Timings: 8 A.M to 5 P.M. Closed on Fridays.
Dakshinachitra is a real life heritage museum. An excellent place to spend at least half a day. Set up about 21 kms from Chennai on the East Coast Road (ECR) it show cases the life in a traditional South Indian village. Exact replicas of South Indian houses as they were in times of yore, preserving the original lifestyle of different communities enhance the beauty of the sylvan settings. On display is a mind-boggling range of artifacts, capturing the South Indian classical tradition. You can take a stroll along the ancient village by-lanes and peep into the homes of artisans, farmers and merchants of the age-past. What makes the place unique is that you can stop for a friendly chat with the artists, recreating the magic of yesteryears or try matching step to the music of the folk musicians. Do not miss their puppet shows and the pottery section where you can try your hand at making pots! Timing: 10 am to 6 pm. Closed on Tuesdays. Contact at mcfdak@md3.vsnl.net.in.
Birla Planetarium
Funded by and set up in the memory of industrialist B.M. Birla, the planetarium is open from 10 am to 5.45 pm, on all days except Mondays.
Periyar Science and Technology Centre
Adjacent to the planetarium, the Centre explains scientific principles through working models. It is open 10 am to 5.45 pm; Mondays are holidays.
Theosophical Society
Founded by H.P. Blavatsky in 1875, the Theosophical Society in Adyar is especially well known now for its library called, The Adyar Library and Research Centre, housing rare and important texts relevant to Oriental studies. It contains over 250,000 printed volumes and nearly 20,000 palm-leaf manuscripts from India, Sri Lanka, China, and other places, a few of which are kept on display for visitors. The printed books include rare indological publications in several languages and a fine collection of works on different religions, philosophies and cultures. They also allow camping. For details contact: intl.hq@ts-adyar.org; Ph.24911338.
Connemara Public Library
Founded in 1890, this library in Egmore is well known for its exquisite Indo-Saracenic architecture. Declared as a UNESCO Information Centre in 1965, the library has a large number of books and journals, including rare ones such as a 1608 publication of The Bible and an 1801 edition of Plutarch's 'Lives'. Also 19th century Tamil, Telegu, Malayalam and Kannada manuscripts have been meticulously conserved here for scholars to refer. (Open from 9 am-6 pm everyday). Visit www.connemarapubliclibrarychennai.com or Ph:28193751 for more details.
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Parks/Zoos |
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Guindy Snake Park
The Guindy Snake Park about one km from the Guindy station has lizards, crocodiles and turtles on display. It is a neat place, ideal for a stroll with generous enclosures. Information boards demystify reptiles for the ordinary visitor. The parks are open daily, except Tuesday from 8.30 am to 5 pm.
Vandalur Zoo
Located at 28km from Chennai proper in Vandalur, the Anna Zoological Park is easily accessible from Tambaram West. Hailed to be the biggest in South Asia, this zoo spreads over 1265 acres and is building up a collection of tropical mammals, birds and reptiles amongst others. The enclosures for the animals are located in natural surroundings with the vast areas for the animals to move freely. It is also functioning as a captive breeding center for endangered wildlife species. You can take the battery car-train as it is a huge place to walk around and see everything, unless you want to do things at your own pace. For lunch or a snack there is a food joint right opposite the zoo entrance.
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Landmarks |
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Fort St. George
Built in 1640 AD by the British East India Company, this bastion got its name from St. George, the patron saint of England. The fort at the beginning of the beach road, on Marina beach, currently accommodates the secretariat and the legislative assembly of Tamil Nadu. The oldest British tombstones in India are to be found in its courtyard. The Fort Museum has a rare collection of memorabilia from the Raj era. The banquet hall upstairs was built in 1802 and has paintings of Fort St. George's governors and officials of the British regime. South of the Fort is the War Memorial, which honours those who laid down their lives for their country since the First World War. You could also see Robert Clive's House adjacent to the fort.
Arts Centre
Kalakshetra: Founded by Rukmini Devi Arundale in 1936 the institution is devoted to the revival of traditional dance, textile designing, and weaving. The institution runs a gurukul-like center for the learning of the traditional arts, including Bharatanatyam and Carnatic music, and hosts cultural events from time to time.
Cholamandalam
About 10 km from Thiruvanmiyur, this is an idyllic artisan's colony where you can watch painters, potters, weavers and dyers at work. Set up by the principal and a bunch of students at the Madras School of Arts and Craft, 40 years ago, this village is a much-preferred getaway for the aesthetically inclined. Contact Government of India Tourist Office, 154, Anna Salai, Ph.28524785/ 28524295 for details.
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Religious Places |
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Kapaleeshwar Temple
This ancient Shiva Temple in Mylapore is a classic Dravidian temple complete with gopurams and a tank. The 8th century Pallavan architecture and inscriptions dating back to 13th century found on its walls are noteworthy. The streets and shops around the temple sell everything, from flowers and vegetables to silver and gold.
Sri Parthasarathy Temple
Devoted to Lord Krishna, this temple found in Triplicane, is another original Pallavan piece of the 8th century. It was renovated by the Vijayanagara rayas in the 16th century.
Pazhaniandavar Temple
This temple at Vadapalani is dedicated to Lord Subramanya, who is believed to reside in the Pazhani Hills and hence, is worshipped as Pazhani Andavar (Lord of Pazhani). A picture of Lord Subrahmanya was brought here 125 years ago from Palani (a variant of Pazhani) and is considered very auspicious. Thus the place where the temple is located, in the north of the city, acquired the name, Vadapalani. Ashtalakshmi temple
Situated in Besant Nagar, this temple is a must-see in Chennai for the beautiful view of the Bay of Bengal that it affords. The larger-than-life vigrahams (idols) of Mahalakshmi and Mahavishnu, the presiding deity here, are a treat for the eye. The temple is of more recent origin than the others mentioned before, being built on the request of Sri Mahaa Periyavaal of Kanchi Mutt.
Santhome Cathedral Church
Near Kapaleeshwar Temple, this neo-Gothic Catholic Church is said to house the remains of St. Thomas, the Apostle.
St. Thomas Mount
St. Thomas is believed to have lived here around AD 58. Perched on a hillock, close to the airport, the Church on the Mount houses the paintings of "The Holy Lady, The Child and "Our Lady of Expectations". The apostle was chased and he had to take refuge in a cave on a hill during his last days. The entrance to that cave is now through a Portuguese church built in 1551. You can reach the top of the mount by road or the steps. For the young and romantic at heart the top of this hill is beautiful place to sit and watch the planes take off and land as the hill overlooks the Chennai airport.
St. Mary's Church
The first English Church in Chennai, it is also the oldest surviving British Church in Asia. It was built between 1678-80. Walk down the pews and you feel like you are walking down the alleys of history. The names of visiting English dignities are etched into the pillars. You may be surprised to know that Robert Clive was married here. The Visitors Book, dating from 1903-1947, has interesting references too which you may check out. The church is also called the Saint Andrews Church. Tuesdays are special here due to the special services to the patron saint, St Andrew. If you do not want to get caught in the crowds, it's advisable to avoid Tuesday for a visit to this church.
The Big mosque in Triplicane, built by the Wallajah family in 1795, is a massive and magnificent structure in grey granite, without any steel or wood used in its construction!
Thousand Light's Mosque
An important landmark in Chennai's busy Mount Road., this mosque was built around 1880 on the land donated by the Nawab of Wallajah. It also houses a library, a burial ground and guesthouses and has a separate worship place for women. Legend has it that over one thousand lamps had to be used to light up the Assembly Hall, which stood here, from which, the mosque naturally got its name.
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Festivals |
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Pongal (January)
Tamil Nadu's harvest festival sees families gather around a new earthen pot. As the pot of milk boils over, signifying prosperity, a shout of Pongalo Pongal rents the air.
Navaratri (October/November)
The festival of 'nine nights' sees homes cobbling up a shelf to line up clay idols of gods and goddesses, wooden dolls, and bric-a-brac of any kind. Married women and young girls are given gifts. All this to propitiate the Mother Goddess for wealth and knowledge.
Diwali (October/November)
Unlike in the rest of the country where the festival is celebrated at night, Tamil Nadu wakes up before dawn, has a ritual head bath, wears new clothes and bursts crackers, to celebrate Rama's victory over Ravana.
Karthigai Deepam (November)
Rows of earthen lamps light up every home, and the joyous burst of firecrackers marks Tamil Nadu's Festival of Lights.
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