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Chennai formerly known as Madras, is the state capital of Tamil Nadu. Located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal, it is the biggest industrial and commercial centre in South India and also a major cultural, educational and economic centre. It is sprawling, bustling industrial metro established on the site of a fishing village in 1639 as the first British settlement in India. Chennai is a convenient entry point for southern India and has good links with other parts of India. Chennai is known as the 'Detroit of India' for its automobile industry. Chennai is the third largest city and fourth most populous metropolitan area in the country. The city is a strange mix of British era monuments, Portuguese churches, Hindu temples and one of the longest urban beaches on earth. While Chennai retains the old legacy, and in some ways it is a conservative bastion in social and religious matters, it is also the Bollywood of South India and a stronghold of traditional Tamil culture.
It is first bastion of British power in India constructed in 1640, was established in a banana grove owned by a farmer called Madrasan. The official grant for the land however was given by Venkatadri Nayak, the deputy of the Raja of Chandragiri. The first factory was named as Fort St. George. The fort was often attacked by Indian and French forces, yet it continued to expand. Today the buildings in Fort St. George house the Government secretarial and the Legislative assembly. The sloping ramparts with battlements for gun emplacement were designed and constructed by Bartholomew Robins in 1750.
Chennai's seashore hosts one of India’s largest urban beaches stretching for 13 km along the city's eastern flank. This is the second longest beach in the world. The large expanse of silver sand allows for a great walk along the seashore. Sunrise and sun set views are picturesque in this perfect setting. The evenings are quite busy with people coming along with their families to have some entertainment here. The Marina, connecting Fort St. George with San Thome Basilica almost 5 km away was built by the then governor between 1881 and 1886. The walk along south beach road takes in parks, tree lined cobbled streets and spectacular colonial and Indo-Saracenic buildings.
Kapaleeswarar Temple is one of the oldest temples in the city, a lovely temple with a Stately Spire or ‘Gopuram’ as it is called. There is a big tank on its West. The temple and the tank are surrounded by Broad streets on the four sides. Going by the songs by Nayanmars, it is believed that Kapaleeswarar Temple was built during the 7th century by Pallava Kings. The architecture is not as old as they seem to be around 400 years old and the temple is a classic example of Dravidian architecture. The temple is marked by a 36m gopuram tower adorned with detailed figures and inscriptions dating back to 1250 A.D.
Arignar Anna Zoological Park is the first ever zoo in India started in 1855. The zoo was initially in the Moor market from where it was shifted to Vandalur in 1976. Works for the establishment of the zoo was started in 1976 and Arignar Anna Zoological Park was opened to public in 1985. It is one of the largest zoos in South East Asia sprawling over an area of 602 hectare, the zoo houses over 170 species of wildlife. Some of the wildlife found here includes tiger, lion, hyena, panther, elephants and many more. Elephant rides and lion safaris are available. If you are up to it, you could walk the entire stretch of the park. If not, you can tour on the battery operated vehicle rides.
Chennai,India
The Leela Palace Chennai is a sea-facing modern palace hotel. Built on 4.8 acres of land, the hotel offers panoramic views of the Bay of Bengal. The hotel offers a luxurious experience evoking the rich heritage of the palaces of Tamil Nadu in terms of grandness and space. The opulent interiors of the hotel blends effortlessly wi...
Chennai,India
The world's largest LEED® Platinum green hotel, in the new constructions category embodies the essence of Southern India's most glorious empire, the Cholas – the greatest maritime power in Indian history, and possibly the only one to extend its territory across the seas.The unequalled artistry expressed durin...
Chennai,India
Taj Coromandel is a rich fusion of tradition and contemporary design which reflects the ethos and culture of the vibrant city of Chennai. It is Chennai’s only hotel that finds a place in the “Leading Hotels of the World". Named after the Coromandel coast, the Hotel presents an urban oasis of bespoke experiences for b...
Population: 4.6 million
Average Climate:
Summer: 28°C – 40°C
Winter: 22°C – 30°C
Best time to visit: October to March