Chennai: A city of contrasts and diversities, Chennai is the fourth largest city in India. Known world-wide as Madras until recently. The city was renamed Chennai. The name evolved from the age old name, Chennapattinam. Chennai is a coastal city with the second largest beach in the world. The climate is hot and humid, but the breeze blowing from the sea makes the climate bearable. It has been a popular trading centre for spices and clothes for more than 2000yrs
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Places to see
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| High court |
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This imposing Indo-Saracenic style building, built in 1892, has beautiful domes, a grand central cupola and many stained glass windows. |
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Fort St. George |
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Built in 1654 and remodel in 1749, it is the first bastion of British power in India. The fort has a 6 metre tall wall that withstood many sieges by Mughals in1701, Marathas in 1741 and Hyder Ali during the late 18th century. The fort now houses the Tamil Nadu legislative Assembly.
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Government Museum |
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One of the finest museums in India, the Government museum has sections devoted to Geology, Anthropology, Botany, Zoology, Sculpture and numismatics. The relics from the 2nd century A D. Buddhist site "Amaravati" and the prehistoric south India are the most prized possessions of the museum. The museum has a vast collection of carvings of Hindu, Buddhist and Jain faiths, collection of South Indian musical instruments and jewellery and superb collection of ancient icons and modern bronzes too. |
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St. Andrew’s Church |
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Known as the queen of Scottish churches in the East, St. Andrew's church was built by the British East India Company around 1821, with ornate white Doric columns, tiled marble floors and a high sky blue dome decorated with gold stars, indeed, it is the most beautiful church in Chennai. |
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Sri Parthasarathy Temple |
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Built by the Pallavas in the 8th century, the temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna.
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The Vijayarapar rulers renovated the Temple |
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In the 16th century. During the 16th and the 17th centuries, this temple was the scene of many battles. Dutch and French occupied the temple at various times. This is one of the oldest surviving temples in Chennai. |
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Marina Beach |
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The beach runs for 13 km and it is the second longest beach in the world. The beach drive runs between magnificent stately buildings like the Chatpauk Palace, University of Madras, Icehouse etc on one side and a very wide sandy beach on the other. The aquarium is situated at the beginning of the beach.
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Anna and MGR Samadhis |
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The evergreen garden memorials of late C.N.Annadurai and M.G.Ramachandran (former Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu) are located at the beginning of Marina.
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Santhome Cathedral |
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Built in 1504 and rebuilt in 1608 and 1893, the cathedral is said to house the remains of Apostle St. Thomas. The basilica has an enormous stained glass window and a beautiful one-meter statue of Virgin Mary that was brought from Portugal in 1543. |
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Little mount |
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It was here St. Thomas chose a small cave to lead his enlightened life often praying on top of the hill and preach to the crowd. Today the cave has an Altar with the image of St. Thomas. Little mount has a church built by Portuguese in 1557. Next to the church is a spring which is believed to possess curative powers. |
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Thousand Lights Mosque |
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A beautiful seam coloured multi-domed mosque that was originally built by 1800 by Naroab Undat-ul-Umrah for assemblage of Shias during Muhasseim mourning. |
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Big Mosque |
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Built in 1789, this architecturally splendid Wallajab Mosque is located on Queeiad-e-Milleth high road. It is believed that the family of Nawoab Wallajah was instrumental in building of the mosque. |
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Theosophical Society |
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In 1886 Adayar was chosen as the headquarters of the spiritual society originally founded in USA by Madame H.P.Blacatsky and Col Olcott. There are shrines of all faiths here. It has a 90-year old library with valuable collections of oriental manuscripts both in Palm-leaves and parchment. |
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Guindy National Park |
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This National Park's population includes spotted deer, black buck, civet cat, jackal, monkeys and reptiles. The park also has a snake park and an amusement park for the children. |
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National Art Gallery |
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The Art Gallery has a fine collection of paintings, handicrafts and bronze. The collection housed here date back to 11th and 12th century. |
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| Places for shopping |
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Chennai offers a wide variety of traditional and trendy merchandise for the buyer to take home. There items range from carvings on brass, stone, wood to leather bikinis, bags and shoes from Pattamara Mats and the leaf and Palmyra -coir handicrafts to jewellery, metal works and Kanchipuram silks. The most popular shopping centres are in Rannaganatha Street in T.Nagar and Anna Salai. One can have best choices from. Poempuhar Emporium, Victoria technical Institute, Central Cottage Industries Emporium, Kalpa Drama, Handloom House and Nalli silks.
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