Chennai
State: Tamil Nadu
Area: 174 sq. kms.
Geographical Location:
Latitudinal parallels: 13th north parallel.
Longitudinal meridians: 80-degree longitude
Climate: Max. Min.
Summer 37ºC 21.10ºC
Winter 32ºC 19.81ºC
Monsoon: The Chennai monsoon period is from October to mid-December.
Regional Language: Tamil, English, Tamil, Hindi, Urdu, Malayalam are widely spoken and understood.
Due to its location, Chennai is known as the Gateway of Southern India and also the 'Queen of the Coromandel'. Stretching 19 km along the Coromandel Coast and extending about 8 km inland, Chennai has the privilege of housing two major rivers, the Coovam and Adyar river as well as the historic Buckingham Canal. Airy and spacious with verdant green patches and beaches, Chennai has played a notable role in deciding the political destiny of India on many occasions.
Memorials to national leaders like Mahatama Gandhi, Kamaraj and Rajaji provide an added attraction to the place.
Chennai is also known as the 'Detroit of the South' thanks to the automobile industries. The city is rapidly moving towards technological superiority in software and is likely to one day become the Silicon City of India.
Chennai has a very hot tropical type of climate made pleasant by the cool breeze wafting in from the sea with little temperature variation between winters and summers. There is rainfall throughout the year.
Arubathimoovar Festival: Literally, 'Arubathimoovar' refers to the 63 saints of Shiva canonized for leading exemplary lives of devotion and penance. Bronze figures of these 63 saints adorn the magnificent Kapaliswar Temple at Mylapore, Chennai. Once, every year, they are carried in a colourful procession through the streets of Mylapore.
Chithirai Festival : Celebrated in Madurai a spectacular re-enactment of the marriage of the Pandiyan princess Meenakshi to Lord Sundareswarar. You can witness an ancient legend unfold right before your eyes as Lord Vishnu rides to his sister's wedding on gleaming real-gold horse chariot.
Dance Festival - Mamallapuram:Sit before an open-air 'stage' created 13 centuries ago the incredible monolithic rock sculptures of the Pallavas, next to the sea in this ancient city of Mamallapuram. Watch a very unique dance event where traditional dance forms of Bharathanatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathakali and Odissi, presented by the very best exponents of the art besides folk dances.
Kanthuri Festival:A truly secular festival where devotees flock to the shrine of saint Quadirwali, believed to do equal good to people of all faiths. One of the descendants of the Saint is chosen as a Peer or spiritual leader and is honoured with offerings. On the tenth day of the festival, the Saint's tomb is anointed with sandalwood - and later the holy sandal paste, renowned for its healing powers, is distributed to everyone.
Kavadi Festival: Dancing in a hypnotic trance to the rhythm of drums, devotees of Muruga carry the 'Kavadi' a flower-decked decoration, all the way up the Palani Hills to fulfil their vow. According to Hindu mythology, Idumban is said to have carried two sacred hillocks on two ends of a pole laced on his shoulders.
Music Festival: Come December, Chennai celebrates her priceless heritage of carnatic music and dance presented by a galaxy of star artistes.
Mahamagam Festival: A holy festival celebrated in Kumbakonam once in 12 years - the temple city that gets its name from "Kumbha" - the divine pot. Legend has it that Brahma, the Creator, held a pot containing nectar and the seed of creation.Lord Shiva in the form of a hunter shot an arrow at the pot - spilling the nectar into the famous Mahamagam tank at the Adi Kumbeswarar Temple.
Natyanjali Dance Festival: The temple city of Chidambaram pays special tribute to Lord Nataraja the 'Cosmic dancer'. The setting is truly divine-Chidambaram's gold-roofed temple, with pillars depicting Lord Nataraja in 108 poses from Bharatha Natyam - Tamil Nadu's classical dance.
Summer Festival: The summer festival might find you in the 'Queen of Hill Stations', the evergreen Ooty; the exquisite Kodaikkanal or the salubrious heights of Yercaud - where boat races, flower and fruit shows are specially organized. Also, a splendid opportunity to go trekking in any of Tamil Nadu's other hill stations that promise unforgettable holidays off the beaten track.
Tourist Fair (Fairylands or Island Grounds - Chennai): In January, the sun gets into a pleasant holiday mood and Chennai gets a cool respite from her famous hot weather! Time for family outings to the colourful TTDC Trade Fair. The exhibition presents a panorama of Tamil Nadu - all her places of touristinterest, her cultural wealth and economic progress.
Tayagaraja Festival: Tyagaraja was a South Indian composer and saint born in 1767, and is celebrated for many Telugu songs he composed in praise of Rama. His life and works are a source of great inspiration to young poets and musicians. At Tiruvaiyaru, about 13 km. from Tanjore, South Indian musicians gather at the composer's memorial to sing in his memory. Young artistes believe that they will be blessed with a melodious voice if they anoint the shrine with honey and sing Tyagaraja's songs at his memorial.
Velankanni Festival: Wondrous legends surround the church-the most famous being that of the ship-wrecked Portuguese sailors, who in the 16th century, vowed to build a great shrine for the Virgin Mary, for saving their lives in a terrible storm. The Velankanni festival attracts thousands, clad in orange robes to the sacred spot where the ship landed. Equally famous are the Virgin Mary's miraculous healing powers- earning for the church the name 'Lourdes of the East'.
Karthigai Deepam: Rows of glittering earthen lamps outside every home, and the joyous burst of firecrackers mark Tamil Nadu's Festival of Lights.
Navratri: Literally, this means the festival of 'nine nights' taking unique and different forms in different states of India - all to propitiate the goddess Sakthi, for power, wealth and knowledge
Pongal: At dawn on this day families everywhere gather around a new earthen pot. As the pot of milk boils over, signifying prosperity, a shout of "Pongalo Pongal" rents the air.
Saral-Vizha: A festival that makes a celebration out of a simple, daily ritual bathing! In addition, indeed, a bath at the picturesque Courtallam waterfalls is no ordinary event. The healing waters of the roaring Courtallam are famed for their medicinal properties.
Beaches in Chennai, India
Some of the well-known beaches in Chennai are:
Marina Beach: The famous Marina Beach the pride of Chennai is second longest beach in the world with a stretch of 4.5 kms (2.5 miles) and has a wide sandy foreshore. You can see the statues of heroes from Tamil culture to samadhis of great leaders like Anna and MGR here. Walk along the Marina in the evening to cool off and eat crispy sundal and murukku. An aquarium is also located on the Marina Beach. Watching sunset and sunrise from the beach is a fascinating experience.
Elliot's Beach: Elliot's Beach is spread along the coast down south from Marina. It is also the night beach for Chennai youth. This beach is comparatively quieter and an ideal place to go sea bathing. It is located near Besant Nagar. At the end of this beach are the Velankanni church and the Ashtalakshmi temple. Good roads, pavements, illuminated sands, makes a visit to this beach a real pleasure.
Covelong Beach: Now a
luxury beach resort. This beach has a fort built by the Nawab of
Carnatic. It was here that the French General Laboudonnais landed his
troops in 1746. Later it was taken by Robert Clive in 1752 and
destroyed. The Beach is separated from the mainland by the canal
running from Chennai to Mahabalipuram. Taj Group of Hotels runs the
Fisherman's Cove Resort with rooms in the main buildings and cottages
and the sandy beach here. It is located on the way to Mahabalipuram.
Fort St. George: The British East India Company under the direct supervision of Francis Day and Andrew Cogon built it in 1640 AD. This place achieved its name from Saint George, the patron saint of England. The fort houses Saint Mary's Church and fort museum. Saint Mary's Church the oldest Anglican Church built in 1680 and the tombstones in its courtyard are the oldest British tombstones in India. It presently house the Secretariat and Legislative Assembly. The 46 m high flagstaff at the front is a mast salvaged from the 17th century shipwreck. The Fort Museum has a fascinating collection of memorabilia from the British and French East India companies as well as the Raj and Muslim period.
San Thome Basilica: San Thome Basilica at the south end of Marina Beach was named after Saint Thomas (Doubting Thomas). It is believed that he had come to Chennai in 52 AD and was killed at St. Thomas Mount just outside the city in 78 AD. Built in 16th Century by the Portuguese, in 1896 it was made a basilica. The beautiful stained glass window at the basilica portrays the story of St Thomas and the central hall has 14 wooden plaques depicting scenes from the last days of Christ. In the cathedral is a 3ft. high statue of Virgin Mary believed to have been brought from Portugal in 1543.
Theosophical Society: It was formed to facilitate and encourage the study of comparative religion, philosophy and science situated in beautiful sylvan settings in Adyar. Founded by Madame Blavatsky and Col. Olott in USA, the society was later moved to Adyar in 1882. Apart from shrines of all faiths and the peaceful Garden of Remembrance, there is a 95-year old library which has a very good collection of rare Oriental manuscripts written on palm leaves and parchment.
High Court Building: Built in 1892, this red Indo-Saracenic structure at Parry's corner is Chennai's main landmark. It is believed to be one the largest judicial buildings in the world.
Senate House: One of Chennai's most impressive architectural marvels. Senate House, at the Chennai University campus on the Marina, was constructed in 1873 under the supervision of Robert Fellowes Chisholm, one of the greatest architects of the 19th century. The entire structure is a harmonious blend of Indo-Saracenic style, with Byzantine architectural features. The Senate House has a central hall on the ground floor, 130 feet long, 58 feet broad and 54 feet high, with the corridors supported by six massive stone pillars on either side. The stone arches between the pillars, with the four towers rising high at the corners of the building, surmounted by exquisitely shaped domes (painted in different colours) gives the building a grandeur that is difficult to match. The main entrance at the north, leads to the convocation hall, while a corresponding entrance, in the South, leads to the rooms on the southern wing. Besides these, there are two entrances on the eastern wing of the convocation hall and two corresponding entrances on the west. Elegantly constructed porticos adorn the frontage of all these entrances. A parapet surrounds each of these porticos, at the corner of which appears a decorated dome of a miniature size.
St. Mary's Church: The oldest surviving English church in Chennai was completed in 1680.You will find the remainders of Robert Clive and Elihu Yale the early governor of Chennai in this church.
Luz Church: Dedicated to Our lady of Light and built by Portuguese sailors, this 16th century church is one of the oldest churches of Chennai.
Little Mount Church: This is a tiny cave where St Thomas is believed to have lived when he came to India around AD 58.It is known locally as Chinnamalai.The cave is entered via the Portuguese church built in 1551.
St. Andrew's Church: Completed in 1821 in a classical style this church has an impressive blue dome decorated with gold stars. You can get excellent views from the top.
Christ the King Church: Commissioned by French clergymen this church was designed and built by an Indian mason in 1933. It is a fine example of gothic architecture standing majestically in the middle of Loyola College campus. It has pointed arches, ribbed vaults, rose windows, three-aisled nave and flying buttresses. Covering an area of 150 feet by 60 feet, with stained glass windows, this church is a captivating sight, inside as well as outside. The spire is 157 feet high and has a stairway leading to the top, where a cross stands.
Ripon Building: West of Central Station is Ripon Building, the dazzling white headquarters of the Corporation of Chennai. The Municipal Corporation of Chennai, after functioning from several other places, settled at Ripon building in 1913, with P.L.Moore as the President of the Municipal Corporation at the time of the inauguration. With a floor area of 9,628 square metres, this classic structure, built at a cost of only Rs.7.30 lakhs, is a combination of three types of architectural styles - Gothic, Ionic and Corinthian. To support the gargantuan structure, the walls have been constructed with stock bricks, set in lime mortar and plastered with lime mortar. The roofs are supported with Teak wood Joists. On the ground floor, the Cuddapah stone flooring has now been re-laid with marble flooring. The flooring on the first and second floors is of the pressed terracotta variety. The overall depth of foundation including footing is 5.34 metres. The ceiling height on the ground floor is 5.64 metres. The highlight of its construction is that all joinery works for the building were made with the best teak wood. The West Minister Quarter Chiming Clock, installed by Oakes and Co. in 1913, about 20.58 metres from terrace level, is one of the main attractions in the building. The clock is provided with a mechanical key system, which is wound every day. There are four bells, casted by Gillet and Johnston in 1913.
Thousand Lights Mosque: Built in mid-1800 in the land donated by Nawab Wallajah, this mosque last rebuilt in 1981, has two 64' tall minarets. The mosque also houses a library, a burial ground and guesthouses. It is called the Thousand Lights Mosque because of the legend that over one thousand lamps had to be used to light up the Assembly Hall that stood at this same spot. This multi-domed mosque, with sayings from the Holy Koran painted on its walls, comes alive during the annual Moharram
Mamallapuram: An hour and a half taxi ride south of Chennai, Mamallapuram is a world apart from that city's hustle and bustle. This unspoiled seaside village on the Bay of Bengal has miles of beaches, fine Indian seafood, exceptional art, and intricately carved stone temples. In Mamallapuram the Five Rathas, the Shore Temple, and Arjuna's Penance are impressive examples of Pallavan work. The Five Rathas are full-size models of different styles of temples known to Dravidian builders of the 7th century A.D. They are unfinished and not used for worship. Each wall is cut from a single rock and contains images from Hindu mythology, along with clowns and dancers. The magnificent though ravaged Shore Temple has two spires. Its beach site has proved to be a lucky one, for the stone temple has survived the sea's wrath for 12 centuries, outlasting other contemporaneous temples along the shore. Arjuna's Penance is the world's largest bas-relief. The carved scene depicts Arjuna, a mythical Indian hero, doing penance to the Lord Shiva. Surrounding Arjuna is a multitude of images, including snakes coiled in battle, jesters with drums, and elephants in procession. The artistic heritage of the Pallava kings remains a vital one.
Some of the well-known memorials in Chennai are:
Anna Square: Situated amidst a little garden, this majestic structure was built in memory of the former TN CM C.N. Annadurai at the very place where he was laid to rest. It is located on Beach Road opposite Chennai University.
Gandhi Mandapam: Chennai's honour to Mahatma Gandhi, this graceful memorial lies beside the Guindy National Park. Visit it on Sardar Vallabhai Patel Rd, Opposite to Anna University, Guindy.
MGR Memorial: The grand memorial of M.G.Ramachandran, the matinee idol - turned - Chief Minister is located on the sands of Marina overlooking the Chennai University. On Beach Rd Kamaraj Salai.
Rajaji Memorial: This memorial with a tall gopuram is built in memory of Independent India's first Governor General C.Raja-gopalachari close to the snake park and the children's park.Next to Gandhi Mandapam, on Sardar Vallabhai Patel Rd, Guindy.
Rajiv Gandhi Memorial: Raised in honour of Rajiv Gandhi, the charismatic Prime Minister who was assassinated here by a human bomb in 1991. It is located at Sriperumbudur, 40 Kms from Chennai, which incidentally is the birthplace of Sri Ramanujar, the Vaishnavite saint.
Valluvar Kottam: Dedicated to the renowned Tamil saint, poet, Thiruvalluvar, its central auditorium can seat about 4,000 people. The terraced garden, granite chariot and pillars, plus the life-size statue of the saint make it a popular tourist attraction. It is located on the junction of Kodambakkam High Rd and Valluvar Kottam High Rd.
War Memorial Hall: A
circular rock and marble structure built in memory of those who laid
down their lives for the country's honour during World War I. Situated
on Beach Rd (Nr Island Grounds).
Best Time to Visit
The
best time to visit Chennai is from November to March since the weather
at this time is pleasant and cool.
How to Reach Chennai:
Air: Chennai is an international airport
connected by several international airlines including Air India,
British Airways, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, Air Lanka and Malaysia
Airlines while Indian Airlines, Jet Airways and Sahara Airlines etc
handle the domestic traffic. There are regular flights to several
cities around the world from the International Terminal. There are
also daily flights to all-important centers in India from the Domestic
Terminal. Kamaraj National and Anna International Airports are
situated at Meenambakkam about 20 kms from the city
Rail: There are two major railway stations
in Chennai. Chennai Central is the bigger one and connects the city by
broad gauge as also broad gauge trains to all major cities and towns
of India. The Egmore station is the starting point for both metre
gauge and broad gauge trains proceeding to destinations within the
state as well as trains to neighbouring Kerala. Chennai is also
accessible by road from any part of India. If you want to move quickly
across the city, catch the more recently introduced north-south MRTS
(Mass Rapid Transport System). Some of the stations include Beach,
Fort, ParkTown, Chintadripet, Chepauk, Lighthouse and Luz. Chennai is
well connected by rail with all the major towns and cities in India.
The main Railway stations are Chennai Central which link north and
west India and Egmore link south India.
Road: Chennai is connected by good network of roads with all the important places in TamilNadu and other parts of India. Most government bus services for Tamil Nadu and interstate now operate from the newly opened Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminal at Jawaharlal Nehru Salai, Koyembedu.It is claimed to be the largest bus station in Asia. You can also rent car with private tour and cab operators. Pre-paid taxis and airport coaches are available at airports and railway station.
Sea A passenger liner to Port Blair in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands connects Chennai to these islands in the Bay of Bengal. The Andaman and Nicobar Administration and the Shipping Corporation of India control reservations.
