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Chennai Travel
Chennai, the first city of Tamil Nadu and the present gateway
to South India is about 350 years old. Founded at Fort St: George
in 1640 AD by Francis Day; an employ of the East India Company,
Chennai today is one of the great metropolitan cities of the World,
and the fourth largest city in India. Chennai was the
first British major settlement in India. In the city, one cannot
fail to notice the dominant British influences in the form of old
Cathedrals, buildings in the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture
and wide tree lined avenues. But Chennai retains a charm characteristic
of the typical South Indian heritage and way of living. As a city
it continues to maintain the best of South Indian traditions. This
is not surprising because the region was an important center of Pallavan
culture long before the British came here, the traces of which can
be found in the numerous old temples. |
| GENERAL INFORMATION : |
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Area |
:
174 Sq.Kms. |
|
| Population |
: 42,16,268 |
| Rain Fall |
: 254 Cms (annual) |
| Temperature |
: Max: 37OC Min: 21OC
in Summer
Max: 32OC Min: 20OC in
Winter |
| STD Code |
: 044 |
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| TOURIST SEASON : |
| Throughout the year |
| PLACES OF INTEREST : |
Marina Beach
Lining the east of the city is the famous Marina beach, at Kamarajar
Road, 3 Km away from Madras. This is supposed to be the second longest
beach in the World and runs to a length of 12 Km. On the beach there
is the Anna Park, named after the founder of D.M.K (Dravida Munnetta
Kazhakam) Anna durai and the tomb of M.G. Ramachandran who was a film
star and the charismatic Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. The beach can
be ideally visited in the early mornings or in the late evenings when
the area becomes a virtual ground; with food stalls and other entertainments.
Government Museum Complex
It is situated in Pantheon road. This is not for its exquisite collection
of more than 2000 Indian bronzes and Amaravathi marbles. Three great
buildings of architectural value - the Museum Theatre, the extension
hall and the Connemara Public Library are in this complex. The present
Museum has several sections, four galleries- Hindu sculpture gallery,
the Amaravathi gallery, the Bronze gallery and the National art gallery
constitute the main attractions. Visit : Tuesday to Saturday from
0930 to 1700.
Parthasarathi Temple
It is at Peter's Road, Triplicane. Visit : Daily from 0630 to noon
and 1600 to 2000. It is one of the oldest temple in Madras, built
by Pallavas in the 8th century and rebuilt by the Vijayanagar Kings
in 11th century. The temple is dedicated to Krishna, one of the incarnations
of Vishnu. It has a coloured gopuram and several shrines with beautiful
carvings. There are many stalls selling flowers, puja articles, small
idols, musical instruments and jewellery around the temple.
Sri Kapaleswarar Temple
This temple is situated near Kutchery Road, Mylapore. This ancient
Siva temple is a delightful introduction to Dravidian temple sculpture
and architecture. The magnificent 37 meter tall gopuram is one of
the main attraction of this temple. Non-Hindus are not allowed to
enter the inner courtyard. The outer courtyard has several bronze
statues. Timing : Daily from 0400 to 1200 and 1600 to 2000.
Guindy National Park
This is the countries only Wildlife Sanctuary within a city's limits.
This park spread over an area of 27.6 sq. km. Raj Bhavan, the Governor's
mansion, occupies one end of the park, and at the other is the beautiful
forest - girt campus of Chennai's famous Indian Institute of Technology.
The nearest rail head, airport and town is Chennai, at a distance
of 5km. The park was set up in 1976. |
| EXCURSIONS : |
| Mamallapuram (58 km),Pulicat (54 km), Cholamandalam Artists'
Village (28 km),Kovalam (43 km),V.G.P. Golden Beach Resort (30 km),MGM
Dizee World (20 km),Dakshina Chitra (immediately next to Dizee World),Crocodile
Bank (31 km),Kancheepuram (75 km)
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| ACCESS : |
- By Air : Tiruchirappalli has an airport (5 km)
fromthe city. Indian Airlines connects Tiruchi with
Chennai, Sharjah, Kuwait and Colombo.
BY Rail : Tiruchi is an important junction on the SouthernRailway.
It connects Chennai, Thanjavur, Madurai,Tirupathi, Tuticorin
and Rameswaram on the metre gauge and Bangalore,Coimbatore,
Mysore, Kochi, Kanniyakumarai andMangalore on the broadgauge.
BY Road : Tiruchi is well connected by road with importantplaces
and Southern Cities.
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| LOCAL TRANSPORT : |
| City Bus service toall places of tourist interest from Central Bus
Station and from Chinthamani - Main Guard Gate Bus Station.
Tourist Taxis, Auto Rickshaws and CycleRickshaws are also available.
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