Places to see in Chennai
Fort St. George: One of the important landmarks of Chennai, Fort St George was named after St. George, the patron saint of England. The St. Mary’s Church, the oldest Anglican Church in India built in 1680 is located here as are the tombstones of some of prominent Britishers of the time. A part of the fort has been converted into a museum.
The Fort Museum opened from 10 am - 5 pm (Sat-Thu) houses rare exhibits of weapons, uniforms, coins, costumes, medals and other artifacts and memorabilia of the British period. The flag mast at Fort St. George is the tallest in India. The State Legislature and the Secretariat too are located inside this fort
Marina Beach: If you want to see the sun rise over the ocean, then it is to the Marina Beach you should head. This second longest beach in the world is one of the favorite haunt of both the locals and the tourists. The memorials of the former Chief Ministers of the state C.N.Annadurai and M.G.Ramachandran are located nearby as also some of the most beautiful buildings in Chennai such as the University of Madras, the Senate House, Chepauk Palace, Presidency College and the Ice House.
Kapaleeshwara Temple, Mylapore: This 8th century Pallava temple later renovated in the 16th century by Vijayanagar rulers is one of the finest examples of Dravidian architecture. The temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, has some beautiful sculptures including the bronze idols of 63 Saivaite Saints or the Nayanmars that adorns the outer courtyard. The temple wears a festive look during March-April when the annual Arubathumoovar festival dedicated to the 63 Nayanmars is held. Another notable feature of this temple is its 36 mt. goparum adorned with carvings, figurines and inscriptions.
Parthasarathy Temple: One of the Chennai’s oldest temples the main entrance of this 8th century temple is painted in red, blue and yellow with inscriptions from the Puranas sculpted on the sanctum sanctorum.
The Basilica of San Thome or the Santhome Cathedral: The final resting place of the apostle St. Thomas who was killed just outside the city in 78 AD, the Cathedral is an important pilgrimage centre for the Christians mainly for the Syrian Christians of Kerala. An old church, built by the Portuguese around 1514 is located here. An old stone cross which the apostle is said to have clutched in his hand while dying is the main attraction here. The blood-like stains on the cross have given it the name Bleeding Cross and the stains on it have to this day been found to be too deep to be removed. There is a museum in its premises with a 16th-century map of South Asia as well.
Ripon Building: This huge Indo-Saracenic building named after Lord Ripon is the seat of the Chennai Corporation, the oldest city Corporation in India.
Valluvar Kottam: A replica of the temple chariot in Thiruvarur, Valluvar Kottam is the memorial of the great Tamil saint philosopher Thiruvalluvar. A life-size statue of the saint has been installed in the 39 meters tall chariot while 133 chapters of his famous work Thirukkural have been depicted in bas-relief in the front hall and corridors of the chariot. The auditorium at Valluvarkottam said to be the largest in Asia can accommodate about 4000 people.
Timings: 8.00 a.m. – 6.00 p.m.
Theosophical Society: The Theosophical Society was founded by Madame Blavatsky and Col. Olott in the USA, and later moved to Adyar in 1882 to facilitate and encourage the study of comparative religions, philosophy and science and rational thought. The society library is reportedly to be 100 years old and has an interesting collection of ancient and rare manuscripts on palm leaves and parchment. The Adyar Banyan tree is said to be over 400 years old and the Garden of Remembrance are the other attractions
Timings: 2.00 p.m. – 5.00 p.m. Sunday Closed
National Art Gallery: Built in 1906, the gallery has an excellent collection of old paintings and sculptures including Tanjore paintings on glass, Rajput and Mughal miniature paintings, Deccan paintings from the 17th century and handicrafts, metal-ware, and ivory carvings from the 11th and 12th century.
The Government Museum: Established in the year 1857, the Government Museum showcases the country’s best collection of South Indian bronzes. The Amaravati Gallery contains rare 2nd century marble sculptures, depicting important events in the life of Gautama Buddha. Bronzes from the 10th and 13th centuries and handicrafts from the 11th and 12th centuries also are seen here. The museum also has geology and anthropology sections.
Timings: 10.00 9.30 a.m. – 5.30 p.m.
Guindy National Park: Spread over 595 acres, Guindy National Park also known as the Deer Park is home to the rare Indian Antelope or the black buck, Spotted Deer, White Buck, Bonnet Monkey, Small Indian Civet Cat, Jackal, Jungle Cat, Common Mongoose and the Common Palm Civet Cat. Birds such as the King Fisher, Blue Jay, Golden Backed Woodpecker, Crow Pheasant, Yellow Wattled Lapwing, Redwattle Lapwing, Blue Faced Malkoha, Shrikes, Koels, Doves, Munias, Parakeets, Grey Partridge, Tailor birds, Robins, Drongos, Quails, Bird of Paradise Flycatcher and the Stone Curlew can also be seen here along with 30 trees species that include a centuries-old banyan trees. Adjacent to the Guindy National Park are the Children’s Park and the Snake Park
Other Interesting places to see in Chennai
In addition to the above, other tourist attractions in Chennai include the Birla Planetarium; the beautiful Church of our Lady of Expectations built by the Portuguese in 1523; the Memorials of Gandhi, Rajaji, Kamaraj & Bhaktavatsalam situated east of Raj Bhavan, the Governor’s Residence; the Vivekananda House & Museum or the Ice House where photographs depicting the historical happenings associated with his life and books about him and his own written works are on display and sold; The High Court-One of the largest judicial complexes in the world built in 1892. It has decorative domes and corridors reminiscent of Indo Saracenic architecture; The Island Ground- an island formed by the River Cooum & the venue for Trade and Tourist Fairs; the Elliot’s Beach with its Velankanni church & the Ashtalakshmi temple and the numerous temple of Vishnu, Murugan etc in and round Chennai namely the the Devi Karumariamman Temple at Thiruverkadu; Kamatchi Amman Temple at Mangadu; Marundheeswarar Temple, Thiruvanmiyur; Sri Jaganath Temple, Kanathur; , the Jain Temple in Vepery; the Murugan at Kundrathur, Thiruporur and Chrompet; The Vishnu Temples are at Thirumazhisai, Tiruninravur and Thiruneermalai, Masilamaneeswarar Temple at Thirumullaivayal, Nithya Kalayana Perumal Temple at Thiruvidanthai; and the Thiruvudaiamman Temple at Melur; The Anjaneya Temple, the Raghavendra Temple and Raja Rajeswari Temple at Nanganallur, the Sri Devi Vadivudai Amman Temple at Thiurvottiyur and Sri Sai Baba Temple at Vettuvankeni.