PLACES TO SEE IN CHENNAI
SriKapaleeswararTemple Not far from Triplicane, in Mylapore, there is yet another 8th century Pallava temple. The temple 'Gopuram'(tower) is characteristic of Dravidian style architecture .Dedicated to Lord Shiva,this temple has some beautiful sculptures,among which the bronze idols of 63 Saivite Saints(Nayanmars) which adorn the outer coutyard are rare specimens.Also in the courtyard under the old Punnai tree is a small shrine depicting Goddess Parvathi in the form of a Peacock Worshipping Lord Shiva.It is from this legend that Mylapore derived it's name -'myil' meaning peacock and 'oor' meaning town.Mylapore swarms with life during the Arupathu Moovar festival that is held in March-April every year.This ancient Shiva temple is a delightful introduction to Dravidian temple sculpture and architecture. Fragmentary inscriptions date back to 1250 AD, but the present structure is the renovated one which was rebuilt by the Vijayanagara kings in the 16th century. The magnificent 37m tall gopuram is profusely carved. The crowded cosmogeny of Stucco gods, goddesses and saints depict important Puranic legends.
GuindyNationalPark Once this was all part of Governor's Estate. Now it is fragmented and the major part is a thickly forested game sanctuary where the spotted deer and the black buck roam about and a wealth of smaller fauna thrive. This is the country's only Wild Life Sanctuary within a city's limits. Raj Bhavan, the Governer'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, one of Asia's foremost technical educational institutions. In between, and edging the road, are a famous Cancer Institute, a children's park with its own mini zoo and mini-railway, a snake park, rich in reptiles, and Memorials to Gandhiji, Rajaji, the first Indian Governer -General, and Kamaraj, a great national leader. Latest addition to this array of memorials is that of Bakthavatchalam, former chief minister of Tamil Nadu. Opposite the park are the Anna University of Technology, whose nucleus was the oldest technical school in the East; and the Central Leather Reasearch Institute. To the east of the park as well as at the back of it sprawls the campus of the Central Institute of Technology. Not far away is one of the country's finest Race-courses.
Fort St. George:
Fort St. George occupies a place of pride and prominence in Chennai. It was built in 1640 AD, by the British East India Company under the direct supervision of Francis Day and Andrew Cogon. This bastion achieved name from St. George, the patron saint of England. The fort houses St. Mary's Church and fort museum.St. Mary's Church the oldest Anglican church in India built in 1680 and the tombstones in it's courtyard are the oldest British tombstones in India. This ancient prayer house solemnised the marriages of Robert Clive and Governor Elinu-Yale, who later founded the Yale University in the States.The Fort Museum is the repository of rare exhibits of weapons, uniforms, coins, costumes, medals and some other artifacts dating back to the British period. The flag staff at Fort St. George is still the tallest in India. South of the Fort is the War Memorial, a graceful monument built in 1939 in memory of the warriors who sacrificed their lives during the First World War.The Island Grounds, the biggest lung space in the city is situated on an island formed by the river Cooum. This ground is the eventful venue of Trade and the Tourist Fairs held periodically which are seasonal attractions.The High Court with the decorative domes and corridors reminiscent of Indo/Saracenic architecture and the adjacent Parry's corner are the important landmarks of Chennai . This area is always crowded and active. Built in 1892, the High Court of Chennai is believed to be the second largest judicial complex in the world.
GovernmentMuseumComplex Once British Society in Chennai used to meet in the Pantheon. Its 18th century buildings and grounds have over the years since then been developed into the Connemara Library, one of the country's three National Libraries, the national Art Gallery, a beautiful building of Jaipur- Mughal architecture, the government Museum with its fabulous collection of bronzes and the Museum Theatre, a quaint theatre that is another building out of the Museum Theatre, a quaint theatre that is another building out of the gaslight era. Timings: 8am to 5 pm.
ValluvarKottamThe memorial to the poet-saint Tiruvalluvar is shaped like a temple chariot and is, in fact, the replica of the temple chariot in Thiruvarur. A life-size statue of the saint has been installed in the chariot which is 33m. tall. The 133 chapters of his famous work Thirukkural have been depicted in bas-relief in the front hall corridors of the chariot. The auditorium at Valluvar Kottam is said to be the largest in Asia and can accommodate about 4000 people. It stands as a modern memorial to the great poet who represents the glorious culture of the Tamils.A unique bit of modern building in the city is the huge auditorium that draws its inspiration from the great temple builders of Tamil Nadu's past. This huge memorial hall to the Poet-Saint Thiruvalluvar is dominated by a towering temple car in stone. Timing: 8am to 5pm. Closed on Fridays and National holidays.
BirlaPlanetariumThe Birla Planetarium at Kotturpuram, between Adyar and Guindy, is the most modern planetarium in the country. Adjoining the planetarium is a Periyar Science and Technology Museum which will be of interest to students and other science scholars.Built in memory of B.M. Birla, the well known industrialist and visionary, the Planetarium is considered to be the most modern in the country. Programme Timing: 10.45 am - 1.45 pm and 3.45 pm. English: 12.00 Noon and 2.30 pm Tamil.
TheMarinaStretching two miles, from the Coovum River's mouth, south of the Fort, till the northern boundaries of the 16th century Portuguese town of San Thome, is this magnificent beach drive and promenade. At the southern end of the Marina is the San Thome basilica, built in 1896. To the east of the road is the Promenade, well-kept gardens and a wide beach which claims to being the world's second longest. At the north end of the beach is Anna Square, the serene resting place of Dr.C.N.Annaduari, who founded a populist party that ushered in anew the ancient glory of Tamil Nadu and the Tamils. His samadhi is marked by a beautiful park, a striking memorial sculpture and crowds pay homage daily.Nearby is the samadhi of M.G Ramachandran, one of the most popular Chief Ministers of this State. In between, sentinels on the promenade, are several statues of Tamil scholars and Mahatma Gandhi. Chennai's Aquarium is also on this beach. Across the road are several important buildings of Chennai. The University campus has Indo-Saracenic buildings of the 1930s blending with perhaps one of the country's finest building's in this hybrid style, Senate House built by one of the founders of the modern version of this school of architecture, R F Chisholm, in mid- 19th century. Chisholm's PWD buildings front, the striking Chepauk Palace, once the home of the Nawabs of the Carnatic, but now government offices whose exteriors still reflect Nawabi splendour. Presidency College, another Chisholm's masterpiece, was the nucleus of the 125 years-old University of Madras. Vivekananda House, now a hostel, was once a storehouse for imported ice; then home of Swami Vivekananda when he visited Chennai. The long and impressive office of the Director-general of police, another 19th century construction was built as the city's first Masonic hall.
PLACES TO SEE IN KANCHEEPUAM DISTRICT:
TEMPLE CITY
Kanchipuram is a Spectacular Temple city known as city of thousand temples which reflects the Glorious Traditions of South India with its noted temples
VEDANTANGAL--BIRDS SANCTUARY
It is one of the major Water Bird Sanctuaries in India.of 48 Kms from Kanchipuram . The birds nest on the branches of submerged trees. Storks, Egrets, Cormorants, Darter, Flamingos, Pelicans, moor hens,
herons, kingfishers, sandpipers, white ibis,spoonbills, swans and grey wagtails are some of the birds which arrive here during season.The best season time is between October and March, when a large number of migratory birds visit. The birds can be viewed from the bank or from the watch tower.
MUTTUKKADU
This is a large lake formed out of the backwaters, with boating and wind surfing facilities. It is located at a distance of 80 Kms from Kanchipuram . The Backwaters of Muttukkadu have been developed by the Tamilnadu Tourism Development Corporation to serve as a picnic spot and a centre for water sports.Training and demonstration programmes are organised for beginners.
MAMMALAPPURAM
It was a flourishing port town during the time of Pallavas.This is one of the main tourist place in kanchipuram. The monuments of Mamallapuram are excellent specimen of Dravidian temple architecture and Pallava art.
COVELONG--THE BEACH
This is a small fishing village 40 kms from Chennai on the Mahabalipuram road. There are the remains of a fort which now functions as a luxury beach resort. Facilities for windsurfing and swimming are available here. A dargah and an ancient church are located here.
DAKSHINA CHITRA – a little Tamil Nadu
DAKSHINA CHITRA has relocated 18th, 19th and early 20th century houses and re-created village streets and work places providing authentic insights into the domestic architecture, spatial organisation, life-styles and character of the essential Tamilian or Keralite or Andhrite or Kannadiga.
KANCHI KAMAKODI PEETHAM
The kamakodi peetham and kammakshiamman temple are closely associated with the life of Sankaracharya. The Kamakoti Peetham is enshrined in the Sri Chakra just in front of Sri Devi and all pujas and sacrifices are offered to the Sri Chakra.
SADRAS--THE BEACH
This fine beach is located 16 kms from Mamallapuram. Originally this was a Dutch settlement but now it is coming majorly as a beach resort.
KANCHI KUDIL--ANCIENT HOUSE
Kanchi Kudil was born of a desire to turn ancestral property into a place of tourist interest, that tourists may get a feel of the life as lived in a historic place as Kanchipuram. While temples and monuments index the cultural life of a city, the real soul of a place is to be found in its people and their homes.
ANNA MEMORIAL
Kanchipuram is the birth place of Dr. C.N. Annadurai, the scholar statesman, affectionately called Anna - The Elder Brother - by the general public. His ancestral house located here has been converted into a memorial
THE CROCODILE BANK
Just 14 kms from Mamallapuram is a crocodile breeding center. At this center about 5000 crocodiles of 6 different species,alligators & other reptiles are bred in captivity, kept in open, marshy enclosures. There is also a snake farm where anti venom is produced and there is a regular venoem extraction show.
SRIPERUMPUDUR
It is 29 kms from Chennai on the way to Kanchipuram. It is the birth place of Saint Ramanujar, the Father of Visishtadvaida philosophy of Vaishnavism and hence an important pilgirim centre for the Vaishnavites.
KANCHIPURAM SILKS
Today, apart from its temples, this small town is also known for its thriving handloom industry. Kancheepuram is also known as Silk City. since the main profession of the people living in and around is weaving silk sarees. The silk weavers of Kanchi settled more than 400 years ago and have given it an enviable reputation as the producer of the best silk sarees in the country.
FAIRS AND FESTIVALS
There are fairs and festivals all round the year at Kanchipuram. Some important festivals include the Brahmothsavam, Garudothsavam, and Car (rath) festivals, which are held in the months of January, April, and May respectively. Silk Tourism Festival is organised in the Month of October.
HOW TO GET THERE
By RoadKanchipuram is 75 kms away from Chennai and is well connected by a good network of roads. There are frequent bus services from Kanchi to Chennai, Bangalore and other places. By AirThe nearest airport is Chennai International Airport, just a 2 hours drive away. By RailCan be reached from Chennai central railway station and Arakkonam railway station
