Chennai, also known as Madras, is the Indian state of Tamil Nadu's capital. It is one of the most important cultural, commercial, and academic hubs in south India, located on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal. According to the 2011 Indian census, it is India's sixth-largest city and fourth-largest urban agglomeration. Chennai is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India.
Chennai is India's fifth-largest city economy. 'Lonely Planet' ranked Chennai as the ninth finest cosmopolitan metropolis on the planet. For its rich musical legacy, Chennai was included in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) list in October 2017. The Chennai Metropolitan Area is home to one of India's most prosperous municipal economies. The city is home to more than a third of India's industry.
Chennai, which is home to the Tamil film industry, is also known as a major film production center. Chennai is one of the 100 Indian cities that will be transformed into smart cities as part of the Smart Cities Mission.
Here are some of the best places to visit in Chennai and learn about its history and rich culture and tradition:
1. Marina Beach
Marina Beach may be a natural urban beach along the Bay of Bengal. The beach is stretched out to a distance of 13 kilometers making it the longest natural urban beach in the country, the second largest in the world, and also the most crowded beach in India with almost 30,000 visitors each day. With a white sandy shore that appears as if extending to infinity, the landscape of Marina Beach may be a mesmerizing and serene sight to behold.
The beach has primarily sandy terrain and is dotted with many merry-go-rounds and shops selling souvenirs.
You could take a walk along the Marina beach alongside your near and dear ones or even on their lonesome and luxuriate within the cool evening breeze alongside a hot plate of crispy sundal and murukku. Watching the sun crawl upwards into the sky or maybe disappear into the ocean from the beach, is an awe-striking and enchanting experience. It is one of the best places to visit in Chennai.
2. MGR Film City
MGR Film city is managed by the government of Tamil Nadu. Covering a huge 70 acres at Taramani in Chennai, the place may be a popular tourist hotspot and therefore the place-to-be for several South Indian film directors.
Besides being the simplest place to catch a glimpse of a well-liked Tamil actor, and therefore, the film city also features a film school, indoor and outdoor shooting locations, replicas of the village and concrete areas, temple, church, mosque, post office, police headquarters, prison, courtroom, and landscaped gardens in Italian, Japanese and Mughal styles.
They recently opened the MGR Knowledge Park which has been adding to the attraction.
3. Marundeeswarar Temple
Marundeeswarar Temple, in Thiruvanmiyur, has the temple deity Shiva within the sort of Marundeeswar or Brihadeeswarar, the God of Medicines. A fine specimen of Dravidian architecture, the temple was expanded by the Chola Kingdom in the 11th century. Moreover, given the name, Marundeeswarar Temple has been a neighborhood of worship especially for people with diseases and other people facing various problems with their health.
The prasadam here could also be a mix of sacred ash, water, and milk which is believed to cure any ailments. One of the places to visit in Chennai, the temple to encounter the miraculous power it is said to have. It is one of the places to visit in Chennai.
4. Arignar Anna Zoological Park
Arignar Zoological Park is a tremendous place to get the flora and fauna of the region. A favorite weekend spot with both children and adults alike, the Arignar Zoo is the largest zoo of its kind in South East Asia and is sprawled over an area of 1260 acres. In addition to having an in-depth collection of endemic and exotic animals, visitors can experience the wild first-hand with a visit to safari parks where lions and deer can be easily spotted.
Housing as many as 138 different species of organisms, this destination is every nature lover's paradise. In addition to this, they have a small built-in Jurassic park which just adds to the excitement. Elephant joy rides, a children's park, and an education center are amongst the other special features of the park.
5. Valluvar Kottam
Valluvar Kottam could also be a temple chariot like-monument in Chennai, built to honor the renowned classical Tamil poet and saint, Thiruvalluvar. A popular Tamil poet and philosopher, he has been attributed with the creation of Thirukkurals which are hailed together as the best works of Tamil literature. This place is known for its great architecture, built with innovative layouts and well-thought execution.
The magnificent design of this place may be a wonderful sight to behold, which makes it the right destination to click a couple of pictures. Valluvar Kottam also plays host to a number of the foremost important exhibitions and events within the city. The monument is complimented perfectly by a temple car, which is fixed to the ground but may be a delightful addition to the edifice.
Another interesting fact about this place is that you can also see a few saplings here which were planted here by Mother Teresa herself, and are marked by a stone plate marking the year 1984. It is one of the places to visit in Chennai.
6. Ashtalakshmi Temple
Ashtalakshmi Temple is found in Besant Nagar, a couple of meters far away from the Besant beach on the coast of the gorgeous Bay of Bengal. Ashtalakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth and Knowledge resides here and blesses everyone who visits the temple to provide their prayers with a clean soul.
The continuous sound of the ocean waves echoes within the temple complex and instantly inculcates an aura of peace. The grandiosity of the place is often estimated from the very fact that almost 7 million rupees were spent on the renovation of the temple.
7. Connemara Public Library
Connemara Library, which may be a treasure trove of books, newspapers, periodicals, and other related texts. A library may be a place where you'll unquestionably find every text that you simply can search for.
The Connemara Library is one of the four national depository libraries of the country and hence, it receives copies of all books and other texts published in India. Its history dates back to over a hundred years, and to date, the library remains a repository of century-old publications. It is one of the places to visit in Chennai.
8. Kolli Hills
With an ominous name meaning ‘Mountain of Death’, Kolli Hills is a range located within the Namakkal district. It is relatively untouched by commercial tourism and thus has retained most of its natural magnificence.
The mountains are famous for not only their natural beauty but even have religious significance thanks to the Arappaleeswarar Temple which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The peak is accessible via road also and therefore the road leading up thereto is winding with several twists and turns.
9. ISKCON Temple
ISKCON Temple is located on the East Coast Road in southern Chennai. Built on 1.5 acres of land, ISKCON, Chennai is the most important Radha Krishna temple in Tamil Nadu. The deities revered within the temple include Radha Krishna and therefore the lord's family, including Sri Nitai Gauranga. It is a harmonic blend of tradition and modernity in an inventive style, also because of the newest scientific technology.
Like all the opposite ISKCON temples within the world, the most deity here is Lord Sri Krishna Chaitanya whose teachings and life stories are preached here. The deities worshipped within the temple include those of Rukmini and Krishna.
The image of deity Satyabhama, one among the eight wives of Krishna, is additionally housed within the temple premises. Other deities worshipped within the temple include Jagannath, Baladeva, Subhadra, and Gaura-Nitai. It is one of the places to visit in Chennai.
10. Vivekananda House
Vivekananda house is also mentioned because the Icehouse is a shrine and pilgrimage center for the admirers and followers of Swami Vivekananda. It is during this house that Swami Vivekananda stayed for 6 weeks in 1900. The two-story house is a chef-d'oeuvre of Victorian architecture with its distinctive designs of sunburst and saddleback roofs.
The bedroom where Vivekananda spent six weeks is now a haven for all those that want to meditate and attain inner peace. When here, you'll see the table at which he dined, placed beautifully downstairs near the fireside. Devotees can stroll through the kitchen where he cooked his simple food, the parlor where he spoke, and therefore the garden where he frequently played with the youngsters.
11. Dakshinachitra Museum
Dakshinachitra Museum is one of the living-history museums in India. It stores in itself great works of architecture, crafts, humanistic discipline, and lifestyles that belong to South India. The museum has its vision and mission to market the cultures of South Indian states by making them more engaging and enjoyable for its viewers.
The heritage museum is home to 4,220 artifacts and 1,000,000 pictures. Developed within the sort of a village, it showcases the normal lifestyle of South Indians. So, if you're an individual of history, and an individual of culture who is deeply attached to its roots this place is for you. It is one of the places to visit in Chennai.
12. Santhome Cathedral Basilica
Santhome Cathedral may be a historical and ancient pilgrim center. The cathedral, near Chennai beach, got its name from St Thomas, the apostle of Jesus. A museum is found on the grounds nearby. It was designed in Neo-Gothic style, favored by British architects in the late 19th century. The main attraction of the museum may be a 16th-century map of South Asia. People with Christian faith visit this place and attend the Mass.
13. Madras War Cemetery
The Madras War Cemetery, right within the heart of the town of Chennai, maybe a recognition of the glory also of the horrors of the war our ancestors have fought to make this world a more peaceful place. It houses the last remains of around 855 martyrs who laid down their precious lives at the battlefronts within the devastating Second war and also a Memorial stone for 1000 more who died fighting within World War I before that.
Among the tombstones, there are three non-World War martyrs and a little memorial for a sea merchant also. It must be remembered that the headstones aren't only of soldiers who fought but of doctors, nurses, and other support staff also. Even though it's its roots during a sad and bloody past, the cemetery lawn seems like a serene and peaceful place for the dead to rest. It is one of the places to visit in Chennai.
14. Madras Crocodile Bank Trust
The Madras Crocodile Bank Trust is the brainchild of revered herpetologist and wildlife activist Romulus 'Rom Whitaker - an initiative to keep the fading species of crocs within the subcontinent safe. Initially, the Croc Bank was built to keep the crocodiles safe and help them breed and multiply until they were fit enough to be returned to their natural habitat, and thus replenish nature's stock. However, thanks to lessening wilderness, this practice has been stopped.
They are now given a home in the Crocodile Bank itself and are open for the public six days of the week. It is home to around 17 crocodile subspecies and a few other reptiles like frogs, lizards, snakes, and turtles also, a number of which are listed by IUCN as critically endangered. Visitors can witness these slithering species at one place and also enjoy the varied fun activities that the park has arranged for its guests just like the night safari, guided tours, and feeding programs.
15. MGM Dizzee World
MGM Dizzee World is one of the most important and oldest amusement parks in India. It brought Jurong's Bird Show from Singapore to India way back in 1999. It also had a hot air balloon ride in 1998, and albeit it sounds unbelievable, there have been arrangements for selecting up and dropping visitors on a helicopter back in 2000 - probably the first time in the history of the entertainment park business.
The park has something for all age groups. There are a plethora of children's rides scattered all around the park, also as activities that other members of the family can enjoy. It also has an aqua park, fitted with various fun-filled rides and activities like artificial ocean waves, which you'll enjoy together with your friends and family. It is one of the places to visit in Chennai.
16. Nettukuppam
Nettukuppam is the northernmost tip of Chennai and features a beach that's yet not tarnished by encroaching crowds. It is a solitary retreat for those that seek to enjoy the raging sea up close but during a peaceful environment. The saltwater creek of Ennore joins the ocean here forming an estuary of sorts. If you are a lover of silence and tranquility, you will find this the perfect place to hang out on a summer evening.
There is a vantage point from where you can see the skyline of Chennai, and take into the vast historical and geographical differences the city experiences. You will enjoy your occupied Nettukuppam beach sitting on the pier, dangling your legs, enjoying the refreshing breeze and thus the spray of the cool mist because the waves hit the pier and forced an entry white foam beneath your feet. If you are lucky enough, you can witness some of the local fishermen with their day's catch at the store and buy some fresh off the net at reasonable rates.
17. Shirdi Sai Baba Temple
Shirdi Sai Baba temple is one of the respected places of worship In Tamil Nadu. The resident deity of the temple, Sai Baba of Shirdi, was an esteemed saint of the 18th century and therefore the stories of his origin and teachings are mostly born out of folklore.
The temple now has followers and devotees in many thousands. Every year, an outsized number of individuals pay their tributes to the mysterious saint - even celebrities and public figures are a neighborhood of his following. It is among one of the places to visit in Chennai.
18. Prakasam Salai
Prakasam Salai is a powerful stylish building in Indo-Saracenic style with eminence in red bricks. Prakasam Salai earlier referred to as Popham's Broadway features a cluster of old shrines that include Kandaswamy Koil, Tucker's Church, a Wesleyan Chapel, and therefore the Anderson's Church.
This architectural marvel holds archaeological importance and has over time grown into a hotspot of tourism.
19. Thousand Lights Mosque
The Thousand Lights Mosque is the most esteemed in the city. Built-in the first 19th century by the Wallajah family of the Carnatic rulers, it is, so far, a well-liked haunt for the daily prayers and festive occasions like Muharram. The site gets its name from the legend that to illuminate the whole prayer hall, right a few thousand oil lamps want to be lit back within the days.
The mosque is made within the traditional Islamic pattern with domes and high minarets. It has an outsized prayer hall for men and a separate smaller one for ladies.
The Dargah of the mosque is devoted to Imam Hossein, the grandson of the primary prophet Muhammad and a revered figure of the Shia Muslims around the world. The walls of the grand mosque are ornamented with lines taken from the Quran. It also features a cemetery inside for the Shiite families. It is one of the places to visit in Chennai.
20. Fort St. George
The origin of the great white structure of Fort St. George is inextricable from the history of the town of Chennai itself. Popularly called the 'White Town', the sole purpose of building the large fort compound was to work out a British stronghold within the Coromandel Coast and thus the rest of south India. St Mary's Church inside the fortress is additionally the oldest Anglican Church, not only in India but among all the landmasses east of Suez. However, the church and a museum are open for the common public to visit and understand the importance of this fort within the history of India.
The building which houses the museum has been the location for the Madras Bank since 1795. However, after independence, it is serving as a large collection house of more than 3600 artifacts dating back to the entire period of British rule - weapons, letters, coins, silverware, ceremonial dresses, medals, some personal items of the residents of the fort and lots of more.
21. Royapuram Fishing Harbor
Royapuram Fishing Harbor is one of the foremost popular fishing grounds in Chennai. Located in a region that is legendary for seafood, this harbor surely has its name among the busiest fishing hubs of Tamil Nadu. If you visit this place, you will almost always find the place crowded with different types of fishing vessels. From the full-length, 45 feet boats to the littlest of catamarans, you'll see all of them. Run by mostly the local fishing community, the harbor holds a daily sale quantity of 200 tons.
A unique feature of this place is the auction hall, where most of the day's catch is sold off for further retail selling. The hall gets a footfall of quite 30,000 a day. If you're a lover of the Pisces, you actually should visit this place. You can certainly go around clicking as many pictures as you would like of the fishermen doing their daily chores.
22. Santhome Church
The significance of San Thome Church is unparalleled within the history of Christianity in India. The church, which was once constructed as a mausoleum in memory of Saint Thomas, has now grown to be a Basilica, as stated by the then Pope in 1956. San Thome Church is among the sole three within the world that house the tombs of one of Christ's original disciples. The other two are St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City and Santiago de Compostela Cathedral in Galicia, Spain.
Beneath the towering white structure of the basilica minor lies the last remains of the saint, who once wanted to be one among the twelve apostles of Christ and came over to India in 52 AD to spread the faith. He is considered to be the defender of Christianity in India, as he converted an outsized population of locals in Kerala and Tamil Nadu together with his wise words and preaching, and formed the community which now calls themselves Syrian Christians. The museum inside the church displays souvenirs of the good saint and his legend in order that the visitors are often familiar with the fantastic past of San Thome Church.
23. Kapaleeswarar Temple
Kapaleeshwarar Temple may be a holy shrine of Shiva, originally built by the mighty Pallavas. A visit to the present temple is going to be an experience enriched with a glimpse into Tamil religious culture and therefore the lovely architectural combination of the two styles - Dravidian and Vijaynagari, complete with towering Gopurams. There is also a sacred tank on the western side. As expected, the temple has quite a few legends about it, which are to date upheld by the authorities in the form of sculptures and inscriptions.
To commemorate the myth of Goddess Parvati worshipping Shiva at this place as a fowl, there are a couple of peahens and peacocks kept as pets inside the temple premises. The regal temple also remembers the Tamil Saivite saint poets Nayaars and has shrines for every one among them. All the 63 idols of the poets are paid due respect within the Brahmotsav festival that takes place per annum somewhere between mid-March to mid-April. It is one of the places to visit in Chennai.
24. Madhya Kailash
Madhya Kailash is a revered Hindu temple that is enshrined by Venkata Ananda Vinayakar. The main deity is enveloped by shrines of Lord Siva, Vishnu, Surya, and Devi. However, the highlight of the temple is that the unique idol of 'Adhyantha Prabhu' is a component of Lord Ganesha and part Lord Hanuman, meaning the proper half is Lord Ganesha and therefore the left half is Lord Hanuman.
The most crowded day at the temple is the day of Vinayaka Chaturthi when the rays of the sun fall directly on the most deity which is taken into account a super sacred and auspicious omen. The temple also has eight unique bells which ring to the tunes of Sa, Ri, Ga, Ma, Pa, Da, Ni, and Sa. The routine rituals and rites are performed by the priest every afternoon after he has taken a shower and remains in his wet clothes. It is one of the best places to visit in Chennai.
25. Ripon Building
The Ripon Building is the seat and headquarters of the Greater Chennai Corporation in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. It is an example of neoclassical architecture, a mixture of Ionic and Corinthian styles. The Ripon Building is an all-white structure and is found near the Dr. M.G.R Railway Station.
26. Semmozhi Poonga
Opened in November 2010, Semmozhi Poonga is the primary botanical park of Chennai. Boasting over 500 species of plants, the gathering includes herbs and medicinal plants also. The entire park has been divided into 8 zones with a private theme. The park is one of the foremost popular tourist spots of the town due to its charm, beauty, and bounteous nature.
27. Breezy Beach
Breezy Beach lies in a remote and serene place. Being smaller and less polluted, evenings are very pleasant and breezy here, and in recent years, many tourists are interested in this beach for its beauty. For those trying to find an amicable, refreshing and breezy place to relax out and celebrate, the Breezy beach of Chennai is that the place to be. It is one of the places to visit in Chennai.
28. Elliot's Beach
Elliot's Beach aka "Bessie" forms the end-point of the Marina Beach shore and is understood as after Edward Elliot (who was once the Chief Magistrate, Superintendent of Madras, and Governor of Chennai during the British times). It has the Velankanni Church and therefore the Ashtalakshmi Kovil within the vicinity.
The mesmerizing beach is one of the cleanest beaches in the city of Chennai. Moreover, the location is ideal for those who want to soak their feet within the splashing sea water and lose themselves entirely within the arms of nature. In colonial times, it was a place limited to white people.
There are many restaurants near the beach with mouth-watering cuisines. The beach is usually visited by travelers for sunbathing, relaxing, and visiting the famous ancient monuments nearby. It is among the places to visit in Chennai.
29. VGP Golden Beach
VGP Golden beach is one of the foremost sought-after destinations within the area by family and friends. This beach could also be a neighborhood of the VGP Universal Kingdom, which can be a famous funfair and lies on the East Coast Road. This mesmerizing beach is an appealing part of the Bay of Bengal, with its smooth and silver sand situated on Marina, the second-longest beach in the world.
The surging waves of the beach and therefore the swaying wind are like music to ears adding to the charm and wonder of this place. The place is also regarded as safe for one to indulge in the act of bathing and swimming in the freshwater shower. Due to its pristine beauty and picturesque landscape this beach is very preferred by the masses and is additionally used as a shooting location for movies frequently.
The beach is perfect for surfing as well. Children especially love this beach. They can take a cooling dip within the sea, build sandcastles or search for treasures on the shore. It is an entire family destination with thrilling adventure rides for both kids and adults. There are many water-based rides here also. The most popular attractions include the VGP 2000 millennium Tower, Paneer fort, and therefore the Statue Man. The overall park has 3 sections- the Universal Kingdom, the Aqua Kingdom, and the Snow Kingdom. It is one of the places to visit in Chennai.
30. Express Avenue
Express Avenue is a mall owned, developed, and promoted by Express Infrastructure. The mall stands on a complete acreage of around 10 acres. The premise includes commercial and hospitality sectors also. E Hotel is the name of the 4-star boutique luxury-lodging, which caters to the guests all year long with its 44-room capacity but the mall is that the main attraction of the place. Along with numerous shops, it also has the most important gaming arcade of south India - Games The Shop and therefore the city's largest cinema multiplex Escape. The cineplex is an eight-screen one, designed by California-based artist Giovanni Castor.
The mall also has a kid's play zone called Fun city and a 5D theatre by Pix. If you're trying to find good eating options, Express Avenue mall has that also. The food court, or EA Garden, because it is named, serves at quite 25 food counters.
The cuisines include south India, north Indian, American, Italian, street food, and so on. There are lounge bars and pubs also, like Entrée and Elixir, but they're a neighborhood of the hotel premise. You can visit them if you would like to. There are parking facilities too, covering three levels of the basement and giving room to 2,000 cars and motorbikes.
31. Vadapalani Murugan Temple
Vadapalani Murugan Temple is one of the foremost popular temples dedicated to Lord Murugan. The temple is understood for helping devotees finding solutions to life's problems. People come here seeking answers to their marital, academic, and professional problems. Many devotees claim that worshipping here has assisted them to urge over the difficulty and find peace in life. It is also believed that worshipping Lord Murugan here is as pious as praying to him at the first Palani temple.
If someone is unable to visit the first abode, they will pay their respects here, and Murugan will bless all of them an equivalent. This small shrine was later transformed into the colossal premise with multiple deities that you simply can see today. If you visit the temple at any of the times of the special festivals, you'll get to ascertain the recognition Murugan has during this place. It is one of the places to visit in Chennai.
32. T Nagar
T Nagar is a billboard and economic hub, also as a residential district. T Nagar is actually an entire commercial center within Chennai in itself. It does not have many attractions, but you will come across a plethora of retail shops lined up on every main road and arterial street. The neighborhood mostly trades in traditional south Indian textiles and gold jewelry shops.
Usman Road is legendary for its stretch of jewelry shops, while the Pondy Bazaar area deals with several famous apparel stores selling silk saris and other garments, as well as roadside shops. Other than that, there are a couple of parks and non-secular places.
33. Parthasarathy Temple
Parthasarathy Temple may be a structure quite 1000 years old. Dedicated to different avatars of Lord Vishnu within the varied shrines of the temple, it attracts thousands of Vaishnavite followers from all across the country. The temple gets its name from the charioteer version of Lord Krishna when he drove the vehicle of Arjuna within the war.
Parthasarathy Temple is assessed together with the 108 Divya Desams or holy shrines dedicated to Vishnu, as mentioned within the canonical Tamil literature penned down by the Alvar saints of the 6th-9th century, referred to as Divya Prabandha.
The temple houses five different types of Vishnu - Narasimha, Rama, Gajendra Varadaraja, Ranganatha, and Krishna. There are numerous additional shrines also, enclosed within the 8th-century Dravidian architecture. The number of legends that are related to the structure and its historical past is fascinating, and therefore the stories are interesting also. It is one of the places to visit in Chennai.
34. Anjaneyar Temple Nanganallur
Anjaneya Swamy Temple is found around 10 kilometers far away from the guts of the town, during a locality called Nanganallur. Anjaneya Temple gets its name from its principal deity, Lord Hanuman. He is also called Anjaneya, because he's the son of Anjana, the young Vanara (monkey) woman, and after him, the temple is known as.
The cornerstone of the temple was laid around 1989 by a gaggle of devout Anjaneya followers - Sri Maruti Bhakta Samaj. The most important aspect of the temple is its 32 feet idol. Lord Hanuman has been shaped out of a single granite stone and then given shape.
The presence of both Lord Rama and Lord Krishna within the temple may be a nod thereto. It is a must-see place not just for those that are devotees of Anjaneya or Hanuman but anyone who wants to urge a glimpse of a special kind of temple aside from Vishnu and Shiva, which are common in Chennai.
35. Neelankarai Beach
Neelankarai Beach is an untouched gorgeous beach located within the small locality of Neelankarai in South Chennai. The highlight of the beach is the numerous turtles that can be found on the shores. People usually visit it to observe the turtles or to steer along the lengthy coastline touching the gorgeous blue waters of the ocean.
36. Santhome Beach
The southern part of Marina Beach is known as Santhome Beach. With immaculate clean sands, azure blue waters, and wonderful sweeping views of the ocean, Santhome Beach is one of the foremost visited beaches of the ocean. You can also find several eateries and sports activities at the beach. It is one of the places to visit in Chennai.
37. Kasimedu Beach
Kasimedu Beach may be a comparatively lesser-known beach of Chennai. It is not just a recreation spot but also an important fishing harbor. With the vast expanse of the blue sea and brown sandy shores, you'll also find several fishermen at work with their huge fishing nets and boats. Besides, the fisherfolks also sell their spoils at the shores; you'll buy cannon fodder here. Volleyball is another popular activity at the beach.
38. Mylapore
Mylapore is one of the oldest and culturally enriched neighborhoods, located within the southern part of Chennai. The city had already seen tons of eventful history even before the British stepped on this land. Mylapore is additionally considerably traditionalist to its core and boasts of many temples, churches, and historical monuments. At an equivalent time, it's also stepping up to match the fashionable world with shopping malls, tree-lined beautified avenues, and other attractions to satisfy the expectations of the urban tourists.
Mylapore has a native name as well. It is called Thirumayilai by the locals, which is taken from a Tamil word meaning "the land of the peacock's scream". It is an undeniable ode to an outsized number of peacocks that roamed the land of Mylapore before commercialization took over.
The presence of peacocks is clear from the architectural designs of the Kapaleeswarar Temple or the San Thome Church - two ancient sites of the neighborhood. In one word, Mylapore can be called the nerve center of the city. It is one of the places to visit in Chennai.
39. Chennai Sangamam
The Chennai Sangamam, an outsized open Tamil festival, also coincides with the Pongal season. It is organized in various open locations like beaches, parks, etc., and showcases traditional folk events, martial arts, and classical dance, to name a couple of. In addition, the festival brings together the only that South Indian cuisine possesses to supply - from tasty paniyarams to the traditional Pongal.
40. Queens Land
Located in Poonamallee in Chennai, Queens Land funfair covers a neighborhood of 70 acres. Boasting 51 magnanimous rides both water and regular, the park also has a play area, a green space, and an enormous food court. It is one of the places to visit in Chennai.
41. Monkey Monk
Monkey Monk is the most ideal park in Chennai for outdoor activities like rappelling, Burma bridge, zip-lining, tire jump, valley crossing, ladder crossing, etc. The spacious center is perfect for a day out with both friends and family and is especially popular among adventure junkies.
42. Wild Tribe Ranch
Situated in Nemmeli near Chennai, Wild Tribe Ranch may be a fun outdoor adventure cum funfair. Offering a plethora of activities and fun games including fruit bat, paintball, water activities, etc., the park may be a haven for adventure enthusiasts and sports junkies. It is one of the places to visit in Chennai.
43. Little Folks
Specially designed for teenagers, Little Folks maybe a children's funfair situated around 45 km from Chennai on Mahabalipuram road. With a plethora of rides and slides, the highlights of the park are the toy train ride, slide into the pool, cartoon show, rainbow fountain, paddle pool, etc.
44. Focus Art Gallery
The focus gallery is situated on the Rukmani Lakshmipathi Road, Balaji Nagar, Egmore in Chennai, and is understood to be one of the best art galleries within the city. The gallery is invested in contemporary art forms and displays works of both international and domestic artists.
45. Cholamandal Artists’ Village
Cholamandal Artists’ Village is situated in Injambakkam in Chennai. The gallery has a canopy of 10 acres and was established by the brilliant artist KCS Paniker in 1966. The gallery exhibits and displays works of artists who contributed to the "Madras Movement''.
Chennai has retained its traditional Tamil roots while acquiring a contemporary and cosmopolitan character. Chennai is legendary for its sandy beaches, parks, and historic landmarks. With a really distinct culture, the people of Chennai have an interest in music, dance, and all other art sorts of South India. One of the foremost popular dance forms in India and more so in Chennai is the Bharatanatyam.
It is a classical dance form that is taught and learned fervently in this city. During festivals and other auspicious occasions, you'll witness live Bharatanatyam performances by eminent artists and their disciples who showcase their art and talent on these popular stages.
All over Chennai, you'll find a spread of temples. They are artistically built with towering gopurams at the doorway followed by inner sanctums where the deity is housed and worshipped. Most of the temples are constructed consistent with the Dravidian style of architecture. During festivals, these temples in Chennai come to life with a special puja in full swing on the one hand and a crowd of devotees offering obeisance to the Lord on the other.
Chennai is understood for its hot and humid climate. For most parts of the year, barring the monsoon and winter, Chennai experiences a very hot and wet climate since it's located on the thermal equator and also boasts a large coastline. The best way to cool off on a hot day in Chennai is to enjoy coconut milk on the beach or a can of chilled beer at a pub.
Chennai is also known as a foodie’s paradise. The variety of food you get within the city is just mind-blowing. Whether you're a vegetarian or a non-vegetarian, the selection of food available is amazing. The South India platter offers multiple dishes that taste completely different from one another and also are tantalizing on the taste buds.
From soft idlis, crunchy dosas, a good sort of curries and rice, crispy vada to authentic sweet dishes, you'll enjoy it in Chennai. Chettinad food is very popular in Chennai. This cuisine originated within the Chettinad region of Tamil Nadu and has grown to become a favorite among the netizens. The dishes are made employing a sort of local spices and fresh ingredients. Popular places for Chettinad food in Chennai are Parambriym, Dakshin, and therefore the Amala Chettinadu Mess.
Pongal, one of the foremost popular festivals in India, maybe a harvest festival that is celebrated in Chennai. It is a four-day-long fair during which the farmers offer their prayers to God for an honest yield and also seek his blessings to experience an equivalent within the future as well. Pongal is usually celebrated within the second week of January.
People buy and wear new clothes and prepare special meals – sakkarai Pongal – for their friends and family during this festival. Sakkarai Pongal consists of rice, milk, and jaggery which is prepared by slowly cooking the ingredients on fire. Later, the dish is obtainable to the Sun God before it's distributed among all relations.
These are some of the places to visit in Chennai and experience all of the charms that the city has for you. Plan a vacation to Chennai and visit all these places and learn something new and gain loads of memories with your friends and family.
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