Introduction:

Chennai, the gracious capital city of Tamil Nadu is the fourth largest metropolis in India. Chennai is a vibrant city ever growing, expanding and changing every year. Popularly regarded as the "Gateway to the South", Chennai presents culture that is distinctly different from that of northern India. Music, dance and all other art forms of the South are cherished and nurtured in this city which, though industrialized, continues to be traditional and conventional in many ways.

Chennai 

Destination Facts:

Location: Tamil Nadu, District Chennai
Altitude: 560 Meters
Area: 700 Sq. Km.
Temperature: (summer 20 to 42°C) & (winter 8 to 32°C)
Languages spoken: Tamil, English and Hindi

Getting there:

Nearest Airports: Chennai International Airport is the nearest airport
Main Railway Station: Chennai is connected by rail with all major towns and cities in India.
Main Bus Station or Road: Chennai is connected by good network of roads with all important places in Tamil Nadu and other parts of India.

Distance of a few Major Towns from Chennai

Chennai Egmore - 2km, Mambalam - 4km, Mahabalipuram - 54km, Kanchipuram -72km, Pondicherry - 150km.

Eating Around:

Mutton Biriyani, Coconut chutney, Lady's Finger Sabji, Idly, Dhal Curry, Pongal are some famous dishes found here.

Places of Tourist interest:

Sri Kapaleeswarar 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 courtyard are rare specimens.

Guindy National Park:
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.

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 its name from St. George, the patron saint of England.

Fort St.Gorge

Government Museum Complex:
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.

Valluvar Kottam:
The 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 33meter tall. The 133 chapters of his famous work Thirukkural have been depicted in bas-relief in the front hall corridors of the chariot.

Birla Planetarium:
The 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.

Birla Planetarium

The Marina:
The Marina Stretching 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.

Marina Beach-Chennai 

Getting around the destination:

One can get Many transport option in this city.

Shopping Areas & Entertainment

Handicrafts made of rose-wood, sandal-wood, ivory, bronze and silver, Leather goods, silk and hand-woven fabrics, sarees and jewellery are available in this city.

Best time to visit:

November to February is the best time to visit the destination.

Festivals:

India International Leather Fair is one of India's largest leather trade fairs in Chennai.
The Music Festival in December each year celebrates by the people of Tamil Nadu