Chennai, (formerly known as Madras ) is the capital city
of Tamil Nadu and is located on a 17-kilometre stretch of the Coromandel coast
. Popularly regarded as the "Gateway to the South", Chennai has inherited
a culture that is distinctly different from the rest of India.
Music, dance and all other art forms of the South are cherished and nurtured
in this city, which, though a thriving metropolis continues to be traditional
and conventional in many ways.
The city offers long sandy beaches, parks and historic landmarks, the most
distinct being Fort St. George, which occupies a place of pride and prominence
in Chennai. Built in 1640, by the British East India Company, the fort houses
a museum and St. Mary's Church, which happens to be the oldest Anglican Church
in India as well as having the distinction of being the oldest British construction
in the country.
The Fort Museum is the repository of rare exhibits of weapons, uniforms, coins,
costumes, medals and some other artefacts dating back to the British period.
The flagstaff at Fort St. George is still the tallest in India.
Marina Beach is the pride of Chennai, and offers a wide sandy shore. Residents
and visitors alike frequent the beach to soak in the lively and vibrant atmosphere.
For a more indigenous look, Mylapore is the site of the famous Kapeeleswarar
Temple , which is dedicated to the Hindu god, Lord Shiva. It is Chennai's oldest
temple, not to mention a visually stunning edifice. The nearby Parathasarathy
Temple , built in the 8 th century is renowned for its architecture and awe-inspiring
ambience.
The San Thome at the southern end of Marina derives its name from St. Thomas
, the apostle of Christ who is believed to have come to Madras sometime during
52 AD. The beautiful stained glass window at the basilica portrays the story
of St Thomas and 14 wooden plaques depict scenes from the last days of Christ.
Multi-hued silks, handicrafts,
woodcarvings and leather goods are good souvenirs to take home.
Transport:
Taxis are the best option
for visitors. Make sure the meter is functioning.
Cuisine:
Chennai provides a veritable
feast of vegetarian cuisine. Idlis (steamed rice dumplings), dosas (crispy
fried pancakes), sambar (spicy lentil curry) and rasam (hot and sour lentil
soup) can all be tasted in its true original versions. There is no dearth
of spicy curries for the non-vegetarians.
Infants are not provided with a seat. If your baby is more than 6 months old, you may book a seat for him/her listing him/her as a “child”. More information is available at carriage of infants.
