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Chennai Travel Guide
Exploring the Cultural Capital of South India: A Chennai Travel Guide
Chennai is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Known for its rich cultural heritage and vibrant arts scene, Chennai is often referred to as the "Cultural Capital of South India." The city is home to a number of historical and cultural attractions, making it a popular destination for tourists.
One of the most popular attractions in Chennai is the Fort St. George, which is the oldest surviving British fort in India. The fort, which was built in the early 1700s, is now home to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly and the Secretariat. Another popular attraction is the Kapaleeshwarar Temple, which is one of the oldest temples in the city.
When visiting Chennai, be sure to try some of the local cuisine, which is known for its delicious seafood dishes and flavorful spices. Some popular dishes to try include idli, dosa, and curd rice.
Overall, Chennai is a vibrant and fascinating city that offers something for everyone. Whether you're interested in history, culture, or the arts, you're sure to find something to enjoy in this "Cultural Capital of South India."
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MAKE AN ENQUIRYBest Places To Visit In Chennai
From historical cities to natural wonders, come see the best of Chennai.
Kolli Hills
With an ominous name meaning 'mountain of death', Kolli Hills or Kolli Malai is a mountain range located in the Namakkal district of Tamil Nadu. It is relatively untouched by commercial tourism and has therefore retained much of its natural splendor. Kolli Hills is famous for its natural beauty. The most popular attractions in Kolli Hills are Agaya Gangai Waterfalls, Arapaliswara Temple, Boat House, Botanical Garden, View Point, Siddhar Caves, Selur Nadu, Tampkol Medicinal Farm, Mini Falls and many more.
Arignar Anna Zoological Park
One of the most popular picnic spots in Vandalur, Arignar Zoological Park is a wonderful place to discover the flora and fauna of the region. A favorite weekend spot with both kids and adults, it is the largest zoo of its kind in Southeast Asia and is spread over an area of ​​1260 acres. In addition to the extensive collection of endemic and exotic animals, visitors can experience the wild first-hand with a visit to the safari parks where lions and deer can be easily spotted.
Ashtalakshmi Temple
Ashtalakshmi Kovil is a Hindu temple located on the shoreline near Elliot's Beach in Chennai, India. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, the continuous sound of ocean waves reverberating in the temple premises and instantly creates an aura of peace. The grandeur of this place can be gauged from the fact that around Rs 70 lakh was spent on the temple's restoration and over Rs 16 lakh was spent on organizing the religiously important Hindu ceremony, the renovated Ashtabandan Mahakumbhbhishekam.
Connemara Public Library
The year 1896 saw the opening of a new and remarkable landmark in the city of Chennai - the Connemara Library, which is a treasure house of books, newspapers, periodicals and other related texts. The library is a place where you can undoubtedly find every lesson you can find. Connemara Public Library is one of the four National Depository Libraries in the country and hence, it receives copies of all books and other texts published in India.
Dakshinachitra Museum
Dakshinachitra Museum, located in Chennai, is one of the living history museums in India. It itself houses great works of architecture, crafts, performing arts and lifestyles belonging to South India. The museum has its own vision and mission by making the cultures of the South Indian states more engaging and enjoyable for its visitors. It is a project of Madras Craft Foundation which is an NGO which was opened to the public on 14th December 1996. The Heritage Museum is home to 4,220 artifacts and 1,000,000 paintings.
Marina Beach
Renowned as the longest beach in India and the second longest of its kind in the world, Marina Beach is one of the most famous beach holiday destinations in the country. Named after the Italian word 'marina' by the then Governor-General, the beach has been a popular spot in Chennai since 1881. Stretching for over 13 kilometres, the gleaming sands of the beach are picturesque as well as rejuvenating. Considering the popularity of the place, a large number of important buildings and monuments have been constructed since the beginning of the 19th century.
Marundeeswarar Temple
The temple deity in the magnificent Marundeshwara Temple at Thiruvanmiyur near Chennai is Shiva in the form of Marundeshwara or Aushadheshwar, the god of medicines. A fine specimen of Dravidian architecture, glorified in the 7th-8th centuries by Nayanars (Saiva saints), Tirugnana Sambandar and Appar, the temple was expanded by the Chola Empire in the 11th century. The temple has two seven-tiered gateway towers, a huge tank with a total temple area spread over 1 acre. Marundeshwara Temple has been a place of curative worship for people suffering from diseases.
Government Museum Chennai
Such is the charm of the Government Museum in Chennai that for decades it has been one of the top attractions in Tamil Nadu for people of all ages. Established in 1851 during the British era, the museum is a perfect destination for those who are inclined towards history and art and are looking for any historical site where they can take their Tamil Nadu vacations blindly. Being a 19th-century repository, the Government Museum is counted among the oldest museums in India and is known to house a wide variety of arts and artifacts related to human history and culture.
MGR Film City
Established in the year 1994, a fairly new structure, MGR Film City is managed by the Government of Tamil Nadu in the loving memory of MG Ramachandran, who was not only a crowd-pleasing Tamil actor, but also the longtime CM of Tamil Nadu. Were. Spread over a sprawling 70 acres in Taramani, Chennai, MGR Film City is a popular tourist attraction and the home of many South Indian film directors.
Valluvar Kottam
Valluvar Kottam is a monument built to pay homage to the Tamil poet saint Thiruvalluvar. Inaugurated in 1976, the monument is in the form of a 101 feet high temple chariot and is a replica of the temple chariot at Tiruvarur. A 33 meter tall life-size statue of the saint has been installed in the chariot. Another wonderful feature of the auditorium is that it is not supported by a single pillar and stands without any support. The 133 chapters of his famous work Thirukkural are depicted in bas-reliefs in the corridors of the hall in front of the chariot. All the 1330 verses of the poet's epic are depicted on granite pillars that surround the auditorium. The auditorium of Valluvar Kottam is said to be the largest in Asia and can seat around 4000 people.
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