Chennai- The Cultural Capital of Tamil Nadu In South

This sweltering capital of Tamil Nadu, often known by its colonial name Madras, is the heart and home to anything cultural in the south. Chaotic bazaars, spiritual temples, stunning churches, sprawling beaches and an innate sense of culture; Chennai lures you with its potent dose of attractions blended with deeply-rooted traditions. The city; a major seat of Tamil literature, Bharatnatyam dance, and Carnatic music; presents a panorama of ancient Dravidian art forms.

Major Attractions of Chennai

Kapaleeshwarar Templ

Dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, this 7th century temple is located in one of the oldest districts of Chennai. Its typical Dravidian architecture is evident in its lofty rainbow tinged Gopurams (entrance towers), pillared mandapams and the huge temple tank in its premises. The Gods & Goddesses in the temple are seated on their respective vahanas (vehicles) or chariots.

Valluvar Kottam Monumen

This magnificent chariot-shaped monument, dedicated to the famous Tamil poet & saint Thiruvalluvar, houses his life-sized statue. Its front hall corridor has been inscribed with all 133 verses from his most famous work Thirukkural.

St Thomas Cathedral

Built in Neo-Gothic style, this magnificent cathedral is believed to have been built upon the tomb of St. Thomas- one of the twelve apostles of Jesus who is considered the harbinger of Christianity in the subcontinent.

Government Museu

A sprawling complex comprising of six buildings hosting 46 galleries, this museum is a treasure trove of objects from diverse arenas including archeology, numismatics, zoology, natural history, sculptures, palm-leaf manuscripts and Amravati paintings. The museum houses the largest collection of Roman antiquities outside Europe. 

Parthasathy Temple

This stunning 8th century temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna depicting his role as “Arjun’s Charioteer” in the Hindu Epic Mahabharata. Originally built by the Pallava rulers later restored by the consecutive dynasties, the temple is embellished with intricate carvings, sculptures and murals.

Marina Beach

The gorgeous coastline by the Bay of Bengal is home to over 13kms long beach in Chennai. Famed as one of the longest urban beach in the world, Marina Beach is a popular attraction in Chennai for locals & tourists alike.

Other Attractions of Chennai

• Parry’s Jain Temple
• Marundheeswarar Temple
• Madras War Cemetery
• Cholamandal Artists’ Village
• Guindy National Park
• Queen’s Land Theme Park
• Prime Time- An indoor amusement park

Fairs & Festivals of Chennai

• Pongal- Celebrating winter harvest in the month of January
• Puthandu- Tamil New Year celebrated in April
• Natyanjali Dance Festival- Celebrating the classical dances of India
• Margazhi Festival of Dance and Music
• Tourism Fair- Celebrated annually in January

Shopping in Chennai

Chennai is abuzz with local bazaars and world-class malls; all offering a range of Tamil handcrafted goodies. Pick up a glossy Kanchipuram Silk Saree or buy some traditional jewelry; check out Papier Mache dolls & mask or Tanjore paintings; buy some wooden artifacts, classical music instruments or go for elaborately carved stone figures- Chennai offers you a whole lot of choice!

Food in Chennai

The land of Idli-Dosa-Sambhar; Chennai is the culinary seat of Tamil Nadu. Crispy Vadas, soft Uttapams, zesty Rasam, Prawns Kuzhambu, and Chicken Chettinad are some of the culinary specialties of Chennai.

Best Time to Visit Chennai

Chennai is ideally visited in winters from October to February when the heat & humidity are much less.  

How to Reach Chennai

By Air- Chennai International Airport connects the city with major cities across the globe.

By Rail- Chennai’s three major railway stations, namely, Chennai Central, Chennai Egmore and Tambaram; connect the city to the rest of India by an extensive network of Indian Railways.

By Road- A well-maintained network of roads and highways connect Chennai to major cities in India.

Join us on a cultural sojourn as we take you through the myriad attractions of Chennai. Its glorious heritage buildings, vivid culture, delectable cuisine and welcoming people are sure to make this tour, a memorable experience.