planning for holiday in chennai what are the places to see?

Answer 1

Chennai's historic landmarks and buildings, long sandy beaches, cultural and art centers and parks constitute the major tourist and recreational attractions of the city. The most important tourist attraction of the city is actually in the neighbouring town of Mahabalipuram with its ancient temples and rock carvings of the 7th century Pallava kingdom.

The other historic tourist spots include the 8th century Kapaleeshwarar temple in Mylapore, characteristic of the ancient Dravidian style of architecture, the Parthasarathy temple in Triplicane, the San Thome Basilica and Fort St George.
Beaches

The 13 km long and 400 to 500 meter wide Marina Beach is the pride of Chennai with the city Light House, memorials, statues, walkways, gardens and drives alongside the beachfront. The Elliot's Beach further south along the coast from Marina in Besant Nagar is preferred by younger Chennaiites with its promenade, restaurants and coffee shops. There are a large number of beaches between the Elliot’s Beach and Mahabalipuram, the most notable being the Covelong Beach which has a cove and a fort built by the Nawab of Carnatic.

In the city, one can notice the British influences in the form of old Cathedrals and the mix of Hindu, Islamic and Gothic revival styles resulting in the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture.

Built in 1639, Fort St George, houses the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly and Secretariat. Tipu Sultan's cannons decorate the ramparts of the Fort's museum. The Fort has the country's tallest flagstaff at a height of 150 feet. The Madras High Court (the largest judicial building in the world after the Courts of London), the Government Museum, the Chennai Central railway station, the Southern Railway headquarters, the Senate House of the Madras University and the College of Engineering, Guindy are some of the examples of Indo-Saracenic style of architecture.

Adjoining the Governor's residence (Raj Bhavan) at Guindy, there are five mandapams or memorials dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi, the first Indian Governor General - C Rajagopalachari, former Chief Ministers of the state - Kamaraj and Bhaktavatsalam and one to Martyrs in general.

The Valluvar Kottam is an auditorium in memory of the poet-saint Thiruvalluvar. All 1330 verses of the poet's epic - the Thirukkural, are inscribed on the granite pillars that surround the auditorium. There is a 101-feet high temple chariot structure with a life-size image of the poet in it. The base of the chariot shows in bas-relief the 133 chapters of the Thirukkural.

Answer 2

Though it depends on your interest, the temples and architecture is one of the best around Chennai. Mamallapuram, with Pallava architecture, is a must see. There is Marina Beach, one of the longest in the world. Snake Park, Santhome Church, Valluvar Kottam, the art gallery, Vandalur Zoo are some of the main attractions.

A dash to Kanchipuram (around 100kms) is worthy for all its temples and its the city of silk (watchout for the touts and duplicates!). Also a visit to Pondicherry (Puducherry now) would make you cherish your travel.

Answer 3

Mahabalipuram is amazing (south of Chennai)

Answer 4

get in touch with the india tourism office in mount road opposite spencer plazza for details and they hand out leaflets and they organise city tours,

Answer 5

see the local idiots & dont forget to jayalalita