Plan Your Travel To Chennai
Places To Visit In Chennai
Kapaleeswarar Temple
Kapaleeshwarar temple is a holy shrine of Shiva in Mylapore, Chennai. Originally built by the mighty Pallavas, Portuguese explorers destroyed the temple and rebuilt it in around the 16th century once again by the Vijayanagar kings. A visit to this temple will be an experience enriched with a glimpse into Tamil religious culture and the lovely architectural combination of the two styles - Dravidian and Vijaynagari, complete with towering Gopurams. There is also a sacred tank on the western side.
As expected, the temple has quite a few legends about it, which are till date upheld by the authorities in the form of sculptures and inscriptions. In fact, to commemorate the myth of Goddess Parvati worshipping Shiva at this place as a fowl, there is a couple of peahen and peacock kept as a pet inside the temple premises. The regal temple also remembers the Tamil Shaivite saint poets Nayaars and has shrines for each one of them. All the 63 idols of the poets are paid due respect in the Brahmotsav festival that takes place every year somewhere between mid-March to mid-April.
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Kasimedu Beach
Kaismedu Beach is a comparatively lesser known beach of Chennai. It is not just a recreation spot but also an important fishing harbour. With vast expanse of the blue sea and brown sandy shores, you can also find several fishermen at work with their huge fishing nets and boats. Besides, the fisherfolks also sell their spoils at the shores; you can buy fresh fish here. Volleyball is another popular activity at the beach.
Kishkinta Theme Park
Situated in Tambaram in Chennai, Kishkinta is one of the most popular amusement theme parks in the city. With a range of rides and slides designed both for kids and adults, the spot is ideal for spending time with friends, family and loved ones.
Lalit Kala Akademy
Situated on the Greams Road, Thousand Lights West in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Lalit Kala Akademy is run by Ministry of Culture, GOI and is known to be the country's premium institute for fine arts. Besides conducting various workshops and exhibitions, it is also the best place to study traditional and modern art.
Little Folks
Especially designed for kids, Little Folks is a children's amusement park situated around 45 kms from Chennai on the Mahabalipuram road. With a plethora of rides and slides, the highlights of the park is the toy train ride, slide into pool, cartoon show, rainbow fountain, paddle pool etc.
Madhya Kailash
Located at the junction between Adyar, Sardar Patel Road and Rajiv Gandhi Salai in South Chennai, Madhya Kailash is a revered Hindu temple which is enshrined by Venkata Ananda Vinayakar. The main deity is enveloped by shrines of Lord Siva, Vishnu, Surya and Devi. However, the highlight of the temple is the unique idol of 'Adhyantha Prabhu' which is part Lord Ganesha and part Lord Hanuman, meaning the right half is Lord Ganesha and the left half is Lord Hanuman. Locally known as Nadukkayilai, the temple has a lot of legend and myth associated with it and is thronged by thousands of pilgrims and devotees.
The most crowded day at the temple is the day of Vinayaka Chaturthi when the rays of the sun fall directly on the main deity which is considered a super sacred and auspicious omen. The temple also has eight unique bells which ring to the tunes of Sa, Ri, Ga, Ma, Pa, Da, Ni and Sa. The routine rituals and rites are performed by the priest every afternoon, after he has taken a bath and is still in his wet clothes.
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Madras Crocodile Bank Trust
The Madras Crocodile Bank Trust is the brainchild of revered herpetologist and wildlife activist Romulus 'Rom' Whitaker - an initiative to keep the fading species of crocs in subcontinent safe. Initially, the Croc Bank was built to keep the crocodiles safe and help them breed and multiply until they were fit enough to be returned to their natural habitat, and thus replenish the nature's stock. However, due to lessening wilderness, this practice has been stopped. They are now given home in the Crocodile Bank itself and are open for the public six days of the week.
The Madras Crocodile Bank is not to be confused with a zoo. Yes, you can certainly take a look at the reptiles in captivity. However, unlike a zoo, this has a much more in-depth operation through ex-situ and in-situ conservation. Right now, it is home to around 17 croc subspecies and some other reptiles like frogs, lizards, snakes, and turtles as well, some of which have been listed by IUCN as critically endangered. Visitors can witness all these slithering species at one place and also indulge in the various fun activities that the park has arranged for its guests like the night safari, guided tours, and feeding programmes. The Croc Bank is a great place to spend a day of learning, witnessing rare wilderness and having fun at the same time. If you are a wildlife enthusiast and activist and want to make a difference, you can volunteer for programmes, make donations or adopt an animal too from the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust.
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Madras High Court
Constructed in 1892, Madras High Court is an important landmark in the city of Chennai. It is one of the three courts in the country established by letters patents granted by Queen Victoria.
Madras War Cemetery
The Madras War Cemetery, right in the heart of the city of Chennai, is a recognition of the glory as well as horrors of the war our ancestors have fought to make this world a more peaceful place. In short, it houses the last remains of around 855 martyrs who laid down their precious lives at the battlefronts in the devastating Second World War and also a Memorial stone for 1000 more who died fighting in the Great War before that. In 1952, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and the Indian Government together established this cemetery to commemorate those who died to save our lives. Among the tombstones, there are three non-World War martyrs and a small memorial for a sea merchant as well. It must be remembered that the headstones are not only of soldiers who fought but of doctors, nurses and other support staffs as well.
Top class maintenance by the authorities has kept the cemetery in great shape. Even though it has its roots in a sad and bloody past, the cemetery lawn feels like a serene and peaceful place for the dead to rest. It hosts the Armistice Day homage every year on November 11 with wreath offerings and Guard of Honours. Anybody interested in war-time history or wants to pay their respect to the martyrs should visit the Madras War Cemetery. It is not only a remembrance but a tangible proof of the cost of war.
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Marina Beach
Situated in the city of Chennai in Tamil Nadu, Marina Beach is a natural urban beach along the Bay of Bengal. The beach is stretched out to a distance of 13 kilometres making it the longest natural urban beach in the country, second largest in the world and also the most crowded beach in India with almost 30,000 visitors a day.
With a white sandy shore that looks as though extending to infinity, the landscape of Marina Beach is a mesmerising and serene sight to behold. The beach has a primarily sandy terrain and is dotted with plenty of merry-go-rounds and shops selling souvenirs. You could take a walk along the Marina beach with your near and dear ones or even all alone and enjoy the cool evening sea breeze along with a hot plate of crispy sundal and murukku. Watching the sun crawl upwards into the sky or even disappear into the ocean from the beach, is an awe-striking and enchanting experience.
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