Chennai is the capital city of Tamil Nadu located on the southeast coast of India. It has a population of over 6 million and is known as the cultural capital of India due to its rich traditions and heritage. Some of Chennai's most popular tourist attractions include Marina Beach, Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Government Museum, and Mahabalipuram Temples. Chennai has a well-developed transportation network including roads, railways, an international airport, and ports.
2. Chennai, The Capital City of Tamil Nadu
Chennai, one of the metropolitan cities in India, is
often called the cultural capital of India for its deep-
rooted traditions and long heritage.
The city is a true reflection of this country's
diversity. Chennai has flourished into a charming
and welcoming city, in a time span of just over 350
Years.
3. Chennai, The Capital City of Tamil Nadu
Sprawled over an area of 200 square kilometers with
the Bay of Bengal on the east.
The city is the gateway to the rest of South India.
There are abundant green patches found amidst the
high-tech, high-rise buildings.
Chennai, the fourth largest city in India has a
population of around six million.
4. Festivals
Ponam (festival of Tamils )
known as Makara Sankranti elsewhere in India, a
four-day harvest festival
Jallikattu a bull taming contest, marks the main
event of this day
Final Day is Marked by the cockfight
5. Tourist Destinations
Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu is a
popular tourist destination for people who
travel to South India.
There are a number of travel attractions in
Chennai, including temples, gardens,
museums, caves, beaches, churches, wildlife
parks, etc.
All these attractions make Chennai a perfect
gateway of South India.
6. Tourist Destinations
Vivekananda House & Museum
It is an imposing structure on the Marina beach
along the South Beach Road.
In 1897 Swami Vivekananda visited this city and
stayed in this historic building in the year 1897 on
his way to Calcutta, after his acclaimed speech at
Chicago for the Parliament of Religions.
7. Tourist Destinations
Elliot's Beach
The Elliot beach is a calmer and quieter beach. It is
an ideal place for lazy lounging and picnicking .
Fort St. George
Fort St. George is the first fortress of British power
in India and was built in 1654.
Now the fort is turned into the Tamil Nadu
Legislative Assembly.
8. Tourist Destinations
Government Museum and National Art Gallery
The Government Museum at Chennai is one of the
finest museums in India.
The museum has a vast collection of carvings of
Hindu, Buddhist and
There's also a good collection of South
Indian musical instruments and jewelry, that are
worth seeing.
9. Tourist Destinations
Government Museum and National Art Gallery
The bronze gallery that has a superb collection of
ancient icons & modern bronzes are really lucrative.
The Art Gallery at Chennai has a fine collection of
paintings, handicrafts & bronze.
The collection is housed in a Mughal style building.
Bronzes from 10th & 13th century, Rajasthan &
Mughal paintings from 16th & 17th century & Indian
handicrafts from 11th & 12th century are displayed
here.
10. Tourist Destinations
Kapaleswar Temple
The ancient Kapaleshwar temple, situated in
Mylapore, is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
The fragmented inscriptions here dates back to
1250 AD.
But the present temple was rebuilt by Vijayanagar
Kings in the 16th century.
11. Tourist Destinations
Marina Beach
This popular beach runs for 12 km and is the
second longest beach in the world.
The beach drive runs between magnificent stately
buildings like the Chetpauk Palace, University of
Madras, Icehouse etc.
On one side and a very wide sandy beach on the
other.
12. Tourist Destinations
San Thom Cathedral
Built in 1504 and rebuilt in 1608 and 1893, the
cathedral is said to house the remains of Apostle St.
Thomas.
The basilica has an tremendously stained glass
window and a beautiful one-meter statue of Virgin
Mary that was brought from Portugal in 1543.
13. Tourist Destinations
Anna Zoological Park
This Zoological park is situated on the outskirts of
Chennai and is created out of the Reserve Forests of
Vandalur to the west of Chennai.
This Zoological Park in an area of 510 hectares of
land is said to be one of the biggest in the South
East Asia.
More than 170 species of mammals, birds and
reptiles can be seen here.
The lion safari, the elephant ride, and battery-
operated vehicles take you around the park.
14. Tourist Destinations
Mahabalipuram Temples
Mahabalipuram is located at a distance of 58-km
from Chennai.
It is one of the most exciting and memorable
destinations, with rich tradition, history, piety and
western annals.
It is one of the popular tourist places, known for
great architecture much visible in its rock carvings
and monolithic sculptures.
15. Important Hospitals In Chennai
GENERAL
Apollo Hospitals
Chennai Kaliappa Hospital
Child Trust Hospital
Madras Port Trust Hospital
MIOT Hospitals
Madras Medical Mission
Malar Hospital
M.V. Diabetes Specialities Centre
Railway Hospital
Sri Ramachandra Hospital
Vijaya Hospital
Sundaram Medical Foundation
16. Transport
ROADS
Chennai’s economic development has been
closely tied to its port and transport infrastructure.
RAIL
Southern Railway of Indian Railways is head
quartered at Chennai.
Important cities connected by rail
Chennai Airport Infrastructure
270+ Direct flights every week with daily flights to
USA , Europe, Middle East and East Asia.
Ports in CHENNAI
Chennai Port – the second largest in India in terms
of container cargo traffic with the ship turn -
17. Transport
RAIL
Southern Railway of Indian Railways is head
quartered at Chennai.
All the major cities and towns in India are directly
linked by rail from Chennai
Important cities connected by rail
BANGALORE MUMBAI
Brindavan Express CST Express
Shatabdi Express NEW DELHI
COIMBATORE Grand Trunk Express
Intercity Express Tamilnadu Express
Cheran Express HYDERABAD
HOWRAH Charminar Express
Coromandel Express Hyderabad Express
18. Worldwide 2004 city Rankings
RANK CITY
32 Guangzhou, China
36 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
109 Mumbai, India
116 New Delhi, India
117 Dacca (Dhaka), Bangladesh
127 Colombo, Sri Lanka
132 Karachi, Pakistan
133 Chennai (Madras), India