Chennai (Madras) Travel Guide

 
by cilsley
  •   Chennai (Madras)
    by cilsley
  • Sweet Shop, Chennai
      Sweet Shop, Chennai
    by earthflyer
  • Egmore Station
      Egmore Station
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  • crocs crocs everywhere!!!
      crocs crocs everywhere!!!
    by abi_maha
  •   Kapaleeshwarar Temple
    by illumina

Pro

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 Good food, interesting varied surroundings 


Con

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 Loud traffic, pollution, and very hot. 


In a nutshell

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 It's a gateway to other parts of India worth spending time in 

 

Explore Chennai (Madras)

Things to Do  

Marina Beach

Marina Beach, Chennai (Madras)

 12 Reviews  The most popular destination in Chennai is of course, the Marina Beach! It runs some 15 kms in length and the sands are almost a km in from the road!! The biggest negative is how littered it is!! PLease always keep an eye on where you are placing your feet..you could step on almost anything if not... 

Government Museum

Government Museum, Chennai (Madras)

 6 Reviews  I mainly remember the Archaeology section (as you might expect), which had a fantastic Bronze Gallery, full of statues; and some wonderful early Buddhist stone sculptures. There was also a good display on the Indus. There was also a section on old coins, and an Anthropology department focused on... 

Kapaleeshwarar Temple

Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Chennai (Madras)

 8 Reviews  The Kapaleeshwar Temple is possibly the oldest temple in the city and is located in the Mylapore district of Chennai. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Kapaleeshwar Temple is characteristic of the Dravidian architectural style with its elaborate and intricately carved Gopuram, mandapams and a tank. You... 

Mahabalipuram

Mahabalipuram, Chennai (Madras)

 6 Reviews  Ride down to this place on the awesome ECR (East Coast Road) on a nice sunny weekend for a truly unforgettable experience!! Mahabalipuram lies on the Coromandel Coast which faces the Bay of Bengal. This is an elegant place to watch which a well established sea port was during the 7th and 10th... 

Fort St George Museum

Fort St George Museum, Chennai (Madras)

 2 Reviews  The Fort Museum exhibits the items of the British rule. This building was completed in 1795 and first housed the office of the Madras Bank. The hall upstairs was the Public Exchange Hall and served as a place for public meetings, lottery drawings and occasionally for entertainment. These relics are... 

San Thome Cathedral

San Thome Cathedral, Chennai (Madras)

 5 Reviews  In the crypt of San Thome Cathedral is said to be a small bone from Saint Thomas' hand and the weapon that killed him. In the 10th century, a group of Nestorian Christians from Persia (Iran) discovered the saint’s burial site and built a church and tomb. The Portuguese then came along in the 16th... 

Indian Rock Python

Indian Rock Python, Chennai (Madras)

 2 Reviews  DISTRIBUTION: Pythons are found throughout India in scrub jungle and rain forest. Forages after dark on river edges, forests and in and around human settlements. DIET: Feeds mainly on birds, jackals, deer and wildboar. SIZE: Average length between 9-10 feet [3m]. Maximum recorded length 7.62m. 

Fort St George

Fort St George, Chennai (Madras)

 4 Reviews  Fort St George was the first British fortress in India, founded in 1639 in the coastal city of Madras (modern city of Chennai). The site was selected by Francis Day and Andrew Cogan of the British East India Company and was obtained in 1640 from Damerlavenkatadanaiak. It was planned as a square... 

Zoo

Zoo, Chennai (Madras)

 3 Reviews  Almost outside of Chennai there is a big zoo. (Don't ask which direction... Rather near to the airport was it, I think.) It is good place for a whole day trip. The walking paths in the zoo are rather long. In that zoo you can see for example lions (also a small lionsafari), elephants, snakes (We... 

Ramakrishna Temple

Ramakrishna Temple, Chennai (Madras)

 3 Reviews  This temple, located just down the road from the Kapaleeshwarar Temple in southern Chennai, is dedicated to Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, one of the great religious leaders of India. A unique feature of the temple is that anyone who wants to enter can do so irrespective of religion, colour, creed or sex.... 

Ashtalakshmi Temple

Ashtalakshmi Temple, Chennai (Madras)

 2 Reviews  Ashtalakshmi temple is situated near the Elliots beach in Beasant Nagar. This temple was constructed on the wishes of Sri Mahaa Periyavaal of Kanchi Mutt, Sri Chandrasekara Saraswati Swamigal. This temple is in 4 levels and the 8 manifestations of goddess lakshmi is installed here. The idols are... 

St Mary's Church

St Mary's Church, Chennai (Madras)

 2 Reviews  St Mary's Church located at Fort St George, is the oldest Anglican church East of Suez and also the oldest British building in India. From 1639, when Madras was founded, until 1678, when Streynsham Master was appointed the English East India Company's Agent at Madras, religious services were... 

Elliots Beach

Elliots Beach, Chennai (Madras)

 1 Review  Located in Besant Nagar, Chennai, Elliot's beach is the preferred destination for those with a clean atmosphere in mind. Following the road along the coast down south from Marina one will come to Elliot's beach where one can spend a few hours relaxing. Elliots beach was earlier the city's bathing... 

St Andrew Cathedral

St Andrew Cathedral, Chennai (Madras)

 1 Review  Also called `the Queen of Scottish Churches in the East,' St Andrew's Church is one of the finest specimens of Georgian architecture in the Indian sub-continent. The Church, also known as 'the Kirk,' was built in 1780, on the site of Freemasons Lodge and was consecrated in 1821. Inspired by St... 

Hotels  

Taj Coromandel Hotel

 4 Reviews and 306 Opinions  Offering a fusion of rich South Indian design cues and classic European elegance, the Taj Coromandel... 

The Raintree Hotel, Annasalai

 1 Review and 308 Opinions  lovely & friendly staff, very helpfull. enjoyed my stay there. bar 

Restaurants  

Cappuccino: A Bistro

Cappuccino: A Bistro, Chennai (Madras)

 abi_maha Says:  A bistro like ambience- this restaurant makes for a good getaway from the din in chennai. The interiors are colorful and really do bring a bit of the italian bistro to town. However the menu spread is a medley of indian and italian. Not all dishes are great- we had jalapeno... 

Shiraz: Persian Cafe, Pet Friendly

Shiraz: Persian Cafe, Pet Friendly, Chennai (Madras)

 abi_maha Says:  In the Cholamandel Artist's Village, there is a cozy persian cafe called Shiraz. This is a place we love to go to for a SUnday brunch or even for just desserts after lunch. The owner is a sweet lady and is always accomodating our myriad requests. While I am told it is not... 

Transportation  

Scooting around in Chennai

Scooting around in Chennai, Chennai (Madras)

 bungi333 Says:  If one is daring enough, the best way to get around the city is to perhaps rent a scooter or a motorcycle. If going to be in the city for a long period of time, one can even consider buying a second hand scooter. Best to rent an automatic (without gear and clutch) kind of... 

Shopping  

Stores on Doors: Online Shop in Chennai for Grocery,Vegetable,Fruit

Stores on Doors: Online Shop in Chennai for Grocery,Vegetable,Fruit, Chennai (Madras)

 radhika2010 Says:  In Chennai, try this online shop www.storesondoors.com to make your daily routine easy and comfortable. If you wish to escape the tedious chore of buying grocery, vegetables and fruits, shop at "Stores on Doors" (www.storesondoors.com), the only online portal in Chennai to... 

Local Customs  

Orange Blossom

Orange Blossom, Chennai (Madras)

 illumina Says:  Many of the women in Chennai wear orange blossom garlands in their hair, and the scent, wafting behind them in the warm air, is a sensual delight!You can see women stringing the flowers onto thread to create the garlands everywhere - I found the best place to buy them was... 

Off The Beaten Path  

A peaceful religious sojourn

A peaceful religious sojourn, Chennai (Madras)

 vpas Says:  You could visit the Nitya Kalyana Swamy Temple on the East Coast Road.This is an ancient temple with a legend attached to it. Its a very peaceful place across the sea coast and worth a visit.Temple Timing : 6am –12noon and 3pm-8pmContact : +(91)-(44)-27472235 or... 

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