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Chennai, the culture capital of Tamil Nadu, is alive with art, dance, music and traditions. Chennai’s ornately carved and beautifully embellished temples, and its exquisite art museums are a testament to the city’s rich culture. Chennai tourism offers myriad choices to tourists - from stunning beaches to majestic temples, from imposing monuments to art museums which showcase splendid paintings and artefacts, from forts which have witnessed the historical splendour of Chennai to the bustling markets where you can buy almost anything you desire. Here is a list of places to visit in Chennai:
The 2nd oldest museum in India, the Government Museum houses six buildings and 46 galleries, some of which are over 100 years old. One of the prime places to visit in Chennai, this museum is famous for its extensive numismatic and archaeological collection. Interestingly, it also holds the largest collection of Roman antiquities outside Europe. Be mesmerised by the wide collection of exhibits in the museum under varied sections such as geology, botany, zoology, anthropology, archaeology and so on. Whether you are a history and art enthusiast or not, a visit here is a must.
Constructed in 1644 by the British, Fort St. George is the first fortress in India. Built to establish a stronghold in South India around which the city later evolved, this fort stands testimony to the earliest English rule in India. The fort houses St. Mary’s Church, the oldest Anglican Church in India, Clive House, the first British residential complex, and Wellesley House which exhibits paintings of the Fort’s Governor. In addition, there is a museum which displays artefacts from the British Rule.
The Arulmigu Kapaleeswarar Temple is a major attraction in the Chennai tourist places. When you make a trip to this temple, you will be greeted by the towering, beautifully carved ‘gopuram’ or gateway of the temple. There are two gopurams with vibrantly coloured sculptures, one on the east and the other on the west. The temple is built in the 7th century in typical Dravidian architectural style and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Six daily rituals and four yearly festivals are celebrated here in a big way.
Built on top of Jesus’s apostle’s final resting place, this minor basilica is topmost in Chennai places to visit. It was first built in the 16th century by the Portuguese but was later rebuilt as a church in 1893 by the British in Neo-Gothic style with large windows and natural light filtering in. This majestic church has an all-white façade while the interior is calm and tranquil. A museum is attached to the church with the apostle’s fingerprint, paintings depicting his life and the lance that killed him. You can’t miss this!
Arulmigu Sri Parthasarathyswamy Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu is a must-visit in your Chennai packages. Standing tall in the heart of Chennai city, this ancient temple dates back to the 8th century and is named after Lord Krishna, an avatar of Vishnu, who was the charioteer or ‘parthasarthy’ of Arjuna in the Mahabharata. Typical of South Indian architecture, the gopurams (gateways) and pillars are embellished with elaborate carvings and the outermost pillar has sculptures of Vishnu’s many avatars.
Shri Ashtalakshmi Temple built in 1976 is a popular tourist spot in Chennai trip packages. As the name suggests, the temple is dedicated to the eight forms of Goddess Lakshmi – wealth, prosperity, success, bravery, courage, knowledge, food and offspring. Interestingly, all eight forms of Lakshmi are on four levels in nine separate sanctums. The sanctorums have been laid out in such a way that visitors can visit each shrine without stepping over any of the sanctorums. Seek blessings of the Goddess Lakshmi here, at her sacred abode!
Valluvar Kottam is a monument built in 1976 dedicated to Valluvar, a classical Tamil poet. The distinguishing feature of this monument is a-128-feet overpowering stone chariot which is made of 3000 blocks of stone and embellished with spectacular kalamkari drawings, making it an important tourist spot in Chennai holiday packages. Gigantic wheels of the chariot measuring 11 feet in diameter make this a sight to behold. A decorative arch and a colossal auditorium enhance the beauty of this place.
If you want to know all about the culture of South India, a trip to Dakshina Chitra Museum is a must. This stunning living museum which showcases the splendour of the art, architecture, performing arts and lifestyle of South India is a prime tourist attraction in Chennai tour packages. One notable work of art here is a collection of 18 historical houses which had been demolished by their owners but were transported and reconstructed at Dakshina Chitra by local artisans. You don’t want to miss this!
Arignar Anna Zoological Park, also known as Vandalur Zoo is a prime tourist attraction in Chennai places to visit for kids and adults alike. Founded in 1855, this zoo which is home to 2,553 species of flora and fauna across 1,265 acres is the first public zoo as well as the largest zoological park in India. And if you are looking for an adrenaline rush, do experience the safari rides where you may be lucky to spot lions and other animals in the wild.
A trip to Chennai Snake Park, India’s first reptile park established in 1972, is one of the interesting places to visit in Chennai. The park houses a wide variety of snakes like pythons, vipers, cobras and other reptiles. This park offers a unique experience to get really up close and personal with the snakes. Apart from snakes, this park boasts of domestic and exotic crocodiles, tortoises and turtles. A fascinating library and museum also stand on its premises.
Semmozhi Poonga, a botanical garden founded in 2010, is a relatively new addition to the Chennai tourist places. Sprawled over 20 acres it is home to over 500 species of plants, some of which are more than 100 years old. You will find rare and exotic varieties of plants here and some of them have been imported from China and Thailand. Moreover, there are aromatic herbs, medicinal plants and other exotic flora which will make your visit here absolutely worthwhile.
Swami Vivekananda, an Indian Saint returned to India from the West and stayed for ten days in this beautiful building in 1897. After his visit, this two-storey house built in Victorian style was renamed after him and is a landmark structure in Chennai. Walk through the garden, kitchen and dining area and marvel at the fireplace, furniture and other things he used. A smart museum using latest multimedia trends stands on the premises which gives you a glimpse of Vivekanada’s life.
St. Thomas Mount is a small hillock near the neighbourhood of Guindy. In 1523 a shrine dedicated to ‘Our Lady of Expectation’ was built on the hillock at the spot believed to have been where St. Thomas breathed his last. A beautiful gateway of four remarkable arches stands at the northern foot of the mount. 160 steps take you to the top where you can get Mother Mary’s blessings.
Any guide will tell you that an adrenaline-packed trip to Queen’s Land is a must. Located on the Bangalore-Chennai Trunk Road, this theme park is sprawled over 70 acres and boasts of 51 rides including water rides, for both adults and kids. Additionally, there is a green area, play area and a buzzing food court. Some of the thrilling rides are Centrox, Free Fall Tower, Super Waves and Octopus among others.
If you are in Chennai, a tour of Marina Beach cannot be missed. It is a natural urban beach running along the Coromandel Coast of Bay of Bengal. This white sandy beach stretches for 13 kms and is the longest natural urban beach in India. It is a big tourist draw with almost 30,000 tourists flocking here every day. Take a stroll here while enjoying the cool sea breeze or relax as you watch the breath-taking sunset, the choice is yours!
One end of Marina Beach is Edward Elliot’s Beach, named after one of the chief magistrates and superintendents of police. If you are looking for some solitude away from the bustle of Marina Beach or the city, head to this beach for some peace and tranquillity. A memorial commemorating a Dutch sailor who lost his life while saving others from drowning, stands on this beach. A trip here will rejuvenate you.
The story of the beautiful Vadapalani Andavar Temple which is dedicated to Lord Muruga starts in 1890 when it was just a simple thatched shed. It was renovated in 1920 and its popularity has grown in leaps and bounds making it one of the prominent Chennai places to visit. Believed to fulfil people’s wishes, devotees throng to this temple every day. Stories from the Skanda Purana are depicted on the rajagopuram and 108 Bharatnatyam dance gestures or ‘mudras’ adorn the eastern tower. Explore your religious side here, on your Chennai trip.
Dedicated to Goddess Kalimgambal or Kamakshi, the magnificent Kalikambal temple was originally situated closer to the sea. Later it was relocated in 1640 to where it stands today. Interestingly, the brave Maratha ruler, Shivaji had worshipped here in 1667. It is said that the earlier form of the Goddess was a severe one and was later replaced by the calm form of Goddess Kamakshi. Your Chennai trip is incomplete without a serene visit here.
