Chennai

Chennai, or erstwhile Madras, is the capital city of the state of Tamil Nadu in India. Situated on the Coromandel Coast along the Bay of Bengal, the beachfront of this city is second in the world in terms of length. As per estimations provided by historians, this city is approximately 370 years old and in recent times Chennai has become a major destination for medical tourism. Chennai is also one of the most important gateways to the southern states of India. It is a favorite destination for tourists because of its rich cultural heritage and is a major exporter of software services in India.

Best time to visit Chennai

Chennai, being close to the Tropic of Capricorn has a tropical climate marked by intense humid conditions owing to its proximity to the Bay of Bengal. The city never truly experiences cold winters. Ideally, the best time to visit Chennai is between December and March when the temperature remains in a comfortable range of 19 degree Celsius to 28 degrees Celsius.

Places to see in Chennai

A few of the essential places that should be visited inChennai are:

Marina Beach

One of the major attractions of this coastal city is its beaches. Many popular beaches are there which are potential tourist spots including the world-famous Marina Sea Beach which is 12Km long. The beaches in Chennai provide excellent experience of the sea. Marina Beach is also the second in terms of length in the whole world. Edward Elliot’s beach and Breezy Beach are also among the other lovely beaches that you can see.

Temples

Many famous ancient temples that are worth seeing are in and around the city of Chennai. You must visit some of the most wonderful heritage temples such as the Kapaleeswarar Temple and Parthasarathy Temple bear typical south Indian architectural styles that are worth admiring.

Churches

Chennai is a city of many faiths, so there are also several old churches which are famous tourist attractions like Basilica of the National Shrine of St. Thomas and St. Mary’s Church.

Things to do in Chennai

Visit Theosophical Society office

Chennai is the international headquarters of the Theosophical Society. This place is an interesting visit, and the garden here has a banyan tree which is over 450 years old.

Explore Marina Beach Road

To experience the heart of Chennai, it is a good idea to explore the Marina Beach Road or Kamarajar Salai. Important historical buildings and the famous Chepauk Stadium are present along that part of the city.

How to Reach Chennai?

Closest railway station/bus stop to Chennai:

Chennai has two major railway stations – Chennai Central and Chennai Egmore and both are well connected to other cities by train. They are at around 3Km and 2Km from the city centre.

The Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus is located well within the city proper and provides frequent services to nearby cities like Tirupati (133Km), Pondicherry (151.2Km).

Closest airport to Chennai:

The nearest airport is Chennai International Airport which is about 14Km from the heart of the city.