Chennai, India – April 1999

Places to Visit

There are quite a number of places to visit in Chennai. The best way to tour Chennai is to either hire a motorcycle (Try the Enfield showroom at Alwarpet or Urent) or by Auto Rickshaws, which are basically three wheeled vehicles fitted with a motor.

Be sure to bargain with the auto drivers and make them use the Fare meters as otherwise they are sure to charge you exorbitantly.

There are also a lot of places where cycles can be hired, though cycling in Chennai isn’t really comfortable, especially if it involves more than a few kms.

A stroll on the Marina Beach, the 2nd longest beach in the world is recommended, especially early in the morning to catch the glorious spectacle of the sunrise. The continuation of the Marina Beach is Elliot’s beach, which though smaller, is much cleaner.

A short distance away from the Marina is the War Memorial, which is a memorial to the Indian soldiers who were killed during the Second World War.

Just a little further on is Fort St. George, which was the British seat of power until Independence. The Fort now houses the State Assembly and also has a museum, which contains various artifacts dating back to the British era.

Just near the Marina is the Santhome Cathedral, originally built in the 13th Century in honor of the apostle of St. Thomas. The church is a towering example of the cultural and religious diversity that India has to offer.

A short walk away is the Kapaleeshwarar temple in Mylapore, dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Another famous temple worth visiting is the Parthasarathy temple in Triplicane. Both these temples are centuries old and rich in grandeur and cultural heritage.

A must see on the itinerary is a visit to the Govt Museum at Egmore which is a fascinating place with a lot of exhibits on a variety of subjects.

Next door is the Connemara Library, one of the oldest in the country, which houses a large collection of books, many of them ancient. The cool lawns of the Museum / Library offer a good place to sit down and stretch your legs.

For those of you who like serene places, visit the Theosophical Society at Adyar. Surrounded by lush green trees and gardens, the place has a peaceful ambience to it. The century old library at the Society also has a fair sized collection of ancient manuscripts and documents.

Other places worthwhile visiting include the Kalakshetra Academy, Valluvar Kottam, Gandhi Mandapam and Birla Planetarium.

Hi, I am Sitaaraam, a 22 year old male from Chennai.

Before I begin, let me inform you that 1999-2000 happens to be the Visit India Tourism Year.

So lemme extend a warm and hearty welcome to one and all to visit India this year, and of course, in the years to come.

General Info

Madras, or Chennai, as it is has been recently re-christened to its old name, is one of the important cities in India.

It’s the capital of Tamil Nadu and is virtually the gateway to South India.

For those of you who don’t know much about history, it was here that the East India Company set up its base in the early 16th century, and slowly expanded the British Empire.

City Life

Chennai is one of the busiest cities in India. One of the distinct features of Chennai is its unique culture. This is the place where the East meets the West, where tradition meets modernism.

The best time to visit is between September and March when it is pleasant enough. In Chennai, as the popular joke goes, the weather is always warm, hot and hotter during the various seasons of the year.

If you are visiting Chennai, especially in the months of April – June, be prepared for the scorching heat as the mercury often shoots up beyond 40 degrees Celsius.

For more detailed information on Chennai, visit this website.