Places to visit in the city Chennai
PARTHSARTHY TEMPLE - Chennai
 The temple was built in the 8th century by the Pallava
kings of South India. It was renovated by the mighty Vijayanagar
kings in the 16th century. The temple, situated in Triplicane,
another beach in Chennai and one of the major harbours during
Pallava time, is famed for the beauty of its gopuram (arched
gateway) and its architecture. The entire locality is fashioned
around the temple.
KAPALEESHWAR TEMPLE - Chennai
 This temple was constructed in the 13th century and is a
living example of the architectural skills of the Dravidians.
Situated in the Malaypore area of Chennai, the temple is
the nucleus of the local tank market and residential quarters
around it. The main entrance facing east is painted in red,
blue and yellow with Puranic legends sculpted on the sanctum
sanctorum.
SANTHOME CATHEDRAL - Chennai
 Built over the tomb of apostle St. Thomas, the Santhome
Cathedral is an important pilgrimage centre. According to
legends, St. Thomas arrived in India from Palestine in AD
52 and died after 26 year. The church was built after a
millennium, probably by the Persian Christians, and his
remains were moved inside. The church was refurbished in
1606 and made into a cathedral. Again, in 1806, it was rebuilt
as a basilica. There is a museum in its premises with a
16th-century map of South Asia.
FORT ST. GEORGE - Chennai
 The most powerful symbol of the British Empire in its early
days in India, Fort St. George was the first piece of real
estate for British in India. For many, it is still unclear
that why Sir Day (the founder) choose this place to build
this important fort, leaving many other picturesque locations
on the vast coastline of the Bay of Bengal. The fort has
a grey granite exterior unlike the Mughal forts that has
lavish ornamentation and luxury. It housed barracks for
the British army, a parade ground, and the oldest church
of Chennai—the St. Mary/’s Church.
MARINA BEACH - Chennai
 The beach extends from Fort St. George all the way to Mahabalipuram.
The beach looks spectacular at dusk when the setting sun
casts iridescent glow and peddlers sell everything from
ice creams to roasted peanuts to balloons. You can also
read your future from the fortune tellers and palm readers
who lure the visitors by various means. Don/’t try to show
your swimming skills here as the sea can get quite rough
here.
NATIONAL ART GALLERY - Chennai
 Built in 1906, the gallery is situated in a splendid Indo-Saracenic
edifice. The building was initially known as Victoria Memorial
Hall and was designed by Henry Irwin. The eminent historian
Tillotson described it as one of /”the proudest expressions
of the Indo-Sarcenic movement/”. There is a good collection
of old paintings and sculptures including Tanjore paintings
on glass; Rajput and Mughal miniature paintings; Deccan
paintings from 17th century; and handcrafts, metalware,
and ivory carvings from 11th and 12th century.
SNAKE PARK - Chennai
 The Snake Park situated in the Guindy National Park in
the Raj Bhavan Estate has a large collection of snakes and
many other reptiles.
THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY - Chennai
 The Theosophical Society was founded by Madam Blavatsky
and Colonel Olcott in New York in 1875 and moved its headquarters
to Chennai in 1882. The society is set in large and tranquil
gardens with several shrines of different faiths and a Serene
Garden of Remembrance.
KALAKSHETRA - Chennai
Kalakshetra, located around 1 km from the Theosophical
Society, was founded by Rukmini Devi Arundale for the revival
of Indian classical arts and crafts traditions.
GENGI - Chennai
 About 25 km from Chidambaram on the Tindivanam–Thiruvannamalai
road lies the town of Gengi. The major attraction out here
is a 700-year-old fort constructed by Kone Chiefs. The fort
runs over three hills of enormous and steep boulders. It
was occupied by Marathas, Mughals, Vijayanagar Nayaks, the
French, and the British during different periods of history. |
