Chennai Information
Discover everything you need to know about Chennai with our comprehensive guide. From vibrant cultural heritage to modern city life, explore insights, attractions, and essential information about Chennai, India's dynamic coastal metropolis.
Chennai, the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is a vibrant metropolis renowned for its rich history, cultural heritage, and dynamic urban life. Situated on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal, Chennai boasts a unique blend of ancient traditions and modernity. Visitors are captivated by its stunning architecture, including magnificent temples like the Kapaleeshwarar Temple and the iconic Marina Beach, one of the longest urban beaches in the world. With its bustling markets, delectable cuisine, and thriving arts scene, Chennai offers a captivating experience for tourists seeking to explore India's diverse and vibrant culture.
How to Reach
BY AIR
Chennai International Airport is located at a distance of 7 km from the main city
BY TRAIN
Chennai is having two main railway terminals. Chennai Central station, the city’s largest, provides access to other major cities as well as many other smaller towns across India, whereas Chennai Egmore provides access to destinations primarily within Tamil Nadu
BY ROAD
Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminal (CMBT) is one of Asia’s largest bus stations and is well connected to major cities in Tamil Nadu
Places of Interest
Valluvar Kottam
The Valluvar Kottam, located in Chennai, is one such historical monument which is dedicated to the well-known intellectual poet, philosopher and saint, Thiruvalluvar, who penned his well-known Thirukkural more than 2,000 years ago. All the 133 chapters of the Thirukkural comprise of 1330 verses.
It was built by M. Karunanidhi, the then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, dating back to 1975 – 1976. It stands on the place of a lake which was then used as a dumping ground for the garbage of the entire city. Later on, however, the land was reformed and was used to build the Valluvar Kottam. The construction of Valluvar Kottam was the finest way to pay homage to this great and renowned personality as well his tremendous collection of magnificent works. This is one of the significant sites located in Chennai and is visited by a large number of visitors, every year, from all over the world. In the cultural life of the Tamils, saint Thiruvalluvar has great significance.
Marina Beach
Marina beach in Chennai along the Bay of Bengal is India’s longest and world’s second longest beach. This predominantly sandy of nearly 12 kilometers extends from Beasant Nagar in the south to Fort St. George in the north. Chennai Marina beach was renovated by Governor Mountstuart Elphinstone Grant Duff in 1880s. All tourists traveling to Chennai never miss visiting this grand Chennai beach. Marina beach is easily accessible by buses, taxis, two and three wheelers.
The aquarium and the Ice House are the main attractions on the Marina beach. The Chepauk Palace, Senate House, PWD office, Presidency College, and the Chennai University are historical buildings located on the beach drive.
The Victory of Labor and Mahatma Gandhi are two prominent statues on the Marina beach. The other statues lined along this Chennai beach include those of Swami Sivananda, Avaaiyar, Thanthai Periyar, Tiruvalluvar, Dr. Annie Beasant, G.U. Pope, Sir Thomas Munro, Subramaniya Bharathiyar, Kamarajar, Robert Caldwell, Kannagi, Kamarajar, M.G. Ramachandran, and Shivaji Ganesan.
Gandhi Mandapam
The Government of Tamil Nadu has established Gandhi Mandapam and Museum in Guindy, Chennai as a symbol of praising and honoring the sacrifice of Mahatma Gandhi. Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Puratchi Thalaivi Selvi J Jayalalithaa ordered to renovate Gandhi Mandapam at a cost of Rs.12 Crore and inaugurated it on 27.06.2014
According to the Order of The Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Puratchi Thalaivi Selvi J Jayalalithaa, Mahatma Gandhi statue and its surroundings in Kamarajar Salai, Marina beach, Chennai are renovated at a cost of Rs.11.95 lakh.
The Government of Tamil Nadu had erected a statue for Gandhiji at Kamarajar Road, Marina beach. On 30th January the day of his commomeration.
Gandhiji’s statue is garlanded and paid floral tribute by the Government of Tamil Nadu on 2nd October, the day of his Birthday
Government Museum
Established in 1851, Government Museum of Chennai is popular as the Madras Museum. Factually being the second oldest museum of India (after Kolkata’s Indian Museum), this museum is a treasure in itself! As a rich repository of finest masterpieces of art, archaeology, anthropology, numismatics and much more, the Madras Museum assures to lure one and all.
Spread across an area of 16.25 acres of land, the Government Museum is also counted among the largest museums of South Asia. Its campus has six independent buildings with 46 galleries.