Chennai, the cultural capital of India
Chennai is a city where you receive a warm welcome from people. The vibrant culture and rich heritage are sure to attract all travellers to the city time and again.
Things to do in Chennai
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Visit Marina Beach and Elliot’s Beach. The former is a busy and bustling beach while the latter is a calm beach where you can take a peaceful walk.
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Go boating in Muttukadu and enjoy other water sports activities.
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Go for bird watching in Pulicat Lake. It is a perfect spot for nature lovers and bird watchers.
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Get a taste of Chennai’s spicy dishes and their special idly, vada and sambar found in all corners of Chennai's streets.
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Visit Birla Planetarium if you are a technology and science geek. The programmes there will not only keep you engaged but also educate you.
Tourist attractions in Chennai
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Mahabalipuram – It is famous for its rock-cut caves, carved sculptures, temples and monuments built in the 7th and 8th Centuries by the Pallavas. It is one of the major tourist attractions in Chennai.
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St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica – Its history dates back to the 15th century when the Portuguese explorers constructed the Basilica over the final resting place of one of the twelve apostles of Jesus. It is a sacred place for the catholic community not only in India but all over the world.
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Arignar Anna Zoological Park – Also referred to as the Vandalur Zoo, it is home to many rare species.
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Government Museum – The tenth oldest museum in the world, it is spread over more than 16 acres of land. There are numerous sections like archaeology, zoology, anthropology, geology, numismatics, an art gallery and a children’s museum.
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Kapaleeshwar Temple – It is located in Mylapore and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is one of the ancient temples in Chennai and is an example of Dravidian architecture.
Places to shop in Chennai
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T.Nagar – You can get branded and non-branded clothing at low prices in T.Nagar. You can also shop for accessories, bags and footwear at unbelievable rates from street-side shops.
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Parry’s Corner – One of the wholesale bazaars for textiles and household items.
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Sowcarpet – It is the best place to buy jazzy and elegant north Indian and western wear at low prices.
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Pantheon road – This is the best place to buy unstitched fabrics and export rejects at affordable prices.
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Ritchie Street – This is the electronic hub of Chennai where you can get the whole range of electronic items.
Best time to visit Chennai
The best time to visit is during the pre-monsoon season, that falls between October and February.
Modes of transport in Chennai
Buses are readily available in Chennai, and they cover most of the city. Suburban railway network and metro train network are also available. Taxis and auto-rickshaws are frequently used means of transportation in Chennai.
Weather in Chennai
Summers are scorching in Chennai, with the temperatures rising to 40 degrees Celsius or more. Summer is from March to May. Monsoon is in the months of October and November. The winter months are pleasant.
Airport in Chennai
Chennai airport has international and domestic terminals adjacent to each other and has three terminals. Multiple IndiGo flights fly from this airport to other routes like Chennai to Guwahati, Chennai to Varanasi, Chennai to Mangaluru and Chennai to Bhubaneswar.
IATA: MAA.