Chennai is the cultural capital of South India. This 383 years old city has the vibe of young hearts. British had a stronghold on Madras during the independence era and did many good to the city. They were the prime reason for the drastic development of Chennai city, which was once just a forest land.
The temple has Kapaleeswarar and Karpagambal being the most prominent. This ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is a typical example of Dravidian architecture. This temple has some beautiful sculptures, among which the bronze idols of 63 Saivaite Saints (Nayanmars) that adorn the outer courtyard is a rare spectrum. The Arupathimoovar festival is the most important procession this festival celebarated during the Tamil month of Panguni. It is named after the sixty-three Nayanamars who have attained salvation by their love & devotion to the all compassionate Lord Shiva.
Location: Kapaleeswarar Sannadhi Street, Vinayaka Nagar colony, Mylapore, Chennai-4
Timing: 7.30 am to 11.30 PM, 5pm to 9pm.
Phone: 044-24641670
This Temple is one of the very few shrines in the country dedicated to Krishna as Parthasarathy, charioteer of Arjuna and to contains idols of three avatars of Vishnu: Narasimha, Rama, and Krishna. It is one of the most reputed temples for the followers of Vaishnavism.
Timing: 6.30 am to 1 pm & 3 pm to 8 pm.
Location: Triplicane, Chennai-5
Phone: 24640784
Established in 1857, the notable collections include contemporary artifacts, sculptures, bronzes of various periods, sections for zoology, anthropology and geology will impress every visitor. National Art Gallery: It was built in 1907. A fine specimen for Indo-Saracenic style of architecture, this building is constructed in sandstone.
Children's Museum: The architecture of the Children's Museum conforms to that of a model museum building, with all the facilities contemplated in a modern museum
Location: 86 Pantheon Road, Egmore, Chennai-8
Timings: 9.30 am to 5 pm. Friday holiday. Adult Rs 15/-, Children Rs.10/
Phone: 044-28193238, 044-28193778
The museum was formally opened in 1948. Museum has an outstanding collection of early coins, silverware, porcelain, uniforms, manuscripts, engravings and aquatints of early Chennai.
Timing: 9am to 5 pm and Friday Holiday. Fee Rs.15/-
Location: Fort St. George, Secretariat Kamarajar Salai, Chennai-600009
Phone: 25671127,25670845
The Planetarium is considered in the modern world as an Indoor - Universe. It has provisions to execute diurnal, annual, latitudinal and precessional motions. Sky theatre make the programme lively and excited one. Built in memory of B.M. Birla, well known industrialist and visionary, is the most modern Planetarium in the country. Adjoining the planetarium is Periyar science and Technology Museum which will be of interest to students and science scholars.
Location: Tamil Nadu Science and Technology Centre, Gandhi Mandapam Rd (Behind CLRI). The science and Technology centre is open daily except national holidays.
Programmes: 10.45 am, 1.45 pm and 3.45 pm. In English at Noon, Tamil 2.30pm Adult Rs 15/-, Children Rs.10/-
Phone: 044-24416751, 24402893
An imposing building on the Marina along the beach road, was constructed in1842 to store ice bars imported from the USA by the Tudor Ice Company and the business was on upto 1874. In 1897 Swami Vivekananda visited the city, after his much acclaimed Chicago speech, on his return journey to Calcutta.
Adult Rs.20/- Child Rs.10/-
Time:10 am to 12.30 pm & 3.00 pm to 7.30 pm.
Holiday: Monday and Govt holidays
Phone: 044-28446188, 28446186
The park is inhabited by more species of trees varieties of shrubs and more species of woodland mammals. The place also housed many species of rare birds and amphibians. The Deer Park (spread on 595 acres) situated adjacent to Raj Bhavan was originally a part of the Governor's Estate. This is the only National Park situated within a Metropolitan City. Botanically very rich with more than 30 trees species which include a number of centuries-old gigantic banyan trees. It is located at Sardar Vallabhai Patel Road, Adyar, Guindy.
Location: Guindy, Chennai- 600022
Timings: 8.30 am to 5.45 pm except Tuesday.
Phone: 044-22351471,944458319.
At the present time, the Chennai light house is the 4th lighthouse. Before the conclusion of 18th century. Light house was reopened to visitors on 16th Nov 2013.
Location: Kamarajar Salai, Mylapore, Chennai-4
Timings: 10.00am to 1 pm and 3pm to 6pm. Monday weekly Holiday
Entry fee: Rs. 20/- Per adult, Rs. 10/- for children (below 12 years). Foreigners Rs. 50/- Camera fee is Rs.25/- for museum, an additional Rs.10/-
Phone: 044-24985598
Marina Beach is 12km long and offers excellent opportunities for walks and has a very wide sandy foreshore. Its width is up to 300 mtrs (985 ft).
The Marina is the second longest urban beach in the world. It is an elegant promenade with flower beds along its lanes. Along the shore, there are many buildings built during the British colonial rule. The South Beach Road runs past the Madras University, the Senate House, the Chepauk Palace (Nawabs of Carnatica once held their court here). With a broad sand shore, it is the most popular gathering place for local people and tourist to relax in the evenings and weekends.
The temple was constructed on the wishes of Sri Chandrashekarendra Saraswati swamigal of Kanchi Mutt. Ashtalakshmi, is a Hindu goddess of prosperity. It is dedicated to 8 manifestations of Goddess Mahalakshmi.
Location: Elliots Beach, Chennai-90
Timing: 6.30 am to 12.00 pm & 4.00 pm to 8.30 pm.
Phone: 24466777,24917777
It was built in memory of poet-saint Thiruvalluvar, who is believed to have lived 2000 years ago. The saint authored a didactic book called Thirukkural consisting of 1330 couplet under 133 heading. Standing memorial to the immortal Tamil Saint philosopher Thiruvalluvar is shaped like a temple chariot in Tiruvarur. A life size statue of the saint has been installed in the 39 mtrs tall chariot. The auditorium can accommodate about 4000 spectators.
Location: Valluvar Kottam High road, Chennai-34
Entry Fee: Adult Rs.10/- Children Rs.10/-
Timing: 8.30am to 5.30 pm No Holiday
Phone: 28172177
The Chennai Rail Museum is a railway museum. The museum opened on 16 April 2002 in the Furnishing Division of the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) near Perambur. At the centre, the museum has many heritage exhibits, information about Rail Heritage, audio-visual show and photo gallery. More than 500 schools are visiting in a year as museum remains Rail heritage education and entertainer. Exclusive play items are available for small kids to enjoy while learning about Rail Heritage. A food kiosk is available to meet the requirements of the visiting students and children during the day.
Star Attractions: Joy Train, Childrens Park, Running Model. Souvenir Shop display, Vintage Coach/Train Models, Photo/ Gallery.
Location: Regional Rail Museum is situated near ICF, Perambur, Chennai-38.
Timing: 10.00 am to 05.30 pm
Holiday: National holidays and Monday
Entry Fee: Rs. 50/- Children Rs. 25/- per head.
Phone: 26201014,26146306/6594.
The only heritage site on a beach, this is a UNESCO World Heritage Site belonging to the Pallava period dating back to 7th and 8th centuries. Plenty of beach resorts are available here. One time entry fee for all monuments: Indian Rs. 10/- foreign tourist US $ 5/-
Time: 06.30 am – 5.30 pm
Phone: 27442226
Location: Post Bag No 4, Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu 603104
Timing: 8.30 am – 5.30 pm Monday Holiday
Entry fee: Adult- Rs. 35/- children- Rs. 10/-
Phone: 27472447
Location: Tiruvallur district that is 60kms from Chennai city.
Location: Kalakshetra Rd, Radhakrishnan Nagar, Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai-600041
Timing: 8.30 AM to 11.30 AM
Entry fee: Rs.100/- Foreign Tourists: Rs.500/-
Location: Royapettah, Peter's Rd, Peters Colony, Thousand Lights, Chennai-600086
Location: Gandhi Mandapam Rd, Kotturpuram, Chennai-600085
Timing: 9.00 AM to 8.00 PM
Phone: 044-2220 9999
Location: Vedathangal, Madurantakam, 603314
Timings: 6.00 AM to 6.00 PM
Entry fee: Adult Rs.5/-, Children Rs.2/-
Phone: 044-22351471
It is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas in the country. It is also believed to be the Nabhisthan or the center of the earth or at least the eastern hemisphere.
It is one of the nine Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu and one of the 108 Divya Desams or Vishnu temples.
Pancha Bhoota Stalam" [five Shiva temples each representing five elements of life], The Temple is one of the most sacred Shiva temples. It represents the element Earth.
The Temple is a Shiva Kanchi, which is one among the three Kanchis in Kancheepuram, the other two being the Vishnu Kanchi and the Jain Kanchi.
The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is of immense religious importance.
This is one of the biggest production centres of pure silk handlooms. The artisans are intolerant towards the entry of power looms and the introduction of any new techniques of productions.
This shore Temple is one of the oldest South Indian temples constructed in the Dravidian style and depicts the royal taste of the Pallava dynasty.
This is a magnificent structure carved out in rocks that depicts the mythological characters and their stories.
The Temple of Five Chariots was built in the second half of the 7th century, each carved from a huge boulder.
It's an gaunt rock inclined on the slope but facinating enough that it doesn't slide or roll down.
You can enjoy rowing, windsurfing, water skiing, Aqua scooters, and explore all other watersports here.
One of the most treasured possessions of India, the Mahabalipuram lighthouse is proof of our rich cultural heritage. The 26m lighthouse is visible from a radius of 54km and is one of the most visited foreign tourist destinations in India.
The Seashell Museum. Baubled with over 40,000 species of shells, this must-visit museum. This known for housing various rare and unique.