Travel Destinations in Chennai, India

Vivekananda Museum:
The Vivekananda Museum on South Beach Road is located in a building formerly known as the Ice House that used to store the massive ice blocks transported from North America. Later Swami Vivekananda used to preach from the same venue. Now it houses the collection of photographs and memorabilia from his life.

Development Centre for Musical Instruments:
You will find numerous ancient and modern Indian musical instruments exhibited here.

St Andrews Church:
This classical style church was completed in 1821.The impressive blue dome is decorated with gold stars.

Shri Parthasarathy Temple:
Dedicated to lord Krishna this one of the oldest surviving temples in Chennai was build in the 8th century by the Pallava Rulers. The Vijaynagara Kings again renovated it in 16th century.

Kapaleeshwarar Temple:
Constructed in the Dravidian style, this ancient temple is dedicated to lord Shiva .It displays the architectural elements like gopurams, mandapams and a tank.

SanThome Cathedral:
This Roman Catholic church built in Neo Gothic style located near Kapaleeshwarar temple is said to house the remains of St Thomas the Apostle.

Luz Church:
This 16th century church is dedicated to Our Lady of Light said to be oldest church in Chennai.It was built by Portuguese sailors as a thanksgiving to Our Lady.

Guindy national Park, Snake Park and Children's Park:
These parks are located adjacent to each other in Adyar.The children's park is small and pleasant with small animals like peacocks, otters and porcupines etc. You will find two elephants lounge under the watchful eyes of their mahout. Snake Park with its lizards, crocodiles and turtles is more interesting.

Little Mount Church:
Known locally as Chinnamalai this tiny cave is said to be the place where St.Thomas believed to have lived when he came to India around AD 58.Enter the cave via Portuguese church built in 1551.

Vadapalani Temple:
The Vadapalani Andavar temple is dedicated to Lord Muruga being built 125 years ago. Renowned for bringing people together, this temple conducts about 7,000 weddings annually.

Ashtalakshmi Temple:
This new temple is one of the three shore temples open to worship on the east coast. Dedicated to Goddess Mahalakshmi in her eight forms it is located on Elliots Beach.

Mangadu Temple:
Famous for the idol of the Goddess Parvati performing one of her many penances - standing on the leg over the five fires with a visage showing perfect serenity. It is 23 kms from the heart of the city located between Iyyappanthangal & Poonamallee.

Christ the King Church:
Commissioned by French clergymen this church was designed and built by an Indian mason in 1933. It is a fine example of gothic architecture standing majestically in the middle of Loyola College campus. It has pointed arches, ribbed vaults, rose windows, three-aisled nave and flying buttresses. Covering an area of 150 feet by 60 feet, with stained glass windows, this church is a captivating sight, inside as well as outside. The spire is 157 feet high and has a stairway leading to the top, where a cross stands.

Kali Bari Temple:
This is a replica of the famed Kalighata Temple in Calcutta thronged by Bengalis.

The Armenian Church of Virgin Mary:
Built, in 1772, on the site of the Armenian cemetery, this church houses a magnificent belfry six bells, claimed to be the largest bells in Chennai. It is located on Armenian Street.

C.S.I. Holy Cross Church:
More than 120 years old, it was originally called the Perambur Railway Church, when it was under the railway authorities. It earlier had a pre dominantly Anglo-Indian congregation though now everybody attends it. It is located on 16, Siruvalluvur Rd, Chennai.

St.Thomas Mount:
Legend has it that Thomas, an apostle of Christ, preached atop the hill here. He is said to have been killed on this 300 ft. high mount. The paintings of 'The Holy Lady and The Child' and 'Our Lady of Expectations' exhibited in this church are believed to have been done by St. Thomas. It is located near Meenambakkam.

St. George's Cathedral:
A striking piece of architecture, the St. George's Cathdral was built in 1815. It has a towering 45m spire and lonic columns. The highlight of this Cathedral is the graveyard just adjacent to it with its guardrail made up of war emblems of muskets, bayonets etc captured from Srirangapatnam in 1799.

Descanso:
Lying amidst the cultural and religious centre of Mylapore, this 17th century church is said to have been the place where St. Thomas took rest and also served the people.

Velankanni Church:
This church is in honour of Our Lady of Health, the Madonna of Velankanni. The devotees believe in the miraculous curative powers of the Madonna.

Big Mosque: Hidden behind the modern buildings on Triplicane High Road, this renowned place of worship for Muslims, built in 1795, is a marvelous granite structure.

Thousand Lights Mosque:
Close to, the Anna flyover on Mount Road lays this mosque on 3 acres of land. Renovated a couple of times this century; it has two tall minarets and a separate place of worship for women.

Sri Guru Nanak Sat Sangh Sabha:
The holy place for Sikhs, Sri Guru Nanak Sat Sangh Sabha is remarkable for its serene ambience.

Jain Temple:
A striking contrast to the rock hewn temples of Tamilnadu is the Jain temple. The two-tiered, 70' high temple is built of lime-and-soapstone and marble giving it a dazzling appearance.

Bah'a'i Centre:
A place of worship full of solemnity, sobriety and peace.

Horticultural Gardens:
Located in the heart of the city on Cathedral Rd, this 22-acre lush garden is as if a whiff of fresh air for Chennaiites.You will find rare trees, medicinal herbs and shrubs aplenty here. Plants, saplings and seeds are available for sale.

Nageswara Park:
This park at Luz corner was developed a couple of years ago with the initiative of the elected Council that took charge at Ripon Building in 1996. The walkways, fountains and garden benches have also attracted filmmakers for whom this park is a preferred shoot location. New garden light fittings are an additional attraction for visitors. The park that is open to the public on all days has a separate play area for children. The park has a well-maintained garden with varieties of trees like Lapostromea, Capsia Fistula and Tabulia and foliage trees like Pungam, Neem, Palms, Ficus Religiosa and Thespesia. Medicinal and Ornamental plants are also found here.

Dr Natesan Park:
Dr. Natesan Park, in T.Nagar, attracts hundreds of visitors everyday. Spread over 4 acres, with long walkways, fountains and garden lights, this park was opened to the public on September 13, 1950. Situated in the heart of the city, the park has a variety of trees and plants like Crotons, aralias, bougainvilleas, acalypha, ceesil peniea, pulcharima, mahogany, neem and gulmohur. It has a separate tennis court for coaching children. There is also play zone for children.

Sivan Park:
Sivan Park on P.T.Rajan Salai, K.K.Nagar has well-maintained lawns, pathways and play area for children. You can see various monument replicas, like that of the Gateway of India. There is a 15 feet high statue of Lord Siva, depicted in a posture of meditation. The statue is designed in such a way that water flows down from the head, from a height of about 15 feet, giving it a cascading effect. The park has a good collection of trees including Petophorum, Rain tree, Gulmohur and shrubs like acalyppa, creepers and ground covers. In addition, a nursery sells plants to visitors to the park.

Mayday Park:
May Day Park, originally known as Napier Park, is situated on Deputy Mayor Kabalamoorthy Road in Chintadripet. Spread over 14.5 acres, the Park is used to hold public meetings during the May Day celebrations. Even political parties and associations take out rallies from the park. May Day Park is divided into two portions. The park, proper, is on the eastern side and on the western side is a well-maintained playground used by the neighborhood children.

Vandalur Zoo:
One of the finest open-air zoos in India, this wildlife enthusiast's delight is located 30 kms south of Chennai. Mini safaris are organized here.

Light House:
A massive tall structure situated at south end of the Marina Beach beckons the visitors in the evening and adds glory to the golden sands. All India Radio (AIR) radio broadcast station is located opposite to the lighthouse.

Pancha Mandapams:
Adjoining the Governor's residence (Raj Bhavan) at Guindy, there are five memorials. To the father of the nation - Mahatma Gandhi, the first Indian Governor General - C Rajagopalachari, former Chief Ministers of the state - Kamaraj and Bhaktavatsalam and one to Martyrs.The Gandhi Mandapam is immediately recognisable by the temple gopuram styling of its portals. The Kamaraj memorial has a distinctive Charakha (Spinning Wheel) atop the memorial. The Rajaji memorial, with its dominating pink, is quite conspicuous. Clustered among these are the memorials to Bhaktavatsalam and the Martyrs.

Chennai War Cemetery:
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission set up the Chennai War Cemetery in 1952 as a tribute to the valiant men and women who laid down their lives in the Second World War. The Stone of Remembrance greets the visitor to the Chennai War Cemetery with the words from the Book of Ecclesiasticus 'Their Name Liveth For Evermore'. There is the Cross of Sacrifice, set up on an octagonal base bearing a bronze sword upon its shaft. These two monuments are common to all large CWGC cemeteries. The Chennai War Cemetery honors 855 men and women of the Commonwealth forces and one Polish airman who died during the war of 1939 - 1945. It has been a kind of second burial for these armed forces personnel, who died in the line of duty at different places while serving in various units during the war. Most of the graves were brought together from civil and cantonment cemeteries in the South and East of India. There is also a memorial commemorating a merchant seaman who was buried elsewhere. The Cemetery also has three non-world war graves. There is also a Memorial to soldiers who died in the First World War 1914 - 1918. It is known as the Chennai Memorial. The Chennai Memorial has the names of all the 1,039 men who died in the First World War inscribed on it. Located at Nandambakkam, Chennai 600 089.

back...