Chennai Chennai's Landmark Buildings The Government Museum is in Egmore and is more than 150 years old.

After getting treated in Tamil Nadu, do not fail to visit the famous Navagragha Temples which are found in a close cluster around Kumbakonam in South Tamil Nadu. Nowhere in India do you find all the Navagragha Temples in such close proximity from each other, so that it is very easy to visit all the temples in about three days!   Surya  Chandra  Mangal Budha      Guru        Shukra  Shani     Rahu     Ketu

 

There are 3 separate galleries for Archaeology, art and Bronzes. The main building has a fine archaeology section containing artifacts from prehistoric days and all the major south Indian dynasties like Chola, Vijayanagar, Hoysala and Chalukyas,The Amarvati Gallery houses ancient Buddhist sculptures from Amarvati dating back to the time King Asoka. The bronze gallery houses the largest and finest collection of Chola art �statues of Nataraja, Buddha and Tamil saints. The highlight is the Cosmic Nataraja. The National Art Gallery building is in the Indi-saracenic style of architecture and is in red sandstone. The building has intricate carvings and 16^th-18^th century paintings from Rajasthan, the Mogul period and 17^th century Deccan Arts.10th -13^th century bronzes are also on display. Within the Museum premises is the circular 1000 year old Museum Theatre, again in Indo Saracenic architecture. T his is still a theatre where plays and plays are staged regularly. It was restored beautifully recently to its old magnificence.

Adjacent Parry�s Corner stand another land mark of Chennai, The Madras High Court built in 1892.It is built in Indo Saracenic style of architecture and is believed to be the second largest judicial complex in the world after the London Court. It also houses the oldest lighthouse of Chennai 48 m tall. The imposing High Court building has beautiful domes and many stained glass windows. The architect was Henry Irwin. The Pachaiyappa�s Hall built in 1850 and modelled on the Athenian Temple of Thesus, the General Post office building ,the State Bank of India Madras main branch Building are other historic buildings.

 

Central Station built in 1878 by George Harding along with Chisholm is the most important railway station in the South. The Ripon Building built in 1913 by Lord Ripon houses the Corporation of Chennai. Near by is the Victoria Public Hall., another landmark building.

 

For those who are interested in the Indian dance, the Kalakshetra Dance School in Besant Nagar is a place not to be missed. This school was started in 1936 to promote Bharata Natayam, the classical dance of Tamil Nadu. Classes are conducted throughout the year and many foreigners interested in learning dance, avail of the facilities. 

Near the Adyar River is the Theosophical Society, founded in 1875 at New York by Madame HP Blavatsky from Russia and Colonel HS Olcott,a retired US Arny Officer.The international headquarters of the society was shifted to Mumbai in 1879 and then to Chennai in 1882.Huddleston Gardens, a 28-acre wooded campus on the banks of the River Adyar is now the permanent headquarters of the Society. Spread over a vast expanse of woods, it is a haven for nature lovers. It attracts scores of migratory birds including the pink flamingo and other forms of wildlife. There is a avenue of mahogany trees called Founder's Avenue where the soil and seeds of the existing trees are brought from all over the world. It contains shrines of different faiths and a garden of Remembrance for the founders Madame Blavatsky and Col Olcott. The woods, a spectacular botanical wonder,is home to the Great Banyan Tree which is 450 years old. These grounds are open to walkers who are issued a walking pass. It is also open to the public during visiting hours.

Near Chennai is a place called Mamallapuram where some of the finest rock cut caves and sculptures in the world  are found. It was the Pallava King Narasimhavarman 1 Pallavamalla who made this ancient port city for its unique art and architecture in the 7th century. The rich portraits in stone and epic stories carved on rock are breathtakingly beautiful.. The Shore Temple, cave temples, the sunny beach makes this small coastal town a popular tourist destination. For people interested in water sports Muttukadu Lake and Covelong Beach are nearby. There are a number of amusement parks, water parks along the East Coast Road. 

Since a number of car factories like the Ford, Hyundai Hindustan Motors are situated here, Chennai is often called the Detroit of India. It is also home to many Indian IT Majors like the Wipro, TCS, Infosys, Satyam and countless many other BPO Offices and many multinationals.

The climate is hot throughout the year with the more pleasant months of the year being December to February.

No one leaves Chennai without visiting Nalli, Kumaran and countless other textile shops in T.Nagar all famous for their silk sarees. Another place to be visited if one can jostle with the teeming crowd is Rathna Stores and Saravana Stores, also in T.Nagar. One can purchase stainless steel utensils and anything else under the sun at amazing bargain prices. You can get lovely artefacts at very reasonable prices is VTI (Victoria Technical Institute) on Anna Salai .

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

   

            

           

            

            

 

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