Introduction
Chennai,(formerly known as Madras) the capital of Tamil Nadu lies, along the coast of Bay of Bengal. It is well known for its beaches and churches. Madras is a blend of foreign influences with traditional Hindu-Tamil culture. Madras has been popularly called as the 'Charm of Dravidian Architecture'. The erst villages of Mylapore, Egmore and Triplicane form a part of Chennai. It is fascinating city well-liked for its clear skyline, long sandy beaches, parks and historical landmarks. The city is a peculiar mixture of British, Raj Era monuments, Portuguese churches, Hindu temples and magnificent beaches. Shopping in Chennai can be a great experience as it is a major trade centre.


Quick Facts
Location : Along the coast of Bay of Bengal
State : Tamil Nadu
Area : 174 sq. kms
Trip Highlights : Marina beach
Ideal time to visit : November - February
Languages : Tamil, English, Hindi, Urdu and Malayalam
STD Code : 044
Climate : Summer (Max - 37 ºC) & Winter (Max - 32 ºC)
Best Time : November to February


Chennai Air/Rail/Road Links

Airport :	Chennai is an international arrival point and is well connected by Air from all major national and international cities around the world. The Kamaraj National and Anna International airports situated at Tirusulam are about 20 kms away from the city.
Railway Station :	Chennai is very well connected by rail all major places of India. The two main railheads are Central and Egmore.
Bus Station :	Most goverenment bus services for Tamil Nadu and other states operate from the newly built Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminal at Jawaharlal Nehru Sarai, Koyembedu.

Tourist attractions in Chennai
Marina Beach
Golden and yellow sand, good surf and and a beaming clean blue sea make up a Marina beach. Madras boasts of the longest beach in Asia. The beach gives mind-boggling look when the sun sets, you can see peddlars & hawkers shouting, selling their products and clever fortune tellers who guess the future of the visitors.

St George Forte
Built by the British, this is an important tourist spot. Presently the fort has been turned into a museum which houses a collection of British and French artifacts, a parade ground, and the oldest church of Chennai-St. Mary's Church.

Parthasarthy temple
Dedicated to Lord Rama, this temple is well known for its beautiful architecture. This temple was a creation of Pallava kings of South India in 8th century.

National Art Gallery
It showcases various Tanjore Rajput and Mughal paintings. It also depicts handicrafts and artifacts of 11th and 12th century. It was built in 1906 and was known as 'Victoria Memorial' initially. It was a beautiful creation of Henry Irwin.

Shopping Centres in Chennai
Shopping in Chennai can be great fun as it is one of the major trade centre. It is popular for its traditional bell metal items, bronze icons and stone sculptures. It is adviced to shop from :

Hotels in Chennai
Hotels located in Chennai enjoy a huge inflow of tourists throughout the year. These hotels exhibit the beautiful Indian hospitality for what India is well-known for. Offering a comfortable stay, all possible facilities with all recreation options last an unforgettable impression on tourist's mind.

Getaways
While you are holidaying in Chennai, make sure that you take out time and visit these given places. These places are not be missed while staying in Chennai.

Kancheepuram - (75 kms)
Mahabalipuram - (58 kms)
Tirupati - (154 kms)
Pondicherry - (162 kms)
Bangalore - (334 kms)