Explore Chennai

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Best places to visit in chennai
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chennai

Tamil Nadu, INDIA

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Best Time to Visit Chennai

Quick Info

 

Chennai is a famous tourist destination perfect for beach lovers & adventure seekers. 

 

The best Months To Visit are from October to February.

 

The ideal time required to explore Chennai is 3-4 days.

 

Chennai has many nearby tourist destinations like Ooty, Coorg, Pondicherry & many more.

 

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About Chennai

Chennai, or Madras as it was called before, on the Coromandel Coast, is the capital city of Tamil Nadu, a State of the Indian Subcontinent. It is a major industrial, commercial, cultural, economic, and educational center of Southern India. Chennai City is the sixth largest populated Indian city. It is known as the "Detroit of India" because of many automobile industries. 


Beautiful Beaches, day leisure outlets, Modern Sea Port & Airport, Long and beautiful Highways, Convenient multi-Transport system, Theme parks, Industrial cities, Hi-Tech software silicon valley parks, Sophisticated Multi Speciality Hospitals, World Class Universities, High Rise Business, and Residential complexes are the present day's outlook of the great Chennai, most sought after by the people of all walks of life from all parts of the world. 


While the city was the seat of power for many South Indian kingdoms through the ages, the documented history began in the colonial times when the British stepped on the shores of Chennai and settled with the establishment of Fort St. George in1644. 

Top Places to Visit in Chennai

Government Museum
👥 35,613
Museum/Gallery

Government Museum

It's the second oldest museum, next to Kolkata & a multi-purpose State Government Museum in Egmore. Six independent buil…

It's the second oldest museum, next to Kolkata & a multi-purpose State Government Museum in Egmore. Six independent buildings have 46 galleries. It is rich in archaeological, numismatic, & largest Roman collections too. Buddhist Ruins from Amaravathi find a prominent place here. Housed across the British-built Pantheon Complex, this excellent museum is the best in Chennai. The big highlight is 3rd building, the Bronze Gallery, with a superb collection of South Indian bronzes from the 7th century Pallava era through to modern times and English-language explanatory material. Another building, the Anthropology Galleries, traces South Indian human history back to prehistoric times, displaying tribal artifacts from across the region. 

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Vivekananda House
👥 909,203
Historical/Monument

Vivekananda House

The marshmallow-pink Vivekananda House is famous not only for its displays of the famous wandering monk, Swami Vivekanan…

The marshmallow-pink Vivekananda House is famous not only for its displays of the famous wandering monk, Swami Vivekananda but also for its semicircular form, built-in 1842 to store ice imported from the USA. Vivekananda stayed here briefly in 1897 and preached his ascetic Hindu philosophy to adoring crowds. The displays include a photo exhibition of the swami's life and the room where Vivekananda stayed, now used for meditation. Free weekly one-hour meditation classes may be available. 

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Victory War Memorial
👥 442,185
Historical/Monument

Victory War Memorial

To explore the vibrant heroic past of India, visit the War Memorial of Chennai. The memorials are dedicated to those sol…

To explore the vibrant heroic past of India, visit the War Memorial of Chennai. The memorials are dedicated to those soldiers who laid their lives for the welfare of the nation as well as those who died as martyrs, serving their nation. These memorials in honor of the Freedom Fighters are on a stretch of land near Raj Bhavan, the Residence of the Governor of Tamil Nadu. Each of the leaders honored is different from the others in terms of approach and activity, but with a common goal-OUR NATION.

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Kattubava Mosque
👥 481,214
Religious

Kattubava Mosque

Almost 500 years old in its construction, the Kattubava Mosque, or Kattubava Pallivasal, is a famous mosque in Tamil Nad…

Almost 500 years old in its construction, the Kattubava Mosque, or Kattubava Pallivasal, is a famous mosque in Tamil Nadu located on the Padukkottai-Madurai Highways. It is among the notable Islamic Pilgrim Centres in India. A beautifully built structure, the Kattubava Mosque entombs a saint called Bava Fakruddin. Popularly known as Kattubava, he was the grandson of the honorable saint of Nagore Shahul Hameed. The mosque looks as peaceful from its exteriors as it is from within. The architecture of the mosque is truly phenomenal, with exquisite detailing. The Kattubava Mosque stands as a symbol of peace and harmony & is visited by both Hindus and Muslims in Tamil Nadu. 

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The Big Mosque
👥 79,419
Religious

The Big Mosque

The Big Mosque Chennai is located in the Janbazar area of Triplicane in Chennai, along Wallajah Road. It is one of the m…

The Big Mosque Chennai is located in the Janbazar area of Triplicane in Chennai, along Wallajah Road. It is one of the most beautiful mosques in this capital city. Constructed in 1795, the Big Mosque Chennai is one of the important historical monuments of Chennai. The architecture embodies the fusion of Indian, Islamic, and Iranian influences. The Big Mosque of Chennai has the distinction of being one of the most beautiful shrines in Chennai. The Big Mosque Chennai is an impressive architectural specimen and tourist destination, known to be frequented regularly by a large number of visitors to the city of Chennai. 

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Kandaswamy Temple
👥 950,633
Religious

Kandaswamy Temple

The Kandaswamy Temple of Chennai is in Cheyyur, 29 kilometers from Madurantakam. You can reach the temple from Chennai b…

The Kandaswamy Temple of Chennai is in Cheyyur, 29 kilometers from Madurantakam. You can reach the temple from Chennai by bus, rail, or road. The nearest railway station to Cheyyur is the Chenglepattu. Besides this settlement, these rulers constructed three temples, among which the Kandaswamy Temple of Chennai is the most well-known. The Kandaswamy Temple of Chennai is between the Shiva and the Vishnu temples. Lord Kandaswamy or Lord Shiva is the principal deity of this temple. The Kandaswamy Temple of Chennai attracts tourists due to the different figures standing in specific postures. 

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Transportation Facilities in Chennai

By Air - Chennai has both domestic and international airports. Chennai is well connected to several Indian cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Ahmadabad, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Kochi, Port Blair, etc.

 

By Train - Chennai Central, Egmore and Tambaram are the three railway stations in Chennai. Chennai is well connected to most major parts of the country like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Goa, Ahmadabad, Bhubaneswar, Bilaspur, Chandigarh, Coimbatore, Dehradun, Ernakulam, Gaya, Gorakhpur, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Jammu, Jodhpur, Kanyakumari, Mangalore, Madurai, Patna, Pondicherry, Jamshedpur, Thiruvananthapuram, etc.

 

By Road - Chennai is well connected by 5 highways to all the major cities as well as states. Chennai bus station is considered as Asia's largest bus station. It has a great frequency of buses to and from Chennai. This connectivity makes Chennai a place most visited by tourists.

 

Chennai Metro Rail - Chennai Metro Rail is a new part of underground rapid transit system for moving around the city much easier. Line 1 goes from the airport to Teynampet, Thousand Lights, Central train station, the High Court and Washermanpet in northern Chennai, running beneath Anna Salai for several kilometres. Line 2 goes from Central train station west to Egmore and the CMBT then south to St Thomas Mount.

 

Other Modes - Taxis and rickshaws are easily available from the station to reach anywhere in the city. There are pre-paid auto rickshaw booths outside the CMBT and Central station, and 24-hour pre-paid stands with fare charts outside the north and south exits of Egmore station. Both airport terminals have pre-paid taxi kiosks. There's a pre-paid taxi stand outside the south side of Egmore station.
 

Famous & Traditional Food in Chennai

Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu in South India, offers a diverse and delectable range of traditional dishes. Here are some famous dishes and places to eat in Chennai:


 


1. Idli and Sambar:


   - Specialty: Soft, steamed rice cakes (idli) served with a spicy lentil soup (sambar) and coconut chutney.


   - Where to Try: Murugan Idli Shop and Saravana Bhavan are renowned for their idli and sambar.


 


2. Dosa:


   - Specialty: Thin, crispy pancakes made from fermented rice and lentil batter, often stuffed with potatoes (masala dosa).


   - Where to Try: Sangeetha's and Ratna Cafe serve delicious dosas.


 


3. Chettinad Cuisine:


   - Specialty: Spicy and flavorful dishes, such as Chettinad Chicken Curry and Chettinad Fish Curry.


   - Where to Try: Explore Chettinad restaurants like Anjappar and Karaikudi Chettinad Restaurant.


 


4. Filter Coffee:


   - Specialty: Strong and aromatic South Indian coffee served with frothy milk and sugar.


   - Where to Try: Mylapore and Triplicane areas have numerous local coffee shops.


 


5. Biryani:


   - Specialty: Fragrant rice cooked with aromatic spices and meat or vegetables.


   - Where to Try: Buhari Hotel and Aasife Biryani are famous for their biryani.


 


6. Pongal:


   - Specialty: A comforting dish made from rice and lentils, often seasoned with black pepper, cumin, and ghee.


   - Where to Try: Pongal is commonly available at local breakfast eateries.


 


7. Chennai Beach Sundal:


   - Specialty: A popular beach snack made from boiled legumes, typically garnished with coconut and spices.


   - Where to Try: Marina Beach and Besant Nagar Beach are popular spots to enjoy sundal.


 


8. Kozhukattai:


   - Specialty: Steamed or fried rice dumplings, sweet or savory, often prepared during festivals.


   - Where to Try: Local sweet shops and eateries serve Kozhukattai.


 


9. Chennai Seafood:


   - Specialty: Fresh seafood preparations, including fish curry, prawn masala, and crab masala.


   - Where to Try: Restaurants like Kaaraikudi and Grand Sweets and Snacks offer seafood dishes.


 


10. Grand Sweets and Snacks:


    - Specialty: A famous sweets and snacks shop known for its Mysore Pak, Badam Halwa, and other traditional treats.


 


11. Murugan Idli Shop:


    - Specialty: A renowned restaurant chain specializing in South Indian breakfast items like idli, dosa, and vada.


 


12. Saravana Bhavan:


    - Specialty: A popular vegetarian restaurant chain offering a wide range of South Indian dishes.


 


13. Anjappar:


    - Specialty: A well-known Chettinad restaurant serving spicy and flavorful dishes.


 


Chennai's cuisine showcases the rich and diverse flavors of South India. These dishes and eateries provide a delightful experience for food enthusiasts visiting the city. Enjoy your culinary journey in Chennai!

Top Hotels in Chennai

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JP Hotel
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Urvashi Residency
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Radisson Blu Hotel Chennai City Centre
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Lemon Tree Hotel Chennai
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