Tourist Info

About Chennai
Chennai, popularly regarded as the Gateway to the South, is the capital city of Tamil Nadu. It is the fourth largest metropolis in India, located on a 17 km stretch of the Coromandel Coast. Chennai presents culture distinct from that of northern India. Music, dance and all other art forms of the South are cherished and nurtured in this city. Chennai offers a wealth of nature and a rich historic past to visitors in the ambience of a city with every modern facility.

Population: 6.4 million

State: Tamil Nadu

Area: 174 sq. kms.

Geographical Location:
Latitudinal parallels: 13th north parallel.
Longitudinal meridians: 80-degree longitude

Climate:
Summer 37ºC Max. 21.10ºC Min.
Winter 32ºC Max. 19.81ºC Min.
Rainfall: 1,272 mm

Monsoon: The Chennai monsoon period is from October to mid-December.

Weather: The weather is uniformly hot and humid. May is the hottest season with the mercury sometimes touching 42 C and the mean temperature about 33 C. December and January are the coolest months with a mean temperature of 24 C. However, the cool sea breeze makes even the warmest of evenings bearable. Venturing out in between noon and 3 PM during April-August is best avoided. November to February is the pleasant months.

Season: Tropical throughout the year.

Altitude: 60 m above sea level

Topography: This seaside city appears even more sprawling than it is, because of its low skyline. The Cooum River, the Adyar River and the Buckingham canal flow through Chennai.

Regional Language: Tamil, English, Hindi, Urdu, Malayalam are widely spoken and understood.

Places to Visit

Mahabalipuram (58 kms.):
Just out of Chennai, roughly 55 km away, is the world-famous town of Mahabalipuram. The Pallava dynasty of Southern India, one of the major lines of kings to rule in India after the Gupta period, made this lovely seaside village their second capital. The place blossomed under the creative forces of that time between the fifth and eighth centuries. Today, the shore temple, the largest bas-relief in the world called Arjuna's Penance and the famous and beautiful mandapams has made this town world famous. Almost 5km north of Mamallapuram in the village of Salavankuppam, the tiger cave is a rock cut shrine dating from 7th century. Dedicated to Durga, it has a small mandapam featuring a crown of carved yali heads. Another 14 km from here lies Tirukkalikundram a pilgrim centre with a hilltop temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Covelong (48kms):
Replete with historical monuments such as forts, churches, mosques, and a lovely beach, Covelong is a place where you can experience the history of Tamil Nadu as a whole. If you are in Chennai, do not miss a visit to this place. The remains of the Fort have now been converted into a luxury beach resort that offers facilities for windsurfing and swimming.

Kanchipuram (75 kms.):
Along with Chennai and Mahabalipuram, Kanchipuram forms the famous Golden Triangle of the Coromandel Coast. Almost all tourists visit Kanchipuram. Kanchipuram finds place on the global map because of the wonderful craftsmanship of the Kanchi weavers, the makers of what is perhaps the finest silk fabric in the world. This spectacular temple city is one of the seven sacred cities of India. It was, successively, capital of the kingdoms of the Pallavas, Cholas and rajas of Vijayanagar. The temples and gopurams are exquisite reminders of the beauty of Dravidian architecture, from the freshness and simplicity of the Pallavas' 7th-century Kailasanatha Temple through to the Vijayanagar Empire's 16th-century Ekambareshwara Temple. The latter covers nine hectares, has a 59-metre-high gopuram, a 1000-pillared hall and a sacred mango tree said to be 3500 years old. Kanchipuram is also famous for its hand-woven silk fabrics.

Muttukadu (16 kms):
The backwaters of Muttukadu have been developed by the Tamilnadu Tourism Development Corporation to serve as a scenic picnic spot and a water sports centre. In February every year, a windsurfing regatta is organised in Muttukadu.Competitions in windsurfing and other water sports are held. Training and demonstration programmes are organized for youth.

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