Chennai

 

Chennai
India

Chennai, formerly Madras, city, capital of Tamil Nadu state, southern India, located on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal. Known as the “Gateway to South India,” Chennai is a major administrative and cultural centre. Pop. (2011) city, 4,646,732; urban agglom., 8,696,010Landscape

City site

Chennai is located on the Coromandel Coast along the Bay of Bengal. The Cooum (Koovam) River flows through its centre and the Adyar River through its southern portion. The Buckingham Canal runs parallel to the coast, joining the Kortalaiyar (Kosasthalaiyar) River in the northern edges of the city and the Muttukadu Backwaters south of the city.

 Beaches 

Marina Beach | #1 of 35 Best Places to Visit in Chennai

Tired of the sweltering heat of Chennai? Let the Marina Beach be a sweet escape spot for you. Beaches in Chennai along the Bay of Bengal coast, it happens to be the longest beach in India and one of the longest in the world. Got enough time to pay a visit to this amazing place during the morning or evening? We suggest that you should not miss out on experiencing the enthralling view of the sun setting or rising from the beach. You may shop for trinkets such as imitation jewellery, shell mementos from the stalls on the beach side. Among the best places to visit in Chennai with friends, it is perfect to build sand castles or play games like beach volleyball.

• Timings: All through the day

 Valluvar Kottam

Valluvar Kottam | #2 of 35 Best Places to Visit in Chennai

Those of you who love literature must have heard or read about the famous Tamil poet and saint, Thiruvalluvar. For the uninformed, Thiruvalluvar is hailed as one of the greatest Tamil scholars. Valluvar Kottam is an intricately designed chariot built in his honour. The magnificence of Valluvar Kottam can be best experienced early in the morning or when the sun is just setting. Wondering how to reach here? It is located at the intersection of Kodambakkam High Road and Village Road; taxis and buses can be taken from around the city.

• Location: Nungambakkam Lake Area Main Road, Chennai
• Timings: 8:30 am to 5:30 pm
• Entry Fee: ₹ 5 (children); ₹ 10 (adults)

Thousand Lights Mosque

Thousand Lights Mosque | #3 of 35 Best Places to Visit in Chennai

This multi-domed mosque, which is a revered place of worship for Local Muslims, literally lights up the Royapettah area of Chennai. It is believed that in olden times, about 1000 lights were required to light up the hall of this mosque which is why it has been named as the Thousand Lights Mosque. As it goes without saying, this place looks absolutely spectacular all glowing: hence, is among the most popular places to visit in Chennai at night. With two minarets towering at a height of about 64 feet, this mosque exhibits the excellence of medieval architectural style.

• Location: Royapettah, Peters Road, Peters Colony, Chennai
• Timings: 5:30 am to 8:30 pm
• Entry Fee: NA

 Elliot’s Beach

Elliot’s Beach | #4 of 35 Best Places to Visit in Chennai

With Ashtalakshmi Kovil in its vicinity, Elliot’s Beach is a famous place to visit with friends or family. This beautiful beach, which was named after Edward Elliot (the Chief Magistrate, Superintendent of Madras during the British Era), is one of the cleanest seafronts in India. Sunbathe, relax and unwind, keeping the stress at bay at this extremely calm and scenic place. Featuring in the list of Chennai famous places for couples, this one is great for a moonlight walk.

• Timings: All through the day

 Dakshinachitra

Dakshinachitra | #5 of 35 Best Places to Visit in Chennai

Literally translating to “a picture of the south”, DakshinaChitra is a living history museum in Chennai. This museum has 18 houses put together to depict the culture, architecture, craft and lifestyle of all four South Indian states – Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh/Telangana and Karnataka – via more than 4000 artefacts. A quick trip to 4 states under the same roof? Yes please! If you are looking for places to visit in Chennai with family, then this is the right pick as your children will learn a lot about South India here,

• Location: SH 49, Muttukadu, 25 km south of Chennai
• Timings: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm 
• Entry Fee:
  Children 5-12 years: ₹ 20
  Students: ₹ 30
  Adults: ₹ 110 (₹ 130 during festivals and national holidays)  

Ashtalakshmi Temple

Ashtalakshmi Temple | #6 of 35 Best Places to Visit in Chennai

Regarded as an abode of Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth and Knowledge, Ashtalakshmi Temple is a few kilometres from Besant Beach. Constructed to worship the eight avatars of Goddess Lakshmi, the divine ambience of this temple is bound to leave you feeling relaxed. The most interesting part of this place? The waves of the ocean echo in the temple complex, which further makes it all the more peaceful. Ideal place to give rest to those worries while spiritually enlightening yourself, isn’t it?

• Location: Elliots Beach, Besant Nagar, Chennai 
• Timings: 6:30 am to 12:00 pm and 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm
• Entry Fee: NA

 Government Museum

Government Museum | #7 of 35 Best Places to Visit in Chennai

Do you love artefacts? If you do, you will love the Government Museum of Chennai. This place is known for preserving some of the best ancient (10-13th century) and modern South Indian bronzes. What’s more is that the Amaravathi Gallery houses marble sculptures depicting the life of Gautam Buddha dating as back to 2nd century. Truly a gem of a place to visit in Chennai for kids and grownups alike!

• Location: Pantheon Road, Egmore, Chennai
• Timings: 9:30 am to 5:30 pm (closed on Fridays and national holidays) 
• Entry Fee:
  Students: ₹ 5
  Children below 12 years: ₹ 10
  Adults: ₹ 15

Mylapore

Mylapore | #8 of 35 Best Places to Visit in Chennai

Want to soak in the rich and colourful culture of Chennai? Head to Mylapore, which is regarded as the cultural hub of Chennai, boasting a history going back 1500 years! Whether it is beautiful temples you are looking to visit or delicious South Indian delicacies to binge on, Mylapore has it all! All this, combined with endless options for shopping, make the neighbourhood one of the best entertainment places in Chennai.

 Guindy National Park

Guindy National Park | #9 of 15 Best Places to Visit in Chennai

Feeling a little adventurous? How about visiting a national park? Home to over 300 kinds of trees and plants, 150 bird species and 15 species of mammals, reptiles and amphibians, Guindy National Park is a forest situated on the grounds that were earlier part of Raj Bhawan and IIT-Madras. If you are visiting Chennai with your family, make sure you bring your kids here too. We assure you that they will love every bit of this place!

• Location: Rangeguindy, Chennai 
• Timings: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm (closed on Tuesdays) 
• Fees:
  Government and Aided School Children: ₹ 2
  Private School Children: ₹ 10
  Adults: ₹ 15

Sri Parthasarathy Temple

Sri Parthasarathy Temple | #10 of 35 Best Places to Visit in Chennai

Dedicated to Lord Vishnu’s incarnation, Lord Krishna, Parthasarathy Temple was built in the 8th century. The intricately carved pillars of this place and colourful gopurams will leave you spellbound. The main features of this temple are the two intricately carved pyramid shaped rajagopuram or domes, one of which is located in the east direction while the other in the west direction.

• Location: Narayana Krishnaraja Puram, Triplicane, Chennai
• Timings: 5:30 am-12 pm and 4:00 pm-9:00 pm

                

 Kapaleeswarar Temple

Kapaleeswarar Temple | #11 of 35 Best Places to Visit in Chennai

The holy shrine of Lord Shiva, Kapaleeswarar Temple was built by the mighty Pallavas which was demolished by the Portuguese explorers and rebuilt during the Vijayanagara Empire. Kapaleeswarar Temple is the best specimen of the Dravidian and Vijayanagara architecture making it look absolutely marvellous!

• Location: Vinayaka Nagar Colony, Mylapore, Chennai
• Timings: 5:00 am to 12:00 pm and 4:00 pm to 9:00 

External links

• Official website of Chennai district
• Official website of the Corporation of Chennai Archived 2 December 2012 at the Wayback Machine
• Chennai at Curlie
• Chennai Encyclopædia Britannica entry