Chennai, formerly known as Madras is the capital of the Indian State of Tamil Nadu. This is a metropolitan city and is generally called the cultural capital of India owing to the rich culture and traditions that are still to be found there. This city attracts a lot of tourists from all over the globe, which exhibits the diversity for which India is famous. Chennai is not only popular for its rich cultural and traditions, but the city is also a major educational hub of the country. The city is technologically developed and houses a number of premium technical educational institutes of India. Besides these, the city has a lot to offer to India Travellers and there are several Travel places to visit. Some of the major places of tourist interests are:
Elliot’s Beach
Popular tourist place of Chennai, Elliot’s beach is situated close to Besant Nagar and is also a paradise for peace lovers. Well-known for pristine and tranquil ambience, this beach offers a wide variety of restaurants and small food joints, serving an array of dishes. This beach is one of the cleanest beaches of the city, which attracts the tourists. The beach also houses the famous Velakanni Church and Ashtalakshmi temple, which attracts the pilgrims.
Marina Beach
The most popular attraction of Chennai is the Marina Beach, which is thronged by visitors to the city. This beach is ranks 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] among the longest beaches in the World and is positioned between the prominent buildings that include Presidency College, University of Madras, Ice House and Chepauk Cricket Stadium. The beach is very popular both among the local people as well as among the tourists as it allows people to enjoy the beautiful view of the ocean. However, bathing and swimming is strictly prohibited as there is underwater current and a lot of accidents took place in this beach.
Government Museum and National Art Gallery
One of the most excellent museums of the nation, the Government Museum is situated in the heart of the city of Chennai. The museum displays a lot of findings related to numismatics, anthropology, zoology, botany, geology and sculpture. These findings attract the tourists from all parts of the globe. The building also houses the National Art Gallery that puts into display a rare collection of paintings Karnataki musical instruments as well as jewelry. The Art Gallery features four sections, namely Ravi Varma Painting Gallery, which displays the paintings made by Ravi Varma, the Tanjore Painting Gallery, Indian Traditional Art Gallery and Decorative Art Gallery. This is a must-visit place in the metropolitan city of Chennai
Anna Zoological Park
Founded in the year 1855, Anna Zoological Park is the first ever zoological park of the nation, which is also known as Vandalur Zoo. One of the biggest zoos of South East Asia, Anna Zoological Park is an abode of over 170 species of reptiles, animals and avian species. The zoo is popular for featuring some of the rare varieties of Muscovy duck, lemur, vulture, chimpanzee, star tortoises, Nilgiri macaques, white tigers, monitor lizards and Bengal tiger besides Emu and Cassowary. The zoo also features over 1000 species of flora, which are also of rare varieties. The Anna Zoological Park is also a major tourist’s attraction in the city of Chennai , Tamilnadu
Kapaleswar Temple
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Kapaleswar temple is situated in Mylapore, which is just about 11 minutes drive from the main city. The temple displays the Davidian Architecture, which is ornate with intricately carved mandapams, tank and Gopuram. The Kapaleswar temple is one of the oldest one in the city that exhibits Pallavan architecture built in the 8[SUP]th[/SUP] century. Furthermore, some of the inscriptions, found in the temple walls dates back to 1250 A.D. This is one of the major Hindu pilgrimage place of Chennai, which is also visited by travelers from various parts of the World to witness the mesmerizing architecture of the temple.
Elliot’s Beach
Popular tourist place of Chennai, Elliot’s beach is situated close to Besant Nagar and is also a paradise for peace lovers. Well-known for pristine and tranquil ambience, this beach offers a wide variety of restaurants and small food joints, serving an array of dishes. This beach is one of the cleanest beaches of the city, which attracts the tourists. The beach also houses the famous Velakanni Church and Ashtalakshmi temple, which attracts the pilgrims.
Marina Beach
The most popular attraction of Chennai is the Marina Beach, which is thronged by visitors to the city. This beach is ranks 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] among the longest beaches in the World and is positioned between the prominent buildings that include Presidency College, University of Madras, Ice House and Chepauk Cricket Stadium. The beach is very popular both among the local people as well as among the tourists as it allows people to enjoy the beautiful view of the ocean. However, bathing and swimming is strictly prohibited as there is underwater current and a lot of accidents took place in this beach.
Government Museum and National Art Gallery
One of the most excellent museums of the nation, the Government Museum is situated in the heart of the city of Chennai. The museum displays a lot of findings related to numismatics, anthropology, zoology, botany, geology and sculpture. These findings attract the tourists from all parts of the globe. The building also houses the National Art Gallery that puts into display a rare collection of paintings Karnataki musical instruments as well as jewelry. The Art Gallery features four sections, namely Ravi Varma Painting Gallery, which displays the paintings made by Ravi Varma, the Tanjore Painting Gallery, Indian Traditional Art Gallery and Decorative Art Gallery. This is a must-visit place in the metropolitan city of Chennai
Anna Zoological Park
Founded in the year 1855, Anna Zoological Park is the first ever zoological park of the nation, which is also known as Vandalur Zoo. One of the biggest zoos of South East Asia, Anna Zoological Park is an abode of over 170 species of reptiles, animals and avian species. The zoo is popular for featuring some of the rare varieties of Muscovy duck, lemur, vulture, chimpanzee, star tortoises, Nilgiri macaques, white tigers, monitor lizards and Bengal tiger besides Emu and Cassowary. The zoo also features over 1000 species of flora, which are also of rare varieties. The Anna Zoological Park is also a major tourist’s attraction in the city of Chennai , Tamilnadu
Kapaleswar Temple
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Kapaleswar temple is situated in Mylapore, which is just about 11 minutes drive from the main city. The temple displays the Davidian Architecture, which is ornate with intricately carved mandapams, tank and Gopuram. The Kapaleswar temple is one of the oldest one in the city that exhibits Pallavan architecture built in the 8[SUP]th[/SUP] century. Furthermore, some of the inscriptions, found in the temple walls dates back to 1250 A.D. This is one of the major Hindu pilgrimage place of Chennai, which is also visited by travelers from various parts of the World to witness the mesmerizing architecture of the temple.