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Statues of Ganesha, Chennai

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Things to see in Chennai

Tourist information: 

Tamil Nadu Tourism Complex
2 Wallajah Road, Triplicane
Tel: (044) 2536 8358.
www.tamilnadutourism.org

For general information, maps and leaflets, and tour bookings. The tourism complex also contains branches of all the other state tourist offices, handy for booking ahead for other tours.

India Tourism (Government of India Tourist Office)
154 Anna Salai
Tel: (044) 2846 1459 or 0285.
www.incredibleindia.org

There are also national and state tourist offices in the arrivals hall at both airport terminals.

Basilica of San Thome

This elegant cathedral is thought to be the burial site of St Thomas the Apostle (Doubting Thomas) when he was killed just outside the city in AD78. Built in the 16th century by the Portuguese, and made into a basilica in 1896, its stunning stained glass window portrays the story of St Thomas, and the central hall has 14 wooden Stations of the Cross, depicting scenes from the last days of Christ.

Opening Times: Daily 0700-2100.
Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: San Thome High Road, Chennai, India
Telephone: (044) 2498 5455.
Website: http://www.santhomebasilica.com
Dakshinachitra

Located around 28km (17 miles) from Chennai on the road to Mamallapuram, this cultural centre and arts complex was founded by the Madras Craft Foundation (MCF), and depicts typical South Indian life, recreating traditional home architecture from Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka. Good exhibitions and workshops of local artisans, street performances and enlightening information on the local heritage.

Opening Times: Wed-Mon 1000-1800.
Admission Fees: Yes.
Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: East Coast Road, Chennai, India
Telephone: (044) 2747 2603.
Website: http://www.dakshinachitra.net
Fort St George

Named after England's patron saint, and built in the mid 1600s, the fort was the first bastion of British power and the oldest British construction in India. It was once the headquarters of the East India Company. It covers a vast area and now houses the State Legislature and Secretariat. Fort Museum contains assorted relics including those from the British Raj, including weaponry, silverware, portraits and military uniforms.

Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: George Town, Chennai, India
Telephone: (044) 2567 1127.
George Town

Named after the future King George V, on his visit to India in 1905, this has long been the historical and also commercial hub of the city. Along Popham's Broadway (named after British lawyer Stephen Popham who was determined to improve the sanitation in the late 18th century) are the beautiful Armenian Church (1772) and Wesleyan Church (1820).
 

Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: George Town, Chennai, India
Government Museum and National Art Gallery

Originally built in the grounds of the 18th-century Pantheon, this is one of the finest colonial buildings in the subcontinent. In addition to the museum, it houses the Connemara Public Library and National Art Gallery. The museum contains fine Buddhist and Hindu sculptures, plus interesting natural history and archaeology sections.

Opening Times: Daily 0930-1700.
Admission Fees: Yes.
Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: Pantheon Road, Chennai, India
Telephone: (044) 2819 3238.
Website: http://www.chennaimuseum.org
Guindy National Park

Situated within the city of Chennai, adjacent to Raj Bhavan, this park sprawls over hundreds of acres. It is home to species including the black buck (the rare Indian antelope), spotted deer, jackal and mongoose, and birdlife with parakeets, kingfishers and lapwings. Vegetation includes some centuries-old giant banyan trees. A great place to wander around the network of nature trails and lakes and get away from the noise and chaos of urban India for a few hours.

Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: Guindy, Chennai, India
Telephone: (044) 2235 1941 or 2432 1471.
High Court Building

Built in 1892, this red Indo-Saracenic structure at Parry's corner is one of Chennai's main landmarks and believed to be the second largest judicial building in the world, after the Courts of London. Still a working court, with the Madras Law College in the same complex, the grounds are busy with lawyers, students, defendants and visitors. It is possible to arrange a visit to the courtrooms during session, and a tour, with the registrar; court 13 has wonderful stained glass and carvings.

Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: Parry's Corner, Chennai, India
Telephone: (044) 2534 0905.
Kapaleeshwara Temple

This temple in Mylapore is a brilliant example of Dravidian temple architecture, with inscriptions dating back to AD1250. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it has beautiful sculptures including 63 Saivaite saints adorning the courtyard - the only place where non-Hindus will be allowed.

Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: Off Kutchery Road, Chennai, India
Telephone: (044) 2464 1670.
Little Mount Church

This is a tiny cave where St Thomas is believed to have lived when he came to India around AD58, and known locally as Chinnamalai. It was from here that he leapt out of a small hole to escape his assailants. The cave is entered via the Portuguese church built in 1551, which contains relics including an old stone cross which St Thomas is said to have clutched while dying.

Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: Near Saidapet Bridge, Chennai, India
Telephone: (044) 2235 1863.
Marina Beach and Elliot's Beach

At 18km (11 miles), Marina Beach, the second longest beach in the world, is not for swimming as the currents are too strong. Stick to people watching in the evenings, a sunset walk or driving along the seafront for the views of the city's fine buildings. There are also statues of scholars and local heroes, and the Anna Memorial, dedicated to former Chief Minister CN Annadurai. Part of the beach settlement was destroyed when the 2004 tsunami hit Tamil Nadu. Further down Marina Beach, relaxing Elliot's Beach contains the Velankanni Church, which attracts many pilgrims, and the Ashtalakshmi temple with eight different forms of the Hindu goddess Lakshmi.

Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: Marina Beach, Chennai, India
Parthasarathy Temple

This temple dates back to the eighth century during the reign of the Pallavas. Dedicated to Lord Krishna, it is the oldest building in the city and a great example of ancient South Indian temple architecture. You may be lucky to catch an elephant taking part in the temple's daily rituals.

Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: Chennai, India
St Andrew's Church

Completed in 1821 in a classical style, this church has an impressive blue dome decorated with gold stars. There are excellent views from the top. Described in British days as 'the noblest edifice in Hindustan', its facade resembles St Martin-in-the-Fields in London.

Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: Poonamalle High Road, Chennai, India
Telephone: (044) 2561 2608.
St Mary's Church

Housed within the fort, the church was built in 1680 using solid masonry and 1.2m (4ft) thick outer walls, and still retains some outstanding examples of 17th-century craftsmanship. As one of Asia's oldest English churches, its tombstones outside are India's oldest British tombs. This was the venue for the marriage of Robert Clive (Clive of India) and that of Governor Elinu Yale who founded Yale University in the USA.

Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: Fort St George, Chennai, India
Telephone: (044) 2538 3097.
The Theosophical Society

Founded in 1875, the society was formed to encourage the study of comparative religion, philosophy and science by studying and reflecting on the purity of life. It contains shrines of many faiths, a peaceful Garden of Remembrance, and an almost century-old library which includes a wonderful collection of rare Oriental manuscripts written on palm leaves and parchment. Sitting under the 400-year-old Banyan tree is a good place to contemplate the meaning of life.

Opening Times: Tues-Sun 0900-1700 (library only).
Admission Fees: No.
Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: Adyar Bridge Road, Chennai, India
Telephone: (044) 2491 2815.
Website: http://www.ts-adyar.org
Valluvar Kottam

Opened in 1976 in memory of the poet-saint Thiruvalluvar, this massive auditorium seating 4,000 people has all 1,330 verses of the poet's epic, the Thirukkural , inscribed on the surrounding granite pillars. The 30m- (100ft-) high temple chariot structure has a life-size image of the poet, and the base of the chariot shows in chapters of the epic in bas-relief. It is considered a significant memorial to Tamil culture.

Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: Valluvar Kottam High Road, Chennai, India
Telephone: (044) 2817 2177.

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