Tourist Atractions in Tamil Nadu

Fort St. George
It is at Kamarajar Road. It is the first British fort build around 1653 by the British East India Company. It has a 20 feet thick wall. The present structure, a fine example of 17th century British military architecture, was mostly built in 1966. The country’s tallest flagstaff is here, thought to be over 300 years old.

The 24 black Charnockite pillars are those reclaimed by the British in 1762 of the original 32 which once formed the colonade of the present Secretariat building. It remains the symbol of the British Raj. Now it houses the Secretariat and the Legislative Assembly. The best time to visit is on a Sunday.

High court
Entry - Monday to Saturday from 10 to 5 with guided tour Rs.10. It is situated at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Road, just north of St.George fort. It is an example of Indo Saracenic architecture. It is one of the largest judicial complex in the world. The red sand stone construction, ornamental decorations on the walls and minarets add beauty to this building. The compound has a pyramid shape tomb which belongs to the only son of Elihu Yale, who died in infancy.

Marina Beach
Lining the east of the city is the famous Marina beach, at Kamarajar Road, 3 Km away from Madras. This is supposed to be the second longest beach in the World and runs to a length of 12 Km. On the beach there is the Anna Park, named after the founder of D.M.K (Dravida Munnetta Kazhakam) Anna durai and the tomb of M.G. Ramachandran who was a film star and the charismatic Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. The beach can be ideally visited in the early mornings or in the late evenings when the area becomes a virtual ground; with food stalls and other entertainments.

Museums

Government Museum Complex

It is situated in Pantheon road. This is not for its exquisite collection of more than 2000 Indian bronzes and Amaravathi marbles. Three great buildings of architectural value - the Museum Theatre, the extension hall and the Connemara Public Library are in this complex. The present Museum has several sections, four galleries- Hindu sculpture gallery, the Amaravathi gallery, the Bronze gallery and the National art gallery constitute the main attractions. Visit : Tuesday to Saturday from 0930 to 1700.

Fort Museum
It is at Fort St. George. Museum has 10 rooms displaying the documents of Indian History. The old uniforms, coins, padlocks, old prints and palanquins are displayed here. The banquet hall upstairs has a collection of paintings of the governors and officials of the British regime. Timing : Saturday to Thursday from 1000 to1700.

Churches

St. Mary’s Church
The church is at Fort St. George. Entry - free. The oldest masonry church was consecrated in 1680. It has a building with its three arched aisles and bomb-proof roof. The marriage of Governor Elihu Yale (of Yale University fame) was the first to be performed at this church.

St. George’s Cathedral
It is at 222 Cathedral road. Visit : Daily 0800 to 1800. It is a white colonial church, with a beautiful garden. It is the headquarters of the church of South India. It has a 130 feet spire with its interior very light and airy with stucco walls. The decorated roof and many fascinating tablets and tombs add to beauty of the spire.

Basilica of San thome
This Cathedral is at the end of Kutchery Road, Mylapore. It is believed that the Apostle Saint Thomas lived his last years in South India. This Cathedral was originally built in 1504. It was rebuilt in 1890 with a 180 ft basilica. It is believed that St. Thoma’s body was entombed inside this neo-Gothic structure.

Church of Our Lady of Expectation
The church is at Saint Thomas Mount, Alandur. Visit : Open for 24 hrs. There are about 130 granite steps, which leads to the church. It was built in 1547. From the church yard we can see the entire city of Madras. It is believed that the Apostle St. Thomas was martyred while praying in front of a cross engraved in the natural stone base.

Temples

Parthasarathi Temple
It is at Peter’s Road, Triplicane. Visit : Daily from 0630 to noon and 1600 to 2000. It is one of the oldest temple in Madras, built by Pallavas in the 8th century and rebuilt by the Vijayanagar Kings in 11th century. The temple is dedicated to Krishna, one of the incarnations of Vishnu. It has a coloured gopuram and several shrines with beautiful carvings. There are many stalls selling flowers, puja articles, small idols, musical instruments and jewellery around the temple.

Sri Kapaleswarar Temple
This temple is situated near Kutchery Road, Mylapore. This ancient Siva temple is a delightful introduction to Dravidian temple sculpture and architecture. The magnificent 37 meter tall gopuram is one of the main attraction of this temple. Non-Hindus are not allowed to enter the inner courtyard. The outer courtyard has several bronze statues. Timing : Daily from 0400 to 1200 and 1600 to 2000.

Parks

Guindy National Park
This is the countries only Wildlife Sanctuary within a city’s limits. This park spread over an area of 27.6 sq. km. Raj Bhavan, the Governor’s mansion, occupies one end of the park, and at the other is the beautiful forest - girt campus of Chennai’s famous Indian Institute of Technology. The nearest rail head, airport and town is Chennai, at a distance of 5km. The park was set up in 1976.

Anna Zoological Park
The sprawling 1,265 acre Anna Zoological Park is the biggest in South Asia. It contains a superb collection of tropical mammals, birds and reptiles amongst others. Timings: week days 11 am to 7 pm. Sunday and Holidays 10 am to 8 pm.

Snake Park

It is at Sardar Vallabbai Patel Road. Visit : Wednesday to Monday from 0830 to 1730.Tuesday holiday. There are more than 40 species of common snakes of India here. The crocodiles, chameleons, monitor lizards and tortoises can also be seen in their natural setting.

Crocodile Bank
Not far from Mamallapuram, 42 km from Madras, this crocodile breeding and research centre is run by Romulus Whittaker. It was set up in 1976. This bank was started to protect India’s dwindling crocodile population and to preserve the Irula (Snake catching), tribe’s way of life. This bank has already produced more than 6,000 crocodiles. There is also a snake farm where anti - venom is produced. Several species of Indian and African Crocodiles and Alligators bred in captivity are kept here in open pools. The snake venom extractions are a great attraction to the visitors and it help the Irulas (tribe) to maintain their way of life. Open from 1000 to 1600. Wednesday to Monday. Tuesday holiday.

Amusement Parks

Kishkintha
The first theme amusement park is Kishkintha near Chennai. Situated 28 Km South of Chennai near Tambaram spread over 110 acres, Kishkintha park offers exciting rides and attractions. Timings: week days 11 am to 7 pm. Sunday and Holidays 11 am to 8 pm.

M G M Dizzy world
This amusement park is situated at Muttukkadu enroute to Mamallapuram. Timing: 10.30 am to 9 pm.

DakshinaChitra
It is a unique Heritage village situated at Muttukadu on the new Mamallapuram Coastal Road, 20 Km from Chennai. It offers the visitor an unforgettable and authentic insight into the lifestyles of the diverse people of South India.

The Arts and Crafts village, Dakshinachitra narrate the story of the South Indian Culture. The Tamil history, language and way of life can be experienced with a guided tour. Architecture of the past 200 years is represented in the real rural setting. Every house is typical of its own professional group. Traders, potters, weavers, and others working in the traditional way make exquisite pottery, baskets, and carved stone items, some of which are for sale. The center is now developed to include the cultural replicas from all four states of South India. The folk and classical dance performances can be seen here.

For a arranged tour you can contact : The Madras craft Foundation, G3, 6 Urur Olcott Road, Besant Nagar, Madras 603112. Visit : Monday and Wednesday to Friday. Time 0945 to 1800, Saturday and Sunday time 1000 to 1800.

MGR Film City
Near to Taramani, Adyar. Several sets of artificial sceneries like forest, water falls, market place etc., are built here to serve as background for the shooting of films.

Birla Planetarium
Built in memory of B.M. Birla, the well known industrialist and visionary, the Planetarium is considered to be the most modern in the country. It is located at Kottur near Anna University. Timing: 10.45 am - 1.45pm and 3.45 pm.

Kalakshetra
In Thiruvanmiyur, beyond Elliot’s beach, is Kalakshetra or ‘Temple of Art’. It was founded in 1936 by Rukmini Devi Arundale to revive interest in Bharatanatyam which is the classical dance form of the state. This institution is run on the ancient gurukulam system. Throughout the year Kalakshetra conducts music recital and dance performances in different parts of Chennai.

Muttukadu Boat House

Situated on the edge of backwaters, this place has facilities for boating and wind-surfing. A windsurfing regatta is organised in Muttukadu, in February every year. Competitions in windsurfing and other water sports are also held. Training and demonstration programmes are held for youth.