Madras is no more called as Madras.It has a new name, Chennai which is somewhat difficult to apprehend, as we are so used to the old name! It is the largest city in South India.It is also the fourth largest city in India as a whole country.
History of Chennai is very fascinating!
Chennai was the site of the East India Company’s first settlement. Founded in 1639 on land given by the Raja of Chandragiri, the last representative of the Vijayanagar rulers of Hampi. A small fort was built at a fishing settlement in 1644 and a town, which subsequently became known as George Town, grew in the area of Fort St. George. The settlement became independent of Banten, Java, in 1683 and was granted its first municipal charter in 1688 by James II. It thus has the oldest municipal corporation in India.
During the 18th and early 19th centuries, when the British and French competed for supremacy in India, the city’s fortunes waxed and waned. It was briefly occupied by the French on one occasion. It was used by Clive of India as a base for his military expeditions during the Wars of the Carnatic and, during the 19th century, it was the seat of the Chennai Presidency, one of the four divisions of British Imperial India.
I will give below the particulars of two good libraries in Chennai.You can’t afford to miss them, if you happen to visit Chennai.
1) Connemara Public Library
Pantheon Road, Madras - 600 008
2) Theosophical Society Library
The Theosophical Society,
Adayar, Madras - 600 020
Following are the places of interest that you must plan to visit during your stay in Chennai.
1) Fort St. George: Built by the East India Company in 1639-1640, the fort marks the beginning of Madras as a modern city. It was one of the first bastions of British Power in India. Today the fort is used by the state legislative assembly and as the secretarial offices of the Tamil Nadu government.
2) Fort Museum: This museum contains many relics pertaining to the tenure of the East India Company and British India. Besides, it has a collection of contemporary paintings as well.
3)Kapaleeswarar Temple: The temple is the biggest in the city and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple contains inscriptions dating back to the 13th century AD, and is a fine specimen of the Dravidian style of architecture. The 37 metre gopuram is especially noteworthy for its intricate carvings depicting tales from Hindu mythology.
4) Santhome Cathedral: Though Chennai is predominantly populated by Hindus, it has several fine monuments and places of worship connected to the Christian faith. The Santhome cathedral was built by the Portuguese between the 14th and the 15 century AD. It derives its name after St. Thomas. To this day it continues to be an important place of pilgrimage for the Christian community in the country and is also historically important place.
5) Little Mount Shrine: This shrine is said to be built at the site where St. Thomas lived and preached from a small cave.
6) St. Thomas Mount: Situated near the Airport, the small hillock is believed to be the place where the apostle was killed by his assassins.
7) St. Mary’s Church: This is the oldest Anglican church in Asia, which continues to be an important place of worship.
8) The Snake Park : The snake park will interest visitors of all ages. It houses a variety of Indian snakes and reptiles which can be viewed from very close quarters.
9) Children’s Park : Adjescent to the snake park is a children’s park which has a large playing ground and collection of birds and animals.
10) The Marina Beach: Lining the east of the city is the famous Marina Beach. This is supposed to be the second longest beach in the world and runs to a length of 13 km. The beach can be ideally visited in the early mornings or in the late evenings when the area becomes a virtual fair ground, with food stalls and other entertainments.I like to go to this beach very often, when I am in India.
11) The Theosophical Society: Chennai is also the fountainhead of the theosophical movement which spread worldwide. The Theosophical Society is located along the Adyar River. Discourses are conducted here under a huge banyan tree which spreads to almost 40, 000 sq. ft. of area.
12) Kalakshetra: Founded by Rukmini Devi Arundale in 1936 , the institution is devoted to the revival of traditional dance, textile designing, and weaving which are taught in naturally harmonious environment. Visitors may fix an appointment with the concerned authorities prior to the visit.
13) Birla Planetarium: This modern planetarium houses a fully computerised projector to depict the skies. It is situated at Kotturpuram in Chennai.
14) National Art Gallery and Government Museum: The museums situated in the heart of the city at Egmore were founded in 1857. They house various sections on geology, archaeology, numismatics, anthropology, botany and zoology. There is also a fine collection of sculpture and armoury in the museum.
15) Anna Square: The mortal remains of Dr. C.N. Annadurai, former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu was buried at the Anna Square which is at the northern end of the Marina Beach. You will see a big crowd offering him homage, any time of the day.
16) Aquarium: The aquarium is located at the Marina beach.Children will just love the place, full of different varieties of fishes!
17) Elliot’s Beach: This beach is comparatively quieter and an ideal place to go sea bathing. It is not very big like Marina beach. It is located near Besant Nagar.
18) Valluvar Kottam: Erected in memory of the poet saint Thiruvalluvar, the shrine at Nungambakkam is constructed after the temple car of Thiruvarur. This place also has a large auditorium.
19) Anna Zoological Park (Vandalur): Situated about 3() km from the city, the zoological park is spread over an area of 510 hectares.
20) Amusement Parks around Madras: Dash ’N Splash, Kishkintha, Little Folks, MGM’s Dizee World and VGP Golden Beach. VGP Golden beach is a very interesting place to visit.
Apart from these places, there are places like Mahabalipuram and Thirukkalukundram which are also great places to visit.
There are many clubs like Tamil Nadu Billiards & Snooker’s Association, Madras Boat Club, Madras Cricket Club, Cosmopolitan Club, Madras Race Club etc.
There are excellent hotels like Taj Coromandel, Hotel Savera, Hotel President, The Ambassador Pallava etc.You can also enjoy Indian Tandoori at Copper Chimney Restaurants in Chetput and Beach Castle Restaurant in Besant Nagar.
Temperature is very hot and sultry in Chennai. You will be better off, if you have AC at home. Sometimes it rains, making the place really cool!
People are very nice! (like me ) They are very friendly with everybody. They have great sense of dressing. Women dress in sarees, churidars, salwar kameez and other western dresses. Men wear pant, shirt, lungi etc.
There are lots of shopping centers like Spencers, Vummidiar’s , Fountain Plaza, Waikiki mall etc in Chennai.
Only thing is, you will see that the place is very crowded.That you can expect to see in any major city. Too much traffic also. Still, you can go anywhere by bus, auto, taxi or train.
I am from Chennai and I love Chennai.Hope you all will get a chance to see Chennai. Plan your trip to Chennai and enjoy seeing this historic place. You will also love it.