CHENNAI

The White Town of Chennai...

The history of Chennai will be incomplete without mentioning Fort St George. One of the Oldest British Constructions and East India Company's principal settlements in 1640. Neo classical style impressive buildings which hosts at present the seat of the Government of Tamil Nadu. The Flag Mast in the Fort St George, which was constructed by the British still stands with standing the ravages of nature. This is said to be the tallest flag mast in the country. The fort has been the seat of power for more than 300 years. After independence the fort served as the Administrative Head Quarters for the legislative Assembly of Tamil Nadu and the Secretariat for the past 64 years. The Fort Museum which is behind the Fort signifies the British royalty, the weapons, early coins, silverware, uniforms, manuscripts, engravings and the collections of the colonial past.

Quick Glimpses:

(Fort Museum) Timings - 09:00 am to 04:30 pm , Closed on - Fridays

Entrance ticket - Rs.5 for Indian, 5$ for foreigners, Video Camera - Rs. 25

The Church for Protestants...

The first Anglican Church in India was constructed in 1678. This church is believed to be the oldest Protestant church in the East, is situated inside the fort. It was here that the marriages of the then Governor of Madras Elihu Yale - the one who established the Yale University in USA and Robert Clive was solemnized. The tomb stones found in its courtyard are the oldest British tombstones in India. Memorials, ancient bibles, paintings in the church speak of its vibrant history. This church is under the control of Archeological Survey of India.

Quick Glimpses: Timings - 10:00 am to 05:00 pm

Miracle of Mylapore

This ancient Siva Temple, with its massive and intricately carved Gopuram towering into the sky, is situated in the southern suburb of Mylapore. Kapalam means "bowl of skull". Lord Shiva or Eswara is standing with ascetic''s bowl of skull in his hand. As per the legend at the time of dissolution of cosmos nothing remains except Lord Eswara with bowl of skull. A 16th century temple which highlights the Dravidian architecture was built by the Vijayanagara dynasty with colorful towers in the eastern and western sides along with the sacred tank facing the western tower.

Kapaleeswarar Temple Timings - 06:00 am to 01:00 pm. and 04:00 pm to 08:00

National Shrine of Santhome Basilica...

This church is declared as the National Shrine of Santhome Basilica, built over the tomb of the great Apostle St.Thomas, who came to India in 52 A.D. to spread the Christianity. In the whole world, there are only three churches built over the tomb of an Apostle of Jesus Christ - The Basilica of Saint Peter built over the tomb of St. Peter in Rome, Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela built over the tomb of St.James in Spain and Basilica of the National shrine of St. Thomas built over the tomb of St.Thomas in Chennai. There is an underground chapel for the disciples and tourists to look in to the tomb not to disturb the regular activities of the Basilica.

Quick Glimpses:

Timings - 06:00 am to 06:00 pm.

Camera - We can photograph inside the basilica and but not inside the chapel.

The Pantheon Complex...

This complex of cultural institutions derives its name from the Pantheon, where the Public Assembly Rooms were housed in the 18th century. The Indo-Saracenic Government Museum, with its faded red walls and labyrinth of staircases and interconnecting galleries, is spread over five sections of a large complex. The Archeological Section, in the main building, is noted for its exceptional collection of South Indian antiquities. The Colonial Building of the 19th Century at present houses the Bronze Gallery, Archeological Collections and Epigraphy, Numismatics, Anthropology, Arts, Zoology and Botany and Geology. The artifacts such as 16th and 18th century Mughal buildings, Deccan art of the 17th century and the displays of bronzes from 10th and 13th centuries and handicrafts of various periods.

Quick Glimpses:

Timings - 09:30 am to 05:30 pm, Closed on - Fridays,

Entrance ticket - Rs.15 for Indians, $5 for foreigners. Camera Ticket - Rs.200/- Video Camera - Rs. 500/-

Meet the Waves...

The Marina Beach is situated along a 12 km shoreline in the city of Chennai, India along the Bay of Bengal. It is the World's Second longest Beach. The beach Begins near Fort St. George in the north to Besant Nagar in the south, a distance of about 12 kms. A famous Characteristic of the beach is the set of stone statues that adorn the roadside area of the beach. The width of the beach at the most widest stretch is 437 meters long.