Places to Visit
There are quite a number of places to visit in Chennai. The best way to tour Chennai is to either hire a motorcycle (Try the Enfield showroom at Alwarpet or Urent) or by Auto Rickshaws, which are basically three wheeled vehicles fitted with a motor.
Be sure to bargain with the auto drivers and make them use the Fare meters as otherwise they are sure to charge you exorbitantly.
There are also a lot of places where cycles can be hired, though cycling in Chennai isn't really comfortable, especially if it involves more than a few kms.
A stroll on the Marina Beach, the 2nd longest beach in the world is recommended, especially early in the morning to catch the glorious spectacle of the sunrise. The continuation of the Marina Beach is Elliot's beach, which though smaller, is much cleaner.
A short distance away from the Marina is the War Memorial, which is a memorial to the Indian soldiers who were killed during the Second World War.
Just a little further on is Fort St. George, which was the British seat of power until Independence. The Fort now houses the State Assembly and also has a museum, which contains various artifacts dating back to the British era.
Just near the Marina is the Santhome Cathedral, originally built in the 13th Century in honor of the apostle of St. Thomas. The church is a towering example of the cultural and religious diversity that India has to offer.
A short walk away is the Kapaleeshwarar temple in Mylapore, dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Another famous temple worth visiting is the Parthasarathy temple in Triplicane. Both these temples are centuries old and rich in grandeur and cultural heritage.
A must see on the itinerary is a visit to the Govt Museum at Egmore which is a fascinating place with a lot of exhibits on a variety of subjects.
Next door is the Connemara Library, one of the oldest in the country, which houses a large collection of books, many of them ancient. The cool lawns of the Museum / Library offer a good place to sit down and stretch your legs.
For those of you who like serene places, visit the Theosophical Society at Adyar. Surrounded by lush green trees and gardens, the place has a peaceful ambience to it. The century old library at the Society also has a fair sized collection of ancient manuscripts and documents.
Other places worthwhile visiting include the Kalakshetra Academy, Valluvar Kottam, Gandhi Mandapam and Birla Planetarium.
