"Chennai (Madras)" Chennai (Madras) by FruitLover

Chennai (Madras) Travel Guide: 433 reviews and 867 photos

University of Chennai - Chennai (Madras)

Capital of South India

367-year-old Chennai, also known as Madras, is the capital of the state of Tamil Nadu and is India's fourth largest metropolitan city. It is located on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal. With an estimated population of 7.45 million (2005),

The city is a large commercial and industrial center, and is known for its cultural heritage and temple architecture. The city is the automobile capital of India, with around forty percent of the automobile industry having a base there. The 12 kilometer long Marina Beach forms the city's east coast and is one of the longest beaches in the world.

The name Madras is derived from Madraspatnam, the site chosen by the British East India Company for a permanent settlement in 1639.

Madras Crocodile Bank

The city also has many famous parks like the Guindy National Park, the country's smallest National Park, The Guindy Snake Park, the Arignar Anna Zoological Park (better known as Vandalur Zoo) , the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust and the Horticultural Botanical Garden.

Chennai is also famous for its Kancheepuram hand woven silk sarees, art and crafts, contemporary and traditional artwork, antiques, jewellery and stone sculpture

Chennai lies on the thermal equator, and thus sees little variation in seasonal temperature. Its proximity to the sea gives it a hot and humid climate for most of the year. The highest temperature is obtained in late May and early June usually about 38 ?C (100.4 ?F), The city has somewhat described as having three seasons - hot, hotter and hottest.....

Local friend

Motorcycle, a very common vehicle

Special thanks go to my friend Ashwin(VT: A4ASHWIN, the driver in the pic) and his family.
They hosted me in their residence, let me feel like home,
showed me some fascinating touristical destinations around Chennai,
historical and natural.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Colonial heritage, dynamic vital metropolis
Cons:If you're short in time - skip it

Last visit to Chennai (Madras): Oct 2005
Intro Updated Nov 26, 2005
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Reviews (11)

Fresh Jackfruit Restaurants (3)

Exotic fruit unknown in the west. Pieces of fresh Jackfruit on Banana leaf. Ridiculous price when converted to US$. more travel advice

Through Taxi window, rainy night - Chennai (Madras)

Chennai - night shopping Nightlife (1)

more travel advice

Sugar can squeezing Restaurants (3)

more travel advice

Ordinary day in commercial street, Chennai - Chennai (Madras)

Crowded street Things to Do (6)

General view of a street in commercial area, on ordinary day. more travel advice

Off The Beaten Path (1)
Post-Office

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Comments (3)

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Nemorino Jun 24, 2011 at 1:51 PM

Good that you had a local friend there to show you around.
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goutammitra Mar 29, 2006 at 2:55 AM

I just missed the Crocodile bank as the Tourism Bus wont' stop there. They took us to VGP golden beach for Rides for money. . I really enjoyed your info on Crocodile Bank. But going again in May. Shall not miss this time.
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hekate Dec 29, 2005 at 6:18 AM

Another great page Avi :) The crocodile bank looks a bit scary :)