What to See and Do in Chennai
Wednesday, October 28th, 2009How many ways can the city of Chennai be more perfect? The beaches along the Southeastern coast of Chennai are lined with silver and white sand. The temperatures are moderate all year long, as is the case with many seaside cities, especially ones close to the equator. The is where we find Chennai. The history of the city has been affected throughout the years by a number of cultures from the Chola Dynasty times of rule, the culture and the art was greatly influenced, with some of the monuments and palaces of this time, the Second Century AD still standing and drawing tourists today.
Later Chennai was ruled by the Pallavas, the Nayaks, the Dutch, Portuguese, French and the British. Until 1996 the name was Madras, but was officially changed to Chennai by the Government of the Tamil Nadu. The architecture is striking, from the temples and the monuments to the five star hotels. Chennai is also a natural wonder and beauty, and the two elements combined make this a wonderful place to do a bit of both, the city life of art and culture, and the natural life of the great outdoors.
To have look at the collection of Mughal works of art one would go to the Government Museum Complex. Here too are three libraries where one can research all aspects of the Government of Chennai and of the country of India. One area with many sites close by is by the Marine Drive boardwalk. Here one will see the 1653 Fort of Saint George, the Saint Mary’s Church and its collection of artifacts from France and Great Britain, and the Palace of Valluvar Kottam. This palace is splendid as it is designed in the form of a great chariot and is seriously a sight that should not be missed. And after a few hours spent wandering around the museums, nothing beats a stroll down Marine Drive and along the cool and breezy beach.
