Situated on the east coast, Chennai, the fourth largest of the Indian Cities. Is also the capital of the state of Tamil Nadu. The Gateway to the South of India, Chennai was the first British major settlement in India. Though there are dominant British influences in the form of old Cathedrals, buildings in the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture and wide tree lined avenues, Chennai retains a charm characteristic of the typical South Indian heritage and way of living. Ever growing and changing, Chennai is a fascinating place, presenting an increasingly cosmopolitan exterior that contrasts sharply with a resolute and religious interior.

Places of Interest - Fort St. George High / Court Building / Marina Beach / Theosophical Society / Valluvar Kottam /MGR Film City / Birla Planetarium / Kalakshetra / Crocodile Bank / Snake Park / Aringar Anna Zoological Garden / a trip to Mahabalipuram and Pondicherry

Fort St.George
The Fort stands as a symbol of the British Raj, amid state offices, facing the sea in the east of the city, just south of George Town. It is the first British fort build around1653 by the British East India Company. The structure of the fort is a fine example of 17th century British military architecture, and was mostly built in 1966. It has a 20 feet thick wall. The country's tallest flagstaff is here, thought to be over 300 years old. The 24 black Charnockite pillars are those reclaimed by the British in 1762 of the original 32 which once formed the colonade of the present Secretariat building.

Within the fort, a number of other early buildings still stand of which St. Mary's Church is the most interesting. It was consecrated in 1680 and is the oldest Protestant Church in the East. The church contains several antiquities, not the least being the oldest British tombstones in India and memories of weddings in which Clive and Elihu Yale, benefactor of America's Yale University, Arthur Wellesley who became Wellington and Warren Hastings were present for weddings held here. Opposite the Church is the Pay accounts office. It was formerly Robert Clive's house commemorates the Empire-builder who first learnt his trade here. It is open to the public.

Other buildings of importance in the Fort are the Old Government House, the Banqueting Hall (now called Rajaji Hall) built by Goldingham for the Governor's official entertainment during the Clive period. The foundations of Indian Army and Civil Service, the land survey by Colin Mackenize, and the archaeological, botanical and zoological surveys were all laid at Fort. St.George. The Fort has a museum contains some fascinating items. Now Fort St. George houses Tamilnadu Secretariat and the Legislative Assembly. The best time to visit is on a Sunday.
Fort St.George

High Court Building
It is situated at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Road, just north of St.George fort. An example of Indo Saracenic architecture, this complex houses High Court, the Small Cause's Court and the City Civil Court. Built in 1892, under the guidance of the famed architect Henry Irwin, this building is believed to be the second largest judicial complex in the world. The red sand stone construction, ornamental decorations on the walls, stained glass windows and minarets add beauty to this building. The compound has a pyramid shape tomb which belongs to the only son of Elihu Yale, who died in infancy. A fine example is Court No 13 which has stained glass, fretted wood work, carved furniture, silvered panels and a painted ceiling. Near the High Court building is the city's second lighthouse tower and the highest point in the Court building once housed the third lighthouse.

Entry - Monday to Saturday from 10 to 5 with guided tour Rs.10.

Marina Beach
Lining the east of the city is the famous Marina beach, at Kamarajar Road, 3 Km away from Madras. This is supposed to be the second longest beach in the World and runs to a length of 12 Km. On the beach there is the Anna Park, named after the founder of D.M.K (Dravida Munnetta Kazhakam) Anna durai and the tomb of M.G. Ramachandran who was a film star and the charismatic Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Read more

The Theosophical Society
Founded in 1875, The Theosophical Society is a worldwide body whose primary object is Universal Brotherhood based on the belief that life, and all its diverse forms, human and non-human, is indivisibly One. It offers discourse and meditation sessions as well as lectures on positive health and spirituality. It is famous for its legendary 5000 years old Banyan tree spreading over 40,000 sq ft in the campus.
Closed on Sundays.

Birla Planetarium
Built in memory of B.M.Birla, the well known industrialist and visionary, the Planetarium is considered to be the most modern in the country. It houses eight galleries - Physical Science, Electronics and Communication, Energy, Life Science, Innovation, Transport, International Dolls and Children and Materials Science. The Planetarium has a 236-seater hemispherical theatre which houses a computerised project to depict the skies and heavenly bodies on a hemispherical dome. This centrally air-conditioned complex also houses a sound studio, classroom and seminar hall. Adjoining the planetarium is the Periyar Science and Technology Museum which will be of interest to students and other science scholars. The Planetarium regularly conducts shows and there are seminars and workshops on astronomy which are held from time to time. It is located at Kotturpuram near Adyar.

Kalakshetra
In Thiruvanmiyur, beyond Elliot's beach, is Kalakshetra or 'Temple of Art'. It was founded in 1936 by danseuse Rukmini Devi Arundale to revive interest in Bharatanatyam which is the classical dance form of the state of Tamil Nadu. Run on the ancient gurukulam system, this institution is devoted to classical dance, music and traditional textile designs and weaving. The Kalakshetra Foundation comprises the Rukmini Devi College of Fine Arts, the Besant Arundale Senior Secondary School, the Besant Theosophical High School, the Craft Education and Research Centre, the Bharata Kalakshetra Auditorium and the Dr U. V. Swaminatha Iyer Library. The Craft Education and Research Center of Kalakshetra is famous for reviving traditional South Indian saree patterns and colors in silk and cotton. It has an extraordinary theater, where in the month of December Kalakshetra holds its annual ballet festival. Throughout the year Kalakshetra conducts music recital and dance performances in different parts of Chennai.

Arignar Anna Zoological Park
The Zoo is located on the eastern side of the GST road going from Chennai to South Tamil Nadu near Vandalur. Vandalur is about 8 km from Tambaram and about 33 km from Chennai Central Railway Station. The zoo is well connected to the city by road and rail. There is direct service from various parts of the city to Vandalur / Arignar Anna Zoological Park bus stop. Also from city all buses going to Guduvancheri pass through Vandalur stop. For coming by local train, train going to chengalpettu stops at Vandalur Railway station which is about 1 km from the zoo gate or you may come by Chennai Beach to Tambaram local train, get down at Tambaram and take a bus to the zoo.