Chennai is one of the four prominent metropolitan cities of India, which is the capital of Tamil Nadu. It is located on the shores of the Bay of Bengal. It was in the year 1966 that the name of Madras was coined as Chennai. It is the fourth biggest city built during the year 1639. The Chennai city is notable for its grandeur in temples' construction, coconuts, sambar and Kanjivaram silk saris. The automobile industry and IT sector have catapulted the city to the international arena.

The city is divided by two rivers principally Cooum River and Adyar River. The Cooum River bisects the city into a near half and the Adyar River segregates the southern half of the city into two parts. Chennai is home to vast Indian culture and traditional practices, classical dance like Bharatanatyam, music, artworks, paintings, handicrafts, literary works, philosophical thinking and religion.

A lot of prominent places are capable of giving a visit in Chennai. Most interesting ones are mentioned below:

Marina Beach

Marina Beach is one of the longest beaches of the world, spreading across a 12-km long coastline. In early 1880s, this beach was prepared by Governor Mountstuart Elephanstone Grant stuff. It starts from St. George Fort, in the North, and culminates at Besant Nagar in the South. Near Marina beach, there exists an aquarium, which has a vast species of tropical sea fishes and tourists can avail the chance to have the sight of them from closer proximities. Besides the beach, Anna and MGR samadhis could be found, which are the memorials of the most recognized ex-Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu. Because of this reason, Marina Beach has become Chennai's important tourist attraction as of now.

The National Art Gallery

The National Art Gallery is constructed in a Indo-Saracenic style of architecture. The gallery was built in 1906 AD, which has a gallery that has a unique collection of paintings, artworks, handicrafts and bronze art pieces. The works include Bronzes from 10^th and 13^th century, ancient crafts of India starting from 11th and 12^th century apart from paintings starting from 16^th and 17^th century.

High Court

This marvellous Indo-Saracenic style structure, constructed in 1892, has scenic domes, an elegant central cupola and various stained crystal windows. The building is stationed with the High Court besides Small Causes Court and the City Civil Court.

Considering the Approval of the Letters Patent by Her Majesty, Queen Victoria, the court was opened for hearing public grievances in Madras on 26th June of 1862. Being a red sand stone structure, ornamental decorations on the walls, stained glass windows and minarets emulate the beauty of the High Court building. The compound includes a pyramid shape tomb.

Crocodile Bank

It is located along the way to Mahabalipuram and is maintained by Romulve Whittaker. It is at a distance of nearly 44Km from Chennai with 5000 species maintained in their natural habitats in open waters. They can be glanced from a considerably secure distance and a tour to this bank is very interesting. Buses are plied to the site of the Crocodile bank. This makes it easier for tourists to commute. The in railway station near vicinity is Chengalpettu.

The Government Museum

The Government Museum of Chennai is one of the most celebrity tourist location in Chennai. It is regarded to be one of the earliest museums of modern India. Chennai Government Museum has a spacious complex and is managed by the Chennai State Government.

Three famous structures of historic importance - the Museum Theatre, the Extension Hall and the Connemara Public Library are existing in this complex. The present Museum has several sections including four galleries- Hindu sculpture gallery, the Amaravathi gallery, the Bronze gallery and the National art gallery considered as the principal attractions.

Kapaleeshwar Temple

Kapaleeshwar Temple is a Hindu temple of Lord Shiva located at Mylapore in Chennai, India. The statue of his wife Parvati is also found in the temple and known as Karpagambal. It is one of the   prominent crowd pullers of Chennai, which was structured in 8^th century by Pallavas. The principal entrance faces the East and is painted in vibrant colors of red, blue and yellow.Besides Lord Shiva, the temple also possesses other shrines that are dedicated to lords such as Ganesha, Muruga and Sani Bhagvan.

Kanchipuram

Kanchipuram, also close by, is a tourist centre that is frequented by almost all visitors to Chennai. Kanchipuram makes foray in to the international arena due to the excellent workmanship of the Kanchi weavers, the creators of what in fact the purest silk fabric in the world.

Sri Parthsarathy Temple

This Vaishnavite temple along the Marina Beach is a tribute to Lord Krishna, who was a charioteer to Arjuna, when the Kurukshetra war took place. It is a creation beyond grandeur of the Pallavas of the 8th century. The normal chakra, attributed to Mahavishnu is dubious by its absence. Sridevi and Bhoodevi - the consorts of Lord Vishnu could be sighted besides Utsavamurthy.

Fort St. George

Situated along the seashore, close to the harbour, Fort St. George, was constructed for the East India Co. in 1960 AD. The first bastion of British power in India, it once consisted of the British Regiments mess and eventually, the lighthouse. Presently, it is home to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly and Council, as well as the offices of the States Secretariat. Fort St. Georges pioneering flagstaff is, even now, the tallest one in India. The black Charnockite pillar of the building, gives a glimpse of the organization of the British military architecture, of the 17th and 18th centuries. Sightings of early Chennai are preserved in Clive Corner, Wellesley House, Fort Museum and St. Marys Church.

Mamallapuram/Mahabalipuram

Mamallapuram, which is 60 kms, South of Chennai, established on the shores of the Bay of Bengal, was previously a port of the Pallavas. The Pallavas have constructed many spectacular monuments with Sculptural Panels, rocks, caves, Monolithic Rathas and temples.

Previously, a thriving port trading with various far enough nations, Pallava Chisels have provided liveliness into stone. The Pallavas art of this place describes diverse earthen beauty, reciproacated with life. These monumental architectures and fantastic beach resorts pull visitors from all over the world.

The tourists can instantly reach all these places as there is a whole range of to and fro services. The international and national terminals of Chennai airport are Anna and Kamraj terminals.

Chennai Central and Chennai Egmore are the two railway stations of Chennai. Chennai Central regularizes rail services to the Northern and Western parts of India while Chennai Egmore has rail service to the rest of Tamil Nadu including various parts of South India.

Road services in Chennai are also rampant. The visitors can visit the city by cars as there are five national highways in Chennai.

Visitors to Chennai can get in and through the city by trains, buses and call cabs.

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