Chennai India

Location:
Famous As: Temple city of India
Chennai Climate: Normal

Chennai India

One of the British first toe-holds in India, Chennai is a teeming, rambling, bustling industrial city established on the site of a fishing village in 1639. The capital of the Southern state of Tamil Nadu, Chennai is also the natural starting point for a trip to Kanchipuram, city of "a thousand temples" and Mamallapuram, a magnificent World Heritage Site.

History of Chennai

Though Chennai stepped into the historical limelight when the European settlers set up this city on the site of a fishing village, the area was an important place throughout the historical period. Ooriginally known as Madras Patnam, the area was located in the province of Tondaimandalam, that lied between Pennar river of Nellore and the Pennar river of Cuddalore.

The first to reach the site were the Portuguese in 1522. They built a port and named it Sao Tome, after St. Thomas, one of Christ's disciples, was martyred at the place after spending the final years of his life preaching on a nearby beach.
The British regained control of Chennai in 1749 through the treaty of AiX-la-Chapelle. Chennai rose to prominence under the British regime. The city became an important English naval base during the latter half of the 18th century. Chennai was the capital of the Madras Presidency.

After Indian independence in 1947 Chennai became the administrative and legislative capital of Madras State that was renamed as Tamil Nadu in 1968.

Places of interest:

Chennai attracts its fair share of tourists, a majority of whom cannot resist the seductive temptations of this intoxicating city.

Fort St. George

An imposing architectural heritage, Fort St. George was built in 1640 AD by Andrew Cogon. A bastion of the British power in India, the fort derives its name from St. George, the patron saint of England. Within the compound of the fort are St. Mary's Church, Asia’s oldest existing Anglican Church built in 1680, and Fort Museum, a treasure trove of paintings, sketches, coins, weapons, uniforms, costumes and some other artifacts dating back to the British period. St. Mary's church has several 17th- and 18th-century tombstones.

Parthasarathy Temple

The 8th-century Parthasarathy Temple, located off Triplicane High Rd. is dedicated to Lord Krishna. Built originally by the Pallava rulers, it was later modified by the Chola and Vijayanagara kings

Santhome Cathedral Basilica

Built on the tomb of St. Thomas the Apostle, Santhome Cathedral Basilica is a gothic style cathedral. Tradition has it that St. Thomas, one of Christ's disciples, was martyred at the place after spending the final years of his life preaching on a nearby beach.

Chennai Shopping

In recent times shopping malls are mushrooming everywhere in Chennai and you can buy anything in this metro. But the city has an extensive range and variety of goods on offer, if you are going for souvenir shopping.
One of the better shops, Chennai’s Kalpa Druma (tel 242/356-5584) guarantees offer good quality housewares, handicrafts, and antique pieces of furniture. Fabindia (Ilford House, 3 Woods Rd.; tel. 044/2851-0395 or 044/5202-7015) sells fine cotton garments, kurtas (tunics), and ethnic furnishings and linens. Cane & Bamboo (21 Marshalls Rd., Egmore; tel. 044/2852-8672) specializes in good-quality, attractive curios, trays, bowls, spoons, lamps, and other wooden handicrafts.
There are many other antique and handicraft shops in Chennai including Anokhi and Amethyst known for exquisite Western-style clothing and other souvenir handicrafts made with Indian fabrics and design elements.

Make a beeline for the silk store of Nalli Chinnasami Chetty, in the T. Nagar, near Panagal Park, known for its exquisite silk items. On C. P. Ramaswami Road is located the Design Store excellent for chic, top quality home decor with an ethnic touch.