Chennai is the gateway to south India and the capital of Tamil Nadu. This city is famous for its culture as well as traditions. Earlier the city was known as Madras, moreover, it is situated on the Coromandel Coast in the Bay of Bengal. This is the state’s largest city with various monuments and tourist attractions. It is a metropolitan city with the oldest corporation in the country.
Chennai is the country’s cultural capital as the traditions followed here are deep-seated. This city has the second longest coastline in the world. The city is a well-known IT and IIT hub of the country. Chennai is an incredible city with so much to explore and learn. The city was founded by the Britishers in the 17th century to form their major naval base.
Tourist attractions
- Marina Beach:- This is the most famous beach hosting the Bay of Bengal on its edges. The beach is a beautiful combination of modernity, architecture, and nature. Here you can enjoy the traditional street food of South India while exploring the astonishing statue of Mahatma Gandhi and Victory War Memorial. In addition to this, the beach is open for various fun activities like skiing, kayaking, beach sports, etc. However, you can also experience the fascinating nightlife here.
- Santhome Cathedral:- The Basilica of Holy Cross is an astonishing Catholic church in Chennai. It is one of the oldest cathedrals here built by the Portuguese in 1504 and rebuilt by Britishers in 1893. The church is beautifully curved under the perfect combination of Gothic and Corinthian styles of architecture. However, this place is a must-visit for history and architecture lovers. Also, the church has a peaceful vibe in its environment calming from the hustling life of the city.
- Fort St. George:- It is a historic monument founded by the British East India Company in the country. This fortress is the first English fort built in 1639 and now houses various important institutions. It includes the Secretariat, the High Court of Madras, the Legislative Assembly, and the official residence of the Governor of the state. However, the fort also hosts the Missionaries of Charity founded by Mother Teresa in 1965. British people used this place for their trading and other settlements.
- Thousand Light Mosque:- The French people founded this mosque for the Muslim men working for them. It is a beautiful Mogul-style mosque now a heritage site open for all visitors. This place follows a custom of lighting a thousand lamps in the assembly hall. Hence, it is an astonishing monument standing in Georgetown, in old Chennai.
Ancient Temples of Chennai
- Kapaleeshwarar Temple:- It is an ancient Hindu temple in Mylapore, Chennai. The temple is famous for its astonishing architecture, stunning carvings, and beautiful shrines. This place was founded in the 7th century and has a prominent Shiv Lingam called Kapaleeshwarar. However, it is said that the goddess Parvati worships here and named the area around Mylai.
- Parthasarathy Temple:- This temple is among the oldest temples in the city, built in the 6th century in Triplicane, Chennai. It is a beautiful temple with carvings in the Dravidian and Vijayanagara styles. The temple is devoted to Lord Vishnu, here you can witness the five forms of the lord. Hence, most of the tourists visit the temple during the Karthigai Deepam festival.
- Ashtalakshmi Temple:- This temple is among the most famous temples in the city and is on the bank of the Adyar River. The devotees here worship the eight forms of Goddess Laxmi blessing with the general life aspects of well-being, grace, and prosperity. This temple holds significant importance in the spiritual connections with the Goddess.
- Thyagaraja temple:- The temple is situated in Tiruvotriyur, Chennai dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple has an amazing Dravidian style of architecture. Moreover, it is the birthplace of Thyagaraja Swami who was the Carnatic music composer. Tourists also visit here to experience the amazing Carnatic music and dance performances.
Food specialties of Chennai
Chennai is one of the coastal cities in the region and has been a major trade center of the country during the colonial period. This trade has brought many flavors and tastes from different parts of the world. The city has some very delicious blends of the world as follows,
- Biryani:- It is a very famous and delicious dish served in the main course of the city. The dish perfectly blends Mughal tastes with the south indian food choices. Biryani is rice cooked with chicken pieces along with unique spices and herbs from Tamil Nadu. However, the dish is also known as Vadicha Biryani in its native language.
- Chicken Tikka Masala:- This is a dish that originated in the United Kingdom but is famous in the city. It is an Anglo-Indian dish served with fluffy rice presenting a beautiful fusion of spices, herbs, and cooking techniques. Its mesmerizing taste is a perfect combination of Indian and British flavors.
- Dosa:- It is the regional street food of the city. Dosa is an Indian regional dish representing the southern food culture of the nation. The dish is served with sambhar and chutneys on the street stalls as well as in restaurants. Hence, you can try different types of Dosa also, the most famous one is Masala Dosa.
- Chettinad Cuisines:- This is a renowned cooking style from the Chettinad region of the state. The cuisine serves both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, including Chettinad Roast chicken, Idiyappam, and many others. Additionally, this style of food is prepared using traditional spices and herbs with local veggies.
Conclusion
The city represents the culture and heritage of the Tamil Nadu state. Chennai is a beautiful city with so many things to explore and learn about. However, it is a perfect destination to experience the vibe of south indian traditions with a touch of modernity. The city is a wonderful travel destination for art lovers and architects. It is a store full of ancient paintings, art, and crafts along with mesmerizing architectural styles pioneered in Madras. Therefore, it is the perfect winter holiday location for people who want to explore the accent flok tales and enjoy sea adventures.
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