 The vibrant city of Chennai, erstwhile Madras, is the capital of the state of Tamil Nadu and is India's fourth largest metropolis. It is located on the Coromandel Coast of Bay of Bengal and is backed by a history of 350 years. It is the 41st largest metropolitan area in the world with an estimated population of 7.45 millions. Marina beach, the second largest beach in the World is situated in Chennai.
 Chennai is an abode that amalgamates the traditional and the modern blend in every sphere of life. From ancient temple architecture to modern high-rise — with Indosarcenic and Victorian as stops along the way. Chennai has merged a great balance of vividly contrasting themes that are a tourist's delight.
This metropolis is often called the cultural capital of India for its deep-rooted traditions and its long heritage. It is the home of the ancient Dravidian civilization. Temples with their lofty gopurams (steeples) and majestic mandapams (pillared halls) dot the landscape. It is the seat of Carnatic classical music and Bharathanatyam (Indian classical dance). Every December, the city hosts the month long music festival which is one of the world's largest cultural events. It encompasses performances (Kutcheries) by traditional carnatic music artistes. Chennai is also the center for large south Indian movie Industry. |
Chennai offers a diverse variety of Indian and international cuisine. Traditional Tamil meal is vegetarian and a balance of 6 tastes necessary in food - sweet, sour, pungent, astringent, salty and bitter. Rice is the basic ingredient. Typical items are sambar (spicy, lentil and vegetable broth), rasam (tamarind and tomato based clear soup), dry curries, curd or buttermilk. The non-vegetarian cuisine consists mainly of the Chettinad style of spicy cooking wherein meat and seafood is baked, curried or deep-fried. Breakfast consists of rice dumplings (idly), rice pan-cakes (dosa). Fried doughnut (vada), etc served with chutney (herbal coconut sauce) and sambar. Filter coffee is a popular beverage made from decoction (coffee by the yard) mixed with hot milk poured back and forth between two utensils from increasing elevations until it froths.
Chennai is a shoppers' paradise with plenty of shops trading silk saris, gold jewelry, bronze statues and other handicrafts.
The Chennai International Airport is connected to major hubs in South East Asia, Middle East, Europe and North America through fifteen international carriers. It is also well connected to other cities and towns in India. There are two railway terminals, which connect to all places in India. Chennai also has an elevated MRTS suburban train system, which is linked with the suburban railway network. Buses and trains are the most popular means of transport. Hired transport includes metered taxis or auto rickshaws (three wheelers) and these modes are the best way to get around.
Chennai lies on the thermal equator, and thus sees little variation in seasonal temperature. Its proximity to the sea gives it a hot and humid climate for most of the year. Highest temperatures are between May and June (about 38ºC, 100.4ºC). Average daily temperature in Chennai during December is around 24ºC. | | | |
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