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Tamil Nadu-Chennai
Chennai alias Madras is the gracious capital city of Tamil Nadu is the fourth
largest metropolis in India. With a population of 6 million people, Chennai
is a vibrant city ever growing, expanding and changing every year. Popularly
regarded as the "Gateway to the South", Chennai presents culture that is distinctly
different from that of northern India.
Modern Chennai grew out of a small village when in 1639 a fishing hamlet called Madraspatnam was
selected by early English merchants of the East India Company as a site for the settlement. The
major attractions in Chennai are.
Fort St. Geroge
Fort St. George occupies a place of pride and prominence in Chennai. The British
East India Company under the direct supervision of Francis Day and Andrew Cogon
built it in 1640 AD. This bastion achieved name from St. George, the patron
saint of England. The fort houses St. Mary's Church and fort museum.
St. Mary's Church the oldest Anglican Church in India built in 1680 and the tombstones in its
courtyard are the oldest British tombstones in India.
Fort Museum
The Fort Museum is the repository of rare exhibits of weapons, uniforms, coins,
costumes, medals and some other artifacts dating back to the British period.
The flagstaff at Fort St. George is still the tallest in India. South of the
Fort is the War Memorial, a graceful monument built in 1939 in memory of the
warriors who sacrificed their lives during the First World War.
San Thome Cathedral
The southern end of Marina derives its name from St Thomas, the apostle of Christ
who is believed to have come to Madras sometime during 52 AD. He was killed
on St Thomas Mount just outside the city in 78 AD.. Several years later, a church
was built further inland and his mortal remains were transferred from the old
church to the new one. In 1606, the church was rebuilt as a cathedral and in
1896, it was made a basilica. The beautiful stained glass window at the basilica
portrays the story of St Thomas and the central hall has 14 wooden plaques depicting
scenes from the last days of Christ.
Kalakshetra
In Thiruvanmiyur, is Kalakshetra or 'Temple of Art'. It was founded in 1936
by Rukmini Devi Arundale to train, encourage and revive interest in Bharatanatyam,
which is the classical dance form of the state. This institution is among the
finest of its kind in the country and is run on the ancient gurukulam system.
Valluvarkottam
The memorial to the poet-saint Tiruvalluvar is shaped like a temple chariot
and is, in fact, the replica of the temple chariot in Thiruvarur. A life-size
statue of the saint has been installed in the chariot which is 33m. tall. The
133 chapters of his famous work Thirukkural have been depicted in bas-relief
in the front hall corridors of the chariot.
Kapaleeswar Temple
Kapaleeswar temple, in Mylapore is a 8th century Pallava temple. The temple
'Gopuram'(tower) is characteristic of Dravidian style architecture. Dedicated
to Lord Shiva, this temple has some beautiful sculptures, among which the bronze
idols of 63 Saivite Saints(Nayanmars) which adorn the outer courtyard are rare
specimens. Also in the courtyard under the old Punnai tree is a small shrine
depicting Goddess Parvathi in the form of a Peacock Worshipping Lord Shiva.
It is from this legend that Mylapore derived its name -'myil' meaning peacock
and 'oor' meaning town.
