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Chennai Tourism

Chennai is known as the Gateway of Southern India. The East India Company
developed Madras as it was called earlier, as one of the major trading centres
in India. Chennai has a blend of Dravidian and Gothic architecture in its
buildings. The city might have grown but it has never lost its traditional
grace and charm. The Tamil society might have incorporated English culture
but the Dravidian roots are as strong as ever.
Chennai is the epitome of tradition, culture and life-style of Southern
India. But like the rest of India, Chennai has over the years, developed
its share of urban style and modernity. It is very likely that the temples
that you will visit in Chennai are unlike any other that you have seen
before. Visit the 4.5-km long Golden Marina beach - one of the longest
beaches in the world.
Unlike Mumbai, the Chennai port is not a natural harbour. Nevertheless,
this manmade port is very modern and efficient in handling cargo and other
traffic. Today Chennai is the fourth largest city in India and commands
a major share in the trade from the South.
Places of Interest
Marina Beach
Made in 1880's, the Marina Beach is well sprawled over 13 kms of area is
the longest beach in Asia and turns quite picturesque in the evenings. Marina
beach adjoins the Bay of Bengal and is ideal for watching the dawn and dusk.
Kapaleeswarar Temple 
Another most frequently visited temple in Madras, the Kapaleeswarar Temple,
the oldest temple of Madras dedicated to Lord Shiva, was built in the 13th
century. This temple is dedicated to Kapaleeswarar and Karpagambal (Shiva
and Parvati). This 300 years old temple attracts huge crowds of tourists
during the festival season in the temple.
St. George Forte
The British people built the St George Forte, another principal landmark
in Madras, in 1653. The fort also houses a museum with a vast collection
of British and French antiques and other artifacts. Presently the fort turned
museum is used as the state secretariat. Within the precincts of the fort
stands the St. Mary's Church, the first church in India.