Chennai is one of the most underrated tourist destinations. Chennai has all the elements that are needed for an ideal vacation spot. With some of the best beaches in India, the city is also called the ‘cultural capital of India’ as even today people have managed to hold on to the age-old traditions. With lots of holy places, some of the structures have stood the test of time and make us believe that the city is more ancient than written in the papers. If you are planning to visit Bangalore, then you ought to have Chennai in your itinerary as it has a lot of things to do and places to visit. Pack your bags and board the Bangalore to Chennai train to visit these awesome places in Chennai.
List of 06 Tourist Places near Chennai
1. Marina Beach
- Second largest beach in the world.
- Great sunrise and sunset views.
- Fishing and windsurfing activities.
- Not well-maintained, but still popular.
- Cultural significance in Chennai.
One of the obvious choices while in Chennai, Marina Beach is the second-largest beach on the planet. Everyone should try walking along the seashore during the sunrise or sunset as the view is stunningly breathtaking. If you love sports, then you can try your hand at fishing and windsurfing at the beach, which won’t leave you disappointed. Although not well-maintained, you will still find the place quite awesome as there are lots of things to do here.
- Check out: Tamil Nadu Tour Packages
2. Madras Crocodile Bank
- Founded in 1976 for crocodile conservation.
- Home to 25,000 reptiles.
- Includes snakes and monitor lizards.
- Focuses on wildlife conservation.
- Popular for reptile lovers.
If you are a reptile fan, the Madras Crocodile Bank will not let you down in any way. This place was founded in 1976 and is home to three rare species of crocodiles: the mugger, saltwater, and gharial. You can find many species here, making the total count of these reptiles around 25,000. Other attractions of Madras Crocodile Bank include albino and cobra snakes, as well as water monitor lizards.
- Also Read: Top Places to Visit in Tamil Nadu
3. Pulicat Lake
- Located on Tamil Nadu’s border.
- A nature lover’s haven.
- Boating and fishing opportunities.
- Known for its serene atmosphere.
- A birdwatching hotspot.
You have to have Pulicat Lake on your list of places to visit while in Chennai. One of the few places where you can get close to nature in Chennai, Pulicat Lake acts as a sigh of relief for nature lovers. Located at Tamil Nadu’s border, the atmosphere at the lake is serene and very relaxing. You can even indulge in fishing while enjoying a nice boat ride.
3. Kapaleeshwarar Temple
- Ancient Shiva temple.
- Associated with the Brahma-Shiva legend.
- Famous for Dravidian architecture.
- Cultural and religious importance.
- Popular pilgrimage site.
Derived from Kapalam (head) and Eshwara (Shiva), the temple has an awesome legend attached to it. According to manuscripts, Brahma failed to show up at a meeting set up by Lord Shiva on Mount Kailash, which angered Lord Shiva so much that he plucked one of Brahma’s heads. In return, to please Lord Shiva, Brahma came to the place and installed a lingam to please Shiva. If this story can’t bring you to the temple, then we don’t know what will!
- Suggested Tour: Chennai Temple Tour
4. National Art Gallery
- Founded in 1907.
- Built in Indo-Saracenic style.
- Displays ancient artwork.
- Divided into 4 sections.
- Must-visit for art lovers.
Established in 1907, one can see the influence of Indo-Saracenic architecture in the red sandstone construction. The gallery has mainly 4 sections: the Tanjore Painting Gallery, Indian Traditional Art Gallery, Ravi Varma Art Gallery, and Decorative Art Gallery. One of the best places for art lovers, the gallery houses some of the artworks belonging to the 11th century.
5. Fort St. George
- Built in 1644 by the British.
- Houses Legislative Assembly.
- Home to St. Mary’s Church, the oldest Anglican church.
- Fort Museum with historical artifacts.
- Key historical landmark in Chennai.
Fort St. George (also historically known as White Town) is the name given to the first English fortress in India, established in 1644. It was founded in the coastal city of Chennai (erstwhile Madras). At that time, it was the central point of merchant trade activity for the British East India Company. However, it houses the Legislative Assembly and the Secretariat of the city. Tourists can find St. Mary’s Church, the oldest Anglican Church in the country, and a Fort Museum with exhibits of ancient artifacts.
6. Thousand Lights Mosque
- Built in 1810.
- Known for its multi-domes.
- Quranic verses on the walls.
- Includes a library and burial ground.
- Home to religious leader Ghazi Moulana Ghulam Mahadi Khan.
In the list of tourist attractions in Chennai, the Thousand Lights Mosque is a famous place. The mosque was constructed by Nawab Umdat-ul-Umrah in 1810. One can find verses from the holy book painted on the walls of this beautiful multi-domed mosque. The Thousand Lights Mosque also has a huge library and burial ground. Presently, it is home to Ghazi Moulana Ghulam Mahadi Khan of Tamil Nadu.
Chennai tourism is on the rise, and we really hope it reaches a whole new level soon. Chennai’s top attraction, though, is the warmth of the locals. You will discover the perfect harmony among the people of Chennai, who don’t consider conventional views as far as religion, race, and color. There are many more world-class attractions to visit in Chennai apart from these.
Call
Enquiry