Chennai, known as the “Detroit of India” for its automobile industry, is the sixth-largest city and fourth-most populous metropolitan area in the country and 36th-largest urban area in the world. The city is the secondary financial hub in the country, after Mumbai.
While travelling to Chennai, do make sure to keep these 8 places of interest in your “Bucket-List”
1. Marina Beach
It runs about 13 Kms, making it the longest urban beach in India.
2. Kapaleeshwarar Temple
It is a Shiva temple built around 7th century, here Parvati is worshipped as Karpgambai, which translates to ‘Goddess of the Wish-Yielding Tree’.
3. Edward Elliot’s Beach
Edward Elliot’s Beach forms the end-point of the Marina Beach Shore, and is named after Edward Elliot, Governor of Madras. A prominent landmark on this beach is the Karl Schmidt Memorial. The memorial is named after the Dutch sailor who lost his life in the process of saving a drowning swimmer.
4. Covelong
Covelong (Kovalam) is a fishing village in Chennai, India, 40 kilometers south of Chennai, on the East Coast Road en route to Mahabalipuram. It was a port town developed by the Nawab of Carnatic, Saadat Ali.Covelong beach is one of the few places in the East Coast where wind surfing takes place. There is a surf school with a resort in the beach and surfing professionals train people on surfing.
5. San Thome Basilica
San Thome Basilica is a Roman Catholic minor basilica, built in the 16th century by Portuguese explorers, over the tomb of St Thomas, an apostle of Jesus.
6. Vadapalani Andavar Temple
Built around 1890s, this temple started off as a single thatch shed. It I dedicated to Lord Murugan.
7. Marundeeshwarar Temple
This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, built in 8th century, this temple was widely expanded by Chola rulers in 11th century. Lord Marundeeswarar is known so because he imparted sage Agastyaon curative properties of various herbs and plants. Since then the Marundeeswarar temple has been a place of worship for people with diseases and various problems with their health.
This temple along with the Kapaleeswarar Temple and the Thiruvottiyur Thyagarajaswamy Temple form the famous Trinity Sea Shore temples of Thondai Mandalam
8. Light House
It was built by the East Coast Constructions and Industries in 1976 replacing the old lighthouse in the northern direction. The lighthouse was opened in January 1977. It also houses the meteorological department and was restricted to visitors. On 16 November 2013, it was reopened to visitors. It is one of the few lighthouses in the world and the only one in India with an elevator. It is also the only lighthouse in India within the city limits.
By : Archa Dave
