Chennai, capital of Tamil Nadu and the fourth largest city in India, is a sprawling metropolis and also an important port. Once a fishing village, Chennai was the capital of the Madras Presidency during the British era and was converted into the capital of Tamil Nadu in 1969. The East India Company built a fort in Madras, as Chennai was known earlier, in 1639 and developed it as one of the major trading centres in India. Chennai displays a blend of Dravidian and Goethic architecture in its buildings. The Kapaleeswarar Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is a fine example of Dravidian temple architecture.
Due to its location, Chennai is known as the Gateway of Southern India and also the 'Queen of the Coromandel'. Stretching 19 km along the Coromandel Coast and extending about 8 km inland, Chennai has the privilege of housing two major rivers, the Coovam and Adyar River as well as the historic Buckingham Canal. Airy and spacious with verdant green patches and beaches, Festivals are a daily feature in this region. Pongal, Navaratri or Dussehra, Deepavali and Christmas are the popular ones. |
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