Chennai, Madras

Chennai is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal, it is a major commercial, cultural, and educational centre in South India, while the port of Chennai is the second largest port in India. It is a city of courtesy, charm and culture. Temples and Forts, Churches and Beaches, Mosques, Parks and Monuments are all a part of this wonderful city.

Chennai is gateway to the South, and its culture is distinctly different from that of any other city in India. Tamil tradition and culture is essentially the celebration of the beauty, which is exemplified through dance, clothing, and sculptures. Chennai is both an orthodox and a modern cosmopolitan city; the culture of the city reflects its diverse population. The traditional arts, music, dance and all other art forms of Tamilnadu grow and flourish here. The food is a unique blend of traditional, to fast foods and filter kaapi. It's a land of temples and priests. The architecture ranges from ancient temples to modern high-rises. Music is classical and western, to the growing nightlife in the city

Things to See & Do

* Parthsarthy Temple
* Churches, Mosques & Temples
* Government Museum
* Marina Beach
* Snake Park

General Information

Cruise Season - Jan - Dec
Currency - Indian Rupee (INR)
Language - Hindi, English
Population - 4,681,100 approx
Land Area - 426.7 km² approx
Electricity - 2 round pins European style or with a round pin below
Time - GMT plus five and a half hours
International Country Telephone Code - + 258

Port Location - The city is served by two major ports, Chennai Port, one of the largest artificial ports, and Ennore Port.

Travel Links - Chennai serves as a major gateway to southern India, and the Chennai International Airport, comprising the Anna international terminal and the Kamaraj domestic terminal. The city is connected to major hubs across Asia, Europe, and North America through more than 30 national and international carriers.

Chennai is the headquarters of the Southern Railway. The city has two main railway terminals. Chennai Central station, the city's largest, provides access to other major cities as well as many other smaller towns across India.