20 tahun demat: Sebuah langkah yang mengubah perdagangan saham di India National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL) mdashIndiarsquos gudang sekuritas elektronik pertama dan terbesar pada hari Kamis merayakan dua dekade operasi. Seiring dengan perdagangan elektronik, pengenalan dematerializationmembawa konversi saham fisik menjadi bentuk elektronik - pada pertengahan tahun 90an adalah langkah radikal lainnya yang mengubah karakter pasar India selamanya, dan menjadi lebih baik. Ini memberi jalan lain ke pasar India dalam usahanya untuk menggosok bahu dengan rekan-rekan globalnya, menghilangkan kecurangan oleh perusahaan dan pialang, memperbaiki efisiensi rumah kliring bursa, mengurangi tingkat broker dan menarik lebih banyak FII. Kelahiran NSDL tak terelakkan begitu Bursa Efek Nasional mulai beroperasi pada bulan November dengan perdagangan elektronik, bukan sistem protes terbuka yang diikuti oleh Bombay Stock Exchange yang saingan. Perdagangan elektronik membuat penemuan harga lebih efisien, juga mengirim volume melonjak. Ada transaksi yang terjadi setiap hari, tapi semua transaksi akan selesai dua minggu sekali. Dan di situlah letak sakit kepala bagi bursa saham dalam menyelesaikan perdagangan yang menunjukkan bahwa penjual mendapatkan uang dan pembeli mereka, saham mereka. Seringkali, muatan truk sertifikat saham akan mendarat di rumah kliring BSE dan NSE. Sebagai percobaan, perusahaan kliring regional diujicobakan. Tapi itu tidak berhasil, masalah utamanya adalah pengangkutan saham fisik. Lalu ada masalah saham palsu dan palsu. Banyak investor institusi asing enggan berinvestasi di India karena masalah ini. Perusahaan bersalah karena menempa sertifikat saham sebagai pialang dan pelaku pasar lainnya. Sertifikat saham fisik memiliki nomor yang berbeda. Perusahaan akan menjanjikan satu set saham dengan kreditur, meminjam uang untuk melawan mereka. Mereka kemudian akan mencetak sekumpulan sertifikat lain dengan nomor yang berbeda, dan mengenalkannya di pasar melalui broker yang ramah atau melalui salah satu perusahaan milik pribadi mereka sendiri. Mereka bisa melakukannya, aman dalam pengetahuan bahwa set asli saham akan berada dalam tahanan kreditur selama tidak ada default pembayaran bunga. Seringkali, investor tidak akan tahu apakah saham itu dipalsukan, kecuali jika mereka mengirimkannya ke perusahaan untuk mendapatkannya terdaftar atas nama mereka. Namun banyak investor yang tidak pernah repot-repot mengalihkan sahamnya ke namanya, dan memegangnya di bawah apa yang dikenal dengan nama pasar sebagai nama jalan. Terkadang saham tersebut akan melakukan beberapa putaran antara pembeli dan penjual sebelum akhirnya dikirim ke perusahaan untuk ditransfer dalam nama pembeli. Dan jika sahamnya ternyata palsu atau dipalsukan, tanggung jawabnya ada di broker (introducing broker) melalui siapa penjual telah menjual sahamnya. Broker kemudian harus meminta kliennya mengganti saham atau mengembalikan uangnya. Itu juga merupakan tugas yang cukup karena beberapa klien diam-diam akan lenyap setelah menjual sahamnya. Broker kemudian akan bertanggung jawab atas saham palsu itu. Beberapa broker kecil gulung tikar, membayar kesalahan klien mereka. Karena masalah pengiriman yang buruk, pialang menjadi waspada terhadap klien yang menerima. Sisi lain dari hal ini adalah investor merasa sulit mendapatkan broker yang baik. Itu karena pialang hanya menerima klien jika seseorang merekomendasikannya. Pemberlakuan Undang-Undang Simpanan pada bulan Agustus 1996 membuka jalan bagi pembentukan NSDL, dipromosikan oleh institusi dalam negeri. Tim inti di NSDL memiliki pilihan untuk melakukan immobilisation atau dematerialisation. Dalam immobilisation, sertifikat saham fisik tetap tersimpan di gudang penyimpanannya. Penyimpanan itu akan mengakui sahamnya dan masuk secara elektronik. NSDL memilih untuk mengikuti contoh Jepang yang memilih dematerialisasi, daripada AS, yang telah memilih imobilisasi. Tantangan yang dihadapi NSDL saat misinya mencapai tiga kali lipat. Pertama, membujuk perusahaan agar mengizinkan investor melakukan opsi saham dalam bentuk demat. Yang kedua adalah memiliki jaringan peserta penyimpanan yang luas dengan membuat bank dan broker menjadi agennya, dan ketiga meyakinkan investor untuk memegang saham dalam bentuk elektronik. NSDL merasa bahwa bagian ketiga akan menjadi yang paling sulit karena investor tradisional tidak akan merasa nyaman dengan gagasan untuk menahan investasi mereka sebagai entri elektronik. Tapi yang mengejutkan, respons terhadap demat jauh lebih baik dari yang diperkirakan. Pejabat NSDL bertemu dengan banyak perusahaan untuk menjual gagasan tentang demat tersebut. Banyak perusahaan mendaftar di tahap awal, namun kemudian jumlah stagnan. Itu karena banyak perusahaan lain yang skeptis terhadap konsep tersebut, dan ingin melihat sendiri bagaimana investor meresponsnya, sebelum bergabung dengannya. Kaki berikutnya lebih sulit: meyakinkan bank untuk mendaftar dengan NSDL sebagai peserta penyimpanan. Pada pertengahan 90an, perusahaan pialang mengalami kekurangan kredibilitas. Jadi, sementara pialang ingin mendaftar dengan NSDL, itu tidak membantu NSDLrsquos karena investor ritel tidak mempercayai broker cukup untuk membuka rekening demat dengan mereka. Jadi NSDL harus membuat bank di sampingnya untuk mempopulerkan konsep demat. Ini adalah proses yang lambat. Sulit untuk menjelaskan pasar modal kepada bank. Entah mengapa, mereka menolak gagasan berkaitan dengan pasar modal. Pejabat NSDL mencoba mengatakan kepada mereka bahwa sama seperti mereka memegang dana, maka (NSDL) memegang saham. Akhirnya bank melihat intinya. Itu adalah titik balik kunci untuk konsep demat. Memiliki jaringan peserta penyimpanan yang besar sangat penting bagi keberhasilan dematerialisasi. Secara fisik tidak mungkin NSDL untuk sendirian mengatasi volume besar saham fisik yang harus dematerialisasi. Investor akan menyerahkan saham fisik kepada peserta penyimpanan, yang akan mengirim mereka ke agen transfer perusahaan setelah memberitahu NSDL. Selama proses dematerialisasi, banyak contoh saham palsu terungkap, yang jika tidak akan luput dari perhatian. Banyak perusahaan memiliki lebih banyak saham dalam sirkulasi daripada yang dikeluarkan secara sah oleh mereka. Akhirnya datang para investor. Awalnya, ada dua segmen di bursa saham: segmen fisik dan segmen demat. Pada awalnya, likuiditas di segmen fisik lebih baik, dan di segmen demat pun menjadi masalah. Hal ini menyebabkan lingkaran setan dimana likuiditas rendah membuat investor enggan melakukan perdagangan saham demat, yang selanjutnya mengurangi likuiditas. Saat itulah SEBI masuk. Regulator memutuskan bahwa investor institusional dapat membeli saham tersebut dalam bentuk apapun. Tapi jika mereka harus menjual saham itu, itu harus dalam bentuk elektronik saja. Itu secara otomatis memastikan bahwa institusi akan melakukan dematerialisasi saham fisik yang mereka beli. Ini membantu meningkatkan volume perdagangan di segmen demat. Dematerialisasi sangat membantu mengurangi risiko penyelesaian dan siklus penyelesaian yang dipersingkat, keduanya sangat penting untuk meningkatkan sistem kliring dan penyelesaian. Dan sementara investor ritel lebih cepat menerima gagasan pembagian saham elektronik, promotor beberapa perusahaan ternama akan membutuhkan dorongan dari SEBI. Baru pada akhir Juni 2011 SEBI mewajibkan promotor semua emiten untuk menahan saham dalam bentuk demat saja. Data yang tersedia dengan regulator menunjukkan bahwa promotor hampir 50 persen emiten, masih memegang saham dalam bentuk fisik. Dan ini termasuk beberapa perusahaan blue-chip dan raksasa sektor publik. Pada tanggal 31 Desember 2016, NSDL menawarkan sedikit lebih dari 1,5 crore demat accounts. Angka yang sangat rendah untuk negara seperti India, yang mencoba untuk mempromosikan instrumen keuangan di atas kelas aset tradisional seperti emas dan real estat. Sekitar 30, 2016, 08.13 PM Sumber: Moneycontrol BOOK EXCERPT: Sejarah BSE dan bagaimana perdagangan saham dimulai di India Perdagangan saham di India mungkin telah diakui secara resmi pada tahun 1875 dengan pembentukan Asosiasi Saham Asli dan Asosiasi Pialang Saham Bombay (sekarang Bombay Stock Exchange). Tapi berurusan dengan saham memang lazim mulai tahun 1840, meski hanya ada sekitar setengah lusin orang yang mengaku sebagai pialang saham. Seperti cerita ini, bagikan dengan jutaan investor di M3 BOOK EXCERPT: Sejarah BSE dan bagaimana perdagangan saham dimulai di India Perdagangan saham di India mungkin telah diakui secara resmi pada tahun 1875 dengan pembentukan Asosiasi Saham Asli dan Asosiasi Pialang Saham Bombay ( Sekarang Bombay Stock Exchange). Tapi berurusan dengan saham memang lazim mulai tahun 1840, meski hanya ada sekitar setengah lusin orang yang mengaku sebagai pialang saham. Perdagangan saham di India mungkin telah diakui secara resmi pada tahun 1875 dengan pembentukan Asosiasi Saham Asli dan Asosiasi Broker Saham Gabungan Bombay (sekarang Bursa Efek Bombay). Tapi berurusan dengan saham memang lazim mulai tahun 1840, meski hanya ada sekitar setengah lusin orang yang mengaku sebagai pialang saham. Segenggam pialang ini lebih dari cukup untuk volume terbatas bisnis perdagangan saham saat itu, kebanyakan di bank, pabrik tekstil dan mesin katun. Perdagangan kapas adalah bisnis yang lebih besar di Bombay pada masa itu, karena India termasuk di antara negara-negara penghasil kapas teratas. Lebih dari separuh kapas yang diproduksi di negara ini dipasarkan melalui Bombay. Antara 1840 dan 1855, pialang akan bertemu untuk bisnis di tempat terbuka di suatu tempat di Cotton Green, yang juga merupakan tempat pasar perdagangan kapas. Dari tahun 1855, pialang melakukan transaksi mereka di bawah naungan beberapa pohon yang luas. Tidak ada jam perdagangan, dan ketika demam spekulasi mencengkeram masyarakat, kesepakatan akan diserang melewati masa lalu dengan baik sampai waktu makan malam. Salah satu blok bangunan penting untuk perdagangan saham di India adalah pembentukan Companies Act pada tahun 1850, yang sebagian besar didasarkan pada British Companies Act 1844. Hal ini membantu mempromosikan konsep perusahaan saham gabungan di negara ini. Undang-undang tersebut dirombak pada tahun 1857 untuk memasukkan prinsip pertanggungjawaban terbatas. Pada tahun 1860, jumlah pialang saham telah meningkat menjadi 60, dan mereka dipimpin oleh Seth Premchand Roychand, yang telah mendapatkan sobriquets seperti Raja Keuangan Finansial Lancip dan Dewan Keuangan Financersquo. Premchand dikatakan sebagai broker saham pertama yang bisa membaca dan menulis bahasa Inggris. Lahir pada tahun 1831, dalam keluarga dengan cara sederhana, Premchand meninggalkan kota kelahirannya di Surat untuk Bombay untuk mencari penghidupan, pada usia dua puluh satu tahun. Dia menemukan pekerjaan dengan broker yang sukses dan, dalam beberapa tahun, menjadi dirinya sendiri, bertransaksi dengan kapas. Kehebatan dan ketenaran Premchandrsquos terus meningkat dan pada tahun 1862 dia berperan sebagai operator di saham, yakin kemampuannya untuk mempengaruhi harga secara sendiri-sendiri. Dia dikenal sebagai banteng di banyak saham perbankan pada saat itu, terutama The Commercial, The Mercantile, dan Asiatic Banking Corporation, yang didirikan pada tahun 1863. Saham ABC dicurangi sampai premium 65 per Persen, dan keberhasilan melahirkan 94 perusahaan keuangan lainnya, yang banyak di antaranya tidak bertahan lama setelah pasar mengalami crash dua tahun kemudian. Dia dikatakan telah diberkati dengan kenangan gajah dan tidak pernah menuliskan transaksi hariannya dengan sesama calo. Di malam hari, dia akan mendikte mereka ke petugas tepercaya untuk dimasukkan ke dalam buku. Reli saham antara tahun 1861 dan 1865 didorong oleh keuntungan yang berasal dari boom kapas, yang bertepatan dengan Perang Saudara Amerika. Karena perang saudara, pasokan kapas ke Eropa dari Amerika telah berhenti sama sekali. Akibatnya, industri kapas Lancashire di Inggris kekurangan bahan pokok baku dan ketergantungannya pada impor dari India meningkat. Volume bal kapas yang diekspor dari India ke Lancashire hampir tiga kali lipat dan lompatan nilainya hampir enam kali lipat. Dengan sepotong kapas besar yang menemukan jalan ke Inggris melalui Bombay, arus modal besar mengalir ke kota. Ada sedikit peluang menarik untuk menginvestasikan keuntungan tersebut, uang mengalir ke pasar saham, yang terutama terdiri dari bank, perusahaan keuangan, perusahaan dagang dan perusahaan reklamasi lahan, memicu kegilaan spekulatif. Itu adalah sesuatu yang ada di garis Laut Selatan dan raksasa tulip mania abad kedelapan belas. Reklamasi tanah membayar sejumlah uang kepada pemerintah, sebagai imbalan atas hak mereka untuk mendapatkan kembali tanah dari laut dan mengembangkannya. Perusahaan Reklamasi Backbay didirikan dengan tujuan untuk merebut kembali tanah dari ujung Bukit Malabar sampai ujung Colaba. Saham Rs 5000 yang dibayarkan segera masuk dengan harga premium sebesar Rs 55.000. Saham Port Canning yang dibayarkan Rs 1000 diperdagangkan dengan harga premium Rs 11.000, Mazgaon Land Reclamation diperdagangkan dengan harga premium Rs 9000 dan Elphinstone Land diperdagangkan dengan enam kali nilai pembayarannya. Harga itu konyol dengan standar apapun, mengingat perusahaan akan mengambil setidaknya sepuluh tahun untuk mulai memberikan pengembalian. Maniarsquo lsquoShare, karena ledakan pertama yang tercatat di pasar saham India mulai dikenal, berakhir dengan kesedihan dan kehancuran bagi banyak orang, seperti biasanya terjadi pada pesta seks spekulatif. Ini juga mengetuk Premchand Roychand dari alas kakinya yang tinggi dari Napoleon of Finance. Pada 34, Premchandrsquos cemerlang karirnya sebagai broker dan financier berakhir dengan kegagalan spektakuler. Rincian kerugian finansial yang dideritanya tidak diketahui, tapi semalam, Kingsquo yang lsquoUncrowned menjadi objek jijik dan ejekan. Dia akan hidup selama empat puluh dua tahun lagi, tapi tidak pernah mendapatkan kembali keunggulannya di pasar saham. Pemicu untuk meledaknya gelembung itu adalah akhir yang tak terduga dari Perang Sipil Amerika. Pasokan kapas ke Lancashire dilanjutkan, membuat harga kapas di India menerjang. Ini mencekik arus keuntungan yang mengalir ke pasar saham, mengakibatkan penjualan panik karena menjadi jelas bahwa saham tersebut tidak akan lagi dapat mempertahankan kenaikan harga mereka. 1 Juli 1865 adalah hari perhitungan bagi investor pasar saham dan pialang karena banyak kesepakatan ditolak, dan satu-satunya penerima manfaat dari bencana besar ini adalah menjadi pengacara. Perusahaan reklamasi seperti Reklamasi Backbay, Elphinstone Land dan Bunder, dan Mazgaon Land dibeli kembali oleh pemerintah dengan harga yang sangat murah, dan pemegang saham mengalami kerugian modal yang sangat besar. Tiga tahun setelah kecelakaan besar tersebut, pialang membentuk sebuah asosiasi informal, dan berlanjut dengan cara ini sampai tahun 1873. Selama ini, para pialang menggunakan perdagangan mereka di jalanan di dalam dan di sekitar tempat pertemuan mereka di Esplanade Road, yang membuat jengkel. Dari masyarakat umum, pertokoan dan bank, yang harus tahan dengan kebisingan dan rintangan. Ketika pasar sedang booming, pialang diperlakukan sebagai kelas istimewa, dan bahkan diikuti oleh polisi, meskipun ada keluhan tentang gangguan yang mereka ciptakan. Tapi setelah keruntuhan pasar, masyarakat tidak lagi bersikap toleran terhadap cara-cara perantara para pedagang yang sulit diatur dan polisi akan dipanggil untuk membersihkan pialang kapan pun mereka memadati jalanan. Hal ini disebabkan sebagai salah satu alasan mengapa para calo berkumpul untuk membentuk asosiasi formal dan menemukan tempat dari mana mereka dapat menjalankan bisnis secara lebih tertib. Pada tahun 1874, asosiasi tersebut menyewa sebuah aula perdagangan di Dalal Street, di sebuah bangunan yang kemudian dikenal sebagai bangunan Advokat India, dengan harga sewa Rs 100 per bulan. Akhirnya, menyadari bahwa bergabung sebagai asosiasi formal adalah untuk kepentingan mereka, Asosiasi Pengumpul Saham Saham Asli dibentuk pada tanggal 9 Juli 1875. Ada biaya pendaftaran, yang merupakan harga kartu untuk hak keanggotaan. Ini adalah Rs 15 untuk memulai, kemudian ditingkatkan menjadi Rs 20 pada tahun 1877 dan menjadi Rs 51 pada tahun 1886. Para anggota harus membayar biaya berlangganan tahunan Re 1 untuk tahun pertama, Rs3 pada tahun berikutnya dan Rs 5 sesudahnya. Satu dekade sebelumnya, saat Share Mania mendekati puncaknya, ada 200-250 pialang saham. Banyak yang hancur dalam kecelakaan berikutnya dan, sebagai kejatuhan, profesi perdagangan saham kehilangan pesonanya. Hal ini menyebabkan turunnya jumlah pialang di tahun-tahun berikutnya. Tapi saat segala sesuatunya mulai mendongak, seperti yang terjadi pada payudara mereka, betapapun parahnya, pialang saham kembali menarik perhatiannya. Pada tahun 1877, Asosiasi Pialang Saham Pribumi mampu membanggakan kekuatan keanggotaan hampir 300, kebanyakan dari mereka adalah orang-orang Hindu dan Parsi Gujarati. Di antara saham yang diperdagangkan secara aktif pada hari-hari awal pasar saham adalah pabrik tekstil seperti Oriental Mills, Maneckji Petit Mills, Lakhmidas Khimji Mills, Queen Mills, China Mills, Mazgaon Mills, Presidency Mills, Sun Mills, Lord Reay Mills, dan Perusahaan pembuat kapas seperti Colaba Press, Indian Press, Akbar Press dan Fort Press. Tidak seperti di masa lalu, ada beberapa jam untuk perdagangan itu akan dimulai pukul 1 siang dan berlangsung beberapa jam. Sampai tahun 1900, tidak ada catatan kontrak yang dikeluarkan antara pialang untuk jual beli. Begitulah kepercayaan antara anggota asosiasi bahwa bisnis senilai lakhs of rupees dilakukan berdasarkan kesepakatan lisan. Beberapa perdagangan akan berakhir dalam sengketa, dan beberapa lainnya merasa tidak terhormat, namun secara keseluruhan, sistemnya berjalan dengan baik. Masalahnya sering muncul di bidang hubungan ke depan, dengan tidak adanya peraturan yang jelas yang mengarah pada manipulasi harga, kadang oleh kartel banteng dan pada waktu lain oleh kartel beruang. Mungkin ada dua atau lebih broker untuk membentuk sindikat, mengumpulkan sumber daya mereka dan, dengan kekuatan uang yang tipis, menaikkan harga atau mengalahkannya. Untuk mencegah praktik semacam itu, Komite Pelaksana Asosiasi mengeluarkan sebuah resolusi yang memberi wewenang tersendiri untuk menetapkan harga kapan pun manipulasi dicurigai. Ketika Perang Dunia Pertama pecah pada tahun 1914, terjadi kepanikan di pasar India juga. Presiden Associationrsquos, Shapurji Broacha, setelah berkonsultasi dengan bank-bank yang telah meminjamkan uangnya terhadap saham, meyakinkan Komite Pelaksana bahwa dalam kepentingan semua orang untuk pasar harus tetap ditutup tanpa batas waktu sampai ada kejelasan tentang bagaimana perang tersebut terbentuk. Perdagangan dilanjutkan enam bulan kemudian, pada tahun 1915, karena harga bahan baku melonjak. Impor barang-barang manufaktur dari Inggris menjadi sulit, dan untuk memanfaatkan situasi ini, banyak perusahaan go public dengan meningkatkan modal dari pasar. Lima tahun ke depan adalah masa boom di pasar saham, terutama berkat keuntungan perang. Hal ini menyebabkan terciptanya bursa saham saingan di Bombay pada tahun 1917, dan satu lagi di Ahmedabad pada tahun 1920, yang disebut Gujarat Share and Stock Brokers. Di Madras, bursa saham mulai terbentuk pada tahun 1920, dengan 100 anggota di atas gulungannya. Bahkan saat pasar sedang booming, Asosiasi Broker Saham Inggris melakukan beberapa reformasi sistemik yang penting, yang akan membantu meningkatkan pendiriannya dan juga mengurangi risiko yang terlibat dalam berbisnis. Pada bulan November 1915, sebuah resolusi disahkan bahwa kesepakatan di setiap saham baru akan meminta izin terlebih dahulu dari Dewan Direksi. Juga, pembatasan diberikan pada jumlah saham di mana transaksi berjangka akan diizinkan. Selain itu, tingkat transaksi dalam satu saham akan bervariasi selama satu bulan. Ini adalah proses yang membosankan dan kompleks untuk melewati setiap transaksi sebelum sampai pada harga penyelesaian untuk meneruskan perdagangan. Untuk mengatasinya, ratemdashiket seragam yang dikenal sebagai ratemdash havala tetap, yang kemudian akan membentuk harga dasar di mana tingkat carry forward akan diputuskan. Hingga 1916, semua pembayaran terhadap pembelian saham dilakukan secara tunai meskipun ada risiko yang terkait dengan pengangkutan uang. Hampir tidak ada broker yang memiliki rekening bank dan sebagian mungkin harus dilakukan di sana tidak ada bank India murni yang melayani penduduk setempat. Sudah biasa bagi pialang untuk membawa lakhs rupee dalam catatan mata uang pada hari pembayaran. Tapi ini juga merupakan masalah bagi bursa saham. Pada beberapa hari, omset tersebut akan melebihi jumlah rupee dan uang yang dibayarkan akan berlanjut sampai lewat tengah malam, membuat para jurubicara Asosiasi dan pialang tidak patuh, yang tinggal di pinggiran kota. Kemudian Sekretaris dan Bendahara Kehormatan, Jamnadas Morarjee, mengusulkan agar semua pembayaran ke bursa dilakukan melalui cek. Ada beberapa penolakan terhadap proposal ini, namun pada akhirnya sistem cek mulai berlaku pada bulan September 1916. Morarjee juga berperan dalam mendorong melalui sistem Gedung Kliring untuk bursa saham, untuk menghindari kecurangan sekaligus memfasilitasi pembayaran dan pengiriman. Awalnya, ada juga penolakan terhadap proposal ini, karena dianggap tidak praktis. Tapi penipuan oleh salah satu anggota bursa saham mendorong rumah pengaturan rumah kliring. Satu Ibrahim Fazul membeli saham seharga Rs 8 lakh dalam satu penyelesaian dan menyerahkan cek untuk jumlah tersebut. Namun, rekening di mana cek ditarik tidak memiliki Rs 50. Namun, saat ini ditemukan, Fazul berhasil menjual sahamnya dengan harga pasar, mengumpulkan uang dan menghilang untuk selamanya. Setelah kejadian ini, usulan sebuah rumah kliring menjadi lebih dapat diterima dan, pada bulan Februari 1921, mulai beroperasi. Dengan basis keanggotaannya terus berkembang dan volume bisnis meningkat, Asosiasi membeli plot yang berdampingan untuk Rs 10.3 lakh pada bulan April 1920. Menariknya, properti yang sama ini telah dijual pada tahun 1913 dengan harga Rs 73.000. Perang memicu ledakan di kelas aset, dan kenaikan spektakuler harga properti harus memberi gambaran tentang jenis dampak yang dimilikinya. Pada saat itu, nilai kartu anggota di BSE meningkat menjadi lebih dari Rs 40.000. Untuk sementara, antara tahun 1913 dan 1918, tidak ada usaha besar untuk memanipulasi saham di bursa saham. Tapi saat pasar meledak, kartel banteng dan beruang mulai saling pergi, dengan merusak harga. Tak pelak lagi, siklus pasar saham mengulanginya sendiri dan setelah boom terjadi pada tahun 1921. Harga kain turun tajam, mengikis keuntungan pabrik tekstil, yang sangat diminati di pasar saham. Asosiasi tersebut harus menunda sementara pembangunan gedung barunya di plot yang telah dibelinya pada tahun 1920. Gedung baru tersebut dibangun pada tahun 1924. (Kutipan dari Pan Macmillan India) Artikel atau bagian ini tidak sesuai dengan pedoman kami tentang gaya atau Perlu pengeditan lainnya. Silakan terjun ke depan. Berikan perhatian Anda dan bantu itu membaik. Perbaikan yang disarankan Tidak ada yang ditentukan Silakan gunakan halaman pembicaraan artikel untuk mengajukan pertanyaan jika Anda tidak yakin mengapa tag ini ditambahkan dan apakah aman untuk menghapusnya. Chennai (Tamil :) 1. sebelumnya dikenal sebagai Madras. Kota berusia 369 tahun ini adalah ibu kota negara bagian selatan Tamilnadu dan merupakan kota terbesar keenam di India dalam hal populasi dengan populasi diperkirakan 7,45 juta (2005). Ini berfungsi sebagai salah satu gerbang utama ke India Selatan dan memiliki budaya lokal dan kancah seni yang berkembang dan merupakan salah satu tujuan utama wisata medis. Hal ini dianggap sebagai salah satu kota dengan pertumbuhan tercepat di dunia meski berada di urutan ke-13 dalam hal kebersihan. Di pantai Coromandel di Teluk Benggala dan memiliki pantai terpanjang kedua di kota mana pun di dunia. Kuda dan pebalap, Anna Salai. Pahami edit Sejarah edit Jauh dari lokasi permukiman pesisir sebelumnya, Madras didirikan pada tahun 1639 ketika Perusahaan Hindia Timur Inggris (diwakili oleh Francis Day dan Andrew Cogan dan dibantu oleh penerjemah lokal Beri Thimappa) diberi tanah untuk membangun pemukiman perdagangan oleh Penguasa Telugu lokal (Nayak) dari pinggiran kota Vandavasi, Damerla Venkatapathy Naidu atas nama ayahnya Damerla Chennappa Naidu. Dokumen hibah tanah tertanggal 22 Agustus 1639, dan karenanya Madras merayakan hari jadinya pada tanggal 22 Agustus setiap tahun sebagai hari Madras. Madras adalah salah satu pos terdepan dari British East India Company. Kolonel William Lambton, pengawas Survei Trigonometrik India yang agung, memulai perjalanannya untuk melakukan triangulasi India dari St. Thomas Mount. Inggris membangun Benteng St. George (sekarang kursi legislatif dan administratif negara bagian). Fort St George selesai pada hari St Georges pada 1640 (23 April) dan karenanya dinamai sesuai dengan santo pelindung. George Town kemudian berkembang menjadi kota modern Madras, menyerap beberapa wilayah di dekatnya. Thomas, salah satu dari dua belas rasul Yesus Kristus, diasosiasikan dengan Chennai. Dia dikatakan telah datang ke India sebagai seorang evangelis dan meninggal di tempat yang sekarang menjadi Chennai. Dua pinggiran kota, Santhome dan St. Thomas Mount, dinamai dalam ingatannya. Pada tahun 1996, pemerintah Tamilnadu mengganti nama Madras ke Chennai dengan alasan Chennai adalah nama tradisional kota sementara Madras adalah salah satu yang berasal dari pemerintahan kolonial. Madras berasal dari Madraspatnam. Sebuah nama yang diberikan ke daerah tersebut ketika Inggris bernegosiasi menetap di sana bersama Damerla Venkatapathy Nayakudu. Asal namanya berasal dari Muthuraja Chennappa Nayakudu sebagai Chennapatnam. Chennappa bertugas di bawah Sriranga Deva Raya untuk membantunya melawan pasukan Golkonda Ibrahim Qutb Shah dalam beberapa pertempuran, terutama pada tahun 1576 ketika Penukonda ditangkap oleh Ali Adil Shah dan pada tahun 1579 ketika dia ditangkap Komandan Golkonda Murari Rao. Pada tahun 1580, Ibrahim Qutb Shah dari Golkonda menginvasi Kondavidu. Kemudian ia mengambil Benteng Udayagiri dan mulai membantai penduduk setempat. Namun dia dikalahkan setelah bertengkar singkat dengan tentara Rayas. Qutb Shah kemudian mengambil benteng Vinukonda. Sriranga mengalahkan pasukan Sultans dengan bantuan jendral muthuraja Chennappadamarla adalah nama keluarganya dan Kasturiranga. Selama pertarungan ini, Chennappa kehilangan nyawanya. Dia digantikan oleh Kasturiranga. Ketika East India Company mendirikan benteng St. George di Chennai sekarang, yang izinnya diberikan oleh Damarla Venkatadri Nayakudu, citarasa lokal di wilayah itu, dengan syarat daerah itu diberi nama untuk menghormati ayahnya. Muthuraja chennapa nayakudu sebagai muthuraja chennapatanam. Perusahaan East India secara singkat menamai daerah tersebut karena madrasmadras adalah bentuk muthuraj yang korup. Pada hari-hari sebelumnya daerah ini disebut madraspattanam dan juga chennapatnam. Kemudian Pemerintah Dari Tamil Nadu menamainya sebagai Chennai. Beberapa populasi yang lebih tua masih menyebut kota ini sebagai Madras tapi nama Chennai telah banyak diminati oleh penduduk. Di bawah Inggris, kota Madras saat itu tumbuh menjadi kota besar, Ini adalah ibu kota kepresidenan Madras, sebuah provinsi yang mencakup bagian-bagian India Selatan yang tidak diatur oleh negara-negara pangeran lainnya. Setelah merdeka, kota ini menjadi ibu kota negara bagian Madras, dan ketika negara-negara direorganisasi secara linguistik, kota ini menjadi ibu kota Tamil Nadu. Chennai membanggakan banyak orang terkenal termasuk Elihu Yale, yang bakat liberalnya mendanai pembangunan Universitas Yale pada tahun 1718 CEO Indira Nooyi Pepsi International A. R. Rahman, jenius musikal Slumdog Millionaire, Manirathnam, seorang sutradara film ace, Vijay Armirthraj, Ramesh Krishnan dan bintang tenis Ramanathan Krishnanm ayahnya dan juara catur dunia Vishwanathan Anand di antara banyak lainnya. Budaya edit Chennai adalah pintu gerbang ke Selatan, dan budayanya berbeda dari kota lain di India. Tradisi dan budaya Tamil berasal dari wilayah ini dan pada dasarnya merupakan perayaan keindahan, yang dicontohkan melalui tari, pakaian, dan patung. Chennai adalah kota ortodoks dan modern yang kosmopolitan, budaya kota ini mencerminkan populasi yang beragam. Kesenian tradisional, musik, tari dan semua bentuk seni Tamilnadu lainnya tumbuh dan berkembang di sini. Makanannya merupakan perpaduan unik antara tradisional, hingga makanan cepat saji dan saring kaapi. Its tanah kuil dan imam. Arsitekturnya berkisar dari kuil kuno hingga bangunan tinggi modern. Musik klasik dan barat, hingga kehidupan malam yang berkembang di kota. Anda dapat menemukan sebuah sekolah untuk tarian tradisional Bharatanatyam atau Salsa dan untuk musik biola veena atau sekolah Guitardrum di hampir setiap lingkungan kota. Cek Chennai mencerminkan tradisionalisme setiap Desember saat musim musik berlangsung penuh. Pakaian umumnya konservatif tapi kaum muda kontemporer. Pakaian Tradisional Tamil - Wanita Tamil secara tradisional mengenakan Saree atau Sari sementara para pria memakai veshti. Yang bisa berupa pancha putih atau lungi berwarna-warni dengan pola khas India Selatan. Saree, menjadi bungkus yang tidak dijahit, meningkatkan bentuk pemakainya sementara hanya sebagian yang menutupi perut bagian bawahnya. Dalam filsafat India, pusar Yang Mahatinggi dianggap sebagai sumber kehidupan dan kreativitas. Oleh karena itu dengan tradisi, perut dan pusar dibiarkan tidak disengaja, meski filosofi di balik kostum sebagian besar telah dilupakan. Hal ini membuat realisasi sharira-mandala (tubuh), di mana di Angikam bhuvanam yasya (tubuh adalah dunia Anda) bersatu dengan shaarira-mandala (seluruh alam semesta), seperti yang diungkapkan dalam Natyashastra. Prinsip saree ini, juga berlaku untuk bentuk pembungkus lainnya, seperti lungi atau yang dipakai oleh pria. Jamur bisa dibungkus searah jarum jam atau anti searah jarum jam dan bisa diikat di bagian belakang atau tetap sepanjang garis pinggang. Terkadang diangkat sampai lutut dan diikat di pinggang santai atau hanya dipegang untuk mempercepat berjalan. Dalam tradisi Brahmana rumah pria memakai panchey kachche dimana diikat di belakang dengan mengambilnya di antara kaki. Pola serupa terlihat pada wanita. Masakan Tamil Nadu - Beras adalah makanan pokok di Chennai, Dosa, Idli dan Uttapam yang populer di Chennai. Negara bagian Tamil Nadu memiliki tempat yang berbeda dalam peta kuliner negara ini. Chennai memiliki beragam makanan vegetarian dan non-vegetarian untuk ditawarkan. Makanan di sini mendapat citarasa dari sejumlah rempah dan bumbu yang digunakan di Tamil Nadu. Kelapa, asam jawa dan asafetida adalah suatu keharusan bagi hampir semua resep vegetarian. Garam masala dihindari dalam masakan Tamil. Minyak gingelly (terbuat dari biji wijen) biasanya digunakan untuk memberi rasa yang berbeda. Minyak zaitun biasanya tidak populer. Chutneys dan bumbu campuran disajikan pada saat makan siang dan meningkatkan rasa makanannya. Makan siang India Selatan (juga disebut makanan) di Chennai terdiri dari nasi matang yang disajikan dengan berbagai jenis hidangan sayuran, Sambar, chutneys, Rasam (kaldu panas yang dibuat dengan jus asam dan lada) dan dadih (yogurt). Makan siang non vegetarian meliputi kari atau hidangan yang dimasak dengan daging kambing, ayam atau ikan. Makanan Tamil tidak lengkap tanpa papul atau Appalam. Di Chennai, masakan Chettinad di Tamil Nadu sangat terkenal. Masakan ini sangat panas dan pedas dan menyediakan variasi lezat untuk hidangan daging kambing, ayam dan ikan. Chettinad Pepper Chicken adalah salah satu masakan paling terkenal di Tamil Nadu. Gaya Chennai makanan Mughalai bisa dicicipi di Biryani dan Paya. Paya adalah sejenis kaldu trotters berbumbu dan dimakan dengan Parathas atau Appam. Sarapan atau tiffin di Chennai termasuk kue beras kukus, dosai (kue panekuk yang terbuat dari adonan nasi) dan lentil garing digoreng di atas wajan, vadai (donat goreng yang dibuat dari adonan lentil), pongal (mash dari Nasi dan lentil direbus bersama dan dibumbui dengan ghee, jambu mete, lada dan biji jinten), uppuma (semolina matang dibumbui dengan minyak mustard, lada, biji jinten dan lentil kering). Sebagian besar hidangan sarapan di Chennai dimakan dengan chutney kelapa, rusa sambar (kaldu miju-miju musiman) dan milagai podi (campuran bubuk beberapa lentil kering yang dimakan dengan minyak). Tamil Nadu, terutama Chennai, terkenal dengan kopi saringnya. Kebanyakan orang Tamil memiliki ketidaksukaan yang halus untuk kopi instan sehingga menyaring kopi lebih populer. Persiapan saringan kopi hampir seperti tugas sehari-hari, biji kopi harus dipanggang terlebih dahulu lalu digiling. Bubuk kopi kemudian dimasukkan ke dalam saringan dan air panas direbus ditambahkan untuk menyiapkan mendidih dan dibiarkan selama sekitar 15 menit. Rebusan tersebut kemudian ditambahkan ke dalam susu dengan gula secukupnya. Minuman yang disiapkan kemudian dituangkan dari satu kontainer ke wadah lainnya dengan cepat untuk membuat secangkir kopi saring yang sempurna. Minuman eksotis yang menyegarkan Anda dan rasa yang tetap hidup, disajikan paling baik di set Dabarah yang mencakup tumbler dan piring baja dengan pelek. Musik - Ada banyak komposer dalam musik Carnatic. Purandara Dasa (1480-1564) dikenal sebagai bapak (Pitamaha) musik Carnatic karena kontribusi perintisnya untuk musik Carnatic. Purandara Dasa terkenal karena merumuskan pelajaran dasar musik Carnatic. Orang sezaman Tyagaraja (1759-1847), Muthuswami Dikshitar, (1776-1827) dan Syama Sastri (1762-1827), dianggap sebagai Trinitas musik Carnatic karena kualitas komposisi Syama Sastris, varietas komposisi Muthuswami Dikshitar Dan produksi Tyagarajas yang produktif dalam menyusun kritis. Komposisi komponis ini sering diberikan oleh para seniman saat ini selama musim festival musik. Festival Musik Chennai atau Season Desember merupakan perayaan musik klasik dan tarian India Selatan yang diadakan pada pertengahan Desember hingga pertengahan Januari di ibu kota Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Festival ini diadakan di sejumlah tempat di sekitar kota dengan berbagai sabhana atau organisasi. Selain auditorium, tempat pura terkenal dan bungalow warisan digunakan sebagai tempat. Tarian bulan dan ekstravaganza musik yang panjang akan menampilkan pertunjukkan artis ternama dari berbagai penjuru India. Festival Dance and Music Margazhi dimulai awal tahun 1927, untuk memperingati ulang tahun Madras Music Academy setiap Desember, kemudian diadopsi oleh berbagai organisasi yang menyelenggarakan festival seni di berbagai belahan kota. Bulan Tamil Margazhi (Desember) adalah bulan suci umat Hindu. Musik klasik India Selatan (Carnatic Music) yang berakar pada devosi kepada para dewa, telah menjadi bentuk pemujaan tradisional sejak dahulu kala. Kota ini menjadi hidup dengan festival yang kini berkembang menjadi ekstravaganza budaya dengan lebih dari 2.000 seniman yang berpartisipasi dalam lebih dari 300 konser. Festival yang juga dikenal dengan sebutan December Season ini menarik perhatian orang-orang Indian dan ilmuwan ekspatriat dari seluruh dunia. Pertunjukan meliputi musik Vokal dan Instrumental, Dance - solo dan grup, baik oleh artis junior maupun senior. Bahkan artis yang akan datang pun berkesempatan tampil bersama artis mapan. Musiknya termasuk penampakan vokal klasik di berbagai bahasa India Selatan seperti Tamil, Telugu dan Kannada dan instrumen seperti Flute, Veena (instrumen senar besar), Goottuvadyam (mirip dengan Veena tapi tanpa fret), Nagaswaram (pipa), Thavil (instrumen perkusi) , Mridangam (drum), dan bahkan Ghatam (panci lumpur). Musim ini berlangsung sampai pertengahan Januari ketika adegan bergeser ke Tiruvaiyaru, dekat Tanjore, di mana Thyagaraja Aradhana festival musik seminggu penuh diadakan untuk merayakan kelahiran salah satu komponis Carnatic terbesar dan satu di antara trinitas musik - Thyagaraja. Informasi tentang tiket dan venue bisa didapat dari kantor turis, Chennai. Cuaca sejuk dan menyenangkan saat ini sepanjang tahun. November-Desember adalah musim terbaik untuk mengunjungi kota. Kini musik di industri film telah muncul sebagai platform hiburan penting di Chennai, selama bertahun-tahun menggambarkan perubahan budaya, tren, aspirasi dan perkembangan yang dialami oleh orang-orangnya. Tari - Chennai adalah rumah bagi bentuk tarian yang berbeda - Bharat Natyam. Bharatanatyam adalah perayaan alam semesta abadi melalui perayaan keindahan tubuh. Hal ini dilakukan melalui prinsip-prinsip memiliki postur tegak yang sempurna, perut melengkung lurus dan cemberut, massa tubuh yang membulat dan proporsional - hingga struktur tubuh, rambut sangat panjang dan pinggul yang montok. Prinsip-prinsip ini menghidupkan filosofi Natyashastra, Angikam bhuvanam yasya (Tubuh adalah duniamu). Hal ini diuraikan dalam postur araimandi, dimana pemain tersebut mengasumsikan posisi setengah duduk dengan lutut membelok ke samping, dengan postur yang sangat tegak. Dalam postur dasar tarian Bharatanatyam ini, jarak antara kepala dan pusar menjadi sama dengan antara bumi dan pusar. Dengan cara yang sama, jarak antara lengan kanan yang terentang ke lengan kiri yang terentang menjadi sama dengan jarak antara kepala dan kaki, yang mewakili Natyapurusha, perwujudan kehidupan dan penciptaan. Perubahan iklim Iklim Chennai adalah Tropis. Chennai terletak di zona Thermal Equator yang mencegah perubahan suhu ekstrim. Chennai memiliki dua musim - musim panas (35-42176C 95-108176F) Apr-Jun (Suhu tertinggi yang pernah tercatat adalah 45176C 113176F pada tanggal 30 Mei 2003) dan musim hujan (Oktober-Desember). Ia menerima sedikit hujan dari monsun barat daya (Jun-Sep) sementara daerah lain di India dilanda hujan deras, namun mendapat hujan lebat dari monsun timur laut mulai bulan Oktober sampai Desember, sehingga mencapai sekitar 125-150 cm ( 49-59 in) curah hujan setiap tahunnya. Curah hujan terjadi biasanya dari bulan Oktober sampai Desember dan lahan semak kering tumbuh dengan tanaman hijau selama periode ini. Desember sampai Februari adalah suhu bulan paling ringan - (19-28176C 66-82176F). Desember sampai Maret mungkin adalah waktu terbaik untuk mengunjungi Chennai: suhu yang jarang melebihi 30176C selama tengah hari dan malam hari menyenangkan. Iklim lembab hampir sepanjang tahun karena kota ini berada di pantai. Musim panas sangat panas dan lembab. Pastikan mengambil pakaian ringan (tidak tipis). Mode musim dingin tidak pernah ada gunanya di Chennai, mengenakan sweater akan membuat Anda basah kuyup dalam keringat kurang dari lima menit. Baca buku edit tentang Chennai. Madras Discovered, Tales of Old dan New Madras, Madras (1992) oleh S. Muthiah Madras Masa Lalu dan Masa Kini (1995) oleh S. Muthiah Madras pada Hari Yester dan Todays dan Besok oleh S. Muthiah At Home di Madras (1989) oleh S. Muthiah Madras Kemudian Chennai Sekarang (2013) oleh Nanditha Krishna dan Tishani Doshi Politik Warisan dari Madras ke Chennai (2008) oleh Mary E. Hancock Chennai (2000) oleh Rina Kamath Chennai Bukan Madras: Perspektif di Kota (2006) oleh Ira Venkatachalapathi Kisah Madras oleh Glyn Barlow Buku dengan plot di Chennai Kalyanis Suami oleh SY Krishnaswamy Chasing Rainbows di Chennai. 2 (2003) oleh Colin Todhunter Tamarind City. 3 (2012) oleh Bishwanath Ghosh Di Madras Lama (1913) oleh Mary Bithia Croker Bicara edit Tamil adalah bahasa resmi di Chennai, dan juga bahasa pertama dari kebanyakan penduduk setempat. Hampir semua orang berbicara bahasa Tamil, bahasa klasik. Mengambil beberapa pengetahuan tentang bahasa lokal berguna untuk dicapai di Chennai seperti di setiap kota di dunia. Namun, pengetahuan bahasa Inggris cukup memadai bagi pengunjung rata-rata ke kota. Pendidikan bahasa Inggris tersebar luas di Chennai. Semua orang berpendidikan di Chennai dapat berbicara bahasa Inggris sementara sedikit yang mengerti bahasa Inggris sederhana dan dapat berbicara beberapa kata. Semua papan nama penting ada dalam bahasa Inggris. Semua transaksi dengan perusahaan komersial berbahasa Inggris. Aksen bahasa Inggris berbeda, ada kecenderungan untuk mengakhiri kalimat dan kata-kata dengan - uh (Misalnya: Saya pergi ke sana-eh.) Dan kalimat interogatif dengan - ah (Misalnya: Anda ke sana-ah). Tidak seperti kota-kota besar lainnya di India Utara, bahasa Hindi tidak dipahami secara luas. Meskipun telah terjadi peningkatan yang signifikan dalam penutur bahasa Hindi dalam beberapa tahun terakhir, kebanyakan penduduk lokal akan merasa sulit untuk mengerti saat Anda mencoba berbicara dengan mereka dalam bahasa Hindi. Anda lebih baik berbicara bahasa Inggris daripada bahasa Hindi di sebagian besar kota di selatan kecuali Bangalore dan Hyderabad. Orang-orang asli Chennai dan sekitarnya berbicara bahasa Tamil dengan aksen yang khas. Karena kedekatan kota dengan Negara Bagian Andhra Pradesh (di mana bahasa resminya adalah bahasa Telugu) dan kehadiran populasi juru bahasa Telugu yang cukup besar di kota ini, ada banyak pinjaman dari kata-kata Telugu ke dalam kosakata Chennai Tamil. Chennai Tamil dikenal sebagai Madras Bashai. Ciri lain dari Chennai Tamil adalah bahwa kata-kata diucapkan dengan cepat, mungkin sejalan dengan kehidupan yang serba cepat di Chennai bila dibandingkan dengan negara bagian lainnya. Namun demikian, semua orang berpendidikan diajari bahasa Tamil standar di sekolah, dan bahasa Tamil standar masih digunakan dalam setting yang lebih formal dan juga dalam berita. Dapatkan edit Dengan pesawat edit Chennai International Airport (IATA MAA) adalah yang tersibuk keempat di India (setelah Delhi, Mumbai dan Bangalore). Semua penerbangan internasional tiba di Anna Terminal, sementara penerbangan domestik tiba di Terminal Kamraj. Kedua terminal berada di jalan yang sama dan berjarak 150 m (492 kaki) dari satu sama lain. Chennai terhubung dengan baik ke London, Frankfurt, Singapura, Malaysia, Timur Tengah, New York, Hong Kong, dll. Sedang dalam proses upgrade ke bandara kelas dunia dengan koneksi kereta Metro langsung ke kota. Eropa dan Amerika Utara. Lufthansa (Frankfurt) dan British Airways (London-Heathrow), terbang tanpa henti ke Chennai dengan menghubungkan layanan dari hub Eropa mereka ke tempat-tempat di Amerika Serikat dan Kanada. Asia Tenggara . Thai Airways menawarkan layanan tanpa henti ke Bangkok. Silk Air, Singapore Airlines dan Tiger Airways menghubungkan Anda ke Singapura bersama dengan banyak operator India seperti Indian Airlines dan Air India Express. AirAsia 4 menghubungkan penumpang ke Kuala Lumpur, Penang dengan tarif terjangkau sementara Malaysia Airlines menawarkan layanan tanpa henti ke Malaysia. Indina Jet Airways sendiri terbang tanpa henti ke Kuala Lumpur dan Singapura. Cathay Pacific terbang tanpa henti ke Hongkong. Afrika. Air Mauritius terbang tanpa henti ke Mauritius. Air Austral terbang tanpa henti dua kali seminggu ke Reunion. Air Seychelles terbang tanpa henti ke Seychelles. Timur Tengah . Layanan nonstop tersedia dari Chennai ke Abu Dhabi. Bahrain. Dubai. Dammam. Doha. Jeddah. Kuwait. Muscat. Riyadh dan Sharjah di Air Arabia, Indian Airlines, Air India Express, Oman Air, Emirates, Ethihad Airways, Kuwait Airways, Qatar Airways, Saudi Arabia dan Gulf Air. Srilanka . Chennai adalah sebuah hub untuk penerbangan ke Colombo dengan Srilankan Airlines, Mihin Lanka (maskapai bertarif rendah yang dioperasikan oleh Srilankan Airlines), Jet Airways, Air India Express, SpiceJet. Chennai adalah pusat perjalanan menuju Colombo. Lokal . Semua maskapai domestik India utama (Jet Airways, Spice, Go Air, Indigo) menghubungkan Chennai dengan beberapa penerbangan ke berbagai titik di seluruh India dan sebagian besar menggunakan Chennai sebagai pusat penerbangan ke kota-kota kecil di India Selatan. Paramount Airways adalah biaya rendah semua maskapai penerbangan kelas bisnis yang menawarkan penerbangan dari Chennai ke tempat-tempat di India Selatan. Chennai juga merupakan titik pementasan untuk penerbangan ke Port Blair di Kepulauan Andaman. Airport to City connection edit Cara termurah menuju kota adalah dengan naik kereta pinggiran kota ke kota yang harganya hanya 5 (0,08, 0,07). Kereta di pinggiran kota menghubungkan Anda ke Chennai Park dan Egmore, dua stasiun kereta penumpang utama. Perhatikan kereta ini tidak melalui stasiun Chennai Central tapi stasiun Chennai Park berada dalam jarak berjalan kaki. Ini yang terbaik jika Anda tidak memiliki banyak bagasi. Anda harus keluar dari bandara dan berjalan cukup jauh (500m) untuk sampai di stasiun Tirusulam. Tiket yang dibeli tidak harus divalidasi tapi simpan tiket kalau ada pemeriksaan. Dianjurkan untuk mengambil tiket kelas satu di kereta jika Anda mencapai bandara pada jam sibuk. Kompartemen umum sering kali ramai karena mereka mengangkut penumpang biasa untuk bekerja. Pada jam-jam sibuk bahkan kompartemen kelas satu juga bisa ramai. Tiket dengan harga sekitar 70 (1,27,0.96). Metro Chennai juga sekarang terhubung ke bandara dan stasiun metro bandara berada tepat di luar pintu keluar, setelah melintasi tempat parkir taksi. Saat ini jalur (biru) ini beroperasi hanya sampai Little Mount, setengah jalan ke pusat kota. Namun, Anda bisa bertukar di Alandur (untuk jalur Hijau, pergi ke stasiun kereta api Thomas St Thomas atau CMBT, terminal bus yang dikelola negara Chennai. Jika tidak, gunakan taksi pra bayar. Aviation Express secara besar-besaran terlalu mahal. Dengan menggunakan taksi pra bayar untuk sampai ke kota, setiap terminal memiliki beberapa bilik untuk beberapa perusahaan taksi saat Anda keluar dari bandara, di luar sebelum Anda bertemu dengan orang banyak. Tarifnya berbeda untuk terminal domestik dan internasional meskipun terminal berikutnya. Satu sama lain. Anda dapat memilih Taksi standar (Hitam dengan puncak Kuning) yang biasanya merupakan mobil Duta Besar kuno atau taksi pribadi (yang bisa masuk dalam model dan warna apapun) Seperti di bandara India manapun, Anda Akan segera tawar-menawar untuk transportasi dengan janji yang dijanjikan dengan harga terbaik. Perusahaan Tidak harus membuat mereka kehilangan minat, mengabaikan mereka jika mereka terus melecehkan Anda. Baiknya untuk menjaga perubahan kecil di tangan sambil membayar di loket. Perhatikan numbe taksi R tertulis di slip tagihan Anda (satu salinan untuk penumpang dan yang lainnya adalah sopir untuk mengumpulkan ongkos dari loket). Pergilah ke tempat taksi dan dapatkan nomor taksi yang ada di meja yang ditunjuk. Driver yang membantu menawarkan untuk membawa barang bawaan Anda dan mengarahkan Anda ke taksi yang melaju cepat di dekat meja penjatahan. Taksi prabayar dan kuning tidak ber-AC, terbuat dari vintages sejak tahun 70an dan 80an, reyot, mudah berhenti di tengah jalan, driver menunjukkan perilaku kasar, terkadang bisa berbahaya, menuntut tarif yang terlalu tinggi, pra bayar mungkin tidak berarti apa-apa dan mereka mungkin Permintaan lebih ketika Anda turun. Jauhkan dari jenis ini. Atau ketahuilah bahwa Anda selalu bisa bernegosiasi. Perjalanan khas ke bagian pusat biaya Chennai sekitar Rs.300, ke bagian terjauh dari kota tidak boleh biaya lebih dari Rs.1000. Agregator online seperti Uber dan Ola cukup nyaman dan aman. Mobil-mobil itu baru dan ber-AC. Dengan kereta api, Chennai memiliki dua stasiun kereta jarak jauh utama, Chennai Central (kode MAS) dan Chennai Egmore (kode MS). Keduanya terhubung ke Bandara oleh rel Suburban dan ke Bus Terminus dengan bus Kota. Central memiliki kereta harian dari Bangalore. Mumbai. Coimbatore. Delhi. Hyderabad. Kolkata. Ahmedabad dan hampir semua kota besar di India lainnya. Egmore memiliki kereta api yang mencakup semua tempat di Tamil Nadu dan juga beberapa tempat penting di luarnya. Anda bisa tiba di tempat prabayar tanpa bayar dan memesan taksi untuk mengantarkan Anda ke tempat menginap Anda. Banyak kereta jarak jauh ke Egmore berhenti di Tambaram (kode TBM) dan beberapa kereta ke Perhentian Tengah di Perambur (kode PER). Ini adalah dua stasiun kereta api yang melayani daerah pinggiran kota Chennai. Kereta yang menghubungkan Chennai dengan hub utama seperti Bangalore, Mumbai dan Delhi biasanya dipesan beberapa hari sebelumnya. Jika Anda berencana untuk bepergian dengan kereta api, pertimbangkan untuk membuat reservasi terlebih dahulu, pemesanan akan dibuka 60 hari sebelum hari perjalanan. Kompartemen AC di kereta lebih disukai bagi wisatawan baru karena kelas tidur dan kompartemen kelas duduk pada umumnya sangat ramai. Sebuah tempat tidur 3-tier AC dari Chennai ke Bangalore atau Coimbatore menghabiskan biaya sekitar 700 dan itu ke Delhi sekitar 2500 termasuk makanan. Dengan bus edit Chennai memiliki salah satu stasiun bus terbesar Asias, Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus (CMBT). Tujuh perusahaan milik negara yang berbeda mendorong bus ke dan dari berbagai tujuan di India Selatan. Terhubung ke Bandara dan stasiun kereta penumpang (Chennai Central dan Egmore) dengan bus langsung, hotel ini menawarkan mode perjalanan yang murah dan spontan. Ada bus per jam untuk tempat-tempat seperti Tirupati. Pondicherry. Coimbatore, Tirunelveli. Anda akan mendapatkan pilihan pelatih AC atau Non-AC untuk kota-kota seperti Bangalore. Trivandrum Hyderabad. Beberapa pemain swasta juga mengoperasikan bus antara sebagian besar destinasi di selatan. Selama akhir pekan kebanyakan bus terisi penuh dan lebih baik memesan tiket terlebih dahulu. Semua bus berakhir di dekat Koyambedu tapi ada berbagai singkatan milik negara (CMBT - Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus), dan bus pribadi (terminal bus Omni). Kedua ujung ini saling berdekatan, dan lebih baik memberi tahu tujuan yang sebenarnya dari sopir taksi tanpa pajak. Bus biasanya menurunkan penumpang di berbagai titik di kota sebelum mencapai Terminus. Jangan ragu untuk meminta sopir atau penumpang terdekat titik drop terdekat ke tempat tujuan Anda. Selalu minta tiket dan bawa sampai akhir perjalanan anda. Conning sangat jarang. Begitu sampai di kota, mudah ditagih berlebihan jika Anda mencoba menyewa becak otomatis untuk sampai ke tujuan Anda. Sementara hukum mengharuskan pengemudi menggunakan meter, penegakannya tidak efektif. Akan lebih nyaman dan bebas repot untuk menyewa taksi selama masa tinggal Anda, atau mencari tahu rute bus kota dan jadwal kereta di pinggiran kota. Dengan mobil edit Chennai sangat terhubung dengan baik dan ke bagian lain India melalui jalan darat. Lima jalan raya nasional utama memancar keluar menuju Kolkata, Bengaluru, Tiruchy Madurai. Tiruvallur. Dan Pondicherry. Dengan kemajuan proyek Golden Quadrilateral, yang mengundurkan diri dari Bangalore adalah pilihan juga. Pengemudi India tidak akan bermasalah dalam lalu lintas namun pembalap internasional sangat disarankan untuk tidak mengemudi di India. Aturan tidak benar-benar aturan dan jalur peralihan terjadi tanpa pemberitahuan apapun. Dapatkan sekitar edit Bepergian ke jantung kota Chennai sering membutuhkan waktu, karena lalu lintas dan kemacetan yang berat, lebih karena pekerjaan konstruksi sedang berlangsung untuk Metro Chennai. Jadi disarankan untuk merencanakan perjalanan Anda sesuai dengan itu. Bepergian di Chennai tidak begitu murah menurut standar metropolitan India, dan cukup murah menurut standar Eropa dan Amerika Serikat. Sedangkan untuk orang asing, aman untuk memakai masker saat bepergian dengan sepeda motor karena polusi sedikit memprihatinkan. Dengan kereta api edit Chennai memiliki jaringan kereta pinggiran kota 5. Ada empat rute: Western Line: Chennai Central - Arakkonam. Jalur Utara: Jalur Tengah - Jalur Gummidipoondi-Sulurpet-Nellore Selatan: Jalur Pantai Chennai - Tambaram dan Chengalpet MRTS Line: Pantai Chennai - Velachery (MRTS) Beberapa kereta di Jalur Barat dan Utara berasal dari Pantai Chennai dan bukan Chennai Tengah. Pantai Chennai - Tambaram Chengalpet adalah jalur yang paling sering digunakan, membawa Anda dari kota ke Kebun Binatang Vandertisata untuk berlibur. Kereta di pinggiran kota umumnya dapat diandalkan dan cepat namun dibangun lebih untuk tujuan komuter daripada menghubungkan tempat-tempat wisata. Kecuali Anda tahu tujuan Anda pasti, tanyakan pada penduduk setempat atau meja informasi dengan cara tercepat untuk mencapai tujuan Anda. Frekuensi kereta di pinggiran kota pada umumnya baik dan disarankan untuk mengambil tiket kelas satu pada jam sibuk. Kereta menawarkan alternatif yang dapat diandalkan untuk mencapai tujuan Anda dengan cepat bila dibandingkan dengan bus yang mungkin terjebak dalam kemacetan lalu lintas. Tarif di kereta bawah tanah Chennai adalah yang terendah di negara ini dan Anda tidak perlu berkompromi dengan kenyamanan dengan jumlah yang sedikit yang Anda bayar seperti di metro India lainnya. Tarif kereta kelas terendah kedua adalah Rs.5-. Selalu menjaga bagasi Anda tetap aman saat bepergian dengan sistem perkeretaapian di pinggiran kota. Chennai Central (hub untuk jalur pinggiran utara dan barat) berlawanan dengan Park Town (jalur MRTS) dan Park (jalur Suburban Selatan) - Ketiga stasiun ini membuat trio pertukaran - persimpangan tertinggi antara garis pinggiran kota terjadi di zona ini. Dengan bus, bisikan Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) bus di seluruh kota yang mengakses daerah yang tidak diakses oleh kereta di pinggiran kota. Ini adalah pemerintahan yang dijalankan dan sangat murah. Chennai memiliki beberapa termini utama dari tempat sebagian besar bus menuju ke seluruh kota. Biasanya Tarif Bus di MTC berkisar antara 3 - 50. Bus Deluxe dan AC juga dioperasikan pada rute utama. Tarif untuk bus deluxe hampir dua kali dibandingkan dengan bus biasa. Untuk rute yang sama, bus deluxe dan normal memiliki nomor yang sama namun bus-bus mewah sedang ditarget dengan tujuan menempuh jarak jauh karena akan berhenti di halte bus utama saja. Jadi jika Anda menemukan bus biasa terlalu ramai, ambil yang mewah. Non AC deluxe juga memiliki gerbang listrik dan suspensi yang lebih baik yang tidak biasa Anda temukan di bus biasa. Jika Anda memiliki barang bawaan dengan Anda, Anda mungkin harus membayar biaya tambahan untuk orang tergantung pada ukurannya. Cara sederhana untuk mengidentifikasi kategori bus adalah: White Display Board - Layanan Standar, papan display hijau-Express, Blue atau LED - Deluxe Service, AC Service - 2 door, low volvo bus. Bus AC yang dikelola oleh MTC chennai yang berada di antara rute penting seperti Parrys - Tambaram, Parrys - CMBT, Chennai Central - CMBT, pusat Chennai - Tambaram, CMBT - KelambakkamSirusery, T. Nagar - Kanchipuram, dll Bus AC yang paling sering berjalan antara CMBT menuju Pondicherry and are known as East coast road (ECR) buses and Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) and is very comfortable for intracity travel too. If you are getting into a bus from Chennai central railway station you can either catch a bus just in front of railway station or you can take the subway to cross the road and get it from the bus stop in front of government hospital. Bus Route information for MTC Chennai is available online at official site6. While official site only provides stage wise info, others have more interactive interface which can ease your life specially if you are new to the city. Daily and weekly bus passes are available for tourists costing 50 or 300. They can be used on normal and deluxe bus services on all routes within the city. It is worthwhile to purchase the daily pass if you plan to visit more than a couple of sights in a day and it will save you from the trouble to maintain loose change. The daily pass can be purchased on the first bus you board from the conductor, while the weekly and monthly passes are sold at all major terminus. Recently a hop-on hop-off tour bus has also been organized by the Government. The service covers many of the famous sights along the scenic East Coast Road up to Mahabalipuram. By auto-rickshaw edit Police demand auto-rickshawTuk-tuk drivers in Chennai to use meter. In fact many of them try to avoid using meter some try to overcharge and often drive rashly, but thats part of the fun of being in Chennai. They are happy to exploit foreigners and locals alike. The advantage of being a local is that you know when youre being fleeced, and so youll know when to walk away and find another auto. The advise is to use auto-rickshaws with meters only. Roughly 50-60 of drivers do use meters. So, If a particular driver doesnt agree - just go away and find another one. Move 100 m away from malls where touts concentrate. You will definitely succeed to catch a metered auto within 5-10 during day time. Maybe the driver will ask Rs.10 or Rs.20 extra. Usually Rs.10 is enough. The rates for auto-rickshaws in Chennai are the following (July 2014): Rs. 25- for 1.8KM For next every 1 km - Rs. 12- Waiting charges for every 5 minutes - Rs. 3.5 and Rs. 42Hour Night time ( 11 PM hrs to 5 AM) - 50160 extra of the day time charge Otherwise you can discuss the price with the driver. Often they tell 2-3 times bigger charge. Even so, by Western standards, they are dirt cheap. Youll have no problem once the fare has been agreed and for short trips the Auto is a must. The upside is that autos are ubiquitous and possibly the easiest form of transportation to locate. Use Auto-rickshaws only for short distances because they are uncomfortable. Try to find a rickshaw with a working meter. Dont take the first auto or take the first price, take a least quote and go to the second or third. Never leave anything behind when you leave. Negotiate a rate with the driver beforehand if he doesnt agree, just go to the next auto on the road there will always be others unless its very late or very early or you are in a remote area: then be prepared to pay up. Stick to the agreed price, though on many occasions the driver may attempt to ask for more. Consult local friends beforehand to find out reasonable market prices for the distance you intend to go. Try to hail individual auto rickshaws in traffic which are heading in the general direction of your destination rather than hiring one parked in their stand as they may gang up to you. As a general rule, expect to pay about 10 to 15 for every kilometer (0.6 mi) you travel. You dont have to pay for any empty return trips that the auto-rickshaw driver has to make once you have agreed upon a fare. You tell them to go to a landmark near where you want to go, and upon reaching the landmark, ask them to go a little further along a particular road to your destination. They might cite the extra distance travelled and ask for more money. So it is better to negotiate the fare upfront. If you pay them for petrol, make sure you pay them the remaining fare amount after subtracting petrol charges. Sometimes Airports and Railway Stations have a tariff chart. Share autos have emerged in the recent years as an alternative mode of transport in Chennai. They are over-sized threefour wheelers charge slightly more than the bus but way lesser than a regular auto. Likewise they are faster than the buses but slower than the autos. There are four wheelers known as meter taxis . which dont have a meter and are not taxis. They supplement the existing bus services and sometimes operate on routes based on popular demand. On a side note - if you are fascinated by the idea of going around in an auto, think about all those foreigners, who are riding an auto from Chennai to Mumbai. A Chennai based event management company, Chennai Event Management Services, has been having these auto-rickshaw rallies from Chennai to Mumbai, or Kanyakumari, etc. and has developed a great fan following for the same. By taxi edit Taxis (locally called call-taxis since they must be pre-arranged) can be booked using phone or internet. Since there are so many listed in the phone book already and they are mostly reliable we dont list any. They can be ordered air-conditioned and have digital fare meters, although time-based hire is also possible with some companies. Most companies charge a minimum fare of 100-(Non-AC)150-(AC), which is for 4km (2.4 mile) and for every subsequent kilometer they might charge 12- or 13- depending upon the car model that you choose. Like in other major Indian cities, Uber and its local competitor Ola have pretty much run to the ground the traditional call taxis. These cabs are a boon to a city known for its avaricious and rude autorickshaw drivers, and are probably the best way to get around as a tourist Alternatively, you can hire a cab for limited time or full-day for your travel reasons within the city for charges ranging between 1200 to 3000 depending upon the car model you choose and the time-duration for which you use the cab. If your trip is time-sensitive, it is recommended that you make the booking about 4 hours in advance and call shortly before your journey to confirm. However, there is every possibility of you not getting one in spite of advance booking as they book without any planning and ditch the customers at the last minute. A proper system of confirmed allotment at least 45 min prior to the scheduled time (like in Delhiother cities) is what is required in Chennai. Other car rental companies available in chennai include GetMeCab7. BookCab, Clear Car Rental, Cabs24x7, Avis, Chennai Cabs and Hertz etc. By car edit It is generally not advisable for foreign travelers to drive on their own as they might be unaware of the traffic rules and congestion in the city. Negotiating the Indian traffic is not a part of standard driving lessons and can only be mastered by experience. The roads in Chennai are better maintained than the average Indian road. Rush hour traffic may result in nasty jams. Chennai has three arterial roads: Anna Salai Mount Road, EVR Periyar Salai Poonamallee High Road, Jawaharlal Nehru Salai 100 feet Road. Foreign travelers should keep in mind that both diesel and petrol are used as fuel in India and it varies with the model of the car. Some cars have identical models with only a D badge to indicate diesel. Make sure you find out what type of fuel the car uses from the rental company. See edit add listing Restaurants, watering holes and discotheques have been opening with increasing frequency and while the absolute numbers arent much, theyre more experimental than most Indian metros. While in Chennai one can drop into one of the following places. Areas edit Georgetown in the north of the city is considered the oldest neighbourhood and is associated with the nearby port. The whole area is an intense experience and a hive of commercial activity. Not too many tourists visit this part of the city, which is unfortunate because if Chennais heart is to be found anywhere, it is here. This is where the Sowcarpet area is located, in addition to one of the citys most famous thoroughfares, Mint Street. Beaches edit Chennai Marina Beach Beach Watch Note Although Chennai beaches are both beautiful and inviting, they are not swimming beaches . due to strong under currents present along the shoreline. Swimming should not be attempted there. There are no lifeguards and rescue equipment is not provided at any of these beaches. However there are beach police who ride on horses and keep an eye on the people and look out for any trouble. People should avoid wearing swimwear or similar attire in the city beaches as such clothing is not appropriate there and will attract stares. Chennai has several well known beaches: Marina Beach . is 12160km long and offers excellent opportunities for walks and has a very wide sandy foreshore. Its width is up to 300160m (985160ft). The Marina of Madras is the second longest urban beach in the world. Along the shore, there are many buildings built during the British colonial rule. The South Beach Road runs past the Madras University, the Senate House, the Chepauk Palace (Nawabs of Carnatica once held their court here). It is the most popular gathering place for locals, especially in the evenings and on weekends. It can also get very crowded at those times. The beach is relatively less crowded in the early mornings and more pleasant. Walk along the Marina in the evening to cool off and eat crispy sundal (boilt, spiced lentils), freshly caught fish and Murukku(a type of dry noodles). Watching the sunrise from the beach is an experience by itself. Its not a swimming beach, though you will see people fully clothed taking partial dips. Breezy Beach - Valmiki Nagar (Thiruvanmiyur) Edward Elliots beach . is spread along the coast down south from Marina. It is also the night beach for Chennai youth. This beach is comparatively quieter and it is located near Besant Nagar. At the end of this beach are the Velankanni church and the Ashtalakshmi temple. Good roads, pavements, walking track illuminated sands, makes a visit to this beach a real pleasure. It can get really crowded during the weekends as well. Breezy Beach is located in the quiet neighborhood of Valmiki Nagar (Thiruvanmiyur) in Chennai. It is smaller and less popular than the Elliots beach. This beach is not as commercialized as the Elliots beach, and is hence more quiet and peaceful. Evenings are very pleasant and with gentle breezy here, Lots of tourists are attracted towards this beach. Since the residential area around this beach is occupied predominantly by young professionals working in the ITITES industries, this beach has turned into a hot-spot for them. It is less polluted and environment friendly. Those who look for a calm, cool and breezy place to relax, this beach is the best place in Chennai. Historical Places edit Temples edit Entry into the sanctum-sanctorum (the innermost part of the temple) of old temples maybe sometimes be restricted to foreigners because of the traditional beliefs that only a Hindu can enter the temples. In rare instances, it is forcefully enforced. The best thing to do in such situations is to explore the surrounding structures which are equally fascinating. Kapaleeswarar Temple ( Kapaleeshwara ), Mylapore, 9. One of Chennais oldest and best-known temples, said to date to the 8th century, although the present structure dates to the 1600s. Notable above all for its soaring, incredibly detailed 37m gopuram (entrance gate). There is a large water tank behind the temple, used for the Thaipusam festival (Jan-Feb), and plenty of flower shops all around. Within easy striking distance of the city centre. The temple also has an Arubathu Moovar festival in Mar and is known for the crowds and color. Karaneeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple located in the neighborhood of Saidapet in Chennai, India. It is dedicated to the god Shiva. This temple is located next to the Saidapet Railway station. This temple has a 7-storied Gopuram with two prakarams(closed precincts of a temple). The main deity is Lord Karaneeswara (Shiva) and Goddess Swarnaambikai (Sakthi). It is believed that Lord Indra had come here to worship Lord Shiva to cure his curse. Special worships are done to Shiva on Pradosham days. This temple has a beautiful tank. The temple is heavily crowded on Pradhosham days. Annual ten day Brahmotsavam takes place in the Tamil month of Chithirai. During Chitirai thirvizha, people visit the temple in huge numbers and there will be a daily spiritual talk on Thiruvasagam about Lord shiva. The Parthasarathy Temple 10 at Tiruvallikkeni (Triplicane) as the Britishers called it, is considered be the oldest temple in the Chennai and origins date back to the 8th century AD, the reference of which has been made in the Vaishnavite works of the Alwar saints. The existence of the Tiruvallikkeni village in referred in the Pallava records and before. The temple derived its name from the pond in front of the temple. It was originally built by the Pallavas. The temple was renovated by later dynasties, the Chola and the Vijayanagar kingdom. The Temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna. The name Parthasarathy has been derived from two Sanskrit words Partha and Sarathy. The former word refers to Arjuna and the later means Charioteer. Its architecture is a combination of several temple building styles. There are inscriptions of the Pallavas, Cholas and the Vijayanagar kingdom on the temple structure. The temple besides being dedicated to Parthasarathy is also revered for Venkatakrishnaswami and to Ranganathar. The temple, when it was built, housed five avataras of the deity Vishnu. The structure, as it stands today, houses the shrines of popular deities like Venkatakrishnan with Rukmani, Balaraman, Satyaki, Anirudha, Pradyumna, Rama, Lakshmana, Barata, Sita, Shatrugna, Varadaraja and Hanuman. Sri Ramakrishna Math - Universal Temple Sri RamakrishnaMath - Universal Temple 11. 31 Ramakrishna Math Rd, Mylapore. Swami Vivekananda on his return from the west was requested by the devotees in Madras (now Chennai) to start a Math here. To fulfill their desire Swamiji sent his brother-disciple Swami Ramakrishnananda to Madras in March 1897. After reaching Madras, the first thing Swami Ramakrishnananda did was to set up a small shrine for Sri Ramakrishna at a rented house. He lived there and led a life of renunciation, service and austerities. Slowly he built up the institution as the present Sri Ramakrishna Math and thus Sri Ramakrishna Math, Madras, came into existence. This is the oldest centre of the Ramakrishna Order in the South. Srimat Swami Bhuteshanandaji Maharaj, the 12th President of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, laid the foundation-stone for this Universal Temple on 1 December 1994 in a grand function. It took five years for the project to take shape as the present grand Universal Temple. On 7 Feb 2000 the temple was dedicated by Srimat Swami Ranganathanandaji Maharaj, the 13th President of the Ramakrishna Order. Sri Ramakrishna Math completed hundred years of its service in 1997. The Math is regarded for its spiritual traditions, modern outlook, acceptance of all religions, service as the way of life. With its lushy green surroundings, the Universal Temple is the ideal spot for contemplation and meditation. 5AM-11:45AM and 3PM-9PM Tele: 91 044 2462110 Email: mailchennaimath. org Web presence: chennaimath. org Kundrathur sivan temple ( vada thirunageshvaram ), Kundrathur ( Kundrathur bus depot ). Sekkizhar built this 1000 year old temple 160edit Kumaran Kundram ( The Deity of Lord Murugan in Kumaran Kundram is considered to be equivalent to the one in Swamimalai ), ( Very near MIT Fly over ). small hillock at Kumaran Kundram near by Madras Institute of Technology 160edit Churches edit Basilica of the National Shrine of St. Thomas Basilica of the National Shrine of St. Thomas. Santhome High Rd. 91 44 24985455, 91 44 24980758 (parishpriestsanthomechurch ), 12. 5:AM-9PM daily. In the whole world, there are only three churches built over the tomb of an Apostle of Jesus Christ - the Basilica of Saint Peter built over the tomb of St. Peter in Rome, Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela built over the tomb of St. James in Spain and Basilica of the National Shrine of St. Thomas built over the tomb of St. Thomas. Basilica of the National Shrine of St. Thomas is in Chennai, India. The present National Shrine of St. Thomas is built over the tomb of Saint Thomas the Apostle, who came to India in the year 52 AD. After preaching on the West coast, he came to Chennai (formerly Madras), and attained martyrdom on a hill at the outskirts of the city, today known as St. Thomas Mount. His body was buried on the spot over which the present Basilica stands. The shrine was restored in 2004. A valuable work of art kept in the Basilica is an ancient painting of Our Blessed Mother, in front of which the other great apostle of India, St. Francis Xavier, used to pray. There are two new structures today: The Tomb Chapel below the Basilica and Museum cum theatre . The new underground chapel with a separate access outside the church structure, allows pilgrims to pray at the tomb and tourists to visit it, without disturbing the sacred functions in the church. The museum exhibits artifacts connected with St. Thomas and the Basilica, and the theatre is used for screening a short video on the life of the Apostle. 160edit St. Marys Church St. Marys Church, situated in the fort, is one of the oldest surviving churches built by the British in India. This is the first English church in India and the oldest Anglican church in the East. Designed by William Dixon, the then Master Gunner of the Fort, it was constructed under the supervision of the Governor Streynsham Master. Given the precarious nature of the English presence in India at the time (not to mention later attacks by the French and the locals), the church has a defensive stance - thick walls, castellated parapets and a well within the grounds - to withstand any bombardment or siege). The church was consecrated on 28 October 1680. The tower was completed in 1701 the steeple added in 1710 and the tower was connected to the main body of the church in 1759. Robert Clive - more famous as Clive of India - married Margaret Maskelyne here in 1753. The first but equally famous wedding was that of Governor Elihu Yale (who was to become the benefactor of Yale College) to Catherine Himmers in November 1680. The interior of the church contains many fascinating plaques and monuments to early British India evoking past glories and lives full of achievement. It also contains the old colours of the Madras Fusiliers, the first European regiment of the East India Company. The glass windows, wall frescos, teak plaques from the colonial times are still preserved. 10AM-5PM daily except closed on F. St. Thomas Mount St. Thomas Mount . Chennai South. St. Thomas, referred to as Didymus, in the Gospel of St. John is one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ. He is one of the prime witnesses to the resurrection of Jesus. St. Thomas Mount is associated with St. Thomas, the apostle of Christ, who is believed to have been martyred here. The mount is commonly called in Tamil Parangi Malai or Bhringi Malai. History says 2000 years ago, a saint Parangi lived here (parangi in Tamil language is used to refer to a white person). According to local myth, St. Thomas was one of the first Christians to reach India and to preach Christianity. He is believed to have reached South India in AD 52, and spent the last years of his life in a cave on this hill. Tradition states that Thomas was assassinated by an arrow in AD 72, by persons hostile to him. Thus, the hillock acquired the name St. Thomas Mount. Over time Anglo-Indians predominated in this area. A small relic-filled Church built in 1523 at the summit of the 300 feet high St. Thomas Mount. The place was visited by Pope John Paul II during his visit to India on 5 February 1986. At the northern foot of the mount, is a gateway of four impressive arches surmounted by a cross bearing the inscribed date 1547. A flight of 160 steps leads up to the summit of the mount. There are fourteen stations of the cross erected on the way to the summit. The Tamil Baptist Church in Kilpauk is worth a visit. It is a 107 year old monument. Lutheran Adaikalnathar Church(TELC). Tana Street. Protestant Church which is more than 100 years old 160edit St. Matthias Church. Vepery. One of the oldest churches in Chennai which was built by the British. Its also has a Anglo-Indian higher secondary school in the campus which has both boys and girls studying in the school and its famous for Producing High Standard Students with Capability of Speaking English as native speakers of the Language. 160edit Mosques edit Big Mosque also known as Wallajah Mosque Big Mosque also known as Wallajah Mosque, is situated at Walajah Road in Triplicane, Chennai is a historical landmark constructed by Wallajah family in memory of Nawab Muhammad Ali Walajah, in 1795 . It is an imposing structure of symmetry and form of architectural magnificence with an imposing facade. The Mosque stands in extensive grounds, which are being used as a forum for religious and cultural activities. The magnificent grey granite structure is built without steel and wood. This architectural marvel is one of the important mosques in Chennai. The Nawabs descendants are still living in a mansion known as Amir Mahal . One distinctive feature of this mosque is that the chronogram engraved in stone and fixed on the inside of the western wall of the mosque is by a non-Muslim, Rajah Makkan Lal Khirad, a Persian and Arabic scholar of repute, who was the private secretary to the Nawab. It may be mentioned in this regard that, as far as is known, no other mosque in the world has a chronogram composed by a non-Muslim. The Mosque has two minarets at the front. The Eid Prayer timing remains the same, 10AM, since 1749 A. D. Adjoining the Wallajah Mosque is the tomb of the great Islamic saint Maulana Abdul Ali Bahrul Uloom, a divine scholar of the days of the Nawab Wallajah. In this enclosure also are the tombs of the late Nawabs of the Carnatic, the Princess of Arcot and other eminent Muslim scholars and theologians. Wallajah Mosque can be reached either from Ellis Rd (backside) or the Triplicane High Rd. Memorials edit Valluvar Kottam . Valluvar Kottam High Rd, Nungambakkam, Chennai. Valluvar Kottam marks the memorial of one of the renowned poet and saint of the region, Tiruvalluvar. The memorial is shaped like a temple chariot and is, in fact, the replica of the temple chariot in Thiruvarur. There is a 101-feet high temple chariot structure with a life-size image of the poet in it. This chariot is a replica of the temple car of Thiruvarur in Tamil Nadu. The monument stands as a massive auditorium and was open to public in the year 1976. Over 3,000 blocks of stone were used to create this memorial to Tamil culture. Valluvar Kottam has quite an extensive space. The auditorium at Valluvar Kottam is said to be the largest in Asia and can accommodate about 4000 people. The auditorium is surrounded by granite pillars that have the inscriptions taken from the famous work of the poet. The epic Tiruvalluvar, written by the poet consists of 1330 verses, all of which are inscribed on the granite pillar. The 133 chapters of his famous work Thirukkural have been depicted in bas-relief in the front hall corridors of the chariot. It stands as a modern memorial to the great poet who represents the glorious culture of the Tamils. Monuments edit Fort St. George (formerly known as White Town), is located on the banks of the Bay of Bengal. It was established as the East India Companys fortified foothold in Madras and it was from this small trading post (or factory as it was then known) that British influence spread throughout India. The establishment of Fort St. George marked the birth of the new city that is Madras, in the year 1640. The fort was named after St George who is believed to have preached in the region. The British East India Company, after buying the land from the Nayak of Vandavasi in 1639 . led the establishment of what was called the Madrasemen . the permanent settlement of the company. One year later they built the fort as a commanding post in the region. With the increased trade activities of the East India Company the region soon developed into a popular trade and commerce centre. The British enjoyed supremacy in the region until 1746, when the French attacked the fort and captured it. After three years, in 1749 the British regained power by signing a treaty with the French. In the meantime they fortified the base in order to repel the invasion of Hyder Ali and the French. The fort is believed to be the first establishment of the British in India. The military architecture is interesting and holds great historical importance. Inside the Fort is the Fort Museum 13 decorated with cannons of Tipu Sultan. There are a lot of interesting artifacts showcased in the museum. Apart from the museum, the southern division of the Archaeological Survey of India is located here. Today, Fort St George is famous for its exotic collection of books in the library and housing the legislative assembly in the secretariat building. The fort in its present form looks more like a mansion, rather any fort. Various Government offices function inside this building, including the structure which used to be the residence of Robert Clive called the Clive House. St. Marys Church, situated in the fort, is one of the oldest surviving churches built by the British in India. The tallest flag pole in the country can be seen here, its height is 150 feet. The pole is now made of metal but was originally made entirely of teak wood. Sa-Th 10:00-17:00. Fort Museum: Children lt15 yr free, Indian Adults 5, Foreign Adults: 100 The Regional Grand Lodge of Southern India Freemasons Hall is located at 87, Ethiraj Salai, Egmore. It was constructed in 1923 for the troops. The architecture is classical Greek style and houses a lodge room on the first floor where Masonic meetings are held M-F 10:00-17:00 and Sa 10:00-14:00. Museums and Art Galleries edit Government Museum 14. Pantheon Rd, Egmore. Established in 1857, the Government Museum of Chennai is one of the popular tourist destinations in the city. It is a multi-purpose State Government Museum located in Egmore, which is in the heart of the city, spreading over an area of 16.25 acres of land. Six independent buildings in this Museum campus has 46 galleries. There is an Archaeology Section, Zoology Section, Botany Section, Geology Section, Numismatics Section, Bronze Gallery. Childrens museum, Art gallery and various other interesting sections and galleries. It is considered to be one of the oldest museums of India, since its inception dates back to the Colonial rule. There is history behind the origin of this Museum. In 1846 AD, the Madras Literary Society debated the proposal of establishing a museum in the then Madras. The proposal was approved by the Court of Directors of the East India Company in London. Chennai Government Museum was handed down with a sprawling complex and the presently maintained by the State Government. The Museum was formally inaugurated on December 5, 1896 by the Sir Arthur Eli bank Havelock, the then Governor. He named it after the former Governor, Lord Connenmara. The museum was designed by H. Irvin, the consulting architect of the Government of Madras. The Government Museum has a splendid hall, marvelous reading room and striking Teak wood shelf and stands divided into a number of sections. Note that parts of the museum are often closed. Phone: 91 44 2819-3238, 09:30-17:00 except holidays. A free guide service is available at 11:00 and 15:00. National Art Gallery The building of National Arts Gallery was built in the year 1907. This magnificent red sandstone building was designed by Henry Irwin and built by T. Namberumal Chetty. The building represents a typical Indo-Saracenic structure and was initially famous as the Victoria Memorial Hall. Built with sandstone and adorned with motifs, the building bears impressions of Mughal architecture. It is this architecture, not just the gallery collections that make it worth a visit. The gallery exhibits medieval handicrafts, sculptures, metal ware and paintings belonging to various schools of art and eras. The gallerys collections are displayed in four different sections: Tanjore Painting Gallery, Decorative Art Gallery, Indian Traditional Art Gallery and Ravi Varma Painting Gallery. The Tanjore paintings on glass are wonderful. The miniature paintings from Rajput and Mughal eras are fascinating too. The handicrafts that are displayed belong to the 11th and 12th century Indian handicraft period. The top floor, closed in May 2011, offered additional galleries. Sa-Th 09:30-17:00 except national holidays. 91 44 2819-3238. The Birla Planetarium The Birla Planetarium . at Kotturpuram, between Adyar and Guindy, is the most modern planetarium in the country. Adjoining the planetarium is a Periyar Science and Technology Museum which will be of interest to students and other science scholars. Built in memory of B. M. Birla, the well known industrialist and visionary, the Planetarium is considered to be the most modern in the country. Location: Tamil Nadu Science amp Technology Centre, Gandhi Mandapam Rd (Behind CLRI). Tele: 91 44 2441-0025 67515250. The Science and Technology Centre is open daily except national holidays. Programmes at 10:45-13:45 and 15:45. In English at Noon, Tamil 14:30. Miscellaneous edit Integral Coach Factory .15. Check the website for directions as the the auto-rickshaw drivers have never heard of it. Zoological gardens and eco parks edit Arinjar Anna Zoological Park Arinjar Anna Zoological Park ( The Vandalur Zoo ), 91 044 22751089 (aazpyahoo. fax. 91 044 22750741 ), 16. 9AM-6PM daily except Tu. Started in Peoples Park in 1855, the Madras zoological gardens (later renamed as Arignar Anna Zoological Park after C. N. Annadurai, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu state from 1967 to 1969) was moved to Vandalur (a former game reserve frequented by governors of colonial Madras) on the outskirts of Chennai city in 1985 owing to lack of space in the congested heart of the city. Today, the zoo is one of the biggest in South Asia housing more than 170 species of mammals, birds and reptiles. Lion safari vehicles, elephant rides, battery operated vehicles are some of the facilities available. The peak time is during Pongal and weekend holidays. The animals are usually housed in their natural settings. 160edit Guindy National Park Guindy National Park. Sardar Vallabhai Patel Rd, Adyar, Guindy. M-F 9AM-5:30PM except Tu. The current park area stands close to 280 hectares. Guindy Park happens to be almost certainly the smallest national park in the country and the only park within the city suburbs of India. The park is inhabited by more than 20 species of trees, about 14 varieties of shrubs and more than 14 species of woodland mammals. Guindy National Park The place also houses many species of rare birds and amphibians. The dry deciduous forests of Guindy are lined with tree species like Amona Squamosa, Atlanta Monophylla, Feronia Limonia and Azadirachta India. The popular park animals include species like Indian Antelope (Black Buck), Elephant, Spotted Deer, Indian Civet, Jungle Cat, Hedgehog, Pangolin and Jackal. Some rare bird species found in the park include Black Winged Kite, Honey Buzzard, and Pariah Kite. The park is also home to many reptile and amphibian species. JULY 2016 only childrens park and snake park open. Visits to the National park proper are only allowed with park ranger and the gate is locked. Rs 15, Free below 10 years, 11 to above Rs 5, School Children age 5-12 from government and aided schools Rs 2, children from private schools age 5-12 Rs 10, still camera Rs 10, video camera Rs 75. 160edit Guindy Snake Park. ( next to Guindy National Park ). M-F 8:30AM-5:30PM except Tu. Founded by one of the prominent wildlife conservationist Romulus Whitaker. The park houses a number of snake species, lizards, crocodiles and turtles. The park breeds more than 30 species of Indian snakes. Some of the most sought after species include King Cobra, Indian Rock Python, Reticulated Python, Adders and Vipers. In addition to the snakes the park also breeds species of lizards, crocodiles and turtles. The museum in the park premises contains preserved specimens of many reptiles and amphibians. 160edit Tholkappiar Poonga ( Adyar Eco Park ), 6 103, Dr. D. G. S. Dinakaran Salai, Raja Annamalaipuram, Chennai - 600 028. 91 44 2461 4523 (membersecretary. crrtgmail. fax. 91 44 2461 4524 ), 17. 2.30PM-4:30PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This park maintained by the Chennai Rivers Restoration Trust is the only prominent eco park located within Chennai city limits. Measuring a total of 358 acres, the park covers the estuary of the Adyar river known for its fragile ecosystem. The estuary was restored in various phases starting from 2003 and recently opened for guided public tours. However, prior online booking is necessary in order to visit the park through the Chennai Rivers Restoration Trust website. A maximum of 20 visitors are allowed each day. The eco park is popular among bird-watchers as various species of pelicans, herons, storks and butterflies are found here. The park areas houses about 172 endemic species of flowering plants. Sculptures of dinosaurs and various animals carved out of naturally available stone are found within the park. Rs. 20, Children below 12 years: Rs. 5. 160edit Protected areas edit Pallikaranai wetland is a freshwater swamp in the south of the city 18. Being able to retain water throughout the year, it forms an aquatic ecosystem. The marsh acts as a home for many endangered and as a breeding ground for thousands of migratory birds which makes it an ideal place for bird watching. A conservation project is afoot to spruce up the area and build an observation center for visitors convenience. There have been walks conducted in the marsh by the societies like Madras Naturalists Society 19. Contact them to find out about their events. Nanmangalam Reserve Forest is a protected area between Velachery and Tambaram. According to reports, it is home to 85 different species of birds and some rare territorial orchids. Similar to the above marsh, there are no regularly conducted walks, but some photography societies and nature societies organise walks once in a while. Do edit add listing Visit the international headquarters of the Theosophical Society situated at Adyar in the southern part of Chennai. The Adyar Library 20 situated in the societys campus has one the largest collection of Tibetan manuscripts with over 20,000 palm leaf folios. For nature-lovers, a stroll through the vast and biologically rich Theosophical Society Gardens is a must. One of the curiosities is a 450-year old banyan tree. Go for a ride along Kamarajar Salai . a promenade on the sea front. The road is dotted with some of the finest specimens of Indo-Saracenic and art deco architecture such as the University of Madras buildings, Chepauk Palace, Vivekanandar Illam, Queen Marys College, Presidency College and the Chennai police headquarters. Among other buildings are the MGR memorial and Anna Samadhi, Gandhi statue and statues of poet Subrahmanya Bharathi, G. U. Pope and Bishop Robert Caldwell. Food Tours edit Chennai Food Tours ( Blaffer Food Tours ), IIT Madras, Adyar ( Directions depend on the tour location, and are mailed prior to the tour ), 91-8056202141 (contactblaffer. in ), 21. Every weekend. Can be contacted for custom trips if visiting on a non-tour day. South India has contributed numerous dishes to the world Therefore it is imperative to explore Chennai - the hub of South India - through the gastronomic lens. Chennai Food Tours offer a number of tours - street food, food history tour (very unique), kebab tour - all with the mindset of exploring. Do not leave Chennai without going to this tour 160edit Eco Tours edit Nizhal Tree Walks. Ashok Nagar, Chennai. 98841-14721 (nizhal. shadegmail ), 22. Nizhal has 3 series of walks - the Margazhi walks in December January, the Chithirai walks in April and the Madras day walks in August. Nizhal has conducted tree walks to acquaint citizens with the trees around them. Through its tree walks Nizhal has hoped to sensitize citizens to the role played by trees in the environment, the challenges they face and how they can be protected. Walks have also served as forums where tree lovers can network with each other. 160edit The Chennai Trekking Club (CTC) 23 organizes weekend treks and getaways. A lot of cleaning operations, blood donation and photography camps are also organized by CTC. Membership is free and costs are shared equally. Events edit Madras Music Season 24 Organized in December-January every year in an unbroken sequence since 1928, the Madras Music Season is the most important cultural event in the Chennai calendar. The season features Carnatic music concerts, dance programmes, operas, plays and magic shows. Chennai Book Fair 25 Held usually for two weeks in December-January every year since 1977, the Chennai Book Fair is the second largest book fair in the country after the Delhi Book Fair. The 2013, 2014 and 2015 editions had more than 700 stalls and over one million visitors. Organized by the Booksellers and Publishers Association of South India (BAPASI), many important publishers in India participate in the fair. Debates, prize distributions, lectures and film screenings are also held at the venue. Madras Day or Madras Week 26 The Madras Day or Madras Week celebrations are held in August every year to commemorate the purchase of the village of Madrasapatnam by East India Company factors Andre Cogan and Francis Day on August 22, 1639. The celebrations usually comprise of heritage walks, exhibitions, lectures, nature and tree walks, book and postage cover releases and film screenings. Though the celebrations typically last a week, the 2014 and 2015 editions extended through August and into September as well. The Hindu Lit for Life 27 Held during the Pongal festival (2nd week of January) every year since 2010, The Hindu Lit for Life is an international literary festival organized by The Hindu group of newspapers. The festival typically comprises of group discussions and lectures and The Hindu Lit for Life award is given at the end of each festival. Music and Dance edit Chennai has a lot of Carnatic music Sabhas (loosely translates to concert house) where concerts are held during the Madras Music season. You will see mostly older celebrities, although occasionally there will be some world-class young virtuosos. The Music Academy 28. No. 168, T. T.K. Road, Chennai - 600 014. Phone: 91-44-2811 2231 91-44-2811 5162, Email: musicmusicacademymadras Sir Mutha Venkatasubba Rao Concert Hall 29. Madras Seva Sadan, No 7, Harrington Road. Chetpet. Call for details: 91 44 43561198 and 91 42146632, Email: infosirmuthamemorial VDS Arts Academy 30. MOP Vaishnava College for Women, Nungambakkam. Music and Bharatanatyam dance concerts throughout the year at 6:30 PM. every Friday, Saturday and Sunday by young artists. Admission: free. Brahma Gana Sabha 31. Sivagami Pethachi Auditorium, M. Ct. M School, 179, Luz Church Road, 91 92821 06425, 91 98412 96684 Indian Institute of Music and Arts . R. K Swamy Auditorium, Sir Sivaswamy Kalalaya, 5, Sundareswarar Street, Mylapore. Kartik Fine Arts 32. Narada Gana Sabha Hall, TTk Road. 91 44 2499 7788, 91 44 2495 2695 ( 30th Year Art Festival ), Sri Krishna Gana Sabha 33. Dr. Nalli Gana Vihar, 20. Maharajapuram Santhanam Road, T. Nagar, 91 44 2814 0806 ( The 49th Art and Dance Festival amp Pongal Nagaswara Isai Vizha And the 24th Natya Kala Conference ), Sri Thyaga Brahma Gana Sabha 34. Vani Mahal, 103, GN Chetty Road, 91 44 2815 2166 ( The 25th Isai Iyal Nataka Vizha ) Kalalayaa Art Academy . Kalalayaa Art Academy. 2nd Floor, 100ft Bye Pass Road, Velachery.(Landmark: Opp to Bharat Petroleum Petrol Bunk, Above Nuts amp Spices) 91 98408 77546, 91 44 4303 6546 35 GK Parigi in Cine Abinayam star night programme. contact:parigeyahoo. co. in Nungambakkam Cultural Academy Trust Chennai is a major centre of Bharata Natyam with over 1000 dance performances a year. More dance forms are now encouraged and taught like Kuchipudi (Traditional dance form from Andhra Pradesh ), Mohini Attam . etc. Some other dances like Odissi Manipuri can be found, but are rarer. Cinema edit When in Chennai, do not miss a chance to watch a movie. Make sure to book your tickets in advance especially in the weekend, because most of the cinemas will be sold out. Chennai also provides best cinematic experience at lowest cost Rs. 120- and lesser, which is very less compared to other metro cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad and Kolkata. There are several cinemas in the city. Check out any local newspaper or websites to get to know the movies running in and around Chennai. Some of the cinema halls are Udhayam Theatre . Ashok Pillar, Chennai Devi Cineplex . 36. In the heart of Chennai on Anna Salai. The Cineplex is a huge complex and a great architectural beauty. Jazz Cinemas . 37. In Phoenix Mall, Jazz Cinemas has a lot of screens and 2 IMAX screens. Sathyam Cine Complex 38. Thiru-vi-ka Rd, phone 044-42244224. One of the best theaters. Provides quality food and the main screen is one of the biggest in INDIA. Escape Cinemas 39. Express Avenue, Royapettah, phone 044-4224 4224 Inox 40. Chennai Citi Centre, R. K.Salai Mayajaal Cine Complex 41 . Abhirami Cine Complex . Purasawalkam. Shanti Cine Complex . Anna Salai Ega theatres 42. p. h road, Kilpauk (Features Hindi movies). Sangam Cine Complex in Kilpauk. Rohini Cinema Complex . Koyambedu. Ganga Theatre complex in Kolathur. Rakki Theatre in Ambattur. AGS Royal, Villivakkam, AGS Navalur, OMR Luxe cinemas . 11-screen multiplex in Phoenix Market City, Velachery AGS Cinemas OMR, Navalur. Vetri Theatre . Chromepet. Sports edit Chennai has been one of the prominent sporting location in India, with wide variety of sports played almost everywhere right from every street corners to big stadium matches. M. A. Chidambaram Stadium (Famously known as Chepauk Stadium) Cricket by itself is a festival in India, every TV in the Mall is tuned to cricket during the match season and the whole city would be tuned in to the sport some way or another. Chennai is an international venue for cricket and is also a home ground for the Chennai super Kings (a famous cricket team).While in Chennai it might be interesting to catch a game and enjoy the electric spirit of Indian cricket. Close to Chepauk there are several sporting good store where you can buy good quality cricket equipments at low cost Chennai open is a prominent tennis tournament that happens around January every year, the event has attracted lot of high ranked players such as Rafael Nadal, Carlos Moy, Leader Paes. The event is well organized with details published online including ticket sales. Learn edit Chennai has dozens of different institutes of higher learning from arts to engineering. The city also offers plenty of opportunities to learn Yoga, Bhartanatyam, Carnatic music and The Bhagavad Gita. Alliance franaise de Madras ( (AFM) ), No.24, College Road, Nungampaakam, Chennai 600 006 ( Nearest to bus stop name: Nungampaakam Sterling Road ), 91 44-28279803. 43. Monday to Saturday: 8.30 am - 6:30 pm. Indo-French cultural center and a place to learn French. AFM is one of the best places to learn French next only to Alliance Franaise de Delhi. 160edit Chinmaya Mission. 2 13th Ave Harrington Rd, Chetpet. 91 44 2826 5641 ( 91 44 2827 4046 ). 160edit The World Community Service Centre. ( Vedathri mahirishi Vision for wisdom ), 044-24571153. 44. free yoga. 160edit ISKCON ( International Society For Krishna Consciousness ), Hare Krishna Land Injambakkam. 91 44 2501 9303 ( 91 44 2501 9147 ). 160edit Isha Yoga. 81 Manoharan St, SW Boag Rd ( near Pazhamudhir Nilayam ), 91 44-24333185 ( mobile 91 9442515557. chennaiishafoundation. org ), 45. 160edit Kalakshethra. Kalakshetra Foundation, Tiruvanmiyur. 91 44 2491 1836 ( 91 44 2491 4359. fax. 91 44 2491 4359 ), 46. 160edit Kishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram. 31, 4th Cross St, R. K. Nagar. 91 44 2493 7998 ( 91 44 2493 3092. fax. 91 44 2461 334 ), 47. 160edit Krishnamurthi Foundation. 124, 126 (Old 6465) Greenways Rd. 91 44 2493 7803 infokfionline. org ( 91 44 2493 7596 ), 48. 160edit Raja Yoga ( Ishwariya Vishwa Vidhyalayam ), 49. Learn Yoga free of cost. 160edit Theosophical Society. Adyar, Chennai. 91 44 2491 2815 (intl. hqts-adyar. org. fax. 91 44 2490 2706 ), 50. 160edit Buy edit add listing Stores on Doors ( Best Online Shop in Chennai for Grocery, Vegetables and Fruits ), 1714, Pallavan Street, Alwarthirunagar, Chennai. 044 65158534. 51. 160edit Shopping Malls edit Express Avenue 52. Royapettah High Road. It is the second largest shopping mall in South India and features unique stores like Hamleys, Global Desi and Peekaboo, designer wear like Guess and Diesel and high-street chains like Body Shop, Tie Rack, Esprit and Lush. It has a few fine-dining restaurants and also one of the largest food courts in India. Spencer Plaza 53. 769, Anna Salai. Spencer Plaza is the oldest shopping mall in India dating to the 1980s. The present building stands in place of an Gothic-style one which housed the Spencers, Asias first departmental store. The original was destroyed in a fire, and the current building dates back to 1983. The new Phase III section even has a mock Indo-Saracenic atrium in the style of the original. One of the earliest shopping malls in India, it has slightly lost its charm with the arrival of swanky new malls, but it is still an excellent place to buy handicrafts, ethnic wear, Indian jewellery and books (it houses the largest Landmark bookstore in Chennai). There is a reasonably good food court on the 2nd level of Phase I and Phase III. Chennai Citi Center 54 10, Radhakrishnan Salai. Opened in March of 2006, it houses mostly mens western-wear brands like Adidas, Louis Philippe, Parx and Zodiac. Has a good food court, an Indian restaurant, INOX cinema and a supermarket. Shoppers Stop 55 2, Harrington Road, Chetpet. This is one of the largest department stores in Chennai, and you can buy everything from clothes to shoes to books here. Ispahani Center Nungambakkam road. An early shopping centre - has a cafe, bar amp shops. Prince Plaza . Pantheon road, Egmore. It has been featured in many movies. Ampa Mall . 56. A new shopping mall in Chennai with both western and Indian brands featuring in the shops. Most popular for its PVR Cinemas multiplex, Star Bazaar grocery store and one of the few McDonalds in the city. It also has a food court and a boutique hotel. Pheonix Market City . 57. A new shopping mall in Chennai Located in velachery. Biggest mall in chennai, It houses Satyam Cinemas in the name of luxe cinemas will open 11 screens here which will also house Chennais first IMAX theatre. Chennais first Hardrock Cafe is soon to come up here. Forum Vijaya Mall . 58. A big shopping mall in vadapalani. one of the Biggest mall in chennai, Houses Satyams 9 screens, chennais second IMAX will come up here. Spectrum Mall (formerly known as Grand Venus Mall) is a shopping mall located in Perambur, Chennai, India. It is the first mall in North Chennai. The mall was developed at the site of erstwhile Venus theater on Paper Mills Road in Perambur. The mall is spread over an area of 1,60,000 sq. ft with two levels of retail shopping and a five screen multiplex Chandra Metro Mall is a shopping mall located at Virugambakkam, Chennai. The Mall with a built up area of 1.43 lakh sq. ft. The mall has a five screen multiplex with a capacity of 1300 seats called as Fame National Books edit Chennai has a wide selection of rare books and maps in the many second-hand book stalls. With luck you may end up getting one of the best deals ever. English, Tamil and Hindi books are widely available and sold, other language books are sold by specialised stalls. Alwars Roadside bookshop opposite Kamadhenu theatre in Mylapore. Bookfield . Opposite the LIC building on Anna Salai (Mount Road) Moore Market near Chennai Central Vendors on Mount Road outside Devi Theatre and the GPO (General Post Office) Higginbothams . Anna Salai. Kennedys Book House . Anna Salai. For more current publications Landmark 59. Spencers Plaza, Anna Salai (Mount Road) - Books, Toys, CDs etc. four locations: Spencer Plaza, Anna Salai (Mount Road) - 37,000 sq. ft. Apex Plaza, Nungambakkam High Road - 12,000 sq. ft. - The original store. Chennai Citi Centre, Radhakrishnan Salai Ampa Mall, Injambakkam - newest location Odyssey . Behind Gandhi Nagar Bus Stand, Adyar and Express Avenue, Royapettah Giggles . Connemara Hotel Binny Road - General books from a friendly shop keeper Chennai Book Fair (annual) If you happen to be in Chennai in January, the ChennaiBookFair is an event not to miss. Plan to visit on a weekday as they attract lesser crowds and you can browse through the collections peacefully. If you pick a weekend or holiday, try to visit in the morning instead of the evening. Look through all the shops but it is usually better to skip the marquee stalls and visit the smaller ones which have books stacked all around. You will be rewarded with some great finds as these shops have lesser known but excellent titles from all around the world. Carry cash as many of the smaller shops do not accept creditdebit cards and cash also helps to bargain down the price of the books to some extent. On average, paperback novels in bargain shops cost 100 to 200. A budget of 3000 (around 50) should be enough to purchase a good collection of books. Clothes edit AMAARA 60 2714, C. V. Raman Road, Alwarpet, Chennai - 6000018. 91 9842212173 91 44 45000020. Located in the heart of the city is a quaint little designer boutique - Amaara. Amaara specializes in high quality Indian ready to wear clothing for Women. Their cuts are simple, fashionable amp sophisticated. Amaara clothes use handloom fabrics such as maheswari cottons, tussar silks, jute, hand block printed kalamkari etc. The store is co-owned by sisters Soorya amp Vijayalakshmi, who are usually around at the store to help you out, which adds to the personal touch. Brass Tacks 61. 7713, Corporation Shopping Complex, C. P. Ramaswamy Road, Alwarpet, 91 44 4208 1767. Contemporary clothing from natural fibres for women. FabIndia . 62. The Ilford House location at 3 Woods Road is probably the best in terms of choices and selections. This is the place to go for all your natural-dyed, hand loomed and hand made textiles. The prices have been going up the last few years, but FabIndia is the only source for this sort of textile in Chennai at any retail outlet. Just Casuals . Nungambakkam, 1, Sterling Road, 91 044 28273882. A good place to head if youre in the mood for the Banana RepublicAbercrombieOld NavyGap type stuff. They seem to get all the export rejects or overstocks. Youll find that all the brand tags are cut out due to some agreement with the manufacturer. The quality and prices are good, but unfortunately theres no bargaining possible. Handloom Exhibitions . Year-round there is always a handloom exhibition profiling the work of one state or the other. These temporary installations (youll have to check the local papers to find out where they set up) generally have a good selection of interesting fabrics and textile products. And there is always the option to bargain, which makes it a better bet than oft-overpriced retail stores. The Royapettah YMCA (across from Royapettah Hospital) has a regular handloom exhibition. Crafts edit Poombukar . 108 Anna Salai, Plandmark. ( opposite the LIC building in Annasalai and next to Higgingbothams book store ). They sell handicrafts. Amethyst . Sundar Mahal, Padmavathi Rd, Jeypore Colony, Gopalapuram, 91 44 2820 3582. They sell handicrafts. Victoria Technical institute 63. located very close to Spencer Plaza and a few minutes by walk from Express Avenue. They have a huge display of handicraft items, paintings, wood carvings and metal work statues. Ashvita - Arts and Artifacts . 11 2nd St, Radhakrishnan Salai, Mylapore, 91 44 2847 6063. Art, jewellery, photo prints. Crafts and Weaves . 1, 1st Main Road, CIT Colony, Mylapore. 91 44 2466 0232. Handicrafts. Giri Stores . Adjacent to Kabaleeswarar Temple, ( opposite the Radha Silk Emporium, Mylapore Tank ). Hindu spiritual items like Rudraksha garlands, books, CDs amp tapes for chanting, incense sticks, camphor and lamps. Hidesign . Ispahani Centre, Nungambakkam High Rd amp Phase 3, Spencers Plaza. 64. Leather goods. Vimonisha Art Gallery . 12 Khadar Nawaz Khan Rd. Handicrafts. Jidoka Store . 1st Lane, Nungambakkam High Rd, 91 44 2822 3516, 91 44 2822 3317. Handicrafts. Poppat Jamals . Mount Rd Anna Salai, ( opp. Spencers Plaza ). Crockery. Manasthala . 12 Cenotaph Rd, 91 44 2433 2842. Terracotta ceramics. Art galleries edit Prakrit Art Gallery . Dhandayuthapani Nagar, 2nd St, Kotturpuram, 91 44 42188989, 65 . Lakshmi Ethiraj Art Gallery . 70 1st Main Rd, CIT Nagar, 91 44 4359 223. Raasi Art Gallery . 1 Anna Ave, Bakthavatsala Nagar, Adayar, 91 44 2441 0389. Apparao Galleries . 7th St, Wallace Garden, 91 44 2827 226. Contemporary arts and crafts showroom . 41 CP Ramaswamy Rd, Alwarpet, 91 44 2499 7069, 91 44 2466 0159. Chennai Studio . 222 Peters Rd, Royapettah, 91 44 98405 43420, 66 . Sarees edit Revathy Stores, No. 78, RK Mutt Rd, ( Luz Bazaar Building ), 91 44 24934328. Small store with a wide variety of Kalyani and Indian hand-loomed sarees. Aavaranaa . 15, Ashoka Street, Alwarpet, 91 44 24988292. Vardhrams and Sons Silks . Harington Rd, Chetpat. Radha Silk Emporium (Rasi) . Silk sarees, ethnic wear, arts amp crafts in multiple locations. 1 Sannadhi St, Mylapore, 91 44 2494 1906 827, Dhun Building, Mount Rd, 91 44 2852 0251 23 1st Main Rd, Nanganallur, 91 44 2232 4176 Shilpi . 29 C. P. Ramaswamy Rd, Alwarpet. Jewelry edit Joyalukkas . TNagar. Vummidi Bangaru Jewellery . Nungambakkam, also a location TNagar. Bapalal Jewellers . Kakani Towers, Cathedral Road. KANISHK . TNagar. Music edit Sapthaswara Musicals . Features Western and Indian musical instruments. Shruthi Musicals . 10 Harleys Rd, Kilpauk, 91 44 2660 3630. Sruthilayais . 93 Royapettah High Rd, Mylapore, 91 44 2499 4045,91 44 2498 2625. Musical instruments. Lakshman shruthi . Vadapalani Signal, Vadapalani. Musical instruments, CDs. In addition to these there are several exhibitions at Das Community Hall (Cathedral Rd), Shankara Hall (TTK Rd) where artisans display their work. Check the local newspapers for details and timings. Eat edit add listing Chennai has numerous restaurants, offering an assortment of cuisine. The beach restaurants are well maintained and serve great food during the evenings. The eat outs in Chennai range from budget, midrange and to up-market. There are swanky star quality restaurants, plain open traditional vegetarian or non vegetarian restaurants - where you share a table with strangers, street stalls, tea kadais, fast food centers, western fast food centers, food courts, coffee shops, bakeries. Vegetarian restaurants serve tiffin and vegetarian meals. There are also a number of restaurants that serve a variety of Tamil, Andhra and Kerala vegetarian and non-vegetarian fare. Many of these restaurants have nowadays diversified and offer other Indian and Indianized Chinese dishes as well. Usually the check includes a service charge, written next to S. C. If no service charge is added, it is customary to leave a moderate tip. Budget edit Hot soup stand outside Santhome, Chennai All these budget eateries serve only vegetarian food and are very cheap. DOJO KULFIS . A must visit for Traditional Indian desert - Kulfis, Ice creams, Faloodas, Smoothies amp Coolers. Situated in Kutchery Road, Mylapore and Ennore. They supply their products to most of the hotels, restaurants, food courts. Contact 91 99620 22850, maildojokulfis, dojokulfis. Eat N Drink. 570-N, Anna Salai, Teynampet ( next to Courtyard Marriott ). South Indian fast food, from masala dosas to uttapam and pongal. Fast, cheap, tasty and hygienic. Rs 20-40. 160edit Geetha Caf . Pondy Bazaar. South Indian tiffin. Hot Chips . T. Nagar and Anna Nagar for budget priced South Indian tiffin, including North Indian chaat (snack) items. Kebab Junction . Royapettah, NV, opp. Express Ave, ( near Melody theatre ), Karpagambal Mess . Mylapore, ( opposite the Kapaleeswarar temple ). Cheap and authentic South Indian Food. Komalas . Kodambakkam High Rd. South Indian fast food. Mansuks . T. Nagar. Best for Bombay Chaat, Lassi and an unlimited Gujarati Thali. Palimar . Parsn Complex, Mount Rd, Anna Salai. South Indian cuisine. Rathna Cafe . Triplicane. also Thiruvanmiyur, ( opposite the RTO ). For fluffy hot idlis, hot vadai, delicious pongal dripping in ghee and accompanied by sambhar. Quality maintained for more than 100 years. More expensive than Murugan Idli shop. Sangeetha . at intersection of Valluvar Kottam High Rd and Nungambakkam High Rd in Nungambakkam Chain of vegetarian restaurants. A mix of good-quality and tasty South Indian, North Indian, and Indo-Chinese cuisine at very reasonable prices. A chain restaurant. Saravana Bhavan . 67. Probably Chennais best known restaurant chain, with 25 branches in Chennai itself (incl. one next to Kapaleeswarar Temple). Pure vegetarian Indian food with high standards of hygiene. Sanjeevanam . New No. 97, Old No.45, Nungambakkam High Road in Nungambakkam, Chennai 91 44 4549 0324. Adyar location: Old No.24, New No.76, B. Venkatarathinam Nagar, Adyar, 68. A popular vegetarian health restaurant that cooks its foods using ayurvedic principles. The food is truly delicious, and the concept is that they are cooked with low amounts of oil, using healthy ingredients. The chain also features Ayurvedic and yogic classes. Sri Krishna Sweets . Mount Rd, Spencers Plaza, Adayar, Anna Salai, also at MG Rd, Shastri Nagar. Indian sweets amp salad bar. North Indian chat (snack) items. The Spice Box . Thiruvanmyur, 91 44 4304 2365. Lunch deliveries and gourmet outdoor catering. Wholesome, innovative lunch-dinner in 6 options is great to try out. Vasantha Bhavan . ( near Vadapalani Bus stand ). Chain of vegetarian restaurants. Mid-range edit Mother Cluckers Cafe . 7, Khader Nawaz Khan Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai. Good food on a tight budget Mother Cluckers Cafe brings to Chennai fabulous Burgers, Pizzas, Waffles, Pancakes and Thick Shakes Meal for 2 - Rs 500 Table Reservations Tele: 91 91761 13893 facebookmothercluckerscafe Dynasty . Harrisons Hotel, (Non-Vegetarian) 315, Valluvarkottam High Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai. Good quality Chinese-Indian cuisine Table Reservations Tele: 91 44 52222777 The Cascade . Quality Inn Sabari, 1. floor, 29 Thirumalai Pillai Road, T. Nagar, Chennai 600 017, Tel: 91 44 2834 3030 Texas Fiesta . (Non-Vegetarian) 172, Shaffee Mohammed Road, off Khader Nawaz Khan Road, Chennai 600006. It is owned and operated by a Tex Mex aficionado who fell in love with this great cuisine while in the USA. Favorite dishes include chicken wings, cream of leeks and potato soup, chicken fajita and grilled tenderloin steak apart from burritos, quesadillas and tortillas. Meal for two would cost about 500. Table Reservations Tele: 91 44 43087882 Amethyst . (Vegetarian),Sundar Mahal, Padmavathi Road, Jeypore Colony, Gopalapuram, Chennai. 91 44 2820 3582. Garden and patio cafe and restaurant with a mix of western (pastas, burgers) and Indian fare. Cuisines served by Amethyst are Coffee and International. It is a nice, cozy, romantic place to chill out on weekends. Their cuisine is nice and so is their interiors. Its a colonial house turned into a restaurant. Highly recommendable. Table Reservations Tele: 91 44 28353581 Curry House: (Non-Vegetarian), 2, Block AB, 11th Avenue, Anna Nagar, Chennai. Hyderabadi, Chettinad, and Kerala delicacies. Good tandoori fare of the Non-Veg variety popular among the punjabis and found all over Delhi is also offered. Open: 12PM to 3PM and 7PM to 11PM. Price range: Meals for two around 350. Table Reservations Tele: 91 44 42611167, 42611168 Dhaba Express . (Non-Vegetarian) 9, Cenotaph Road, Teynampet, Chennai and Nungambakkam High Road, Chennai. Cuisines served by Dhaba Express are North Indian. They serve Chicken Tikka Masala, Mutton Rogan Josh, Tandoori Aloo (starter), Naans and Roomali Rotis. Valet Parking. Open: 11:30 AM to 3:30 PM, 6:30 PM to 1:30 AM. Price range: Meals for two 500. Table Reservations Tele: 91 44 2432 8213. ECR Dhaba . (Non-Vegetarian) 976, Kunnukadu, East Coast Road, Near Muttukadu Boat House, Chennai. Cuisines served by ECR Dhaba are Punjabi Table Reservations Tele: 91 44 27472943, 91 098407 04050. Open: 11:00 AM to 11:45 PM Coastline . (Non-Vegetarian) 118, Dr. Radhakrishnan Salai, Mylapore, Chennai. South Indian Seafood. Freshly done Interiors, slow service but delicious food. Crab Rasam, Prawn or Fish Biryani. Vide variety of sea food offerings. Must try place. Price range: Meals for two 600. Table Reservations Tele: 91 44 28251128 Aiwo . (Vegetarian) . 7 Rosy Towers, Nungambakkam High Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai. Fusion and health foods. Aiwo features a 14-course meal served on a conveyer belt that moves around the room. Various dishes served are supposed to be cooked in olive oil. Healthy tasty food for the health conscious. Resonably priced at 199 per meal inclusive of taxes. Table Reservations Tele:91 044 66514241 Amaravathi . (Non-Vegetarian) . 1 Cathedral Road, Gopalpuram, Chennai. It serves South Indian sea food cuisines and is known for its spicy Andhra food . Their famous Andhra meals, chicken and mutton biryani, Vazahapoo and Keerai Vadi are a must try. Wide range of delicacies includes chilly chicken, chili paneer, momos, soups, burgers, rolls, etc. Punjabi dishes like kadhai chicken, butter chicken, daal makhni, roti, butter naan, paneer butter masala, allu matar etc. Special fish prawns and Amaravathi chicken are the main dishes of the restaurant. Price: Avrg. for 2 persons 500. Seating: 135 covers. Valet Parking and Take away. Open: Seven days a week. 11AM to 11PM. Table Reservations Tele: 91 044 28116416, 28110305 350. Open: 11.30AM to 3.30PM and 7PM to 10.30PM. Table Reservations Tele: Mr. Chinniah 91 044 28340242, 42122176 Anjappar . (Non-Vegetarian) J. P. Tower, 72, Nungambakkam High Road, Chennai 600034. Speciality: Anjappar Popular Meals: White Rice, Chettinad Chicken, Mutton Gravy, Fish Gravy, Sambar, Rasam, Kootu, Porial, Keerai, Curd, Buttermilk, Appalam. Also famous for Spl. Mutton Dum Biriyani, Nattu Koli Biriyani and Chettinaad Fish Masala. Price range: Meals for two 500. Table Reservations Tele: 91 44 28217200, 2825666, 42144573. They have other outlets in Chennai: Anna Nagar: . (91 44 26264111) Chennai Airport-Food Court - Anna International Airport, . (91 44 22561793, 2256194) Near Central Station: (91 44 25382666, 25383334) Egmore . (91 44 42134111, 42179222) Purasaiwalkam . (91 44 42089188, 26400200) TNagar . (91 44 24328444, 24328555) Mylapore . (91 44 24982883,24981226) R. K.Salai . (91 44 28114555, 28114666) Annalakshmi: (Vegetarian) 183, Rukmani Lakshmipathy Road (Marshall road), Sigapi Achi Building I Floor, Adjacent to Raja Muthaiah amp Rani Meyyammai Hall, Egmore, Chennai 600008. This is a must try expensive South Indian food restaurant. Elegant ambience, friendly service and good food. Filling portions served. Best selling dishes - Elumichai Sevai, Badam-saffron milkshake. Elite crowd. Pricy at 1000 for 2 meals. Open: Tuesday to Sunday (Monday weekly holiday) Lunch: 12 Noon to 2.30 PM. Dinner: 7.30 PM. to 9.45 PM. Table Reservations Tele: 91 044 28525109 044 42141210 Anupama Southern Spice . (Non-Vegetarian) 25, 1st Floor, G. N. Chetty Road, Thyagaraya Nagar, Chennai 600017. Specialty Andhra Cuisine. Table Reservations Tele: 91 44 31000733 Hotel Coronet . (Non-Vegetarian) 128, Lattice Bdge Road, Adyar, Chennai 600020. This is one of the oldest restaurants in the area. Very reasonably priced, Coronet is known for its great Mughalai food. Their specialties are the mutton korma with parotha, Ceylon egg parotha, and kheema masala. They also serve Kerala Malabar dishes. Modest ambience. Open: 9 AM to Past midnight. Tele: 91 44 24413446, 91 44 24411915 Madurai Appu . (Non-Vegetarian) 40, Sarojini Street, TNagar, Chennai 600017. Speciality: Authentic Chettinad Cuisine: Known for its Chettinad Chicken Masala, Chicken and Mutton Biryani. Price range: Meals for two 500. Table Reservations Tele: 91 044 2432 8484. They have other outlets in Chennai: Valasaravakkam: . (91 044 2486116624860022) Mugappair: (91 044 2656767626567393) Triplicane . (91 44 28580786, 28591515, 28592929) East Coast Road (ECR - Vettuvankani) . (91 44 24490077, 24491515) Barbeque Nation (BBQ Nation) . T. Nagar. Gallopin Gooseberries . Burgers, Sandwiches and Entres. Has two outlets: 1. 4359,Gatsby Village, Mgr Road, 91 44 24493924 2. 11, Shop 2, 2nd Floor, Greams Road, Landmark: Near Thousand Lights Police Station Phone: 91 44 28291077, 28292190 Gyan Vaishnav . Mount Road, Near Anand Theatre. North Indian Kadalivanam . Mogappair. 69. 100 natural, fully vegetarian restaurant Karaikudi . VeeraRaghava Road, T. Nagar, 91 44 2815 1021. (also at Anna Nagar, Besant Nagar, Mylapore, Thiruvanmiyur) Chettinadu cuisine. Edens . Harrisons Hotel, 315, Valluvarkottam High Road, Nungambakkam. Wonderful Continental cuisine, fully vegetarian. Once Upon A Pirate. . A Pirate Theme Restaurant, Besant Nagar Beach Road, Opp Velankanni Church. 91 44 45511980. Indian Tandoor Chinese Cuisines. Murugans Idli Shop . 2 locations: GN Chetty Road T. Nagar and Besant Nagar. Murugan Idli Shop is a chain restaurant, and the GN Chetty Road shop in particular is a well-kept secret among locals as a purveyor of high-quality food on weekends, there is a long line for entry. The price for one meal is around 20-40 rupees, or around 1. South Indian. Mughals Zaika . Rajaratnam St, Chetpet, Behind Ega Theatre. This is the best place in Chennai for any Kebabs esp. their Juicy Irani Kebabs They also serve the best amp authentic Mughlai Biryani. Great value for money. One drawback (or advantage) is its non-ac, its an open-air restaurant. The price for one meal is around 80 rupees, or around 2. MughlaiPersianAfghaniIrani. Noodle House . A chain restaurant, whoese locations include: 1. Spencers Plaza, Anna Salai (Mount Road) and 2.the Intersection of Sterling Road and Nungambakkam High Road in Nungambakkam. Chinese. Pizzaurant . Velachery Road, Little Mount, Saidapet. Cuisine - Pizza amp Pasta.(Without MSG) Home delivery for nearby areas, Very Indian. Poonamallee . Breeze Hotel, 850, Poonamallee High Road. 91 44 2641 3334, 91 44 2643 0596. Multicuisine Ponnusamy . Commander-in-Chief Road (opp Ethiraj College), Egmore. Chettinadu cuisine Rangis . Nungambakkam High Road, Nungambakkam. Chinese. Swati and Swayam . at Saravana Bhavan, Peters Road. South Indian. Sparkys . located in Egmore, is an American diner operated by an American expatriate settled in Chennai. Mexican, Italian and American food. Prices range from 70-150 rps for a meal.70 Splurge edit Peshwari . Sheraton Chola Hotel, Cathedral Road, Chennai 600 086. The award winning Peshawari is the Indian specialty restaurant with the rugged flavours of the North-West Frontier and the art of tandoori cooking. The food is cooked in clay ovens or tandoor in the traditional style which is viewed through the open kitchen. (5 Star Hotel) Rated Expensive. Table Reservations Tele: 91 44 28110101 Mainland China . Hotel Tulip Aruna, 144145, Sterling Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai.( 4 Star Hotel) The restaurant chain serves authentic cuisine from the major provinces of China. Table Reservations Tele: 91 044 28238345, 044 39155261, 044 39155256 Shanghai Club . Hotel Chola Sheraton, 13,Cathedral Road, Chennai 600086. Well known for its most authentic Chinese Cuisine. Live three piece band. (5 Star Hotel) Rated Expensive. Table Reservations Tele: 91 44 28110101 Shansi Chinese amp Tandoori Restaurant . AnnaNagar - Indian and Chinese - 26213109 Cafe Mercara In Chola Sheraton Hotel, 13,Cathedral Road, Gopalapuram, Chennai - 600086. Coffee Boutique which serves an amazing array of coffees and tea from around the world - Burgers, pizzas, salads and snacks. (5 Star Hotel) Rated Expensive. Table Reservations Tele: 91 44 24322640 91 44 28110101 Cilantro . Coffee Shop Restaurant of Le Royal Mridien,1 GST Road, St. Thomas Mount, Chennai-600016. The restaurant serves continental, Indian, South Indian, Italian, Arabic Shawarmas, Chinese, Thai and a teppanyaki grill of Japanese Cuisine. Open: 24 hrs. Table Reservations Tele: 91 44 22314343, 91 44 43534545 The Residency . Park Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Chamiers Road, Alwarpet, Chennai. Lavish buffet and an international a la carte menu. In a gracious setting reminiscent of the Edwardian era. Live music. Open: 12.30 PM to 2.45 PM, 7.30 PM to 11.45 PM. Table Reservations Tele: 91 44 2499 4101 Grill and Indian Cuisine Pergola . The Accord Metropolitan Hotel, 35, G N Chetty Road, T Nagar - The highest open to sky restaurant in the city - Featuring GrillsIndian cuisines - Hours of operation 19:00 Hrs - Midnight - Seating capacity 120 covers - Table Reservations Tele: 91 44 28161000, 43911000. Bella Ciao - Lounge Beach Garden, 4, Shri Krishna Enclave, Kottivakkam, Chennai - 600041, Italian-owned and run, authentic Italian food. The famous wood fired oven pizza, home made pastas, steaks and salads. Table Reservations Tele: 91 44 24511130 Little Italy . Italian Restaurant, Eldorado No 112, Nungambakam High Road, Chennai-600034. Italian classic cuisine with a perfect wine. Chefs favourites: Pizza Mellino, Pasta del Fattore and In Wines - Brunello di Montalcino. Table Reservations Tele: 91 44 42601234, 42601230 Prego . Taj Coromandel, Nungambakkam High Road, Nungambakkam. 91 44 5500 2827. Gourmet Italian dining, replaced Patio Rhapsody . Courtyard Marriott, 564 Anna Salai, Teynampet. 91 44 66764499. Authentic Italian restaurant with an attached lounge. Akasaka . Suraj Towers, Ground Floor, 128 L. B. Road, Behind Jayanthi Theatre, Thiruvanmiyur. Japanese Chef, The ambeince is Japanese - low seating and all that. Own fishing boat, excellent sushi and sashimi. Very Expensive-- figure on over 1000 for a meal here. Table Reservations Tele: 91 44 24453424, 24456493 Arirang Korean Restaurant - Dr Thirumurthy Nagar 91 Main Road Nungambakkam, Nungambakkam, Chennai-600034. Table Reservations Tele: 91 44 28233739 Lebanese and Middle Eastern Delicacies Cedars . Wallace Garden Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai - 600085. Dim lit ambience is beautiful with exquisite furnishing in Mediterranean style. They serve the most authentic Lebanese, Middle Eastern delicacies and some interesting Mediterranean cuisines. Table Reservations Tele: 91 44 42182397 Don Pepes . 73, Cathedral Road, Gopalapuram, Chennai. Mexican. Located above Hot Breads as an extension, They are best known for their fajitas (sizzlers) and enchiladas (a tortilla wrap with some Mexican rice). Rated Expensive. Open: 12:00 to 2:45 PM, 7:00 to 11:45 PM. Table Reservations Tele: 91 44 28221461 Entree Restaurant 71. Located in Emall hotel, Express Avenue Mall, Gate No 1, Pattullous Road, Anna Salai, Chennai 600 002.Tele: 91 044 28463333, 91 044 28463358. 100160 Vegetarian multi-cuisine restaurant in Chennai. Serves a delectable fare from all around the world - Thai soup, Mexican main course, Indian spice tadka, French pastry for deserts. Citrus . Savera Hotels Ltd. 146, Dr. Radhakrishnan Road, Mylapore, Chennai - 600004. Multi-cuisine - featuring Mediterranean barbeque and Norwegian smoked salmon. Table Reservations Tele: 91 44 28114700 Cream Centre . 55, 2nd Main Road, Raja Annamalaipuram, Chennai - 600028.(Near Kaliappa Hospital)Cream Centre offers a wide range of vegetarian food choices - North Indian and Mexican, to American, Italian and even Lebanese. Nachos, Channa Bhatura, American Corn Cheese Ball, Sizzlers amp Sizzling Brownie. A specialty here is the Mera Thali, where you have a choice of dishes from which you can make your own thali. Open: 11:00 AM to 3:30 PM, 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM (11:00 AM to 11:00PM on Weekends). Table Reservations Tele: 91 044 42815777, 91 044 42815776. Seasons . The Accord Metropolitan Hotel, 35, G. N. Chetty Road, T Nagar, Chennai - Extensive Buffets featuring cuisines from all over the world - Oriental to Italian, Continental to Indian, and Global A la Carte - Open: 24 Hrs. Seating capacity 65 covers - Breakfast buffet 07:00 - 10:30 Hrs - Lunch buffet 12:30 - 15:00 Hrs - Dinner buffet 19:30 - 23:00 Hrs - Table Reservations Tele: 91 44 28161000, 43911000 Copper Chimney . 74, Cathedral Road, Gopalapuram, Chennai. (Opposite the Chola Sheraton). Mainly North Indian and Iranian inspired dish. Specialities: Bagani Bahar, Paneer Musselum. Rated expensive. Open: 12:00 to 3:00 PM, 7:00 to 12:00 PM. Table Reservations Tele: 91 44 28115770, 28114941 The Great Kabab Factory . Radisson G R T Hotel, G. S.T. Road, St Thomas Mount, Chennai, 600016. Specialities: Galoutti Kabab, Tangri and Murgh Malai Kababs, Fish and Mutton Kababs. They serve alcohol and have valet parking. Pricing: Rated expensive. Open: 12:00PM to 2:45PM, 7:00PM to 11:45PM, Table Reservations Tele: 91 44 22310101 Navaratna . Le Royal Meridien, Le Royal Mridien,1 GST Road, St. Thomas Mount, Chennai-600016. Indian restaurant serving Royal Indian Cuisine. Live Ghazal performances. A Private dining room is available for up to 12 persons and an intimate bar for pre-dinner drinks. Rated very expensive. Open: For Lunch from 12.00 Noon to 3.00 PM amp For Dinner from 7.00 to 11.45PM. Table Reservations Tele: 91 44 22314343, 91 44 43534545 Tandoor . Quality Inn Aruna Hotel, 4th Floor, 144 amp 145, Sterling Road, Nungambakkam. Chennai - 600034. Specialties: North Indian, Punjabi, Tandoori and Mongolian amenities: outdoor seating and valet parking. Serves alcohol. Table reservations Tele: 91 44 28262626, 91 44 28283636. Kayal . Seafood Restaurant of Le Royal Meridien, 1, G. S.T. Road, St. Thomas Mount. Chennai 600016. Specialities: Coriander Prawn, Seafood Platter, Kadia Lobster, Prawn Biryani. Nice complimentary garlic bread with butter. Rated very expensive. Open: 7:00 to 11:30 PM. Table reservations Tele: 91 44 22314343, 91 44 43534545 Dakshin . Park Sheraton Hotel and Towers, 132, T. T.K. Road, Alwarpet, Chennai. South Indian Cuisines - Dakshin offers the rare pleasures of ethnic coastal and regional cuisines. The choicest cuisine of the four southern states served in a regal setting. Live Carnatic music. Expensive but excellent food - Starters include traditional, kuli paniyaram. Try the Idi Appam or Appam with mutton stew. Desert: Kulfi. Open: 12.30 to 2.45 PM, 7.30 to 11.45 PM. Table reservations Tele: 91 44 24994101. Southern Spice . Taj Coromandel, Nungambakkam High Road, Nungambakkam. 91 44 55002827. Benjarong . 146, TTK Road, Alwarpet, Chennai 600018, The authentic flavor of Thailand. Seating capacity 68 covers. Open: 12.15 PM to 2.45 PM and 7.15 PM to 11.45 PM. Table reservations Tele: 91 44 24322640 Drink edit add listing Chennai is a difficult place in which to drink. Government rules state that only establishments with a minimum of 21 bedrooms can obtain a barliquor license. Hence there are no standalone bars or pubs here. All the bars that are around are part of a hotel and are far apart. This makes traditional drinking activities like pub crawling an impossibility. Drinking is a habit of two social classes in India: the lower sections of the society and the highest. As a result, you will either find dingy places or exceptionally classy ones. Government run liquor stores called TASMAC are all over the place but, in general, not at all a pleasant experience. They usually have rude staff, are filthy and do not have the brand of your choice. Also, they tend to mark up each bottle by 5 to 10 over the listed price. Go for it if you want a one time war-like experience in order to obtain some booze. Clubs and discotheques may be thought to be a rarity in conservative Chennai, but there are plenty and the list is growing. Compared to other cities, Chennai has no curfews over closing hours, so theoretically they can be open 24hours, but most clubs and bars close by 3am. Most bars double as night clubs. Budget edit The Pub . Liberty Park Hotel, 1st Main Road, Kodambakkam, Ph - 24725950 Paradise Bar . Aruna Hotel, 20 South Usman Road, T Nagar, Chennai - 600017, Ph - 243465650834 Nandini Palace . 14, Giri Rd, Lakshimi Colony, T. Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600017, India, Ph - 91 44 4212 Mid-range edit Bike and Barrel . Residency Towers, T. Nagar. Nice ambience there are 2 levels-lower level for couples and upper level for stags. Nice sitting arrangement, but can get crowded. Expect to spend around 1000 for 2 people for drinks and food. Champagne amp Cider . Grand Orient, Anna Salai (Mount Road). Crystal . Hotel Ranjit, Nungambakkam High road, Nungambakkam. Grammy . Hotel Sabhari, Thirumala Pillai Road, T. Nagar, Ph - Platinum . (Formerly HFO), Hotel Quality inn Aruna, Sterling Road, Nungambakkam Hudson . Harrisons Hotel, 315, Valluvarkottam High Road, Nungambakkam, Ph - 42222777 Has two levels. Hudson Upper and H2O. Cramped seating providing very little privacy. The liquor stable is limited to the local brands and a bottle or two of Scotch. Society . Hotel Ambassador Pallava, Montieth road, Egmore, Ph - 28554476 Pretty small. Crowd is predominantly hotel guests. Attire is business casual and drinks are a little pricy. Diesel . G. N Chetty Road, T. Nagar Cambridge . Hotel Dee Cee Manor, GN Chetty Road, T. Nagar Million Dollars . Hotel Ambica Empire, 100 Feet road, Vadapalani Star Rock . Kodambakkam High Road (Next to Palmgrove hotel), Nungambakkam Zero bar . Quality Inn Sabari, ground floor, 29 Thirumalai Pillai Road, T. Nagar, Chennai - 600 017 Splurge edit OPM - Nightclub . The Accord Metropolitan, 35,G. N.Chetty Road, TNagar, Chennai - Open: 18:00 Hrs Onwards. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays but available for private events. Information and Reservations: Tele: 91 44 28161000 43911000 Zodiac - Lounge Bar . The Accord Metropolitan, 35,G. N.Chetty Road, TNagar, Chennai - Popular labels, ingenious cocktails, rare blends of liquor amp a wide selection of hot and cold canaps. Open: Monday to Friday:16:00-23:00 Hrs, Saturday amp Sunday:11.00-23.00 Hrs - Seating capacity 76- Information and Reservations: Tele: 91 44 28161000 43911000 Geoffreys - The Pub, Radha Regent (formerly - Radha Park Inn), 171, Jawaharlal Nehru Salai, Inner Ring Road, Arumbakkam, Chennai 600106. Decor is a mix of British and American - very contemporary and trendy looking - pool tables, swinging DJs and live shows. An area of 2700 sq ft with 97 covers which makes it the largest of its kind in the city. Open: 4 pm to 11 pm on all days. Information and reservations: Tele: 91 44 66778899 The Westminister . Park Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Chamiers Road, Alwarpet. 91 44 2499 4101. Zara . Cathedral Road. Dublin . Park Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Chamiers Road, Alwarpet, Ph - 24994101 Durrants Bar . Chola Sheraton, Cathedral Road, Ph - 28110101 Distil Bar . Taj Connemara, Binny Road Leather Bar . The Park, Nungambakkam High Road The largest liquor stable in Chennai - includes hard to source Moet amp Chandon, Glenfiddich and a variety of other scotch. Loud Music. The Rain Bar . Hotel Raintree, St. Marys Road, Alwarpet The Havana . Hotel Raintree, St. Marys Road, Alwarpet 10 Downing Street Kences Inn Hotel, North Boag Road, T Nagar Elixir Lounge Bar 72 Located in Emall hotel, Express Avenue Mall, Gate No 1, Pattullous Road, Anna Salai, Chennai 600 002.Tele: 91 044 2846 3333, 91 044 2846 3392. Indulge yourself with some of our fine liquor, exotic cocktails and amazing concoctions, along with an eclectic choice of delicious finger food and savory cuisine from all over the world. Local Specialities - Soft Drinks edit Tender Coconut Definitely try a tender coconut on a hot summers day. Available on roadside stalls at 20 a coconut. NeerMoar Spicy butter milk, with local seasoning. Available at most South Indian restaurants. Fruit Bizz ( Adyar signal ), left corner building from ananda bhavan road to guindy. This is one of the best juice shops very famous in adyar region. Shop open from morning 10 am till 1am. 30-50. 160edit DOJO KULFIS Definite visit for Kulfis, Ice creams, Faloodas, Smoothies amp coolers. Situated in Kutchery Road, Mylapore and Ennore. They also supply to leading restaurants, hotels and food courts. Contact 91 99620 22850, maildojokulfis, dojokulfis Sleep edit add listing Alcove Service Apartments Chennai. Anandapuram, Off Dr. Ranga Road, Mylapore. Chennai 600004. 91-9900578231 (stayalcove. co. in ), 73. Single room. Independent 3 or 4 BHK Apartments, Air-conditioned rooms, Lounge and dining area and independent bathrooms, TV, fully furnished kitchen with refrigerator, microwave, toaster, mixer, grinder and gas stove complimentary breakfast, free wi-fi internet 160edit Broadlands lodging house No 18, Vallabha Agraharam Street, (opp. Star Theatre) Triplicane - a travellers institution which is very popular with the backpacker crowd, leafy courtyard, a rustic feel to the whole hotel, good rooms are situated to the back of the hotel and one of the most recommended rooms are room 43 and 44 which are roof cottages. Rooms start at 400 for single without ensuite and 450 for single ensuite. Great place to get over your jet-lag and get acclimatized to india. Walking distance from the beach and 10 minute rickshaw ride to most places you would like to see in Chennai-email: broadlandshotelyahoo. Kanchi . C-in-C Road, Egmore Old Woodlands ,(a. k.a Royapettah WoodlandsWoodlands Hotel that is next to Woodlands Theatre) in Royapettah. Phone: 91 44 2848 2150, 91 44 2848 2152. Little known, but an excellent place to stay. The hotel building is at least one hundred years old and stands in the middle of sprawling grounds and surrounded by massive trees. The main building was once the palace of Raja of Ramnad. The auto-rickshawstaxis will not tell you about the place as the hotel does not pay a commission to middlemen. Pay no more than 40 rupees to get there from the railway station. New Woodlands Hotel . 74 It is sometimes crowded and a tad busy. There is a nice quiet art gallery and cafe nearby, the ashvitha cafe. Recommended for those wanting to slow down and soak in the pace of life in Chennai. Theaters and shopping arcades are close by. Sri Krishna Residency . Ph: 044 24643617 South mada street. Mylapore. Hotel Karpagam International, Ph: 24613701, South mada street, Mylapore. Hotel Regent . 11 Kennet Lane. Phone: 91 44 2825 3347. Zam Zam Guest House. 91 4442664508. checkin: 24 hrs checkout: 24 hrs. Newly built with clean spotless rooms and nice staff. It is located about 100m behind Thaj Regency Hotel on the small street. Look for the black marble entrance and sign. All rooms have bath, fan, sat TV, intercom and wifi, although from the third floor up you may have difficult time getting the signal. Squat toilets only. No mosquito nets on the windows. Official prices start from Mid-range edit 2925) means two single beds. Comfort Inn Marina Towers . 2A Ponniamman Koiil Street Egmore, Phone: 91 44 2858 5454, Fax: 91 44 2858 5454, 75 Dakshin . Venkatnarayana Road, Near Nandanam Signal, T. Nagar Dee-Cee Manor . GN Chetty Road, T. Nagar GRT Grand Days Grand Orient . Anna Salai (Near Anand Theatre) Harrisons . 315, Valluvarkottam High Road, Nungambakkam, Ph - 91 44 5222 2777 Imperial Serviced Apartment . 11 Harrington Road, Chetpet, Chennai - 600031. Highly recommended and suitable for both long term as well as short term stays 91 98417 42520 76 . Lemon Tree Hotel, Chennai . Sardal Patel Rd, Guindy, 77 . Somerset Greenways Chennai. No 94 Sathyadev Avenue, MRC Nagar. Located just 10 minutes from the central business district in Chennai, you can travel conveniently throughout the city while enjoying the comforts of home with designer layouts, furnishings and facilities presented at these contemporary serviced apartments. 160edit The Raintree Hotel. 636, Anna Salai, Teynampet, Chennai, India 600035. 4443939999. 78. Located in the city centre of Chennai, India, the modern Raintree Hotel features 105 contemporary guest rooms, Jacuzzi, bamboo wood flooring, flat screen TV and high speed internet. ( 13.0339982. -80.2440313 ) 160edit Opposite the Raj Bhavan. 1500-2800 plus taxes. Peninsula . GN Chetty Road, T. Nagar President . Radhakrishna Salai, Mylapore Raj Residency. 22 Kennet Lane, Egmore ( 2 min walk from the Egmore railway station ), 81. USD 17-147. 160edit Ranjit . Nungambakkam High Road, Residency . GN Chetty Road, T. Nagar Residency Towers . Boag Road, T. Nagar Westin Park . Montieth Road, Egmore Aspni Inn. 77 Jawaharlal Nehru Road, 100 Feet Road, Vadapalani, Chennai - 600 026, Tamilnadu, India. 91 44 2362 2284. 82. Aspni Inn the Luxury amp Business class hotel is situated nearby Chennai Metropolitan Bus Terminus and Vadapalani Lord Murugan Temple. Aspni Inn has 51 Luxurious Rooms. Rates start at 1000. 160edit Aloft by Starwood Hotels - 83 - 102 Rajiv Gandhi Salai, Sholinganallur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600 119 - Opened 1 July 2010 - from Best Guest House. 29 amp 31 South Usman Road, Corner of Damodaran Street, Opp, T. Nagar Bus Terminus, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600017 ( opposite T Nagar Bus Terminus ), 91-44-24360717 24360718. checkin: 24 hours checkout: 24 hours. Double and triple ac and non-ac rooms with bathrooms and cable TV. 300-1,000. ( 13 2 0.48. 80 13 50.45 ) 160edit Splurge edit The closest hotels to the airport are The Trident . Le Royal Meridian . Hilton and Radisson GRT Hotel all five star properties. The Accord Metropolitan . 35, G N Chetty Road, T Nagar, Tel: 91 44 2816 10004391 1000, Fax: 91 44 2816 1001, 84 ,85. Chennais Premier Five Star Hotel. Ambassador Pallava . 30, Montieth Road, Egmore, tel: 91 44 2855 4476, Fax: 91 44 2855 4492, pallavaambassadorindia. 86. Reasonable value and friendly staff. My Fortune . Cathedral Road, tel: 91 44 2811 0101, Fax: 91 44 2811 0202, 87 . Courtyard Chennai. 564, Anna Salai. 91-44-66764000. 88. Known by locals simply as the Marriott . this is a gorgeous, recently renovated business hotel located on the western edge of the city core, near the airport. Two restaurants, gym, no pool. 7100 and up. 160edit Hyatt Regency . 365 Anna Salai, Teynampet, tel: 91 44 6100 1235, 89 . ITC Hotel Park Sheraton amp Towers . T. T.K. Road, Alwarpet, tel: 91 44 2499 4101, Fax: 91 44 2499 7101, 90 . Le Royal Meridian . Business District, 1 GST Road, St. Thomas Mount (Near Kathipara Junction), tel: 91 44 2231 4343, Fax: 91 44 2231 4344, 91 . The Park . 601 Anna Salai (next to the Anna Flyover), tel: 91 44 5214 4000, Fax: 91 44 5214 4100, 92. Modern style with a film theme. Radisson GRT Hotel . Radisson GRT Hotel, 531, GST Road, St. Thomas Mount (Near Kathipara Junction), tel: 91 44 2231 0101. Taj Connamera . Binny Road, tel: 91 44 5500 0000, 93 . Taj Coromandel . 37, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Nungambakkam, tel: 91 44 5500 2827, 94 . Trident Chennai . 124, G. S.T. Road, tel: 91 44 2234 4747, Fax: 91 44 2234 4555, chennaitrident-hilton. 95 . Emall Hotel (E hotel, Chennai) 96. Express Avenue Mall, Gate 1, Patullos Road, Tel: 91 44 2846 3333, e-mail: bookingsemallhotel. A chic and trendy boutique hotel at the business hub of Chennai located in Express Avenue Mall. Specious rooms, 24 hours Wi-Fi connectivity, the 40 LED TV, global vegetarian restaurant, mini bar and an electronic safe. Stay safe edit Chennai is generally a safer area of India in terms of crime, although pickpocketing, muggings, and robberies sporadically occur. Keep your doors and windows shut and locked at night and do not carry or display large amounts of cash if possible. It is advisable for women, especially unaccompanied ones, to dress modestly and limit their interaction with unfamiliar local men. Foreigners were generally overcharged by auto-rickshaws simply because they were ignorant of the prevailing fares and are still now. However with recent regulations coming in from 2013, it is compulsory for autos to run on meters. The minimum standard rate is Rs 251.8 km, over which Rs. 12.50km. In the night (10.00 PM o 6.00 AM) the fares are charged 50 extra. It is necessary to confirm whether the driver knows the exact destination. Autos, as auto-rickshaws are known in Chennai, are notorious for fleecing customers, tourists and locals alike so before getting into an auto ask if the driver will set the meter on. Be alert to your surroundings and watch where you step, especially if you get caught in a large crowd where it is difficult to look at what is in front of you. Cross streets extremely carefully as traffic is generally heavy. On major roads, use the underground crossings (locally called subways). Avoid using underground road-crossing subways in the night or if you notice them to be empty. Traffic signals are frequently ignored by drivers and pedestrians alike, and it is not at all advisable for tourists to try driving in Chennai. Stay healthy edit While in Chennai it is advisable to drink only bottled water . Do not trust water from small local restaurants as it may be from the tap, and avoid cold or iced drinks that are not commercially sold (Bigger chains of eateries and juice shops can be trusted to an extent). Eating fresh vegetables and fruits that have sat outside in the presence of insects can also be unhealthy, although bananas and coconuts are usually safe because they are opened only immediately before eating. Hot drinks in restaurants such as tea, coffee, and other local specialties are safe, as are packagedbottled drinks such as Aquafina water, Frooti (a popular local mango drink) and others. If you have access to a stove, boiling tap water before drinking is also an option. Never eat from roadside shops as the food is prepared in the most unhygienic conditions. Chennai summers are humid and sultry its better to step out with an umbrella . bottled water and some oral rehydration salts (available from pharmacies, the brand name is Electral). These come in handy if you happen to get dehydrated. Chennai is the medical capital of South East Asia. Hospitals edit Apollo Hospitals . Greams Lane, Off Greams Road, Nungambakkam Tel - 28293333 Aysha Hospital . 91A Millers Rd. Tel: 26426930. Balaji Hospital G. S.T Road, Guindy, Tel - 22345282 New Hope Medical Centre . Kilpauk, Tel - 25321532, 97 CSI Rainy Hospital . Royapuram, Tel - 25951329 Hindu Mission Hospital . 103, G. S.T. Road, Tambaram West, Tel: 22262244, 98 . Madras Medical Mission . Moggapair 37 -26565961 91, 99 . Ramachandra Hospital . Porur Tel:91 44 2476 8403 Dr. Kamakshi memorial Hospital . No1, Radial Road, pallikaranai, Chennai 600 100 100 Dr. Mehtas Hospital, No2,McNichols Road,3rd Lane, Chetpet, Chennai 31-Tel:4227100042271004 Devaki Hospitals . Opposite to Rangachari cloth store mylapore Pharmacies edit Kanthi Pharmacy . No 12,L. B.Road, Adyar, Chennai-20 ph: 24915410 Apollo Pharmacy . All Over the City Health amp Glow . Spencers Plaza (Phase 3), Mount Road Nungambakkam High Road Madras Medical Mission . 24 Hr. Pharmacy, Mogappiar, Chennai-37 101 The Psychotherapy Clinic ,261, Arcot Street, T.nagar, Chennai 600 017 102 MY MOTHER PHARMACY, E.B. COLONY, CHENNAI-88 Contact edit Landlines edit BSNL 103 and Airtel 104 Reliance, Tata, are main providers of terrestrial telephone lines in Chennai. You can make long distance calls from one of the many booths that display NSDISD i. e. National Subscriber Dialing (National Long Distance) and International Subscriber Dialing (International Long Distance). Calling cards are also available with these providers which are considerably cheap. Mobile Phones edit Cell phone rates are one of the cheapest in the world. GSM service providers: BSNL 105 GSM Triband with 3G services AirTel 106 GSM Triband with 3G and 4G services Vodafone 107 GSM Triband with 3G services AirCel 108 GSM Triband with 3G services Reliance GSM launced in 2009 Tata DOCOMO GSM launched in 2009 Idea GSM launched in 2009 and providing 3G services MTS CDMA launched in 2009 mtsindia. in You can buy a sim card with a photo and a copy of your passport. For making long distance calls Aircel is cheaper with 49 card calls to US and Canada will be 1.50Min. this will work only in home network. For other destinations Please check with operator. CDMA service providers are Reliance 109 , TATA Indicom 110. Virgin Mobile and MTS . Starter packs and top-up cards can be picked up from numerous outlets. Seemles roming across the country is provided by all providers. Internet edit There are several internet cafes from where you can access the internet for sending email or uploading your digital photos. Reliance WebWorld . incorporating JavaGreen coffee shops, Spencers Plaza, Anna Salai (Mount Road) TTK Road, Alwarpet, Besant Nagar, L. B.Road, Adyar. The TTK Road branch has free wifi if you use the coffee shop. Sify iway . 111 Several of them in the city Apart from that you can access Internet provided in your hotel or if you are staying long you can buy Internet packs from all mobile providers. Cope edit ATMs edit ATMs are commonplace, you will not be more than 200m from an ATM. Most international creditdebit cards are charged a transaction fee of 150 on top of whatever your bank charges except if they have an agreement of some kind with local banks. Major exception to this rule is State Bank of India, which does not add any transaction fee. Bank Jerman . 114, Kothari Building, Nungambakkam High Road, Nungambakkam - Part of Global ATM Alliance. BNP Paribas . Prince Towers, 3rd Fl, 2526, College Road, Chennai 12 American Express . Near Anand Theatre, Anna Salai (Mount Road) Citibank . Opp Spencers Plaza, Anna Salai, GN Chetty Road, Opposite Citi Centre, Velachery Highway, Nanganallur ABN Amro . Harrington Road, Opp Residency Hotel on GN Chetty Road, Adyar - Sardar Patel Road, TTK Road HSBC . Adyar, Mylapore, Pondy Bazzar, Tidel Park, Kadar Nawaz Khan Road, Annanagar, Rajaji Salai, Kathipara Junction Andhra BANK . All over Chennai HDFC Bank . ITC Centre, Anna Salai (Mount Road),Anna Nagar(West) All over Chennai ICICI Bank . All over Chennai Axis Bank . All over Chennai Standard Chartered Bank . Haddows Road State Bank of India . All over Chennai. They have an ATM locator online Indian Overseas Bank . All over Chennai Indian bank, All over chennai Oriental Bank of Commerce, Adyar LB Road, Mylapore, G N Chetty Road, T Nagar Money changers edit Many hotels will change money for you at the front desk. However, they may not have the best rates. It is best to change money at the city based money changers than the ones located at the airports. The ones at the airport offer much less for exchanging forex into Indian Rupees and sell forex for a much higher rate than the market rate. American Express . Spencers Plaza, Anna salai Thomas Cook . Spencers Plaza, Anna salai Beauty parlors amp hair salons edit Celeste Beauty Salon . Spencer Plaza,(Mobile -9941130508) F-26. Phase 1, First floor. Chennai 600002 Ayush . Anna Nagar (Ph - 262231022622344626203862), Kilpauk (Ph - 5217963526472298), Mylapore (Ph - 5206707130907691) - Therapy includes Abhyangam . Abhyangam with Pichu . Abhyangam with local Pizhichil . Abhyangam with Thalam . Udvartanam . Abhyangam with Nasyam . Abhyangam with local Navarakizhi . Muka Lepam Anushka ,6,Thyagaraya Road, Pondy Bazaar, T. Nagar, Ph - 52179197 Green Trends . 1576, 13th Main Road, Anna Nagar (ph - 26161534) Ashok Nagar (Ph - 52193636) Adyar (Ph - 24451759) Purusawakkam (Ph - 52174414) Taylors Road, Kilpauk (Ph - 26453331) T. Nagar (Ph - 28143886) Velachery (Ph - 22445590) Virugambakkam (Ph - 55511973) - Exotic natural treatments like Strawberry facial, Avocado Butter Massage Facial, Red Banana Facial, Baby-Corn under eye treatment etc etc Jazzy . North Boag Road, T. Nagar Lakme . Adayar (Ph - 24469730), Alwarpet (Ph - 24662481), Anna Nagar (Ph - 26268841), Ashok Nagar (Ph - 23750207), Kilpauk (Ph - 52179634), Nungambakkam (Ph - 28333050), T. Nagar (Ph - 28155577) Salon Nayana . GN Chetty Road, T. Nagar, Ph - 28256064 Style Mantra - Makeover Concepts . Nungambakkam (Ph - 28280066), R. K. Salai (Ph - 28110707) Dollys beauty parlour . Elcanso Plaza, Egmore, ph: 9840118882 Gyms edit Mind N Body 360degree Fitness Studio - Ramapuram amp Mugalivakkam. 9600030058, 8754409900, 044-42014949 Body Sports Gym - Govindan Road, Saidapet. 9841151091 Blue Boutique Gym -329, TTK Road, Alwarpet.24996045,24996064. Talwalkars . Near Khader Nawaz Road, Nungambakkam Talwalkars . 23rd Cross Street, Indira Nagar, Adyar O2 Gym 112 . Kader Nawaz Road, Nungambakkam, Velachery Soldiers Gym . Triplicane High Road, Triplicane (and on Anna Salai) Golds Gym No 111, Lattice Bridge Road, NPL Devi, 7th and 8th Floor, Adyar, Chennai - 600041 Post edit Post Offices are a common sight, although they may be discreet without big advertisings. Snail Mail in India is by a Post Card (25Ps), Inland Letter Rs 5, or envelope Rs 5. The Speed Post facility allows you to send mail more conveniently than a courier service. Public Telephones in India are available on almost every street usually painted with the letters PCO (Public Call office, local calls), STD (Subscriber Trunk Dialing) and ISD (International Subscriber Dialing). All booths have electronic metering and you pay whats displayed on the meter. (Included in the metering is a nominal Rs 2 as service charges). Youll also get a receipt if you insist on one. Libraries amp Cultural Centres edit British Council - Anna Salai, Phone - 52050600 Ext 350351. 113 Connemara Library - Pantheon Road, Egmore, Phone 28193751. 114 Max Mueller Bhavan (German) - Khadar Nawaz Khan Rd. Nungambakkam. 115 American Information Resource Center Library (located within the American Consulate - see list of consulates) High Commissions edit Canada. 18 (Old 24), 3F, YAFA Tower, Khader Nawaz Khan Rd, Nungambakkam. 91 44 2833-0888. 116. 160edit Chile. Oakland House, 7 Adayar Club Gate Rd. 91 44 2434-0610. 117. 160edit Finland Honorary Consul. 202 Anna Salai. 91 44 2852-4141 (finconschennaigmail. fax. 91 44 2852-1253 ), 118. 160edit Germany. 9 Boat Club Rd. 91 44 2430-1600. 119. M-F 08:00-11:30. 160edit Greece. 37 Sterling Road, Nungambakkam. 91 44-8203663 (nkumarindchem. fax. 91 44-8200038 ). 160edit Japan. No.121 Cenetoph Rd Ist St, Teynampet. 91 44-24323860. 120. 160edit Argentina. San Luis Commercial Office ,6163 Dr. Radhakrishnan Salai, Mylapore. 160edit Armenia ( Honorary Consulate ). Shivsu Towers, 149 Poonamallee High Road, Kilpauk 160edit Australia ( Consulate General ), 9th Floor, Express Chambers, Express Avenue Estate, Whites Road, Royapettah. 160edit Austria, Honorary Consulate, Kothari Buildings, 115 Nungambakkam High Road, Nungambakkam. Belgium, Honorary Consulate, Spic House, 97 Anna Salai, Guindy. Czech Republic, Honorary Consulate,64 Thirumalai Pillai Road, T.Nagar. Denmark, Consulate,9 Cathedral Road, Gopalapuram. Ethiopia, Honorary Consulate,83 First Main Road, R.A. Puram. France, Honorary Consulate, Shri Vishwavandita, 19 Poes Garden, Gopalapuram. Hungary, Honorary Consulate, Tiam House, 28 Rajaji Road, Georgetown. Iceland, Honorary Consulate, Bhavani Mansion, 2nd Floor, 4th Lane, 3 Nungambakkam High Road, Nungambakkam. Indonesia, Honorary Consulate,2-D, Eldorado Building, 2nd Floor, 112 Nungambakkam High Road. Nungambakkam. Ireland, Honorary Consulate, Mecheri Centre, 49 Eldams Road, Teynampet. Kyrgyzstan, Honorary Consulate, 2nd Floor, 35-36 Greams Road, Thousand Lights. Latvia, Honorary Consulate, Khivraj Complex II, 2nd Floor, 480 Anna Salai, Nandanam. Liberia, Honorary Consulate,18 Cenatoph Road, Alwarpet. Luxembourg, Honorary Consulate,2D South Gate, 17 Kasturi Rangan Road, Alwarpet. Malawi, Honorary Consulate,8341 Armenian Street, Golf Links, Gopalapuram. Maldives, Honorary Consulate, Royal Textiles Mills Ltd, 22 (Old 855) Anna Salai, Mount Road. Malta, Honorary Consulate,10 II Street, Seethamal Colony, Alwarpet. Mauritius, Honorary Consulate, RR Tower, 9495 Block 6, 8th Floor, Guindy Industrial Estate, Guindy. Mongolia, Honorary Consulate, Agastyar Manor, 20 Raja Street, T. Nagar. Netherlands, Honorary Consulate,8081, 7th Floor, MBC Towers, Alwarpet. New Zealand, Honorary Consulate, Rane Engine Valves Ltd, Maithri, 132 Cathedral Road, Gopalapuram. Norway Consulate, Harbour Gate House, P. O. Box 1396, 4445 Rajaji Salai Georgetown. Paraguay, Honorary Consulate, AVM Studios, NSK Salai, Vadapalani. Philippines, Honorary Consulate, Spic House, Annex Building, 8th Floor, 88 Anna Salai, Guindy. Serbia, Honorary Consulate,3D, 5 Murrays Gate Road, Alwarpet. Seychelles, Honorary Consulate, Hello Telecom (P) Ltd, 62 Veerabadran Street, Nungambakkam. Singapore, CONSULATE GENERAL,17-A North Boag Road, T. Nagar. Slovenia, Honorary Consulate, Shanthi Apartments, Flat No. 4, 1st Floor, No. 22 Judge Jambulingam Road, Mylapore. South Africa, Honorary Consulate,19 Rajaji Salai, Georgetown. South Korea, Honorary Consulate, Chaitanya, 19, 3rd Floor, 12 Khader Nawaz Khan Road, Nungambakkam. Spain, Honorary Consulate, 6 Nimmo Road, Santhome. Sri Lanka, DEPUTY HIGH COMMISSION,196 T. T.K. Road, Alwarpet. Sweden, Honorary Consulate,6 Cathedral Road, Gopalapuram. Switzerland, Honorary Consulate, I-6 Dr. V. S.I. Estate, Rajiv Gandhi Salai, Thiruvanmiyur. Thailand, CONSULATE GENERAL, 2122 Arunchalam Road, Kotturpuram. Turkey, Honorary Consulate, The KCP Ltd. Ramakrishna Building, 2 Dr. P. V. Cherian Crescent, Egmore. Turkmenistan, Honorary Consulate,3 Mangesh Street, T. Nagar. Zambia, Honorary Consulate, Rosy Tower, II Floor, 7 Nungambakkam High Road, Nungambakkam. Malaysia. New no.7,Old no.3,Cenotaph Road,1st street, teynampet, Chennai-600018 ( Near SIET College ), 9144-28226895. 09:00am to 05:00pm. 160edit Russia. Santhome High Rd, Santhome ( Next to St. Bedes School ). 160edit United Kingdom. 20 Anderson Rd, Nungambakkam. 91 44 4219-2151 (bdhcchenvsnl. fax. 91 44 42192322 ). M-F 08:30-13:00 and 13:30-16:00. 160edit United States. 220 Anna Salai ( Near Gemini Flyover ), 121. secret. 160edit Get out edit East Coast Road (ECR) edit The East Coast Road (ECR), named for the stretch of coastline which the road abutts, is a two-lane state highway which connects Chennai with Pondicherry. The stretch of road, especially between Chennai and Mahabalipuram. is a popular weekend getout with a number of beaches, resorts, amusement and theme parks and multiplexes. Some of the important tourist spots on this stretch include: Marundeswarar Temple 122 (14 kms from Chennai) is a 11th century Hindu temple located barely a few hundred metres into the East Coast Road. that one comes across on the route. The presiding deity is Shiva. Cholamandalam Artists Village: 123 (21 kms from Chennai) Set up by a group of artists to serve as a recluse for artists of all genres. This village offers the ambience needed for creativity to flow and is inhabited only by artists. The village offers guesthouse facilities exclusively for artists from elsewhere so that they could also benefit from the environment provided by the place. A must visit for those who appreciate the finer things of life. VGP Universal Kingdom 124 (23 kms from Chennai) Started in Injambakkam village in 1975 as the VGP Golden Beach, the Universal Kingdom is the oldest amusement park along the ECR and also the first of its kind in Tamil Nadu. Ploughing a lonely furrow for decades, the Universal Kingdom has been facing stiff competition from other amusement and theme parks in the last two decades. Though this has a caused a significant fall in revenues, the VGP Universal Kingdom still maintains a significant though much-reduced presence along the beach. The Prarthana Drive In Theatre and Restaurant: 125 nearby was started in 1991 and advertises itself as the worlds first beach drive-in theatre and Indias only beachside drive-in theatre. Kart Attack: 126 (23 kms from Chennai) Situated in Akkarai village next to Injambakkam, Kart Attack is the first karting centre in Chennai and the most popular one. It has also been instrumental in creating a few go karting champions also. There is also an RC car race track next to Hot Kitchen Restaurant nearby. Mayajaal: 127 (29 kms from Chennai) Started in Kanathur village in 1997, Mayajaal, which extends for over 100,000 sq. ft is Asias largest multiplex theatre. The complex includes movie theatres, bowling alleys, video games parlours and multicuisine food courts. The multiplex is open from 11 AM to 11 PM every day. The MGM Dizzee World . situated nearby is a theme park that offers joy rides, food stalls and other games. It is spread over an area of 27 acres. Dakshinachitra: (128 ) (30 kms from Chennai) Dakshinachitra is a museum of art, architecture, lifestyles, crafts and performing arts of South India. It was started by Deborah Thiagarajan, an art and crafts lover in 1996. Muttukadu Boat House: (35 kms from Chennai) Started in 1984, the Muttukadu Boat House offers rowing, wind surfing, water skiing, and speedboat riding facilities. There are a total of 15 row boats, 27 speedboats and 9 pedal boats besides two high-speed aqua scooters. The boat house is maintained by the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) and is visited by more than 4,000 people every weekend. Covelong (36 kms from Chennai) . locally known as Kovalam, is a small fishing village that was fortified by the Nawab of Carnatic, Saadat Ali in the 18th century. A former Dutch colony, the fort was taken by the French under General Labourdonnais in 1746. Covelong was conquered by Robert Clive in 1752 and the fort was destroyed. The Beach is separated from the mainland by the canal running from Chennai to Mahabalipuram. The Taj Group of Hotels runs the Fishermans Cove Resort on a building of Dutch colonial vintage. There is a Catholic church, Hindu temple and Muslim darga on the beach. Sunbathing here attracts much less attention than in the city beaches. Wind surfing is a popular sport on the beach. Crocodile Bank Trust 129 (40 kms from Chennai) The brainchild of Romulus Whittaker, the acknowledged specialist on reptiles, this center has gained fame as an endeavor for the preservation and propagation of endangered species of crocodiles. The center also houses a large variety of snakes. To get to Crocodile Bank from Chennai (Triplicane), you need to get on the PP19BX bus (runs along the beach) to Kovalum, which is the last stop for 14 (75mins30km). Then at this same intersection, get on 588CX bus to Mamallapurum (7Km7mins) for 1418AC. The entry fee is 35locals60foreigners w a 20 still camera 40 video camera fee. Some people know it as a farmpark rather than a bank if you are asking for directions. Saluvankuppam (47 kms from Chennai) A fishing village, 5 kms from Mahabalipuram, which is known for a Pallava-era monument known as the Tiger Cave . Maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and dating to the 8th century AD, the Tiger Cave is a popular family picnic spot enroute to Mahabalipuram. Krishnas Butter Ball - Mamallapuram Mamallapuram or Mahabalipuram: (52 kms from Chennai) The world-famous tourist destination includes two UNESCO World Heritage monuments - the Pancha Rathas and the Shore Temple . The Pancha Rathas are believed to have been the work of the Pallava king Narasimhavarman I (also known as Mamalla) (630-668) while the Shore Temple was constructed by the Pallava king Narasimhavarman II (also known as Rajasimha) (695-722). The Shore Temple is one of the oldest structural temples constructed in Tamil Nadu. The temples are listed as monuments of national importance and maintained by the ASI. ECR beyond Mahabalipuram edit Kalpakkam (67 kms from Chennai) The Madras Atomic Power Station (MAPS), Indias first fully indigenously constructed nuclear power station is situated in Kalpakkam. Sadras (70 kms from Chennai) . or Sadurangapattinam is a former Dutch colony which has a fort maintained by the ASI. Pondicherry (167 kms from Chennai) . a former French colony and administrative headquarters of French India. Restaurants along ECR edit The ECR road abounds with restaurants and eating spots, which offer a wide range of cuisines and tasteful ambience. And you can plan your dinner or lunch in one of these hotels. A few of the food outlets are listed below: Basera Blue Lagoon - Thanjavur Restaurant Food Village - Coastal Kitchen Hot Kitchen Grand Southern Trunk (GST) Road edit Meenambakkam (18 kms from Chennai) The Chennai International Airport is located in Meenambakkam. Tirusulam (19 kms from Chennai) Tirusulam is a municipality in the Kanchipuram district of Tamil Nadu. The Tirusulanathar Temple constructed by the 11th century Chola king Kulothunga I is located in Tirusulam. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva and possesses inscriptions from the Chola period. Pallavaram (22 kms from Chennai) A municipality in the Kanchipuram district of Tamil Nadu, Pallavaram gets its name Pallavapuram, as it was an important settlement during the Pallava period. Within the precincts of the Islamic dargah located atop a hill within the town, are a set of 7th century rock-cut shrines or mandapa s believed to have been hewn from rock by the Pallava king Mahendravarman I (600-635). There is also a Sanskrit inscription in grantha characters. Pallavaram is also the place where the oldest man made artifact in India, a hand-held stone axe, was found by Robert Bruce Foote in 1861. This proved that the region was inhabited as early as the Early Palaeolithic, that is 500,000 years before Christ. The hand axe was only the first of many discoveries of the what came to be known as the Madras industry. Vandalur (31 kms from Chennai) The Arignar Anna Zoological Park or Vandalur Zoo is situated in Vandalur. For more details, refer the section on Zoological parks. Singaperumal Koil (47 kms from Chennai) It is a township in Kanchipuram district. It is famous for the Patalathri Sri Ugra Narasimhar Temple, a mountain shrine of the Pallava period (6th to 9th century AD) deicated to Narasimha, an avatar or incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu. Chengalpattu (55 kms from Chennai) It is a municipality in Kanchipuram district. Chengalpattu is a famous for its mud fort, a few hill shrines and the Kolava Lake. Situated at an elevation of 118 feet, Chengalpattu was a health resort during colonial times. GST beyond Chengalpattu edit Madurantakam (78 kms from Chennai) . A municipality in Kanchipuram district, Madurantakam is known for the Eri Katha Ramar Koil or the Temple of Rama who protected the Tank. It is believed that in 1798, the British District Collector of Chingleput (as Chengalpattu was called back then) named Sir Lionel Blaze had a vision of the Hindu gods Rama and Lakshmana gurading the temple tank each with a bow and a quiver of arrows and hence the name. Melmaruvathur (88 kms from Chennai) Melmaruvathur is known for the Adhi Parasakthi Siddhar Peetham . a famous shrine of Hindu pilgrimage. Tiruchirappalli (320 kms from Chennai) The fourth largest city in Tamil Nadu, Tiruchirappalli, popularly known as Tiruchi or Trichy and in colonial times as Trichinopoly is a popular Hindu pilgrimage centre and manufacturing hub. The Rockfort temples, the Jambukewarar Temple at Thiruvanaikkoil and the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple at Srirangam are the most important Hindu temples in the city. Archaeological excavations at Uraiyur, a suburb of Tiruchirappalli have revealed the remains of an Early Chola settlement which is almost two thousand years old. Tiruchi is also famous for the Trichinopoly cigars. Temples edit South India is famous for its temples. Even if you arent on a pilgrimage, these are worth a visit if you are interested in grand buildings and architecture. There are 33, 000 temples in and around Chennai. Some of them are Chidambaram 8212 Approximately 250 Kms from Chennai. The famous Lord Nataraja temple which has the golden roof for the moolavar which was offered by Parantaka Chola I . Tiruvallur 8212 Approximately 45 Kms from Chennai. It is famous for its Vaidhya Veera raghava Swami Temple and Sri Viswaroopa Panchamukha Anjaneya Swami Ashram which has a 40 ft tall Murti of Hanuman. Tirupati 8212 Approximately 150 Kms from Chennai, in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Madurai 8212 Home to the famous Meenakshi temple. Tirunelveli 8212 Home to the TamilNadus largest Shiva temple. Nellaiappar Temple . Swamithoppe 8212 Ayya Vaikundar Pathi, religious head quarters of Ayyavazhi. Kanchipuram 8212 Kamakshi temple, seat of one of the Shankaracharyas - the closest Hinduism comes to a spiritual head. Thanjavur 8212 Brihadeswara temple (Big Temple). Tiruvannamalai 8212 Arunachala Temple famous for full moon day girivalam and Deepam Tiruchirapalli 8212 Its situated 350 kms south of chennai. By NH45 Trichy can be reached in 5-6 hrs and it has lot of attractions including the Srirangam temple (Sri Renganathar),Ucchi Pillayar (Rock Fort temple) and the river Cauvery. Ini adalah artikel yang bisa digunakan. Ini memiliki informasi untuk masuk dan juga beberapa entri lengkap untuk restoran dan hotel. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow Ties between US and Japan stronger after Donald Trump and Shinzo Abe golf: US congressman Iran mocks Donald Trump threats, sets sights on Gulf nation deals Gold imports shrink 32.7 per cent 0 to USD 19.74 bn in April-Jan 350,000 children trapped in west Mosul: Save the Children Sanctions won039t stop us, says North Korean economist Ri Gi Song Market News Indias stock markets were trading firm with the benchmark NSE Nifty breaching the 8,950-mark for the first time in over five months and BSE Sensex teasing 29,000, led by a spike in the shares of Reliance Industries, which alone contributed to over 40 of the gains in the benchmark indices. Saham AS mencapai rekor tertinggi intraday pada hari Selasa di tengah kenaikan di sektor-sektor karena pendapatan yang kuat dari pengecer atas menggarisbawahi kekuatan ekonomi AS. Pasar saham Indias adalah perusahaan perdagangan dengan benchmark NSE Nifty yang menembus angka 8.950 untuk pertama kalinya dalam lima bulan dan BSE Sensex menggoda 29.000, yang dipimpin oleh lonjakan saham Reliance Industries, yang menyumbang lebih dari 40 keuntungan. Dalam indeks benchmark. Harga minyak bertahan di dekat level tertinggi multi minggu pada hari Rabu setelah OPEC mengisyaratkan optimisme mengenai kesepakatannya dengan produsen lain untuk mengekang output guna mengatasi kekecewaan yang telah membebani pasar sejak 2014. Seiring kekhawatiran mengenai retensi pelanggan setelah dimulainya layanan berbayar mulai April mar Perayaan Reliance Jios 100 juta basis pelanggan, saham perusahaan induknya Reliance Industries memberi tahu prospek arus masuk dana segar, mencapai tertinggi delapan tahun. Kotak Mahindra Bank dilaporkan secara informal mendekati pemerintah yang ingin membeli saham di Axis Bank, di mana pemerintah memiliki 11,94 saham ekuitas melalui SUUTI. Lainnya termasuk Bank ICICI dan HDFC Bank juga menunjukkan ketertarikannya, meminta pemerintah untuk merencanakan penjualan saham di dalamnya melalui penawaran yang kompetitif. Saham Asia naik pada hari Rabu, bergabung dengan sesi pengaturan rekor untuk pasar global karena investor menyambut baik aktivitas pabrik optimis di Eropa dan pendapatan yang solid di Wall Street. Saham Jepang turun pada hari Rabu pagi dalam perdagangan yang berombak karena jeda kenaikan dolar menguat terhadap yen membuat investor di sela-sela karena mereka menunggu notulen pertemuan terakhir Federal Reserve Selandia Baru untuk mendapatkan petunjuk kenaikan suku bunga. Meskipun ada spekulasi tentang kekurangan gula dalam jumlah besar, pemerintah merasa negara tersebut memiliki persediaan yang memadai untuk memenuhi konsumsi di tahun pemasaran saat ini sampai September, berkat saham maju 7,1 juta ton dari 2015-20168230 Bagian obligasi dan dan surat berharga (CP) dalam keseluruhan pinjaman meningkat dari 19 di bulan Maret 2011 menjadi 27 pada Desember 2016, mengindikasikan adanya disintermediasi yang meningkat. Pasar pembiayaan mobil di India telah jatuh tempo dari waktu ke waktu, menjadikannya salah satu pasar pembiayaan mobil paling maju di kawasan Asia, sebuah laporan oleh EY mengatakan. Penggabungan usaha dengan Shriram Group, demerger bisnis jasa keuangan dan value unlocking dalam bisnis manajemen informasi akan memberikan keuntungan bagi SOTP kami. Sekitar 30 lakh bal dari kapas telah diekspor dari negara tersebut sejauh menentang target yang direncanakan sekitar 50 -60 lakh bal musim kapas ini, menurut pejabat tinggi Cotton Corporation of India (CCI). Pemerintah India telah mendesak anggota parlemen AS untuk mengurangi norma fitosanitori yang telah melanda ekspor mangga Indias ke negara barat. Harga teh terlihat tegas dan cenderung rally karena kekurangan produksi. Produksi teh diperkirakan berada di sisi yang lebih pendek untuk paruh pertama tahun ini karena kondisi seperti kekeringan di negara-negara penghasil teh hitam utama seperti India, Kenya dan8230 saham AS mencapai rekor tertinggi intraday pada hari Selasa di tengah kenaikan di sektor-sektor yang kuat. Pendapatan dari pengecer atas menggarisbawahi kekuatan ekonomi AS. Presiden A. S. Donald Trump telah mendukung banyak kebijakan yang dapat membahayakan ekonomi pasar negara berkembang. Lembaga pemeringkat domestik Icra hari ini mengatakan penerbitan obligasi korporasi kemungkinan akan tumbuh 20-22 persen pada tahun fiskal 2017-18, dengan penerbitan kotor meningkat menjadi Rs 8,5 triliun. Naik untuk sesi keempat berturut-turut, Sensex dan Nifty ditutup mendekati level tertinggi lima bulan hari ini karena meluasnya pembelian bahkan saat saham telekomunikasi anjlok setelah Reliance Jio mengumumkan rencana tarif baru. Penawaran terbuka yang dilakukan oleh perusahaan yang terdaftar untuk membeli saham dari masyarakat naik hampir 14 persen menjadi Rs 9.676 crore pada tahun 2016, hampir seluruhnya dipimpin oleh isu-isu mengenai perubahan pengendalian manajemen. Bank IDBI milik negara hari ini mengatakan bahwa pihaknya mengusulkan untuk mencairkan saham di beberapa bisnis non-inti untuk menopang basis modal. Lembaga pemeringkat domestik Peringkat dan Riset India (Ind-Ra) telah mempertahankan prospek negatif untuk sektor infrastruktur untuk TA18, dan hari ini mengatakan bahwa prospek negatif pada tiga ruas berat sektor sub-sektor jalan tol, termal dan angin terus menarik prospek sektor secara keseluruhan. turun. Pasar saham global mixed pada hari Selasa karena investor melihat ke depan untuk beberapa menit dari pertemuan terakhir Federal Reserve8217 dan Wall Street bersiap untuk membuka kembali setelah akhir pekan tiga hari. Minyak naik pada hari Selasa setelah data pertukaran menunjukkan hedge fund menempatkan rekor taruhan di Laut Utara dan minyak mentah AS karena pengurangan produksi OPEC memperketat pasokan. Menurunkan pinjaman pemerintah seperti yang diumumkan dalam anggaran dari Rs 5,80 lakh crore menjadi Rs 3,48 lakh crore selama fiskal berjalan akan meningkat dengan baik untuk pasar obligasi korporasi, kata seorang pejabat SEBI. Weak earnings trumped strong economic data for European stocks on Tuesday, as investors took their cue from banking giant HSBC8217s surprise slump in profits rather than stellar reports on the euro zone economy. Reliance Jio Infocomm has added 100 million subscribers on its network, in less than six months of the launch of its mobile telephony services, which introduced a barrage of free data and voice offerings in order to grab the market share. Mukesh Ambani, Indias richest man and Chairman of Reliance Industries 8211 the parent company hellip Indian shares hovered around five-month highs on Tuesday with telecoms declining ahead of an announcement by Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd. Arktika, the lead ship of its class, has a length of 173 metres, almost the size of two football fields, and a width of 34 metres and in ice as thick as three metres at up to 2 nautical miles per hour. EDITORS PICKS
No comments:
Post a Comment