by Chennai has so much to offer, especially during the festive season. The best way to enjoy the festivities is to hang out with friends or family. But visiting Chennai alone can be boring and mundane.
So here are some of the best places to visit in Chennai with friends.
- Kapaleeshwarar Temple
- Marina Beach
- Parthasarathy Temple
- SRM Institute of Science and Technology
- Thiruvalluvar Statue
- Anna Centenary Library
- Chepauk Palace
- San Thome Basilica
- Bharathiyar University
- Chennai Trade Center
- Marina Hall
- Sathyam Cinemas
Kapaleeshwarar Temple
Kapaleeshwarar Temple is one of the most prominent Hindu temples in Chennai city. The main deity here is Lord Shiva, and it is believed that the deity of Kapaleeswarar was consecrated by Sage Kapali. Even today, Kapali’s icon is installed right next to the main deity in the sanctum sanctorum.
Marina Beach
Marina beach is one of the most memorable places in Chennai, as it is full of fun activities. You can rent out a Kettuvallam here and explore the undulating water-scape. At night, it is lit with lamps, and lit up with people who come here to stroll aimlessly.
Parthasarathy Temple
Located in the historical south Chennai, Parthasarathy Temple is one of the most significant landmarks. Situated right in front of Fort St. George, it is dedicated to Lord Parthasarathy and Goddess Durga. The temple has fine carvings and a massive structure.
SRM Institute of Science and Technology
The SRM Institute of Science and Technology is located at the eastern part of Chennai city. Though it might be a little far from the city center, it is worth visiting. The campus is quite huge and can easily accommodate several thousand students.
Thiruvalluvar Statue
This statue of the great Tamil poet Thiruvalluvar was unveiled by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in 1959. Since then, it has become one of the most visited landmarks in Chennai. Even today, people show respect by touching Thiruvalluvar’s feet and seeking his blessings before starting off on a new venture.
Anna Centenary Library
The Anna Centenary Library is a free library in Chennai. It is located at the southern part of the city. The library was named after the mother of former President A P J Abdul Kalam, who was also its first Chairman. The Annexe of this library houses a book store, which is run by TNPL local body, the Anna Centenary Public Library and the Central Institute of Indian Languages, although it has little to do with the main library. 1,80,000 books can be found here.
Chepauk Palace
Chepauk Palace is the official residence of the Governor of Tamil Nadu. The palace was constructed in 1798 by the then Madras Government to serve as the official residence of the Lieutenant-Governor. It was converted into a museum on Independence Day in 1974 and currently houses a collection of paintings and rare statues that belonged to members of former Nawabs family. When you visit Chennai, you must try and make it to this iconic monument.
San Thome Basilica
This is a Roman Catholic church, and it is the headquarters of the Archdiocese of Madras-Mylapore. The church has significant historical importance, as it was the first church in India to be built by Europeans. The church has been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and you must not miss this monumental structure when travelling to Chennai.
Bharathiyar University
This is one of the largest universities in India, and it was named after India’s national poet Bharathiyar. The university also houses music and art schools, which offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses. The campus of the university is spread over an area of about 600 acres.
Chennai Trade Center
This is a state-of-the-art exhibition center, which hosts several exhibitions and trade fairs. It is also used as a venue for both seminars and conferences. The Trade Center was built in 1967, and the first exhibition took place here in 1968. This center comes alive during the Chennai Trade Fair, which is organized here once every year for about three weeks.
Marina Hall
Located opposite Chepauk Palace lies Marina hall, which seems to be an abandoned building. However, it hosts several cultural events and performances by Tamil artists.
Sathyam Cinemas
The Sathyam Cinemas are located in the heart of the city. If you are looking for a normal movie theater, this is not your place. But if you want to watch movies at outdoor cinemas, or in other words – watch them on a gigantic screen, then this is your place! As it’s located in the heart of Chennai city and very close to the Marina beach, you can get here quite easily.
How To Reach Chennai
Chennai International Airport, located at Tirusulam is the major airport in Chennai. The airport is well connected to Indian cities, and a few international destinations as well. More than 15 different airlines operate in this airport, including Air India, Jet Airways, IndiGo and SpiceJet.
Chennai Egmore Railway Station & Chennai Central Railway Station are two railway stations that serve the city of Chennai. The station is located about 1.5 km from the Chennai Central Bus Terminus. Chennai Beach Railway Station is located at Madhavaram, and it connects through many passenger trains. It is well connected to other parts of Tamil Nadu, including Bangalore and Kanyakumari.
Chennai has two state-run bus stations – Chennai City Bus Station and Chennai Beach Bus Station – while private bus stations are located in Anna Nagar, Vadapalani and Guindy. Chennai is connected to various parts of the city by 690 buses. The main bus terminal in Chennai is Anna Bus Station. It serves as the central hub for all long-distance buses that travel to and within Chennai.
Final Thoughts
Chennai as a destination is quite popular among backpackers. The city offers a wide array of attractions, such as temples and churches to explore. Chennai also has some amazing beaches to chill out at. So, why not plan a trip to this amazing place? More attraction places in India – Check Here !
