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Introduction
The capital city of Tamil Nadu - Chennai (formerly Madras) is located on the Coromandel Coast, and is bordered by the Bay of Bengal on its east, and the state of Andhra Pradesh on the northwest. Gaining prominence after1639, when the British East India Company established a fort and a trading post at the small fishing village of Chennai, the city today ranks as the fourth largest metropolis in India, and is popularly referred as the 'Gateway to the South'.
An enticing mix of the traditional Indian culture and modern technological advancement, the vibrant city of Chennai is a tourist's paradise. The numerous tourist attractions in Chennai, including the serene beaches, historic churches, forts, palaces and monuments, charm all visitors with their magnificent splendor and beauty.
The tourist attractions in Chennai are fine examples of the traditional Tamil Hindu culture, which the city has managed to retain in spite of its modern advancements.
Some of the major tourist attractions in Chennai are:
- Fort St. George- The Fort St. George was the very center from where Robert Clive, the founder of the British Empire, began his empire building process in India. The fort houses the present Legislature and Secretariat of the Tamil Nadu government.
- Marina Beach- Extending from Fort St. George all the way to Mahabalipuram, the Marina beach is a spectacular tourist attraction in Chennai.
- Parthsarthy Temple- This 8th century temple built by the Pallava kings, was renovated by the Vijayanagar rulers in the 16th century. The temple is revered for its splendid architecture, especially the beautiful gopuram (arched gateway).
- Kapaleeshwar Temple- Built in the 13th century, this temple is an exemplary specimen of the architectural style of the Dravidians.
- Santhome Cathedral- Built over the tomb of apostle St. Thomas, the Santhome Cathedral is an important tourist attraction in Chennai, and contains the mortal remains of St. Thomas who is believed to have arrived in India from Palestine in AD 52.
- National Art Gallery- Built in 1906, the gallery is set atop a splendid Indo-Saracenic edifice. It exhibits a fine collection of old paintings and sculptures including Tanjore paintings on glass, Rajput and Mughal miniature paintings.
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