Sights in Chennai (Madras)
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Vivekananda House
The Vivekananda House is interesting not only for the displays on the famous ‘wandering monk’, but also for the semicircular structure in which it’s housed. Swami Vivekananda stayed here briefly in 1897 and preached his ascetic philosophy to adoring crowds. The museum houses a collection of photographs and memorabilia from the swami’s life, a gallery of religious historical paintings and the ‘meditation room’ where Vivekananda stayed. Free one-hour meditation classes are held on Wednesday nights at 7pm.
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San Thome Cathedral
Originally built by the Portuguese in 1504, then rebuilt in neo-Gothic style in 1893, San Thome Cathedral is a soaring Roman Catholic church between Kapaleeshwarar Temple and Marina Beach. In the basement is a chapel housing the tomb of St Thomas the Apostle (Doubting Thomas), who it is said brought Christianity to the subcontinent in the 1st century.
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Theosophical Society
Between the Adyar River and the coast, the 100 hectares of the Theosophical Society provide one of the few peaceful retreats from the city. The sprawling grounds contain a church, mosque, Buddhist shrine and Hindu temple. There’s a huge variety of native and introduced trees, including a famed 400-year-old banyan tree whose branches offer reprieving shade for over 40,000 sq ft. The Adyar Library here has an immense collection of books on religion and philosophy, from thousand-year-old Buddhist scrolls to intricate, handmade 19th-century bibles. If you’re interested in the Theosophical Society’s philosophy, call into the public relations office and chat with the director…
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Valluvar Kottam
This memorial honours the Tamil poet Thiruvalluvar and his classic work, the Thirukural. A weaver by trade, Thiruvalluvar lived around the 1st century BC in what is present-day Chennai and wrote this famed poem, providing a moral code for millions of followers. The three-level memorial replicates ancient Tamil architecture and boasts an immense 35m chariot, as well as an enormous auditorium and inscriptions of the Thirukural ’s 1330 couplets.
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Little Mount
It is believed that from around AD 58, St Thomas lived in hiding at Little Mount. The cave still bears what some believe to be Thomas’ handprint, left when he escaped through an opening that miraculously appeared. Three kilometres on, St Thomas Mount (Parangi Malai) is thought to be the site of Thomas’ martyrdom in AD 72. Both mounts are about 1km from the Saidapet and St Thomas Mount train stations, respectively.
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Ramakrishna Mutt Temple
The tranquil, leafy grounds of the Ramakrishna Mutt Temple are a world away from the chaos and crazy rickshaw drivers outside. Orange-clad monks glide around and there’s a reverential feel here. The temple itself is a handsome shrine constructed in themes paying homage to India’s major religions. It’s open to followers of any faith for meditation.
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Marina Beach
During an early morning or evening stroll along the 13km sandy stretch of Marina Beach you'll pass cricket matches, kids flying kites, fortune tellers, fish markets and families enjoying the sea breeze. Don't swim here - strong rips make it dangerous. About 2km further south in Besant Nagar, Elliot's Beach is a more affluent place, popular with young couples.
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Fort St George
Finished around 1653 by the British East India Company, the fort has undergone many facelifts over the years. Inside the vast perimeter walls is now a precinct housing the Secretariat & Legislative Assembly. The 46m-high flagstaff at the main entrance is a mast salvaged from a 17th-century shipwreck.
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Kapaleeshwarar Temple
Chennai’s most active and impressive temple, the ancient Shiva Kapaleeshwarar Temple is constructed in the Dravidian style and displays the architectural elements – rainbow-coloured gopuram (gateway tower), mandapams (pavilions in front of a temple) and a huge tank – found in the famous temple cities of Tamil Nadu.
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Enfield Factory
The original Bullet remains in production today at the Enfield Factory, 17km outside of Chennai. Half-hour tours (Rs600) run on Saturdays at 10.30am. Enfield’s legendary motorbikes, designed in 1955 but manufactured just last week, truly give meaning to the term ‘modern-day classic’.
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Birla Planetarium
Straight out of the '70s, the planetarium is generally full of inquisitve tourists and noisy school groups. Next dorr to the Periyar Science & Technology Centre.
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Fort Museum
The Fort Museum has military memorabilia from the British and French East India Companies, as well as the Raj and Muslim administrations.
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Government Museum
Housed across several British-built buildings known as the Pantheon Complex, this excellent museum is Chennai’s best.
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Periyar Science & Technology Centre
Periyar Science & Technology Centre. You can learn your weight on Pluto and other titbits from its kitschy science exhibits.
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St Mary's Church
St Mary's Church, completed in 1680, was the first English church in Madras and India's oldest surviving British church.
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