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Chennai city Guide

I have another good news to share with you. As you know South Tourism always believes and understands the importance of sharing knowledge and valuable information with its partners like you, as sharing knowledge can nurture our relationship and strengthen professional ties. When we share our knowledge with others, it helps deepen our own knowledge too. So we take immense pleasure in sending you south India city information to enable you in delivering better service to your guests and to ensure a win-win relationship between us. To start with, we have got updated information for Chennai City.

With regard to Hotels, this time, we have segregated hotels based on the location and distance from Airport to facilitate designing your client program in Chennai in a more appropriate way. We have planned to follow this format for every city in South India. I hope you will find this useful in planning your client program.

We are getting ready with updates for other cities in South India as well, which we will positively be sending it in the upcoming days for your reference.

Tamilnadu

Tamil Nadu is an enticing land with surplus forts, elegant monuments, teeming cities and quaint villages. This stunning land is caressed by Bay of Bengal in the east and India Ocean at the bottom. The eloquent testimonials of our ancestors are none other than the unsurpassed monuments. Tamil Nadu Monuments holds a special place in the hearts of the visitors. Great kings of eras back built these amazing architectural wonders to flaunt their architectural skills. All monuments here are unique and one of their own kinds.

Chennaiis the capital city of Tamil Nadu. It is the political and cultural hub of Tamil Nadu and epitome of Dravidian movement in India. Chennai is referred as gateway to South India. It may not have a Red Fort or a Marine Drive or a Victoria Memorial, but it is India's oldest modern city. There are several temples, churches, forts, mosques, palaces and natural attractions in Chennai.

Santhome Church :

It is located in Mylapore, initially built during 16th century by Portuguese explorers. Santhome church also known as Santhome cathedral basilica and international shrine of Saint Thomas cathedral basilica, sits on the tomb built over the mortal remains of one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. Saint Thomas had come to India in AD 52, was martyred in AD72 and buried in this very site then known as Mylapore, Santhome assumes its name from Saint Thomas. This is one of only three Basilicas in the world to be built over the tomb of an apostle of Christ, San Thome and is dedicated to St. Thomas, who travelled to India in 52 AD. The other two basilicas in the world other than Santhome cathedral that have been built over the tomb of an apostle one of them being St. Peters Basilica in Rome and the other being Church of St. James the great in Santiago de compo stela , Spain.

Time to visit: 10 am – 5 pm

No Entrance Fee

Video Camera & Still Camera fee – Not allowed / Holidays- No

Church of Our Lady of Light / Mylapore Luz Church

It is located in Mylapore. Church of Our Lady of Light is a Roman Catholic shrine. It is popularly referred as Luz Church by the locals, derived from the Portuguese name Nossa Senhora da Luz. This was built in 1516 by the Portuguese. It is one of the oldest Churches in the city and its foundation stone marks as one of the oldest European monuments in India. The church is located very near to the Santhome Basilica, where Apostle Thomas is believed to be buried.

Time to visit: 6 am – 6 pm

No Entrance Fee

Video Camera & Still Camera fee – Free

Kapaleeshwarar Temple

One of the sacred shrines in Tamil Nadu is Arulmigu Kapaleeshwarar Temple in Mylapore, in Chennai City. Main deity of this temple is Shiva. The form of Shiva's wife - Parvati worshipped at this temple is called Karpagambal. The name of the Goddess is KARPAGAMBAL. This temple was built around 7th century in Dravidian architecture by ruling Pallava. The temple complex houses have many halls. Now this temple is being maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and the board of government of Tamil Nadu.

The temple has numerous shrines, with those of Kapaleeshwarar and Karpagambal being the most prominent. The temple has six daily rituals at various times from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., and four yearly festivals on its calendar.

Timings: 5.00am-12.30pm / 4.00pm-9.00pm

No Entrance fee/ Video camera (Top View only) – Rs 50 / Still Camera – Rs 25

Parthasarathy temple, Triplicane:

The Parthasarathy temple at Tiruvallikeni or Triplicane, as the Britishers called it, happens to be the 8th century temple, dedicated to the Lord Krishna and is classified as one among the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu. The existence of the Tiruvallikeni village is seen in records dating back to the Pallava period and earlier. This temple was originally built by the Pallavas in the 8th century, by King Narasimhavarman I.

Timings: 5.45am - 12.30pm / 4.00pm – 9.00pm

No entrance fee/ Camera: Not allowed/ Holidays: no

Government Museum, Chennai:

The first Government sponsored museum in the country, set up at the heart of the city, attracting hundreds of tourists every day. The premises are a collection of wonderful artefacts amusing everyone visiting here. This is the second oldest museum in India next to the museum in Kolkata. There are huge collection of artefacts, palm-leaf manuscripts and other objects that have been divided into various sections covering Geology, Archaeology, Zoology, Anthropology, Numismatics, Botany and sculpture.

Entry fee:

Foreigners – Rs. for adults 250 / children 3- 12 years – Rs. 175

Indians – Rs. 15 for adults / children 3- 12 years – Rs. 10

Video Camera – Rs. 500, still Camera – Rs. 200

Timings – 9.30 am to 5.00 pm

Holidays – National holidays & Fridays

Fort museum: -

The relics displayed here reminds one about the British rule in India. The objects on display in the museum are the weapons, coins, medals, uniforms and other artefacts from England, Scotland, France and India dating back to the colonial period.

Entry Fee:

Foreigners – Rs. 200 for adults & till Children up to 15 years – Free entry.

Indians - Rs. 15

Video Camera – Not allowed

Timings – 9.00 to 5.00 pm

Holidays – Friday only

Local Festivals Celebrated in Chennai

Parthasarathy Temple

Main festival celebrated in the temple are as follows

Sri Vaikunta EkadasiDuring in the month of December they celebrate the festival called SRI VAIKUNTA EKADASI (Entering into Heaven). This festival is celebrated for 20 days. During the festival huge number of devotees will gather around to see the glimpse of lord Vishnu and also peoples can see the beautifully adorned idol of God.

Float Festivalis celebrated in between February and March every year, Idol of Lord Vishnu placed on the adorned.

Float festival is held for 7 days on the pond of Lily - the 1st three days idol is seated on the floating structure made out of drums, wood & ornament with well-lit ups (lights). Next four days, is out-and-out for Sri Narasimha Swamy, Sri Ranganathar and Sri Ramar.

Margazhi festival or Chennai Music/ Dance festival: mid-December to mid-January

The Music season has grown over the years and Chennai holds a 5 week long Music season which has been described as one of the world's largest cultural events. A group of Individuals created the Madras Music Season in 1920 and later went on to establish the Madras Music Academy. To celebrate the opening of the Academy, the five week long music season is being held every year in December (Maargazhi, the Tamil month). Every year, concerts are being held at different places at various venues before the Music Academy was settled in TTK Road, Chennai. Beside the auditoriums, well-known temples are also being used as venues. The month long dance and music will be performed by well-known artistes from various parts of India. The performances are typically organised by sabhas. A Carnatic sabha is an organisation that helps conduct concerts and bestow titles and awards to artists to recognise talent.

Veilankanni/Mother Mary’s Feast

Veilankanni feast is celebrated in Besant Nagar church during the month of August –September. This Annual feast is held for ten days at shrine attended by all walks of people. Every year more than 11 lakh people attend this festival. Mary’s feast celebration is totally open to devotees, without any religious bar. Interested guests can be taken here accompany our guest to witness the Feast

Kapaleeshwarar Temple- Panguni Peruvizha

Panguni -one of the Tamil Month, Panguni Peruvizha is celebrated for 10 long days at Mylapore Kapaleeshwarar Temple. Celebration is held during the month of March – April, this year it’s on March 22nd to March 31st. The 63 Shaivites or Naayanmar idols inviting huge crowd of devotees each day to praise lord Shiva & his devotees in different vahanas

Mylapore-Mundagakanni Amman Temple

During the month of Mid-January to Mid-February, this festival is celebrated in all parts of Chennai. The specialty of this festival is that women carry Milk pots or flower pots as part of worshipping the Goddess for their family well-being and special puja’s are also performed. Guest can witness this local festival which would be interesting for them to see the rituals carried out during the festival procession.

Chennai Hotel Details

Hotels in & around Chennai airport

ITC Grand Chola

Category: 5 Star, Location: Guindy (8Kms from airport)

Hotel The Westin

Category: 5 star, Location: Velachery (9Kms from airport)

Hotel Crown Plaza(14Kms from airport)

Category: 5 Star

Trident

Category: 5 Star, Location: Meenambakkam (3Kms from airport)

Radisson Blu

Category: 5 Star, Location: Meenambakkam (3Kms from airport)

Feathers A Radha Hotel

Category: 5 star, Location: Manapakkam (10kms from airport)

Rain Tree, St. Marys Road

Category: 5 Star (14Kms from airport)

Le Meridian

Category: 5 Star, Location: Guindy (7Kms from airport)

Hilton

Category: 5 Star, Location: Guindy (9Km from airport)

Park Hyatt

Category: 5 Star, Location: Guindy (8Kms from airport)

Lemon Tree

Category: 4 Star, Location: Guindy (8Kms from airport)

Quality Inn Airport

Category: 4 Star, Location: Meenambakkam (1.5Kms from airport)

Lemon Tree (Shimona)

Category: 4 Star, Location: Manapakkam (9 Kms from airport)

Hotel Mount Manor

Category: 3 Star, Location: Thomas Mount (4Kms from airport)

Mahalaya Residency

Category: 3 Star, Location: Pallavaram (3Kms from airport)

Saibala Grand Hotel

Category: 3 Star, Location: Pallavaram (3Kms from airport)

Grand Residence

Category: 3 star, location: Porur (13Kms from airport)

Zone by the Park

Category: 3 Star, Location: Duraipakkam (12Kms from airport)

Hotel Mars

Category: 2 Star, Location: Pallavaram (3Kms from airport)

Ratnavel Towers

Category: Budget, Location: Pallavaram (3Kms from airport)

Blue Nile

Category: Budget, Location: Pallavaram (3Kms from airport)

Hotels in Mount Road, Chennai

Hyatt regency (14Kms from airport)

Category: 5 Star

Courtyard Marriott (15Kms from airport)

Category: 5 star

Hotel Raintree (13Kms from airport)

Category: 5 star

Taj Coromandel (15 Kms from airport)

Category: 5 Star

Taj Club House (17Kms from airport)

Category: 5 Star

The Park (15Kms from airport)

Category: 5 Star

Hablis (6Kms from airport)

Category: 4 Star

Ibis (17Kms from airport)

Category: 3 Star

La woods (17Kms from airport)

Category: 3 Star

Checkers (8 Kms from airport)

Category: 3 Star

Hotel Planet Mount (15Kms from airport)

Category: 3 Star

E Hotel (16 Kms from airport)

Category: 3 Star

Hanu Reddy residences (15Kms from airport)

Category: 3 star

Hotel Lotus Sameera (18 Kms from airport)

Category: 2 Star

The Empire (14 Kms from airport)

Category: 2 star

Hotels in City Centre and in Egmore

Radisson Blu City (17Kms from airport)

Category: 5 star

Savera (16Kms from airport)

Category: 4 Star

Welcom Hotel (18Kms from airport)

Category: 4 Star

Raj Park (16 Kms from airport)

Category: 4 star

Clarion (17Kms from airport)

Category: 4 Star

Hotel Pride (18Kms from airport)

Category: 3 Star

Hotel Ramada (18Kms from airport)

Category: 3 star

Regenta Central Deccan (17Kms from airport)

Category: 3 Star

Hotel Maris (16Kms from airport)

Category: 3 Star

AMS Raj Palace Sunder (14Kms from airport)

Category: 3 star

New Woodlands (16Kms from airport)

Category: 3 Star

Fortel Hotels (18 Kms from airport)

Category: 3 Star

Hotel Pandian (18 Kms from airport)

Category: 3 star

Hotel Raj Palace (18 Kms from airport)

Category: 3 Star

Raj Residency (19Kms for airport

Category: 3 Star

Treebo Select fortel (18Kms from airport)

Category: 3 Star

Marina Inn(18Kms from airport)

Category: 3 Star

Hotel Chandra Park (18 Kms from airport)

Category: 2 Star

Hotels near Adyar and OMR (Old Mahabalipuram Road)

The Leela palace (17Kms from airport)

Category: 5 star

Somerset (15Kms from the airport)

Category: 5 Star

Turyaa (17Kms from airport)

Category: 5 Star

The Gate way - IT Express Way (20Kms from airport)

Category: 5 Star

Novotel SIPCOT(28Kms from airport)

Category: 5 Star

Park Plaza OMR (20Kms from airport)

Category: 5 Star

Aloft- IT express Way (20Kms from airport)

Category: 4 Star

Holiday INN OMR (18Kms from airport)

Category: 4 Star

Quality Hotel Sabari Classic(25Kms from airport)

Category: 4 Star

Gokulam Park Sabari (25Kms from airport)

Category: 3 Star

Keys Kattima (14Kms from airport)

Category: 3 Star

Ginger IITM (12Kms from airport)

Category: 3 Star

Ibis SIPCOT (28Kms from airport)

Category: 3 Star

Southern Residency (32 Kms from airport)

Category: 3 Star

City Manor-Thiruvanmiyur (13Kms from airport)

Category: 2 Star

Crescent INN-Tidal Park (15Kms from airport)

Category: 2 Star

Hotels near T Nagar

GRT Grand (13Kms from airport)

The Residency Towers (13Kms from airport)

Category: 4 Star

Accord Metropolitan (14Kms from airport)

Category: 4 Star

The Residency (14Kms from airport)

Category: 4 Star

Quality INN Sabari (14Kms from airport)

Category: 3 Star

The Chariot (15Kms from airport)

Category: 3 Star

Southern Crest (13Kms from airport)

Category: 3 Star

Raj Palace (13Kms from airport)

Category: 3 Star

Category: 3Star

The Iris (13Kms from airport)

Category: 3 Star

Benz Park (14Kms from airport)

Category: 3 Star

Category: 3Star

Pebbles Serviced Apartments (12Kms from airport)

Category: 3 Star

Taj Kamar INN (14Kms from airport)

Category: 3 Star

Park Avenue-Nungambakkam (14Kms from airport)

Category: 3 Star

BKR Grand (13Kms from airport)

Category: 2 Star

Fab hotel Pearl(15Kms from airport)

Category: 2 Star

The Legends (15Kms from airport)

Category: 2 Star

Hotel Surya International (15Kms from airport)

Category: 2 Star

Hotel Lake view Point (12Kms from airport)

Category: 2 Star

Hotels near Vadapalani

Green Park (12Kms from airport)

Category: 4 Star

Ginger Hotel (12Kms from airport)

Category: 3 star

Akshay INN (12Kms from airport)

Category: 3 Star

Hotel Ambica Empire(13Kms from airport)

Category: 3 Star

Hotel Maurya International (14Kms from airport)

Category: 3 Star

Hotel Aditya (18Kms from airport)

Category: 2 Star

Hotel Gokulam Park (11kms from airport)

Category: 2 Star

Hotels near Koyambedu Bus Terminus

Royal Plaza(17Kms from airport)

Category: 3 Star

Shan Royal Hotel (15Kms from airport)

Category: 3 Star

Amrita Inn – Arumbakkam (15Kms from airport)

Category: 3 Star

Bhimaas(16Kms from airport)

Category: 3 Star

Hotels near Central railway station:

Hotel Pride(18Kms from airport)

Category: 4 Star

Hotel Abu Sarovar Portico (19Kms from airport)

Category: 3 Star

Hotel Pearl International (20Kms from airport)

Category: 3 Star

Grand Cascade (20Ksm from airport)

Category: 3 Star

Fab hotel Royal Regency (20Kms from airport)

Category: 3 Star

Hotel Pandian (17Kms from airport)

Category: 3 Star

Beverly Hotel (18Kms from airport)

Category: 3 Star

Emerald Hotel (19Kms from airport)

Category: 3 Star

List of Restaurants in Chennai

Chinese Restaurants

Golden Dragon at Taj Coramandel, Taj Coromandel,17 N H Road, Nungambakkam, Tel: 91-44- 66002827
China Town, #74, Third Floor, Cathedral Road, Padupet, Gopalapuram, Chennai, Tel: 91 44 2811 2246
Chin Chin at The Residency Hotel- 49 GN Chetty Road, T Nagar, Tel: 91-44-28253434
Mandarin, 9, Thiruvedian Street, Near Stella Maris College,Gopalapuram, Tel: - 044 28117431
The Canton Restaurant, 90, Kauvery Complex, 96, Nungambakkam High Road, (Next to Just Born), Nungambakkam.
Chap Chay(The Raintree Hotel) 120, St Marys Road Chennai.
Stix (Hyatt Regency)365, Anna Salai, Ellaiamman Colony, Teynampet, Chennai.
New Sindhu Restaurant-No. 147, Wall Tax Road, Edapalaiyam, George Town -044 2534 5703
New Seoul (Korean)-No.406, TTK Road, 1st Cross Street, Alwarpet - 044 4213 8884

Continental Restaurants

Nandanam restaurant(Only Kerala Food), E-32 2ndAvenue, Besant Nagar, Tel: 91-44-24919171
Eden, E-37, 2ndAvenue,Besant Nagar, Tel: 91-44-24460777,24463777
Don Pepe - Mexican restaurant, 73 Cathedral Road,Gopalapuram, Tel: 91-44-28110413
Coastline (Both veg and non veg)– Dr.Radhakrishna Salai, Mylapore - 91-44- 28111893, 28111128
Cafe Central-No.15 and 16, Dr. Nair Road, Near Holy Angels School - 044 4336 3393
Piano Restaurant-146, Dr.Radhakrishna Salai, Mylapore - 044 2811 4700
Gusto Café-13/6, Jaganathan Rd, Ponnangipuram, Tirumurthy Nagar, Nungambakkam - 044 4264 3333

Multi-Cuisine Restaurant

Coastline - Both veg and Non veg, Dr Radhakrishna Salai, Opp. AVM Rajeshwari Kalyana Mandapam, Mylapore, Tel: 91-44- 28111893,28111128
Salt and Pepper (Coffee Shop) at Hotel Ambassador Pallava, 30 Montieth Road,Egmore.Tel: 91-44-28554476
601(Park Hotel), 601 Anna Salai.Tel: 91-44-252144
Ahaar(The Residency), 49 GN ChettyRoad,T Nagar.Tel: 91-44-28253434
Brindavan (Ashok Residency, 1/460, Mount Poonamallee Road, Ayyappanthangal. Tel: 91-44-24761137/38/39
Cilantro / Le Royal Meridien, Le Royal Meridien, 1 GST Road, St Thomas Mount. Tel: 91-44-22314343
Red e Drop Zone, 30, Ground Floor, Cenetoph Road, Near HDFC Bank, Anna Salai,Teynampet
Tel: - 7812874591

North Indian Restaurants

Bay Leaf, 14, 6th street, Gopalapuram,Tel: 044 66599816, Timing: 11 am to 3 pm 7 pm to 11pm
Dhabba Express, Nungambakkam High Road,1st Floor,Eldorado Building, Nungambakkam
Kabul, No. 1/200, Dr. Radhakrishnan Salai, Tel: 9566188828
Copper Point at GRT grand hotel, GRT Grand Days, 120 ThyagarayaRoad,TNagar.Tel: 91-44-28150500
Komalas, Rajiv Gandhi IT Expressway, Karapakkam,Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR), Chennai. Tel: - 044 32006222
Minar at Savera hotel, Savera Hotel, 146 Dr Radhakrishnan Salai,Mylapore.Tel: 91-44-28114700
Koalas Restaurants-1,Prakasam Street, Tanagers - 044 4549 5444(Please suggest this branch instead of Karapakkam Branch)
Bay View Point (Taj fish cove hotel)- Kovalam Beach, Kanchipuram District - 044- 67413333
Pend-2, 1st Main Rd, Varadharajapuram, Balamurugan Nagar, Sarathy Nagar, Velachery - 044 4260 2556
Copper Chimney- Cathedral Road -73, Cathedral Rd, Kanakasri Nagar, Gopalapuram - 044 2811 5770
Shyam's Bombay Halwa House-No. 6, Govindhu Street, T Nagar, Behind Panagal Park - 044 2815 0504
Up North (Hotel Raintree) -636, Satya Murthy Nagar, Teynampet

Sea Food Restaurants

Bay View Point at Taj fish cove hotel, Taj Fishcove,Kovalam Beach, Kanchipuram District.Tel: - 044- 67413333
Dhabba Express, Nungambakkam High Road, 1st Floor,Eldorado Building, Nungambakkam
The Marina -9, College Road, Nungambakkam - 044 4203 5265
Coastal Aroma -1/155a, 1st Floor, 200 Feet Rd, Thoraipakkam - 094444 43638
Thoondil -19A, East Coast Road, Paniyur, Jai Nagar - 097153 33303

Vegetarian Restaurants

Jalpaan–No. 17/18, 3rd Floor, Opposite Gandhi Nagar Bus Depot, Above GRT Jewellery, Sardar Patel Road, Adyar-044 33011518
Sanjeevanam -No 97, Nungambakkam High Road -044 4549 0324
BR Mathsya -29/31, Thanikachalam Rd, Parthasarathi Puram, T Nagar- 044 4212 7557
Kaidi Kitchen -Next to St. Ebbas School, 20/3, Bishop Wallers Avenue East, CIT Colony, Mylapore - 044 4200 9701
Hotel Saravana Bhavan, KK Nagar, Chennai in Raja Annamalaipuram, Chennai.
Flower Drum, Prince Plaza, Pantheon Road,Near Egmore Museum, 46, 2nd Floor, Prince Plaza, Pantheon Road,Egmore, Tel: - 044 43102545
Annalakshmi Restaurant, Mount Road,Chennai 18/3, RukmaniLakshmipathi Salai, Egmore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600008
Tel:-0442852 5109

For any clarification, you may please write to pandian@southtourism.in