EXCURSIONS

The Crocodile Bank(44 Kms)
Not far from Mamallapuram, there is a crocodile breeding and research centre that is run by the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust. This bank houses several species of Indian crocodiles and alligators from India and around the world. These reptiles are bred in captivity and are kept in their natural habitat in open pools and can be viewed by the public from a safe proximity. This farm breeds crocodiles to augment the crocodile population of wildlife sanctuaries.

Timings Entry Fee Holiday Phone
8.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. Rs. 20.00 Monday 954114-272447.

Kovalam(40 Kms)
This seaside village offers a unique environment. Within the precincts of this fishing village there is a Dargah and a Catholic church that attract pilgrims from Chennai and neighbouring districts.

Dakshinachitra (35 Kms)
True to its tradition of preserving its rich cultural heritage, Tamil Nadu can boast of an Art Village. It is otherwise called DakshinaChitra. Situated near Muttukkadu on the way to Mamallapuram it was founded by the Madras Craft Foundation. Dakshina Chitra has models of traditional handlooms and the replicas of the kinds of houses of the four south Indian states. Kancheepuram silk weavers and other craftsmen and the weavers work here demonstrating their skill and dexterity in their specialities. To the joy of the visitors, the weavers, potters and the other craftsmen give live demonstrations of their crafts and art. The centre showcases the heritage of the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

Entry Fee Holiday Phone
Indians Rs. 50/-
Student Rs. 25/-.
Foreigners Rs. 175/- Tuesday. Chennai 24918943
Foreign Student Rs. 70/-.


Muttukadu(36 kms)

This is an ideal picnic spot. The T.T.D.C. runs a Boat-House where facilities for boating and windsurfing are available. A restaurant is also being run by TTDC. Ph: 954114-272369.

Mudaliarkuppam(67 kms) These the backwaters, sand dunes and the calm beach make this place an ideal picnic spot. TTDC provides boating facilities to the tourists.

Snake Park

This is situated adjacent to the Children’s Park within the Guindy National Park. It houses an impressive collection of snakes. Demonstration of the extraction of venom is an absorbing activity here. The King Cobra,Python,Turtle,Tortoise and the Monitor Lizard are some of the popular reptiles that can be seen.


Timings Entry Fee Holiday Phone
8.30 a.m. to 5.30p.m. Adult: Rs. 5.00Child: Rs. 2.00 Tuesday 22353623.

Children’s Park

Within the limits of the Guindy National Park is the Children’s Park. Play for recreation and animal houses sheltering various animals are available. There are a large number of specimens of reptiles and an aviary with different species of birds.


Timings Holiday Phone Entry Fee
9.00 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. Tuesday 22301328 Adult : Rs. 2Child : Rs. 1

Guindy National Park

The Deer Park, comprising 595 acres, is situated adjacent to Raj Bhavan. It was originally a part of the Governor’s Estate. This is the only National Park in the world to be situated within a Metropolis. It is botanically the only one of its kind to carry even today, vegetation that is truly representative of the natural thorny scrub jungle of southern dry zone. Interspersed with more than 30 trees species that include a number of centuries-old gigantic banyan trees. This park with a network of roads, footpaths, nature trails, lakes and ponds, offers good opportunities for viewing wild life

The main attraction of this park is fauna such as the rare Indian Antelope popularly known as the Black Buck found nowhere else in the world. This is also a sanctuary for the endangered animals like the Spotted Deer, White Buck, Bonnet Monkey, Small Indian Civet Cat, Jungle Cat, Jackal, Common Mongoose and the Common Palm Civet Cat. The bird life is also equally interesting. You can see the King Fisher, Blue Jay, Golden Backed Woodpecker, Crow Pheasant, Yellow Wattled Lapwing, Redwattle Lapwing, Blue Faced Malkoha, Shrikes, Koels, Doves, Munias, Parakeets, Grey Partridge, Tailor birds, Robins, Drongos, Quails, Bird of Paradise Flycatcher and the Stone Curlew can be seen here.


Timings Holiday Entry Fee Phone No
8.30 a.m - 5.30 p.m Tuesday Adult : Rs.5Child : Rs. 2 22301328

Ripon Building

This huge Indo-Saracenic building is named after Lord Ripon, who was the Governor General and the father of Self-Government in India. This building is the seat of the Chennai Corporation, the oldest city Corporation in India

Arignar Anna Zoological Park

Animals can be seen in a large open island type enclosure with simulated natural environment. The attractions are the Nocturnal Animal House, Safari Park, a Walk- through Aviary, the Pre-historic Animal Park, Zoo-education and interpretation, Prey-Predator enclosures and an Aquarium. Battery operated vehicles are available to take visitors around the Zoo, apart from Elephant Rides and Lion Safari vehicles. The zoo is popularly called the Vandalur Zoo as it is located in Vandalur, 30 km south of Chennai.

Timings Entry Fee Holiday Phone
8.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. Rs. 5.00 Tuesday 22751089

Accommodation Available in Chennai

Taj Coromandel
28272827/28273103
Connemara
28520123
Le Royal Meridian (Delux)
22314343
Radisson GRT
22310101/22331032
The Trident
22344747/22344741
Welcome Group Chola Sheraton
28110101
Welcome Group Park Sherton
24994101
Ambassador Pallava
28554476
Grand Orient
28524111
GRT Grand Days
28150500
President
28473683/28472211
Aruna (Delux) Inn Chennai
28259090
Savera
28114700/28110883
Ashoka
28553377
Attantic
28553914
Abu Palace
26412222
Ambika Empire
23721818
Arunachala
28213312
Amrdeep International
24942710
Aditya
24832710
Ampa Crystal Inn
23741999/23743369
Breeze
26413334
Buinavista
24490301
Blue Star International
25350001
Broadlands
28545573
Comfort
28587661
Chinnas
28214839
Cresent Inn
25331619
Dasprakash
28255111
Diplomat
28193302
Shan Royal
26221212
Dee cee Manor
28158833/28158899
Gokulam Park
24891273
Guru
28554065
Ganpat
28272165
Ganga Internnational
28141340
Goutham Manor
28231885
Green Palace
25267177
Himalaya
28547522
Henkala
22261593
Hari Paun
28583082
Hotel Mars
22640116/22641211
Kodai International
25350263/25357946
Hotel Pritha Garden
26383012
Harisons
28275271/28263339
Heritage
28264422
Hotel Nest Inn
28192919
Hotel Sudha
28268466/28260633
Imperial
28264433/28264422
Kanchi
28271100/28279000
Liberty Park
24811673/24838650
Mount Heera
22335656
Maurya International
24840049
MGM Grand
24980320/24980311
Maharaha Joy (Mogappair)
26258966
Mekala Inn
26430900
Malika
28534102
Sriram Nallamani
28533866
Nayagara
24841209
Nilgris Nest
28115111
Nrimala Dakshin
28520545
Picnic Plaza
24940472
Pandian
28191559
Palmgrove
28271881
Pratap Plaza
28170670
Parthan
28158791
Peninsula
28150003
Paradise
28594252/28594055
Picnic Hotel(P) Ltd.
28389715/23/34/25
Prabhu International
26286524
Ranjith
28270521
Ram Prasad
28193178
Residency
28253434/2857373
Royal Darbar
28526844
Radha Park Inn
24757788/24756644
Shrilekha Pvt Ltd.
28530522
Shelter
24952762
Swagath
28132791
Suria
24340969
Sornam International
25353060(10 lines)
Tourist Home
28194679
Ramada
24987777
Premier
25383311/25368922
Ashoka Residency
24766647
Aruna International
28214411
Beverly Hotel
26612772
Central Lodge
25355042
Everest
25380772
Regent
28253347
Raj Palace
25328888
Hotel Lake View
24746779/3716039/3716040
Picnic Park (P) Ltd.
25389022
Sai Ram Nallamani
28588405
Benz Park
28159999
The Park
52144000
GLM Meridian
52070555
Dream Park
24313994
Vijay Park
24758080
Tulsi Park
28343006
Hotel Grand Palace
22510545
ComfortInn Marina Towers
28585454

Important TelephoneNumbers

Government of Tamil Nadu Tourist Office
25368358
Tourist Information Centre, Central Railway Station
25353351
Tourist Information Centre, Egmore Railway Station
28192165
Tourist Information Centre, Domestic Terminal, Airport
22560569
Tourist Information Centre, International Terminal, Airport
22560437
Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation, Head Office
25383333
Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation, Sales counter,Tamil Nadu Tourism Complex, Chennai.2
25389857
Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation, Sales counter, LLA Building , Anna Salai, Chennai.2
28411177
Govt. of India Tourist Office, 154, Anna Salai, Chennai.2
28460285
Foreigners Regional Registration Office
28275424
Shastri Bhavan Annexe
28288210
Uttranchal Tourism Office, Tamil Nadu Tourism Complex, Chennai.2
25363524
Himachal Pradesh Tourism, Tamil Nadu Tourism Complex, Chennai.2
25385689
Kerala Govt. Tourism Bureau, Tamil Nadu Tourism Complex , Chennai.
25382639
Kerala Tourism Devt. Corpn. Tamil Nadu Tourism Complex, Chennai.2
25369789
Rajasthan Tourism, Tamil Nadu Tourism Complex, Chennai.2
25365554
Uttarpradesh Tourism, C-in – C Road , Chennai
28283276
West Bengal Govt. Tourism, Wallajah Road , Chennai.2
28532346
West Bengal Youth Hostel, Wallajah Road , Chennai.2
28530293
Orissa Tourism, Tamil Nadu Tourism Complex, Chennai.2
25360891
Tourism Corpn.of Gujarat Ltd. Tamil Nadu Tourism Complex , Chennai.
25366613
Andaman Nicobar Islands Tourism, Tamil Nadu Tourism Complex
25360952
India Tourism Devt.Corpn.CinC Road , Chennai
28278884/28255800
Jammu and Kashmir Tourist Office, North Usman Road , Ch.17
28235958
Andhra Pradesh Tourism Centre, Tamil Nadu Tourism Complex,Chennai
25381213
Delhi Tourism, Tamil Nadu Tourism Complex, Chennai.2
25364444
Pondicherry Guest House
24838170/24831332
Thirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam
24343535
Archaeological Survey of India
25670396/25670397
Gujarat Samaj
25322077
Income TaxOffice, (Foreign Section)
28272011
King Institute (Yellow FeverVaccination)
22341026
Maharashtra Mandal
25360328
Poompuhar Sales Emporium
28267643
State Information Centre (Govt.of Tamil Nadu)
28591393
Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowment Department
28279407
Youth Hostel, Indira Nagar
24420233
Music college, chennai.28
24937217
Iyal Isai Natadaka Mandram, Chennai.28
24936848
Kalakshetra, Chennai
24903815/24911936
Automobile Association of Southern India , Chennai
28521162
Connemara Public Library
28193751
Youth Hostel Association of India
24890976
Chennai Airport – Information/Reservation/Arr.&Departure
140/141/142
Southern Railway Information/Reservation/Arrival & Departure
1361/1362/1363
State Transport Corporation
24794705
Andhra Mahila Sabha
24938311/21/31/41
Rajasthan Association,Chennai.1
25360496
Gujarat Samaj, Chennai.1
25382844/25384680
Railway Retiring Room ( Central)
25353337
Railway Retiring Room ( Egmore)
28192527
The Salvation Army Red Shield Guest House
25321821
TTDC Youth Hostel, Chennai.3
25389132
YMCA, Cjemao.14
285326554/28589397
YWCA, Chennai.86
25321056
YMCA, Guest House
25324257/58

TRAVEL AGENTS

Sarathy Travels 4211221, 9444443223
American Express 28491844
Ashok Travels 28553203
Bharath Travels 25340996
Gay Travels 28279046
Govan Travels 28294416
Mercury Travels 28522993
Madura Travel Services (P) Ltd. 28193858
Orient Express 28269616
Sita World Travels 28278861/62
Thomas Cook 28554600
Trade Wings (P) Ltd. 28524921
Travel Corporation India (P) Ltd. 28362585/28362566

1 DAY CHENNAI CITY SIGHT SEEING TOUR

Fare Details

Tickets Coach Fare per person

Adult A/C Rs.170/-



Adult Non A/C Rs.120/-



Remarks

For foreigners entrance fee of Rs. 100 or 2$ will be extra at Fort Museum and Rs. 250 or 5$ at Egmore Museum

Tour Days & Duration

1 Day : Morning & Evening on all days from 8.00 A.M to 1.00 P.M. and from 1.30 P.M to 6.30 P.M.
Places Covered On the tour

Fort St. George, Government Museum, Valluvar Kottam, Snake Park, Kapaleeswarar Temple & Marina Beach. (Govt. Museum will be closed on Fridays instead Birla Planetorium will be covered on that day) (Snake Park will be closed on Tuesdays).

The Temples in and around Chennai

There are a number of temples situated in the city and suburbs of Chennai that are worth a visit for its architecture splendour and sculptural marvel. The most popular temples are the Devi Karumariamman Temple; at Thiruverkadu; Kamatchi Amman Temple at Mangadu; Marundheeswarar Temple, Thiruvanmiyur; Sri Jaganath Temple, Kanathur; and the Jain Temple, in Vepery.
There are several Murugan Temples in and around Chennai. Some of the more popular temples are at Kundrathur, Thiruporur and Chrompet.
The Vishnu Temples are at Thirumazhisai, Tiruninravur and Thiruneermalai, Masilamaneeswarar Temple at Thirumullaivayal, Nithya Kalayana Perumal Temple at Thiruvidanthai; and the Thiruvudaiamman Temple at Melur.
The Anjaneya Temple, the Raghavendra Temple and Raja Rajeswari Temple at Nanganallur, the Sri Devi Vadivudai Amman Temple at Thiurvottiyur and Sri Sai Baba Temple at Vettuvankeni are some of the other famous and popular temples in Chennai and the suburbs.

Places of Tourist Interest

Fort St. George
Fort st.George occupies pride of place and prominence in Chennai. This bastion derived its name form St. George, the patron saint of England. The State Legislature and the Secretariat are located inside this fort .

The St. Mary’s Church, the oldest Anglican Church in India built in 1680 is situated here. The tombstones in its courtyard are some of the oldest British tombstones in India. The weddings of Robert Clive and Governor Elihu Yale, who later founded the famous Yale University in the U.S.A were solemnised in this ancient prayerhouse.

Vivekananda House & Museum
The state government had leased this building Sri Ramakrishna Mission. It is an imposing structure on the Marina along the South Beach Road. It was constructed in 1842 to store ice blocks imported from the USA by the Tudor Ice Company and the business continued until 1874, when the ice began to be produced locally. This is why it is called Ice House. Later Bilagiri Iyengar purchased this building in 1885 and called it "Castle Kernon."

In 1897 Swami Vivekananda visited this city and stayed in this historic building from February 6 to 15 in 1897 on his way to Calcutta, after his acclaimed speech at Chicago for the Parliament of Religions. The Government took over the building in 1930 and in 1963 it was named after Vivekananda. On the eve of his Centenary Celebrations, in 1999 the building was renovated and the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu unveiled the sage’s statue on the 20th December 1999. Photographs depicting the historical happenings associated with his life and books about him and his own written works are on display and sold here in the Museum.

Memorials of Gandhi, Rajaji, Kamaraj & BhaktavatsalamThese four memorials are situated east of Raj Bhavan, the Governor’s Residence.

Santhome Cathedral Basilica Santhome at the southern end of the Marina gets its name from St.Thomas, the apostle of Jesus who is believed to have come to India sometime during 52 A.D. It is believed he was killed on St. Thomas Mount just outside the city in 78 AD and his remains interred in Santhome beach where a church was later built.

Several years later, another church was built further inland and his mortal remains were transferred here. Chennai’s newest pride is the Tidel Park, the home for the Information Technology Industry. It is spread over 1.28 million sq.ft. of built up area. The Tidel Park is an architectural marvel and houses several large national and international software companies in its premises.

The Marina Beach, the pride of Chennai is the second longest beach in the world and has a wide sandy shore. Situated on the beach, are the Samadhis or memorials dedicated to C.N.Annadurai and M.G.Ramachandran, both former Chief Ministers of the state. They attract thousands of visitors everyday. Some of the most beautiful buildings in Chennai such as the University of Madras, the Senate House, Chepauk Palace, Presidency College and the Ice House are located on the beach drive.

Tourism of Tamil Nadu

There are several places of tourist interest in the State and in Chennai, the state’s capital city. Mamallapuram, the beach resort; Kanchipuram, the land of 1000 temples; Madurai famous for the Meenakshi temple; Rameswaram, Thiruchirapalli and Thanjavur, form the temple trio The charming hill resorts are at Yercaud, Ootacamund and Kodaikanal. Kanniyakumari at the tip of the Indian peninsula is where the seas meet. The waters of the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean and of the Arabian Sea join together at this point. This small town is renowned for the spellbinding views of a fantastic sunrise and sunset .

State Capital Chennai
Population 61.5 million people per sq. km.
Area (sq. km) 130,058
Literacy Ratio 64%
No of Districts 30
Language Tamil

Tamil Nadu, a state in southern India , is bordered on the north by the State of Andhra Pradesh , on the northwest by the Karnataka State , on the west by the Kerala State , and on the east and south by the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean. Occupying an area in the extreme south of the Indian peninsula, Tamil Nadu has an area of 130,058 sq km (50,215 sq mi).The State of Tamil Nadu is divided into 30 Administrative Districts, which in turn are further bifurcated into smaller divisions and subdivisions including a total of 17,272 villages. The state’s capital, Madras was renamed Chennai. It is the fourth largest city in the Indian sub-continent. It extends over an area of 174 sq.km.

Its Legislative House is unicameral and has 235 seats. The state sends 57 members to the India’s National Parliament, 18 to the Rajya Sabha or the Upper House and 39 to the Lok Sabha or the Lower House.

Chennai – Gateway to the South

This metropolis is often called the cultural capital of India for its deep-rooted traditions and long heritage. Chennai is a city younger than its image. More than any other city in India, it is a true reflection of this country’s diversity. In a time span of just over 350 years, Chennai has blossomed into a charming city that has a large heart and is very welcoming. It is city that encourages all forms of development, both modern technology and the traditional arts and crafts, and it embraces a series of paradoxes. It was in 1639 that Francis Day and Andrew Cogan, agents for the English East India Company, acquired a strip of land on lease from the Vijayanagar King. They built the Fort St.George, which remains of the city’s important landmarks and serves as the Government Secretariat today. It was built to set up a factory that served as a nucleus for British settlements that began to be formed. Surrounding villages like Triplicane, Purasawalkam, Egmore and Chetput slowly merged with the new developments, to form Chennapatnam, as it was known. The city was called Madras till 1996 and then renamed Chennai. Today this buoyant metropolis is a blend of the old and the new, the traditional and the modern.
Spread over 200 square kilometres with the Bay of Bengal on the east, the city is the gateway to the rest of South India. There are verdant green patches found amidst the high-tech, high-rise buildings.
With a population of around six million, it is India’s fourth largest city. From before days of Independence to present , the people of Chennai have played an important role in shaping the country’s political destiny.
Chennai’s Pride Chennai’s newest pride is the Tidel Park, the home for the Information Technology Industry. It is spread over 1.28 million sq.ft. of built up area. The Tidel Park is an architectural marvel and houses several large national and international software companies in its premises.The City of Grace And Peace

Tamil Nadu - Welcomes you

Tamil Nadu is the land of the Tamils and it has a history that dates back to a several thousand years. It is a land where traditions and culture blend and continue to live in harmony. The state abounds in monuments and temples that are ancient and each has its own story of religious, artistic and cultural accomplishment and specialty waiting to be heard.
Are there answers to be found on her beaches and hill stations as they welcome the traveler? We are sure you will form your own opinions and have your own perceptions as we welcome you to this enchanting and ancient Dravidian land, in the extreme south of peninsular India.
Tamil Nadu has a long coastline that stretches nearly a 1000 kms. The Coromandel Coast, along the Bay of Bengal, boasts of many ideal locations for sun and surf. Golden sands of the beach are dotted with coconut palm and casuarina groves. The sea washes ashore pebbles and shells and the gentle breeze sways the yachts and catamarans into the deeper waters of the sea and the waters form small dunes on the shore. Crabs play hide-and-seek by coming out of one burrow, and taking refuge in another. Sea gulls hover in the sky and then rest on the sails of the fishing boats. There are many more breathtaking sights that will please you and hold you spell bound in Tamil Nadu. Welcome to Tamil Nadu and may you enjoy your stay!