+31 61 055 6678 | The Hague | info@travoley.nl

0
Your Cart is Empty

Chennai (Madras)

Travoley
Chennai (Madras)

Chennai

37°C
Clear sky

Chennai (Madras) Travel Guide

  • About Chennai (Madras)
Chennai, the fascinating, frenetic capital of Tamil Nadu, offers the perfect introduction to the Indian south – colourful temples, famously spicy food and a rich history that leaps out of the architecture.Formerly known as Madras, Chennai was the site of the first British trading post in South India, and the legacy of the Raj is still visible in the colonial buildings and historic churches that dot the streets of the old city, centred on Fort St George. For more than a century, rival colonial powers squabbled over this corner of South India before the British finally gained the upper hand in the 18th century.Modern Chennai has grown up rather haphazardly around this colonial core, sprawling along the coastline beside the city’s most famous landmark, the 13km-long (8 mile) Marina Beach. This wide strip of sand is where Chennai residents come to promenade, fly kites, eat snack food and just unwind away from the urban crush.As the capital of the Dravidian south, Chennai is understandably proud of its Tamil culture, with traditions and religious customs that predate the influx of tribes from central Asia into the north of India.You’ll see signs of Tamil culture everywhere, from the curving letters of Tamil script on shop signs to energetic performances of Carnatic music and dance and the riotous films produced in Kollywood – the southern Chennai suburb that is home to India’s second largest film industry.The Tamil influence is also obvious in the city’s famously spicy cuisine, with fiery vegetarian curries flavoured with coconut, tamarind and chilli – traditionally served on banana leaf plates.Other must try dishes include dosa (crispy rice and lentil pancakes), idli (steamed rice cakes), uttapam (like a dosa but topped with vegetables) and the spicy chicken, lamb and seafood curries produced by the Chettiar community.In many ways, Chennai is still traditionally conservative, lacking the cosmopolitan flavour (and nightlife) of Mumbai, Bengaluru (Bangalore) and Delhi. However, Chennai is just a short bus or train ride from some of South India’s most famous sights, including the ancient temples of Mamallapuram and the French outpost of Pondicherry.
  • Chennai (Madras) History
Occupied by the British for 300 years, Chennai emerged as an energetic metropolis that’s fiercely proud of its Tamil heritage.In 1639, the local Indian rulers granted the East India Company a parcel of land upon which a fort was built as a residence for British settlers.The Brits gradually expanded their colony to encompass other settlements and villages, one of which was Madraspatnam. This eventually inspired the name of the city Madras.Despite a double whammy of plague and warfare in the late 17th century, the colony grew and in 1674 it was granted its own corporate charter.Thomas Pitt became the Governor of Madras in 1698 and under his 11-year governorship, trade developed and wealth increased.During the 18th century, the British fought off attacks in Madras from the French twice, the Danes and the Sultan of Mysore.But by the latter half of the century, Madras had become an important British naval base and they had secured increased control of the region. Trade flourished and businesses sprung up in textiles, banking and retail.After India became independent in 1947, the city became the capital of Madras State, renamed Tamil Nadu in 1968. The central government started imposing the use of Hindi in business and government, leading to sporadic rioting in Madras, an important base for Tamil opposition to the move.Further political violence ensued with the civil war in Sri Lanka, with a bomb attack at an airport in 1984 by the Tamil army.Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated near Chennai in Sriperumbudur in 1991, while campaigning in Tamil Nadu.In 1996, the Government of Tamil Nadu renamed the city Chennai.The 2004 tsunami lashed Chennai’s shores, killing many and destroying much of the seafront.Today, Chennai makes its fortune from software development and electronics manufacturing, with tourism also playing an important role.
  • Did you know?
Founded in 1946, Chennai-based AVM Studios is India’s oldest film production house. Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman (of Slumdog Millionaire fame) was born in Chennai in 1967. Chennai is nicknamed the ‘Detroit of India’, thanks to its large car-manufacturing industry.
  • Weather in Chennai (Madras)
Chennai has a typically tropical climate. It is hot and humid for most of the year, with temperatures spiking between May and June when they can reach anywhere from 35°C to 40°C (95°F to 104°F). The monsoons start hitting between mid-October and mid-December and there can be cyclones travelling in from the Bay of Bengal. Temperatures are more pleasant between November and January when the mercury hovers around 28°C (83°F).

CONTACT A TRAVEL EXPERT

1-to-1 Service | Reply within 24hrs | Expert’s Advice

Click here