| Chennai (formerly known as Madras) the capital of | | | | on the seashore. These sculptures belong to the |
| Tamil Nadu, lies along the coast of the Bay of Bengal, | | | | period of Pallava Kings who ruled this part of South |
| developed after 1639 when the British East India | | | | India many centuries ago. Chariot, Elephant and other |
| Company established a fort and trading post at the | | | | huge sculptures out of single stone is worth seeing. |
| small fishing village of Chennai. Over the past three | | | | KANCHIPURAM: A famous place for temples and silk |
| and a half centuries, the small fishing village has grown | | | | sarees. Also one of the place where the Hindu mutt |
| into a bustling metropolis which is especially known for | | | | called the Shankaracharya Mutt is situated. Varadaraja |
| its spaciousness which is lacking in other Indian cities. | | | | Perumal Temple and Kanchi Kamakshi temples are |
| This characteristic is exemplified by the long esplanade | | | | very famous. There are many colonies who involve in |
| called the Marina and which is lined by impressive | | | | weaving pure silk sarees worth seeing and purchasing |
| buildings which remind the casual visitor of the long and | | | | too as it ranges from a simple Rs.2000/- to Rs. 1 Lakh |
| inseparable association the city has had with the British. | | | | also. |
| Even elsewhere in the city, one cannot fail to notice | | | | SRIPERAMBUDUR: On the way to Kanchipuram is |
| the dominant British influences in the form of old | | | | another place called the Sriperumbudur, came to light |
| cathedrals, buildings in the Indo-Saracenic style of | | | | from a sleeping village after the assassination of Shri |
| architecture, wide tree lined avenues. | | | | Rajiv Gandhi, India's youngest elected Prime Minister on |
| As a city it continues to maintain the best of South | | | | May 21, 1991, who in a short span of his politics, brought |
| Indian traditions. This is not surprising because the | | | | in a rapid change Information Technolocy, |
| region was an important centre of Pallavan culture | | | | Communications Systems in India. |
| long before the British came here and the traces of | | | | DAKSHINCHITRA: Situated on the ECR High way at |
| which are to be found in the numerous old temples. | | | | about 25 Kms. from the centre of Chennai. It is worth |
| Thus, the unwary visitor will find Madras more than just | | | | spending atleast a day here to see the ancient type of |
| a gateway of South India. He shall find it a convenient | | | | common houses of the South India as it depicts the |
| base to peep into the varied aspects of traditional | | | | variety of houses built in those days to suit their needs. |
| south Indian culture and life styles which intermingle with | | | | For e.g the fishermens' house in Kerala, Weavers |
| the modern city complete with its plush hotels and | | | | house in Tamilnadu (Kanchipuram), Karnataka, and |
| restaurants - offering a range of continental and typical | | | | Andhra. One can also find the handicrafts of these |
| south Indian cuisine, long and uncrowded stretches of | | | | states and many families actually live here and show |
| beaches, modern shopping centres which offer | | | | you how they work on a potters' wheel, weave silk |
| traditional handicrafts, textiles and much more peculiar | | | | sarees, make glass idols and the same items are sold |
| to this part of India. | | | | here. Many volunteers work here to promote the work |
| Besides the modern city itself, there are several | | | | of these artisans. |
| interesting towns like Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram, | | | | MUTTUKADU: This place is a picnic spot where you |
| each with a rich collection of ancient temples and an | | | | can go for boat ride, or row your boat along the |
| array of traditional handicrafts which are very much | | | | backwaters and enjoy the cool breeze of the sea |
| their own. | | | | after 3.00 PM. |
| MAHABALIPURAM: Famous for monolithic sculptures | | | | |