Chennai
Where the Coromandel Coast Meets Living Culture
Discover Chennai
Where the Coromandel Coast Meets Living Culture
About Chennai
Chennai is Tamil Nadu’s capital and a major coastal metropolis on the Coromandel Coast. Ancient temples, colonial landmarks, museums, music halls, neighbourhood markets and a long urban shoreline coexist within a city that serves as one of the principal gateways to South Indian culture.
History and legacy
The region has long been connected with Tamil settlement, maritime exchange and temple culture. Colonial Madras grew around Fort St George and expanded as an administrative and commercial centre, later developing into Chennai, a leading city for industry, education, healthcare, cinema and the arts.
Culture and character
Carnatic music, Bharatanatyam, temple festivals, kolam designs, silk, cinema and a distinctive food culture shape Chennai’s identity. The city’s strongest experiences often emerge in neighbourhoods, where traditional institutions and contemporary creativity operate side by side.
Destination facts
- 01
Chennai is the capital of Tamil Nadu and faces the Bay of Bengal.
- 02
Marina Beach forms one of the city’s most recognised public spaces.
- 03
Fort St George reflects the colonial history of the former city of Madras.
- 04
The annual music and dance season highlights Chennai’s importance to the classical arts.
Explore by neighbourhood
Plan visits in the cooler morning and evening hours, and combine major landmarks with Mylapore, George Town or a local cultural performance. Dress appropriately for temples, remove footwear when required and experience the city’s cuisine beyond the most familiar dishes.
Itineraries Featuring CHENNAI
Why We Love Chennai
Temple towers, sea breeze and a confident modern pulse. Chennai carries tradition without standing still.
A City Facing the Bay
Marina Beach gives Chennai an immense open shoreline.
Temple Towers in Living Streets
Historic shrines remain active centres of worship and neighbourhood life.
Music That Defines a Season
Carnatic concerts fill halls and sabhas during Chennai's cultural season.
Dance With Classical Precision
Bharatanatyam schools and performances keep a major art form visible.
Colonial Layers by the Coast
Fort St George and older districts trace the city's trading past.
Filter Coffee and Full Meals
Tiffin, seafood and Tamil vegetarian cuisine reward every appetite.
From Trading Post to Metropolis
The East India Company established Fort St George in the seventeenth century. The settlements around it expanded into Madras and later the modern city of Chennai.
The Music Season Transforms the City
Each year, Chennai's concert season brings together Carnatic music, classical dance and audiences across a dense calendar of performances.













