The origin of Madras as we know it, dates back to a few centuries - about 350 years. Prior to that, small villages existed for well over 1000 years in a cluster of civilization. Villages around Temples like Parthasarathy in Triplicane and Kapaleeswarer temple in Mylapore near the southern coast and Marudheeswarer Temple in Thiruvanmiyur were in existence for several centuries long before the Europeans arrived here.

The first Europeans to reach the shores of Madras were, as usual in this part of the world, Portuguese. They built a church in Saint Thomas Mount enshrining the Bleeding Cross. And then they went further down to Little Mount where they built another small church in 1551 where St.Thomas , the disciple of Jesus Christ was hiding in a cave from his persecutors before being martyred in St.Thomas Mount.

One Francis Day, a member of the Masulipatnam council undertook a journey down the east coast of south India looking for a promising place. He found one near Poonamalee, ruled by one Damarla Venkatapathy Nayak, a local chieftain. He had chosen a village called as madraspatnam. The fort built by Francis Day was called as Fort.St.George as it was finished at the festival of St.George - 23rd April, 1653.

The settlement soon occurred around the Fort and the new town was called as Srirangarayapatnam, named after the nephew of Venkatapathy Nayak, Srirangarayalu.

Some seek to distinguish the name of chennaipatnam and madraspatnam as two different settlements. Chennaipatnam was the predominantly Indian town adjacent to town around the Fort, which went under the name of madraspatnam.

But the origin of the Name Madras is mired in some folklore. Some attribute the name Madras to the small church built by the Portuguese dedicated to the Mother of God - Mãe do deus , whereas others ascribe the name to a local village chieftain Maddarasu.

Be that as it may, Madras rose in stature and power with the rise of British Empire. Many colleges, hospitals and prominent landmarks were established in tune with the rising importance. Towards the end of 19th century, Madras was clearly established as an important hub in South India.

Despite its hot and humid climate throughout the year, the British chose this city as it provided - a relatively docile populace still clinging to the old glory of its Tamil Kingdom, a natural harbour which made easy access to the maritime colonial power's reach and the position it occupied almost in the center of a region controlled by the British.

Madras population consisted of people from many parts of the South India and from North. The Tamil language they spoke borrowed many words from all these languages and became a dialect - Madras Tamil. Despite the amalgamation of so many cultures, Madras remains a conservative middle class south Indian city even to this day.

Chennai music and dance festival is a celebration of classical music and dance of South India (Carnatic Music) held during mid December to mid January in the capital city of Chennai. The festival is held at a number of venues around the city by various sabhas or organizations.Chennai music and dance festival is a celebration of classical music and dance of South India held during mid December to mid January in the capital city of Chennai. The festival is held at a number of venues around the city by various 'sabhas' or organizations. Besides the auditoriums, well-known temple premises and heritage bungalows are being used as venues. The month long dance and music extravaganza will have performances of famous artistes from various parts of India.

The 'Margazhi festival of dance and music' started early back in 1927, to commemorate the anniversary of Madras Music Academy every December, was later adopted by various organizations which held art festivals in different parts of the city. The Tamil month of 'Margazhi' is a sacred month of the Hindus. South Indian classical music (Carnatic Music), which has its roots in devotion to the gods, has been a traditional form of worship from time immemorial.

Tourist Attraction

George Town
Named after the future King George V, on his visit to India in 1905, this has long been the historical and also commercial hub of the city. Along Popham's Broadway (named after British lawyer Stephen Popham who was determined to improve the sanitation in the late 18th century) is the beautiful Armenian Church (1772) and Wesleyan Church (1820).

Fort St George
Named after England's patron saint, and built in 1640, the fort was the first bastion of British power and the oldest British construction in India. It was once the headquarters of the East India Company. It covers a vast area and now houses the State Legislature and Secretariate. Fort Museum contains relics from the British Raj, including weaponry, silverware, portraits and military uniforms.

St Mary's Church
Housed within the fort, the church was built in 1680 using solid masonry and four-foot thick outer walls, and still retains some outstanding examples of 17th-century craftsmanship. As Asia's oldest protestant church, its tombstones outside are India's oldest British tombs. This was the venue for the marriage of Robert Clive (Clive of India) and that of Governor Elinu Yale who founded Yale University in the US, and contains their remains.

Government Museum and Art Gallery
Originally built in the grounds of the 18th-century Pantheon, this is one of the finest colonial buildings in the subcontinent. In addition to the museum, it houses the Connemara Public Library and National Art Gallery. The museum contains Buddhist sculptures, plus natural history and archaeology sections.

Basilica of San Thome
This elegant cathedral is thought to be the burial site of St Thomas the Apostle (Doubting Thomas) when he was killed just outside the city in 78AD. Built in the 16th century by the Portuguese, and made into a basilica in 1896, its stunning stained glass window portrays the story of St Thomas, and the central hall has 14 wooden Stations of the Cross, depicting scenes from the last days of Christ.

Marina Beach and Elliot's Beach
At 18km (11 miles), Marina Beach, the second longest beach in the world is not for swimming as the currents are too strong. Stick to people-watching in the evenings, a sunset walk or driving along the seafront for the views of the city's fine buildings. There are also statues of scholars and local heroes, and the Anna Memorial, dedicated to former Chief Minister CN Annadurai. Part of the beach settlement was destroyed when the 2004 tsunami hit Tamil Nadu. Further down Marina Beach, relaxing Elliot's Beach contains the Velankanni Church, which attracts many pilgrims, and the Ashtalakshmi temple with eight different forms of the goddess Lakshmi.

The Theosophical Society
Founded in 1875, the Society was formed to encourage the study of comparative religion, philosophy and science by studying and reflecting on the purity of life. It contains shrines of all faiths, a peaceful Garden of Remembrance, and a 95-year old library with a wonderful collection of rare Oriental manuscripts written on palm leaves and parchment. Sitting under the largest Banyan tree in the world is a good place to and contemplate the meaning of life.

Valluvar Kottam
Opened in 1976 in memory of the poet-saint Thiruvalluvar, this massive auditorium seating 4,000 people has all 1,330 verses of the poet's epic, the Thirukkural, inscribed on the surrounding granite pillars. The 30m (100ft) high temple chariot structure has a life-size image of the poet, and the base of the chariot shows in chapters of the epic in bas-relief. It is considered a significant memorial to Tamil culture.

High Court Building
Built in 1892, this red Indo-Saracenic structure at Parry's corner is one of Chennai's main landmarks and believed to be the second largest judicial building in the world, after the Temple Law Courts of London. Still a working court, with the Madras Law College in the same complex, the grounds are busy with lawyers, students, defendants and visitors. It is possible to arrange a visit to the courtrooms during session, and a tour, with the registrar; court no. 13 has wonderful stained glass and carvings. There are plans to build an archive and museum within the complex.

Kapaleeshwara Temple
This temple in Mylapore is an excellent example of Dravidian temple architecture, with inscriptions dating back to 1250 AD. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, is has beautiful sculptures including 63 Saivaite saints adorning the courtyard – the only place where non-Hindus will be allowed.

Parthasarathy Temple
This temple dates back to the 8th century during the reign of the Pallavas. Dedicated to Lord Krishna, it is the oldest building in the city and a great example of ancient South Indian temple architecture. You may be lucky to catch an elephant taking part in the temple's daily rituals.

Little Mount Church
This is a tiny cave where St Thomas is believed to have lived when he came to India around AD 58, and known locally as Chinnamalai. It was here from where he leapt out of a small hole to escape his assailants. The cave is entered via the Portuguese church built in 1551, which contains relics including an old stone cross which St Thomas is said to have clutched while dying. There is a service in English every Sunday morning at 0630.

St Andrew's Church
Completed in 1821 in a classical style, this church has an impressive blue dome decorated with gold stars. There are excellent views from the top. Described in British days as 'the noblest edifice in Hindustan', its façade resembles St Martin-in-the-Fields in London.