Modern Chennai grew out of a small village when in 1639 a fishing hamlet called "Madraspatnam" was selected by early English merchants of the East India Company as a site for the settlement.Chennai was the first British major settlement in India and it was here that many who went on to build the Empire first learnt their trade. As a consequence, the city is replete with much that is of significance in British Indian history. But the much older settlements have stories to tell too, and so the city is an amalgam of ancient and more modern history. Everywhere one goes in Chennai, one can find history written in every name.

Chennai, previously called Madras, is comparatively a new city, about 350 years old. The erstwhile villages of Mylapore, Triplicane, Ezhambur (Egmore), etc., all now a part of Chennai, have a recorded historical past centuries older than Chennai.

Chennai is a gracious city that has a clear skyline, long sandy beaches, parks, historic landmarks and tourist infrastructural facilities which make it a convenient entry point or base to start a tour of Tamil Nadu and South India.

Music, dance and all other art forms of South India are cherished and nurtured in this city. Although the city has long been an important center of textile manufacturing, a great deal of industrial expansion has taken place in recent years.

The region of Chennai was called Tondaimandalam in earlier days and had its military headquarters at Puzhal, which is now a small and rather insignificant village on the outskirts of the city. Modern Chennai grew out of a small village, when in 1639 a fishing hamlet called Chennaipatnam was selected by early English merchants of the East India Company as a site for their settlement. Chennai has attracted a vast assortment of people right from seafarers, spice traders and cloth merchants over the period.

The sixteenth century saw the arrival of the Portuguese, followed by the Dutch trading companies. The Portuguese established a fort, Sao Tome or San Thome in 1522, pushing back the ancient Pallava port of Mylapore. By 1612 the Dutch established themselves in Pulicat to the North. Founded in 1639 on land given by the Raja of Chandragiri, the last representative of the Vijayanagar rulers of Hampi to British traders, a small fort was built at a fishing settlement in 1644 and a town, which subsequently came to known as George Town, grew in the area of Fort St. George.

Location
Chennai BeachesChennai has the Bay of Bengal bordering its east, while the state of Andhra Pradesh is on its northwest. It has the Kanchipuram on its south and the states of Kerala and Karnataka on its western side.

Fairs and Festivals in Chennai

Arubathimoovar Festival:
Literally, 'Arubathimoovar' refers to the 63 saints of Shiva canonized for leading exemplary lives of devotion and penance. Bronze figures of these 63 saints adorn the magnificent Kapaliswar Temple at Mylapore, Chennai. Once, every year, they are carried in a colourful procession through the streets of Mylapore.

Chithirai Festival:
Celebrated in Madurai a spectacular re-enactment of the marriage of the Pandiyan princess Meenakshi to Lord Sundareswarar. You can witness an ancient legend unfold right before your eyes as Lord Vishnu rides to his sister's wedding on gleaming real-gold horse chariot.

Dance Festival - Mamallapuram:
Sit before an open-air 'stage' created 13 centuries ago the incredible monolithic rock sculptures of the Pallavas, next to the sea in this ancient city of Mamallapuram. Watch a very unique dance event where traditional dance forms of Bharathanatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathakali and Odissi, presented by the very best exponents of the art besides folk dances.

Kanthuri Festival:
A truly secular festival where devotees flock to the shrine of saint Quadirwali, believed to do equal good to people of all faiths. One of the descendants of the Saint is chosen as a Peer or spiritual leader and is honoured with offerings. On the tenth day of the festival, the Saint's tomb is anointed with sandalwood - and later the holy sandal paste, renowned for its healing powers, is distributed to everyone.

Chithirai Festival Kavadi Festival:
Dancing in a hypnotic trance to the rhythm of drums, devotees of Muruga carry the 'Kavadi' a flower-decked decoration, all the way up the Palani Hills to fulfil their vow. According to Hindu mythology, Idumban is said to have carried two sacred hillocks on two ends of a pole laced on his shoulders.

Music Festival:
Come December, Chennai celebrates her priceless heritage of carnatic music and dance presented by a galaxy of star artistes.

Shopping in Chennai
Chennai has some places to offer for shopping. In fact Chennai is a Shopper's delight. There are a lot of places and shops worth visiting. One thing to be kept in mind is to try to bargain for prices at almost all places. New plazas are springing up while traditional stores are having themselves refurbished to attract more customers. Readymade clothing including brands, art and crafts, contemporary and traditional artwork, antiques, jewellery etc are easily available in the city. Traditional items like Pattamara Mats and the leaf and palmyra-fiber handicrafts from Tirunellveli, bronze and brass castings and traditional jewelry from Kumbakonam, Metal works from Tanjavur, stone carvings from Mamallapuram, Silks from Kanchipuram are all available in Chennai.

Places Visit

Marina Beach:
Stretching over 13 kilometers this popular beach is the second longest beach in Asia.

Fort St George:
 Built by the British East India Company in 1653 this fort houses St Mary's Church, the first British Church in Chennai and has a museum with a collection of British and French historical artifacts. It is currently used as the State Secretariat or seat of local government.

St Thomas Mount:
One of Christ's disciples, St Thomas is believed to have visited India between 52 and 72 AD. He is believed to have died in the area called St Thomas Mount. The Portuguese built the Luz and Descanco churches. There are several churches and a museum to be seen on St Thomas Mount.

Theosophical Society:
The serene setting of this institution in Adyar, spread out over 100 green acres, makes it a popular spot for visitors. It is also famous for the large Banyan tree in its grounds. This banyan is over 200 years old and its branches and aerial roots spread out over a large circumference.

Kalakshetra:
Smt Rukmini Devi Arundale founded this cultural institution of international repute in 1936 as a cultural academy for the preservation of traditional values in Indian art, especially in the field of dance and music. Performances of the classical arts can be seen here throughout the year.

Guindy National Park and Snake Park:
 A unique institution, this centre is renowned for the study and preservation of snakes and other reptiles.

Parthasarthi Temple:
 Built in the 8th century B.C. by the Pallava Dynasty and dedicated to Lord Krishna, this temple was renovated in the 16th century by the Vijayanagara dynasty and continues to be in active use today.