Chennai City
Chennai - the sprawling and gracious city on the "Bay
of Bengal". visit the Fort St. George once a strong-hold of
the British, San Thomas Cathedral, Marina Beach and the beautiful
Mylapore temple.
City tour of Chennai - is the fourth - largest city in India.
The sprawling city which is divided in two by the Cooum River,
has few tall buildings to mar the impression of an easygoing market
town. The beautifully executed two- foot-high statue, which seems
to be constantly moving, has rightfully become the symbol of Indian
art that is recognized all around the world.
Chennai - is the fourth largest city in India. The sprawling
city which is divided in two by the Cooum River, has few tall buildings
to mar the impression of an easygoing market town. The gracefulness
is present in Chennai in such liberal quantities is appropriate.
Visit the Fort St. George - Still surrounded by cannon-proof walls
the fort was rebuilt several times between 1642 when its original
bastions were completed and 1749 when the French left, it remains
- moats and all - pretty much today as when first made the seat
of empire. Declared a national monument in 1948, most of its buildings
have been converted into government offices, notably the Legislature
and Secretariat. At various times the fort was home of Robert Clive,
Elihu Yale and Sir Arthur Wellesley. Within the fort, visit the
little St Mary s Church the oldest Protestant church east of the
Suez and the first Anglican one in India.
Fort Museum which has 10 galleries with many exhibits telling
the story of the East India company's activities in South India.
The top floor has some good French porcelain, clocks and Belgium
glass, and, of most interest, some rare 19th-Century prints of Chennai.
The ground floor has East India Company - memorabilia, including
officers medals, tea sets and cutlery.
San Thome Basilica this is a Gothic-style Catholic church
said to house the remains of St. Thomas, the Apostle of India, who
died at nearby St Thomas Mount in AD 72. Visit Theosophical Society-
approached along pretty country lanes is the perfect introduction
to the 270 acres of beautiful gardens within the Society's grounds.
Established in New York in 1875 by Madame Blavatsky and Colonel
Olcott, the theosophical Soceity moved to Chennai in 1882. It was
formed to promote the study of comparative religions, philosophy
and science. After its move to Chennai the society was run by Annie
Besant. The vast campus, spread over 1750 acres, houses a superb
library with 17,000 manuscripts, has shrines to all faiths and also
one of the world s largest banyan trees. Visit on the campus of
Kalakshetra the home of performing arts founded by a visionary
Rumkini Devi Arundale who devoted all her life to the art, music,
dance, painting.
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