Located on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal is Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu and the fourth largest city of India. The Gateway to South India, the city is famous for its temples, beaches, and silk saris. Known earlier as Madraspatnam or Madras, the city of Chennai has grown tremendously from a small trading post under the British to a bustling metropolis. It is now a large commercial and industrial centre also known for its rich cultural heritage and temple architecture.

From time immemorial, the port city of Chennai has been an important administrative, military, and economic centre under the major South Indian dynasties, like the Pallavas, the Cholas, the Pandyas, and the Vijaynagar kings. However, it rose into prominence in 1639 when the British East India Company leased this small fishing village from Damerla Venkatadri, Nayak of Vandavasi. A settlement was soon established and a fort by the name of Fort St George was built, which subsequently became the nucleus around which the colonial city grew. In 1688, the city was granted its first municipal charter making it the oldest municipality in India and during the First World War, Chennai

became the only Indian city to be attacked by the Central Powers, when an oil depot was shelled by the German light cruiser SMS Emden. In the 19th century, the city became the seat of the Madras presidency; one of the four divisions of British imperial India and after the country's independence, the city became the capital of Madras State, which was later renamed as Tamil Nadu in 1968.

Spread over 180 Sq. Kms, the 350-year-old city still retains much of its traditional charm even today. From temples and shrines to forts and palaces, the city provides a fascinating vignette of the city's rich cultural past. The city has got a wide range of tourist attractions in and around Chennai that are worth visiting. In addition to Forts and Beaches like the Elliot Beach and the 13km long Marina Beach-reported to be the second longest beach in the world, Chennai also has a wide range of temples and churches like the Kapaleeshwar Temple (dedicated to Shiva), the Parthsarthy Temple (dedicated to Krishna), the San Thome Cathedral, St. Andrews Church and the Luz Church. Museum and Galleries like the Fort museum, the Government Museum and the National Art Gallery also attract a sizeable number of visitors, as do the Theosophical Society and Kalakshetra. Also, the Snake Park, the one of its kind in India is a huge hit among both children and adults alike.