What is Chennai Famous For? Top 20 Popular Places & Things

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Chennai is a culture-rich city with carnatic music, delicious food, serene beaches and popular temples. It is one of the most preferred tourist destinations in India. The city never fails to mesmerise its visitors as it offers a unique experience.

Read ahead to know what Chennai is famous for and plan out a trip to the city accordingly.

1. Marina Beach

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The Marina beach in Chennai along the Bay of Bengal coast is one of the longest beaches in the world. The view of sunrise and sunset from the beach is magnificent and is highly recommended. On the shore, you will find food stalls and souvenir shops. Since there is no time limitation on the beach, you are welcome all day.

2. Thousand Lights Mosque

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There is an interesting story behind the name of this mosque. There was a time when it took a thousand lights to illuminate the hallway of the mosque. Further, the dual minarets are 64 feet in height and have multiple domes. In addition, this medieval architecture is prevalent in this structure. If you are someone who admires ancient architecture and history, this is a must-visit site for you.

3. Ashtalakshmi Temple

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In the list of famous places in Chennai, temple architecture is one-of-a-kind. The Ashtalakshmi temple near Elliot beach is dedicated to the goddess of wealth and knowledge. Moreover, the temple was constructed in a way that the sound echoes throughout the complex. The entire ambience of its premises promotes peace and calmness. Apart from that, you can spend some time just by sitting and gazing upon fascinating mythical stories carved on the temple walls.

4. Dakshinachitra

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Dakshinachitra, or a "picture of the south", is a living history museum in Chennai. In total, this museum has 18 houses that depict the art, architecture, culture, craft and lifestyle of South India. Here you will find artefacts from all the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh/Telangana and Karnataka. However, if you are planning on visiting this place, you will have to pay for the entrance. The fee is ₹ 20 for children below 12 years, ₹ 30 for students and ₹ 110 for adults.

5. Mylapore

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Chennai is popularly known for its rich and diverse culture. A highlight for this is Mylapore, which is the cultural hub of city, decorated with stunning monuments that go back 1500 years. Not only can you explore architectural marvels, you can also enjoy local delicacies and go shopping here.

6. Sri Parthasarathy Temple

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If you are someone who likes exploring ancient temples, visit Chennai on your next vacation. Parthasarathy Temple is one of the important temples you must not miss when in the city. This 8th-century temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna, and the most interesting features of this temple are the two domes of raja gopuram. Each of these is located in the east and west direction of the temple complex. Further, the temple is open from 5:30 am to 12 pm and 4 pm to 9 pm.

7. Marundeeswarar Temple

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The locals believe paying homage to this temple can help cure health issues. Marundeeswarar temple is dedicated to the God of medicines, also an incarnation of lord Shiva. This is why people from all around India visit this temple, hoping to find a remedy to their conditions. Besides mythical beliefs, this temple is evidence of the highly skilled craftsmanship of 11th-century builders. This Dravidian architectural marvel is one of the famous things in Chennai.

8. Arignar Anna Zoological Park

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The other popular places in Chennai worth exploring is its varied wildlife. The Arignar Anna Zoo is also known as Vandalur Zoo. This zoological park encompasses over 1260 acres of land. From deer, and lions, to Himalayan brown bears and elephants, there are 138 different animal species in this zoo. Further, this place is open all week except for Tuesdays. In addition, you need to pay a minimal entry fee which is ₹ 50 for adults and ₹ 20 for children below 12 years. Furthermore, there are extra charges for the camera.

9. MGR Film City

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When in Chennai, one would not like to miss the chance to visit iconic film sets. The MGR Film City in Tharamani is spread over 70 acres of land. You will find tons of film sets and backdrops used for shooting here. You can click pictures and even mimic a scene from your favourite films. You might also find some famous actors in the film city.

10. Ripon Building

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The incredible Ripon Building boasts a neoclassical form of architecture. This all-white property that stands out among those colourful temples also falls under Chennai's list of famous places. s. So, when in the city, visit the Ripon Building. The Westminster Quarter chiming clock is a significant aspect of the property. If you plan to visit here, you must know this property remains closed on Saturday and Sunday.

11. Santhome Cathedral Basilica

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If you find it monotonous with similar temple architecture, you can check out the Santhome Cathedral Basilica. This neo-gothic architecture is a marvellous creation. Portuguese explorers built this church in the 16th century. Further, the operational hours of Santhome Cathedral Basilica are from 6 am to 9 pm.

12. Fort St. George

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One of the main attractions in Chennai is Fort St. George. The architectural elements of this fort stand as a reminiscence of the British era. Interestingly this was their first garrison settlement in India. One of the famous things in Chennai is the Clive House, the first official British Residence. Also, you can attend mass at St. Mary's Church.

13. Victoria Public Hall

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Walking down the Evr Salai, Park Town, you will stumble upon a British royal building. This was built to commemorate Queen Victoria's golden jubilee. The stunning architecture of this building is a delight to explore. This building was a public assembly hall and theatre during the 19th and 20th centuries. It opens for visitors at 9 am and closes at 5 pm. To enter, you will have to pay a nominal fee of ₹ 15 for an adult and ₹ 10 for a child.

14. Government Museum

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This place is popular for preserving bronzes from the 10 to 13th centuries and modern South India. In addition, the Amaravathi gallery has some of the marble sculptures of the 2nd century that depict Gautam Buddha’s life. Further, the Government Museum is open all week from 9:30 am to 5 pm except on Fridays and national holidays.

15. Royapuram Fishing Harbour

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A fishing harbour may not seem a fascinating choice of place to visit during vacation. However, watching the fishermen in Royapuram Fishing Harbour is very entertaining. You can click pictures of the dock and beautiful backwaters. Further, you may get a chance to learn fishing or at least the names of a few fish. Moreover, it is better to always visit this place early in the morning to catch those fishermen in action.

Read more about:

• Places to Visit for One day trips from Chennai
• Beaches in Chennai
• Weekend Getaways from Chennai
• Churches in Chennai

Wondering about what Chennai is known for other than these popular places? Here are some additional things you must not miss in Chennai.

16. Sundal

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Stir-frying different types of lentils, legumes and grains, people in Chennai prepare sundal. Although this seems like a basic dish, it is healthy and appetising. This popular food item is generally made during festivals like Navratri and Janmashtami. Moreover, this vegan dish is good for those who find it difficult to get vegan snacking options while travelling.

17. Pongal Festival

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Pongal is the harvest festival that people in Chennai celebrate every year for four consecutive days. This is one of the most popular occasions in Chennai. Every household participates in this festival, decorates their gateways with colourful kolams and prepares special delicacies. This is all to thank the Sun God for a productive harvest. Moreover, if your travel plans coincide with this festival, you will be able to have a unique experience.

18. Jallikattu

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Chennai is known for its bull-taming event, which is a part of its Pongal festival. In this event, a bull is released into a crowd, and the participants have to hold and ride on its hump for as long as possible. Despite people criticising this event, this remains very special among the locals. If you find this interesting, plan your trip around the Pongal that takes place during mid-January. So, you can attend the festival and also watch Jallikattu.

19. Filter Coffee

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Coffee is one of the most favoured beverage choices, and those who like to try its different variants must not miss filter coffee. It will not be surprising to find out if everyone in Chennai is obsessed with filter coffee. The city loves to wake up with freshly brewed coffee mixed with milk in a tumbler. This frothy hot brew is worth trying if this is your first time in Chennai.

20. Mulligatawny Soup

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When Britishers were redeveloping Southern India, they tried to experiment with their food. This resulted in the mulligatawny soup. This soup contains basic ingredients like grated coconut, carrots, and chicken; for a British touch, apples are also added. This soup is generally served with rice. It is one of the popular food items you will find in Chennai.