Chennai, the largest city in southern India is located on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal. Over the past three and a half centuries, this small fishing village has grown into a bustling metropolis. The long esplanade beside Marina Beach lined by impressive buildings remind the visitor of the long and inseparable association the city has had with the British. Notice the dominant British influences in the form of old cathedrals, buildings in the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture and wide tree lined avenues. Chennai has continued to be a city that has blended the foreign influence with the traditional Tamil-Hindu culture. It continues to maintain the best of south Indian traditions.
Enjoy holidays in Chennai where you can peep into the varied aspects of traditional south Indian culture and life styles inter-mingled with the modern city, complete with its plush hotels and restaurants offering a range of continental and typical, south Indian cuisine and long and uncrowded stretches of beaches. Attend a performance of traditional dance at the Kalakshetra Arts Village or numerous dance and music recitals held every month in the city. It is the center of the Tamil film industry - the slickest in the country. Hang around the film
studios and watch the action.Chennai leads the rest of the country when it comes to the retail experience with some of the swankiest and largest retail stores setting up shop here first. These stores sell western and ethnic wear. For traditional arts and crafts visit Cottage Emporium, Poompuhar Emporium and Victoria Technical Institute all of which are at Anna Salai. You may pick up some of exquisite souvenirs in silver, copper, bronzed and wood, available here. You may shop for traditional bell metal items, bronze icons, and stone sculpture, as well as other crafts of the southern region at the local shops of Chennai. Besides these, the city of Chennai is famous for the beautiful Kancheepuram hand woven silk sarees. These sarees are renowned for the temple borders and rich zari (gold thread) pallavas. Detailed traditional motifs and bright colours with contrasting borders make these sarees delightful. For exotic Kanjeevaram silk sarees Nalli's Rasi and Kumaran silks at T Nagar are a delight. Comb lanes and bylanes of Pondy Bazaar and bargain hard. Even the jewelry made from uncut precious stones make excellent gift items. A shopping spree will complete your holidays in Chennai. Get started with your holiday down in the sizzling south with Chennai as the ultimate holiday destination.