Chennai
Chennai - The Gateway To The South
Popularly regarded as "The Gateway to the South", Chennai is the
fourth largest city in India and the capital of Tamil Nadu state. With a
vast population of about six million people, Chennai is a city that is growing,
expanding and changing vigorously.
The History Of The City
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.
The City Of Chennai
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.
It's Location
Chennai 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.
Climate
Being situated at the tropical zone, Chennai normally has a very hot and
humid climate. The best time to visit this city is the winter season. Winter
and summer temperature does not vary much as it rains frequently through
the year.
Coimbatore
Coimbatore- "The Textile Capital Of South India" Or "
The Manchester Of The South"
Coimbatore is one of the most industrialised cities in the state. Popularly
known as "The Textile Capital of South India" or "The Manchester
of the South", the city is situated on the banks of the river Noyyal.
Located in the shadow of the Western Ghats, Coimbatore enjoys a very pleasant
climate the year round, aided by the fresh breeze that flows in through
the 25-km long Palakkad gap.
Major Attractions of Coimbatore
Anamalai Wildlife Sanctuary
Anamalai wildlife sanctuary is about 90-km from Coimbatore and is situated
at an altitude of 1,400 meters in the Western Ghats near Pollachi. The area
of the sanctuary is 958-sq-kms. An ecological paradise, this sanctuary encompasses
a National Park. It has just recently been renamed Indira Gandhi wildlife
sanctuary.
Topslip
It is a picturesque locale in the Anamalai Hills. It is about 37-km. from
Pollachi. This small town is an ideal picnic spot.
Black Thunder Amusement Park
Black Thunder, a water sports and amusement park is situated about 40-km
from Coimbatore on the Ooty main Road. When you need time off from the rest
of the world, time to be with your family, time to share moments of adventure
and fun with friends, time for children to experience fun and joy, time
to take a break- Black Thunder is your destination.
Parambikulam - Aliyar Multipurpose Project
Parambikulam-Aliyar Multipurpose Project project consists of a series of
dams interconnected by tunnels and canals for harnessing waters of the Parambikulam,
Aliyar, Nirar, Sholiyar, Thunakadavu, Thekkadi and Palar rivers, lying at
various elevations, for irrigation and power generation. The scheme is an
outstanding example of engineering skill. It is located in the Anamalai
range.
V O C Park
Named after the freedom fighter V.O.Chidambaram, the VOC Park is the most
appropriate place to go with children. The Coimbatore Corporation maintains
the park. The Park houses a mini Zoo, models of prehistoric dinosaurs, Children'
Train, Swing, Slider, Seesaw and other play equipment and is more like an
amusement park for the children. The park has a stretch of grass patch conveniently
mowed to sit on.
Thiruppur
An important textile centre in Coimbatore district, it is also famous for
hosiery products. Thiruppur is also closely associated with ' Thiruppur
Kumaran ' one of the valiant freedom fighters. It is 50-km from Coimbatore.
Kanyakumari
At the southern most tip of India, where the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean
and the Bay of Bengal meet, lies Kanyakumari (also spelt as Kanniyakumari),
an important pilgrim center. Kanyakumari is also famous for its spectacular
sunrises and sunsets, especially on full moon days.
A Sight For Sore Eyes
The sea is fairly rough, so it is entertaining to watch it beat itself
against the rocks and then subside, before it gathers itself up for another
attack. With long stretches of sands of many hues, the beach offers a
welcome change. A variety of shells are on sale on the Kanyakumari beach.
The beach is a beautiful sight with multi-coloured sand, but it does
not really offer one the opportunity to sunbathe on soft golden sands,
or to frolic in the waves either. The seashore is rocky and dangerous,
and there is a manmade wall running along it. People are warned to stay
off the rocks, and when if someone ventures out of bounds, he or she is
quickly and severely reprimanded by a watchful policeman. There is a lighthouse
from where one can get a panoramic view.
How to Reach Kanyakumari
Air
The nearest airport is at Thiruvananthapuram (80-km), which is well connected
with national and International flights. From Thiruvananthapuram one can
take a taxi or bus to Kanyakumari.
Rail
Kanyakumari is well connected by train services with all the places in India.
Superfast trains connect the southern most railhead of India with northern
cities like Jammu and Delhi. Intercity trains are running from almost all
the southern cities.
Road
Kanyakumari is connected by regular bus services with Chennai, Pondicherry,
Bangalore, Trichy, Madurai, Mandapam (Rameshwaram), Nagercoil, Tuticorin,
Tiruchendur, Tiruvelveli, Trivandrum, etc. Town bus service, tourist taxis
and auto rickshaws are available.
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