Local Heritage and Architecture Tour of Chennai (Madras)

Local Heritage and Architecture Tour of Chennai (Madras)

Dive into the culture, rich heritage and diverse architecture in the city of Chennai (formerly Madras) on this tour and appreciate how the British influence and as well as Hindu, Islamic, British, and Gothic revival styles have melded to create the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture seen in the city. Pickup and drop-off from your hotel by private air-conditioned vehicle with friendly professional driver included.

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Kapaleesvarar Sannadhi Street Vinayaka Nagar Colony, Chennai (Madras) 600004 India

One of the sacred shrines in Chennai with a lovely and majestic tower exhibits the Dravidian style of architecture. There is a big tank [water body] on its Western Side. The temple and the tank is surrounded by Broad streets on the four sides. The picturesque temple is amidst the crowded residential area. The legend says, Goddess Parvati worshipped Siva in the form of peacock, (means Mayil in Tamil) hence this name Mylapore. Kapaleeswarar and Karpagambal are the main deities. Replicas of 63 revered Saivaite Saints called Nayanmars are located here.
Timings: 5.00 a.m. - 12.00 noon and 4.00 p.m. – 9.00 p.m.


Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Ramakrishna Temple, Chennai (Madras) India

The campus of Sri Ramakrishna Math is pervaded with an atmosphere of palpable holiness. Anyone who sits in the temple, even for a few minutes, feels profound calmness and soothing serenity. With its lush green surroundings, the Math is an ideal place for the practice of contemplation and meditation. The Math stands as a bright symbol of religious harmony—a place where all are welcome, irrespective of caste, race, nationality or religion.
Temple Timings: 5.00 am – 11:45 am and 3.00 pm – 9.00 pm


Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Sri Ramakrishna Math, 31 RK Mutt Rd, Chennai (Madras) India

Sri Ramakrishna Math also known as Ramakrishna Temple,
(The campus of Sri Ramakrishna Math is pervaded with an atmosphere of palpable holiness. Anyone who sits in the temple, even for a few minutes, feels profound calmness and soothing serenity. With its lush green surroundings, the Math is an ideal place for the practice of contemplation and meditation. The Math stands as a bright symbol of religious harmony—a place where all are welcome, irrespective of caste, race, nationality or religion.
Temple Timings: 5.00 am – 11:45 am and 3.00 pm – 9.00 pm)


Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: San Thome Church, 38 San Thome High Road, Chennai (Madras) 600004 India

It is one of the Basilica built over the tomb of an Apostle in the world. It is believed that the remains of St. Thomas were intermed / Buried in this beach in 78 AD, on which a Church was built. Several years later it was shifted to the present location further towards the land. It houses the mortal remains of St.Thomas. Since then this is popularly called as Santhome Church. Pope John Paul II visited and prayed at this tomb on 5th February 1986.
Timings 6am - 9pm


Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Light House, Marina Beach Rd Mylapore, Chennai (Madras) India

One of the few lighthouses in the world with an elevator and the only lighthouse in India within the city limits. It is also a green lighthouse, with a solar panel for power. Open Timings: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm (Holiday on Every Monday) Entrance Fee: Rs 50/- per foreigner adult (approximately)


Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Marina Beach Road, Chennai (Madras) 600005 India

It is the pride of Chennai and the Second Longest Beach in the World with distance of 6.0 km (3.7 mi) making it the longest natural urban beach in the country. Bathing and swimming at the Marina Beach are legally prohibited because of the dangers, The stretch opposite to the beach is occupied by Madras University, Government Departments, Senate House, Presidency college, Cricket Stadium and Swami Vivekananda Memorial House

Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Vivekananda House, Main Road Front Of Marina Beach, Chennai (Madras) India

Vivekanandar Illam, earlier known as Ice House or Castle Kernan, is a historical building in Chennai, India. It was constructed in 1842 by Frederic Tudor. Indian Saint Swami Vivekananda stayed in the building when he visited Chennai in 1897 and was later renamed in his honor. Timings: 10.00 am – 12:30 pm noon and 3.00 pm – 7.15 pm Closed on Mondays, Entry fee for per Adult: Rs.20/- (Subject to change)

Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Parthasarathy Temple, Narayana Krishnaraja Puram, Chennai (Madras) 600005 India

It was built by Pallava king Narasimhavarman 1 in the 8th century. The gopuram (towers) and mandapas (pillars) are decorated with elaborate carvings a standard feature of Dravidian temple architecture, (open time: 5:00 am to 12 noon and 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm)

Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Senate House, Wallajah Road, University Of Madras Along Marina Beach, Chennai (Madras) India

The Senate House in University of Madras in Chennai, Constructed by Robert Chisholm between 1874 and 1879, it is considered to be one of the best and oldest examples of Indo-Saracenic architecture in India. (Exterior view only - visitors not allowed inside)

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Fort Museum, Fort St. George, Chennai (Madras) 600 009 India

The museum is home to a massive collection of around 3661 antique items that, in the best of ways, depict artifacts of different ages of modern Indian history. A treasure trove of a collection in this museum is spread across three floors and divided into 10 galleries. Visiting Hours : 9.00 am to 5.00 p.m - Closed on Fridays - Entrance Fee (approximately): Indians Rs.5/- and Foreigners Rs.100/-

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Parry's Corner, NSC Bose Road Intersection of North Beach Road, Chennai (Madras) India

It is an historical area of Chennai city from where its expansion began in the 1640s. Several streets in the neighborhood is known for their dedicated businesses and services.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Madras High Court, Near Marina Beach, Chennai (Madras) India

One of the Vintage structures of Chennai City built in 1892 and an important Land Mark located amidst the busy and large Business Locality. This is one of the largest Judicial complexes in the world. It is also one of the Appellate Authority of the Judicial System in the course of Judicial process of a case. (Exterior view only - visitors not allowed inside)

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Chennai Central Railway Station, General Hospital Rd Kannappar Thidal, Periyamet, Chennai (Madras) 600003 India

Built in the Gothic Revival style, the original station was designed by George Harding and consisted of four platforms and a capacity to accommodate 12-coach trains. It took another five years for the work to be completed, when the station was modified further by Robert Fellowes Chisholm with the addition of the central clock tower, Travancore 'caps' on the main towers, and other changes. The redesign was eventually completed in 1900. The main building, a combination of Gothic and Romanesque. This styles has been declared as a heritage building.The clock tower with the flagstaff, the tallest of the towers of the main building, has four faces and reaches a height of 136 ft.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Ripon Building, Sydenhams Road 6 Km from Chennai, Chennai (Madras) India

It was built in the year 1913. The white building and 132 ft tall clock tower is the solid attraction of this structure. It is the Administrative Complex and Council Assembly House of the Chennai City Corporation. The building was named by the British in honour of Lord Ripon who was the Governor General and father of Self-Government in India (Exterior view only - Visitors not allowed inside)

Duration: 3 minutes

Stop At: Government Museum, Pantheon Road, Chennai (Madras) India

The second oldest museum in India after the Indian Museum in Kolkata Started in 1851. It is particularly rich in archaeological and numismatic collections. It has the largest collection of Roman antiquities outside Europe. the museum theater is a rare specimen of the Italianate style of architecture, inspired by Classical architecture and developed in 1802 at Britain by John Nash. However, the theatre was built by the British in the late 19th century when this style was no longer popular in England. Timings: 9:30 am to 5:00 pm holiday on Friday
Entrance Fee (approximately): Indians: Adult Rs.15/- Children Rs.10/- Foreigners: Adult Rs.250/- Children Rs.125/-
Photography Charges: Still Camera Rs.200/- Video Camera Rs.500/-


Duration: 40 minutes

Stop At: National Art Gallery, Panthian Road Egmore, Chennai (Madras) India

Located within the Museum Complexes - The Gallery was built in 1906 following the Indo-Sarsenic architecture style. It houses paintings and sandal wood sculptures from Thanjavur, Rajasthan, Kangra and the Deccan.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Connemara Public Library, Pantheon Road Egmore, Chennai (Madras) 60008 India

Located within the Museum Complexes - A treasure house of books, periodicals and newspapers was opened for public in 1861. This library named after the then Governor of Madras, Lord Connemara. It has a collection of over 6,00,000 books, a holistic reference enclosure, IAS study centre and a Braille library today.

Duration: 20 minutes