Chennai District is located in the north-east of
Tamil Nadu, on the coast of the
Bay of Bengal. It is famous for
Carnatic music and
Bharatanatyam (a classical dance form).
Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu, is its headquarters.
Tamil is the official language. Other languages spoken are
Telugu and English. Chennai is the seat of many renowned institutions such as the Theosophical Society and the Kalakshetra.
Chennai was once part of the province of Tondaimandalam. It had been ruled by Cholas and Pallavas. Later British took over the place and made it an important naval base. The British started a number of educational institutions such as the School of Industrial Art, Civil Engineering College, Madras Medical College and Madras University.
The climate is hot and humid with day temperature frequently exceeding 40° C during summer. Cooum and Adyar are the main rivers.
Brahmotsavam of Kapaleeswarar temple, Vaikunta Ekadasi of Parthasarathy temple at Triplicane, Krithika at the VadaPalani, Andavar temple at Kodambakkam, the twenty festivals of Kandaswami temple at Sowcarpet and Jathirai festival at the Adhi Mottaiamman temple are the major festivals.
Chennai has a lot of attractions to offer tourists in the form of ancient temples, museums, churches and forts built during the British rule.
Marina Beach, the second longest beach in the world, is situated in Chennai. Peoples Park, the Napier Park, My Lady's Park, Children's Park
Guindy, Snake Park, Nehru Park, Nageswara Rao Park and Independence Park are the major tourist spots.
Chennai District is well connected by road, rail and air. The nearest airport is Chennai International Airport.
