Set adjacent to the shores of Bay of Bengal, the city of Chennai (formerly Madras) is the gateway to South India’s art and culture and the fourth largest metropolis in India. It is a remarkable port city that had once fascinated the Christian Missionaries from the West. The city also boasts of having South India’s biggest movie industry.

In 17 th century a fishing hamlet called "Madraspatnam" was selected by early English merchants of the East India Company as a site for settlement. Gradually the place turned into a major British settlement and had been the learning center of tread for those who went on to build the Empire. Today this important trade center of the British Raj is a favorite tourist hunt with vibrant festivals, awe inspiring beaches, shopping areas and overwhelming number of temples. Music, dance and all other art forms of the South India are nourished and nurtured here in their purest form.

Chennai is home to one of the longest beaches in Asia. Running along a 12-km stretch of sand, the Marina Beach, on the eastern side of Chennai, offers a fascinating experience. The Basilica of San Thome, the Church of St. Thomas Mount and the Church of St. Marry are among the important sites that remind us about the city’s Christian forefathers. The 8 th century Parthasarthi Temple (dedicated to Lord Krishna) and the Kapaleeshwarar Temple (dedicated to Lord Shiva) are some of the important temples popular among the Hindus.