One-day Chennai Sight Seeing Guide

There's more than a day's worth when it comes to sightseeing in the sprawling metropolis of Chennai. But, if that's all you have time for, then this is what we recommend.

If it's the 'in-the-woods' experience of tranquility that you want, then the Theosophical Society at Besant Nagar is your halt. People flock to its verdant recesses to stand beneath the green mantle of the huge banyan that is said to shade a crowd of around 3,000. There are also shrines to all major religions in the campus. And a superb collection of books and manuscripts at the Library.

A little further down is the renowned Kalakshetra School of Dance, modelled on the ancient Gurukulam tradition (where students lived with and served their teachers).

Still on the cultural trail, Valluvar Kottam will interest the discerning tourist, with its huge chariot structure and the capacious auditorium dedicated to the Tamil poet-saint Thiruvalluvar. The 1,330 verses (of his epic - the 'Thirukkural'), inscribed on the walls of the hall, will win a few 'wows', even if language might pose a problem. (Open from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm.)

Heritage and custom given a thorough once-over, you can then get a load of the dark ages at the Government Museum, Egmore, one of the best in Asia.

From here, we recommend you head straight for Beach road. But as you head that way, be sure you don't miss out the sight of that resplendent edifice in white - the famous Ripon Building, now the city Corporation Headquarters.

Continue your timewalk through the ages, at Fort St. George - the founding of which marks the birth of the city Chennai. The Fort's Museum is an eyeful for those relishing a flashback to the days of the British Raj and India's colonial past.

The Vivekananda Illam (Vivekananda House), a short way off from the Fort, pays tribute to Swami Vivekananda whose sojourn at this building led to it being renamed after him. Its Gallery displays Photographs and memorabilia from his life and times.(Open from 9.00 am to 12.30 pm and from 3.00 pm to 6.30 pm)

To reach Vivekananda Illam from Fort St George, you pass one of the longest beaches in the world - the Marina beach. Stop by if you want to be in the thick of things. But, if you're looking for a bit more privacy, then move on well past Marina, to that other spot by the waves - Elliot's beach.

A hired car, for this one-day trip through the city, would come to you within a moderate budget of Rs.770/-.

If you want to give any of these stops a miss and loosen up instead at a Fun Centre, you could try Down Under (A game of bowling - Rs.100/- on weekdays and Rs.125/- on weekends. 10 minutes of golf - Rs.25/-. 30 minutes of snooker / pool - Rs.50/-. And the video games - about Rs.10/- each). Or perhaps Joe Jolly Thriller Rides at Spencer Plaza (for an adrenalin-pumping simulated three dimensional ride - the first such show in the country). Show Timings: 11.00 am to 8.00 pm Tickets : Rs 50/- per person. And while at Spencer Plaza, you don't have to feel guilty spending some more time just doing some plain shopping.

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