Trade Shows » Country » India » Chennai

History & Evolution
The name ‘Madras’ was derived from Madraspatnam, the site chosen by the British East India Company for a permanent settlement in 1639. The British favored the term Madras, however locals used to refer to it as Chennapatnam meaning "Beautiful City” therefore, the city was renamed Chennai in August 1996.

Being a 368-year-old region, Chennai boasts of a long history from ancient South Indian empires to colonialism. Spread on the long coast, this region was previously under the control of the Pallava rulers of South India who besides the famous Kapaleeshwarar temple, gave the city many large magnificent temples around 7th century. The modern Chennai had its origin as a colonial city and whose growth was closely tied to its importance as an artificial harbor and trading center. The Portuguese East India Company built a fort here in 1522, the Dutch East India Company came in 1612 and finally came the British East India Company who made a fortified compound in the region. Slowly, trade and commerce grew in the region and in 1688 James II of England granted the town a municipal charter making the city the earliest municipal corporation in India.

After Indian independence, Madras became the capital of the state of Tamil Nadu. It is not only a major metro city but also a politically active city of the country. Chennai, with various historic temples, churches, memorials and heritage sites, is the place to be.

Site-Seeing
Chennai is a busy Capital City known as a large commercial center yet the city is popular for its numerous tourist destinations like beaches, temples, forts and palaces with many colorful festivals that attract tourists from all parts of the world.

The city’s culture is totally different from North India representing a lifestyle that is a perfect blend of traditional and modern India. This delightful south city is full of Indian heritage with age-old temples, the profusion of orange flowers, shade of the Banyan tree and the soft beat of distant drums. With the ancient temples, monuments, classical music, dance shows on the one hand and the modern high rising buildings and pubs on the other, Chennai has something to offer to everyone.

Kapaleeswarar Temple:
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Kapaleeswarar Temple is the biggest temple of the city. Little more than 350 years old, the temple contains inscriptions dating back to the 13th century AD. The 37 m Gopuram is especially noteworthy for its intricate carvings depicting tales from Hindu mythology. The Kapaleeswarar Temple is considered to be one of the most sacred Hindu sites in Southern Part of India.

Location: Mylapore

Marina Beach:
Claimed to be the second largest Beach in the world, the Marina extends for 13 kms. Coupled with beautiful gardens and the memorials such as Anna Square, MGR Square, the beach is the major tourist attraction of Chennai. Golden sand, good surf and a shimmering clean blue sea are in nutshell, the Marina Beach. Watching the sun set and rise, playing kids and lining food stalls in the evening is an enthralling experience.

Location: Marina Road

Fort St. George:
Built by the East India Company in 1639-1640, the fort marks the birth of Madras as a Modern City and is a symbol of one of the first bastions of British Power in India. Today the fort houses the Secretariat and the Legislative Assembly of Tamil Nadu. The fort also has a church, a museum and a flagmast (said to be the tallest flagmast in the country) within its premises.

Location: Kamarajar Road

Corporation Complex:
The oldest municipality in India in the premises of the Ripon Building, the Madras Corporation was built in 1913. Another inspiration from the Taj Mahal, the building is a domed vision in white. In this large municipal complex you can also find parks, gardens, Nehru Stadium, Victoria Public Hall, a public meeting place out of the gaslight era and Moore market.

Location: Opposite Park Railway Station

Chennai High Court:
Said to be the second largest judicial complex in the country, this Indo-Saracenic architectural monument was built in 1892. The Madras Law College is also a part of this its premises. The city's second lighthouse tower Near the High Court is the evidence of the maritime origins of the city. The highest point in the Court building also once housed a lighthouse.

Location: Near Perry’s Corner