Charming Chennai (Madras), Feb08

This journal features Chennai (formerly Madras), the 'Gateway to South India', & the first & last stop on our tour. So this is the last one in my south India series.

Located on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal, it is the capital of the SE state of Tamil Nadu, & with a population of 7.5 million, it is 4th largest city in India. The British developed Madras into a significant urban center & naval base & today it is a large commercial & industrial center that is known for its cultural heritage ... (more)

Chennai map
showing the main sights.

Our hotel - Marina Towers
was a Comfort Inn, very nice & well located....

FORT ST GEORGE (sg) - Fort Museum
Fort St. George, located on the banks of the Bay of Bengal & within the...

sg2 - The gazebo that once housed
the statue of Lord Cornwallis. The imposing 14.5 foot statue, which...

sg3 - Chennai Telephones building?
Whatever it is, it's quite impressive.

sg4 - The boys choir ;o)
These jolly chaps were sitting on a bench happily singing what sounded like...

St Mary's Church (sm)
St Mary’s Church, located in the fort complex, was completed in...

sm2 - interior
The interior has beautiful stained glass windows, teak & wicker pews ,...

sm3 - Painting of the Last Supper
by an unknown artist.

sm4 - Carved marble frescoes
in the prayer chapel.

sm5 - closeup

Senate House (1873),
located on the University of Madras campus across from Marina Beach, was...

MARINA BEACH (mb) - gate
Marina Beach, on the Bay of Bengal, is the most famous beach in Tamil Nadu....

mb2 - Entrance to Anna Memorial Square
& the MGR Memorial (the white one in the background). Anna...

mb2 - Triumph of Labour statue
depicts the dignity & triumph of labour, & epitomizes the soul &...

San Thome (st) Basilica & Shrine (1893)
is located at the end of Kutchery Road in the Mylapore section of the...

st2 - This gleaming white Gothic Church,
which was totally restored between 2002 & 2004, is an...

st3 - This important & extraordinary
shrine is one of only three churches in the world that are built over...

st4 - the interior
The ceiling is 36.5 feet high over the nave, & 41.5 feet high over the...

Luz Church - Our Lady of Light (sl)
is located on Luz Church Road in a tiny corner of Mylapore. (My autorickshaw...

sl2 - Built in 1516
by Franciscan missionaries from Portugal, it noteworthy for its unique...

sl3 - Baroque interior
The splendid Baroque interior of the church has gilded altars, fine tracery...

St. Andrew's Church (sa)
is located on Poonamallee High Road near the Egmore Railway Station....

sa2 - The exterior design
for the church, with its 166 foot steeple, was borrowed from St....

sa3 - The remarkable circular interior
is crowned by an arching dome 52 feet in diameter which is colored with lapis...

sa4 - The church interior
has exquisite mahogany wood work, louvered doors & windows for...

article published 6/3/2008

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Thanks for the article featuring Chennai with all the beautiful churches. It certainly enhances our knowledge of Southern India. I love the Luz church.
— Ben Hsu, June 27, 2008

I remember this day Rainy. Our tuk-tuk driver kept trying to get us to stop off at a mall. The buildings were amazing & I'm glad we got to spend our last day sightseeing together. lj
— Linda Johnson, June 27, 2008

Lorraine , I am so glad you found St Luz Church as it is a real gem . Stunning photos and I look forward to your next adventure with much anticipation . Cheers .
— Margaret Sherwood, June 5, 2008

Magnificent
Another beautifully described and photographed article Rainy. It may be the last of your present articles but it hasn't diminished in quality one bit. I particularly liked the Baroque interior with the gilded altar in the church of St. Lux. Splendid shot. I look forward to your next lot of travel articles. Thanks again Rainy. Tony from England.
— Tony Ethridge, June 4, 2008

Bravo, bravissimo!
I hate to use the old cliche, Rainy, but you've saved the best for last! Your photo of Anna Memorial Square is a compositional masterpiece, and one couldn't ask for finer photos of San Thome and the other churches.
— Fred Perry, June 4, 2008