Chennai, India Hotels and City Guide

Chennai, formerly Madras, is the capital of the state of Tamil Nadu, and is the fourth largest city in India. The city is a concoction of ancient and colonial history blending in effortlessly with the city’s industrial and commercial landscape. Located in the southern tip of India, Chennai’s warm weather is a big draw for those who are eager to escape the harsh winters of the west.

Chennai is today the result of two towns, ‘Madraspatnam’ and ‘Chennapatnam’, merging. The British colonialists of the time preferred the name ‘Madras’ over ‘Chennai’, and so the name stuck until 1996, when, along with Mumbai, the city changed it to Chennai. It is a city of amalgamations - of east and west and of the traditional and the contemporary.

To the first time visitor, Chennai’s strange mix of British Raj monuments, countless temples, and big industry makes for an initially disorienting experience. However, this will soon give away into fascination that will only grow as you begin to explore this teeming city.

Chennai has profound cultural and economic impact on India and especially the southern regions of the country. Residents’ collective fascination about films and film stars has resulted in huge hoardings around the city announcing the latest flicks. It’s a colourful vista of modern pop culture that is likely to enthral visitors to this.

Chennai Quick Facts
Chennai Population: 6,915,000 (Source: UN Population Estimate Revision 2003)
India Population: 1,096,917,000 (Source: UN Population Estimate Revision 2003)
Currency: Indian Rupees
Time Zone: IST (UTC+5:30)
Language:Tamil Nadu State's official language is Tamil, but otherlanguages suchas Hindi, Urdu, Gujarati and English are recognised

Hotels in Chennai, India