The city of Madras traces its origin to ancient times. Mylai, present-day Mylapore, was an ancient city which carried on trade with the western and eastern worlds exporting spices, silks and cottons, tobacco hides and skins. Madras is today, the forth largest city in the country and the gateway to a voyage of discovery of an ancient temple-studded state, Tamil Nadu, of which it is the capital.

WHAT TO SEE:

FORT ST. GEORGE:
This 350 year old fort at one extreme of the Marina Beach is the right place to
start a tour of the city. Its 20-feet high wall dominate downtown Madras. Inside the wall is the history of British Raj, road after road. Robert Clive’s house is at the crossing on Charles and James streets. Colonel Wellesley’s later Duke of Wellington’s house is also in the fort.

MARINA BEACH:
One of the second longest beaches in the world the area fronting the beach has been beautifully landscaped. There are statues of important personalities of Timal Nadu and a series of bronze sculptures eulogizing the dignity of labour by renewed sculptor Debi Prasad Ray Chaudhury. These apart, the beach front has some excellent example of Indo-Saracenic architecture such as the Madras University, the park Palace and Presidency College.

KAPALISWARA TEMPLE:
Mylapore, integrated into the city of Madras, is famous for this temple. The little houses surrounding the temple tank are now shops selling fascinating jewellery, silks and tradition brass vessels. The wedge- shaped Gopuram is composed of tire-after-tier of exceptional carving.

EXCURSION:

KANCHIPURAM:
The erstwhile capital of the Pallavas, the small town is dotted with temples, most of them built in the 8th century. The Kailashanatha temple still shows some of the original colouring on the carvings. The most interesting temple is Ekambareswara, dating to a later period, with its 188-feet- high Gopuram. This is decorated in tiers with excellently carved blue and yellow figures and stands besides a small stone pool. Nearby is the Vardarajaswamy temple built in 12th century its main hall is supported by enormous pillars each carved from a separate rock. The pillars are covered with carving of horsemen, lions and even a man carrying what must have been one of the earliest known rifles. Kanchi is also famous for its silks.

MAMALLAPURAM (Mahabalipuram):
Relaxing in the shadow of Casurina trees, Mamallapuram was one of the most important centers of the Pallavas. The shore Temple, surrounded by about a score of big stone bulls, contains a few stone carving. The walls of the temples itself are also sculpted.

Another attraction is the group of five block of stone called Rathas. They are carved in the form of chariots by the Pallavas and named after wives of fives Pandava princes. Adjoining the group are life size animals – a lion facing north, an elephant facing south and a bull facing the east.

Inside the town is a bunch of enormous rock casually strewn around. One of them is called Krishana’s butterball, an enormous egg-shaped rock balanced precariously on the hillside. Actually it has been there for centuries. There is also the new light house. The older one behind stands on a Shiva temple and is heavily carved. Down a few steps from the lighthouse is Mahishasurmardini Mandapam, a cave in which the legendary story of goddess Durga killing the demon-buffalo is carved. Further below is the Krishana Mandapam.

STANDARD SIGHTSEEINGH TOURS:
Half day sightseeing tour of the city visiting Museum to see the art and bronze gallery. Drive through the flower and fruit market, High Court, Fort Museum, Marina Beach, Santhome Cathedral and Snake Park.

EXCURSION TO MAHABALIPURAM:
The town of Mahabalipuram is famous for the Seven Pagodas. Here, on the seashore is an interesting group of ancient rock-hewn temples which are the example of Dravidian style of architecture.

EXCURSION TO KANCHIPURAM:
Visits Kanchipuram (64 kms. from Madras) ancient capital of the Pallavas famous as a city of 1000 temples and still has 124 shrines. The first temple dedicated to Shiva was built in the 7th and 8th Century and has paintings on the walls. Temples of Ekamabaswara, Kailasanatha, Shri Kamakshi and Varadarajaswamy are of interest. Kanchipuram is also famous for its silks.