 MAHABALIPURAM a seventh century centre
for Pallava Kings culture and arts situated on the Bay of Bengal coastline. There are 9
rock cut temples and 5 monolithic temple each Pancha Pandava Rathas and four out of five
ratahas are supposed to have been carved out of a single rock. Some World's largest and
unique bass relief from the 8th century of the Dravidian style. Located at 50 kilometer
drive from Chennai the metropolitan capital of TAMILNADU and the cultural gate way of
SOUTH INDIA.  Crocodile
Bank: located close to Mamallapuram and 44 kms drive from Chennai. It is
the Crocodile breeding and research center run by Romulus Whittaker. This farm breeds
several species from India and Africa in captivity to augment the crocodile population.
There is also a small snake farm which conducts demonstrations of venom extraction from
poisonous snakes.
Covelong:
the ancient fort at the place has now been converted into a beach resort. The old catholic
church, a mosque and ruins of the fort make viewing very interesting from the resort. The
resort is equipped with facilities like wind surfing and swimming. It is 48 kms from
Chennai.
Vedanthangal
Bird Sanctuary: located
at about 86km from Chennai, it can be reached by bus from the little
town of Chengalpet which is a couple of hours bus journey from Tambaram.
This spread of around 72 acres of marshy land with trees ideal for
nesting are home to many species of water birds. They nest mainly from
December to March. Winter brings migratory visitors. Vedanthangal is
great place for photographers. Around 24 species of birds flock here.
LAKE PULICAT is a large backwater lake a
few tens of kilometers to the north of Madras. Ponneri is the closest town that can be
reached by local train from the Central Station in a couple of hours. A rickety bus takes
you forward thence. The little fishing village of Annamalai Cheri is a good point of
approach, where fishermen can be persuaded to take you out onto the lake and to its far
side.
THIRUKKALUKUNDRAM located at 70 kms drive
from Chennai. The Shiva temple here is located on top a hill which is 160 m high. Every
afternoon two white kites come to the temple and are fed by the priest. It is said that
these kites are saints who stop at the temple on their journey to Varanasi from
Rameshwaram. Below the hill temple is larger Shiva temple with a tank which is said to
have healing powers. Every 12 years a conch is found in the tank. A large collection of
such conches are kept in the temple.
 KANCHIPURAM the Golden City of a thousand
temples, and one of the seven sacred cities of India, is 71 km from Madras. It was,
successively, the capital of the Pallavas, the Cholas and the Rayas of Vijayanagar. During
the 6th and 7th centuries, some of the best temples in the city were built by the
Pallavas. The city was also a great seat of learning. Sri Sankaracharya, Appar,
Siruthonder and the great Buddhist Bhikku lived, and worked here. Today, it is known not
only for its temples, but also for its handwoven silk fabrics
VANDALUR ZOO located at 28kms from
Central Chennai is known as Anna Zoological Park which is the biggest in South Asia. It is
spread over 1265 acres is building up a collection of tropical mammals, birds and reptiles
amongst others. The enclosures for the animals are located in natural surroundings with
the vast areas for the animals to move freely. Those who wish to see the zoo on wheels can
hire bicycles.
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