Chennai (formerly known as Madras), the largest city in South India and the fourth largest city in the country, is located on what is popularly called the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal. The city's development started after 1639 when the British East India Company established a Fort and a couple of Trading posts at the small fishing village called Chennai. Since then three and a half centuries have transformed this small village into a bustling metropolis, particularly known for its spaciousness, which is lacking in the other Indian cities.

While moving around in the city one cannot overlook the obvious British influence which is so evident in the various cathedrals, buildings in Indo-Saracenic style of architecture, wide tree lined avenues… the undeniable English legacy. However, despite the strong British influence, Chennai has retained its traditional Tamil Hindu culture and effectively blended it with the foreign influence. This is not surprising because this region had remained a centre of Pallavan culture long before the British had come here, traces of which are to be found in numerous old temples.

Chennai is really a lot more than the Gateway to South India. The varied aspects of traditional South Indian culture existing alongside the lifestyle of a modern city complete with its plush hotels, restaurants offering a range of continental to typical South Indian cuisine, long and uncrowded stretches of beaches, modern shopping malls, cinema halls, et al.