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While you are holidaying in Chennai, make sure to take some time
off and visit the places around. There are ancient temple towns
like Mahabalipuram and Tirupati (in Andhra Pradesh), traditional
townships and villages that specialise in crafts like
Kanchipuram, and golden beaches like Covelong.
Mahabalipuram
 Just
out of Chennai, roughly 55 km away, is the world-famous town of
Mahabalipuram. The Pallava dynasty of Southern India, one of the
major lines of kings to rule in India after the Gupta period,
made this lovely seaside village their second capital. The place
blossomed under the creative forces of that time between the
fifth and eighth centuries. Today, the shore temple, the largest
bas-relief in the world called Arjuna's Penance and the famous
and beautiful mandapams are what identify this sleepy town.
Covelong
Replete with historical monuments such as forts, churches,
mosques, and a lovely beach, Covelong is a place where you can
experience the history of Tamil Nadu as a whole. If you are in
Chennai, don't miss out on a visit to this place.
Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram, also close by, is a destination that is visited by
almost all tourist to Chennai. In fact, along with Chennai and
Mahabalipuram, Kanchipuram forms the famous Golden Triangle of
the Coromandel coast. Although a dusty, dreary township of Tamil
Nadu, Kanchipuram finds place on the global map because of the
wonderful craftsmanship of the Kanchi weavers, the makers of
what is perhaps the finest silk fabric in the world.
Tirupati
Situated in the Chittoor district in southern Andhra Pradesh,
Tirupati is the abode of the legendary Lord of the Seven Hills.
Tirupati is one of the most famous shrines in the country where
an uninterrupted worship of the Lord has been carried out for
over thirteen centuries. Even today, Tirupati draws enormous
crowds throughout the year. The main attractions are the Pratima
Mandapam, which has the statue of Sri Krishnadevaraya,
Tulabharam, the scales upon which materials for offerings are
weighed; the Tirumalanayaka Mandapam, which is replete with
beautiful carvings; and Dhwajastambham, and others. Tirupati is
situated at a distance of around 152 km from Chennai and
connected by r
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