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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 road and rail.
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