Monuments in Chennai
Chennai is a Heaven's Land when it comes to monuments and architecture. If you happen to visit Chennai, you will come across so many beautiful forts and monuments that you would want to visit them again and again.
Ripon Building in Chennai
The key attraction of the Ripon Building is the famous Westminster Quarter Ringing Clock which was inaugurated and fitted in 1913 by Oakes and Company.
Madras War Cemetery in Chennai
The Madras War Cemetery was set up in 1952 to honor the women and men who gave up their lives at the time of Second World War.Kamaraj Memorial House in Chennai
This monument was erected in the year 1978 and is dedicated to the ex-Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu - Shri Kamraj.The building of this 2 storey monument displays the furniture, timepiece, attire, books, spectacles, pens, utensils and prison coat etc. which reveals the life and existence of Shri Kamraj.
Here you can also have a look at the famous personalities of India like Sarojini Naidu, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Martin Luther, Rajendra Prasad, Queen Elizabeth and M.G Ramachandran whose pictures have been exhibited inside the monument.
Doveton House in Chennai
This building was built in 1798 by the well-known architect Benjamin Roebeck. The front region of Doveton House contains pillars and there are half moon steps which exist at the back of Senate house. The structure of the building resembles the regal style and stirs up the reminiscences of the White House.Initially, Doveton House was used as a residential building which was visited by the English officers whenever they used to pay a visit to Chennai. Gaekwad of Baroda was kept in detention in this building because he tried to murder a British inhabitant in his state.
Doveton House was named after Lieutenant General John Doveton in 1837 when he got hold of this building. After the death of John Doveton, the Doveton House was used as a jail where the British officers used to keep the prisoners in detention. In 1916, the Doveton House got converted into the Women’s Christian College.
Senate House in Chennai
Built between the years 1874 and 1879, the Senate House is situated inside the Madras University’s campus which is close to Marina Beach.The Senate House consists of a large central hall which is supported by 6 huge pillars. The building has 2 entrances situated on both sides.
The Senate house has accommodated some offices of Registrar of Madras University and Vice-chancellor as well as some University Departments.
Anna Square in Chennai
Anna Square has been named after the renowned leader of Dravidian movement, Dr. C.N. Anna Durai. Anna Durai was the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu served the residents of Tamil Nadu with utmost dedication and honesty.
Anna Durai had a spell-binding impression on the residents and they used to call him “Anna” (which means elder brother) with love.
Anna Square is situated at the northern side of Marina Beach. The memorial is located in the midst of an artistic and extravagant park. The place houses the mortal remains of the respectable Anna Durai. The entrance of the park is splendid and has tusks of 2 elephants meeting each other.Vivekananda Illam in Chennai
Bharathiyar Illam in Chennai
Bharathiyar Illam used to be the residence of the renowned Tamil poet, Subramanya Bharathi who was born in the year 1882 and his residence is now one of the famous tourist spots of Chennai.Subramanya Bharathi started writing poems at the age of 7. The initial years of his life was spent in a village and the last few years of his life were spent in Bharathiyar Illam. Tourists can see the anecdotes, pictures of his family and friends, handwritten poems and life story of Subramanya at this place.
Mahatma Gandhi wrote a letter in Tamil at the inaugural event of Bharathiyar Mani Mandapam in the year 1947, that letter can also be seen here. Later the Tamil Nadu Government took control over the Bharathiyar Illam, renovated it and unveiled it on 2nd October, year 1993.
Pancha Mandapams in Chennai
Pancha Mandapams exactly mean 5 memorials. These are situated at Guindy, Chennai. All the 5 memorials are devoted to 5 famous freedom fighters of India which were:- C. Rajgopalachari - The first Governor General of India
- Bhaktavatsalam and Kamaraj - Former chief ministers of the state
- Mahatma Gandhi (Father of Nation)
- The Martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of our nation.
Freemason's Hall in Chennai
The bigger Lodge Room is aerated by the clerestory windows which are placed at a height of 12 feet from the ground. The walls of the Free Masons Hall are decorated with the Masonic symbols.