Chennai, also known as Madras , was a gateway to the south during British colonization. This colonization favored the construction of some monumental municipal buildings and a series of wide avenues with large gardens. It retains much of its traditional charm, but it has become a very bustling city. It maintains the pride of its culture , which is still very traditional.
Forget about finding a cosmopolitan city with a great nightlife such as Mumbai, Bangalore or Delhi. Music, dance and different kinds of artistic activities are widespread in Chennai and the Tamil film industry is huge. The religious heritage is still alive thanks to the old churches, the ancient temples and of course the wonderful area where the Mamallapuram temple is located.
The city has grown dramatically over the past decades and has enjoyed a notable economic upturn in recent years, mainly thanks to its thriving industry. Heavy monsoon rains can be a big problem in the region, and Chennai has often suffered destruction and chaos because of them.
Many roads are flooded and transportation is cut off for several days. There are two periods of heavy rains that you should take into account if you are thinking of traveling there: from September to December and from June to August. The weather in summer is very hot, so much so that it becomes uncomfortable. That heat mixes with sticky moisture. The best time to make your trip is from December to March.