Towards the south of Chennai City, say about 40kms away, resides the “Crocodile Park” or the “Madras Crocodile Bank Trust” where you can come across a variety of Crocodiles and alligators.

It is amazing to see a separate place, especially for these reptiles.

Official website of Madras Crocodile Bank Trust: madrascrocodilebank.org

Image Attribute : Andy Hay

Muttukadu Lake, also known as Muthukadu Backwaters, is a sprawling freshwater lagoon that stretches along the ECR Chennai, parallel to the Bay of Bengal. This natural marvel is formed by the backwaters of the Bay and plays a vital role in the local ecosystem.

The pristine waters are bordered by gently swaying coconut palms, lush mangrove forests, and flourishing aquatic flora, forming a scenic panorama that exudes both allure and serenity.

Water Sports at Muttukadu Boat House

It is a popular destination for boating and water sports activities, offering visitors a chance to enjoy thrilling rides on speedboats, rowing, windsurfing, water skiing, and aqua scooters. The lake is nestled between the MGM and Kovalam beaches and is en route to Mahabalipuram.

Muttukadu Lake and its surrounding wetlands, are a haven for birdwatchers and nature photographers attracting a diverse range of avian species, especially during the migratory season. Bird enthusiasts can spot a variety of resident and migratory birds, including kingfishers, herons, egrets, and even flamingos in some seasons.

The boat house at Muttukadu Lake is under the management of the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC). The TTDC provides a range of packages to enhance visitors’ experiences at the lake. The cost of renting different types of boats varies from ₹300 to ₹1250 per boat or per ticket.

In addition to boating, the boathouse features an amusement park for kids, a restaurant offering snacks and meals, and facilities like parking, lockers, and restrooms​. Muttukadu Lake is an ideal place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and spend some quality time in nature. The tranquil surroundings and beautiful landscapes make it a perfect spot for a day trip or a picnic with family and friends. The lake’s proximity to Chennai makes it easily accessible for both locals and tourists.

Image Attribution : ttdconline.com

Chennai District Public Library | Connemara Public Library

Chennai District Public Library is one of the oldest libraries in the city and it is situated at Egmore, Chennai. Also known as Connemara Public Library, it serves as a Depository Library for the United Nations.

This is one of the four National Depository Libraries of India. Being a National Depository, it receives all periodicals, Newspaper, and also all the copies of the book that is published in our country.

In the year 1973, an addition of a new building happened where many collections books are available. Ancient times books, reference rooms, IAS Centre, etc are the few things to be mentioned that can be seen and experienced in this library.

Central Library Indian Institute of Technology Madras, is a library that is attached to IIT Madras.

Corporation Library located at Royapettah, and there is another library located at Triplicane that is set up by the Government of Tamil Nadu. These three libraries are directed to a common website namely: www.connemarapubliclibrarychennai.com where a user can gather a lot of information about the availability and other details with regards to books.

Chennai District Public Library Website:

Official website of Chennai District Public Library: Connemara public library chennai

Anna Centenary Library in Chennai is shortly known as ACL. It is an establishment of the Tamil Nadu Government.

It is quite a big library with 2700 visitors per day. Situated at Kotturpuram, Chennai, it occupies an area of 8 acres land with 9 floors.

It is a huge library that has been designed to accommodate about 1250 persons at a time. ACL can space in 1.2 million books and has a separate section for children that is spread over 15,000 sq ft.

This area has a lot of storybooks and multimedia kits are also available to make reading fun for kids.

This place has all varieties of books, journals, braille books etc for the benefit of readers. So, if you are a voracious reader, this is the apt place for you.

Jeevan Park is one of the oldest parks in Thyagaraya Nagar (T-Nagar) Chennai. Off late, the city has started renovating old parks for effective reduction of global warming.

Now, it has a great walking space for morning walkers to stay fit and fine. Located in T-Nagar, Chennai. It is well maintained, and a clean Park.

If you have come to Chennai, and wish to peacefully spend mornings among plants and trees, come to Jeeva Park.

Nageshwara Rao Park is popularly known as “Walker’s paradise”. Situated at Luz Corner, Mylapore, Chennai.

This park is open from 5 AM to 8 PM and is maintained by Sundaram Finance. It has a large play area for children and also a separate Badminton court for Adults to spend their time and have fun thoroughly.

On weekends, Musical concerts and Civic forums fill the place.

Thousand Lights Mosque is one of the largest Mosques in India. It is the five-domed Mosque with two slender towers and is quite famous for its splendid architecture.

It is located at Anna Salai, in Chennai. It is believed that a thousand lights were lit in the hall for illumination. So, the Mosque got the name thousand lights Mosque.

A prayer Hall separately has been maintained for ladies.

On the walls of the Mosque, verses from the Holy Quran have been inscribed. This Mosque is one of the best tourist spots in Chennai.

Image Attribute : Richard Mortel

Arignar Anna Zoological Park is the largest zoo in the country as far as its area is concerned.It is also known as Vandaloor Zoo and is located in Vandalur, which is the southwestern part of Chennai.

This zoo is officially the first-ever zoological park that attracted many people and kids. Founded in the year 1855, it covers up a large area of about 1300 acres of land.

It is a house of more than 2000 species of flora and fauna, more than 1000 wild animals, and about 46 endangered species, etc. There are separate rescue and rehabilitation center for animals and birds.A perfect place for flora and fauna and also a perfect spot for a picnic or a day’s outing with family and friends.

Apart from providing an enjoyable outing for families, the zoo is deeply committed to education and conservation. It conducts various educational programs, workshops, and awareness campaigns to promote wildlife conservation and the importance of biodiversity. The zoo also collaborates with research institutions for the conservation and breeding of endangered species.

Vandalur Zoo Timings:

• Zoo Holiday on every Tuesday.
• Zoo Timing: 9.00 AM to 6.00 PM.

Vandalur Zoo Website:

Official website of Arignar Anna Zoological Park: Arignar Anna Zoological Park

Kasi Viranna or Casa Verona built this Mosque in the year 1680 before he died. He was a Hindu merchant, who was a trader along with Sultanate of Golconda. They gave him a Muslim name, Hasan Khan as well since he was a very close acquaintance of them.

Casa Verona’s Mosque is located at Muthialpet, Georgetown at Chennai.

This is one of the oldest Mosques of Chennai.

Guindy National Park is located at the name says, at Guindy area, close to Raj Bhavan.

This is the smallest National park in our country. Though being the smallest National Park, it does accommodate a variety species that can be admired.

Generally, this is the place where school children are gathered for local field trips. Here children get to learn a lot about different animals, birds, reptiles etc.

There are about 14 species of mammals, 60 varieties of butterflies and insects, 130 varied birds, about 2000 Deers, 24 jackals, 400 black bugs etc.

A picnic spot where a day can be meaningfully spent. It is open on all days from 9 AM to 6 PM.

Image attribute : abhidg