West Chennai

West Chennai is the suburban western part of Chennai.

Get in

By train

• 1 Tambaram  SR  (station code: TBM, தாம்பரம் இரயில் நிலையம்), Railway Station Road, Tambaram East (SW 29 km from Chennai Central). Trains to Chennai Beach (every 5-10 min), Chengalapettu (every 10-15 min) and Kanchipuram (half hourly or so). 

See and do

Forests, lakes and parks

Arignar Anna Zoological Park

• 1 Arignar Anna Zoological Park (Vandalur Zoo) (40 km (25 mi) from the city centre), ☏ +91 44 22751089, fax: +91 44 22750741, aazp@yahoo.com. 9AM-6PM (closed Tu). Chennai has the distinction of having the first zoo in India, which was started in 1855. This park is said to be one of the biggest in South Asia. The wildlife population is exhibited in a large open-moated island enclosure with a simulated natural environment. More than 170 species of mammals, birds and reptiles are housed in this park. Lion safari vehicles, elephant rides, battery operated vehicles are some of the facilities available. The peak time is during Pongal and weekend holidays. ₹30, Free below 5 years, 5 to 12 ₹10, still camera ₹25, video camera ₹150. (updated Jun 2023)
• 2 Chembarambakkam Lake. A Chola-era reservoir built by Rajendra Chola I. (updated Jun 2023)
• 3 Nanmangalam Reserve Forest, Velachery High Road, Medavakkam (24 km (15 mi) from city centre). Popular among bird watchers and is home to about 85 species of birds. (updated Jun 2023)
• 4 Pulhal Lake (Puzhal Lake, Red Hills Lake). A British-era reservoir built in 1876. There are two masonry weirs in the reservoir. (updated Jun 2023)

Temples

• 5 Dhenupureeswarar Temple. A Shiva temple built between 956 and 973 CE during the reign of Parantaka Chola II. A number of religious festivals are celebrated at the temple, including Pradosha, Panguni Uttiram and during Navaratri, devotees visit to offer special pujas. (updated Jun 2023)
• 6 Kamakshi Amman Temple, 21, Permual Koil St, Srinivasa Nagar, Mangadu. 6AM–1PM, 3–8PM. This temple is dedicated to the Divine Mother Shakti as Kamakshi Amman. (updated Jun 2023)
• Kundrathur Shiva temple (Vada Thirunageshvaram), Kundrathur (Kundrathur bus depot). Sekkizhar built this temple 1,000 years ago. 
• 7 Kumaran Kundram (near MIT Flyover, close to Chennai Airport (around 9 km or 5 miles or 15-20 minutes)). The Deity of Lord Murugan in Kumaran Kundram is considered to be equivalent to the one in Swamimalai. small hillock at Kumaran Kundram  
• 8 Masilamaniswara Temple, Thirumullaivoyal. A Shiva temple believed to have been built by Cholas during the 9th century CE. It houses five-tiered gopurams. (updated Jun 2023)
• 9 Ranganatha Temple (Neervana Perumal Temple), Mallima Veedi, Thiruneermalai. This temple is one of the 108 places considered sacred by Vaishnatives. Legend has it that sage Valmiki, after composing the Ramayana, prayed in the temple and saw the divine darshan of Lord Vishnu in three forms. (updated Jun 2023)

Buy

• 1 The Forum Vijaya (Vijaya mall), 183, Arcot Road, NSK Salai, Vadapalani (Opp to Kamala theatre), ☏ +91 44 4904 9000. 10AM-10PM. More than 100 shops occupy its four floors. This mall distinguishes itself by being local by housing Chennai-based brands in the mall. (updated Sep 2017)