Chennai (Madras) Travel Guide

City Facts

Location

91 (India); 44 (Chennai).

Time Zone

GMT + 5.5.

Electricity

230 volts, 50Hz; two and three-pin round plugs are standard.

Average January Temperatures

25°C (77°F).

Average July Temperatures

31°C (88°F).

Average Annual Rainfall

1,295mm (51 inches). Monsoon season is from around June to September and again from mid October to December.

Cost of Living

Special Events

Pongol
Mid January
Biggest regional festival with four days of celebrations symbolising prosperity and abundance from a fruitful harvest; temple celebrations and decorated cows honored for their contribution to harvest.
Throughout the city

Republic Day
26 January (national holiday)
Throughout the city

Arubathumoovar
March/April
Procession of 63 bronze statues of the saints of Shiva who were canonized.
Kapaliswa in Mylapore

Bramhorchavam
May-June
The Grand Annual Festival takes place at the Sri Kalikambal Temple over 12 days.

Independence Day
15 August (national holiday)
Throughout the city

Velankanni Church Festival
August/September
Attracts thousands of pilgrims, many of them leaving votive miniature body parts in silver or gold, to this huge white wedding cake of a church, with a supposedly miraculous shrine of Our Lady of Healing.

Dussehra
Hindu festival
September/October
Throughout the city

Navarati
September/October
Literally the festival of nine nights; to honor all the incarnations of the goddess Durga.

Diwali (Deepavali)
October/November
Major Hindu festival; festival of lights punctuated with firecrackers from dawn and fireworks at night, new clothes and gifts of sweets, small candles lit at dusk outside homes.
Throughout the city

Karthikai Deepam
November/December
Festival of lights with lamps and firecrackers celebrated on full moon.

Festival of Carnatic Music and Dance
Mid Dec-mid January
One of the largest music and dance festivals in the world.

Arts Festival
10 days over December-January
Kalakshreta Arts Village