Situated within strolling distance of several notable beaches, Chennai lies on India’s east coast, known as the Coromandel Coast, facing out towards the Bay of Bengal. The capital of the state of Tamil Nadu, Chennai has a reputation for producing some of the fiercest curries on the continent and is known throughout India for its culinary excellence. Elsewhere, the city’s 7.5 million people are able to enjoy living amid important historic monuments from the British Raj, mesmerizing religious structures, and impressive dance and classical music traditions travelers are only now starting to become aware of.