Located on the Coromandel Coasts in Bay of Bengal, Chennai is the capital of Indian state, Tamil Nadu. This is regarded as the main economic and cultural centre of south India. Chennai itself is like an open museum with large number of monuments, temples and other structures spread on its cityscape. Counted one among the major metropolitan cities of India, Chennai houses some of the best museums. Museums of Chennai treasures the best of art and heritage of Tamil Nadu.

These museums are well maintained and house the well preserved artifacts. Chennai is a great place of learning. Museums in Chennai also impart invaluable knowledge and information about the ancient times. They store relics of ancient art and heritage. Chennai has two important museums; Government Museum and the Vivekananda Museum.

Government Museum: Government Museum is among the famous museums in Chennai. This museum houses large number of artifacts. People across the globe, who come to Chennai, make it a point to visit this museum. This museum has various departments within its premises which include Art Department, Archeology Department, Anthropology Department, Numismatics, Zoology and Chemical. This museum is regarded as the best museums in India. It has prized collection of oil paintings, frescos, graphics, Bronze art, Contemporary art and various others.

There are four galleries in the museum including Hindu Sculpture Gallery, Bronze Gallery, Amravathi Gallery and National Art Gallery. There are pillars, panels, carved railings, Buddha Statues in the Amravati Gallery. The Museum has the collection of bronze sculptures from Pallavas, Hoysala, Cholas and Chalukyas dynasties. There is also a Children’s Museum inside the Government Museum which includes Civilization Gallery, Transportation Gallery and Kids Corner.

Vivekananda Museum: Another famous museum among the Chennai museums is Vivekananda Museum. This is also a landmark in Chennai. Located between Tiruvallikani and Lighthouse Train Stations, on the shores of Marina Beach, Vivekananda Museum is visited by large number of tourists. It is housed in the Famous Ice House in Chennai. Interestingly, this building was initially used for storing ice. Ice stored in the building did not melt even if outside temperature was high. Great monk, Vivekananda used to preach here and later this was changed into a museum.

This museum houses large number of memorabilia including musical instruments, ancient and modern, both. Vivekananda Museum house great collection of rare manuscripts of invaluable teachings in Vedanta, Upanishads. Memoirs of Vivekananda in the form of photographs, essays, autobiographies are preserved in the museum.