Can you find all five differences between these nearly identical images of Madras? Challenge yourself now.
August 22 is Madras Day, which is why this fun puzzle is themed around the enchanting and bustling city of Chennai. You don’t need to know the city in and out to solve this puzzle correctly. All you need is an eye for detail. Are you up for the task?
This city on the Coromandel Coast has a rich and interesting history. Find out more about Madras that is now Chennai with this quickfire round of questions.
It’s Madras Week, folks! How much do you know about one of India’s most prominent cities? Find out with this quiz.
Beyond Chennai’s obvious attractions such as beaches and temples lie several less-explored yet fascinating places.
Madras is believed to have been founded on August 22, 1639, when the English East India company bought the sliver of land where Fort St. George now stands. Since then, the city has grown into a bustling metropolis. While everyone thinks of temples and beaches when they think of Madras or Chennai as it is now known, there are many quieter and less-known landmarks. Read on to know more about some of them and then solve the picture puzzle.
In touch with history: Armenian church
In Chennai’s bustling George Town stands an old structure that is a reminder of the city’s historical connect with the faraway land of Armenia. The Armenian church is located on Armenian Street, where merchants from the country once settled. It was built 1712, demolished, and subsequently rebuilt in 1772. It has a bell tower with six of the heaviest bells in the city, weighing around 150 kg each. Around 350 Armenians are also been buried in the church’s yard. Once a thriving business community in the region, the number of Armenians settled here has dwindled over the years. Today, the bells in the church toll every Sunday morning, as if reminding people of an almost-forgotten link to a memorable chapter in the past.
Tales of erstwhile grandeur: Chepauk Palace
Today, the name ‘Chepauk’ may be synonymous with Chennai’s magnificent cricket stadium, but did you know that a stone’s throw from there is an iconic structure that is steeped in history? Built in 1768, the Chepauk Palace is said to be one of India’s first structures to be built in the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture. It has two blocks – Kalas Mahal and Humayun Mahal. The majestic palace served as the official residence of the Nawabs of Carnatic/Arcot from 1768 to 1855. Today, the complex is undergoing renovation to restore the structures to their former glory.
Chugging along: Rail Museum
Located near the Furnishing division of the Integral Coach Factory (ICF), the Rail Museum takes you on a journey through the rich history and heritage of the Indian Railways. It was opened in 2002 with a host of exhibits that promise to enthrall children and adults alike. With galleries, miniatures, photographs, vintage models, paintings and more, there’s much to explore and experience. Word is that the toy train ride is a must-try!
Treasure trove of biodiversity: Pallikaranai Marsh
The last remaining natural habitat in the city and one of the most diverse natural habitats in the country, the Pallikaranai Marsh is supremely significant for conservation efforts. It is home to a wide array of birds, plants and animals, and is known to be a ‘birdwatchers’ paradise’. Thousands of migratory birds are known to flock to the wetland. Flanked by the Buckingham Canal and the Old Mahabalipuram Road and surrounded by dense human activity, the wetland has shrunk over time.
Bring a piece of Chennai into your home with this craft activity. Get set, cut!
Explore some of the natural wonders around the world from the past to the present.
The world is filled with natural wonders from the Aurora Borealis in the skies to the Great Barrier Reef in the ocean. We have been making lists of various natural wonders over the years. Let’s move around the globe over a few of these, and make sure you look them up in an Atlas!
That was interesting wasn’t it? Let’s see if you can figure out some of these tougher ones!
What were the new sports in Olympics this year, and which were dropped? Read on…
This year, six new games made their bow at Tokyo. Want to know which ones?
Well, here’s a fun game that will not only test your memory, but also give you a sneak-peak into the newbies, and reveal some fun trivia about them too.
What are you waiting for? Get, set, go!
Since the first modern Games in 1896, there are some sports which have been dropped from the Olympic schedule:
Cricket, Croquet, and Pelota: Introduced in 1900, they featured only in this edition of the Games.
Jeu de Paume and Motorboating: Introduced and played only in 1908, after which they were dropped.
Polo: It was introduced in 1900 and dropped after the 1936 Olympics. In 1996, the International Olympic Committee voted to classify it as a recognised sport, and it was accepted as a demonstration sport in the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics.
Lacrosse: It was introduced in 1904 and dropped after the 1908 edition.
Roque, and Tug of war: Introduced in 1904 and dropped after.
Those magnificent men and their flying machines – see how aircraft have evolved over time…
Those magnificent men and their flying machines – see how aircraft have evolved over time. If you have been to the airport or live near one, you might have seen one or more of these!
Who are pirates? Notorious sea-thieves who raided ships for treasure? Find out
Who are pirates? Notorious sea-thieves who raid ships for treasure? Daring explorers who sail the seven seas and go home with treasure? They are all this and more!
Can you identify these famous fictional pirates? Drag and drop the names of the books/movies into the correct boxes.
Help Captain Whitebeard find a way to take his treasure to his ship! Click here to download this pirate-themed activity sheet.
Images: By Newell Convers Wyeth – Transferred from en.wikisource to Commons by Billinghurst using CommonsHelper., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=23076502 | By F.D. Bedford – James Matthew Barrie, “Peter and Wendy”, Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York, 1912, page 188 [1], Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4210385
Ever wondered how life was in 1947? Click here to view how some things have changed in the last 74 years…
Music therapy is a type of expressive arts therapy that uses music to improve and maintain the physical, psychological, and social well-being of individuals.
