Chennai, the capital of Tamilnadu, located on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal, is the biggest cultural, economic and educational centre of south India, with temples, beaches and centres of historical and cultural significance, including the UNESCO Heritage site of Mahabalipuram. The city serves as the gateway to the southern part of India with tourists landing in the city and starting their trip to rest of the region. Pondicherry and Tirupati are nearby famous tourist destinations.