Explanation: To understand which city is nearest to Chennai, it is essential to have a clear understanding of the geographical layout of South India. Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, is located on the southeastern coast of India. The cities mentioned in the options are all located in different states within South India, and their relative distances from Chennai are key to answering the question correctly.
Madurai, located in Tamil Nadu, is approximately 450 km from Chennai. While it is in the same state, it is not the closest city to Chennai among the given options. Hyderabad, the capital of Telangana, is located to the northwest of Chennai and is approximately 600 km away, making it a less suitable choice for the nearest city to Chennai.
Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka, is the correct answer. It is located approximately 340 km from Chennai, making it the closest city among the given options. The proximity of Bengaluru to Chennai is due to their geographical positions in South India, with Bengaluru situated to the west of Chennai.
Ernakulam (Kochi), located in Kerala, is approximately 450 km from Chennai. While it is in South India, it is farther from Chennai than Bengaluru, making it an incorrect choice for the nearest city to Chennai.
In summary, understanding the geographical layout of South India and the relative distances between major cities is crucial for answering questions about proximity. Among the given options, Bengaluru is the nearest city to Chennai, making it the correct answer.