Chennai, with its unwavering and passionate connection with culture, heritage, religion, cinema and food is like no other in India. A visit to namma Chennai is peppered with lot of activities, holding interest for everyone. Let the warmth, madness, colors and flavors of this city surprise you. Here are some of the must-dos when you make the trip to the land of Thalaivar(Rajnikant, for the uninitiated):

1. A tropical and pleasant weather

Being close to the sea, Chennai experiences tropical climate. Barring a couple of months of hot sun in summers, rest of the year sees a relatively pleasant temperature with rains in between. So, it’s always a good time to visit the city.

2. December is when Chennai is at its cultural best

Image Source: Flickr @Ravages

Yes, December and January is the Chennai Music Festival or Madras Music Season. And not just music, Chennai savors the classical dance forms and art fests showcased in these months. You get to attend hundreds of performances, discussions and meets. Chennai literally takes over as the cultural capital of India, for this while at least.

3. Catch a movie at a theatre near you

Image Credit: Naina Madan

The experience of watching a movie in theatre in Chennai is unmatched. Tickets priced mostly around Rs. 120, super comfortable seats, not-so-expensive snacks are a part of the package. Make an advance booking because Chennaites take their cinema very seriously, more so when it’s their superstar Rajnikant on screen!

4. Do the Marina thing, the Marina way

Image Source: Flickr @Sarath_Kuchi

Spread over a stretch of 13 kilometres, Marina is the longest urban beach in India and second longest in the world! Go there for a morning run or an evening stroll, and enjoy it with a corn on the cob peppered with chilli powder and lime, bhajji and fried fish.

5. A sip of all things natural, at Fruit Shop on Greams Road

Image Source: outlookbusiness.com

A place with this interesting a name has to live up to it and so it does. Go there for fresh juices, available in a mind-boggling number of flavors and combinations. Fresh mango juice served here is so out-of-this-world, believe us! Fresh milkshakes, ice creams and smoothies are all a good deal.

6. Make a trip to the chaos and kanjeevarams in T. Nagar

A visit to T. Nagar will give you endless choice in stores offering wide variety of sarees. Buy original Kanjeevarams from Nalli, Pothy’s, Kumaran and many stores in the bustling market. Visit Sarvana Store and you would get a new meaning of the word ‘super market’. It is full of people, things, offers at any given point of time, any given day of the week. And don’t forget munching on the boiled sweetcorn, jackfruit while shop-hopping.

7. Dosas, idlis and more

When in Chennai, you will get to taste delicious dosas, idlis and sambhar wherever you choose to stop and eat. A visit to Sarvana Bhavan, Murugan Idli Shop, ID (Idli Dosa) for some serious south Indian fare, is a must. Meat lovers need not lose heart. You will also find great places serving Chettinad cuisine, dominantly non-vegetarian, coastal delicacies and biryanis.

8. The quietude of beach

Image Source: proposalsanddisposals.wordpress.com

Thiruvanmiyur Beach is relatively quiet and isolated in comparison to Marina. When you are done with the touristy Marina stuff, or you prefer the peaceful sun and sand, head to this one for some solitude. It’s ideal for spending some time away from the hullaballoo of the city.

9. Coffee is a serious matter here

Coffee is integral to south India, this we all know. Filter coffee (or kaapi) is a must, when you visit Chennai. We will particularly emphasize on trying degree coffee for some variety, it comes from a small place outside Chennai known as Kumbakonam. This coffee is available all over Chennai in franchisees, which brew the cup to perfection. The strong concoction added to the frothy cow’s milk, is a delight for any coffee lover.

10. Soak in the history at Mahabalipuram

Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mahabalipuram, or popularly called Mahabs, is an ancient town outside Chennai. Temples, rock carvings and sculptures by the sea, will take you back in history.

11. Beautiful mix of religion and architecture

Image Source: Flickr @seeveeaar

Religion is very dear to the city and every place of worship here is not just religiously important, but is of great architectural significance too. Feast your eyes, while you bow down in respect at the temples, churches and mosques in Chennai.

12. Wholesale shopping and north-Indian style chaat

Image Source: Flickr @McKay_Savage

Step in to Sowkarpet and you enter one of the oldest wholesale markets of Chennai. Find roadside stalls stockpiled with dress materials, sarees, plastic products, bangles, imported good and electronic items and stalls selling Gujarati snacks, chaats and sandwiches. This place will give you a real taste of the sights and sounds of Chennai.

13. Smell the flowers, literally.

Being the temple town, you will find beautiful flowers almost everywhere, outside temples especially. Also, it is a tradition for women to dress their hair with flower garlands, so don’t forget to buy a gorgeous ornamental gajra and pin it in your bun. It just ups your style quotient instantly and you would feel you belong there. It is hard to find cities like Chennai that still hold on to their culture and heritage, and yet move with the changing times. And the charm of this city increases manifold when you are visiting from a fast-paced city life. You will agree with us once you have made that trip.

Naina Madan

From CA to advertising to writing, life has been a true roller-coaster ride. Not that I mind it. When not figuring out how to earn money to finance the travel, coffee and books, I am day-dreaming the travel, the coffee smell and virtually sniffing through new released books.

Comments

comments