Chennai, the state capital of Tamil Nadu and the cultural capital of the south, offers you a compelling dose of Dravidian culture & customs. Still known by its Raj-era name ‘Madras’ to the old timers, Chennai’s colonial heritage seems to blend in its ancient culture. Though the city is the largest metropolis in the south; its charm lies in its relaxed vibe, colorful temples, bustling markets, and its deep-rooted traditions.
Chennai’s many allures include beautiful beaches, elegant churches, cool theme parks, fragrant filter coffee, and delicious Masala Dosa. Gully cricket in its narrow streets, echoes of Carnatic Music and glimpses of beautiful dance gestures of Bharatnatyam; are sure to entice you to delve deeper in its glorious culture.
The colorful gopurams (entrance towers) of this magnificent Shiv-Parvati temple beckon you to revel in its splendid architecture and spirituality. While the Gopurams are embellished with exquisite figurines, the inner shrine and sprawling courtyards of the temple are sprinkled with figurines of Gods and Goddess sitting on their chariots or Vahanas(vehicles). The slender pillars of its mandapam, and the stunning figurine of Goddess Lakshmi built in the waters of the temple tank are architectural marvels of Kapaleeshwarar shrine.
One of the world’s longest urban beaches, Marina Beach paints a picture of golden sands stretching for miles along the indigo waters of the Bay of Bengal. A major hotspot in the city, for travelers & locals alike, Marina Beach is filled with morning walkers & joggers at daybreak while it comes alive in the evenings with kids building sandcastles, peddlers selling their wares, aromatic Dosa stalls and even palm readers offering to divulge your future. Some parts of the beach are nesting grounds for the rare Olive Ridley Turtles.
This brilliant chariot-shaped monument, dedicated to Tamil poet-philosopher Thiruvalluvar, is inscribed with all 133 verses from his famous work Thirukkura. A true tribute to this gem of Tamil Nadu, Valluvar Kottam Monument is as much revered as the city temples.
Literally translating as Partha (Arjun) and Sarathy (Charioteer), the temple depicts the role of Lord Krishna as Arjun’s charioteer during the famous battle in the Hindu epic Mahabharata. A fine specimen of detailed sculptures, and exquisite carvings & murals, the temple is an epitome of beauty and grace.
A heritage storehouse, this huge government museum spread in a six-buildings-complex showcases an array of objects from assorted spheres including archeology, numismatics, zoology, and natural history. Its collection of sculptures, palm-leaf manuscripts, Amravati paintings and Roman antiques, is simply marvelous.
This brilliant Neo-Gothic styled cathedral is said to be built upon the tomb of St. Thomas- one of the twelve apostles of Jesus who is believed to have visited India in 52 AD and later died here.
Chennai’s local bazaars are a delightful and chaotic experience. Lustrous Kanchipuram sarees dappled in gold, traditional jewelry, gold-leaf paintings from Tanjore, wood-carved artifacts, stone-carved figurines and Indian classical music instruments are some of the great souvenirs you can take home with you.
Besides the world-known Idli-dosa-sambhar-vada; the favorite breakfast of every Chennai household, the city also offers a range of Tamil cuisines. Nourishing Uttapams, piquant Rasam, Prawns Kuzhambu and Chicken Chettinad are some of the gastronomic delights from Tamil kitchens.
The best time to visit Chennai is in winters from October to February.
By Air- Chennai International Airport connects the city with major cities across the globe.
By Rail- Chennai has three major railway stations, namely, Chennai Central, Chennai Egmore and Tambaram; connect the city to the rest of India by an extensive network of Indian Railways.
By Road- A well-maintained network of roads and highways connect Chennai to major cities in India.
Book your Chennai Tour and explore the many wonders this cultural city has to offer. Do reach us for a customized tour package to help us create a memorable experience in India for you.
I just came back from a 12 days Rajasthan tour. I found Caper surfing the web and had non suggestion from friends and had never read comments or reviews about it. Totally "blind-choice".
We recently concluded a 12 day driving tour of New Delhi, Agra and Rajasthan with Caper Travel. It was most enjoyable !!
Just came back from an amazing 2 week trip to India. First we done the golden triangle which we chose to do the train trip from Delhi to Agra a must you have to do if not just for the experience.
