Part of India that brings the South Indian flair to vacation options here, Chennai can be summed up in three words – food, art, and silk sarees. It is a city with sandy beaches and an exotic living style. Though the language barrier may seem huge in the beginning, people do understand and speak English fluently. This Tamil Nadu capital has a rich cultural heritage that underpins all facets of everyday life.

Chennai has a multifaceted personality. The climate-controlled megamalls sit next to village homes; gold-dominated temples share space with huge billboards, slow-moving traffic is bypassed by pedestrians, and streets lined with local food stalls are overlooked by chic restaurants selling ordinary items at a pricey cost. As the Gateway to South India, Chennai is today India’s fourth largest metropolis. It is located along the Coromandel Coast and has carefully retained its traditional Tamil roots while acquiring a futuristic and urbane character.

For those of you planning to visit Chennai this year, here are some of its greatest attractions:

Marina Beach: The shining star of the Chennai metropolis, Marina Beach is where the real Chennai happens. Covered with glittering golden sand and a clear strip of blue sea, it is among the most magnificent beaches in India. Here, the experience of watching the sunrise and sunset is at its captivating best and breathtaking. Enclosures with palm trees compel you to take a slow and relaxed walk. It is also famous for another thing – its food. Until you’ve eaten from the stalls here, your idli mingling with spicy sambhar and a glass of local rasam, you haven’t actually eaten South Indian food from a cart. Being at Marina Beach can be an overwhelming mix: the underlying freshness of a sea beach – with a type of food that cannot be missed. With a 12-kilometer long beach line, Marina Beach is one of the longest beaches in the world.

City Exploration: With so much of Chennai’s life carried out on the streets, there are few cities in the world that reward exploration as substantially as Chennai. Cap off an extended bus trip with a visit to a hidden market at Mannadi, Godown, or Audiappa Naicken Street. A stroll off Pondy Bazaar’s beaten track can wind up in a conversation with a local. Get lost in the tiny churches by the lanes of Mount Road or stumble upon rare jewellery artifacts. After dark, let the local bus service escort you to Havana or Dublin, where the nightlife scene reveals a sophisticated and dynamic city.

Fort St George: Commissioned in the mid-sixteenth century by the East India Company, the fort remains Chennai’s beautiful link with its history. Though it has undergone many renovations over the years, its beauty is mesmerizing. Inside its huge walls are now Tamil Nadu's Legislative Assembly & Secretariat and a smattering of older buildings. One of these, the Fort Museum, displays a collection on Chennai's origins, interesting military memorabilia, and artwork from colonial times. Also within the fort is St Mary's Church, completed in 1680, and India's oldest surviving British church.

Kapaleeshwar Temple: Located in the Mylapore area of Chennai, Kapaleeshwar Temple is where the locals pray. It has a huge tank of water in front that greets you as you walk by it to enter the temple. The complex is neatly maintained, and devotees are managed through strict discipline. The sanctum sanctorum in both the main and two other temples is dark and one has to mend his/her steps. The legend has it that Goddess Parvati worshipped "kapalee" or nomadic form of the Lord here, which gave it the name Kapaleeshwar. The temple was destroyed during Portuguese rule and was re-built approximately 300 years ago. You will feel energetic and spirited after a visit.

Sri Parthasarathy Temple: The Parthasarathy Temple is another ancient temple of Chennai which was constructed over 1000 years ago. It has recently been subjected to very elaborate renovation, which has made it always wider and the idols approachable. The main deity, Parthasarathy, is placed in an elevated position and can be seen from outside clearly. The management allows separate queues for senior citizens and people with infants. While in Chennai, take time out for this ancient temple. The temple is known for the daily changing of the attire and appearance of Lord Vishnu/Parthasarathy. Sometimes in deep blue velvet studded with pearls and sometimes with a majestic crown and silk drapes, a vision of the Lord in daily glory is a MUST for many devout followers. The daily food offering is free to all and is also a delicious treat if you are lucky to receive it before it runs out. Like all the other Indian temples, you are expected to walk barefoot inside the temple. Socks are allowed, but visitors are requested to dress conventionally inside the premises. Go early in the morning or around midday to get the maximum benefit of visiting the temple.

Thirumalai Thirupathi Devasthanam: The Thirumalai Thirupathi Devasthanam temple in Chennai is an answer to your prayers for a glimpse of the Lord of Thirumala Hills. The early morning time is best - not much crowd and one can view the idol without the hassle of the crowd. The overall shrine is beautiful and fills the atmosphere with a majestic environment. It opens from 6 am till 12 noon and from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm. You can also reserve your darshan 60 days in advance.

Chennai is a 350-year-old city. From simple idlis to gleaming temples, everything here is worth appreciating. It is also visited by tourists looking to get a cheaper flight to South Asian destinations.

Interested in visiting Chennai? Alone or with family, we can take care of all your planning, accommodation, and literary details to make sure that you have your best Chennai holidays ever. It is a great place to visit anytime during the year.
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