How to get the best of Chennai in 72 hours?

How to get the best of Chennai in 72 hours? Must-see, must-do list.

Chennai was formerly known as Madras. It is a bustling city and a portrait of contrasts. It has ancient temples, is a haven for traditional art forms like music and dance, as also sky scrapers and a bustling IT industry. Chennai is also a major manufacturing hub. Sprawling a large area, the metropolis is the capital city of Tamil Nadu and is a blend of tradition and modernity.

Since the city has several attractions, you will have to choose what you want to see based on your interests. Let us outline some of the compelling options that the city has to offer.

Prominent landmarks

Fort St.George which dates back to 1644 is the first English fortress to be built in India. Today it houses the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly and a Fort Museum which houses colonial artefacts which provide a glimpse into Chennai’s past. Valluvar Kottam is a historical monument dedicated to the well-known poet, philosopher and saint, Thiruvalluvar. He penned a well-known treatise called Thirukkural over 2000 years ago. Valluvar Kottam is structured like a temple chariot with a statute of saint Thiruvalluvar. Other landmarks include the Government Museum in Egmore, Vivekananda House (Ice House) and MGR memorial. Connemara Public Library is a 19th century library with a collection of over 6,00,000 books and is one of Asia’s largest libraries.

Captivating beaches

Marina beach is a prominent landmark in Chennai and is one of the longest urban beaches globally. It has stunning views of the Bay of Bengal and exciting sunrises that are very compelling. Besant Nagar beach also known as Elliots beach is also a favourite and less crowded than Marina beach. The Karl Schmidt Memorial is an attraction here with Velankanni church and Ashtalakshmi temple nearby. Covelong beach is a short drive from Chennai and is picturesque and has water sports like surfing. Muttukadu is a quiet backwater with boat rides.

Temples

The Kapaleeshwarar temple in Mylapore is a bustling temple that is dedicated to a shrine of Lord Shiva in the form of Kapaleeshwarar and Goddess Shakti in the form of Karpagambal. A beautiful complex with several other shrines and a lovely temple tank is an attraction. The streets surrounding the temple are always busy with small shops selling flowers, nick-nacks and vegetables and fruits. The Vadapalani temple of Lord Murugan is another 150-year-old temple drawing pilgrims from far and wide. Another temple that is one of Chennai’s oldest temples is the Parthasarathy temple in Triplicane which is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is an architectural wonder and the form of Lord Vishnu is seen in a lying down posture. Also worth a visit are the Tirupathi Devasthanam Balaji temple in Venkatanarayana road and the Ashtalakshmi temple in Besant Nagar.

Churches and Mosques

The Santhome Basilica is a splendid Roman Catholic Cathedral which stands as a testament to St.Thomas, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. The origins of the Basilica can be traced back to 1498 AD when Portuguese sailors discovered St. Thomas’ tomb. St.Thomas Mount or Parangimalai is a small hillock in Guindy. It is traditionally held to be the site of martyrdom of the apostle St.Thomas. The Luz Church is a Portuguese church built in 1516 and is one of the oldest churches in the city. The Armenian church of Virgin Mary was built by the Armenian community in 1712.  St.Mary’s church in St.Mary’s road was built in 1660 AD and is a magnificent Anglican English church.

The Thousand Lights Mosque in Mount Road is also called Aayiram Vilakku in Tamil and is one of the largest mosques in the country. It is a revered place of worship and azadari for Shia Muslims in the city. The Triplicane Big Mosque, also known as the Wallajah Mosque, is a magnificent testament to the Mughal architectural style. It was constructed in 1795 by the family of Muhammad Ali Khan Wallajah, the Nawab of Arcot.

Places of interest

The B M Birla Planetarium in Kotturpuram is a hidden gem that offers a unique and awe-inspiring experience for science enthusiasts and curious minds alike. The planetarium, which is one of the most advanced in India, creates an immersive experience that will leave you spellbound. Heritage enthusiasts will love The Chennai Rail Museum which has a stunning collection of 19-century heritage exhibits. Vintage steam engines and opulent coaches take you on a journey of the rich history of the Indian Railways. The Cholamandal Artists’ Village stands as a true treasure trove of art and culture. Founded in 1966 by a visionary group of 38 artists from the Government School of Arts and Crafts, this charming commune has blossomed into a vibrant community of creativity, boasting houses, studios, galleries, a theatre, workshops, and more, collectively owned and managed by its members.

Also worth a visit is the Dakshinachitra Heritage Museum which was conceived by the Madras Craft Foundation. It showcases the art, architecture, and crafts of South India. Dakshinachitra is a treasure trove of artefacts, relics, contemporary works and books. It has been mindfully designed and showcases the cultural richness of South India.

The Chennai Snake Park located in Guindy was established in 1972. The park displays various species of Indian snakes housed in glass-fronted and visitor friendly enclosures. Another must-see place for wildlife enthusiasts in the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust near Mahabalipuram. The crocodile park commenced its operations with a mission to protect three endangered species of crocodiles – the saltwater crocodile, the mugger crocodile, and the gharial. Apart from crocodiles and alligators, the park is also home to 12 endangered species of tortoises and turtles, 5 snake species like King Cobra and a variety of lizards.

Literary enthusiasts must visit the Higginbothams store on Mount Road. It is a 180-year-old book store boasting stained glass windows and heavy oak doors. It sells a wide variety of books from literature, classics, politics, self-help, Indian writing, and fiction.

Culinary highlights

Foodies will have a tough time trying to decide on food options in Chennai. From the predictable Idli, dosa, vadai and sambar to the fragrant filter coffee, there are a variety of options available all over the city. Chennai also offers other cuisines like Chettinad, Kongunadu, Mudaliar and Tanjavur cuisines. Street food is also a very commonly available. As also cuisines from North India, Kerala and Karnataka. Andhra food joints also dot the city and offer spicy food typical of the cuisine. The beaches offer Sundal and raw mango and spicy peanuts which are traditionally made and sold on push carts. Temples offer puliyodhare (tamarind rice), kesari (rava halwa), venn pongal, sundal (chickpea stir-fry), sakkara pongal (sweet pongal), sambhar rice and curd rice among others as Prasadam or offerings at specific times.

Shopping highlights

Chennai has an abundance of shopping experiences ranging from bustling street markets to upscale malls. You can shop traditional handicrafts, electronics, fashion clothing and just about anything you want. Traditional silk and cotton sarees are widely available in many places in Chennai. T.Nagar is one of the premier shopping districts of Chennai showcasing jewellery and silk sarees. Pondy Bazaar is a shopping paradise at reasonable prices. Sowcarpet is known for its street food and Indian clothing. If you are looking for a luxurious experience, step into Express Avenue Mall, Palladium Mall or Phoenix Market City. They have high-end stores and brands from designer clothes to luxury watches.

Summary

Chennai is a melting pot of culture, music, dance, the arts, shopping, and heritage. The city is well connected with Metro trains and the traditional autorickshaws that ply around the city. The weather is mostly hot and humid except in the months of November and December when the North East monsoon sets in. It is important to make a choice of what you want to see and gather information about distances. This way you can see and enjoy most of the places in the given time that you have.