Tamil Nadu Travelers Recommend

Chennai has lots to offer, especially in terms of historic and religious sites, and it’s a great base for exploring the history and culture of the surrounding region. With three days in Chennai, you’ll get to hit all the urban must-sees and also fit in a couple of day trips. Here’s one way to divide your time.

Day 1: A Day in Chennai

Many of Chennai’s key attractions are clustered together, which makes covering all the major sites in one day relatively easy. Start your morning off in the Mylapore area, a walkable neighborhood that’s home to two of the city’s most significant religious sites: the 7th-century Kapaleeshwarar Temple and the 16th-century San Thome Cathedral. The former is the most important—or at least the most famous—Hindu temple in the city and features a gorgeous stacked tower covered with colorful carvings. The latter is best known for housing a relic of its namesake saint, Saint Thomas the Apostle.

After visiting Mylapore, head north to Georgetown, an old colonial district best known for the 17th-century Fort St. George, built by the East India Company. Today it houses a museum of colonial artifacts. Also worth visiting is St. Mary's Church, the oldest British building in India and the oldest Anglican church east of Suez.

Day 2: Historic Pallava Temples

Devote your second day to exploring the ancient temples in the surrounding region, notably at Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram) and Kanchipuram. Kanchipuram is home to some dozens of ancient temples built in the Dravidian style. The oldest, Kanchi Kailasanathar temple, dates back to the turn of the eighth century and features 58 shrines to Lord Shiva. The second-oldest temple here, Thiru Parameswara Vinnagaram, is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is an important pilgrimage site for those following Vaishnava (Vishnu-centric) Hinduism.

Mahabalipuram is better known among international visitors than Kanchipuram, owing largely to its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This beachfront group of monuments features a number of distinctive rathas (temples designed to resemble chariots) as well as rock-hewn bas reliefs and cave temples. Most of the temples here date to the sixth and seventh centuries, though archaeological excavations show evidence of earlier settlement.

Day 3: Pondicherry and Auroville

Head out early and spend your final day in Pondicherry (aka Puducherry), a former French colony that still retains much of its original colonial look and feel. Pondicherry's French Quarter is a major draw for many travelers, known for its beautiful homes, French-designed parks, and peaceful beachfront promenade. There's also a famous temple here, Manakula Vinayagar Temple, dedicated to the elephant-headed god, Ganesh, the remover of obstacles.

On the outskirts of Pondicherry, the township Auroville will be of interest to spiritual travelers. This spiritually driven international community was founded in the late 1960s by followers of Indian philosopher Sri Aurobindo. At the heart of the property is the Matrimandir, a golden-hued dome used for quiet contemplation, known as concentration. Day-trip visitors can view the dome from a special viewing point, as entering requires booking in person at least a day ahead of time.

The city formerly known as Madras, Chennai is a busy, vibrant city full of beautiful old colonial buildings, colorful temples, and plenty of sandy coastline. If you have just one day in the city, here’s how to make the most of your time. 

Morning: Colonial George Town

Start your morning off with a visit to the charming neighborhood of George Town, known for its colorful markets and stately historic buildings, many of which date back to the 17th century. The most important of these is Fort St. George, constructed by the East India Company in 1644 and today site of the Fort Museum, which houses colonial artifacts and art. Don't leave without paying a visit to St. Mary's Church, the oldest Anglican church east of the Suez Canal and the oldest British-built building in all of India.

Afternoon: Spiritual Mylapore

Spend your afternoon exploring Mylapore, home to two of Chennai's most important religious sites: Kapaleeshwarar Temple and the San Thome Basilica. As the temple closes for lunch for a few hours in the afternoon, start with the 16th-century San Thome Basilica, named for Saint Thomas the Apostle, who is said to have moved to India in the year AD 52. The cathedral features multiple stained-glass windows, and St. Thomas’ tomb is in a chapel on the cathedral premises. From here it’s a quick jaunt to Kapaleeshwar Temple, a multihued, colorful Dravidian-style temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Night: Sunset on the Beach

Wander along the city's Marina Beach in the evening, when the descending sun casts a golden glow over the city. Afterwards, join an evening food tour to experience Chennai’s culinary offerings with a local guide, or head to a local restaurant to try out South Indian cuisine on your own. While the nightlife here isn’t as vibrant as in Bangalore or Delhi, there are still plenty of places to imbibe; some of the snazziest are naturally at the city’s 5-star hotels. Alternatively, top off your stay with an evening performance at local dance and arts academy Kalakshetra.

With two days in Chennai, not only will you have time to check out the city’s top attractions, but you can also head farther afield to explore some of the many beautifully preserved Pallava temples in the area. Here’s how. 

Day 1: Explore Chennai

Morning: Start your day off exploring Chennai’s spiritual side in the Mylapore neighborhood. Begin with an early morning visit to the Kapaleeshwar Temple, a colorful Dravidian-style temple built in the seventh century to honor Lord Shiva. Just next door is the Sao Thome Cathedral, dedicated to Saint Thomas the Apostle, a relic of whom is said to be housed here. Get a neighborhood overview and visit both on a small-group guided tour.

Afternoon: Spend your afternoon in George Town, a charming colonial neighborhood situated around the 17th-century Fort St. George, built by the East India Company. Area highlights include the fort itself, which houses a museum of colonial artifacts, and St. Mary's Church, the oldest British-built structure still standing in India.

Night: As the sun begins to set, make your way over to Marina Beach for a stroll, followed by dinner at a local restaurant. Top off your first night in Chennai with a nightcap at a local bar—quite a few are located just inland from the beach on Cathedral Road.

Day 2: Day Trip to Temples

Morning: Get up early and head out to Kanchipuram, about a 90-minute drive from Chennai. The capital city of the Pallava dynasty, Kanchipuram is home to some of the most spectacular examples of Dravidian architecture in the region. Don't miss the Devarajaswami Temple, notable for its 96-pillar marriage hall. Arrange your own transport or hire a private guide/driver for convenience and a greater understanding of the site’s history.

Afternoon: In the afternoon, head out to Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram), a temple complex dating back to the eighth century. Right on the beach overlooking the Bay of Bengal, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is particularly known for its intricately carved stone temples built under the Pallava dynasty.

Night: While you could head back to Chennai in the evening, it’s worth sticking around Mahabalipuram to watch the sun set. The temples are closed to visitors after dark, but the town is popular with foreign tourists, and there are plenty of little shops selling carved figurines and restaurants selling Indian and international fare.

As the location of the first British settlement in India and the capital of Tamil Nadu, Chennai (formerly known as Madras) is peppered with religious monuments. Hindu temples and Christian churches showcase the unique heritage, architecture, and religious traditions of South India. Here are our top picks of temples and churches in Chennai.

Kanchipuram

Forty-five miles (72 kilometers) southwest of Chennai, Kanchipuram is known as the City of 1,000 Temples, though only about 120 remain standing today. Kanchipuram’s complex of ancient temples spans a wide range of dates and dynasties, making it an interesting place to see how South Indian architecture evolved over time.

Kapaleeshwarar Temple

One of Chennai’s most emblematic sacred structures, this Dravidian-style temple in the district of Mylapore is said to have stood here since the 7th century, though the current complex is a 16th-century reconstruction built after the Portuguese demolished the original. Its gopuram (gateway tower) is typical of the Dravidian style, with every available inch magnificently decorated with painted sculptures and carvings.

Mahabalipuram

Thirty-one miles (50 kilometers) south of Chennai, Mahabalipuram was an important port for the Pallava kingdom, and its collection of 7th- and 8th-century temples is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Among the city’s standout sacred structures are the intricately carved 8th-century Shore Temple and the monolithic Five Rathas, each of which was carved from a single rock.

San Thome Basilica

Built by the British in 1893 to replace an older Portuguese church on the site, this all-white neo-Gothic basilica is—according to Catholic lore—built atop the spot where St. Thomas, one of Jesus Christ’s apostles, is buried.

St. Mary’s Church

Located on the grounds of Fort St. George, St. Mary’s Church is Asia’s oldest remaining Anglican church and the oldest masonry building within the 17th-century fortress. While the building itself isn’t as impressive as San Thome Basilica, the small cemetery with its collection of 18th-century tombstones makes for a relaxing stroll. Keep an eye out for the gravestone of Elizabeth Baker, thought to be the oldest British tombstone in India.

The cuisine of Tamil Nadu is divided into four regional variations, and visitors to Chennai, the capital city of the Indian state, get to experience them all. Here’s what you need to know about the best dishes to eat and top food experiences in Chennai.

Must-Try Dishes

Chennai is fueled by filter coffee, and no day of eating would be complete without a warm cup of brew. For breakfast, be sure to try masala dosai, a savory crepe made from rice flower and filled with a spiced paste, along with idli, steamed rice cakes served with chutney for dipping. Travelers looking for a snack between meals can head to Marina Beach to sample sundal, boiled chickpeas tossed with spices and fresh coconut.

One of Tamil’s most popular regional cuisines, both in and out of India, comes from the Chettinad region of the state. Considered one of the spiciest cuisines in a country known for fiery food, Chettinad dishes, including the popular biryani (an Indian rice dish), are often heavily spiced. Those with big appetites shouldn’t miss a traditional meal on a banana leaf, a spread that often includes white rice, pickle, sambar, dal, spicy tamarind soup, and a variety of fried or sautéed vegetables.

Must-Do Experiences

• Learn the art of South Indian cuisine during a cooking class with a professional chef or local family.

• Savor the flavors of Chennai as you tour the city’s best street food vendors with a local guide.

• Tour one of Asia’s biggest fruit and vegetable markets in Koyambedu and learn about the ingredients that go into Chennai’s distinctive cuisine.

• Tuck into a traditional Iyengar Brahmin vegetarian meal prepared and served in the intimacy of a private home.

Many travelers to India have heard of Bollywood, but how about Kollywood? This is moviemaking, South India style. Second only to Mumbai in terms of the number of Indian films produced, Chennai’s Kodambakkam district is the top destination for Kollywood movies. Read on to learn more.

What is Kollywood?

Kollywood is cinema produced in the Tamil language, and the hub of the Tamil film industry is the lively city of Chennai in the state of Tamil Nadu. It’s not just in India that Kollywood movies are popular—they’re actually well known across Southeast Asia.

Ways to Experience Kollywood

The best way to get to know the Tamil movie-making scene is on a guided behind-the-scenes tour of a Kodambakkam film set. On a Kollywood tour, you'll see Tamil movie-making in process with a tour guide as you visit the film studios and meet actors and technicians. At the end of the visit, you may see Tamil movie dance choreography in action or even learn a move or two yourself.