Chennai

Formerly known as Madras, Chennai is the capital city of TamilNadu, the fourth largest metropolitan area in the country, and one of the fastest growing cities in the world. Popularly known as 'gateway to the south', it is a major centre for arts and culture, and South Indian classical (carnatic) music in particular, and annually hosts the Madras Music Season, which includes performances by hundreds of artists from all around the world. It has been hailed as the automobile capital of India, and is also the third largest commercial and industrial hub of India. A city where a laid-back lifestyle co-exists with a rapidly growing IT and service sector, where temples, mosques and churches jostle for space with restaurants and shopping malls, Chennai is the perfect example of a city where the traditional and the modern co-exist.

Eating Out!

Chennai offers several dining options to suit every palate, of which we list below a small smattering.

SpiceJet Recommendations!

New Woodlands, 72-75, Dr. Radhakrishnan Salai.

Karaikudi Chettinadu Restaurant, New 118 (old 84), Dr. Radhakrishnan Salai (Opp. AVM Rajeswari Kalyana Mandapam).

GRT Grand, 120, Sir Thyagaraya Road, T. Nagar.

Benjarong Thai, 46, TTK Road, Alwarpet (about half a km from Park Sheraton Hotel).

Don Pepe, 73, Cathedral Road, Gopalapuram.

Copper Chimney, 74, Cathedral Road, Gopalapuram.

Shopping

Chennai is a fantastic place to shop for everything under the sun. Ranganathan Street and Pondy Bazaar in T.Nagar are popular shopping destinations for gold jewellery, beautiful hand-woven Kancheepuram silk sarees, furnishings and home décor, and also everyday household items. In the streets surrounding Kapaleeshvarar Koil, visitors/tourists can shop for traditional bronze icons, stone sculptures, as well as other crafts of the southern region. And Spencer Plaza on Anna Salai (formerly Mount Road), with its rich heritage, and housing over 400 shops that have everything from ethnic clothing, jewellery, handicrafts, electronic goods, camera/photography, and fast food dining options, is the preferred destination amongst youngsters. Other popular shopping destinations are Shopper's Stop on Harrington Road, Landmark in Nungambakkam, City Centre in Royapettah and Price Plaza on Pantheon Road.

Places to Stay

Chola Sheraton

10, Cathedral Road,
Chennai, 600086.

GRT Grand

120, Sir Thyagaraya Road,
T. Nagar, Chennai 600017.

The Raintree Hotel

636, Anna Salai, Teynampet,
Chennai 600018.

The Savera

146, Dr. Radhakrishnan Road,
Chennai 600004.

Raj Park

180, T.T.K Road, Alwarpet,
Chennai 600018.

Ambassador Pallava

30, Montieth Road, Egmore,
Chennai 600008.

SpiceJet Connections

Sight-seeing

With its historic landmarks and buildings, long sandy beaches, awe-inspiring temples, cultural centres and parks, Chennai offers many interesting sight-seeing options.

Beaches
The 15 km long and 400 to 500 meter wide Marina Beach is very popular with residents and tourists alike. The LightHouse, situated at the southern end of the beach, provides panoramic views of the city of Chennai. The Marina Beach drive is home to popular landmarks of the city like the Ice House, Anna Square, and MGR Memorial. Just a short drive down south from Marina lies Elliot's Beach in Besant Nagar, which is preferred by younger Chennaiites with its promenade, restaurants and coffee shops.
Mahabalipuram
One of the most popular tourist attractions of Chennai is actually in the neighbouring town of Mahabalipuram, with its ancient temples and rock carvings from the 7th century Pallava empire.
Kapaleeshvarar Koil
Located in culture-rich Mylapore, Kapaleeshvarar Koil is an ancient temple for Lord Shiva as Kapalishvara, and his consort Parvati as Karpagambal, who is said to have worshipped the Lord in the form of a peacock (Mayil in Tamil), from which the area got its name.
Parthasarathi Koil
One of the oldest surviving temples in Chennai, the Sri Parthasarathi temple was built by the Pallavas in the 8th century. The Vijayanagar rulers renovated the temple in the 16th century. The temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna as the charioteer of Arjuna in the battle of Kurukshetra.
St. Thomas Mount
St. Thomas Mount is a small hillock located near the neighbourhood of Guindy and very close to Chennai International Airport. It is associated with St. Thomas, the apostle of Christ, who is believed to have been martyred here. A serene and beautiful relic-filled church built in 1523 by the Portuguese stands on top of this 300-foot hillock.
Santhome Basilica
The Santhome Basilica church is located on the southern end of Marina Beach. A rare church, raised on the tomb of St. Thomas, it has in its possession a small hand bone of Thomas and the head of a lance, which brought him down. Renovated in the early 1970s, this Basilica draws huge crowds.
Theosophical Society
Located along the Adyar River, Theosophical Society of Chennai was founded by Annie Besant in the year 1875. Situated amidst lush greenery, the Theosophical Society has various shrines, including a Hindu Temple, a Jain Temple, a Church and a Buddhist Temple, and also several other buildings. The library within the campus has a rich collection of manuscripts on all major faiths and sacred books. The campus is also known for the 200 year old Banyan tree.
Guindy National Park and Gandhi Mandapam
Guindy National Park is one of the smallest national parks of India, and also one of the very few national parks situated inside a city. The park is an extension of the grounds surrounding Raj Bhavan, the official residence of the Governor of Tamilnadu. It encloses beautiful forests, lakes and streams, and is open 9.00am - 5.30p.m (except Tuesdays, when it is closed). The Gandhi Mandapam, Chennai's honour to Mahatma Gandhi, is a graceful memorial that lies beside the Guindy National Park. Entry is free and open between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Also adjoining the Park are the popular Children's Park and Snake Park (that have separate entrances and independent entry fees.)

Events & Festivals

Chennai Music Festival (or the December Season)
The Chennai Music Festival or December Season is a celebration of classical music and dance held mid-December to mid-January (the Tamil month of 'Margazhi'). The festival is held at a number of venues around the city by various 'sabhas' or organizations. Besides the auditoriums, well-known temple premises and heritage bungalows are being used as venues. The month long dance and music extravaganza features performances of over 2000 eminent artistes, and attracts expatriate Indians and scholars from around the world as well.
Chennai Sangamam
Chennai Sangamam is a large annual weeklong Tamil cultural festival centered around the harvest festival of Pongal. The festival is organized by the Tamil Maiyam and Department of Tourism and Culture of the Government of TamilNadu with the intention of rejuvenating the old village festivals, art and artists, and is the longest and biggest open (outdoor) festival in India.
Arubathimoovar Festival
The Arubathimoovar festival is celebrated in the streets around Kapaleeshvarar Koil in Mylapore between the months of March-April. Idols of Lord Kapaleeshvara and his consort Karpagambal, along with those of the 63 (Arubathimoovar in Tamil) Nayanmar saints of the canonical Shaivite tradition are taken from inside the temple precincts and paraded through the surrounding streets in a colourful procession. The temple is visited by thousands of devotees during the festival days.