The 5 things you need to do in Chennai

Tamil Nadu

In the 24 hours that we spent in Chennai, we tried to take in as much of the pulsating city as possible. We reached Chennai in the evening after a daylong journey on the Chennai Express, and we were to board a train to Rameshwaram the very next day. Of course Chennai has innumerable things to do and places to see, but if you were on a time constraint as me and my friends were, this express guide may or may not be helpful to you.

But firstly, let me introduce you to my travel mates. They say “It’s not just about the journey, it’s about the company.” Well then Ramit with his phenomenal (personal joke *wink*) knowledge about food and travel, Nandini with her contagious laughter and the stupendously (another personal joke *wink wink*) poetic Arvind, were the best travel companions I could have asked for.

1. Get down at the right station. 

It seems like a 'duh' statement, I know, but you have to hear me out. Chennai Express’ last stop is Egmore station and we got down there. However the driver that was supposed to meet us was waiting for us at Central station. After half an hour of luggage dragging, lungi staring and trying to find each other, we realised the blunder. 

2. Have Appam and Mysore Pak

Appam, which looks like a cross between a Dosa and Uttapam, is made with fermented rice batter and coconut milk. I had these blissful bowl shaped delicacies which are crispy at the edges and delightfully soft from the centre at Southern Spice, Taj. And of course, you cannot come to Chennai and not have Mysore Pak, which is made of sugar, besan (gram flour) and lots and lots of ghee.

3.Visit the Kapaleeshwarar Temple

This splendid ancient Shiva temple which is situated in Mylapore is one of the oldest temples in Chennai. It is believed that the temple had been relocated from the seashore of Mylapore to its present day location in the 16th century. We were lucky enough to be able to attend a wedding that was taking place at the temple that day.

A shop near the Kapaleeshwarar temple

4. Have Idli at Murugan Idli and Biryani at Dindigul Thalappakatti

Murugan Idli is a well-known chain of restaurants in Chennai, which also has its branches in Madurai and Singapore(!). Do drop in this simple eating joint to savour local flavours of Chennai at an extremely reasonable price.

Satiate your non-veg cravings with the famous Dindigul Biryani. I like my biryani fiery, and believe you me, I was not disappointed. It was the kind of biryani which will keep wandering in your thoughts, time and again.

5. Visit the Marina Beach (Ah! The Marina beach!)

Marina beach stretches for around 13 km along the Bay of Bengal and is the longest running beach in India. We reached here after sunset which made it difficult to take good pictures. However the serenity that I felt in the sea-smelling darkness of the Marina beach, amongst the ferocious waves crashing on the Tamil shore, is a memory that is going to be with me forever.

This is where we said goodbye to Chennai and left to catch our train to Rameshwaram. We had been traveling for more than two days and instead of being tired all I felt was a sweet exaltation, for we still had a long and enticing way to go till Kanyakumari.

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Karishma
xoxo

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This trip was a part of the @AndPicturesIn and @Indiblogger’s #ChennaiExpressAndYou journey.