If you want to see the fusion of modernity and tradition in an Indian city, come to Chennai. Chennai has evolved as a kaleidoscope of different cultures and religions, and spiritual centers.
The city has some of the oldest temples, churches and mosques. Some of them are the marvels of architecture. As far as beaches are concerned, Chennai is extremely rich and is not as crowded as other beaches of India.
Some attractionsin Chennai
Marina Beach which is the longest beach in India is a place to visit first thing in the morning. Chennai is a city of the rising Sun and therefore the cool breeze of the sea and the fascinating glimpse of sun rising from the East will rejuvenate you physically, psychologically and spiritually.
Talking about food, Chennai offers you some of the most delicious foods in India. Don’t forget to carry your camera because there are several things that need to be photographed here.
Chennai was chosen as one of the most popular tourist destinations in 2015 by Lonely Planet.
The city is a culturally rich, which is also an advanced modern city with an IT software park and many other technology companies
Beginning of my weekend trip
When I got down at the Chennai airport, I started having the feel of the city, as it was a little different than the rest of the cities in India. People are friendly, calm and quite welcoming. However, sometimes you might face difficulties dealing with the autorickshaw drivers, especially during the negotiations.
Chennai is also a shopper’s paradise and you can buy some extremely nice goodies on the roadside stalls and shops.
Marina Beach
I began my day from a visit to the Marina Beach where I headed for in the wee hours of morning. I stood barefoot on the beach and curiously watched the rising Sun. With my hand folded in a yoga posture,I enjoyed the breeze that was amazingly refreshing.
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Visit MCBT reptile zoo
I felt as if there is no better place than this one if you are thinking to unwind on a weekend. Normally Chennai is quite hot, but in the wee hours of morning, it is extremely cool especially on the beach.
You will definitely enjoy the mad waves at the beach and serenity in the Chennai neighborhoods. I did some yoga sessions during and after the sunrise and felt completely refreshed. Then I took a taxi and when to MCBT reptile zoo. Madras Crocodile Bank Trust is full form of MCBT. You can get up, close and personal with different reptiles here such as crocodiles and snakes etc.
Don’t visit the MCBT on Monday as it is a weekly off. The timings are 9AM To 5: 30PM and the tickets are sold only by 5PM. The tickets are cheap andit is just Rs 60 for an adult and Rs 30 for a child. You can also book a Night Safari, which starts from 7PM and ends by 8: 30 PM. The ticket for Night Safari for an adult is Rs 200. You will also be able to spot some of the giant tortoisesand crocodiles at the zoo.
Shopping at T Nagar
Then, I straightaway headed for T Nagar, which I was extremely enthusiastic about. I had heard that it’s a great place for shopping and it turned out to be true.
Temples, Mosques and Cathedrals
The next day, I started my trip to the great religious places such as the ancient temples and cathedrals here.
I started with the Kapaleeswarar Temple in Mylapore. The temple was built by Pallavas in the 7th century and it is a marvel of ancient Indian architecture.
You will be stunned to see its stone and wood carvings and the pillars. On Monday, the temple remains closed.
In the morning, it opens from 5: 30 AM to 12:00 PM and then in the evening from 5 to 9 PM. The next Temple I headed for was Marundheeswarar Temple. I was stunned to see the colorful structures and architecture over here. I also visited Ekambareswarar Temple and Parthasarathy Temple.Thesetemples will remind you of Ancient India and its glorious past and cultural richness.
Don’t forget to visit Santhome Cathedral, which is built by the British. It’s a Roman Catholic Church in Mylapore. St Georges Cathedral is also a grand church, which you must see. Thousand Lights Mosque is also a must visit beautiful mosque in Chennai.It was built by a local Nawab in nineteenth century. Another mosque you will love to see is the two minarets’ Big Mosque built by Muhammad Ali Walajah.
Traveling through public transport is always fun in Chennai. There is no dearth of hotels in Chennai. To visit the interior places in the state, you will easily find budget hotels in Tamil Nadu. Budget hotels are also available in Chennai in almost every location.
If you are a vegetarian, then Chennai can be the ultimate destination for you. You can enjoy some of the lip smacking vegetarian food here. Try the South Indian cuisines such as Idli, Dosa,and Sambhar and you would just rave about the mouth watering dishes of Chennai for a long time to come.
