Alo! Kaalai Vanakkam! Traveling in India is a lot more than exploring the northern charm of the Himalayas or the white marble beauty of the Taj Mahal, and that is the Southern part of India. It is less chaotic and more surreal an experience. Land of dosas and filter coffee, heavily embroidered Kanchipuram sarees, gold lovers and lungi wearers, and the birthplace of the great Thalaivaa- Rajnikanth, Chennai is a haven for tourists who profess all things love for.
Even though visiting Chennai will leave you with a heavy tan and a habit of head-nodding which could mean a yes or a no, however you will miss out on a lot if you don’t. You can always take a flight or opt for a cheaper but a bit longer train/bus journey. The local tuk-tuk will always ferry you around, but a ride in the local public transport bus is not to be missed if you are an adventure junkie.
The offbeat yet must-visit places in Chennai:-
Marina Beach – It is the second-longest beach in the world, i.e. spanning a 12 km stretch with some of the significant structures of the University of Madras, Lady Willingdon Institute, Queen Mary’s College, and the All India Radio along the promenade.
Madras High Court – It is the third oldest high court in India and the building is the second largest judicial complex in the world after London
Shore temple – It is built from the oldest rocks in the country, which survived the 2004 Tsunami catastrophe and Krishna’s butter ball is so humongous that it seems only Pawanputra Hanuman can move it!!
Higginbothams – It is a bookshop on Mount Road, gracing its place from 1844 being the oldest existing bookstore in India
Shopping Plaza – It is a paradise of gold with approx. 40% of retail gold sales in India and you can spend time at Spencer Plaza, the oldest shopping mall set up during British Raj, or at Phoenix shopping mall, the third biggest mall in India in an area of 2,400,000 sq ft.
Traveling the entire length and breadth with eccentric yet useful facts about Chennai makes this place a complete package. You will be astonished that when you plan your itinerary, knowing facts like these are an embellishment to your trip.
- It is the second oldest corporation in the world after London, inaugurated in 1688
- It houses the Royapuram railway station, the oldest station currently operational, and the Chennai Central prison, one of the oldest prisons in India
- It is the second-largest IT exporter in India and Tidel park was Asia’s largest IT park when it was built
- It is nicknamed as “Detroit of India”, as it is surrounded by major automobile players and being also the largest electronic hardware exporter in India
- It also marks the birthplace of Chess grandmaster Vishwanathan Anand, CWG gold medallists Dipika Pallikal, Oscar-winning music maestro AR Rahman, famous actor cum politician Kamal Hasan, scientist, and Nobel laureate CV Raman, and chairman of Pepsi Co. Indra Nooyi.
Fresh Water Fish 
