newcomer visiting temples near Chennai

vvv

I am a newcomer planning to come to Chennai in December. I want to visit the following temples

3 DAYS NAVAGRAHA TOUR (Nine Planets) (https://www.ttdconline.com/tourdetails.aspx?tourid=13)
4 DAYS ARUPADAI VEEDU TOUR (LORD MURUGA ABODE TOUR) (https://www.ttdconline.com/tourdetails.aspx?tourid=14)
1 day tour SANEESWAR BHAGWAN-THIRUARIKUPPAM SATURN TOUR (https://www.ttdconline.com/tourdetails.aspx?tourid=65)

Has anyone taken the above tours offered by TamilNadu tourism(TTDC) and if so comment on them? I am new to Chennai, will be coming from Mumbai and don't know to read/write Tamil, only to speak Tamil. So, I thought going with the Tour package offered by TTDC might be the best option for me.

I don't want to, but may have to stay in Chennai for a few nights as the three tours are not in tandem. I searched this forum and from the thread at Cheap place to stay in Chennai it seems the Broad Lands Guest House in Triplicane is proper for someone on low budget(300-400 per day, max 500). I can stay without a AC, but would need an attached bathroom. Are there other places which I can consider at my budget?
Also, are there places in Chennai where a single male is refused accommodation? I was refused a place to stay in lodges/hotels when I went to Tirupathi in Aug 2009 as I was a single male.

Are there any famous temples I should visit while in Chennai aside from the below?

Shri Parathasarathy Temple
Kapaleeswarar Temple
Temples of Mamallapuram
Shore Temple
Temples of Kanchipuram
Kamakshi Amman Temple
Ekambareswarar Temple
Kailasanatha Temple
VaradarajaswamyTemple

Overall, would a budget of 500 suffice for a single person considering 400 for room and 100 for food and bus?

Apart from the auto drivers, what else I need to be aware of? Any areas I need to avoid?

Thanks

Eastern Mind

It sounds to me like you may not have time to sit and enjoy each temple, but only rush in, get quick darshan, and and rush out. But of course this is up to you.

vvv

Yes, but to stay long, I should be able to go on my own which I cannot as I am new to Chennai. Besides, I need to wrap the trip within a week or so so I have little choice.

BTW, by "sit and enjoy" you meant that I may not be able to see all the main poojas done in each of the temple for each day or something else I might be missing which I should not? I understand each of the temples have nearby temples which are recommended to visit and I due to my time constraint might not be able to do so. Is that what you were referring to? Can you please clarify?

But, how does TTDC provide service? Do they allocate only 1 hour or so for darshan or more? And, is there a queue where you need to stand for hours to get darshan or darshan tickets for any of the temples I have mentioned. Also, where does TTDC accommodate its passengers? Do they make people share rooms particularly if they are single?

machadinha

Broadlands is good yes, however assuming you are Indian, it has been alleged over the years they may not let Indians stay. I don't know what the current deal is. On this thread you will find their phone number (in its post #6), besides further discussion of the place; I'd just give them a ring and ask them what's up: Taj Regency / Broadlands Lodge.

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Eastern Mind

What I mean is:
Find a quiet spot and sit and meditate after darshan. Select a favorite pillar.

Wander around, look at outer shrines, courtyards, the temple tank, some of these places are big complexes.

Watch the people come and go. Start a conversation with another devotee, get to know someone a little bit.

If its by a seashore, or not, at dawn watch the sun come up, and hit the vimana.

But this is just my view. I just don't see visiting a temple or temples like a rat race. We get enough of that already. I recall sitting and enjoying at Tiruchendur for well over 8 hours one day, besides the darshan. You'd be amazed at what I saw.

vvv

Yes, I understand, but I don't have a choice when I have to cover the above temples in a week. I wish I had more time.

vvv

Yes, I called them at 044-28545573. They said the rooms are booked. When I told the person answering the phone that I need it for December, they said it was full now and for December also. Is the crowd actually that much in Chennai now and in December or is that hotel very popular as it is a budget hotel so people book in advance?

What are the other hotels I can consider for my budget(300-400 Rs/day) in Chennai?

Thanks

machadinha

I have no immediate other suggestions now, VVV. That area, so Triplicane with its main street of Triplicane High Road, certainly holds more budget places.

It would indicate to me however they (so Broadlands) do indeed not take in Indians. While it´s a popular place, I have trouble believing they´d be fully booked by now. Except maybe if you were asking for Christmas or NYE dates or so (it´s a big place though, and Chennai´s not that popular).

Tsk. It´s a pity indeed. It is otherwise a nice place, but I might reconsider staying again then. (They´re very much Indians themselves, mind.)

(As noted, this had been rumored about them for a long time anyway. However there´d been some word they had dropped this. Apparently not, then.)

vvv

Well, during the Christmas time can I get any budget hotel if I don't book in advance? I understand Christmas is not as popular in Chennai as Diwali. How do I search for the Triplicane area budget hotels? Can I stay in some of the guesthouse mansions provided to single men who are students or work in call centers? Or are there some government lodges which I can avail, if they exist and are not booked?

This I don't understand. They don't take Indians as they can sell the rooms to people from other countries for higher prices or is there some other reason for boycotting Indians?

machadinha

Yes, it's not XMas as such so much, but it's obviously a holiday season for both Indians and many foreigners, and it's the favorite time of year to visit India for the latter. So things get busy around that time in many places.

I don't know; what I meant really is you could just look around on the ground.

Yes, it's an old story, don't ask me. There exist more such places around the country. For Broadlands specifically, I linked to this 2003 The Hindu piece on the issue in the other thread: http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/t...09/11/&prd=mp&.

Eastern Mind

Then think of it as a scouting trip for future. When you retire or have a longer time you can just go back to the ones you particularly enjoyed, or felt you needed more time at. Regardless, have a rewarding pilgrimage.

EM

vvv

I understand that, but as a newcomer to Chennai I would be clueless on how to proceed which areas are safe, within budget etc. Coming to Triplicane area and asking people/shopkeepers for a place to stay is bound to attract attention of some hawkers who will try to push me into some overpriced hotel for their commission and if I don't plan in advance I will have little choice but to go with them.

Are there links for hotels by price in this forum? A quick search reveals one List of Budget Hotels/Lodges in Chennai - Airport, Egmore, Central

How is the Hotel Mallika Residency, 4kms from Central and 2 kms from Egmore. Non Ac Rs 400. Address: Meeran Shahib Rd, Mount Rd chennai? For 400rs it is still fine.

The Raj Residency charges some 850/day for one person for Non AC rooms which is pretty pricey.

Thanks for your help.

vvv

Thanks for your suggestions and wishes. I appreciate that.

I wish to visit all the major temples in India in my lifetime. Some are difficult like Mata Vaishno Devi and Amarnath, but I feel as long as I can travel I should go to them. As I can get a holiday of only two weeks in December and one week I will be visiting temples in Mumbai, I can spend only one week for the South temples in Chennai for this year.

Thanks again for your wishes.

machadinha

Try the Hotel Listings; or the Hotel Forum.

vvv

Thanks, that was helpful indeed.