Real Chennai

delhiwala · Aug 26th, 2009, 14:22

Hi friends,

I am visiting Chennai to attend a friend’s marriage and after the marriage I have two days to do some site seeing. I have seen the regular sites like Mahabalipuram on my previous visits (TTDC bus tour), this time I want to see real Chennai...... all suggestions are welcome

Three specific queries:

1. Is Fort St. George worth visiting ?

2. I have heard there is a monument of a Yale university founder somewhere in the city, any info ?

3. Any authentic restaurant recommendations ?

Thanks in advance

bsprasad · Aug 26th, 2009, 14:50

These are some of the important places to see in Chennai

Government Museum and National Art Gallery - Egmore, May take 1/2 day

Kapaleswar Temple
Sri Parthasarathy Temple

Valluvar Kottam - Nungambakkam - You need 1 or 2 hours to see.

Elliot's Beach - Better in Evenings
Marina Beach - Better in Evenings
Vivekananda House - Anytime
Santhome Cathedral - Anytime (Good during the late evenings)
Fort St. George - Anytime (Good during the late evenings)

Anna Zoological Park - Vandalur - May take atleast 1/2 day

Shopping Areas

Malls: Spencers Plaza and Citi Center for Shopping
Bargain Shopping: Parrys, T nagar, Pondy Bazaar

Do let me know the type of food you are interested in and I will let you know the best restaurants.

delhiwala · Aug 26th, 2009, 15:03

Thanks Dear,

I am a vegetarian, So I am looking for some good restaurants and not necessarily South Indian ones. And I have no objection in visiting a non veg restaurant if it's veg food is good.

I have gone through the complete 'Yummy Food Places in Chennai' thread. I have already shortlisted Karaikudi and New yorker Gemini circle.

I'll be staying at some place near Habibullah Road.

gaurav1441 · Aug 26th, 2009, 15:21

Well you can watch a Tamil Movie at Sathyam, visit Sarvana Stores for shopping and go to temples at mandaveli and Ramakrishna Mission. Ride an MTC bus, also take the local trains..take the train from Tirusulam (airport to Mambalam) either arriving or at time of departing..

Quote:

Originally Posted by delhiwala

Thanks Dear,

I am a vegetarian, So I am looking for some good restaurants and not necessarily South Indian ones. And I have no objection in visiting a non veg restaurant if it's veg food is good.

I have gone through the complete 'Yummy Food Places in Chennai' thread. I have already shortlisted Karaikudi and New yorker Gemini circle.

I'll be staying at some place near Habibullah Road.

theyyamdancer · Aug 26th, 2009, 15:31

Don't miss visiting the Theosophical Society which is set in wonderful gardens. You can see the four-hundred year old banyan tree in whose shade Krishnamurti lectured. It is for me one of the highlights of Chennai. They have a fantastic bookshop too.

santos_g15 · Aug 26th, 2009, 15:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by theyyamdancer

Don't miss visiting the Theosophical Society which is set in wonderful gardens. You can see the four-hundred year old banyan tree in whose shade Krishnamurti lectured. It is for me one of the highlights of Chennai. They have a fantastic bookshop too.

I Second that.Its a wonderful place.

delhiwala · Aug 26th, 2009, 16:34

Thanks theyyamdancer & Santos_g15,

Theosophical Society is a good idea. I have one of their books (Hathyoga Pradipika), would like to checkout the bookshop for more.

Any traveling suggestions from Habibullah Road to Adyar ? How much should an auto cost ?

Quote:

Originally Posted by theyyamdancer

Don't miss visiting the Theosophical Society which is set in wonderful gardens.......

bsprasad · Aug 26th, 2009, 17:26

From Habibullah Raod to Adyar via Kotturpuram should cost you atleast 80 - 100 Rs.

Autos in Chennai dont go by the meter. Everyone will have fixed price and of course they will negotiate too.

By the way, when are you here..? If the time coincides, we can have chennai meetup and you can be a part of that.

Do let me know when are you here and lets check the possibility.

Vasantha Bhavan group of Hotels
Sangeetha Chain of Hotels
Sanjeevanam Cholayil
Saravana Bhavan group of Hotels

All the above hotels are famous vegetarian restaurants.

I am sure you should have already visited saravana bhavan group of hotels in delhi.

Karaikudi is a Veg / Non Veg hotels. They are good in Chettinad type of cooking.

Try Dhaba express in Cenatoph Road, Teynambet for mouth watering vegetarian dishes. Please dont miss their hot Jalebis and Kulfi Ice cream. Its their speciality. Business Lunch (Buffet) is served every afternoon between 12-3 PM. It costs only 75 Rs.

I will keep you posted on more hotels soon..

delhiwala · Aug 26th, 2009, 17:37

Dear bsprasad,

Thanks for the info, I will be at Chennai for 3 days 29-31st.

THEQUEST · Aug 26th, 2009, 17:52

Hi

In addition to what My friends have suggested above I would add one thing,,the beautiful Jagannath Temple( not many people know it) which is located just after the Toll gate , on ECR road.

Its a pretty temple run by Sri Jagannath Spiritual Educational Cultural Trust, Dakshinakhetra.You will definitely like it.

After Toll gate on ECR, on right side one place will come known as Kannathur. Drive slowly: you will see one left diversion and take that route... its very close to beach. It is built after the famous Puri Temple and full of Green trees.. You will like it and I can bet on that. Go in the morning or around 3.30 pm. You can attend the Puja. Its very calm , quite and satisfying.

delhiwala · Aug 26th, 2009, 17:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by THEQUEST

In addition to what My friends have suggested above I would add one thing,,the beautiful Jagannath Temple( not many people know it) which is located just after the Toll gate , on ECR road.

Thanks Dear THEQUEST,

I have had the good fortune to visit real temple at Puri two times. However, time permitting, I'll try to visit this temple in Chennai too.

bsprasad · Aug 26th, 2009, 17:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by delhiwala

Dear bsprasad,

Thanks for the info, I will be at Chennai for 3 days 29-31st.

Oh.....

We are planning our next meetup in September since we just had out meetup on 19th Aug.

Anyway, Enjoy your short trip to chennai.

Regards

B.S.Prasad

Nick-H · Aug 26th, 2009, 19:19

Where two or three are gathered together...

Ad hoc meetups always possible

THEQUEST · Aug 26th, 2009, 22:51

HI DElhiwala

Have a nice trip , I am really glad abt that,,If any meeting plan comes up please let me know

Nick-H · Aug 26th, 2009, 23:00

Chennai is a pretty "real" city. There are a few malls, like Citi Centre, that are doing their best to be indistinguishable from a shopping centre outside India (but hey, they haven't heard of T K Maxx!), but mostly it is its own character. Even Spencer Plaza, although there are plenty of shops to buy modern, non-India things, is more like a mult-story bazaar than a mall!

In terms of modern shopping, I think we must be near the bottom of the heap, with Bangalore and Hyderabad famous for availability of European stuff, and Delhi famous for availability of everything!

So, one thing I am sure Delhiwala will not be aiming to do here is his fashion shopping. Although, if Mrs D should happen to like Kanchi silk...

Aug 26th, 2009, 14:22	#1
delhiwala IM what IM Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Indeyah ! Posts: 4,813	Real Chennai Hi friends, I am visiting Chennai to attend a friend’s marriage and after the marriage I have two days to do some site seeing. I have seen the regular sites like Mahabalipuram on my previous visits (TTDC bus tour), this time I want to see real Chennai...... all suggestions are welcome Three specific queries: 1. Is Fort St. George worth visiting ? 2. I have heard there is a monument of a Yale university founder somewhere in the city, any info ? 3. Any authentic restaurant recommendations ? Thanks in advance __________________ Travel only with thy equals or thy betters; if there are none, travel alone. - The Dhammapada

Aug 26th, 2009, 15:31	#5
theyyamdancer lost in Mechuka member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Crete Posts: 4,423	Don't miss visiting the Theosophical Society which is set in wonderful gardens. You can see the four-hundred year old banyan tree in whose shade Krishnamurti lectured. It is for me one of the highlights of Chennai. They have a fantastic bookshop too. __________________ "Wandering seemed no more than the happiness of an anxious man." - Albert Camus

Aug 26th, 2009, 17:52	#10
THEQUEST THEQUEST Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 57	Chennai Visit Hi In addition to what My friends have suggested above I would add one thing,,the beautiful Jagannath Temple( not many people know it) which is located just after the Toll gate , on ECR road. Its a pretty temple run by Sri Jagannath Spiritual Educational Cultural Trust, Dakshinakhetra.You will definitely like it. After Toll gate on ECR, on right side one place will come known as Kannathur. Drive slowly: you will see one left diversion and take that route... its very close to beach. It is built after the famous Puri Temple and full of Green trees.. You will like it and I can bet on that. Go in the morning or around 3.30 pm. You can attend the Puja. Its very calm , quite and satisfying.

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Aug 26th, 2009, 14:50	#2
bsprasad Account Closed Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 468	These are some of the important places to see in Chennai Government Museum and National Art Gallery - Egmore, May take 1/2 day Kapaleswar Temple Sri Parthasarathy Temple Valluvar Kottam - Nungambakkam - You need 1 or 2 hours to see. Elliot's Beach - Better in Evenings Marina Beach - Better in Evenings Vivekananda House - Anytime Santhome Cathedral - Anytime (Good during the late evenings) Fort St. George - Anytime (Good during the late evenings) Anna Zoological Park - Vandalur - May take atleast 1/2 day Shopping Areas Malls: Spencers Plaza and Citi Center for Shopping Bargain Shopping: Parrys, T nagar, Pondy Bazaar Do let me know the type of food you are interested in and I will let you know the best restaurants.

Aug 26th, 2009, 15:03	#3
delhiwala IM what IM Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Indeyah ! Posts: 4,813	Thanks Dear, I am a vegetarian, So I am looking for some good restaurants and not necessarily South Indian ones. And I have no objection in visiting a non veg restaurant if it's veg food is good. I have gone through the complete 'Yummy Food Places in Chennai' thread. I have already shortlisted Karaikudi and New yorker Gemini circle. I'll be staying at some place near Habibullah Road.

Aug 26th, 2009, 17:26	#8
bsprasad Account Closed Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 468	From Habibullah Raod to Adyar via Kotturpuram should cost you atleast 80 - 100 Rs. Autos in Chennai dont go by the meter. Everyone will have fixed price and of course they will negotiate too. By the way, when are you here..? If the time coincides, we can have chennai meetup and you can be a part of that. Do let me know when are you here and lets check the possibility. Vasantha Bhavan group of Hotels Sangeetha Chain of Hotels Sanjeevanam Cholayil Saravana Bhavan group of Hotels All the above hotels are famous vegetarian restaurants. I am sure you should have already visited saravana bhavan group of hotels in delhi. Karaikudi is a Veg / Non Veg hotels. They are good in Chettinad type of cooking. Try Dhaba express in Cenatoph Road, Teynambet for mouth watering vegetarian dishes. Please dont miss their hot Jalebis and Kulfi Ice cream. Its their speciality. Business Lunch (Buffet) is served every afternoon between 12-3 PM. It costs only 75 Rs. I will keep you posted on more hotels soon..

Aug 26th, 2009, 17:37	#9
delhiwala IM what IM Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Indeyah ! Posts: 4,813	Dear bsprasad, Thanks for the info, I will be at Chennai for 3 days 29-31st.

Aug 26th, 2009, 19:19	#13
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,197	Where two or three are gathered together... Ad hoc meetups always possible

Aug 26th, 2009, 22:51	#14
THEQUEST THEQUEST Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 57	HI DElhiwala Have a nice trip , I am really glad abt that,,If any meeting plan comes up please let me know

Aug 26th, 2009, 23:00	#15
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,197	Chennai is a pretty "real" city. There are a few malls, like Citi Centre, that are doing their best to be indistinguishable from a shopping centre outside India (but hey, they haven't heard of T K Maxx!), but mostly it is its own character. Even Spencer Plaza, although there are plenty of shops to buy modern, non-India things, is more like a mult-story bazaar than a mall! In terms of modern shopping, I think we must be near the bottom of the heap, with Bangalore and Hyderabad famous for availability of European stuff, and Delhi famous for availability of everything! So, one thing I am sure Delhiwala will not be aiming to do here is his fashion shopping. Although, if Mrs D should happen to like Kanchi silk...