Chennai was formerly known as Madras in its older days. Chennai is literally the gateway to the south. You will see that Chennai is the epicenter of the culture of the south. Chennai is one of India’s most important cities with respect to cultural heritage and traditions. The people of this region are called Tamils and have their own distinctive culture, languages, festivals dances etc. The major religious influence in Chennai is Hinduism. Christianity and Islam make up the other population together with some other religions.
Weather in Chennai
The weather in all of Chennai is hot. Yes, it is very hot and the temperatures in Chennai stay close to about 40 degrees one the Celsius scale. The summers, between the months of June and September, are cooled down by rains, which make the weather humid. Chennai has no winter to speak of, but during the winter months it is pleasant. The winter months last from September through January.
Shopping in Chennai
One of the major activities that all tourists indulge in is shopping. There are countless things that one can purchase from Chennai. Chennai is full of places where you can go shopping. The areas come in the form of shopping malls, emporiums, galleries, bazaars and not to forget, the hotel boutiques. The best place to go shopping would be opposite temples, major hotels and along the famous Anna Salai Road.
What to Wear in Chennai
Since Chennai is a monsoon region, it is best that you pack your baggage accordingly. For your trip here, pack clothes that you would wear in hot countries. Carrying cotton clothing would be a good idea. Be sure that you pack a pair of swimming outfits, and shoes for walking, as you will have to do a lot of walking in Chennai.
Travel around Chennai
There are a lot of ways you can get around in Chennai. You can use the various transportation systems available. The transportation in Chennai is normally always full but they are efficient. The transportation system includes autos, buses, local trains and taxis.
Health Services in Chennai
Chennai has what a normal major city would have in health services. There are a few hospitals, clinics, laboratories and ambulances that assist the health services in Chennai. We however, recommend that tourists, who have medical concerns, should carry a detailed report with them so that medical assistance can be given without losing precious time.
Chennai Nightlife
The nightlife in Chennai is simply amazing. Chennai offers a lot of activities that one can enjoy. Some of these activities include clubbing, discotheques, walking on the beaches and eating out. There are lots of places that you can visit, but it is advisable for you take someone around with you so that you don’t get lost. Believe us when we say that the city looks very different at night.
Dining Out in Chennai
When you are out and you want to taste the mouthwatering delicacies of the Tamilian cuisines, you should taste idli, vada, dosa and sambhar. It is advised that you visit a vegetarian restaurant to enjoy these. If your taste buds are on the hot side, a non-vegetarian dish called Chettinad is just for you.
To name some of the best restaurants around, we would recommend the following places:
