Indian Talent, Global Content
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Indian Talent, Global Content |
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March 2010: What's in the breeze |
Chennai: Back to My Roots
The “Please fasten your seat belts” sign had just been switched off; our aircraft had made a safe landing at the domestic terminal in Chennai. As I picked up my cabin baggage and waited in queue to get out of the plane, mind was plagued by a plethora of thoughts. Here I was, back to my roots after a gap of nearly ten years. A mixture of curiosity and excitement was surging up my soul and I waited with bated breath to step onto the soil that had once reared me; matured me as a person. Chennai is usually a very hot city, with temperatures soaring up to 40 degrees Celsius. Surprisingly, the air that greeted me outside the aircraft was refreshingly cool; the sun seemed to have mercifully reduced its fury and shone peacefully over a clear blue sky. As I drove down to the hotel where I was booked, I glanced out of the window and noticed that the city had changed drastically over the last decade: Traditional, orthodox Chennai had slowly succumbed to technology and fashion trends and this was evident from one cursory glance at the numerous shopping malls and pavements as well as the people who walked on them. For first-timers to Chennai, it can be quite an exhilarating experience. The people, their clothing, their language, the food they eat as well as their attitude is so radically different from their Northern counterparts. The city boasts of some interesting places worth a visit. For starters, let me warn you that if you must travel in Chennai, be ready to spend a fortune on public transport. Rickshaws are the best bet for a tourist but remember, never ever question the system as the drivers might callously leave you stranded in the middle of your journey; so it is best to keep mum and enjoy the myriad sights that the city has to offer. Chennai is the capital of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and it was in this city that the East India Company set up base in the early 16th century and slowly expanded the British Empire. Besides being the gateway to South India and a major trade centre well linked by road, rail and air to many important Indian cities, Chennai is also a flourishing port. The main attraction of the city is the Marina beach which is the second longest seashore in the world. There is nothing more invigorating than a peaceful morning walk along the seashore followed by a fabulous traditional South Indian breakfast of rice cake and curry, and this is exactly how I began my much awaited sojourn in familiar territory. Chennai is known for several structures built before India attained independence. Fort St. George, an ancient monument established by the British houses the Secretariat and main administrative offices of the State Government. Apart from these two main places of interest, other old structures like the War Memorial, Government museum, Santhome Cathedral, Theosophical Society and Connemara library are also worth a visit. The city itself has a very ancient culture and this reflects in the behavior of the local residents. The people are extremely friendly and any request for guidance from a visitor is sure to be met with a cheerful response from an enthusiastic passer by. If you have a zeal for food, then Chennai is the place to exercise your taste buds. The food here is a gastronomic treat to a devout foodie. Whether it is the austere dining hall at a low-key restaurant down the road or the swanky coffee shop of a 5-star deluxe hotel, there is a feeling of homeliness all around and that’s what makes Chennai so popular among tourists. There are many places outside Chennai, which you can visit in about a day’s time. The most famous of all is the rock temple of Mamallapuram. Built in the 7th century, this ancient port is characterized by monolithic sculptures and structures along the seashore and is a must-see. On the road to Mamallapuram are minor attractions for children like theme parks and wildlife sanctuaries. Chennai offers a lot of convenience to tourists in terms of good quality roads and easy accessibility to points of interest. Package tours can be arranged at the airport itself; star hotels have special tours for resident tourists which sometimes are part of the lodging tariff. Chennai is also famous for its shopping centers. The people in South India have a very interesting style of dressing and generally, a foreigner to the city is enthralled by the local attire. I noticed several foreign tourists dressed in traditional South Indian clothes complete with jewels and flowers. Although the passing years have witnessed the emergence of classy upmarket shopping arcades and supermarkets, the real taste of shopping in the city comes from roadside vendors who sell everything from apparel and shoes to electronic goods and cosmetic jewellery. I spent about a week trying to gather my roots and every day that I moved about the city, I felt them grow stronger and deeper into the vast culture and heritage of this glorious land that I was once an integral part of. My visit revived significant memories of my childhood, and I returned home carrying a baggage of favorite puerile moments and pure juvenile innocence, that had somehow gotten lost in the crazy race for corporate success. Chillibreeze's disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the views of Chillibreeze as a company. Chillibreeze has a strict anti-plagiarism policy. Please contact us to report any copyright issues related to this article. Chillibreeze writers can write travel articles about any destination in India or abroad. Contact us for your content requirements.
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