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What Chennai means to me!!!!!!

What does Chennai mean to me??? Well, Chennai is huge and I've spent a a huge part of my life in Chennai and indeed it means a lot to me!!! Being bitten by the wanderlust, let me write about Chennai in a traveller's, or rather a nomad's point of view.

For an outsider Chennai has a few very important pointers, the most important being the Beaches of Chennai. The first is ofcourse the 2nd longest beach of the world - Marina!!! Even if the sun is right atop and its boiling the blood, still there would be some people sitting on the beach. Evening would see the beach filled. 
That said, I must also say that entire Chennai has beach on one side, which means there are several secluded beaches. Here's the post on Sholinganallur Beach!!!
Chennai or Madras? Well, the British kept the name Madras to this place and my dear cousin from Mumbai twists it all calls 'Mad-rush'. Yes!!! We have a Mad Rush, no matter what, may it be Diwali shopping or a religious fest or peak hour traffic!!! Here's an example of a religious fest and look at the maddening crowd.
Chennai is a metro city. But ofcourse it has its own green lungs. Chennai has awesome nature spots. The best part is that Chennai, infact owns a marshland bird sanctuary! Here's about Pallikkaranai Marsh Land!!! 

Not just that, being in Chennai you need not go out for bird watching, much happens withing Chennai itself at any given place!!! Here's some random nature shots and a flying pelican from Perungudi Lake!

There's something in Chennai for heritage enthusiasts too! Chennai, whether within itself or in the suburbs, is literally filled with temples. You can definitely spot an ancient Shiva temple and a Vishnu Temple, as old as atleast 16th C (sometimes even 8th-10th C) every 10km!!! Here's Mylai temple within the city and Madambakkam temple in the suburbs. Ofcourse the months of December and January are a treat to any heritage lover in Chennai - may it be festivities of Music or Dance or even Kolam, everyday from earliest possible in the morning, somewhere or the other, in every possible locality!!! Heritage not just to Hindu religion, but to Christianity as well. As I write this post, I'm wondering, how come I haven't written about Santhome Cathedral or St.Thomas Mount Church which are few centuries old!!!

Then, there's something for the art lovers as well! Both in the best and awesome road of Chennai, the Scenic ECR or East Coast Road that over looks the sea for its entire stretch!!!  One being Cholamandal Artists Village and the other being Dakshinachitra!!!
Last but the best, the International icon of heritage located in the suburbs of Chennai, the Mahabalipuram!!! I've been a Lady Biker in Chennai for quite some time now!!! Hoping to roam about every nook and corner of Chennai on my bike!!!!

 P.S: This post is a part of the CBC Tablog! Well, CBC is Chennai Bloggers' Club and this Tablog is the back to back blogging on the topic 'What Chennai means to me'!!! I was tagged by Aravind Kumar and now, let me pass on the tag to Ashwini.C.N, of Chennai who loves to eat, talk and read!

Bhushavali

An ardent traveler by passion. Being an ex - Art History Teacher, my area of interest especially lies in Nature and Heritage. Visited 85 UNESCO World Heritage sites as of June 2022. I've been listed among the Top 7 Women Travel Bloggers of India, Top 50 in UK. I have been interviewed in a couple of TV Shows, Radio Channels and Events as well. Read more about me and read the testimonials of different brands

43 comments:

  1. Vineeta YashswiDecember 20, 2012 at 1:21 PM

    You remind me my Chennai Dayz...Lovely post...

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownDecember 20, 2012 at 2:43 PM

    Very Interesting blog! Chennai looks like a nice place! The second longest beach in the world! That must be impressive! What a big crowd at the religious fest, that would make me feel a bit claustrophobic! I much prefer all the nature and temples. Really hope I'll get the chance to visit India one day :)
    Thanks for your nice comment on my blog!
    Have a great day!
    x
    Bel
    http://b-by-bel.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BhushavaliDecember 23, 2012 at 6:53 PM

      Hi Bel, Welcome to My Travelogue.
      Chennai is very close to my heart! Do visit India and you'll definitely fall in love with Incredible India!!!

      Delete
  3. R Niranjan DasDecember 20, 2012 at 2:55 PM

    Nice one Bhusha. I had written a post on Chennai and it is called Mad-Rush...!!

    http://rajniranjandas.blogspot.in

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BhushavaliDecember 23, 2012 at 6:54 PM

      Thanks Niranjan! Lolz, you too same topic!!! :D

      Delete
  4. S. Susan DeborahDecember 20, 2012 at 5:48 PM

    Bhushavalli:

    Loved this. A fulsome post that covers all aspects of Chennai. This post is also a wonderful guide to those who come for the first time to the city.

    Yay, another entry is done. Glad.

    Joy always,
    Susan

    ReplyDelete
  5. HarikrishnaDecember 20, 2012 at 6:34 PM

    A wonderful collection which covers Chennai beautifully.. Good idea of depicting Chennai as photographs... Each photo leads us to separate posts :) Superb...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BhushavaliApril 12, 2013 at 12:12 PM

      Thank you so much Hari. I've written so many posts on Chennai that I thought consolidating them is the best way to write on this topic! :)

      Delete
  6. The PseudonymDecember 20, 2012 at 6:36 PM

    Next time you go temple hopping please invite me along. Lovely post. Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
  7. DivyaDecember 20, 2012 at 7:44 PM

    hey you left out shopping and food

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Prem NairDecember 26, 2012 at 5:50 PM

      can you suggest some really good desi food hotspots around the city, discovered this nice place in SavkarPet last weekened! got me hungry for more!!

      thanks and regards,
      'la foodie'

      Delete
    2. BhushavaliApril 12, 2013 at 12:26 PM

      @Divi! Oh yes! Sadly forgot!
      @Prem, Do try Murugan idli kadai at T-Nagar and Karpagambal Mess in Mylapore...

      Delete
  8. VenkatDecember 20, 2012 at 9:10 PM

    Interesting....

    ReplyDelete
  9. Deepa IyerDecember 20, 2012 at 9:38 PM

    :) Chennai can get so interesting, wonder why people don't see the city for what it has to offer! Good one!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BhushavaliApril 12, 2013 at 12:28 PM

      Guess Chennai's heat eats up all the other good factors! Lolz! :D

      Delete
  10. Destination InfinityDecember 20, 2012 at 10:41 PM

    Chennai can be conservative, yet modern. It can be slow, yet fast. It can be hot, yet.... Hotter! :) Good to know that there are centuries old smaller temples in Chennai. Need to visit them sometime! Good to have found your blog as well.

    Destination Infinity

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BhushavaliApril 12, 2013 at 12:41 PM

      Thank you Destination Infinity!! :)
      There are so many little temples! Even I've not seen them all!!!

      Delete
  11. Karen XavierDecember 20, 2012 at 11:08 PM

    Have to visit some of the places you mentioned here... interesting post.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BhushavaliApril 12, 2013 at 12:41 PM

      Do visit and do write about them. Looking forward for your views on the same places! :)

      Delete
  12. ItsdifferentDecember 20, 2012 at 11:42 PM

    I am not an atheist. I pray everyday, and go to temples regularly, local temples though. You are right, there are too many temples in Chennai and around. And the amount of money being spent on various celebrations, functions, is obscene, in my opinion. That money can be well spent elsewhere. If every individual takes pride in spending their money to a human cause, close to their heart, we can make the world better, reduce poverty, help needy students with their education expenses, feed folks who are hungry. May I request everyone to take a holiday/new year resolve towards that goal?
    Happy Holidays and New Year everyone.

    ReplyDelete
  13. UnknownDecember 21, 2012 at 7:32 AM

    Traveller's point of view. Nice approach. Many of the pictures captured some of the best of Chennai. Nice write up :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anne JohnDecember 21, 2012 at 9:01 AM

    Lady biker in Chennai? Wow!! Nice!

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    Replies
    1. BhushavaliApril 12, 2013 at 1:03 PM

      Thank you Anne! Once I started biking, spotted some 5-6 lady bikers in the city as well! :)

      Delete
  15. maheshDecember 21, 2012 at 3:00 PM

    Hi Bhushavalli,

    If you ever plan a visit to tiruvallur do let me know, loads of temples, prehistoric cave-art in Poondi and a lot to explore.

    This post was a refreshing mix of pics!

    Great work,
    Cheers,
    Mahesh

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BhushavaliApril 12, 2013 at 1:08 PM

      Thanks Mahesh! Glad I have a travel guide at Tiruvallur! Will definitely visit!! :)

      Delete
  16. Krishna/à´•ൃà´·്à´£December 24, 2012 at 10:05 AM

    nice writeup and info about chennai

    happy xmas and newyear

    thanks for sharing

    ReplyDelete
  17. Prem NairDecember 26, 2012 at 5:47 PM

    Beautiful post, bhushavalli!
    Am new here in the city, just started to roam around the city! Covered most of the places that you have mentioned here, but hungry for more!!
    LOVE the wanderbug syndrome myself too!! :-D :-D :-D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BhushavaliApril 12, 2013 at 1:21 PM

      Thank you so much Prem! Roam around. Looking forward for your travelogues too! :)

      Delete
  18. UnknownDecember 30, 2012 at 7:35 PM

    Loved this visual tour of Chennai. Quite good and colorful. Mahabalipuram is my favorite too, I have fond memories associated with this place :)

    Keep Blogging :) Cheers :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. K V V S MURTHYDecember 31, 2012 at 1:37 PM

    I like Chennai for many reasons..They knew value of both modernity and antiquity as well.People are hard working..and have appetite for fine arts...Very nice blog I have found today..! All the best..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BhushavaliApril 12, 2013 at 1:22 PM

      Thank you so much Mr.Murthy! Glad you liked my blog! Do visit often!!! :)
      Indian Fashion n Travel Blogger! - Bhusha's INDIA TRAVELOGUE

      Delete
  20. vinodvvJanuary 26, 2013 at 12:17 PM

    If it is Chennai, It has to be immediately Chennai Central station that is what you see in most movies.

    I see a similarity about the travel log too. Mahabalipuram etc, Popular places. Try out villages they are even colorful

    Wishing you more travel and good memories for you to share.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BhushavaliApril 12, 2013 at 1:29 PM

      No! Pallikaranai, Perungudi, Madambakkam, or Cholamandal is not in the popular places list!!!! Wanted this list to just touch the various aspects that various types of travellers enjoy!
      Ofcourse villages around Chennai are so green and colorful and lively than the city! :)
      Thanks for the lovely comment Vinod! :)

      Delete
  21. BhushavaliApril 12, 2013 at 12:46 PM

    Thanks Aswini! :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. UnknownDecember 8, 2014 at 4:03 PM


    This article covers the details and the specialty of Chennai in a very different way. This will be very useful to the reader who is new to Chennai.

    ReplyDelete

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