A slice of South India: Chennai-Kanchipuram-Mahabalipuram and Pondicherry.

Tripoto
29th Jan 2019
Day 1

Landed at Chennai Airport for a five day trip of Chennai and Pondicherry. It was my first trip to Channai. Let's see how these cities treat me.

Chennai Airport

Photo of A slice of South India: Chennai-Kanchipuram-Mahabalipuram and Pondicherry. by Saurabh Arya
Photo of A slice of South India: Chennai-Kanchipuram-Mahabalipuram and Pondicherry. by Saurabh Arya

My first encounter with South Indian Food in Chennai happened at Sarvana Bhawan at Rajeev Gandhi Salai. And it was amazing. Far better than Delhi's Sarvana Bhawan.

Photo of A slice of South India: Chennai-Kanchipuram-Mahabalipuram and Pondicherry. by Saurabh Arya
Photo of A slice of South India: Chennai-Kanchipuram-Mahabalipuram and Pondicherry. by Saurabh Arya
Photo of A slice of South India: Chennai-Kanchipuram-Mahabalipuram and Pondicherry. by Saurabh Arya
Photo of A slice of South India: Chennai-Kanchipuram-Mahabalipuram and Pondicherry. by Saurabh Arya

In Evening visited Marina Beach, the second widest beach in Asia. Also visited Kapaleeshwar Temple.

Day 2

Next day I did a road trip to nearby Temple Town, Kanchipuram.

Photo of A slice of South India: Chennai-Kanchipuram-Mahabalipuram and Pondicherry. by Saurabh Arya

Then in Kanchipuram I started with Vishnu temple. Actually It's an ancient city full of temples. And Vishnu temple was made by Chola Dynasty kings around 11th century.

Photo of A slice of South India: Chennai-Kanchipuram-Mahabalipuram and Pondicherry. by Saurabh Arya

then there were Other temples of Kamakshi (Goddess Durga) and a temple dedicated to lord Shiva.

Photo of A slice of South India: Chennai-Kanchipuram-Mahabalipuram and Pondicherry. by Saurabh Arya
Photo of A slice of South India: Chennai-Kanchipuram-Mahabalipuram and Pondicherry. by Saurabh Arya
Photo of A slice of South India: Chennai-Kanchipuram-Mahabalipuram and Pondicherry. by Saurabh Arya
Photo of A slice of South India: Chennai-Kanchipuram-Mahabalipuram and Pondicherry. by Saurabh Arya

After temple hopping I explored Kanjeervaram Sarees also bought one for my mother.

Photo of A slice of South India: Chennai-Kanchipuram-Mahabalipuram and Pondicherry. by Saurabh Arya
Photo of A slice of South India: Chennai-Kanchipuram-Mahabalipuram and Pondicherry. by Saurabh Arya
Photo of A slice of South India: Chennai-Kanchipuram-Mahabalipuram and Pondicherry. by Saurabh Arya
Photo of A slice of South India: Chennai-Kanchipuram-Mahabalipuram and Pondicherry. by Saurabh Arya

Afer buying few sarees I started my journey back but this time through another route. I made it a point to visit Sri Perumbadur where a great leader and visionary prime minister Rajeev Gandhi was killed in a bomb blast. Now a memorial has been built here.

Photo of Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, India by Saurabh Arya
Photo of Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, India by Saurabh Arya
Photo of Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, India by Saurabh Arya
Photo of Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, India by Saurabh Arya
Photo of Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, India by Saurabh Arya
Photo of Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, India by Saurabh Arya
Day 3

It was third day in city. Had some work in day time but in evening I again resumed my exploration. I started with Chennai Museum.

Photo of Government Museum Chennai, Pantheon Road, Egmore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India by Saurabh Arya
Photo of Government Museum Chennai, Pantheon Road, Egmore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India by Saurabh Arya
Photo of Government Museum Chennai, Pantheon Road, Egmore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India by Saurabh Arya
Photo of Government Museum Chennai, Pantheon Road, Egmore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India by Saurabh Arya

Then I again visited Marina beach and MGR memorial on beach in evening.

Photo of Marina Beach, Tamil Nadu by Saurabh Arya
Photo of Marina Beach, Tamil Nadu by Saurabh Arya
Photo of Marina Beach, Tamil Nadu by Saurabh Arya
Photo of Marina Beach, Tamil Nadu by Saurabh Arya
Photo of Marina Beach, Tamil Nadu by Saurabh Arya
Photo of Marina Beach, Tamil Nadu by Saurabh Arya
Photo of Marina Beach, Tamil Nadu by Saurabh Arya
Photo of Marina Beach, Tamil Nadu by Saurabh Arya
Day 4

Early in morning I started for Pondicherry. But how can I miss Mahabalipuram's poetry in stone world on the way. So I immersed myself in this old world charm. Krishna's butter ball, 5 Rathas, shore temple etc are places to see there. Oh yes, don't forget an old light house.

Photo of Pondicherry, Puducherry, India by Saurabh Arya
Photo of Pondicherry, Puducherry, India by Saurabh Arya
Photo of Pondicherry, Puducherry, India by Saurabh Arya
Photo of Pondicherry, Puducherry, India by Saurabh Arya
Photo of Pondicherry, Puducherry, India by Saurabh Arya

On reaching Pondicherry I had a quick tour of city in my car only. It's a small city. Late in evening I visited promenade n sea beach. A lovely place.

Day 5

It was last day of trip so had last few hours in the city. I started my day at 6 AM and reached rock beach to watch sunrise. These are the mornings when a place is at its best. I walked almost a kilometer on the promenade n reached fishing harbour. Sun was peeping out of cloudy canopy. After half an hour we were able to see a beautiful sunrise on beach. Spent some quaint time there n then started exploring french buildings on promenade.

Photo of Promenade Beach, Puducherry by Saurabh Arya
Photo of Promenade Beach, Puducherry by Saurabh Arya
Photo of Promenade Beach, Puducherry by Saurabh Arya
Photo of Promenade Beach, Puducherry by Saurabh Arya

Exploring the French colony n restaurants in White town is just like transporting the soul to France. Lovely n lively colourful town is all about french culture.

Photo of White Town, Pondicherry, Puducherry, India by Saurabh Arya
Photo of White Town, Pondicherry, Puducherry, India by Saurabh Arya
Photo of White Town, Pondicherry, Puducherry, India by Saurabh Arya
Photo of White Town, Pondicherry, Puducherry, India by Saurabh Arya

By 10.30 I left Pondicherry & headed to Auroville to see Matri Mandir. I had verry little time with me today so had to satisfy my quest with just a view of Matri Mandir. In my next trip to Pondicherry I will make sure to experience it from inside. So here comes the end of my 5 day journey of this beautiful part of southern India.

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