Chennai, explained
Long-form, practical guides written by people who actually know the city — not recycled listicles. Each one is built to answer a real question a traveller (or a local showing a friend around) would ask.
These are our in-depth companions to the live homepage. Where the front page gives you today's weather, headlines and quick listings, the guides below go deeper: which temples truly matter and how to visit them respectfully, where to eat in each neighbourhood, how to plan your hours, how to move around, and when to come. Pick one and start reading.
The Tamil Temple Directory — 474 Temples
Every temple of the great pilgrim lists with maps, deities and travel links — all 108 Divya Desams, the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams, the Navagraha circuit, Murugan’s six abodes and Chennai’s own shrines.
Chennai Festival Calendar 2026–2031
Every festival and observance for Chennai — Pongal, Puthandu, Vinayaka Chaturthi, Navaratri, Deepavali, Karthigai Deepam and the monthly days — with Tamil and Hindi names, from the drik panchangam.
Chennai Today: Rain, Alerts, Power Cuts, Gold Rate, Events
Rain today and tomorrow, where school-holiday orders appear, today’s planned power cuts, gold and petrol rate sources, the panchangam, events and the Kural of the day. One page, refreshed every visit.
Chennai Metro: Map, Timings, Fares, Stations & Airport Line
Blue, Green and the new Yellow line, first and last trains, fares of ₹10–50, how to buy a QR ticket or card, every station, the airport connection and tips for seniors.
Chennai Traffic Challan: How to Check and Pay Online
The official Parivahan e-challan portal, what you need, five steps to pay, the usual fines, what to do if a challan is wrong, and how to spot a fake challan SMS.
Chennai Monsoon: Rain Outlook, Flood Alerts & Helplines
Live 7-day rain forecast, the official IMD and Corporation alert channels, verified helplines, which areas flood first, underpasses to avoid and what to pack.
Festival Guides: Deepavali, Pongal, Margazhi Season & More
What happens, where to see it, what to eat and tips for visitors from abroad — Ayudha Puja & Vijayadashami, Deepavali, Skanda Shashti, Karthigai Deepam, Vaikunta Ekadashi, Arudra Darshan and more. Each with this year’s Chennai dates.
Daily Thirukkural — Kural of the Day
A new couplet from Thiruvalluvar every day — a short video plus the Kural in Tamil with transliteration, English translation and meaning. The timeless wisdom of the Thirukkural, one day at a time.
Visiting Chennai from the USA: First-Timer's & NRI Guide
Flying in from the States? Visas and OCI, flights and money, SIM cards, the airport, etiquette and the emergency contacts that matter — everything an American visitor or NRI needs before landing.
Chennai Airport (MAA) Arrival Guide
Exactly what to do the moment you land — immigration, SIM and cash, and the best way into the city (Metro, prepaid taxi or app cab), even on a late-night arrival.
Chennai Central Railway Station: Complete Visitor Guide
The city's front door, explained — terminals and platforms, parking and cloakroom, food inside, and the calmest way out by Metro, prepaid auto or app cab. Independent, unofficial guide.
Chennai Egmore Railway Station: Visitor Guide
Chennai's other terminus — which trains use Egmore vs Central, the heritage building, facilities, food nearby and the Green Line Metro connection. Independent, unofficial guide.
Chennai Travel FAQ: 10 First-Timer Questions
Best time to visit, how many days, safety, language, temple dress code, water and street food, UPI vs cash, and whether you can swim at Marina — answered straight.
Chennai for Medical Visitors: The Practical Guide
The non-medical side of a hospital trip — staying near the hospital districts, eating simply, pharmacies, SIM and transport, and tips for accompanying family.
What to Pack for Chennai (& South India)
The first-timer's packing list — the right power adapter, hot-weather and temple-appropriate clothing, mosquito and health essentials, and the gadgets actually worth bringing.
SIM Cards & Internet for US Visitors
eSIM vs a local SIM, the paperwork you need, and how to keep your US number on for bank codes while using cheap Indian data.
Money in Chennai for Americans
Cards, cash and ATMs that work for US travellers, what to tell your bank, why UPI won't help you, and the overcharging tricks to sidestep.
Mylapore
Kapaleeshwarar, the seven Sapta Sthanam Shiva temples, San Thome, the old tiffin messes and the December music season.
T. Nagar
Ranganathan Street, Pondy Bazaar, silk and gold stores, how to check purity marks, the TTD temples and when to go.
Besant Nagar
Elliot's Beach, the Ashtalakshmi Temple, the Velankanni Church, Kalakshetra and the evening café strip.
Adyar
The Theosophical Society's banyan, the restored estuary, Madhya Kailash and staying near the Cancer Institute.
Where to Stay in Chennai: Best Areas
A neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood breakdown — Mylapore, Nungambakkam, T. Nagar, ECR and more — with which area suits which kind of trip.
The 8 Most Important Temples in Chennai
The temples that define the city's spiritual life, from Kapaleeshwarar to Parthasarathy. Which ones are worth your morning, what each is known for, and how to visit respectfully.
Where to Eat in Chennai: A Neighbourhood Food Guide
Chennai eats differently in every part of town. We walk you through the city area by area — filter-coffee tiffin rooms, Mylapore classics, Sowcarpet sweets and the best of the new wave.
A Perfect 2-Day Chennai Itinerary
An hour-by-hour plan that balances temples, beach, food and museums without rushing you. Exactly what to do, in what order, with two days to spend in the city.
Getting Around Chennai: Metro, Buses, Autos & Trains
Everything you need to move around the city cheaply and easily — the Metro, suburban trains, MTC buses, autos and app cabs — and which to use for which kind of trip.
Best Time to Visit Chennai: Weather Month by Month
A month-by-month breakdown of heat, humidity and the northeast monsoon, plus the festival season that makes winter special. Find the window that suits your trip.
Prefer to dive straight in?
The guides go deep, but the homepage is the fastest way to see Chennai right now. Jump straight to our curated temples, restaurants and hotels, browse the city's attractions, or check the live weather before you head out.