Vanakkam Madras!

We Indians, our way of life is completely unique. It differs so much from place to place.

Just like the poles of the magnet, north and south Indian divide is very prominent in our country. Some traits draw these two people at times, and there are times when they repulse. 

North Indians on one hand have an Aryan look, with a taste for wheat, ghee and potato more. Who are a bit loud in their own ways of celebrations, for which they are known for-like the typical Punjabi weddings.

On the other hand the south Indians have a Dravidian look, with a taste for rice, sambhar and sweets, who are recognized for their flair for dance, music and all type of art. 

People in south belong to four different regions. Still the North Indians have a style of addressing all the south Indians as Madrasis!

Madras is apparently a small city in Tamil Nadu, now known as Chennai.

Being a Keralite settled in North, have never liked been called as a madrasi!

But today here I am, in Chennai.  A new girl to this fantastic new city. Each day has been really amazingly thrilling for me. Today let me walk you those amazing roads of Chennai, or let me say Madras!

Madras is a mixture of a whole new vibrant culture. From the much venerated shrines to the illuminated pubs; from the number of desolate and breezy beach to the highly lit crowded shopping places. Its geographic location is so amazing, that it just takes an hour or two to reach places like Mahabalipuram, also known as “mahabs” and Pondicherry or “Pondi”.

The love for Chennai is in the air! One of the reasons that make me say that is the FOOD!
There is no better feeling than tasting a fantastic dish- it just makes your day.
Starting from ‘Chicken 65’ – a spicy, deep fried chicken was supposedly invented in this place at Buhari Hotel. Personally my favourite!
Chennaiites are willing to experiment with their food and so are restaurateurs. Chennai biryani is known for it being seasoned by spice and turmeric. Thalappakatti and Anjappar are known for the mind boggling rice based food. From fish on the beach to the barbecued meat and the ever popular mutta- dosa makes the Chennai mix of food special.

With the break of the dusk, you treat your stomach with some delicious snacks like burgers and donuts from Donut House, Mash, Pupil, French Loaf and the list just goes on.

It’s not just the food, but the people around and the number of places you can go to. For all the party lovers out there, who just wishes to end your busy hectic working schedule, boozing and clubbing, Chennai is perfect. There are countless places that you can go clubbing. Hitting the” Illusions” on Wednesdays for a Bollywood night,  Thursdays in Pasha or 10D for a Karaoke night, and Fridays, how can one miss the Girls night at Dublin.

The best thing about Chennai is that it is a blend of everything. You will tend to find people from all over India, residing here. To mix it well, Chennai has exactly everything one can wish for.

Apart from all this bash and excitement, Chennai also molds its paths to divinity. The number of shrines and places of worship is countless. Chennai is well known for the Santhome Basilica church, Parthasarathy temple and the Thousand Light Mosque. These are just a few of them. There are aplenty.

Some times its all about just being by yourself and spend some valuable time, a time of introspection. For some of us the places of worship, tends to be the best place. Chennai just gives it all.

People are very friendly here and really welcoming, maybe they were also a guest to this beauty once. As a travel buff, my stay in Chennai has been a memorable one. With the new people, new kind of experience and everything! Everybody will have their own reasons to love this beauty. I have found mine. Now you find your reasons to love this place.

Just two months in this place, and it has just become my favourite picks in the basket!  

Now I don’t think I’ll mind anybody calling me a Madrasi. You know why, because I love you Madras!