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10 Days in Chennai: A Journey of Temples, Beaches, and Adventure

BLESSING TON

BLESSING TON

9 Mar 2024

Embark on a 10-day adventure in Chennai, India's vibrant coastal city. Discover ancient temples, relax on pristine beaches, and indulge in thrilling amusement parks. Join us as we explore the rich cultural heritage and natural wonders of Chennai.

Trip to Chennai

Day 1Parks, Cathedrals, and Temples
+

$8

·

$ 4

Chetpet Ecopark
Attraction with tracks for walkers & joggers, a children's play area & a seafood restaurant
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
•
$4
18 - 22 min

~

Directions

Natesan Park
4-acre park with shade trees featuring walking paths, a children's play area & tennis court.
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
•
Free
26 - 32 min

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Directions

Santhome Cathedral Basilica
Cathedral basilica rebuilt in 1896 in neo-Gothic style, at the site of St. Thomas Apostle's tomb.
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
•
Free
5 - 6 min

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Directions

Vivekananda House
Former ice store where Swami Vivekananda stayed in 1897, now a permanent exhibition on his life.
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
•
$4
8 - 12 min

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Directions

Arulmigu Sri Parthasarathy Perumal Temple Tiruvallikeni
Sacred 8th-century temple honouring the god Krishna, with ornately carved towers & columns.
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
•
Free
16 - 20 min

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Directions

Dr MGR Memorial
Airy, modern stone memorial & tomb for former Tamil Nadu chief minister M. G. Ramachandran.
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
•
Free
Day 2Temples, Beaches, and Lighthouses
+

$4

·

$ 4

Chennai Sri Kaalikambal Kamadeswarar Temple
Prominent 17th century Hindu temple dedicated Shri Kāligāmbāl & Lord Kamadeswarar.
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
•
Free
16 - 20 min

~

Directions

Marina Beach
Bustling urban beach featuring a long shoreline for basking & a variety of food stalls & shops.
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
•
Free
4 - 5 min

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Directions

Chennai Lighthouse
Concrete lighthouse opened in 1977, standing at 46m & with a viewing gallery open to the public.
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
•
Free
11 - 14 min

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Directions

Semmozhi Poonga
Serene botanical garden with over 500 species of plants, including exotic varieties.
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
•
$4
21 - 26 min

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Directions

Anna Tower
Iconic 12-story tower with a spiraling ramp overlooking a surrounding park, fountain & sport courts.
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
•
Free
Day 3Museums, Parks, and Spiritual Serenity
+

$4

·

$ 4

Chennai Rail Museum
Indoor/outdoor museum with displays of vintage engines & coaches, plus miniature train rides.
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
•
$4
21 - 26 min

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Directions

Arulmigu Vadapalani Murugan Temple
Renovated in 1920, this Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Muruga is a popular place to get married.
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
•
Free
8 - 10 min

~

Directions

Sivan Park
Leafy, family-friendly urban park with a kid's playground, several animal statues & a skating area.
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
•
Free
19 - 23 min

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Directions

Panagal Park
3.2-hectare park in a busy shopping district featuring shaded paths, water features & statues.
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
•
Free
19 - 23 min

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Directions

Sai Baba Temple Mylapore
Peaceful temple complex with prayer rituals, plus meals & sweets distributed to devotees.
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
•
Free
Day 4History, Wildlife, and Beach Bliss
+

$12

·

$ 2

Government Museum Chennai
State collections including Indian art & sculpture, bronzes, anthropology & a children's section.
8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
•
$8
27 - 33 min

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Directions

Guindy National Park
Large, tree-filled park with a variety of animals & greenery, plus a children's play area.
11:30 AM - 2:30 PM
•
$4
24 - 29 min

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Directions

Edward Elliot's Beach
Popular beach offering a sandy shoreline & swimming spots, plus the Karl Schmidt Memorial.
3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
•
Free
Day 5Thrilling Rides and Reptile Encounters
+

$15

·

$ 2

MGM Dizzee World
Large amusement park with rides & a water area with slides & a wave pool, plus 2 restaurants.
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
•
$8
15 - 18 min

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Directions

The Madras Crocodile Bank Trust and Centre for Herpetology
Longtime reptile zoo & crocodile sanctuary/breeding center with feedings & a night safari.
12:30 PM - 3:30 PM
•
$8
18 - 22 min

~

Directions

Krishna's Butter Ball
Offbeat tourist attraction featuring a massive granite boulder perched on a downhill slope.
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
•
Free
Day 6Underwater Kingdom and Theme Park Fun
+

$23

VGP Marine Kingdom
Big aquarium with 5 aquatic zones, an underwater tunnel, touch-pool exhibit & live feeding shows.
8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
•
$8
4 - 5 min

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Directions

VGP Universal Kingdom
Whimsical amusement park with bumper cars, a roller coaster & other rides, plus live entertainment.
11:30 AM - 3:30 PM
•
$15
Day 7Temples, Heritage, and Spiritual Bliss
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$8

·

$ 3

Nithya Kalyana Perumal Temple
Temple reputed to be lucky for lovers, with 6th-century origins, colonnaded gates & bejeweled idols.
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
•
Free
14 - 17 min

~

Directions

DakshinaChitra Heritage Museum
Cross cultural museum featuring 18 historical houses, along with art, crafts & performances.
10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
•
$8
21 - 26 min

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Directions

ISKCON Chennai
Hindu temple completed in 2012 & constructed on 5 levels, featuring a temple hall & an auditorium.
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
•
Free
25 - 30 min

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Directions

Arulmigu Marundeeswarar Temple
Monumental Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva, known for its health & curative properties.
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
•
Free
Day 8Beach Hopping and Divine Blessings
+

$0

·

$ 2

Kovalam Beach - Chennai, Tamilnadu, India
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
•
Free
46 - 56 min

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Directions

Thiruvalluvar Nagar Beach
Popular, sandy strand known for its sunsets, plus vendors selling grilled corn & other street food.
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
•
Free
16 - 20 min

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Directions

Arupadai Veedu Murugan Temple
Modern, peaceful Hindu temple complex featuring several shrines to the Tamil deity Murugan.
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
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Free
7 - 10 min

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Directions

Shri Ashtalakshmi Temple
This colourful, multi-level seaside temple with ornate details honours the Hindu goddess Lakshmi.
3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
•
Free
Day 9Sacred Temples and Amusement Park Delights
+

$30

·

$ 3

Sri Dhenupureeswarar Temple - Suyambu Lingam
Pallava dynasty-era stone temple amid sprawling grounds with a pond & coconut trees.
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
•
Free
48 - 58 min

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Directions

KUNDRATHUR MURUGAN TEMPLE
Intricate Hindu temple surrounded by greenery, with an ornate gopura tower & street vendors.
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
•
Free
19 - 23 min

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Directions

Sri Kamakshi Amman Temple mangadu
Colonnaded prayer halls & a gopura gate carved with figures at a long-standing Hindu temple.
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
•
Free
35 - 42 min

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Directions

Queensland Amusement Park
Theme park featuring roller coasters, family rides & water attractions, including a wave pool.
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
•
$30
Day 10Wildlife Encounters and Divine Devotion
+

$9

·

$ 2

Arignar Anna Zoological Park
Vast zoo with large, natural enclosures for Asian mammals & battery-operated cars (fee) for touring.
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
•
$9
42 - 51 min

~

Directions

Nanganallur Anjaneyar Temple
Hindu temple dedicated to Hanuman, featuring a 32-ft. monolithic granite idol of the god.
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
•
Free
45 - 54 min

~

Directions

Arulmigu Devi Karumariamman Temple, Thiruverkadu
Ornate Hindu temple featuring stepped towers, carved pillars & colourful ceilings, plus a pond.
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
•
Free

Budget breakdown: $134 In total

Activities & Food:$111
Transport:$24