Cover story

Untravel

- Taanyaa Kapoor and Shruthi Tuli D Pics - Maveeran Somasundaram and Bala Subramaniam.N

As a traveller, nothing can beat the joy of experiencing a new culture. India is renowned for her many festivals and rich héritage. The farther you travel, leaving behind the city’s bright lights and into the heart of the nation, the more intriguing and mesmerising each experience becomes. Chennai too can deceive you with her unassuming looks so we give you the run-down of experiences you must try in this cultural capital.

Rent a Yacht

Partying in a yacht sounds like a Bollywood dream but what if I tell you there’s a way of experiencing it someday in the near future? Yes, you can party or travel in a yacht by just renting one from, Accretion Aviation in Chennai. Being on the water is an exhilarating experience that makes one’s heart race, brings dreams to life, and allows one to cruise in comfort and luxury. They offer a wide rande of speed boats and yacht for one to choose from. Apart from Accretion Aviation, there are many other options available for you such as, A.P.J Advantages, Thrillphia, Go Bananas India, Oyster and many more. From Rs.15,000 onwards.

Details:

Aviation Experience - +91 95753 40786

Get a bird’s view

Chennai is known for its breathtaking scenery and captivating views, so one should not pass up the chance to experience it all while paramotoring and flying through the air like a bird. From above, cut through the wind to take in some remarkable views of the natural landscape. You can expérience this extrême sport with Thrillphia and Universal Adventures. Get to experience this thrilling flying experience at ECR.

Jallikattu -the taming of the bull

In the Paalamedu region of Madurai, Tamil Nadu, the renowned Jallikattu festival begins. On Mattu Pongal (maadu means bull), the third day of the four-day harvest festival, Jallikattu is practised. The third day of Pongal is devoted to cattle, a crucial partner in the farming process. Experience the adrénaline pumping traditional sport during the month of January in Tamil Nadu.

Mayana Kollai festival

Mahashivaratri is one of the festivals that is widely celebrated in India. In Tamil Nadu, this is celebrated in a very unusual way. People pierce their body with lemon and other holy objects. The pain they go through in this process is a way of showing how the lord has fulfilled their wishes or is going to fulfill their wishes. This spine chilling experience can be seen at Kaveripattinam. Once the above procedure is over the devotee walks all the way to the Angalamman temple and then to a graveyard to pay respect to their ancestors. With bright hués, rich rituals, garland of bones and more, this never seen/heard festival is a mandatory check for your bucket list.

Camp with the stars

Would you like a sea-facing room? Or maybe switch it to a plantation view in the morning? Now, you can take your pick on the go. With Roadhouse, you can rent a camper van and travel in it to anywhere you like. With this new concept, you can literally stop at any place at any time and chill with your family or friends. The camper van offers you facilities like a water tank, drainage system, camping fridge, stove and cooking utensils. From Rs.4999 onwards. Details: +91 9884446456

Go for a Wild Swim

This isn’t your ordinary swimming classes club. Wild Swim Club offers a variety of options to choose from to make sure your swimming isn’t just for learning. Why swim in any pool like an ordinary person, when you can get a chance to experience swimming in a quarry. If you’re a water baby, this is something you have to try. Details: +91 7598092113 and sharath@wildswim.club

Adopt a Reptile

It’s common to adopt a dog, fish, cat, or monkey but ever heard of adopting a reptile? Usually people would think twice to even touch a reptile but you get a chance to adopt a reptile over here at Madras Crocodile Bank. But you can’t carry or take any reptile home. Reptiles like Indian flapshell turtle, Indian rock python, Amadi & Iyana(African slender-snouted crocodiles), Ally, Nicole & Barney(American alligator), Whitaker’s boa babies, Travancore Tortoise, Godzilla(Tomistoma), Dwarf Caiman, Camilo, Aletha & Mora (Cuban crocodiles), Shaheen (Komodo dragon) and many more are up for adoption. Details: info@madrascrocodilebank.org

Visit a secret island

Irrukam Island is situated in the borders of Andhra Pradesh, a mere 3 hours away from Chennai. In the buzzing country we all live in, Irrukam Island can take you back to the 80s and early 90s. Get this, there are no vehicles or horns hère. You can pitch a tent and be engulfed by nature all around you or choose to bird watch in the mornings. Unlike most of the mainstream islands, it’s not easy to find food or restrooms over here. So take the help of a local before you decide to stay. It is almost unbelievable that such a Virgin location liés unexplored closer to Chennai. If you do visit, take home some beautiful memories and leave no trash behind.

Shri Rajasthani Dhaba

A popular dhaba known for its compact menu, polite setting and tasty dishes but more well-known for their Gatte Ki Sabji, Matka Kulfi, Dal Chawal 340, 3rd Floor, 2nd Avenue, Opposite KFC, Anna Nagar, Phone: 91 44 42057867 9940315152

KERALA

Coastline

Primarily a seafood speciality restaurant, Coastline is often preferred for offering its guests an option to customize the dish to suit their taste 1, Cathedral Road, Opposite Music Academy, Gopalapuram, Phone: 91 44 28110306 Phone: 91 44 28212822 / 9677052277

Kumarakom

An authentic ‘naadan’ dishes like Karimeen Pollichathu, Duck Roast, Kerala Porotta, Appam, Kadala Curry, Mutton Stew, Chemeen Ularthiyathu and more 148/54, Kodambakkam High Road, Nungambakkam, Phone: 91 44 42605677 9686681391

Madras - The Raintree

An elite fine-dining restaurant that brings under one roof, all the choicest delicacies of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Andhra The Raintree, 636, Anna Salai, Teynampet,

Ente Keralam

An elite Kerala speciality chain of restaurants famous for their Erachi Ularthiyathu, Thalassery Biriyani, Meen Moilee, and their much-awaited Onam Sadhya 1, Poes Garden, Kasturi Estate, 1st Street, Alwarpet, Phone: 91 44 32216591 / 6374999504

Hotel Crescent

Very reasonably priced restaurant that serves tasty authentic Kerala dishes that are prepared with a homemade touch 11, Lattice Bridge Road, Adyar, Phone: 91 44 24900049

Kudumbam

A conventionally designed ‘mallu’ getaway, eminent for its Meals, Beef Ularthiyathu, Neymeen Vattichathu, and Koonthal Porichathu 40/156, Kodambakkam High Road, Nungambakkam, Phone: 91 44 3939999

SEAFOOD

Bay View

Celebrate the panoramic view of the Bay of Bengal, as you dine in the open, on some fresh seafood cooked to perfection with aromatic spices Vivanta by Taj Fisherman’s Cove, Covelong Beach, Off East Coast Road, ECR, Phone: 91 44 67413356

Kayal

An elite specialty restaurant that serves fish, crab, scallops, shrimps, prawns, and lobsters cooked per taste and served in a garden restaurant Le Royal Meridien Hotel, 1, GST Road, St. Thomas Mount, Kathipara, Phone: 91 44 22314343

Palmshore

Famous for their Arabian Grills and Tandoori, this restaurant serves seafood in Kerala and Chettinad style of cooking 111/108, Fore Shore Estate, Santhome High Road, Santhome, Phone: 91 7667130089

The Fisherman’s Fare

Enjoy a wide range of seafood in salads, starters, Oriental gravies, Indian curries n gravies, tikkas, kebabs, rolls, biriyanis, and platters 24, Casa Major Road, Egmore, Phone: 91 44 43506161

The Marina

Acclaimed to be the best only-seafood restaurant in town with a classy ambience, it serves coastal delights in Chinese, North and South Indian varieties 39, College Road, Nungambakkam, Phone: 91 44 42035265

VEG FRIENDLY Annalakshmi

An upscale pure vegetarian restaurant that serves an array of delectable dishes in an ambience that exudes ancient Indian arts and culture 18/3, Rukmani Lakshmipathy Road, Next To Rani Meyyammai Hall, Egmore, Phone: 91 44 28368222

Ashvita Nirvana

A pure vegetarian restaurant that serves a fusion cuisine from Europe and Asia and has a speciality Vegan and Mock Meat menu. Vegan certified by Peta! No.33, 5th Avenue, Besant Nagar, Phone: 91 44 4269 9026

BR Mathsya

Try everything vegetarian, from sizzlers, pastas, pizzas, 12 varieties of dosas, spl thali lunch, to enticing buffets 29/31, Thanikachalam Road, T.Nagar, Phone: 91 7810846679 04442127007

Cream Centre

A leading chain of vegetarian restaurants with all-time favourites and inventive innovations; their trademarks are Mera Sizzler, Bake Me to Heaven, and Sizzling Brownie Fundae 45, College Road, Near Madras Alliance Francaise, Nungambakkam, Phone: 91 44 43561777

Delhi Highway