A Visit to Chennai During Pongal:
We happen to visit Chennai in the month of January and were real fortunate to be able to witness festivities of Pongal. The city was at its best during Pongal, the three days of harvest festival in Chennai. This is the festival of thanksgiving to Sun, Earth and Cow which are significant tools in agriculture. People make offerings to Sun god which includes, sugarcane, sheaves of paddy, vegetables, pulses and more.

Most remarkable was the sight of colourful designs on the floor at the hotel. As I inquired more we were informed that these designs were ritualistic formations which are called Rangoli. With colours usually females of the household decorate the floors during the festival of Pongal.

One Peaceful Evening at Basant Nagar Beach
My trip to Chennai by all means was a professional tour until I visited Basant Nagar Beach. Recommended by my tour operator I finally decided to spend an evening by the ocean. It was an average crowded beach flanked by families with kids making sand palaces, couples walking hand in hand and even some joggers sprinting. Amidst all the chaos of the official meets I found utter tranquillity on the beach.

It is a good way to spend the evenings in Chennai, by relishing the sounds of the waves crashing against the coasts, and soaking the cool breeze from the sea and simply relaxing with feet in the azure waters. To my surprise I saw some adorable street pups running on the beach and for my love of pets I couldn’t stop enjoying the company. My visit to Basant Nagar Beach was truly incredible.

Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Spectacular Shrine of Lord Shiva:
My temple tour to South India included Chennai only as a starting and ending point and yet from the very onset I was intrigued about the city. My tour operator was helpful enough; they thus customized our itinerary very meticulously including a visit to Kapaleeshwarar temple in it. It was then that I was able to visit Kapaleeshwarar Temple and I only am too happy with myself for making that decision.

The spectacular site of Lord Shiva’s shrine, Kapaleeshwarar Temple worships the lord in his Adi Bhagwan form. The temple is said to have been rebuilt during 16th century after being plundered by Portuguese erstwhile. The sight of my amazement was the stunning 37. gopuram as its gateway. Gopuram is the monumental tower; it was a colourfully adorned façade of temple and was topped with a shikhara. Truly a visit to this temple is a must see while touring Chennai.