Asiana Hotel

The classiest silk shop in Chennai?

by IoannaE about Sundari

Judging from the clientele, I have a feeling this must be the classiest silk shops in Chennai. I discovered it thanks to a wedding I attended: I had noticed the bridal party's unusual and tasteful saris - they'd all been purchased at Sundari, including a lovely antique purple one.
The shop is low key and quiet, easy to navigate, its large and comfortable ground-floor sari showroom featuring icons of gods in a neat row above the shelving. They also sell men's readymades and some nice handicrafts on the second floor.

There are many silk shops on Usman road, but I must say this was my favourite. (Maybe because I had a bunch of classy friends advising me - see photo!) Saris: Kanchi silk for traditionalists (and tourists!); chiffon, crepe and georgette are more trendy. average prices for this material.

Relaxing in the Afternoon

by tayloretc about Amethyst at Sundar Mahal

This is an outdoors café set on the veranda and in the gardens of a large old home. They serve coffee and snacks as well as some lighter meals of sandwiches, salads, and small pasta bakes. The food tastes good, and the setting is rare. It’s shady in the afternoon heat and at night strings of lights illuminate the grounds.

There’s an upscale boutique winding through the original home, with unique clothing, accessories, and jewelry by local artists.

GOVERNMENT MUSEUM

by undisputed

One of the finest museums in India, the Government Museum has sections devoted to geology, anthropology, botany, zoology, sculpture and numismatics. The relics from the 2nd century AD Buddhist site 'Amaravati' and the prehistoric South India are the most prized possessions of the museum. The museum has a vast collection of carvings of Hindu, Buddhist and Jain faiths. Collection of South Indian musical instruments and jewelry is worth seeing. The bronze gallery that has a superb collection of ancient icons and modern bronzes that should not be missed at any cost.

Chennai (Madras)

by FruitLover

"Capital of South India"

367-year-old Chennai, also known as Madras, is the capital of the state of Tamil Nadu and is India's fourth largest metropolitan city. It is located on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal. With an estimated population of 7.45 million (2005),

The city is a large commercial and industrial center, and is known for its cultural heritage and temple architecture. The city is the automobile capital of India, with around forty percent of the automobile industry having a base there. The 12 kilometer long Marina Beach forms the city's east coast and is one of the longest beaches in the world.

The name Madras is derived from Madraspatnam, the site chosen by the British East India Company for a permanent settlement in 1639.

The city also has many famous parks like the Guindy National Park, the country's smallest National Park, The Guindy Snake Park, the Arignar Anna Zoological Park (better known as Vandalur Zoo) , the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust and the Horticultural Botanical Garden.

Chennai is also famous for its Kancheepuram hand woven silk sarees, art and crafts, contemporary and traditional artwork, antiques, jewellery and stone sculpture

Chennai lies on the thermal equator, and thus sees little variation in seasonal temperature. Its proximity to the sea gives it a hot and humid climate for most of the year. The highest temperature is obtained in late May and early June usually about 38 ?C (100.4 ?F), The city has somewhat described as having three seasons - hot, hotter and hottest.....

"Local friend"

Special thanks go to my friend Ashwin(VT: A4ASHWIN, the driver in the pic) and his family.
They hosted me in their residence, let me feel like home,
showed me some fascinating touristical destinations around Chennai,
historical and natural.