Nakshatra Serviced Apartments

Rajiv Gandhi Memorial: Wall

by NedHopkins

On one side of the Rajiv Gandhi Memorial is a bas relief wall with scenes of Indian commerce, industry, and life. While it doesn't rival Arjuna's Penance in nearby Mamallapuram -- and won't last nearly so long -- it is an attractive piece and a fitting tribute to the man who sparked India's economic renaissance.

Excellent Day-to-Day Fare

by tayloretc about Sangeetha

Vegetarian only. This is an always-packed, three-story restaurant with excellent sit-down or takeaway options. Downstairs is sweltering and chaotic; upstairs is quieter and air-conditioned. Either way the food is good.

Take out works as follows:

1) Go to the counter behind the circular staircase and place your order (on the right). They will give you a receipt and a token. Do not under any circumstance lose your token.

2) Go back to the payment counter beside the main entrance.

3) The person at the payment counter will take your money and stamp your reciept(s).

4) Go to the small service window at the far end of the restaurant (where the crowd is). Push your way to the front. (It's not rude, really.) Hand your stamped receipt to anyone who will acknowledge your presence. Remember their face. Try not to be trampled by other customers or the wait staff. Eventually the number on your token will be called (in Tamil, unless they see you're a foreigner, so either learn numbers to about 500 in Tamil or else stay visible) and someone will hand you a bag of food in exchange for the token. If after about 20 minutes you don't hear your number, flash your token and look sad at the person who took your receipt, and they will find your food.

Hint - if you order a combo meal of some kind you're less likely to end up with huge chunks of mind-bendingly hot chilli in your food. I've no idea why.

Practical note - takeaway dinner options aren't available until after 7pm. 150 rupees earns you delivery, but that can take hours - better to go and wait. The northern and southern thalis (samplers, basically) are great; paneer butter masala with naan; paneer tikka. Masala dosa take-away (in a banana leaf).

Note: if you are not a native of southern India and you order a southern Indian thali you will need a lassi*. If you order paneer butter masala takeaway you will probably need one - if not that day, then definitely for leftovers. You will probably survive a masala dosa without a lassi.

*A lassi is a yoghurt-based drink. Sweet = with sugar, plain = watery and kind of salty.

Theater

by tayloretc

Contemporary theater isn’t supported much, so it’s almost all either traditional (focused during the Dec/Jan festival season), or amateur. There are some professional theater troupes around, although I know at least one of them doesn’t actually get paid for their work. The couple of amateur performances I’ve seen have been very good. You can sign up for alerts at the website below. Also, check the bulletin boards at bookstores.

You may have to do some research into the venue location - they can be out of the way, and the average auto or taxi driver probably won’t know where they are.

Early years of my life

by lisa_aruliah

"My home"

Madras was were I was born. It's where I went to school. Until three years ago, I called Madras home.

India as a whole is a beautiful country. No one should ever miss an opportunity to visit. One day I hope to travel all through India, starting from Kanyakumari and travel right up to Kashmir.

Kanyakumari

by holyman

Here is another of my pics wearing kurta pyjamas (a traditional Indian dress), at Kanyakumari. One more step and I'm ready to fall of the map of India! In the background is the Vivekanand rock memorial.