Chettinad Tourism

"Palaces, Places of Worship and Palates" Chettinad Tourism Located in the Sivaganga district of Tamil Nadu, Chettinad showcases the rich heritage, striking art and grand architecture of the state. The word "Chetti" is a Sanskrit term meaning wealth. It is derived from the original traders of the region who dealt in salt and spices for marbles and other decorative items used in the construction of their properties. The place is touted as a temple town, but it is also a foodie?s paradise. There is more to Chettinad other than just an exotic cuisine. It has an elaborately vibrant culture and an over the top extortionate township comprising of ridiculously opulent mansions, palatial homes, magnificent temples and fascinating museums. Chettinad comprises mainly a town known as Karaikudi and a cluster of 96 surrounding villages. The town has perhaps, the most elaborate and rich culture and some truly fascinating traditions. The place is very much in India, but it dances to its own tunes. There are temples, palaces, museums, amazing food and everything else you will wish for in a vacation. This place will still stay in your memory for its amazing history and the truly memorable experience. Download Chettinad PDF Guide > What's Great? Reflects the heritage of South India through ancient palaces. Gorgeous architecture and structure of the buildings. Has beautiful temples for the spiritual retreat. Authentic Chettinad cuisine to satisfy your taste buds. Good connectivity with the major cities of Tamil Nadu. What's not so Great? Chettinad has no airport. Limited options are available in terms of food items. Small town with a few options for sightseeing. Not an all-weather tourist spot. For Whom Chettinad is for those people who like to explore the ancient side of India. If you are interested in visiting the palaces of the bygone era and learn about the heritage and architectural style of South India, you must visit Chettinad. It is also a good place for religious people, as Chettinad has some beautiful temples with great significance.

History The tiny tinsel town of Chettinad is a reflection of its glorious ancient past. The origin began in the early 13th century when the tribe called Nattukotai Chettiars settled in the region due to a massive flood in their original settlement. This land came to be known as Chettinad (Land of Chettiars) in 1947 which was just a cluster of 96 villages, 74 of which still exist today. The Chettiars are considered to be banking legends who were flourishing traders. They traded salt and spices for construction materials and furnishing items which explain its elaborate architecture. These mansions can still be seen till date, some of which have been converted into luxury hotels.

One Day Itinerary Day 1:Start your day with some spirituality. Explore the temples of Chettinad. First, go to Vairavan Kovil Temple. Then visit Karpaga Vinayakar temple. You can also head towards Kundrakudi Murugan temple. Day 2:Visit the grand Chettinad Palace which was constructed in 1912. Karaikudi is around 10 km away Chettinad Palace. Day 3:Go on an eating spree in Chettinad. Visit a few restaurants and taste the authentic Chettinad cuisine. As Chettinad's chicken is quite famous, go to a non-vegetarian restaurant to get your fix. Day 4:Shop at the local market of Chettinad and buy some souvenirs. Get ready to bid farewell to the lovely town of Chettinad.

Restaurants and Local Food in Chettinad Unlike a lot of other places that offer indulgence to your eyes, Chettinad also teases your palate. Some of South India's most celebrated and rare dishes come from this region. The chief among them are Ukkarai, Kandarappam, Karupatti Paniyaram, Kavanarisi, Pal Paniyaram, Thenkuzhal and Seepu seedai among many others. Another very popular dish of the region is the 'Chicked Chettinad'. View 2 Restaurants in Chettinad >>

Nov-Maris the best time to visit Chettinad Chettinad attracts a lot of tourists because of its spellbinding palaces, wide stretches of greenery and beautiful temples. The best season to visit Chettinad is winters. The temperature is cool during this month, and you get to explore Chettinad in all its magnificence. During the summers, the temperature gets high. Due to sweating and dehydration, you might feel nauseous. The season of monsoon is high on humidity, so it is very difficult to stay fresh and active in this season. Weather in Chettinad Loading... Chettinad in Summer (March - June) Summer season begins in March and stretches up to the month of June in Chettinad. The temperature rises rapidly and gets as high as 40 degrees Celsius. The weather is not suitable for visiting Chettinad, as you may feel dehydrated and queasy. It gets really difficult to explore different areas of Chettinad, as the scorching heat makes it uncomfortable to remain outside for long. So, it'd be better to skip going to Chettinad in summers if you can't stand hot weather. Chettinad in Monsoon (June - September) The season of monsoon reinvigorates the atmosphere of Chettinad. Frequent showers bring new liveliness in the surroundings of this city. The rainy season starts in the month of June and goes on till the month of September. The temperature ranges from 27 degrees Celsius to 35 degrees Celsius. Due to the high temperature, humidity increases in the air. If you want to visit Chettinad in this season, you have to tackle the damp weather and fluctuating temperature. Chettinad in Winter (December - February) Winters are the best time to explore the city of Chettinad. The season of winters start in December and lasts till the chilly month of February. The temperature ranges from 20 degrees Celsius to 30 degrees Celsius. In the winters, the temperature is cool, and you can wander around this beautiful city comfortably. The weather is perfect, as the days remain warm and the nights are generally cold. Monthly Weather in Chettinad Month Avg. Minimum (°C) Avg. Maximum (°C) January 22 31 February 21 33 March 25 36 April 28 40 May 28 39 June 27 38 July 26 36 August 27 37 September 26 36 October 25 35 November 24 32 December 22 31