5 things the Aircel Chennai Open players can do while they are in India

Called ‘India’s gateway to the South’, Chennai is a vibrant city boasting of rich cultural heritage, mesmerizing art and delectable food. The city’s warm and hospitable atmosphere will make the weeklong sojourn of the Aircel Chennai Open players a memorable one.For the players that include French Open champion Stan Wawrinka, Kevin Anderson, Roberto Bautista Agut and Borna Coric, this is a grand opportunity to find out more about India’s history and grandeur. Here are five things they can do during their visit to the Tamil Nadu capital:

#1 Visiting Marina Beach

At 13km, Chennai’s Marina Beach is the longest natural urban beach in India and the world’s second longest such beach. Devoid of rocky formations, the smooth silvery sand allows for a peaceful walk along the coast. Besides that, the Marina is a delight for photography lovers as the pristine and exquisitely beautiful settings contribute to some marvellous photos of sunrise and sunset.

No wonder the beach is a hotspot for families and welcomes as many as 50, 000 people daily during the weekends.

#2 Making a trip to the Mahabalipuram Shore Temple

Situated 57km from the Tamil Nadu capital, the two-towered Mahabalipuram Shore Temple is one of the most splendid architectural specimens of India. The temple, overlooking the Bay of Bengal, holds a testimony of the engineering prowess of the Pallava dynasty that ruled between the sixth and the ninth centuries.

The granite mausoleum was built during the reign of the Pallava king, Narasimhavarman II in the 8th century and still draws thousands of devotees everyday. This magnificent temple is not to be missed during any visit to Chennai.

#3 Witnessing the making of Kanjivaram sarees

The Kanchipuram district of Tamil Nadu is a hub of the most-sought after Kanjivaram sarees, made from pure mulberry silk. At a distance of just 72km, the place can be the perfect getaway for the players from the din and bustle of the city on their day off.

The weaving of these sarees by the efficient artisans is a thing to marvel at. The weaving community of Kanchipuram dates back to the time of the great Vijayanagara emperor Krishnadevaraya in the 16th century.

The Kanjivaram is often called South India’s answer to the eminent Banarasi sarees of Varanasi. The intricacy of the work on these silk sarees is what makes them stand out. It is definitely a matter of prestige to be able to own one such elegant Kanjivaram and these sarees can be the perfect souvenir from Chennai for the players’ family members.

#4 Savouring South Indian delicacies

No trip to Chennai is complete without feasting on the indigenous South Indian delicacies. These popular and famous dishes have been savoured by Indians and foreigners alike for years and are extremely healthy.

Fermented rice is the main ingredient for both the thin, crispy pancakes called ‘dosa’ and the round ‘idlis’. What makes these easy to digest is the fact that the fermentation helps to break down the starch in the food and thus facilitates in metabolism. They are served with sambar (a lentil soup mixed with vegetables) and rasam (a tamarind juice-infused soup).

While dosa can be enjoyed for snacks or even as staple food, idlis are a great choice for breakfast.

#5 Marvelling at the collections of the Government Museum

For history aficionados, the Government Museum is a place of heaven. This treasure trove, built in 1851, is the second oldest museum in whole of India. It has an enviable collection of artifacts from fields as diverse as sculpture, natural history, zoology and numismatics to name a few.

Not only that, it also has the largest assemblage of Roman antiquities in a museum located outside of Europe.

The museum complex also hosts the National Art Gallery which should be on the itinerary of every art connoisseur. The gallery houses rare works of revered artists such as the renowned Raja Ravi Varma, who is considered as one of the greatest painters to have ever lived in India.