Tamil Nadu

Flocked by people from all around the world looking for spirituality and "Union with the One", Auroville is the heart and soul of the city of Pondicherry.

This 3 and a half hour activity where you will get to explore Auroville is one of the most unique and exciting experiences here.

Crowded markets, narrow lanes, chaotic traffic, and noisy hawkers!Majestic buildings, fascinating history, vivid colours and mesmerizing images.

What do buildings tell you about a city? Quite a lot, if you only lent an ear to their stories. The British left behind a rich legacy – their language, their bureaucracy, their education system and their buildings. And these monuments are a window into Chennai’s past.

Can you get high on green grass? Care to get sloshed in a paddy field? Is birdsong your idea of great music? Do chicks of the feathered variety turn you on? Then how does the idea of a day spent discovering the charms of Chennai’s countryside sound to you?

Dance – the most expressive way of telling a story. And dance, in every region, tells the story of its people.

The region is home to some exquisite arts and crafts, including the famous Tanjore paintings that usually depict Hindu gods, goddesses and saints and are embellished with gold foil and inlay of semi-precious stones. Watch artists create these iconic paintings on shops on South Street, or visit one of the dealers who works from home.

Madurai is seriously ancient. Its recorded history goes back as far as the 3rd century BC. And from then to now, it seems to have been populated by gourmands. There are written recipes dating back to the time when Jesus walked on earth, and which are followed till date.

Pav bhaji, pal kova, thattu idli and murukku sandwich – words that can make any foodie drool. How would you like these served with a fistful of spicy stories? Stories of people and their passion for food, of food fetishes that are as laughable as thought provoking, and of recipes that are jealously guarded secrets.

A piece of jewellery is an indication of your personal taste, but could it also be a vehicle to advertise your caste, religion, region, economic status and marital status?

What lies beneath a temple tower? So you think you are in control of your destiny? What transforms a piece of ordinary rock into a venerable deity?

Madurai is a flourishing market town since at least the 2nd century BC, the centre of power for many dynasties and a seat of divinity from time immemorial.

Ever wondered why there are so many Gods in India? Or what the stars have to do with your future?

There are many stories hidden away in the mundane rituals of daily life. And as you walk through Mylapore, you’ll discover that every sight you behold has a story to tell.

At first glance, it is the archetypal Indian village – sun burned and sleepy. But walk in, and you can’t help but spot the dolls, of all sizes and in various stages of making.

To a casual onlooker there are two Indias – the North and the South. But look deeper and each region and each community in the South comes with a very distinct set of customs, quirks and ways of life.

Cardamom, coriander, turmeric, ginger, tamarind, asafoetida… the stars of Indian cuisine are many, and each has a unique personality that it lends unabashedly to every preparation.

The spice trail is an exploratory journey through Indian cuisine.

Cardamom, coriander, turmeric, ginger, tamarind, asafoetida… the stars of Indian cuisine are many, and each has a unique personality that it lends unabashedly to every preparation.

The spice trail is an exploratory journey through Indian cuisine.

Pondicherry, being a former French Colony, has a number of great monuments and brilliant pieces of architecture spread across the town. This walking tour of the region is a great way to explore the heritage and architectural beauty of the region.

Tanjore is a great place to pick up the traditional Tanjore dolls, with their bobbing heads—the area around the Punainallur Mariamman Temple has many small shops. Stock up on authentic Tanjore paintings embellished with semi-precious stones and gold foil. Another thing to pick up is bronze statues of gods and goddesses.