Egmore is a bustling commercial neighborhood at the edge of Central Chennai. Explore Indian art and anthropology, browse art exhibitions and shop at colorful street markets. Visit religious monuments that range from colonial-era churches to Dravidian-style Hindu temples. Egmore dates back to the 11th century when it was the headquarters of Tamil Nadu during the reign of the Chola kings.
Tour the many exhibitions rooms of the Government Museum, housed inside a complex of ornate buildings erected by the British. It features galleries dedicated to the anthropology, architecture, art and botany of South India. Children can have fun playing with science exhibits and spotting a life-size animatronic Tyrannosaurus rex. Catch performances at the 600-capacity museum theater.
Another noteworthy area of the museum complex is the National Art Gallery. Appreciate the displays of British portraits rock art and Tamil Nadu handicrafts. There are also works by Ravi Varma, who is one of India’s most celebrated painters. Stop by the Connemara Public Library to peruse old books in a decorative reading room.
Hindu devotees move between the neighborhood’s attractive shrines, including 500-year-old Ranganathar Temple. The intricate sculptures of the Meenakshi Temple are superb examples of Dravidian art. Admire the whitewashed neoclassical façade of St. Andrew’s Church, built by the Scottish community in 1821. Study the church’s Corinthian columns, stucco work, stained-glass windows and blue-painted dome.
Cotton Street, a section of Pantheon Road, is the place to go to shop for colorful fabrics and saris. Purchase accessories, footwear, jewelry items and trinkets at Alsa Mall and Fountain Plaza. Food stands serve typical Indian snacks such as omelet sandwiches and jalebi, which is a deep-fried batter coated in syrup.
Egmore is easy to reach by taking trains and the metro to Chennai Egmore station. Jump in an auto-rickshaw to reach the attractions or navigate the lively streets on foot. The neighborhood is a short drive from George Town and Triplicane.
