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Chennai Calling: A Day of Contrasts in the Tamil Capital.

 My name is Ikbal, and this "Travoltage" for ishabil.com details my recent journey to Chennai, the vibrant capital of Tamil Nadu—a city I visited purely to explore a new urban landscape.

🚂 Arrival and Modern Transit

My journey began with a train ride from Tirur at 8:30 PM. I woke up the next morning to the sight of Tamil Nadu's picturesque villages flashing past the window. By 8:00 AM, the train pulled into Chennai Central Railway Station.

I was met there by my friend, Mahmood. We paused to admire the impressive architecture of the railway station and the colonial buildings nearby before hopping onto the Chennai Metro. The journey took us to Guindy.

We briefly checked out Guindy National Park and the sprawling campus of IIT Madras before heading to one of the city's largest shopping centers, Phoenix Mall. After a quick tour and a spot of light shopping, we headed to our accommodation.

⛪ Elevated Views from St. George Mount

After checking into our room and freshening up, the sightseeing began in earnest. The rest of the day's travel was conveniently done on Mahmood's bike.

Our first destination was St. George Mount (locally known as St. Thomas Mount). This hill is crowned by a church and features several statues and small monuments. However, the real draw for me was the magnificent panoramic view it offered. From the mountaintop, we could clearly see the sprawling city, the busy Chennai Airport, and the metro line snaking its way through the urban landscape. It was a fantastic spot to appreciate the size and sprawl of the city.

🌹 Madras War Cemetery: A Sobering Beauty

Descending the hill, our next stop was the Madras War Cemetery. This was a profoundly moving experience. The cemetery is dedicated to those who lost their lives in World War II. It features 856 marble plaques, each inscribed with the name of a fallen soldier.

The site’s meticulous upkeep was astounding. The manicured lawns, the rows of stark white marble headstones, and the colorful flowers and trees created an atmosphere of peace and dignity that felt almost foreign, making you forget you were in the middle of a bustling Indian city.

🌊 Marina Beach and Coastal Delights

From the quiet solitude of the cemetery, we plunged into the vibrant energy of the world-famous Marina Beach.

We first visited the prominent memorials along the beach, including the resting places of late Chief Ministers M.G.R. (M.G. Ramachandran), J. Jayalalithaa, and C.N. Annadurai (Anna).

We then walked along the extensive stretch of the beach, soaking in the late-night atmosphere. To cap off the day, we indulged in local street food specialties—savory fried fish and various bajjis—a perfect coastal treat. We returned to the room late, around 11:00 PM.

✈️ The Little Bombardier to Calicut

The next morning began early with a trip to Chennai Airport. My flight back to Kozhikode (Calicut) was on a SpiceJet Bombardier aircraft. This was my first time flying on such a small, turboprop plane, which accommodates fewer than 80 passengers. Compared to larger jets, the engine noise and vibration were noticeably higher, but it offered a unique flying experience.

Upon landing in Kozhikode, I was met by Umarali on his bike, and we headed straight home, concluding a short but densely packed adventure through the cultural, historical, and modern facets of Chennai.

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