Shopping
Shopping in Chennai can be fun when you visit the right places. The influx of tourists and business executives has given rise to several shopping malls and markets. There are quite a number of shopping centers in Chennai where you can step in to pick your choice. But one has to be a good bargainer. You will find both traditional shopping stores as well as sophisticated malls.
One should take a look at Pattamara mats and the leaf and Palmyra-fiber handicrafts of Tirunellvel, traditional jeweleries of Kumbakonam, and exotic metal carvings of Tanjavur and stone works of Mamallapuram.
For shopping ethnic items and craftworks, the Government Emporiums in Chennai are the best places to search for. Victoria Technical Institute at Anna Salai is one such place where one can get handicrafts from all parts of India.
The local handicrafts are available at Sipa's Craftlink at Kodambakkam High Road. From Cane's Bamboo located at Egmore, one can avail beautiful crafts at a much cheaper rate as compared to the other emporiums.
And if you are looking forward to add up to your wardrobe, then a visit to Auroville at Khaddar Nawaz Khan Road is a must. Shopping over here in Chennai gives a lot of satisfaction. Ethnic clothes and trendy shoes are available at this place. For ladies who love wearing silks, Vardharams at Harrington Road, Chetput is the right place for Kanchipuram silk. Other places where you can step in for excellent collection of saris are Nallis and Co-Optex. Pothy's at Usman Road has a huge collection of saris, cottons and silk items. This place also has big jewelery shops like Lalitha Jewelery and Prince Jewelery. The Pondy Bazaar and the Pangal Park markets are great places to shop at.