Garuda Indonesia Colours Magazine October 2015 | Page 162

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Travel | Festival of Lights

©McKay Savage/flickr; © ccarlstead / flickr

A typically vibrant shop display
with bright stars attracting
attention over the awning.
Puppets for sale at a local
school’s Diwali celebration.

Homes are cleaned
from top to bottom and
beautifully decorated and
illuminated, and windows
and doors are left open to
allow Lakshmi to visit.

A popular Diwali treat in southern India
is ukkarai, a staple sweet in Brahmin homes
made with chana dal, jaggery, ghee, crushed
cashews, raisins, cardamom and grated
coconut. If you prefer something savoury,
you’ll love the South Indian chutney;
sambhar, best with hot and fluffy idli;
as well as omapodi stringy crisps;
and fried chickpea boondhi.
Once you’ve had your fill of Diwali eats,
walk along Marina Beach. At 13km,
it is one of the longest beaches in the world,
set on an urban coast that stretches from
the formidable Fort St George (built in 1644
by the British) to the ancient seaport and
temple complex of Mamallapuram.
With a 6km promenade punctuated with
historical monuments, Marina Beach is a
great place to absorb the local life and energy
as holidaymakers tuck into roast corn and
street food, play cricket on the sand and fly
kites. If you can beat the crowds, definitely
head to the south end of the beach where
the Madras Lighthouse provides panoramic
city, sea and beach views.

Another exhilarating stretch is the 11km-long
Anna Salai or Mount Road, with Parry’s
Corner being the focal point, as one of the
most happening neighbourhoods in the city,
with contemporary restaurants and
boutiques and the famous Burma Bazaar.
For a neighbourhood Diwali vibe visit
T. Nagar, Alwarpet, Poes Garden or
Nungambakkam. These leafy suburbs are
closely linked and have recently undergone
commercial gentrification giving rise to
some of the best eating, drinking, shopping
and accommodation to be found in the city.
Here is where you’ll also meet Chennai’s
warm and welcoming residents, who are
enthusiastic about their city and optimistic
about its future – especially during this
most inspiring Festival of Lights.