Chettinad has emerged as one of Tamil Nadu&rsquos niche travel destinations, with multiple heritage mansions welcoming guests from all over the world. The region&rsquos grand architecture and cuisine have been the two key drivers that have wooed the most evolved of travellers.
Visit The Mansions
Chettinad mansions are privately held properties with deep-rooted traditions the families may have migrated, but descendants still return here to celebrate life-events. Despite their struggles with the upkeep and worries over conservation, the owners haven&rsquot yet succumbed to ticketed tourism. Walk these old streets, flanked by massive mansions, some freshly painted and others statuesque with age &mdash Kadiapatti, Pallathur, Kothamangalam and Kanadukathan are particularly atmospheric, and the Raja of Chettinad&rsquos Palace, although not open to visitors, is still worth seeing from outside. You can also visit Lakshmi House, a well-kept mansion in Athangudi that&rsquos let out for film shootings. There&rsquos also the magnificent Verappa Chettiar mansion in Kottaiyur&rsquos K.V. Street, a delightful effort by the M.Rm.Rm. Foundation to restore old homes on lease and enable visitors to see what makes a Chettinad mansion.