Visit this colourful 7th-century-style Dravidian temple to experience ritual, architecture and Tamil Shaiva culture — typical opening hours 6:00am–12:30pm & 4:00pm–8:00pm.
Explore the colonial fort and small museum for the East India Company-era collections; good context for Chennai's history. Museum usually open 9:30am–5:00pm (check for public-holiday closures).
Choose a restaurant specialising in South Indian coastal cuisine to taste Chettinad or Tamil coastal seafood dishes; many fine-dining places open through the evening.
Quiet ashram complex founded by Sri Aurobindo and The Mother — visiting hours typically 6:00am–12:00pm & 2:30pm–6:00pm; maintain silence and respect the routines.
Drive 20–30 minutes to Auroville; the visitor centre is open daily (approx. 9:00am–5:00pm) and Matrimandir viewing requires prior booking — confirm slots online.
Explore palace architecture, bronze and painting collections (closed some weekdays — typically 10:00am–5:00pm); the Saraswathi Mahal Library houses rare manuscripts.
Visit one of the largest functioning temple complexes in India — main visiting windows commonly 4:00am–12:00pm & 4:00pm–8:00pm, with inner sanctum timings varying; plan accordingly for darshan.
Morning descent to Coimbatore (approx. 4.5–5 hours) for onward flights/trains to Bangalore or other destinations — set off early to avoid afternoon traffic.