Chettinad Trips & Tours

Follow a trail of trade and gemstones to the opulent mansions and rich legacy of Chettinad.

The name Chettinad actually refers to a collection of villages, around 76 in total, located in the dusty southern reaches of Tamil Nadu. The area is the homeland of the Chettiars, a banking community who, in the time of the Chola dynasty, made a fortune in trading gems. Today, the region is awash with the palatial houses that sprang up from their years of international travel – a teak door from Burma here, some Italian marble there – and a wander through the villages, particularly Karaikudi, is sure to illicit a few gasps. After a night in one such magnificent mansion, hit the markets; with rows and rows of stalls dedicated to textiles, silver, furniture, antiques, and even kitchenware, there are more shopping opportunities than you can shake a suitcase at. And of course, you can’t leave without trying a peppery Chettinad curry…

Trips

Chettinad Trips & Tours

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India

Best of Kerala & Tamil Nadu

14 nights from $6.1K per person

Chennai Tamil Nadu Pondicherry

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Things to do

What to do in Chettinad

Behind ornate doorways carved from Burma teak, centuries of trading wealth manifests in mansions where Italian marble meets Birmingham pillars. Artisans still hand-press vibrant Athangudi tiles, their patterns echoing the spice-laden history of merchant princes who once sailed to Southeast Asia. In ancient kitchens, complex masalas sizzle in heritage recipes, while morning light filters through Belgian glass onto antique Burmese lacquerware. Whether you're sampling fiery crab curry served on banana leaves, watching traditional tile-makers at work, or discovering forgotten mansions in sleepy villages, this architectural treasure preserves Tamil Nadu's most opulent trading legacy.

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