Chennai Mylapore Walking Tour: Temples, Basilica & Filter Coffee

4.98

(233 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

We were already dodging scooters and flower sellers by the time our guide, Arjun, waved us over near the Kapaleeshwarar Temple. I could smell jasmine before I saw it — garlands everywhere, women in bright saris threading them with such quick hands. Inside the temple, the air was thick with incense and something earthy (maybe sandalwood?). Arjun tried to explain why there are so many Hindu gods — honestly, I lost track after a while but his stories made it feel less overwhelming. He pointed out a priest flicking water on a stone idol and said something about rituals for prosperity. I remember thinking: this place is loud but somehow calming at the same time.

After that we wandered down narrow lanes to the Ramakrishna Math. It was quieter there — almost too quiet after the temple chaos. Our guide shared how Ramakrishna believed all religions lead to the same truth. There was this moment when an old man in white just smiled at us as we passed; he didn’t say anything but it felt like he knew why we were there (or maybe he just liked tourists). Then came the Jain temple — Vasupujya Swami — all marble floors and cool shadows. I tried to whisper “Namaste” but probably messed up the pronunciation; Arjun grinned and said it’s the effort that counts.

The San Thome Basilica felt like another world altogether — tall ceilings, stained glass catching late sun, and these relics of St Thomas behind glass (a small bone, even the lance head). There was a hush inside that made me lower my voice without thinking. Someone lit a candle nearby and for a second you could smell wax over everything else. We finished in some tiny café with steel tumblers of filter coffee — strong, sweet, with that weirdly comforting chicory taste. I still think about that first sip when Chennai gets too noisy in my head.