Chettinad itinerary

Plan 01

1 day in Chettinad

1. 01

   Day 1: Kanadukathan and Athangudi

   Start in Kanadukathan in the morning to see the Raja's palace from outside and take a tour of the Chettinadu Mansion, then browse a handloom centre for kandangi saris. Drive to Athangudi to watch tiles being made, then have a long Chettinad lunch and a rest. In the late afternoon, stop at the antique lane in Karaikudi before heading back.

Plan 02

2 days in Chettinad

1. 01

   Day 1: Mansions and crafts

   Spend the morning in Kanadukathan with the palace exterior, the Chettinadu Mansion and a handloom centre. After lunch and a rest, visit the Athangudi tile workshops and walk a lane or two of mansions in the village.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Athangudi tile workshops	45–90 minutes	Easy	Morning on a dry day, December to February

   Pace: All the stops today are easy on the legs.

2. 02

   Day 2: Temples and Karaikudi

   Visit Pillayarpatti early for darshan, then Kundrakudi's hill temple if the climb suits you. Return to Karaikudi for lunch and an afternoon at the antique market, with an early evening walk near your hotel.

Plan 03

3 days in Chettinad

1. 01

   Day 1: Kanadukathan

   Explore Kanadukathan on foot in the morning: palace exterior, Chettinadu Mansion and a handloom centre. Rest at your hotel through the afternoon, and take a short village walk or bullock-cart ride at dusk.

2. 02

   Day 2: Athangudi, Pillayarpatti and Kundrakudi

   Watch tiles being made in Athangudi in the morning, then drive to Pillayarpatti for darshan. If energy allows, visit Kundrakudi's hill temple in the late afternoon, when the rock is cooler.

3. 03

   Day 3: Thirumayam and Karaikudi

   Make an early start for Thirumayam Fort and the rock-cut Vishnu temple, return for lunch at your hotel, and spend the late afternoon in Karaikudi's antique lane.

Read before you go

Guides for the stops on these routes

Pacing

Pacing a Chettinad trip for parents and children

• Plan outdoor sights for the first hours of the morning and rest in the afternoon, especially from March to September.
• Ask heritage hotels about steps, stair-free rooms and the walk to dining before booking; many mansions have rooms upstairs.
• Temple visits mean barefoot walking on stone that heats up by midday, so go early or in the evening and carry socks for the car park.
• Hire a car and driver for the whole day; villages are spread out and public transport is limited.
• Keep Kundrakudi's hill climb and Thirumayam's ramparts for cooler hours, and pace yourself.
• Carry water and ask for milder spice levels at meals; Chettinad food can be hot.

Chettinad with elderly parents: the full guide →