Chennai India Travel Tips

Chennai: Travel Tips and Etiquette

Chennai, the vibrant capital of Tamil Nadu, is a city with a rich history, culture, and tradition. Here are some key etiquette tips to help you navigate Chennai’s culture and ensure a respectful and enjoyable trip:

Greetings and Communication:

  • The “Namaste” Gesture: When meeting someone, greet them with a “Namaste” (placing your palms together in front of your chest) and a slight bow. This is a common and respectful greeting in India.
  • Respect for Elders: Always show respect to elders by addressing them politely and allowing them to go first.

Clothing:

  • Modesty: Dress modestly, especially when visiting temples. Shoulders and legs should be covered.
  • Traditional Wear: Consider wearing a traditional garment like a “dhoti” (a long piece of cloth wrapped around the waist) or a “lungi” (a sarong-like garment). This is a great way to immerse yourself in the local culture and show respect for religious sites.

Temple Etiquette:

  • Dress Code: Remove your footwear before entering any temple, regardless of religion. Most temples have designated areas for storing shoes.

  • Dress respectfully: Cover your shoulders and legs with loose-fitting clothing. Many temples require a saree or shawl for women and a dhoti for men.

  • Cleanliness: Ensure you are clean and presentable.

  • Photography: Check the rules at each temple, as some may have restrictions on photography.

  • Offerings: It’s customary to bring offerings to temples, such as flowers or incense.

Temple:

  • Dress Code:

    • Women: Traditionally, women wear sarees (long draped garments) inside temples in Chennai.
    • Men: It’s expected that men dress conservatively.

  • Respect the Deity: Always face the deity when making an offering or praying.

General Etiquette:

  • Shoes: Remove your shoes before entering someone’s home or a place of worship.

  • Shoes: Place them neatly facing the wall, and remove footwear with religious symbols (like flowers) before entering.

  • Right Hand: Use your right hand for eating, giving gifts, and shaking hands.

  • Greetings: The traditional greeting is “Vanakkam,” which is similar to “Namaste” and is often used in Tamil Nadu, especially in Chennai.

  • Dress: Dress modestly, especially when visiting temples. This typically means covering your shoulders and knees.

  • Respect for Elders: In India, respect for elders is paramount. You’ll find it’s common practice to:

    • Use the honorific “uncle” or “aunty” for older men and women.

    • Offer a seat to elders on public transportation.

  • Hands: Use your right hand for giving and receiving offerings, gifts, and greetings.

  • Temple: Remember that temples are sacred spaces. Remove your shoes before entering the temple and cover your head with a scarf or shawl if you are a woman and wish to make a purchase at the temple.

  • Food: Avoid touching food with your left hand, and use it for only accepting or passing food.

Religious Etiquette:

  • Dress Code: Avoid wearing revealing clothing.

  • Temples: Be aware that some temples may have specific rules regarding dress code and attire. It’s best to research the temple you are visiting beforehand.

  • Shoes: Remove your shoes before entering a temple and place them in the designated area.

  • Temple Offerings: Respect the sanctity of the temple by dressing appropriately (typically covering shoulders and knees).

  • Respectful Behaviour:

    • Speak softly and respectfully inside temples.
    • Remove hats, shoes, and sunglasses when entering a temple.
    • Avoid pointing your feet at anything or anyone.

Shoes:

  • Footwear: It’s customary to remove your shoes before entering a temple.

Food:

  • Avoid: Eating meat in temples is prohibited as it is considered disrespectful by Hindus.
  • Shoes: Remove your footwear and place them neatly outside the entrance.
  • Respectful Attire: Wear modest clothing, covering your shoulders and knees.

Temple Etiquette:

  • Remove Shoes: Take off your shoes before entering a temple and leave them in the designated area.

  • Dress Code: Wear traditional clothes:

    • Men are expected to wear traditional attire like a dhoti.

    • Many people, especially those who are older or have a higher social standing, may be given special respect by others.

  • Clothing: Ensure your shoulders and arms are covered with a shawl, and dress modestly.

Food:

  • Temple food: Temple food is often vegetarian.

  • Eating with Hands:

Use only your right hand when eating.

  • Feet: Avoid pointing your feet at anything or anyone.
  • Shoes: Remove shoes before entering the temple, and leave them in the designated shoe storage area.

Respect for Religious Practices:

  • Temple:

    • Remove hats, shoes, and sunglasses upon entering a temple.

    • Dress modestly and respectfully:

    • Be mindful of local customs and traditions.

  • Dress:

    • Wear modest clothing when visiting temples. This usually means covering your shoulders and knees, and wearing clothes that are not transparent or revealing.

Food:

  • Temple food: Use this as an opportunity to learn about the cultural significance of food and how it is used in rituals.
  • Feet: Avoid turning your back on religious statues or deities.

Follow these tips to have a respectful and enjoyable visit to Chennai:

  • Dress modestly: This applies everywhere, but is especially important when visiting temples.
  • Learn about the customs: Research the specific rules for the temple you plan to visit.

Temple Etiquette:

  • Dress appropriately:

Cover your shoulders and knees.

  • Remove shoes: Leave them in the designated area outside the temple.

  • Wear a scarf or shawl: Cover your head with a scarf or shawl as a sign of respect for the sacred space.

  • Dress: Dress in a way that reflects the importance of the occasion (temple visits).

  • Dress Code: Wear traditional attire when visiting a temple.

  • Respectful Behaviour:

    • Remove footwear and hats before entering.

  • Temple Etiquette:

    • Dress respectfully: Shoulders and legs should be covered, and it’s considered polite to remove your shoes and socks.

Carry a small donation box or bag (usually found at the entrance)

  • Dress:

Wear traditional attire like a dhoti.

  • Respectful Behaviour:

Remove footwear before entering the temple and learn about any specific rules for visiting the temple.

Remember: Respecting the local culture is crucial for a smooth and enjoyable trip. Ask your hotel or tour guide for tips on appropriate dress and behavior at religious sites.