Mylapore Walking Tour: Kapaleeshwarar Temple & San Thome Church

Summary

Guided Heritage Walk in Chennai’s Mylapore Neighborhood

You’ll walk through Mylapore’s lively streets, explore ancient temples and churches with a local guide, sample snacks, and see Chennai as locals do—up close and personal.

What’s the experience like?

It’s barely 8:30 am and the streets of Mylapore are already humming. I could smell jasmine from the flower stalls before I even saw the temple’s gopuram peeking above the rooftops. Our guide, Arvind, waved us over—he’d already picked up a handful of fresh marigolds for the group. We ducked into narrow lanes, dodging scooters and the odd cow, and passed old homes with faded blue doors and tiny kolam patterns chalked on the steps. The Kapaleeshwarar Temple felt alive—bells ringing, priests chanting, women in bright saris offering coconuts. Arvind pointed out carvings on the pillars that I’d have missed on my own, and explained how this spot has been sacred for centuries, even before Chennai was Chennai.

We wandered through the bazaar next—rows of silk shops with their shutters half-up, gold jewelry stores glittering under tube lights, and fruit sellers calling out prices in Tamil. There was a moment when a street vendor handed me a slice of guava sprinkled with chili salt; honestly, it was the best thing I tasted all morning. After weaving through music stores and past kutcheri halls (you’ll hear snatches of Carnatic music if you’re lucky), we hopped into an auto-rickshaw for a quick ride to San Thome Church. The air inside was cool and still—a real contrast to the buzz outside. By noon, we ended up at Saravana Bhavan for crispy dosas and strong filter coffee. It’s a lot packed into three hours, but you really get a feel for Mylapore’s rhythm.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Mylapore Temple and Surroundings

• Visit Kapaleeshwarar Temple
• Visit San Thome Church and Saravana Bhavan snacks

Top questions

Is this walking tour suitable for older travelers?

The walk is mostly flat with plenty of stops, but there are some narrow lanes and uneven surfaces. If you’re comfortable walking for about 3 hours at a relaxed pace, you should be fine.

Are temple entry fees or snacks included?

Yes, all entry fees and local refreshments (like coffee and snacks) are included in your booking.

What should I wear or bring?

Light clothing works best—it can get warm even in the morning. Comfortable shoes are a must. You might want to bring a scarf or shawl for temple visits.

What’s included

Your spot covers bottled water, all entrance fees, local snacks (think dosas or vadas), plus your friendly guide throughout the walk—and yes, that fun auto-rickshaw ride is included too.