The Best Things To Do In Chennai's Nungambakkam Neighbourhood

For all intents and purposes, Nungambakkam is the central and most-important hub for all of Chennai. Its strategic location offers the neighbourhood great connectivity with almost all parts of Chennai and has made it a choice destination for almost every business in the city, from shopping to drinks and movies. In short, Nungambakkam is to Chennai what Hauz Khas Village is to Delhi and what Bandra is to Mumbai. So if you like being spoilt for choice as to what to do in the city, heading to Nungambakkam is your best bet. Here are some activities that you definitely shouldn’t give a miss when in Nungambakkam.

Shopping at Khader Nawaz Khan Road

Only until a few years back, Khader Nawaz Khan Road was rated one of India’s costliest retail spaces in the whole country. While other shopping districts in major metros may have overtaken it in recent years, the road still remains one of Chennai’s most sought-after retail destination and is home to the most number luxury retail outlets in the city. From the uber-luxe Bergamo Mall to Adidas Originals and Calvin Klein outlets, KNK Road is decked with several high-street brands. It is also home to a number of great local labels such as Silkworm Boutique that is a choice retailer for everything silk.

Khader Nawaz Khan Road, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Green Spaces

While the neighbourhood itself is quite an urban jungle, Nungambakkam boasts of easy access to two of the biggest parks and green spaces in Chennai – the Valluvar Kottam and Semmozhi Poonga. Located just off the Kodambakkam High Road, the sprawling Valluvar Kottam is not just a park but also an architectural destination that boasts of a unique 39m chariot with all 1330 verses of the foremost work of literature in Tamil, the Thirukkural. On the other side of the neighbourhood is the recently constructed Semmozhi Poonga, which is a sprawling 8 ha complex with scenic walkways, manicured gardens, an amphitheatre and even artificial duck ponds.

Valluvar Kottam, Kodambakkam High Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Semmozhi Poonga, Cathedral Road, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

The Semmozhi Poonga is one of Chennai’s largest public parks

Catch a play or a performance at stage venues

Harrington Road’s Sir Mutha Venkatasubba Rao Concert Hall is counted among Chennai’s best venues for both stage theatre and live performances. The venue regularly hosts both regional and English theatre presentations from reputed production houses such as Evam and has also hosted festivals such as the Hindu Theatre Fest. The venue also regularly hosts stand-up shows and has also hosted popular comics such as Kenny Sebastian and Naveen Richard. Apart from the SMVRCH, another immensely popular stage venue near Nungambakkam is the Museum Theatre on Pantheon Road. Other popular venues for plays, theatre and performances are the Chinmaya Heritage Centre and the Alliance Francaise of Madras.