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A morning walk around Mylapore
Luz Corner, the temple tank and the lanes in between: a short walking route around our store.
Mylapore is one of the oldest parts of Chennai, and many customers who visit the store make a morning of it. This is the route our staff suggest, about two hours on foot including stops.
Start early, around 7 am, at the Kapaleeshwarar temple tank, when the steps are quiet and the light falls low across the water. Walk around the tank once and you will pass flower sellers stringing jasmine and shops selling brass lamps and puja items along the streets that run off it. During festival days, especially the Arupathimoovar procession in March or April, the streets around the temple are packed, so plan for crowds.
From the tank, walk down towards Luz Corner through the side streets lined with old houses with thinnais, the raised verandahs where people still sit in the evening. Luz Church itself, one of the oldest churches in the city, is a short walk east. Nageswara Rao Park, just beyond, is a good place for a shaded bench and a filter coffee from a flask if you bring one.
Our store opens at 10 am, which fits neatly after the walk. Wear something light: the lanes are narrow, the sun is high by 9.30, and you will sweat. A linen shirt with rolled sleeves and loose trousers is exactly what this walk needs. If you try something on and need it altered, the tailors will have it ready before you have finished your second coffee.
