Travel Guide Chettinad

In Impartiality, De and Thanjavur (approx. 85 km), the small region of Chettinad comprises 76 villages and the main town of Karaikudi. This region is part of the district of Sivaganaga. Terre des Chettiars, a prosperous and endogamous marchands, is full of palaces that are often quite décrépites, which have had their hour of glory in the th or early th centuries. As a builder, the Chettiars were used as a guarantor of the British Raj. They had built their fortunes on trade with South-East Asia, including by installing desks in Burma and Malaysia. Today, the maritime and commercial glory of the Chettiars belongs to the past, but many members of that community exercise liberal professions. The younger generations deserted the villages of Chettinad for large Indian cities or abroad. The finesse of the Chettinad cuisine, very spicy and famous throughout southern India, as well as some beautiful houses transformed into hotels testify to past grandeur. Despite its treasures, the region remains poorly frequented by foreign tourists.