Visitor Information in Tamil Nadu

The free magazine CityInfo Chennai (www.explocity.com), published bimonthly, is a good source for shopping, nightlife, events, and other listings. It's available in some stores and in many hotels and restaurants. The "In the City" section of the Friday edition of The Hindu lists cultural events for the coming week.

Within Chennai, the Government of India Tourist Office has offices opposite Spencer's and at the airport's domestic terminal, with knowledgeable staff and a very comprehensive computer database.

There's no tourist office in Kanchipuram, and the one in Mahabalpuram is often closed, so you may want to contact a Chennai tourist office before your trip. In addition to the main tourist office in Madurai, there are branches at the airport and the train station.

In Pondicherry, the very helpful Tourist Information Bureau of the Directorate of Tourism has maps of the area, including one with a detailed heritage walk.

Tourist Offices

Indiatourism (154 Anna Salai, Chennai. 442/846-0285 or 442/846-1459. www.incredibleindia.org. Weekdays 9-6, Sat. 9-1)

Madurai (1 W. Veli St. 452/233-4757. Weekdays 10-5:45). Pondicherry (40 Goubert Ave. 413/233-9497 or 413/233-4575. www.tourism.pon.nic.in. Daily 8:45am-5:30pm). Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (www.tamilnadutourism.org). Thanjavur (Hotel Tamilnadu complex, Gandhi Rd. 436/223-0984. weekdays 10-5:45). Tiruchirappalli (Hotel Tamilnadu complex, 1 Williams Rd. 431/246-0136. Daily 10-6).