Chennai has several emporia along the famous Mount Road (popularly referred to as Anna Salai), which runs North to South at a length of about 8 Kms which offers a range of products, Hotels, Restaurants and a feast of glittering showrooms. Previously known as Madras, it is the capital of Tamil Nadu which lies on the South Eastern tip of India. Towards the East is the Port, which opens out to the Bay of Bengal. The old city lies adjacent to the port and within a Km. from the Railway Station. The residents of the old city are mostly Marwaris originally from the State of Rajasthan and Gujaratis who are known to have trade in their blood. This part of the city therefore is also known as Sowcar Pet.
About 7 Kms to the North West lies the Anna Nagar where the up market brands are available and no bargaining is necessary since all goods are sold as per the price lists of the manufacturers.
3 Kms from the Station towards the west lies Egmore, an upcoming up market shopping area mostly housing Shopping Plazas and Department Stores.
Further down south the Cathedral Road intersects Anna Salai at Gemini Circle, better known for the residents who are none other than Film stars or political big wigs. The elite, who demand nothing less than the best.
T. Nagar (Tyagaraja Nagar) as is it known is towards the South of Anna Salai and also has good showrooms where one could pick up some typical South Indian favorites like Kanchipuram Silks, Wood crafts etc.
Adyar is a suburban market area towards the southern most part of Chennai, adjoining the IIT and CSIR campus.
Other areas like Vepery have mostly household items. Burma Bazar sells so-called imported items. Be careful what you pick up and at what price.
Indian handicrafts and bronze artifacts can be bought from the Govt. backed Victoria Technical Institute and the Poompuhar (a Government of Tamil Nadu Undertaking), also at Anna Salai. The best of India’s silk comes from Kanchipuram, which is available at Mylapore near the Kapaleshwar Temple, Panagal Park, Pondi Bazar at T.Nagar.
The Central Cottage Industries Emporium sells varieties of handicrafts from all over India.
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