Major city · India
Mangadu
Half a day is enough for Mangadu: visit the Kamakshi Amman Temple, then move on to Chennai or Mamallapuram.
Mangadu is a western suburb of Chennai, best known for the Kamakshi Amman Temple, a Shakti shrine with a busy morning and evening puja schedule. The town itself is small and residential; most visitors come for the temple and leave within a few hours. Nearby Kundrathur has two old Shiva and Murugan temples, and Chembarambakkam Lake is a short detour. Plan a half-day stop, not an overnight stay.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- INR
- Best months
- Nov–Feb
- avoid Apr–Jun (heat)
- Airport
- MAA
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Mangadu112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Mangadu, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.India-wide
- SIM or eSIMJio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.India-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.India-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.India-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/D/M. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.India-wide
- SafetyMangadu is a safe suburb; standard India precautions apply — keep valuables out of sight, use registered taxis…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages.India-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police · 112 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysThe Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays; many museums close on Mondays; banks close on the second and fourth Saturdays…India-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMAA Chennai International Airport (About 20 km (12 mi) east; taxi 30–45 min).MAA Chennai International Airport (About 12 mi (20 km) east; taxi 30–45 min).
- Getting aroundAuto-rickshaws and local buses connect Mangadu, Kundrathur and Chembarambakkam.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Metro or bus rideLocal bus, Mangadu to Chennai₹30–50 (≈ under US$1)
- Museum or sight ticketTemple entry (Kamakshi Amman)Free (donation expected)
- Budget bedBudget lodge double room, a night, per room₹800 (≈ US$10)
- Mid-range bedBudget lodge double room, a night, per room₹1,200 (≈ US$14)
- High-end bedBudget lodge double room, a night, per room₹2,000 (≈ US$25)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₹1,500 (≈ US$18) · Mid ₹3,000 (≈ US$35) · High ₹5,000 (≈ US$60)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MAA Chennai International Airport (About 20 km (12 mi) east; taxi 30–45 min)MAA Chennai International Airport (About 12 mi (20 km) east; taxi 30–45 min)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Mar
not flagged
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Apr
Avoid
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
May
Avoid
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
Jun
Avoid
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
Jul
not flagged
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Aug
not flagged
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Sep
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Oct
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Nov
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Best: Nov–Feb. Avoid: Apr–Jun. Month by month →
Warmest May (39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)), coolest Jan (20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C) low), wettest Oct (9 rain days), driest Feb (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Mangadu: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
2 rd
Feb
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
1 rd
Mar
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
1 rd
Apr
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
2 rd
May
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
3 rd
Jun
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
5 rd
Jul
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
7 rd
Aug
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
8 rd
Sep
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
7 rd
Oct
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
7 rd
Dec
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
3 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Auto-rickshaws and local buses connect Mangadu, Kundrathur and Chembarambakkam. Taxis from Chennai are easiest for a half-day trip.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1.5 h
Taxi from Mangadu, about 1 h 15 min
Shore Temple, rock-cut caves and beach.
Door to door: About 45 min
Bus or taxi, about 40 min
Kolavai Lake and the Chengalpattu fort ruins.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Mangadu centre
A few budget lodges near the temple; most visitors sleep in Chennai.
Kundrathur
Closer to the Shiva and Murugan temples; limited options.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₹1,500–2,500 (≈ US$18–30) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₹2,500–4,000 (≈ US$30–50) excl. bed
- High
- ₹4,000 (≈ US$50)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range hotel double room1 × 1 night × ₹2,500 | ₹2,500 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ₹3,000 | ₹6,000 |
| Taxi from Chennai Airport to Mangadu1 × ₹900 · check | ₹900 |
| Auto-rickshaw local trip (up to 5 km)1 × ₹200 | ₹200 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₹960 |
| Trip total≈ ₹5,280 per person per day, bed included | ₹10,560≈ US$120 |
2026 estimate in rupees; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Temple entry (Kamakshi Amman) | Free (donation expected) |
| Auto-rickshaw, Mangadu to Kundrathur | ₹150–250 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Local bus, Mangadu to Chennai | ₹30–50 (≈ under US$1) |
| Meal at a local eatery | ₹100–200 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Bottled water (1 L) | ₹20 (≈ under US$1) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Temple timings: Kamakshi Amman Temple closes 1–3 PM for the afternoon break.
- No ATMs near the temple; carry cash.
- Chembarambakkam Lake has no formal visitor facilities; go for the view, not a day out.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 112
- Fire and ambulance
- 112
Pocket card
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MangaduMangadu
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
இந்த முகவரிக்கு என்னை அழைத்துச் செல்லுங்கள்Take me to this address, please
Emergency
- Police112
- Fire and ambulance112
Embassy
The US Consulate General is in Chennai; most other embassies are in New Delhi.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Chennai Airport → Mangadu, taxi: ₹600–1,500 (≈ US$7–18), 30–45 min (check)
- Mangadu → Kundrathur, auto: ₹150–250 (≈ US$2–3), 15 min
Say or show
- எவ்வளவு? — How much? (evvalavu)
- கோயில் எங்கே? — Where is the temple? (kōyil eṅkē)
- இங்கே நிறுத்துங்கள் — Stop here, please (iṅkē niṟuttuṅkaḷ)
- நன்றி — Thank you (naṉṟi)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Mangadu. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Feb · avoid Apr–Jun (heat) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Mangadu
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