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Chennai - Things to Do in Chennai in November

Things to Do in Chennai in November

November weather, activities, events & insider tips

November Weather in Chennai

29°C (85°F) High Temp
23°C (73°F) Low Temp
0 mm (0.0 inches) Rainfall
70% Humidity

Is November Right for You?

Advantages

  • Northeast monsoon transition brings cooler mornings (23°C/73°F) - the most comfortable weather you'll get in Chennai all year, making early temple visits and beach walks actually pleasant instead of punishing
  • Festival season peaks with Karthigai Deepam (late November 2026) - every home, temple, and street lights thousands of oil lamps, and you'll see the sacred fire atop Arunachala Hill visible from 35 km (22 miles) away
  • Beach weather finally cooperates - Marina Beach and Elliot's Beach have calmer seas and lower UV intensity in early mornings (before 9am), perfect for the local walking culture without the oppressive April-September heat
  • Off-peak pricing on accommodations - November sits in that sweet spot after Diwali but before December holiday rush, meaning you'll find 20-30% lower rates at mid-range hotels compared to peak winter months

Considerations

  • Unpredictable rain patterns from northeast monsoon - those 10 rainy days can dump intense cloudbursts with zero warning, flooding low-lying areas like T Nagar and Mylapore within 30 minutes (2015's floods started in November, though 2026 forecasts look milder)
  • High humidity (70%) makes the 29°C (85°F) feel closer to 35°C (95°F) - that sticky, heavy air that clings to you means you'll be changing shirts twice daily and air conditioning becomes non-negotiable for comfort
  • Festival crowds at temples can be overwhelming - Kapaleeshwarar Temple during Karthigai Deepam sees 50,000+ devotees, turning what should be a 30-minute visit into a 2-3 hour crush of humanity

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Best Activities in November

Mahabalipuram Shore Temple and Sculpture Tours

November's cooler mornings make the 60 km (37 mile) drive south to Mahabalipuram actually bearable, and you'll want to arrive by 7am when the light hits those 7th-century rock-cut temples perfectly. The sea breeze off the Bay of Bengal keeps things comfortable until about 11am, giving you a solid 4-hour window to explore the Five Rathas, Arjuna's Penance, and Shore Temple before the humidity kicks in. The UNESCO site sees fewer tour buses in November compared to December-January peak season, meaning you can actually photograph Arjuna's Penance without 50 people in your frame.

Booking Tip: Half-day tours typically run 1,500-2,500 rupees and include transport, guide, and site entry fees. Book 5-7 days ahead through licensed operators with air-conditioned vehicles - this matters more than you'd think in 70% humidity. Most tours depart 6:30-7am to beat both heat and crowds. See current tour options in the booking section below.

Mylapore Temple Walking Tours

The Mylapore neighborhood comes alive during November's festival season, particularly around Kapaleeshwarar Temple where you'll see traditional kolam (rice flour designs) being drawn at dawn and evening aarti ceremonies with hundreds of oil lamps. The 23°C (73°F) morning temperatures make the 2-3 km (1.2-1.9 mile) walking circuits through narrow lanes actually pleasant - try this in May and you'd collapse. November also brings the tank (temple pond) area to life with vendors selling jasmine garlands and traditional snacks. Worth noting that if Karthigai Deepam falls during your visit (typically late November), the entire neighborhood transforms into a sea of lights.

Booking Tip: Walking tours run 800-1,500 rupees for 2-3 hours, usually starting 6:30am or 4:30pm to avoid midday heat. Look for guides who can explain the Chola-era architecture and current temple rituals - the cultural context matters here. Book 3-5 days ahead, though you can sometimes arrange same-day through your hotel. See current options in the booking section below.

Marina Beach and Coastal Food Tours

Marina Beach's 13 km (8 mile) stretch becomes actually usable in November - the cooler evenings (dropping to 23°C/73°F by 8pm) bring out Chennai's entire population for their evening walk, along with the famous beach food vendors. This is when you'll find the best bajji (fried snacks), sundal (spiced chickpeas), and murukku being made fresh. The Bay of Bengal is calmer in November with the monsoon transition, though swimming isn't recommended due to strong undercurrents year-round. The real experience is the social scene - families, couples, and friend groups promenading along the second-longest urban beach in the world.

Booking Tip: Food walking tours typically cost 1,200-2,000 rupees for 2-3 hours covering 8-10 food stops along the beach and nearby areas. Evening tours (5pm-8pm) are ideal in November when vendors set up and temperatures drop. Book 3-5 days ahead during festival weeks, otherwise 1-2 days is fine. See current tour options in the booking section below.

Chettinad Heritage Village Day Trips

The 90 km (56 mile) journey southwest to Chettinad region makes sense in November when the countryside is still green from October rains but roads are passable (unlike during heavy monsoon months). You'll visit 100-year-old mansion houses with 10,000+ tiles imported from Burma, explore antique markets, and eat authentic Chettinad cuisine in family homes. November's moderate temperatures mean exploring these massive, often non-air-conditioned heritage homes doesn't feel like a sauna. The region is known for its 18 different masalas and you'll likely end up buying spices to take home - the quality here beats anything in Chennai city markets.

Booking Tip: Full-day tours run 3,500-5,500 rupees including transport, guide, heritage home entry, and traditional lunch in a Chettiar family home. You'll need 8-10 hours total with 3-4 hours driving time. Book at least 7-10 days ahead as many heritage homes require advance notice for visits. Look for tours that include Athangudi tile-making demonstrations. See current options in the booking section below.

Pulicat Lake Bird Watching Excursions

November marks the beginning of migratory bird season at Pulicat Lake, 60 km (37 miles) north of Chennai - the second-largest brackish water lagoon in India. You'll spot flamingos, pelicans, painted storks, and potentially 160+ other species as they arrive from Siberia and Eastern Europe. The cooler November mornings make the 5am-9am prime bird-watching window bearable, and the lake's shallow waters are at ideal levels after monsoon (not too high, not dried out). Local fishermen use traditional catamaran boats for tours through the wetlands, and you'll see the Dutch-era Pulicat Fort ruins along the shore.

Booking Tip: Half-day birding tours cost 2,000-3,500 rupees including transport, boat ride, and naturalist guide. Early morning departures (4:30-5am) are standard to catch peak bird activity. Book 5-7 days ahead, especially on weekends when Chennai birding groups visit. Bring binoculars if you have them, though most tours provide basic equipment. See current tour options in the booking section below.

Kanchipuram Temple and Silk Weaving Tours

The 75 km (47 mile) trip west to Kanchipuram, one of India's seven sacred cities, works well in November before December's wedding season crowds descend on the silk shops. You'll visit 8th-century Pallava temples like Kailasanathar and Ekambareswarar, then watch traditional Kanchipuram silk saris being woven on handlooms - a craft that's been refined here for 400+ years. November's moderate weather means temple-hopping (you'll typically visit 3-4 major temples) doesn't leave you completely drained. The city has over 1,000 handloom units, and you'll likely be tempted to buy silk - expect to pay 8,000-50,000 rupees for authentic Kanchipuram saris.

Booking Tip: Full-day tours run 2,500-4,000 rupees including transport, guide, and temple entries. You'll need 8-9 hours total with about 3 hours driving. Book 5-7 days ahead, particularly if you want to include weaving demonstrations at specific cooperatives. Tours typically start 7-8am to maximize cooler morning hours for temple visits. See current options in the booking section below.

November Events & Festivals

Late November

Karthigai Deepam

This ancient Tamil festival of lights typically falls in late November (exact date follows Tamil calendar based on Karthigai star in Karthigai month). Every household lights rows of oil lamps at sunset, temples conduct special pujas, and the most spectacular celebration happens at Tiruvannamalai where a massive fire beacon is lit atop Arunachala Hill, visible from Chennai on clear nights. In Chennai itself, Kapaleeshwarar Temple and homes throughout Mylapore neighborhood create stunning displays with thousands of traditional clay lamps. Unlike the more commercial Diwali, Karthigai Deepam retains its traditional character - you'll see grandmothers teaching children to arrange lamps in specific patterns that haven't changed in generations.

Throughout November

Margazhi Music Season Preview Concerts

While the main Margazhi music season runs December-January, November sees preview concerts and rehearsals at venues like Music Academy and Narada Gana Sabha. You'll catch established Carnatic musicians doing smaller, more intimate performances before the December rush, often with ticket prices 30-40% lower than peak season. The atmosphere is more relaxed - artists experiment with rare ragas and longer alapanas without the pressure of sold-out December crowds. For first-timers to Carnatic music, these November concerts offer a gentler introduction than jumping straight into the intense December festival.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Light cotton or linen clothing in light colors - the 70% humidity makes synthetic fabrics unbearable, and you'll notice locals wearing traditional cotton for good reason. Pack at least 2 shirts per day since you'll be changing after morning activities.
Compact umbrella or lightweight rain jacket - those 10 rainy days bring sudden cloudbursts that flood streets in 20 minutes, and you'll look foolish huddling under shop awnings while locals calmly deploy their umbrellas
SPF 50+ sunscreen and reapply every 2 hours - UV index of 8 means you'll burn in 15 minutes without protection, particularly during temple visits where there's limited shade
Comfortable walking sandals with good grip - Chennai's sidewalks are notoriously uneven, and post-rain flooding means you'll be wading through 5-10 cm (2-4 inch) puddles regularly. Closed shoes will stay wet for days in this humidity.
Modest clothing for temple visits - shoulders and knees covered, and many temples require you to remove shoes and walk on hot stone floors, so bring socks if you have sensitive feet
Small daypack with waterproof liner - for carrying water bottles, umbrellas, and protecting cameras/phones during sudden downpours that can soak through regular fabric
Portable phone charger - you'll be using maps, translation apps, and Uber constantly, and the humidity somehow drains batteries faster than you'd expect
Anti-chafing balm - the combination of heat, humidity, and walking means thigh chafing is real, and Chennai pharmacies stock it but you'll pay 3x what it costs at home
Light scarf or shawl - for temple visits, sun protection, and the shocking temperature difference between outdoor 29°C (85°F) and aggressively air-conditioned malls at 18°C (64°F)
Electrolyte packets - you'll sweat more than you realize in 70% humidity, and the local tendency toward very spicy food means you'll need to stay hydrated beyond just water

Insider Knowledge

Book accommodations in Nungambakkam, Alwarpet, or Adyar neighborhoods rather than beachfront areas - these central locations have better drainage during November rains and you'll avoid the 2-hour traffic jams that paralyze Beach Road when it floods
Time your outdoor activities for 6am-10am window - by 11am the humidity becomes oppressive even if temperature is only 29°C (85°F), and you'll see locals disappearing indoors until evening. Temples are actually busiest at 6am during festival season, which means better photo opportunities than midday emptiness.
Download offline maps before arriving - Chennai's mobile data can be spotty during heavy rains, and you don't want to be stranded in T Nagar during a cloudburst without navigation. Also grab the Chennai Metro app since the expanded Blue and Green lines (operational by 2026) are your flood-proof transport option.
The filter coffee culture peaks in November mornings - look for small Brahmin-run coffee shops (not Starbucks-style chains) serving decoction coffee in steel tumblers between 6-9am. You'll pay 20-40 rupees versus 200+ at hotel breakfast, and the quality is actually better. Locals judge neighborhoods by their coffee shops.
November's vegetable markets get the best produce post-monsoon - Koyambedu Market (Asia's largest) has incredible deals on drumsticks, banana flowers, and snake gourds that you won't recognize but should try. If you're staying in a serviced apartment, cooking one meal with market ingredients costs less than a single restaurant meal and gives you market experience tourists miss.

Avoid These Mistakes

Underestimating November rain intensity - tourists see 0.0 inches average rainfall and pack light, then get caught in a 2-hour deluge that dumps a month's worth of rain in one afternoon. Those 10 rainy days are unpredictable and intense, not gentle drizzles. Always carry rain protection even on sunny mornings.
Booking beach hotels without checking flood history - several Beach Road properties look gorgeous online but sit in low-lying areas that flood during heavy November rains, trapping you inside. Check 2015 flood maps before booking anything near Adyar River or coastal areas south of Marina Beach.
Scheduling back-to-back activities without buffer time - Chennai traffic can triple your travel time during sudden rains (30-minute trips become 90 minutes), and tourists who pack itineraries tightly end up missing half their bookings. Build in 60-90 minute buffers between activities, or you'll spend your vacation stressed in traffic.

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