Chettinad, the ancestral homeland of the Nattukottai Chettiars, is renowned for its mansions and rich and distinctive cuisine - dishes such as chicken or mutton biryani, fresh fish curries and vegetarian stews are finely flavoured with up to 23 different spices. The Chettiars were wealthy bankers and merchants who built handsomely and extensively across their region, and Chettinad is full of examples of huge mansions with exquisite teak and silkwood pillars, marble detailing and lime-plastered wall. The region is famous for many things, including shandys (or village markets), silver and goldsmiths and marvellous antiques - including the highly sought after traditional Chettinad saris.
Tamil Nadu, South India