Chettinad is a cluster of about 70-odd villages and towns, spread between the Pudukottai and Ramanathapuram districts in Tamil Nadu’s southern half. It takes its name from the Nattukottai Chettiars, an enterprising community who forged trading links across Asia and also established some of Tamil Nadu’s best-known corporate houses. The community’s wealth boomed from the 1880s to the 1940s, a period that witnessed the construction of palatial homes. Located within driving distance of both Madurai and Trichy airports, this region offers a fascinating blend of culture, cuisine, architecture, and temples, making it a perfect weekend pit stop.