A Seafood Feast by the Sea: Lunch at Meenavan Unavagam, Chennai

 

On 2nd January 2026, on the recommendation of my son Srikanth, we visited Meenavan Unavagam, a popular seafood eatery in Foreshore Estate, Chennai, for lunch. This bustling stretch lies just south of Marina Beach, overlooking the sea, the perfect location for a seafood lover’s paradise.

There are scores of seafood joints lined up along this coastal road, but Meenavan Unavagam clearly stands out. The crowd outside spoke for its fame, and the walls were adorned with posters of Prabhu, the owner, alongside several film stars and politicians who had dined there.

Though an air-conditioned dining hall occupies the ground floor, our cab driver suggested we try the rooftop sea-view hall, and we’re glad we did. The sea breeze, the sound of waves, and the casual, lively ambience added a special charm to the meal.

Prabhu himself greeted us warmly with New Year wishes, quickly identifying us as visitors from outside Chennai. He personally introduced the menu, displaying an impressive array of fried fish varieties and recommending a large fish fry, about 13 inches long, served with unlimited rice, fish gravy, dry fish gravy, Sambar, and Rasam.

The fried fish, which he said was Sankara (Red Snapper) or Avoli (Pomfret), I do not remember, was perfectly marinated and deep-fried to a crispy dark crust while remaining soft and succulent inside. It was so large that it easily served the two of us, though we loved it, we had difficulty finishing it. Alongside, we tried the Seer Fish Puttu, which turned out to be equally delightful and flavourful.

While the display of crabs, prawns, and other fish preparations was incredibly tempting, our tummies were already full. Every dish was fresh, hot, and bursting with the unmistakable taste of the sea.

I would highly recommend Meenavan Unavagam to anyone visiting Chennai who loves authentic coastal flavours. The food, the warmth of the host, and the sea-view setting together make it a truly memorable dining experience.

A Serene Morning at Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Mylapore, Chennai

 

During our recent trip to Chennai, my wife and I were delighted to visit the Kapaleeshwarar Temple in Mylapore. It has been many years since our last darshan, and this time, staying at a hotel in Mylapore made it irresistible not to revisit this magnificent shrine. We spent unhurried time in the temple premises and had a deeply satisfying darshan of Lord Kapaleeshwarar (Lord Shiva) and Goddess Karpagambal (Goddess Parvati).

Although I have visited this temple in the past, it was before I began blogging, so I am pleased to finally share my reflections on this historic temple.

According to the Puranas, Goddess Parvati once incurred a curse from Lord Shiva for not paying attention to his words. As a result, she was cursed as a peahen and performed penance at this very spot to regain her divine form. Since she worshipped Shiva here in the form of a peahen (Mayil in Tamil), the surrounding area came to be known as Mayilai, which evolved into Mylapore.

Here, Lord Shiva is worshipped as Kapaleeshwarar, represented by the Lingam, and Parvati Devi as Karpagambal, the “Goddess of the wish-yielding tree.” The temple is one of the Paadal Petra Sthalams, revered in the 7th-century Tamil Shaiva canon, the Tevaram, composed by the saint-poets known as the Nayanmars.

The name Kapaleeshwarar comes from Kapala (meaning “head”) and Ishvara (meaning “Lord Shiva”). According to legend, during a meeting on Mount Kailash, Brahma failed to pay Shiva the respect he deserved. In anger, Shiva plucked off one of Brahma’s five heads. To atone for this, Brahma came down to Mylapore and installed a Lingam to worship Shiva, seeking forgiveness.

This sacred place is also known by many names: Sukra Puri, Veda Puri, and even “Kailaye Mayilai” (“Mylapore is Kailash”). It is believed that Lord Murugan received his Vel (spear) here from Parvati Devi to destroy a demon. Brahma, Shukra, and even the four Vedas are said to have worshipped Shiva here.

The Kapaleeshwarar Temple is believed to have been originally built in the 7th century by the Pallavas, as evidenced by references in Nayanmar hymns. Some ancient texts by Sambandar and Arunagirinathar describe the temple as being by the seashore, suggesting that the original temple may have stood closer to the coast before being rebuilt at its current site.

Inscriptions within the temple date back to the 12th century, and the majestic 120-ft gopuram (gateway tower), adorned with intricate stucco sculptures, was constructed in 1906. The temple complex houses multiple shrines, with those of Kapaleeshwarar and Karpagambal being the most prominent. The spacious temple tank and beautifully sculpted mandapams (halls) add to its grandeur.

Today, the temple is well maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

Our visit left us spiritually uplifted and filled with gratitude, a beautiful reminder of Chennai’s timeless cultural and devotional heritage.