Chennai unfolded like a living map on Saturday as teams of two raced through its streets, not for speed, but for discovery. The Hindu’s Made of Chennai treasure hunt drew around 40 participants into a day-long adventure designed to celebrate the city’s rich, often overlooked heritage.

  • 40 participants in teams of two
  • 9 culturally significant checkpoints including Bharathiyar Ninaivu Illam and The Old Curiosity Shop
  • Winners: Samyuktha R. and Sashank Balaji

Uncovering Chennai’s Secrets

Starting and ending at The Hindu office on Anna Salai, the ‘Native Madras Treasure Hunt’ sent teams weaving through Triplicane, Mylapore, Mount Road, and Chintadripet. They collected stickers at each stop—some requiring puzzles or tasks—transforming familiar neighborhoods into a playground of hidden history.

Curating the Unknown

Vijay Prabhakar, curator from Nexus Consulting, explained the thinking behind the route. “When we usually conduct treasure hunts in Chennai, they are focused on popular locations – like Spencer’s Plaza or Higginbotham’s. This time, we wanted to showcase places that are comparatively less explored. The Old Curiosity Shop, for instance, is probably a place many have passed by but never really gone into.”

“The clues were conceptualised very well. We had to optimise the route, and that was the challenge that we faced even before we started the hunt. The hunt took us through some of the most iconic parts of the city, and it kept us on our feet. It was not just a physical activity; we had to do some puzzles and challenges, too,”

—Samyuktha R., winner, her voice still buzzing with the day’s energy.

A Race Won With Wit

The winning team, Samyuktha R. and Sashank Balaji, mastered both navigation and mental agility. Their victory underscored the event’s blend of physical exploration and clever problem-solving—a true testament to seeing the city with new eyes.