Chennai offers guided heritage walks of Ripon Buildings

The Greater Chennai Corporation now offers guided heritage walks at the Ripon Buildings. These tours allow visitors to explore the building’s rich history since it opened in 1913, as well as its current activities. The walks are led by guides like Muhilan Murugan, who starts each tour promptly at 8 AM. He begins at the entrance, near a statue of a former commissioner, sharing stories about the Corporation’s move to this iconic site. Earlier this year, the Corporation opened the Ripon Buildings to the public for guided tours. The tours, organized by the city-based group Nam Veedu Nam Oor Nam Kadhai, occur four times a week. Thirupurasundari Sevvel, the group's founder, noted they have already completed over 100 walks this year, with registrations open until June. These tours highlight the building’s history and its role today, including the Integrated Command and Control Centre, which manages city complaints and data. The guides, all architects, encourage participants to observe the building’s architectural details, such as the wooden work on the banisters and the views of the clock tower. Participants include students, entrepreneurs, and families, showing growing interest in the city’s history. The walk lasts an hour, and begins before office hours, allowing for a peaceful experience before the day starts. The heritage walks are scheduled for Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday from 8 AM to 9 AM. Those interested can register online to join the experience.