Thursday Challenge- Burst of Orange in Karaikudi

A few beautiful patterns from Karaikudi - The aachi house, the Bangala and from one of the streets...It is amazing the kind of things you come across during your trips- beautiful experiences... ‪#‎travel‬ ‪#‎experiences‬

"ORANGE" (Fruit, Vegetables, Flowers, Signs, Clothing, Vehicles,...)

Interesting Encounters- The cute doggie in Karaikudi

We were exploring the town of Kanadukathan, when after a while we asked our cabbie if he knew of any traditional homes where we could watch a meal being cooked. He either dint understand or dint know of any such place, but finally ended up taking us to a small hotel of sorts [ more of a hole in the wall kind], and we walked through a narrow passage to what looked like the backyard of an abandoned building.

It dint look very good, there were things dumped all over, electric tower and a small home of sorts at the end. A lady and man were hovering about. Saw us and smiled,welcoming us over. Just outside the home, there was a makeshift tent where food was being cooked . They have been cooking meals and serving up customers for over 4yrs and make both veg & non veg dishes.

There was a huge pot with a pan where carrots were being cooked and another near it for rice. Now what caught my eye amidst all this was a cute Pomeranian dog that made its entry from inside the house. He came trotting and instantly stood next to me asking me to pet him.  He was white, and cute and had a red tikka on his forehead. 

I forgot his name but he was one friendly dog. The lady said he is very well behaved, does not disturb them when they are cooking, nor does he try to grab a bite while they are cutting up/cooking meat.   She had found him when he was a pup, brought him home & he hadn't left since!

My friend spent a good half hour talking to the lady about the dishes, recipes, and processes while  I happily played with this cutie pie... 

After a while, we bid them goodbye and made our way back to the car.  I love how not only do I get to meet interesting people during my travels, but also such adorable creatures.. :)

Skywatch Friday... Over the ocean yonder..

It was one of those plans that fell into place before you could blink our eyes twice.. Well, that is a bit of exaggeration, but nevertheless it was a trip that happened without too much drama..  A bunch of us decided we should do a trip... The gang had planned an earlier one, but few of us couldn't go [last minute] and this time the troops were playing it down and keeping it low.. 

None of us squealed about it to anyone. Some did share the news, well God bless their understanding families. Some of the others had to cook up stories, some just said "work"... It went to such an extent that one family left the day before and were there ahead of the rest of us..ha ha... 

Since I have been there numerous times, I was given the task of finding us the place to stay at.. After a bit of debate, it was down to 3 of us who took the decision.. Hotel Atithi it was!! I have been here for lunch earlier, and remember it being fairly close to the beach and being a nice property, it would be a good bet. 

We had decided to scoot Saturday morning and be back Sunday evening.. Reached the hotel around noon, checked in and waited for the souls who had landed earlier... And thus began our trip... 

Here are a few pictures from the Hotel.. The view was fabulous[we could see the ocean not so far away] a huge field of sorts, a small lane with a temple where there was quite a bit of activity happening.. The rooftop restaurant looked very inviting, and then there was a pool right on top.. Wow what a view!! 

For more beautiful skies, visit Skywatch Friday ... 

Thursday Challenge.... Royal...

"SEAT (2 week theme)" (Chair, Sofa, Bench, Stool, Bed, Anywhere/Anyway one can sit,...)

This image was shot at the Krishnapuram Palace  in Kayamkulam... The palace is today a museum of sorts showcasing the various art, furniture, culture based items used back in the days!!

And this is a shot taken at Neemrana Bungalow on the beach in Tranquebar, a beautiful property where all the rooms open out to the ocean... 

Skywatch Friday. One among the many temples..

While exploring Karaikudi, we stumbled upon this temple, majestic and beautiful. it was closed and so we did not go inside. Did however spend some time in the Museum nearby and a book store of sorts adjacent to it.

In this region, people are classified based on which temple zone they are from. This temple falls into one of the nine zones.  The entire temple campus was empty but for a few guys who were enjoying a cool swim in the temple tank.

For more beautiful skies, visit Skywatch Friday ...

Skywatch Friday.. go where the tracks take you, in Karaikudi

Whilst in Karaikudi, one noon when driving towards Kanadukathan, we had to cross this railway track. The system was what it used to be, what I have seen in Tiruneveli where there is a draw bridge of sorts that comes down when a train crosses and is hoisted away once the train moves... 

Couldn't help but stop to click a shot! :) 

For more beautiful skies, visit Skywatch Friday ...

Skywatch Friday... Thirumayam Fort near Karaikudi

One of the things I have decided to do in 2015 is to blog as much as possible, so here is the 1st post for the New Year! 

There was a gentle chill in the air, and quite the breeze as we drove down the highway, on our way towards Pudukottai (Karaikudi/Rameshwaram-Trichy highway)...And then suddenly the road turned and a giant fort wall came into view... It looked quite majestic and we could almost picture the rulers back in the days holding fort and fighting the enemies from the top. We also noticed a small canon outside a home, probably what was left of the fort area. 

When I dug around for some information on the fort, came to know it had been built back in 1687 by Vijaya Regunatha Thevar, the Sethupathy of Ramanathapuram who was commonly referred to as Kilavan Sethupati. It was quite significant during the Tondaiman rule in Pudukkottai. This very fort was used as an arsenal by the British Army during World War II period. As with other forts, this too was large back in the day, with seven concentric walls and a broad moat all around. Today, only three of these enclosures remain.

The fort has three entrances; one on the north, another on the south and third on the east. On the top of the rock is a bastion with cannon of British origin.Near the main entrance is a small pond. 

Info from the net: 

After Ragunatha Tevan, the fort went into the control of the Tondaiman rulers of Pudukkottai when Raghunatha Tevan gifted this fort and Thirumayam to his brother-in-law, Raghunatha Raya Tondaiman, the first king of Tonadaiman clan. The fort is very small and not many bastions are seen. There is one bastion on top of the hill where as canon of British origin is placed now. It is believed that Thirumayam fort was one of the recluse for the Tondaiman rulers during their bad times when Thanjavur general, Ananda Rao, ran over most of their territory leaving only small area in and around Thirumayam. This fort is locally known as Oomayam Kottai, the fort of the dumb, dumb refers here to Oomayam who fought against the British and was executed later on.

Find further interesting read here-- http://puratattva.in/2011/04/11/thirumayam-the-land-of-truth-18
 

Our cab driver told us about the Sivan temple at the foot of the fort and the two rock cut cave temples which lie side by side -dedicated to Lord Shiva and Vishnu [the temples were built by the then Pallava kings]. The steps along the side of the mountain are all cut into the rocks and are quite slippery and steep.. It is quite an adventure getting up these. And then to go into the cave temple there is a man made steel stairway.

For more beautiful skies, visit Skywatch Friday ...

Weekend getaway to the K land...

After a long hiatus, am off on a weekend trip... Ever since Dec showed its face, I have been itching to get on the road and explore a new destination. I had a place in mind, but alas was unable to plan and now the flight rates have hit the skies and beyond.

Consoling myself, I had decided to hit this town that has been on my "Must visit" list for quite a while now. I have had conversations with friends who visited here, some recommended it highly while others said "Cha, nothing there but empty houses, no point". But the heart wants what it wants right? And so, I am off to this town, not so far away from Chennai to explore and see what it holds for me...

Started as a solo trip, but then plans changed and a friend is coming along.. The 1st time we are travelling together.. Excited and anxious!!

All I am dreaming off are long endless corridors, beautiful pillars, colourful walls, the palace, the temple, the church all tucked into a quaint little town. I have seen enough photographs and videos of the place, so now am ready to go say hello...

Any guesses where am headed to?