Our wanderings and perceptions

On Sunday, the third day of the trip we decided to go to Vaitheeswaran koil and Seergazhi Sattainathar koil, both of which are away from Chidambaram town. After the complimentary breakfast at the hotel we left to Vaitheeswaran temple first. This is some 25 kms away from Chidambaram but due to bad roads we around an hour to reach. Some 10 kms from Chidambaram was good but beyond that owing to new road under construction it takes long time to navigate through. On reaching Vaitheeswaran temple we saw huge crowd as it was kiruthigai. On entering the temple we enquired for interest in seeing palm leaves to know your astrology. We had to reject them and get through. On the event of Kiruthigai, Lord Murugar along with his consorts was in full alangaram thronged by huge number of devotees. As we get inside, first we worship Goddess Thayyal Nayagi, it was hectic to pass through the crowd and get a glimpse. Walking further we are lead to the shrine of Lord Vaidyanathaswamy. Here again we had to ...

 In the evening by 5 PM we started from the hotel in Manikandan's autorickshaw to go around Chidambaram. Our first place of visit was Kaalabairavar temple. There is a separate shrine for Swarna Bhairavar in this Siva temple. The temple is in a village surrounding, small in size but ancient and peaceful. This was some 5-6 kms away from our hotel. Since this was the farthest, he started from here. This temple is not under HNRC we are told and hence being maintained locally. The priest gave us lemon rice prasadam. The next temple was - Thirunelvayil. Lord Siva here is know as Uchinathar. As the name suggests the entrance of the temple was blocked with rice sacks being weighted and packed. Marriage of Shiva and Parvathi is depicted here. Architecturally there is so much to be appreciated in this temple. Thirugnanasambandar is said to have visited this temple and created verses in praise of Lord Uchinathar. The priest told us about the upcoming pradosam and asked us to contribute, he wa...

 On the Saturday morning, hotel provided complimentary breakfast. Buffet comprising of bread, butter, jam, toast, juice, idly, dosa, pongal, puri-masal, sambar and chutneys was pretty sumptuous.  We left from the breakfast hall to the parking lot and drove straight to Pichavaram. We reached Pichavaram boating areas by around 10, which was the correct time in a way. As the sun was yet to become warmer and visitors were coming soon after. The boat ride costs Rs. 200. This is for a rowing boat and each boat accommodates 6 person. The boat man rows you around for 1 hour at this price. There is a steam boat which accommodates more person and goes far away beyond the forest area. The forest area is restricted and hence the boats can go up to the beginning of the Mangrove forest only. This is the place where the boat man, the shooting for Thuparivalan and Dasavatharam had taken place. Inside the forest it is fully covered by 20 plus varieties of trees and each of them have medicinal ...

 The twin cities of Chidambaram and Seerghazhi were long pending in the list in spite of being near to Chennai. So on a Friday early morning we set forth to Chidambaram. We started by 5:30 AM from Chennai. This time our route was ECR - Pondy - Cuddalore - Chidambaram. Had a break at Puducherry for breakfast, we had pongal and poori we keep us non-sleepy for the next few hours of drive. Around 11 AM we reached Chidambaram. Our stay was pre-booked at Vandayar Hotel. We had to wait for sometime as the room was getting cleaned since they did not expect us so soon. Meanwhile we complete the check-in formalities. The hotel looks old but was maintained well. We had to step out to get tea as the restaurant inside the hotel was all done. We had lunch at the hotel's restaurant - meals for Rs. 150 was very average, not worth the price. So decided to have dinner else where. After a quick nap we discussed with a friend who is a native of Chidambaram and got the contact of a Deekshithar who woul...

On Friday we set out to Tirunelveli which is 75 kms from Sankarankoil. This seems to be quiet a happening place.  We went straight to the Nellaiappar Temple. This temple seem have come into existence in the Pandyas era and the later kingdoms have contributed to the structures of the now standing temple. This is quiet a large temple and similar to the other temples we have been visiting in this trip - each God in this temple has their own separate shrine. Here also there were many devotees from Sabarimala pilgrimage in the temple and we had wait in long queue. Lord Nellaiyappar in the form of Lingam could be worshipped very near to the shrine. As we go around the corridor of this Lord we see intricate stone work around the temple and prasadams being made, We have then move to the next shrine which is quiet far away with just a small path connecting us to the Goddess Gandhimathiamman. We could worship her in a yellow saree with eyes full of mercy. On the way we can see many different...

On the Thursday morning we started our trip to Kanyakumari from Sankarankoil. We have been planning to visit Kanyakumari for a long time now but could not make, had to cancel it twice at the last minute. So this time we went though its not part of this trip's plan. We took a break at Tirunelveli to have our breakfast, but for that we drove straight to Kanyakumari non-stop. The national highway 43 which leads to Kanyakumari was pleasure to drive. As we neared Nagercoil on either side of the road one can see numerous large windmills swinging. As we near the end of this subcontinent the temperature started soaring. As we reached the beach we realised its been pouring with visitors.  Everywhere you turn you can see a huge crowd. After round and round to find a parking space, we got one after 40 mins as the usual parking areas were all full. We did get hold of a open space but could park there conveniently for Rs. 50 just near the Food court opposite to the beach. Got ourselves refreshe...