https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NejKci6WiCk If you are in Tirunelveli, a must-vist place is the Irrutakkadai. Irrutakadai in Tamizh literally means dark shop. And there it was right in front of the Nellaiappar Temple – a dark shop with minimal lighting – but oh my what a crowd in front of it and we joined too – Yes to … Continue reading Sweet Symphony: Exploring the Irresistible Delight of “Tirunelveli Halwa” ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
Tamil Nadu
An Ode to the Madurai Malli/ Sambac Jasmine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYzwFsUQq_0 Do Subscribe!! Thank you. I met Thiru Mariappa outside the Nellaippar temple in Tirunelveli and he was deftly stringing these Gundu Malli flowers also known as Madurai Malli. It is also known as Sambac Jasmine or Arabian Jasmin. Madurai Malli growers say that it has a deep fragrance, thick petals, lengthiest petioles and delayed … Continue reading An Ode to the Madurai Malli/ Sambac Jasmine
Kothandramar Temple, Dhanushkodi ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
(You may find some of my articles on my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbZxazHJMbdiC7b5HlzrSug . Will be grateful if you subscribe) https://youtube.com/shorts/0CPxBt6lpqI?si=zxbLtsPAXGTBal34 In early 2021, we took a drive from Bangalore to Madurai. We traversed through Thripullani, Rameswaram, and then to Dhanushkodi. It was a beautiful day as we reached the southern tip if India. Just before … Continue reading Kothandramar Temple, Dhanushkodi ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
#KumbakonamTrails, Brihadishvara Temple, Gangaikonda Cholapuram ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
After our visit to Thirukadaiyur, we did a bit of cross-country driving to reach the famed Brihadeshwara temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram. It took us about an hour and 45 minutes to get there. And when we reached there, needless to say, what I saw took my breath away. What I saw was testimony to one … Continue reading #KumbakonamTrails, Brihadishvara Temple, Gangaikonda Cholapuram ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
Amritaghateswarar-Abirami Temple, Thirukkadaiyur ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1LR23UXAJY This is the YouTube video -you could check out While on the Kumbakonam series of temples, we had the grace of God to visit the Amritaghateshwara-Abirami temple too. We drove from the Vaitheeswaran koil, or temple, that I have yet to write about. It is simply referred to as the Abirami temple and is … Continue reading Amritaghateswarar-Abirami Temple, Thirukkadaiyur ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
Kumbakonam Diaries: Mantra Koodam – A CGH Earth property- A Review ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
Usually, on a pilgrimage, we keep our stay very functional and practical. But this time, we were undertaking a pilgrimage after my husband’s 60th birthday, and as the occasion demanded, we decided to indulge ourselves too and booked ourselves at Mantra Koodam , a CGH Earth owned resort in the Veppathur village, on the outskirts … Continue reading Kumbakonam Diaries: Mantra Koodam – A CGH Earth property- A Review ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
Kumbakonam Diaries – The Thirunaraiyur Mangala Saneeswaran Temple ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
Close to the Nachiyar Kovil (my previous post) is the Thrunaraiyur is dedicated to Ramanathaswamy and the Goddess is called by Parvatha Vardhini. After visiting the Nachiyar Kovil, I wanted to visit this temple. This temple is on the Kumbakonam- Kudavasal Road. The main deity in this temple is Lord Shiva as Ramanathaswamy and the … Continue reading Kumbakonam Diaries – The Thirunaraiyur Mangala Saneeswaran Temple ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
The Miracle of Kal Garudan at the Nachiyarkoil / Thirunarayur (Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu) @Sangeeta Venkatesh
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCTal2_Ynd4&t=43s Kumbakonam- a city that is bounded by two rivers, the Kaveri River to the north and Arasalar River to the south is located in the Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu. Kumbakonam is known as a "Temple town" due to the prevalence of several temples here and is noted for its Mahamaham festival, which happens … Continue reading The Miracle of Kal Garudan at the Nachiyarkoil / Thirunarayur (Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu) @Sangeeta Venkatesh
World Toilet Day 2022 Special – Highway Sanitation ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
Regular readers of my blog will know that much of our travels are done on the road. While the destination is important, the journey needs to be seamless and comfortable too. The availability of good toilets heads the list for me – especially as a woman. As a traveler, one comes across varied levels of … Continue reading World Toilet Day 2022 Special – Highway Sanitation ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
Thiruchendur Murugan Temple ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
Note to my International Readers: The following article may seem a little complicated, but it has been my endevour to simplify and present the essence of various facets of India, it’s culture and traditions. Also, I am delighted to co-author this piece with Sujatha Ravi, my guest writer from Chennai, who has explained the various … Continue reading Thiruchendur Murugan Temple ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
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