Background: I am trying to explore India as much as I can. In my case, it cannot be done in a single mega trip. Hence breaking it down into many small trips.
State: Tamil Nadu
Towns/Cities: Thoothukudi/Tuticorin, Thiruchendur and Kanyakumari.
Introduction to Tamil Nadu
One of the two (Other one is Kerala) southern-most states in India.
10th largest state in India (By area. 6th largest by population).
2nd largest economy in India.
One of the manufacturing powerhouses in India.
Along with Hindi and Telugu, one of the 3 major film industries in India.
The region where Cheras, Cholas and Pandyas ruled in the ancient times (4th to 3rd century BC).
Tamil Nadu is said to have over 30000 temples!
Chennai is said to be the automotive hub of India.
Tamil, the official language of Tamil Nadu, is also one of the official languages in Singapore and Sri Lanka.
Home to major festivals and celebrations like Pongal, Jallikattu Etc.
My experiences
Landing in Thoothukudi (IndiGo flight from Chennai). Looks like a small town and not very densely populated.During landing (as well as a few days later, during takeoff), it was very dusty, as you can see in this photo. Initially I thought it was fog. But this is around 15:30 IST.The small airport. Probably the smallest airport I have been to.Entering the town on my colleague’s (who was nice enough to pick me up from the airport) two wheeler.During a ride through some residential areas of the town. I notice that most of the streets were not fully paved.
During the drive though interior roads …Menu at “Madurai Famous Jigarthanda”Really liked it … Previously had one, several years back, in Chennai.About to dig in … 🙂The store, from outside … I assume not many non-Tamilians come to the store 😉Naveen Kumar Gowda, more famously known as “Yash”, of the KGF and KGF 2 fame. Obviously, the bus owner is a big fan.The skyline of Thoothukudi …Basilica of our Lady of Snows … A pilgrimage center.Basilica of our Lady of Snows … A pilgrimage center.I was told that putting up banners announcing a marriage is a common tradition in this part of India. All the family members also get in the picture, as you can see 🙂Pearl Beach, Thoothukudi/Tuticorin.Pearl Beach, Thoothukudi/Tuticorin. Is this where the beach got the name?Pearl Beach, Thoothukudi/Tuticorin. Looked adequately clean … Since it was a long weekend, there were quite a lot of people.Pearl Beach, Thoothukudi/Tuticorin. This vendor was doing brisk business. Liked the lighting arrangement.Pearl Beach, Thoothukudi/Tuticorin.
The marriage hall … It was airconditioned. There was a classical music troupe playing music.The hall was decorated with traditional pictures … Bharatanatyam?Dandiya Raas?The pictures around the hall …My hotel had this fish tank. The water looked pristinely clean. But is not the white fish a bit too big for this tank size?Looks like EV vehicles are really catching on in India. A charging port.The Highway 138 in/out of Thoothukudi. This highway connects Tirunelveli with Thoothukudi.Thoothukudi district map. At the hotel.Another view of the Highway 138.This chicken biryani was one of the worst I have ever had and it was not cheap. Complained to the Chef/Manager, later.Onward! To Ettaiyapuram ….It was a nice highway …At Mahakavi Bharathiyar’s house … Ettayapuram, Thoothukudi district. That is the caretaker/guide of the house.A bust of the Mahakavi …Some of his writings …Some old photos, showing his life …Several of his books on display …Mahakavi Bharathiyar. From Wikipedia: C. Subramania Bharathi was a Tamil writer, poet, journalist, Indian independence activist, social reformer and polyglot. He was bestowed the title “Bharathi” for his excellence in poetry. He was a pioneer of modern Tamil poetry and is considered one of the greatest Tamil literary figures of all time.Mahakavi Bharathiyar. From Wikipedia: C. Subramania Bharathi was a Tamil writer, poet, journalist, Indian independence activist, social reformer and polyglot. He was bestowed the title “Bharathi” for his excellence in poetry. He was a pioneer of modern Tamil poetry and is considered one of the greatest Tamil literary figures of all time.The main door of the house. Looks very strong!The house from outside …One the streets of that locality …A nearby temple …A tree-lined residential street …I just wish historical buildings are better maintained by Archaeological Department. An entrance near the Ettayapuram Palace. We had a tough time getting to it. There was a board which said “Private Property. Trespassers will be prosecuted”. We saw the gate was open and locals were going through. We also did the same …Ettayapuram Palace. Looks like some refurbishment work is going on. I hope it goes well as it does look very nice!An inscription from the 1800s …The rock work on the temple we saw earlier …Traditional houses lined the streets …This entire area of India has zillions of Wind Farms. Wherever you look you see a windmill!Passing through the market area of one of the local villages …Goats! Lots of them, near to Panchalankurichi.Veerapandiya Kattabomman Memorial Fort. From Wikipedia: Veerapandiya Kattabomman was an 18th-century Palayakarrar and king of Panchalankurichi in Tamil Nadu, India. He refused to accept the sovereignty of the British East India Company and waged a war against them. He was captured by the British with the help of the ruler of the kingdom of Pudukottai, Vijaya Raghunatha Tondaiman, and at the age of 39 he was hanged at Kayathar on 16 October 1799.The main entrance. The current Memorial Fort was made for tourism purposes, on a site where he had originally lived.The more recently made Memorial Fort.The more recently made Memorial Fort.The original site of Veerapandiya Kattabomman’s abode. Nothing much remains now …The original site of Veerapandiya Kattabomman’s abode. Nothing much remains now …The floor of the Durbar, where he used to sit and discuss happenings with his court. The local caretaker/guide told us that the flooring was made with materials which kept it cool.The base of the house seemed to have survived okay.Some of the rock artifacts that were excavated from the area.Some of the rock artifacts that were excavated from the area.The nearby towns and their respective directions.A closer look at one of the many many windmills in this region …The main mall in Thoothukudi … As one can expect, during a long weekend, it was crowded.Porotta + Chicken Curry at “Saravanathi Night Club” … Not sure how the proprietors arrived at the “Night Club” part of the name 🙂 Tasted nice, but definitely not a dish to eat daily as apparently the Porotta is fried.The fried Parotta as it is being shredded by hand and the curries. I would not recommend the place for people who are highly particular about food hygiene.The “Night Club” was definitely getting the crowds …On the way to Thiruchendur … We took the coastal route all the way to Kanyakumari.Banana plantations on the way …More paddy fields …One of the villages on the way …The road was not a multi-lane highway …The traffic was not too bad.Locals at an eatery having breakfast.A house plus shop …“Hotel Tamil Nadu” had banners put up in nearby towns and villages. Owned by TTDC (Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation) I believe.Map of the Tiruchendur Temple Complex.Could not enter the Tiruchendur Temple, partly due to my attire. This photo was taken from the side.
The rock work is very intricate …Another portion of the Tiruchendur temple.Tiruchendur Murugan Temple. Tiruchendur, Tamil Nadu. The temple is 9 floors tall!Ancient pillars …Tiruchendur Temple is one of the temples in Tamil Nadu to get ISO certification. The temple is believed to have been existing since 7th Century.A filthy and clogged waterway just outside the Tiruchendur Temple Complex.Back to Highway 176 on way to Manapad …One of the many villages we crossed …At Kulasekharapatnam, I did a short walk through the countryside. I came across this “Tourist Interpretation Center”. Not sure what that means …. Maybe a Tamil translation service? Anyway, close to 10AM IST, the center was closed 🙁Apparently the Kulasekharapatnam Temple is famous for Dussehra Festival. Vendors setting up flower shops.More flowers …Kumkum powder …Traditional house …And another …Houses with small verandah in front …Another village scene …Going through the Manapad Fishing Village …View of Manapad from Holy Cross Church, which is on a hilltop.View of the Manapad Beach … From Holy Cross Church.View of the Manapad Beach … From Holy Cross Church.Holy Cross Church, Manapad, Tamil Nadu.View of Bay of Bengal from the Holy Cross Church.Holy Cross Church, Manapad, Tamil Nadu.The Holy Cross, with the Manapad town in the background.One of the many residential lanes in the Manapad Fishing Village.
As one would expect in a Fishing Village, a vendor selling fish. Primarily dried fish.As mentioned earlier, the sheer size of the Wind Farms are just amazing. Windmills wherever you look!Kanyakumari! The Thiruvalluvar Statue is to the right and the Vivekananda Rock Memorial is to the left. Because it was a long weekend, the ferry queue was miles long! After standing in the queue for a while, I gave up and tried to explore the rest of Kanyakumari.Fishing boats … The water looked very clear.Another view of the Vivekananda Rock Memorial and the Thiruvalluvar Statue.A lineup of fishing boats …There was small Government-run Museum. The entry was only 5 Rupees. But the permission to take photos (using phone) cost another 20 Rupees 🙂Dewan of erstwhile TravancoreA preserved Tortoise …Intricate artwork from various parts of Tamil NaduIntricate artwork from various parts of Tamil NaduPhoto displays covering various parts of Tamil Nadu. You can note Tiruchendur Temple in there as well.Honey harvesting … A significant trade in these parts.One of the best palaces I have ever seen … Padmanabhapuram Palace!There were artifacts placed in the courtyard of the Museum as well.One last look before I leave the area 🙂For lunch, I Google searched nearby eateries and decided to visit this restaurant called “The Curry”. The restaurant was crowded and I took that as a good sign. While ordering in my broken/terrible Tamil, the waiter asked me in Malayalam, “Malayali aano?” (“Are you a Malayalee? (I.e. Are you from Kerala?)) 🙂 I happily moved to communicating in Malayalam. But I made a mistake in ordering the curry. Should have gone for a more Southern style Prawns curry instead of the “Chilly Prawns”, which frankly was not that great. The Porotta was also so-so. The fried King Fish was very nice though …The highway towards Tirunelveli … Very smooth 4-lane highway.Back to never-ending sea of Wind Farms … 🙂 I am glad to see that there is a significant move to get away from Fossil Fuels.It was a quite scenic drive back … Loved those mountains.This particular windmill is quite close to the highway …Isnt that the Palani Hills? I.e. Kodaikanal region?Madurai is still almost 200km away.On relatively plain lands, you have these isolated hills/mountains.Isn’t that a nice highway?Inside Thoothukudi/Tuticorin Airport … As mentioned earlier in the blog, this is a very small airport.The only other times I had the pleasure of just walking over to the aircraft (No bus transfer to the plane, no Air Bridge Etc.) was in Mysuru/Mysore Airport (Karnataka, India) and Foz do Iguaçu Airport in Brazil.
