Karaikudi, in the arid heart of Tamil Nadu, is home to the Nattukottai Chettiars, the Nagarathar of Chettinad. Don’t miss these experiences when you visit
Four essential experiences to savour in Chettinad
At Oorani, meeting the Goddess of the Last Forest
Why all this fuss about a sacred grove? The one at Oorani near Puducherry is actually a fragment of forest, arguably the last surviving example of its kind in the region. This unique forest ecosystem now goes by the name, Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest (TDEF).
At Gingee, centuries of war sleep in peace
Travellers hurrying from Bangalore to Pondicherry seldom make a stop at Gingee, just before Tiruvannamalai. The highway cuts right through the fort’s walls. This is all that the passer-by sees of this magnificent fort, and that’s a shame.
Pongal Poo, Tamil for rhododendron
The closest relatives of the Pongal Poo or rhododendron of the Nilgiris grow in the Himalayas. In January, just around the Pongal festive season, the trees burst into bright flower. Hence the name.
Pongal Poo, Tamil for rhododendron Rhododendron niligiricum, the southern species of rhododendron, inhabits the highlands of the… View Post
Point Calimere, Tamil Nadu South of Velankanni, the East Coast Road rambles through some very interesting countryside. The… View Post
Point Calimere, Tamil Nadu South of Velankanni, the East Coast Road rambles through some very interesting countryside. The… View Post
Beachcombing at Point Calimere, Tamil Nadu
Where’s Point Calimere, you ask, and you get fuzzy answers. Kodiakkarai, its Tamil name, is on the signboards you must follow. And so we did. Enjoy these photos.