If you are in my Facebook group friends list you might have seen these pictures. But I am posting it here again – the flavors of South Tamil Nadu. This is how my India trip looks like – a visit to Chennai and a quick ¾ day trip to Bengaluru (this time it became a weekend trip and I spent more time on roads) and then a trip to either my native or M’s native to visit the temple and then back to Chennai, visit friends and family. That’s it vacation gone. (Err it’s not vacation. India trips are always hectic) Last time I went to Periyakulam so this time we went to M’s native temple at down south. To be precisely the temple in a small village called Puliangudi-Kaaduvetti and the closest town is Sankarankovil.
This time we planned as 2 day trip so that we can go to Kutralam. It was amazing and I am visiting Kutralam after 15 years. The weather was awesome. It was end of the season so it wasn’t that crowded. We did enjoy the water and at the same time we did enjoy the street food – Masala chai, Masala Gooseberry, Pickled Green Mango, Hot banana chips and also lychee fruit. I couldn’t take any pics as it was drizzling the whole time. Pics in phone didn’t come that well.
That’s our temple and it is in the middle of the farms. Its Dharma Sastha’s (Lord Ayyapan) temple. Sabarimalai is in a straight line behind this temple. The belief is that Lord Ayyapan rested in this place when he came in search of Puli Paal (tigress milk) for his mother. Its a very small temple and they kept it in this way and we really enjoyed it. No big queue, no waiting time. It was peaceful.
Coming to main part and one my favorite city Tirunelveli – we always book our return tickets from TVL (Tirunelveli) so obviously the visit to Nellaiappar temple is mandatory and also Pothys. :-)
Me and my SIL go crazy and we pretty much complete all our purchases there and come back with our hands full. (We ignores the stares from FIL, M and BIL)
I didn’t forget the most important part – irutu kadai halwa. It’s dimly lit small shop which sells only halwa and it opens at 5pm and closes at 8pm, sometimes even before that. They serve the halwas in lotus leaves. This time I gave the camera to M and asked him to take the pics. The kids were with my SIL and in-laws. So me and my BIL stood in line and got 10 kgs of halwa after 15 minutes of struggle. Its worth the struggle for that yummiest halwa.
Here are some other food that we enjoy – Madurai famous jigarthanda and cane juice
Seems like my travel post became food post. :-) Hope you all enjoyed.
Nice blog Sri!love everything that has a south connection. I come from Coorg ? nice to connect
Thanks a lot and welcome to my space. Coorg what a beautiful space.. Love the coorg coffee.
It sure is :) I am still an amateur at blogging .. do visit my space when time spares you at https://myculinarysaga.wordpress.com/ thanks!
Oh yeah sure.
I agree with you that Indian trips do get hectic and love your virtual tour.
Iruttu kadai halwa, wow love it to the core.. My god that jigarthanda is calling me.. Again a beautiful write up Vidhya, Kuttralam is my favourite place.
Loved reading your post Vidhya. For us food bloggers any and every post will end up being a good post :-)
The water falls look beautiful as also the write up narrates it well. I would love to have a taste of that halwa :)
Yes I definitely enjoyed reading this post and knowing about your adventures.
Nice write up ..Up to college days, we went to courtallam for every season, after that it’s very rare to visit there. Instead of getting parcel, i love to have halwa in front of shop itself , they serve in banana leaves and it’s smell divine..
Well, no matter where we go, food is a must. So the food pictures did nto bother at all and in fact it made the travelogue complete with some food.. :)
India is GREAT.. :) and the cane juice makes it more GREAT he he he he
Yup true true
Love this post of yours! Felt like I was in all these places with you :)
Thanks :-)
nice write up!!! beautiful written post… love the clicks…
India trips are always hectic.. Grt clicks v. I m thibking about Iruttukadai halwa.. Nexttime nee pogum pothu parcel vaagi courier pannu
Sure ma.. Kandippa.
We have so many beautiful places in our country na. This place looks very beautiful and of course the food is tempting too.Cane juice is my favorite in summers.
That’s one nice write up about our Tamilnadu… love courtallam, been there a few times and its one heaven on earth!
“Neela nira selaiyil- vaanam..Pachai nira selaiyil-bhoomi! Nadhigalil vannam-nadamidum annam, naadaga megangal thalaatum thean kinnam! ”
All the mention about food, travel… brings back nostalgic memories!
Awww thanks Mullai. Its one heaven for sure. Beautiful lines naa. Thanks for sharing
madam, adhu cinema paatu, lol
Google paninen.. Enda padam nga??
Guess you can take away the person from the food..not the foodie..:)..lovely post..
Looks like you had a fabulous time! :D
What a beautiful place, must Google and take down the details, would love to visit it. Like that juice , have heard so much about it..the Halwa sounds interesting, though I wish you could have posted a picture of it.
Oh yeah.. It was fully packed and the very next day it was all distributed. :-( Will check with my BIL. If I have will update for sure and let you know.
seeing Indian sights made my jigar thanda :) Beautiful Kutralam, nice temple. thanks for sharing Vidhya.
Thanks a lot Anu. Jigar thanda.. ;-) lol