Kallidaikurichi: The Village of the Saaral Season – A Photo Story

About the Photo: Quaint homes, laidback lifestyles, unique cultures and lots of history greet one in the old lanes of Kallidaikurichi.

When the rest of India suffering from the sweltering summer heat welcomes the monsoon rains, there is a certain part in India’s deep south that welcomes a different kind of season. Popularly called ‘Saaral Season’, this season includes cloudy weather, beautiful breeze, views of clouded mountain tops, lush waterfalls, eastward flowing rivers and most importantly a romantic powder like rainfall that is akin to a light snow flake.



About the Photo: Located at the foot of the Western Ghats, this village is blessed with views of clouded mountain tops, lush agricultural lands and bountiful rivers.

Such a season is the norm every year in the months of June and July in Kallidaikurichi and the surrounding villages. Literally meaning ‘At the foot of the hills’, Kallidaikurichi, my ancestral hometown is an ancient village that is hemmed between tall Western Ghat mountains and lush green forests and agricultural tracts.



About the Photo: The perennial Thamarabarani river, a holy river of India’s deep south>

Mighty waterfalls (Manimuthar, Agastyar, Vana Theertham, Courtrallam), a tea estate (Manjolai), hydroelectric power projects and dams (Manimuthar, Papanasam, Karayar), the perennial eastward flowing Thamarabarani river, views of green Western ghats, easy access to the diverse and off-beat wildlife holiday destination of Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, lots of ancient temples, interesting unique cultures, delicious local cuisines and much more can be found in and around this ancient village.



About the Photo: Ladies dress up in traditional attire to greet a seer. Such sights are pretty common in Kallidaikurichi.

I am here holidaying in this village right now and am seeing the saaral season and the village from close quarters. Here is a sneak peak into this ‘Village of the Saaral Season’ through a photo story.



About the Photo: Palm fruit (Nongu) and its drink (Pathani) is a great way to cool one in the tropical heat. A truly delicious summer perk.



About the Photo: A typical looking house in Kallidaikurichi.



About the Photo: The Kannadigan irrigational canal locally referred to as Waykaal is typical of this region were irrigation canals are plenty. This scene gives this village a Kerala like look and feel.
 


About the Photo: Always smiling, the people of this village are inquisitive and always ready to extend a hand. In this case, I met this inquisitive boy at a local bank where he had come along with his father.



About the Photo: The Lakshmi Pati temple and the Sannadhi street. Agraharam way of living is common in the older part of this village.



About the Photo: Coconut palms and a lane of old houses at Kallidaikurichi.



About the Photo: A very religious village, the men get all ready to welcome the Sringeri Shankaracharya.



About the Photo: The Thamarabharani river is akin to a lifeline here. Hardly anyone young bathes at their home. Everyone prefers a dip and swim in this river.



About the Photo: Kallidaikurichi is a perfect place to go bananas. If you love this sweet fruit, you will be spoilt for choice as at any given time of the year, you will find close to 20 different varieties to tame your stomach, hunger and sugar crave. 

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Iran’s Nasir al-Molk ‘Pink Mosque’: Magical Riot of Colors totally worth seeing

Iran is that country of rich culture, riveting history, delicious food, beautiful people and stunning nature. While most of the world knows the key attractions in popular places like Isfahan, Tehran and Shiraz due to their historical and religious significance, there are quite a few places in these cities that are magical in nature and that are well-kept secrets from the outside world.



Take Nasir Al-Molk or the Pink Mosque as an example. Somewhere near Shah Cheragh Mosque as you keep meandering along the quiet and clean lanes of Shiraz’s Gowad e-Arabian district, you will come across an ordinary looking building that is yet another mosque. If you had looked at the simple exterior of this mosque, had exclaimed that it is yet another mosque and moved on, you would be kicking yourself. And if you did enter this 19th century mosque, its magical riot of pink and other colors would be sure to blow your mind.



Designed by Iranian architects Mohammad Hasan e-Mamar and Mohammad Reza Kashi-Saz-e-Sirazi under the order of Mirza Hasan Ali, a Qajar ruler, this mosque uses a lot of gorgeous pink color tiles for its interior design. It’s traditional Panch Kase (five concaved) design along with the extensive use of colored glass in its facade catches the eye and mesmerizes the viewer.



The arches, the stained glass, the colorful niches, the rich carving and the overall riot of colors are bound to enthral one and all. You might wonder why a place of worship has such a rainbow of colors. And more so in a Muslim place of worship, which is usually strict and bent on traditions. You will find the answer when you are standing or sitting in the prayer room and the colors slowly envelope the entire room with the rising sun. These colors add so much joy in you that even if you are not a Muslim, you are bound to find peace and say a word of prayer. I know I did because I was totally awestruck, joy-struck and peace-struck on the morning when I visited the Nasir al-Molk mosque of Shiraz, Iran.



To catch the mosque in its best light, leave early after breakfast and reach the pink mosque by say 8 or 9 am depending on the time of sunrise and time of year. Grab a seat in a corner of the glass room chamber, keep your camera ready and watch the colors dance and illuminate the room as the sun rises. The colors change by the minute if you catch the entire morning hour. I hope you like this trance dance of colors at the Nasir al-Molk mosque during your next holiday to Iran.

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Pattadakal: Cradle of Temple Architecture in India

There was a place in South India where kings and rulers from all across the country would come to be crowned. It was believed that one who got crowned here stayed a king till his death. This place called ‘Pattadakisuvolal’ was a rage with rulers between the 6th and the 8th century and a lot of them turned up at this holy place for their Pattabhishkeham.



Located by the banks of the Malaprabha river and surrounded by lush vegetation, we know this place today as Pattadakkal, a small town in North Western Karnataka. This quiet town was the capital of the Chalukya kingdom between the 6th and the 8th centuries and was a place where the base template of Indian temple architecture was defined.



This UNESCO world heritage site is where you will see a myriad of temples in a fairly small area, something akin to a prototyping playground. The temples on the campus of Pattadakal depict various Indian architectural styles from North India, South India and some that are an interesting fusion too. To be specific, the styles seen are Rekha, Nagara, Prasada and Dravida Vimana.



Just to give you an idea of what I mean by different temple architecture styles…you will see at Pattadakal, a bit of the temples of Odisha, a bit of Khajuraho’s erotica temples, a but of Thanjavur’s Brihadeeswara, a bit of the temples in Rajasthan and Gujarat and a bit of temples of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The way I see it, the artisans and architects of Pattadakal laid the founding design for these famous temples across the country. In simple words, this 6th century heritage site became the cradle of temple architecture in India.



Both the Nagara and Dravidian styles were refined here and they are designs here where both have been seamlessly integrated into one (as seen in the Papanatha temple). Learnings from Pattadakal traveled far and wide to artisans across the country and they then put in a little bit of creative inputs to take this Pattadakal style temple architecture to the next level.



In the entire temple complex of Pattadakal, the temples of note are the Dravidian style Sangameshwara temple, the grand Virupaksha temple, the Nagara style Kashi Vishwanatha temple and the Jain Narayana temple. It is best to go to Pattadakal with a knowledgeable guide to understand all the sculptures, inscriptions, carvings and the overall stories.



With each passing of time, the temple architecture at Pattadakal got better. It is as if this school of architecture or temple R&D lab kept trying to improve its designs. I absolutely love the Virupaksha temple that was built to commemorate the victory over the Pallava kingdom of Kanchipuram. The stone Nandi and the imposing stone carved figures are eye catching. Built along the lines of the Kailasa temple of Kanchipuram, the Virupaksha laid the founding stone for the Kailasa temple at Ellora.



One can absolutely love themselves in the art, architecture, sanctity and overall nature surrounding this place for a long while. One of my favorite temple complexes in Karnataka, I heavily recommend a visit to Pattadakal if you have not already paid a visit. It is one of the true cultural gems of Karnataka and India. And the icing on the cake is the delicious cuisine of this North Karnataka region, which is something that I absolutely adore.

How to get here



Badami is well connected by road with the rest of Karnataka. Train lovers will be happy to know that Badami has a train station that is well connected by many trains. Belgaum and Panaji should be the closest airports. 

Other Attractions Nearby



The Chalukya era cave temples of Badami, the water tanks and temples of Aihole and the Pre-Chalukya era archaeological site of Bachinagudda are the places  one can visit around Pattadakal. If exploring by road, do make some time to explore the sunflower fields where you can go photo crazy.

Best Season to Visit



Winters and the monsoons are a great time to visit this region. Summers can be oppressively hot and is best avoided.

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5 Top Cruise Destinations around the World

Train journeys are my favorite form of travel and I find them insanely romantic, but there is something about cruises that appeal to me too. May be, it is because I see the world from a different perspective or it could be the opulence and sheer range of activities on board the cruise liner or may be, it is the ability to see remote places without having to worry about travel options and immigration formalities. Or it could be a combination of the above. Whatever it is, cruises are a great mode of travel too and if you like to see the world from the water, like a bit of luxury and are a water baby, you might be interested in these top cruises across the world.

Alaska



Remote and majestic, a cruise to Alaska offers you an insight into the rugged, wild and majestic mother nature of one of the most beautiful places on our planet. From the bears of Kodiak island to the migrating whales and the rivers of ice and from the rich salmon encounters in the Tongass National Forest where black bears stay in waiting to the smell of rich mountain air and the taste of the rich produce of this region, whether you are an adventurer, wildlife lover of food fanatic, an Alaskan cruise is bound to fulfill many of your travel desires. America’s last frontier is bound to thrill one and all.

Antarctica



One of the toughest and most rewarding cruises, the cruise to Antarctica from South America on an ice breaker ship takes you through some of the remotest terrain on the planet and in extreme close proximity of a world of ice that is full of penguins, seals , whales, glaciers and mountains of ice. This magical frozen land that remains uninhabited except for its wild denizens offers everything from whale watching, polar plunging, hiking on Antarctica mainland, standing amidst thousands of penguins and many other rare, yet special experiences. The icing on the cake is that on your way back, you can visit the penguin colonies of Falkland islands and the spectacular mountain national park of Tierra del Fuego.

Eastern and Southern Caribbean



Sun-kissed tropical beaches, coral-rich waters, friendly locals, lush vegetation, refreshing waterfalls and an active nightlife greets you every day on a Caribbean cruise. One can find the hidden magic of the tropics almost everywhere here. Be it the breath taking British Virgin Islands, the UNESCO Biosphere reserve of Guadeloupe, the elegant dining at St. Lucia, the unspoiled 50 minor islands of US Virgin Islands, the popular Caribbean island of Barbados, the pretty waterside town of Grenada, the laid back locals and white sandy beaches of Antigua or the volcanic paradise of Martinique, there are a variety of Azamara club cruises to choose in the Eastern and Southern Caribbean region, the place where there is more than what meets the eye.

Scandinavia



If you wish to step back in time and live the rich maritime life of the Vikings, you have to indulge in a cruise in the waters off Scandinavia. The polar life of the Arctic, the gorgeous Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights), the imposing peaks and calm waters of Geirangerfjord, the natural wonders of Oslo that include fjords and stunning woodlands, the modernist architecture and parties of Helsinki, the Arctic adventure and Northern Lights at Tromso, the foodie culture of Trondheim, the magic of Norwegian villages at Olden, the galleries and museums of Stockholm, the unique geographic hotspots of Stavanger, the snow covered colossal mountains of Flam and much many stunning sights and experiences are to be had in your Scandinavian cruise.

Galapagos Islands



An environmental gem, the isolated archipelago of Galapagos is where you will discover some of the world’s rarest flora and fauna. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the western coast of Ecuador in South America, these volcanic Galapagos Islands and more specially the Galapagos National Park and the Galapagos Marine Reserve is made up of cliff side colonies of endangered birds, mangrove forests, lava mountains, vibrant marine iguanas, black sand beaches, giant tortoises which lends its name to the islands, rays, turtles and close to 2,000 exotic species. Head to these tranquil islands for the perfect off beat wildlife experience.

Photo Courtesy: All photographs have been borrowed under the Creative Commons license. Each photo links to its host page on wikipedia.org.

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Travel Talk: Most Inspiring Destinations

Inspiration is a relative thing. For some people it’s music, for others it’s a wide stunning landscape. It also depends on what we need in a particular moment in our lives – at one moment a bit of architecture can unleash our own personal sense of invention, at others the play of wild animals can help us feel connected with the planet when we were feeling a spate of loneliness.

The world is full of places, people, animals, and vistas that can lift us up. We’ve put together a list of seven trips you can take around the world that just might help give you a much-needed boost when you’re feeling a little run down.

Miami, USA

Miami isn’t just for retirees anymore. The city has become synonymous with the word “culture”. Teeming with galleries, performing art troupes, music production from multiple genres, and conventions that celebrate everything from body-painting to ethnic-based film festivals, Miami seems to have something big going on three hundred and sixty-five days a year.

Petra, Jordan



There are of course historical sites a-plenty in the world, but there’s something especially inspiring about the way Petra merges into the rock walls of Jordan. It’s a beautiful meshing of uplifting architecture meeting the natural beauty of the surrounding red rock landscape.

The Continental Divide

Sometimes you just have an overwhelming desire to get up and go. For some people, that means going wherever their feet (and their visas) take them. However for those that would like something a little more goal-oriented, there is the Continental Divide Trail.

The CDT is a hike-able trail stretching from Canada to Mexico. Unlike other long-stretching trails, the CDT is still a bit of an adventure in that it is not always 100% defined. That means that sometimes the CDT is more of a vague guide rather than an actual well-trodden trail.

Santorini, Greece

If you’re looking for something with a Mediterranean flavour give Santorini a thought. First, it’s in an active volcano area – you’re likely to tackle life with a little more vigour when you’ve got a volcano to keep you motivated. Second, the art and architecture is a blend of western European and eastern Turkish flavours. Third, Jacques Cousteau loved it (he even hunted for Atlantis in the area). If Jacques Cousteau loved it (and that guy had been everywhere) then you know that it’s worth trying out. 

teamLab’s Japanese Art

If you’re looking for a new paradigm try out teamLab. teamLab is a group of Japanese artists who collaborate to blend new technologies with traditional Japanese art to explore different approaches for human behaviour in the information age. If that sounds like a mouthful, just know that they create some truly stunning displays that you can move through and explore. Their art has both a travelling show and installations in galleries and museums around the world.

Angkor Wat, Cambodia



Like Petra mentioned above, Angkor Wat is an amazing blend of nature and human architecture. Temples, statues, and other forms of architecture move through the Cambodian jungle in an almost liquid dance.

Penguin Colonies of Antarctica



There’s something immensely moving about visiting the hundreds of thousands of penguins that mate on the shores of the Antarctic (and the nearby islands), reached by an Antarctic cruise. In the face of so many of these dapper tuxedoed birds you get a really strong feeling about how alive the world is.
That feeling is often multiplied in an exponential fashion when the penguins, completely unafraid of human visitors, waddle over to investigate you just as much as you are investigating them.

Photo Courtesy: The Antarctica pictures are copyright of Oceanwide Expeditions.

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Sigiriya: Ancient Civilization on top of a Million Year Old Rock

If you are planning a holiday to North Central Sri Lanka, I am pretty sure that Sigiriya will be in your itinerary. I will not be surprised if it is the highlight too. Such is the aura of this 5th century rock top city that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Sri Lanka’s most visited tourist attractions.



You might be wondering what is the hype surrounding this 200 meter high rock! Well, for starters, it rises out of nowhere.  So basically, it dominates the surrounding landscape. And it is shaped as a lion on one side. And it is this lion that lends the rock its iconic name.



One of the best preserved examples of ancient urban planning, Sigiriya offers an interesting mix of nature, adventure, history, architecture and panorama all rolled into one. It’s gardens are one of its best highlights as they are among the oldest landscaped gardens in the world.



Persian in style, these gardens are divided into three categories: water gardens, boulder gardens and terraced gardens. The beautiful water gardens with fountains and underwater conduits are filled with water lilies and lotus plants. Then come the beautifully laid out terraced gardens and their water system that lead the way to the top of the rock. In between, comes the cave and boulder gardens that were both for ornamental as well as as for protection from enemies. One can experience these gardens both from below as well as from the top where one can understand its style, layout and size in a much better way.



While the gardens are definitely a top highlight, I personally enjoyed the steep climb to the top of the Sigiriya rock along with an enroute view of the frescoes and paintings that bear a close resemblance to the famous paintings in the Ajanta caves of India. The only flip side of this climb is that the ascent is slow as you have to wait for the people in front of you to make their way up. There is no overtaking in this narrow steep trail.



The climb from the lion’s paw to the top of the rock treats your eyes to a view of the dense forest that looks like a green carpet and once you reach the top, you are swept by the strong wind that wicks away all the sweat from your strenuous climb in a matter of seconds. Once you are on the top, you can see more ruins of this once glorious ancient civilization and come to realize that the top is massive and flat. It would have been quite something when the kingdom was at its grandest best .



The top of Sigiriya rock is also a great place to sit and gaze into the green surroundings, the water gardens, the forests and the far away hills while imagining the might of this civilization in its prime. While you are on the top, you will also notice another smaller rock called Pidurangala that is a popular place to catch a sunrise or sunset view of Sigiriya. This rock offers a Buddhist monastery and some off beat trekking adventure for those looking for something different.



Whether you are into UNESCO World heritage sites, ancient cities, history or simply fun travels and adventure, Sigiriya will definitely appeal to you and you should definitely make it a part of your Sri Lanka holiday itinerary. Before making your way to the top, do stop by the Sigiriya museum to get a decent idea of the history. It will be even better if you hire a knowledgeable guide.

Note: Do remember that this place will be warm, humid, open to the atmosphere and there is a steep climb involved. So, do wear simple walking shoes, carry an umbrella or a hat, some sunscreen, a pair of sunglasses, a small towel and a bottle of water to keep yourself company during the climb to the top of the rock.

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Jaipur: The Best Place to begin your India Sojourn

Rajasthan, a name synonymous with opulence, palaces, forts, rich Indian weddings, razzmatazz, rich culture, colour and delicious food is popular the world over. In all probability, it is one of the one of the first locations from where foreign travelers begin their India journey. And what better place to start this India sojourn than Jaipur, the Pink city and the capital of the state of Rajasthan where glitterati, rich culture, luxury palace hotels, mighty forts and much more roll into one.

Named after Maharaja Jai Singh ji, Jaipur was established in the year 1762. More or less equidistant from both Delhi and Agra, Jaipur is hot on the tourist map. It’s low cost international airport hub, excellent rail and road connectivity gives it great access. This excellent access also serves as a great getaway to other attractions of Rajasthan, such as Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Pushkar, Bikaner, Ranakpur and may more. It is here in Jaipur that tourists from all over the world flock to witness the beauty of the landscapes where the forts stand tall depicting the glory and valor of Indian Maharajas. As for the hotels in Jaipur, they offer world-class accommodation that fits every class of traveler.

Places to Visit in Jaipur

City Palace



Maharaja Jai Singh consulted renowned architects and considered architecture textbooks before laying out the plan of this vast city. The lavishness of the royal families is clearly visible in the City Palace, which includes the premises of Mubarak Mahal and Chandra Mahal inside its boundary. Its museum depicts the opulence of the 18^thcentury rulers of this golden land and the constructions reflect the effect of Mughal architecture.

Hawa Mahal



This iconic structure is one of the most admired tourist locations in Jaipur. The main feature of the Mahal are the high-screen walls specially designed for the royal ladies to watch the market proceedings without being spotted by the men.

Amber Fort



It comprises an elegant example of a hill fort. While it construction depicts the Hindu architecture, the cobblestoned paths and huge ramparts follow the Maota Lake. The beautiful views of the highland along with the fort beside a lake are priceless.

Jantar Mantar



This architecture marvel is the conglomeration of 19 astronomical erections constructed according to the celestial coordinate system. This UNESCO heritage site has the largest sundial in the world. The then highly advanced patrons of astronomy measured time predicted eclipses and tracked locations of famous stars in the galaxy.

Nahargarh Fort



Situated right on the brim of the Aravalli Hills it is among the most visited sites in Jaipur. If you want to witness the beauty of the entire city from an admirable height, then this fort is the right place to go.

Jal Mahal



Another world-famous site to visit in this city is Jal Mahal. The iconic fort is situated right at the center of the Man Sagar Lake. The palace is made of red stones and the majority of its construction is under water. The entire structure along with the renovation of the water body was done in the 18^th century.

Man Sagar Lake

It is a great example of artificial lakes in India. The panoramic views of the dam built across the Dharbawati River will be an ultimate experience for the tourists.

Mesmeric Museums

The Jaigarh Fort, which was built to safeguard Amber Fort, stretches up to 3 km and features a museum. It displays the contemporary artefacts used by the royal families. For the history and art buffs, Albert Hall Museum is another ideal place to visit and enjoy the displays. Jawahar Kala Kendra also displays art, architecture and culture-related collections. It was built by the government to preserve the age-old Rajasthani arts.

Temples

If you are looking for a religious tour, then you must visit Govind Dev Ji Temple, Birla Mandir, and Moti Doongri Ganesh Temple. The hotels in Jaipur that are situated near the locations will be convenient options for accommodation to stay and enjoy all the nearest tourist locations at once.

Gardens and Zoo

The flora and fauna admirers will enjoy the glimpse of varieties of animals in the Jaipur Zoo. Ram Niwas Garden, on the other hand, is a great place to enjoy the serene environment in the lap of nature. Central Park, on the other hand, is the largest green space in Jaipur that has stone statues and jogging paths. Big trees in the lush green sprawling lawns offer ecstatic natural views. If you want an all-in-one package of a palace in a garden surrounded by hills, then Sisodiya Rani Bagh is the place. Kanak Vrindavan is a garden on a valley that leads to Amer Fort and is surrounded by Aravalli Hills.

The charisma of the city compels the tourists to come back and enjoy the elegant forts and natural landscapes all over again. The royal architecture and the rich artistic culture will surely provide a never before experience, while you ensure a comfortable stay in any of the friendly hotel properties in Jaipur that span a whole range of genres and budgets.

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