A Journey to Chennai and Thanjavur: 2018 / 1

One fine day, Amma and I were discussing buying sarees for my brother Arun's wedding. We had planned to shop at a few stores in Kerala, but one of our family members suggested that we go to Chennai instead, considering the cost and the amount of shopping we had to do.

Amma liked the idea because she had always wanted to take us to the Periya Kovil in Thanjavur, which she had visited before. So, our trip planning began.

We decided to travel to Thanjavur first and end our trip in Chennai. On 28 November 2018, we flew from Dubai to Tiruchirappalli. We reached early in the morning on 29 November. It was our first time travelling on a propeller aircraft, which made the journey a little more exciting. From Tiruchirappalli, we travelled by car to Thanjavur.

Trichy welcomed us with a pleasant shower of rain, making the weather cool and refreshing.

After checking into our hotel in Thanjavur, we went straight to the Periya Kovil. 

After reading Google reviews, I chose Hotel Yagappa. At that time, I wasn't familiar with booking platforms like MakeMyTrip or Agoda. Instead, I contacted the hotel directly by phone and email and reserved a room for three adults and one child.

To be honest, Hotel Yagappa turned out to be a great choice. The hotel was clean, comfortable, and very welcoming. The front office staff were friendly and helpful, making our short stay pleasant.

Our initial plan was to hire a taxi ourselves and visit the Periya Kovil. However, while waiting at the reception, I noticed that the hotel offered local sightseeing and taxi packages. We spoke to the front office staff, and they were happy to arrange a taxi for a full-day trip around Thanjavur. I don't remember the exact amount we paid, but it was convenient and saved us the trouble of making separate arrangements.

The package included not only the Periya Kovil but also a few other famous temples in and around Thanjavur. Since I was travelling with my parents, the trip naturally became a pilgrimage tour. I have always enjoyed such trips too. The architecture of South Indian temples has always fascinated me, and I feel a special connection whenever I visit these magnificent structures.

While writing this blog, I looked up Hotel Yagappa again on Google and MakeMyTrip. I was happy to see that, even after all these years, the hotel has continued to maintain its good ratings. It was nice to know that our positive experience was not just a one-time thing.

We reached the Periya Kovil, also known as the Brihadisvara Temple, Rajarajesvaram, or Thanjai Periya Kovil, at around 10 a.m. Before entering the temple, we were asked to leave our footwear at the designated shoe stand.

It was my first time seeing such a magnificent temple gopuram. The entire place had an earthy and timeless feel, as if it was welcoming us into a different era. The weather made the experience even more special. There was a light drizzle, the air was cool, and a gentle mist surrounded the temple, creating a peaceful atmosphere.

The Periya Kovil is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a protected monument maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India. At the same time, it continues to be an active place of worship, where Lord Shiva is worshipped as Rajarajeshwar with regular poojas conducted every day. The temple also hosts cultural programmes, including classical dance performances. During our visit, we noticed that preservation and restoration work was being carried out in parts of the temple complex.

The massive Nandi and the Nandi Mandapam were truly a sight to behold. Every part of the temple reflects the brilliance of Chola architecture, and it is easy to understand why it is admired by people from all over the world.

We spent about one and a half hours exploring the temple complex, had a peaceful darshan of the huge Shiva Linga, and then continued to our next destination, the Thanjavur Palace, which is located nearby.

Walking through the temple brought back memories of my school days. During my social studies classes, especially between Grades 4 and 7, we had separate books on Indian History and Civics. Indian History was one of my favorite subjects. I also remember working on social studies vacation projects, for which I collected Labour India study books and other reference & project books from India. One of those projects was about the Chola dynasty.

I don't remember every detail from those lessons, but I clearly remember seeing pictures and models of this magnificent temple in my those reference magazines. Standing there in person years later felt surreal. It was wonderful to finally see, with my own eyes, a monument that I had only read about as a child.

I hope to write a detailed blog about the Periya Kovil soon.

Georgia 2018 : Conclusion: 2018 Georgia travel series.

 While going through my blog recently, I realized that I had never actually concluded my Georgia travel series. So, after all these years, it's finally time to finish the story.

After exploring the beautiful City of Love, Sighnaghi, and enjoying the funicular ride and the panoramic views from the TV Tower at Mtatsminda Park, we returned to our hotel quite late in the evening. It had been a day filled with memorable experiences, and we were pleasantly exhausted.

While some of our teammates decided to take a late-night stroll through the streets, We chose something much simpler. My then colleague—and a friend from the office whom I still treasure dearly—Rakshinda, settled into the hotel balcony overlooking the gently flowing river. We didn't have any grand conversations, sat there simply, occasionally standing by the railing, letting the cool night breeze to flow through us.

The moment was incredibly calming. The quietness of the night, the gentle sound of the river, and the refreshing breeze created a sense of peace that we had been longing for. The most unforgettable travel memories are not about famous landmarks or exciting adventures, but about moments like these—where time seems to slow down, and you simply exist in the present, about how you take each day whether good or bad.

By then, Paru was already fast asleep. Around 2 a.m., Rakshinda and I finally decided it was time for bed. The next day would be our last in Georgia, and we had an early start ahead of us. After breakfast and checking out of the hotel, we were set to explore the charming streets of Tbilisi before bidding farewell to this beautiful country this time, expecting to come back again.

With those thoughts in mind, we slipped into a deep sleep, carrying with us the quiet beautiful memories which we could carry for the years to come. 

The next morning arrived sooner than we would have liked. After checking out of the hotel, we gathered for one last group photograph—the memories shared throughout the journey.

Our final day in Georgia was dedicated to exploring the heart of Tbilisi. We first made our way to the iconic Peace Bridge, where modern architecture blends with the city's historic charm. From there, we walked through the park below, peaceful morning surroundings, and came across the Lock tree, a man made one.

As we wandered through the streets of Tbilisi, every corner seemed to tell a story, finally making our way to the majestic Mother of Georgia, standing tall as a symbol of the country's strength and hospitality. The panoramic view from there was simply breathtaking.

Along the way, we passed several notable landmarks, including the Bank of Georgia building, the Public Notary, the vibrant Meidan Bazaar, and the famous Sulphur baths that have been an integral part of Tbilisi's history for centuries. 

Before leaving, we couldn't resist picking up a few local treasures—pure Georgian honey and a delightful assortment of dried fruits to take a little taste of Georgia back home with us.

And just like that, it was time to say goodbye.

Georgia had welcomed us with warm hospitality, and memories that would stay with us for a lifetime.

As we headed towards the airport, it wasn't just the end of a trip—it was the end of a beautiful chapter and silently promising ourselves that one day, some of us may return as travelers again and again, Until then, thank you, Georgia.

#Georgia #Travel

Padmanabhapuram Palace

Padmanabhapuram Palace — once the capital residence of the Kingdom of Travancore — stands quietly in Padmanabhapuram in the Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu. Though geographically in Tamil Nadu, the palace continues to be owned and maintained by the Government of Kerala. Also known as Kalkulam Palace, it is known for the finest traditional wooden architecture in South India. More details about the palace can be found at Padmanabhapuram Palace Official website www.padmanabhapurampalace.org.

To Padmanabhapuram Palace

The nearest airport is Thiruvananthapuram International Airport.

Parts of the iconic Malayalam movie Manichitrathazhu was filmed here. But for me, the true beauty of the palace was captivated in the movie His Highness Abdullah — the first film that I watched in a theatre. The palace also was a location for another beautiful Malayalam movie Rakkuyilin Ragasadassil, which was shot much before Manichitrathazhu and His Highness Abdullah. As I write this blog, Rakkuyilin Ragasadassil is being played on the TV, a film that remains as one of my all-time favorites.

I feel that places like these just don't simply appear in movies, they just elevate the cinema itself. The palace adds a timeless soul to those movies, character and songs, lifting the art to another level altogether.

Holding tiny hands of my daughter, as I walked through the long corridors, the meeting halls, the vast kitchen, the guest quarters, and royal bedrooms, countless thoughts filled my mind. 

Meetings Room

I wondered, the number of decisions and judgments that were once made within those walls, the echoes of dances and kacheris that must have brought life to the palace, the long lasting celebrations held there, the number of artisans and dignitaries who once arrived,  and the enormous meals prepared in the huge kitchen. 

Kitchen

There was something deeply moving about walking through spaces once crossed by kings, queens, and dignitaries. The palace seemed to hold both the charm and the silent cries of another era. 

Every pillar felt like a keeper of secrets, carrying stories that time itself chose not to reveal. 

Memories are captured deeper within us than in photographs — a feeling, a thought, or even an unanswered question to me: Was I somehow part of that era too? Is it haunting me ?

As I sat in the car, somewhere deep within, I felt a quiet sadness as though I was leaving something behind. I do not know the answer.  

I wish to return there again someday, simply sit in silence, breathe & feel the timelessness, spend a few calm moments and listen to the stories that the palace still whispers.