A Journey to Chennai and Thanjavur: 2018 / 2

Thanjavur Palace

Within a few minutes, we reached the Thanjavur Palace. At first glance, it was evident that the palace was not in its best condition. Although restoration work was underway in certain areas, the exterior lacked proper maintenance and did not create the "wow" moment I had expected. Still, I remained hopeful and curious to explore what lay inside.

What saddened me more than the ageing structure was the untidy surroundings. While visiting such historical places, I often wonder why we, as Indians, fail to take the basic responsibility of keeping our heritage clean—something we readily practice when we are abroad. Is it because we often fail to value what we have at home, or perhaps because we take our freedom and heritage for granted?

We reached the palace at around 12 noon. A beautiful small temple of Lord Ganesha is seen near the entrance, welcoming visitors.

I am not sure whether it was the main entrance, but from there we noticed signboards pointing towards the Saraswathi Mahal Library and the Darbar Hall. Since the library was closed during our visit—I don't recall the exact reason—we decided to explore the Darbar Hall first.

The murals inside the palace were simply breathtaking. Despite the visible effects of age and inadequate maintenance, their beauty and craftsmanship still shone through.

Soon after, we came across a giant Thanjavur Bommai (Thanjavur dancing doll), one of the region's most famous cultural symbols.

Walking through the palace corridors, we reached a large open courtyard that connects different sections of the complex. From here, the impressive Manimandapam (Bell Tower) could also be seen.

The courtyard houses a beautiful Nandi statue, while the palace museum preserves numerous sculptures and artefacts, each accompanied by informative descriptions. We saw the Tulaja inscription, several ancient idols, including a Buddha statue, and many other historically significant exhibits.

As we explored, it started raining once again, prompting us to move indoors. Looking outside, we witnessed hundreds of parrots joyfully playing in the rain—a delightful sight. I had never seen so many parrots gathered in one place before.

The Thanjavur Palace, also known as the Maratha Palace or Nayak Palace, was originally built by the Thanjavur Nayaks, with significant additions later made by the Marathas. Its magnificent halls, supported by rows of grand pillars is amazing.

After spending considerable time reading the descriptions of the artefacts and admiring the sculptures, we walked towards the Maharaja Serfoji's Memorial Hall Museum.

Unfortunately, the issue of poor maintenance continued throughout the palace complex. Historical monuments like these deserve much better care, and preserving them should be a shared responsibility between the government and the public.

Creating awareness must begin at a young age. Beyond simply teaching history in classrooms, parents and teachers should actively encourage children to appreciate and protect our heritage. When young people are personally involved in understanding history, they develop a genuine sense of ownership and pride.

Although I completed my schooling in Dubai, UAE, my teachers enthusiastically taught us about India's rich history, its cultural significance, and the importance of preserving it for future generations. While I cannot claim to have made any contribution myself, I am happy that my daughter has developed a deep respect for India's heritage. What disappoints her is not India's history, but the lack of proper maintenance and the attitude of accepting things as they are. She often asks why, when the world is progressing so rapidly, we cannot maintain our historical sites or make better use of the facilities we already have.

Despite these shortcomings, she genuinely enjoys exploring India's historical treasures and feels proud of them. Interestingly, this is the same girl who once never wanted to leave Dubai but is now pursuing her higher education in India, hoping that one day she can contribute, even in a small way, towards the country. Being this said, She carries a deep sense of belonging to both countries and takes pride in the values and opportunities both countries are giving her.

Coming back to our visit, we climbed a long flight of steps leading to another museum section. While the collection itself was remarkable, many priceless artefacts appeared to be poorly displayed and inadequately preserved. It was quite disheartening, and after spending some time there, we decided to leave.

It should be noted that before visiting, the timings of both the palace museum and the Saraswathi Mahal Library must be checked. We spent around an hour exploring the palace complex. By then, it was lunchtime, and we headed out in search of a delicious vegetarian thali to continue our Thanjavur experience.

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.

Palani Murugan Temple

Tamil Nadu and its temple architecture have always fascinated me. I often feel deeply connected to these places, as though I have been there before.

Something in me have inspired me to explore temples whenever I can. My archaeological interests seem to align, indirectly, with those of my grandfather. One such shared interest led us to the famous Palani Murugan Temple.

Temple view

The temple is located in the Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu. It is one of the oldest and most visited temples in the state, attracting millions of devotees every year.

Steps to & from the temple

From the Cable Car

We were blessed to visit the shrine in 2015. Due to time constraints and for the convenience of my grandparents, we opted for the cable car ride to and from the temple. The misty morning atmosphere, cool breeze, and pleasant climate at the hilltop together created a truly divine environment.

Views from the temple

Temple Views

Temple Views

City View from the temple

Views from the temple.

The magnificent view of the city from the top of the hill, along with the beautiful stone carvings, was captivating. Though I do not remember every detail, even today I can still feel the presence of that divinity.

After a fulfilling darshan, we took the cable car back down, and as expected, my mother’s attention was quickly drawn to the various fruit and household vendors below.

Small Vendors

One of my mother's favorite "shopping from local vendors"

Horse cart for nearby transportation needs.

Overall, it was a memorable and joyful trip for all of us