Pancha Rathas, Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram)

Five monolithic temples of Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram)

Also see: FAM Trip of Tamil Nadu

55 km south of Chennai (Madras) lies the ancient port town of Mahabalipuram (now Mamallapuram) known for its gigantic rock-cut caves, massive monolithic structures, intricate bass relief panels and structural temples, including the famous Shore Temple.

Panoramic view of the Pancha Ratha Complex, Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram)

The Pancha Rathas also known as Pandava Rathas are a group of five monolithic temples named after the five Pandavas and their common wife Draupadi (Nakula and Sahadeva share a single temple). Although the temples are named after Pandavas but they are not dedicated to them, so it is widely believed that the names probably emerged at a later date.

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Tuticorin Macaroon, an Indian twist to a European Confectionary

Tuticorin Macaroon

An Indian twist to a European Confectionary

Also see: FAM Trip of Tamil Nadu

A macaroon is a small cake or biscuit-like confectionary item made with egg white, sugar and ground almond. It has an Italian and French origin and over the years it has made its way to different parts of the world.

Tuticorin Macaroon

Each country and region that has adopted the macaroon has modified it by using easily available local raw materials. The ground almond has often been replaced with ground cashew nuts or even coconut powder. Some have also added a dash of honey to provide an extra dose of sweetness.

Memorial of APJ Abdul Kalam, Rameswaran

Memorial of APJ Abdul Kalam

Rameswaran

Also see: FAM Trip of Tamil Nadu

Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam or simply APJ Abdul Kalam (15 October 1931 – 27 July 2015) was the 11 ^th President of India (25 July 2002 – 25 July 2007). Known as the “People’s President” and the “Missile man of India” Kalam came from a humble background.

Memorial of APJ Abdul Kalam, Rameswaran

He was born in Rameswaram, an important Hindu pilgrimage in Pamban Island (also known as Rameswaran Island). Kalam came from a very humble background but excelled in academics. He went on to study aerospace engineering in Madras Institute of Technology (IIT).

Brihadeshwara Temple, Gangaikonda Cholapuram

Great Living Chola Temples of Tamil Nadu

Also see: FAM Trip of Tamil Nadu

The Brihadeshwara Temple of Gangaikonda Cholapuram is a temple dedicated to Shiva. It is one of the largest Shiva temple of South India and is a classic example of Dravidian Temple Architecture.

Brihadeshwara Temple, Gangaikonda Cholapuram

It is part of the UNESCO Heritage site of Great Living Chola Temples. Which includes:

1. Brihadeshwara Temple, Thanjavur (Tanjore) constructed by Raja Raja I (Raja Taja Chola) in 1010
2. Brihadeshwara Temple, Gangaikonda Cholapuram constructed by Rajendra (Rajendra Chola) in 1035
3. Airavatesvara Temple, Darasuram constructed by Raja Raja II in 1166

The temple at Tanjavur was included in the UNESCO list in 1984. In 2004 the other two were included in the list under the common heading of Great Living Chola Temples.

Mantra Koodam CGH Earth Resort, Kumbakonam

Mantra Koodam CGH Earth Resort

Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu

Also see: FAM Trip of Tamil Nadu

Kumbakonam or Kudanthai is a town in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu. There are about 180 temples located within the town and apart from that there several thousand temples around the town and hence it is popularly referred to as the temple town.

A small shrine inside Mantra Koodam Resort, Kumbakonam

The Mantra Koodam Resort in Kumbakonam provides a spiritual experience ans serves as a home away from home. Managed by the CGH Earth Experiential Holidays, who specializes in curating experiential holidays since 1954.

Tranquebar (Tharangambadi), Former Danish Colony in Tamil Nadu

Tranquebar (Tharangambadi)

Former Danish Colony in Tamil Nadu

Also see: FAM Trip of Tamil Nadu

Tharangambadi (Tranquebar), the place of the singing waves, is a small coastal town in Tamil Nadu 120 km south of the former French colony Pondicherry (Puducherry). Tharangambadi is known for its ozone rich beaches. It was once a Danish colony and was known as Tranquebar.

Dansborg Fort, Tranquebar (Tharangambadi)

Today the Danish Fort of Dansborg still dominates the Tranquebar skyline and the fortified town still has its share of colonial charm and legacy. The coastal town complete with forts, churches and colonial buildings is surrounded by high wall complete with bastions and stands as a colonial island surrounded by a rural landscape.

Courtallam Waterfalls, spa of south India

Courtallam Waterfalls

Spa of south India

Also see: FAM Trip of Tamil Nadu

Located at the southern tip of Western Ghat on the Tamil Nadu – Kerala border this small hill station of Tamil Nadu houses nine waterfalls. The water in the falls have medical values and is known as the spa of south India. This is Courtallam (or Kuttraalam).

Collage of the three most well known waterfalls of Courtallam (Kuttraalam)

Sadly the Courtallam hardly finds a place in the national tourism map, but it is extremely popular among locals. During the monsoon weekends thousand of locals tourist from Tamil Nadu and Kerala visit the place. The local administration and the police have a tough time handling them.

Border Parotta, a culinary landmark on Tamil Nadu – Kerala border

Border Parotta

A culinary landmark on Tamil Nadu – Kerala border

Also see: FAM Trip of Tamil Nadu

Who said, “Tamil food is all about idli and dhosa and is all vegetarian?” Think again! The coastal state of Tamil Nadu has its share of non veg cuisine and the probably the best place to experience it is Border Parotta stall near the small town of Coutrallam. It is not just food but an experience.

Border Parotta, Tenkashi

Coutrallam (or Kutralam) is a small town at the southern tip of Western Ghat. The town is known for its spectacular waterfalls (More on:Coutrallam Waterfalls) but no trip to Courtallam is complete with a visit to the culinary landmark of Border Parotta in Tenkasi (Google map location) just 5 km away.

Dansborg Fort, Tranquebar (Tharangambadi)

Dansborg Fort

Tranquebar (Tharangambadi), Tamil Nadu (TN)

Also see: FAM Trip of Tamil Nadu

Although India has been a British colony for almost two centuries but few pockets have been under the occupation of other European powers. Goa and Pondicherry remained under the Portuguese and French occupation respectively even after independence of India in 1947.

Dansborg Fort, Tranquebar (Tharangambadi)

Apart from French and Portuguese the Dutch and Danish also had there share of tiny colonies spread across British India. West Bengal also had its share of European colonies along the River Hooghly

Emden Plaque, Madras High Court, Chennai

The only attack on Indian soil during World War I

Also see: FAM Trip of Tamil Nadu and WWI Memorial in India

Over a million Indian soldiers served the British Army during the First World War (WWI), which was initially known as the Great War of 1914 – 18. Over 70,000 died fighting in different war theatres spread across Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Emden in 1910 (wikimedia commons)

Today numerous meorials and plaques dot the entire landscape of the sub-continent in memory of the fallen Indian soldiers who died fighting for the King of another country in far off lands.

This memorials consists of well known land marks like the India Gate, Delhi or the towering Glourious Dead Cenotaph, Kolkata.

They consist of elaborate memorials like the Teen Murti Memorial, Delhi and also include a tiny nondescript plaque on the walls of a health centre in Mehruli region of Delhi