[VMB]

Originally Posted by suresh_gs

Did you visit the Shiva temple at papanasam where there are 108 shiva lingams. Of these 2 are bigger in size unlike the rest (I vaguely remember). But yes the temple was not maintained properly.

I wish the TN govt shows more interest in maintaining the temples so as to promote more tourism which will fill the state govt coffers. Or they can hande over the temple maintenance to corporate bodies (Navatirupati temple in Tirunelveli is maintained by TVS. All the temple priests have a TVS 50 moped to shuttle from temple to home)

I did..there is a pic of the temple too from outside. I couldn't go inside as it was closed for pooja.

Its a new info for me that temples are maintained privately. As you said it would be really good if they maintain it properly. The architectural & cultural beauty of these places are beyond words.

[VMB]

Originally Posted by Ddrive

Clear and beautiful frames.
Places I've gone as a kid long time ago with my dad, some of these.
Nostalgic... would like to go again soon.

Surprising to see so much of water in Manimutharu, at this time of the year.
Well, those food stuff at Madurai... No way, I know well what you'r talking about.

There was water in Manimutharu & Agastyar falls. But sad that Kutraalam falls didn't have. That was the place I was wishing to go for quite sometime.

And yes. Madurai food is too good. One must experience it know that.

[procrj]

Originally Posted by VMB

Brihadeeswara Temple @ Tanjavur...1000 yrs old temple built by Cholas..

Nice TLog VMB. Had visited this temple a few weeks back and was surprised at how well it was maintained. Very rare to see such exquisite architecture being maintained so well. You should have visited here during sunset. The color and hues are just too good. Posting a few pics. Sorry for hijacking your thread!

well maintained lawns and benches


imposing gopuram over the main sanctum sanctorum


A view of the two entrance gates, which were built by two different kingdoms (Cholas & Marathas??)


The sphere on top of the gopuram is 30+ tonnes and was placed there using a ramp that was 17km long

[vindrider2626]

Great trip ,have visited all the places you have gone, which brought back wonderful memories.We are planning a family trip to manimuthar and it was a relief to see water in the falls,but when did you make this trip?Could you be specific on the date you visited manimuthar?

[Ddrive]

Originally Posted by VMB

But sad that Kutraalam falls didn't have. That was the place I was wishing to go for quite sometime.

Kutrallam (Written as 'Courtallam') : All the falls in here will be in full flow during the months of July and August only. Needless to say it will be much crowds during season times.

PS: You have used the 'Quote' option for replying individually. We normally use the 'Quote+' option for multi-quoting in a single reply

[VMB]

Originally Posted by procrj

You should have visited here during sunset. The color and hues are just too good.

Woww...The temple look beautiful during sunset! Thanks for the pics

Originally Posted by vindrider2626

Great trip ,have visited all the places you have gone, which brought back wonderful memories.We are planning a family trip to manimuthar and it was a relief to see water in the falls,but when did you make this trip?Could you be specific on the date you visited manimuthar?

Thank you...I made this trip on 10th of March. ie: just before couple of weeks

Originally Posted by Ddrive

Kutrallam (Written as 'Courtallam') : All the falls in here will be in full flow during the months of July and August only. Needless to say it will be much crowds during season times.

PS: You have used the 'Quote' option for replying individually. We normally use the 'Quote+' option for multi-quoting in a single reply

Kutrallam has a name Courtallam too. And as a newbie, I didn't know about multi quoting. Anyways thanks for the info

[ksmrsm]

@ VMB

That is a wonderful trip and some wonderful photos. Staying in Trichy have gone to most of these place and had the privilege to enjoy these temple and their architecture.

By the way - did you cool down with the famous Jigarthanda (similar to the falooda) of Madurai after the heavy and spicy meal that you had.

[VMB]

Originally Posted by ksmrsm

@ VMB
By the way - did you cool down with the famous Jigarthanda (similar to the falooda) of Madurai after the heavy and spicy meal that you had.

Thank you...No I didn't have Jigarthanda from Madurai. Totally forgot about it. But Im a regular customer at Murugan's Idly Shop in T.Nagar,Chennai where you get tasty Jigarthanda

[gabrielthomas]

I was droooooooling over that Mutton Biriyani and that Curry Dosai :-) Oh yeah coming back to your trip - I think it was a very very good idea to avoid the long stretch bypasses. Excellent post

[shyamk]

The next time you cross Madurai, check out Konar mess. They serve the mutton dosai, but it kicks some serious behind.

[VMB]

Originally Posted by gabrielthomas

I was droooooooling over that Mutton Biriyani and that Curry Dosai :-) Oh yeah coming back to your trip - I think it was a very very good idea to avoid the long stretch bypasses. Excellent post

Thanks a lot I'll go again only for that dosa

Originally Posted by shyamk

The next time you cross Madurai, check out Konar mess. They serve the mutton dosai, but it kicks some serious behind.

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll definitely go there next time

[ampere]

You really had a time of your life. And why do I say that?

- Firstly all the time for YOURSELF !
- You chose when to stop, where to stop, where to rest, where to eat, where to snap etc etc ! A luxury that one rarely gets !
- Yes the temples of TN esp the ones built by Cholas are grand to say the least.
- And also each one you visit brings in some thing more than the previous one you saw.
- Recently I went on temple visit in that region. Saw quite many beautiful ones and still at the end of it all there are many many more left out.
- May be thats why Tanjore-Kumbakonan region is synonymous with temples.

If I may add one snap of the beautiful Brihadeeswarar temple. A handheld shot at night.

[Naturalist]

Great write up and photos. Always amazed to see this temple whenever I visit. Brahadeeswara temple is greatest proof that we had best architects some 1000's of years back. The temple tower was constructed with just one full rock.

[VMB]

Originally Posted by ampere

If I may add one snap of the beautiful Brihadeeswarar temple. A handheld shot at night.

Beautiful pic ampere