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Coromandel calling

The coastal part of has several relatively unexplored places that speak volumes about its rich cultural heritage and history. These places exude an old world charm that is hard to beat. An amalgamation of art, craft, tradition and modern elements, each of these destinations make for a holiday destination like no other.

Words: Bindu Gopal Rao

very region of is often called the ‘rice bowl of temple prior to its restoration. has something India’. The city has a rich cultural The other important place is unique to offer and history influenced by the Cholas, the Maratha Palace attracts tourists the Nayakas and the Marathas. Complex. It has two durbar halls from all over the A potpourri of dance, culture, art of the Nayaks and the Marathas. world.E However, the natural beauty and spirituality, Tanjore is well The of South India is undoubtedly known for its bronze sculptures Museum and The Thanjavur awe-inspiring. Tamil Nadu has as well. At the heart of the town Art Gallery are places within one of the most surreal places, is its most well-known symbol the palace complex that you which one must visit at least once. - the Brihadeeswarar Temple must stop and see, as they It has been home to the oldest rightfully called as the Big temple. have an interesting collection of civilisations and has seen the Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this is of historical memorabilia. You rule of various ancient dynasties among the largest temples in the can pick up a Tanjore painting at like the Chera, Chola and Pandya, country and a UNESCO Heritage the Government run showroom, which ruled the region between site. Built in the 11th century, its Poompuhar. 300 BC–300 AD. The state of main tower is 216 ft high and Tamil Nadu is thus rich in both the basement is covered with Chidambaram cultural and natural aspects inscriptions detailing the temple’s A temple town in Cuddalore making it a tourist haven. administration and revenue. district, Chidambaram has a The rectangular structure has mixed history of Cholas, Pandyas, Thanjavur many sub shrines around it and the Vijayanagar Empire, Marathas Tanjore or Thanjavur is home to the Archaeological Museum on and the British! The place is the famed Tanjore paintings and site displays photographs of the revered as it is believed that Lord

Mar-Apr 2017 33 discover getaway

Chidambaram temple

Shiva performed his cosmic Tamil Nadu Handicraft Emporium. Masilamani Nathar Koil is another dance called the Tandava Nritya Poompuhar was once a major temple, largely eroded by the here. The Thillai Nataraja Temple, port of the Chola Empire and is sea, which dates back to the 14th spread across 40 acres in the also called Kaveripoompattinam. century and still manages to heart of the town, pays obeisance This sleepy beach town has the reflect its architectural prowess. Quick to Natraja or the dancing form Sillappathikara Art Gallery that Excavations have unearthed a few Facts of Shiva. This is said to be one displays a collection of sculptures ship wrecks, a wharf belonging to among the five holiest Shiva carved by the sculptors of the the 3rd century BC, brick figures temples, each representing one Mamallapuram Art College. and copper coins. of the five natural elements. Marine archaeologists have Chidambaram represents akasha confirmed that the city had been Gangaikonda (aether). The structure of the destroyed by Tsunamis and At one time, the capital of the complex has five major halls, erosion. Ruins found here also Cholas, Gangaikonda Cholapuram, The Big temple was each of which has a specific depict a Buddhist connection. was founded by Rajendra Chola built using 1,30,000 purpose. It is hard not to soak into tons of granite the religious fervour of the place stone. It is believed that a visit to the and the intricately carved temple spires and temple tanks add to the Kali temple is mandatory after

Tanjore paintings, majestic beauty of this place. The visiting the Natraja temple in its original priests here are called Dikshitars, days, would be a community that wears their long embellished hair in a lop-sided bun placed with diamonds, sapphires and on the left side of their heads. It rubies! is believed that a visit to the Kali temple close by is mandatory after visiting the Natraja temple. Chidambaram is home to the oldest universities of the state - the Annamalai University established in 1929. Under sea excavations are planned at Poompuhar Poompuhar, a vital A beach town in the Nagapattinam maritime port that district of Tamil Nadu, Poompuhar is said to have trade links with Rome and was the capital of the early Chola China. kings and is also the name of the

34 Mar-Apr 2017 www.trujetter.com Pic by Bindu Gopal Rao Pic by Danish Fort at Tharangambadi to commemorate his victory over Naturally, this temple is a UNESCO established in 1979 inside the the Pala Dynasty. He also gave the World Heritage Site and is counted fort’s precincts to showcase Tharangambadi town its name. This place also has as one among the three great the connections between India means the land of singing waves in a huge lake called Chola Gangam living Chola Temples. and Denmark. The museum has Tamil. that covers a whopping 22 km. several artifacts dating back Its water is used for drinking and Tharangambadi to several years. The strikingly irrigation. The Brihadeeswarar This is a beach town on the coast beautiful churches here are like Temple occupies the center of the Bay of Bengal that has a no other. The Zion Church and the stage here and is in the midst of a strong Danish history. The quaint adjoining Ziegenbalg house, now beautifully landscaped complex. town has an old world charm and called the Ziegenbalg Spiritual The temple is said to have the its buildings are great examples Centre, are important landmarks. biggest lingam in South India of Danish architecture. The 17th Likewise, the New Jerusalem with a height of 4 mt! Modelled century Danish castle located Church on King Street houses This temple is on the lines of the Big temple of here was once a flourishing trade the grave of Ziegenbalg and is a located in the centre Thanjavur, the architecture of centre. The Town Gateway, built beautiful white structure. An ideal of the world’s magnetic equator. this temple is softer with delicate in 1792, in Danish architectural way to soak into the history of this contours compared to the latter. style, welcomes you to the place is to walk around, admire the There is a huge stone statue of town. The centre of attraction colonial culture and feel the past Chidambara Nandi at the entrance and the at Tharangambadi (former up close. Other important places Rahasyam or main temple can be accessed Tranquebar), however, is the are the ruins of the Masilamani the secret of Chidambaram via a short flight of steps. All the peach coloured Danish fort built Nathar temple, built in 1305. The stems from the walls of the main temple have in 1620 by the Danish Royal Navy beautiful sea and beach that belief that there is detailed stone carvings, depicting Commander, Ove Gedde, during stretches endlessly, however, is a secret message in the embossed images of gods and goddesses. the rule of the Nayaka King, the focal point of attraction that figure near the An interesting element is the large Ragunatha Nayaka, of Tanjore. stays with you much after you shrine of Shiva number of bronze images here. A thematic Danish museum was leave this place. inside the temple.

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