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Hidden treasures of Chettinad
Posted by Vineeth Purushothaman on Apr 2, 2009 in Destinations
Karaikudi, the biggest city in Sivaganga district, in Tamil nadu, on the Trichy- Rameswaram High road is also the Capital of Chettinad, due to predominance of Nattu Kotta Chettiars in the area.
Chettinad comprises Karaikudi and 74 other adjoining villages. The Chettiars are basically businessmen/ banking community who ventured far and wide and set up their businesses all over the country and abroad.
~ SOME IMPORTANT SIGHTS ~
- Pillaiyarpatti Temple - 12 km from Karaikudi on the Madurai main road. It is a rock cut temple, built after hewing a hillock, by the early Pandya kings. The images of Karpaga Vinayaka and ‘Sivalinga’ were carved out of stone. This temple is believed to be 1600 old.
- Festivals - The festivals of Ganesh chathurthi and ‘ Karthika’ are celebrated here in a grand manner. Devotees from all over the country visit the temple during this festival.
- Chettinad Museum - Chettinad Museum is located , next door to Raja’s palace This museum contains everything- from kitchen tools to masala dabbas, choppers, rice bins to ladle sets. There is traditional jewellery and clothing, huge copper water vats and grain bins. A visit to the museum will reveal the life styles of Chettiyars.
- Tirumayam Fort - This fort is located on the way to Karaikudi,on Rameswaram- Trichy Highway. It is set in40 acres and is considered historically important. During World war 11, the fort was used as an armoury by the British Army. Inside the fort, there are two famous rock cut shrines-one of SIVA the other of VISHNU.
~ THINGS TO DO ~
- Visit a special tile factory - Athangudi Tiles: These are hand made terra cotta tiles, specially patterned and sun dried.
- Try out fiery Chettinad dishes
- Go shopping for antiques - Large number of antique shops sell quaint pewter jars, oil and cans mugs and bowls in lovely blues and greens, most of them imported from various countries.
- Go shopping for Gopurakari Saris - Karaikudi is famous for this type of saris, with the borders designed like ‘ gopuram’ (towers) with attractive contrast colours.