Travel Diary : Nagerkoil Trip May 2012 - (4) - Food in Nagerkoil:

The travel diary will not be complete if I do not write about the food I had in Nagerkoil. I came to know about some of the dishes that are unique to this place like Paniyaram, Avaiyal, Aaapam and some more, the names I do not remember. Actually these are the food items of Ancient South India and it was a surprise that these items are still made and had by people here. In my earlier trips, I had all these items, but since the primary  purpose of this trip was to attend a marriage, I didn't get a chance to have those food items. Nonetheless, I had many tasty items this time, some of which are here for your view.

On the first day morning, Mama bought breakfast from the famous Udipi International.

[Pic: Poori, Masala, Vadai]

Lunch feast in Kumar's marriage

[Pic: Lunch in Kumar's marriage]

Nongu Sarbath. It is actually Sarbath in which Nongus are dropped even without their outer cover peeled off. The Sarbath & Nongu tastes good invidually, but when they are mixed like this, it finally ends up in a Mokkai mixture called the Nongu Sarbath. Refrain from taking it. When I first heard of Nongu Sarbath, I thought Nongu will be ground and the paste will be mixed in Sarbath.


Read more about the Nongu juice here:Dhanesh Amma post on Nongu juice.

[Pic:Nongu Sarbath]

Beeda in Kumar Marriage Reception

[Pic: Beeda]

Dosa with Mutton Kurma in Kumar's Reception

[Pic: Dosa with Mutton Kurma]

Ice-cream in Kumar's Reception

[Pic: Ice-Cream]

Fruits in Kumar's Reception

[Pic: Fruits]

Travel Diary : Nagerkoil Trip May 2012 - (3) - Around the city:

One of my aim during the trip was to go around the city, alone and also with family. Fortunately, got lot of opportunities to go around the city.

At first I wanted to see the clock which I came to know was in the middle of the city. It is referred to as the "Manimedai" there. The tower houses one of the oldest clocks which is running for more than 100 years. I followed the directions of Mama and went and located a clock tower. But I was dis-appointed to see that it was rather a small one. When I came home back, I got to know that it is not the one I was looking for and I had to go further down to see that vintage clock tower.

Meenakshipuram Clock tower

[Pic: This is the one I mis-took for the "Manimedai" clock tower]

Again I started making trips, and located a big red-coloured tower, but there was no clock in it. Later I found that it is indeed the clock tower and now the clock doesnt have 4 faces, but only one face and the remaining 3 faces were removed. The remaining 1 face of the clock didnt show the correct time. There was a statue of the actor "N.S.Krishnan" in front of the tower.

[Pic: Clock tower with N.SKrishnan statue in the front]

Then I wanted to see the house of N.S.Krishnan and the Pioneer Muthu theatre. N.S.Krishnan was a famous comedian in the olden days. His wife Madhuram was also a comedian and they co-started in many old black & white movies. His house and the Pioneer Muthu theatre were on the same road. His house is about 1.5 kms from the main road. It now serves as a Godown for some transport company.

The house looks very very old, no proper maintainance, no painting, nothing. It had very big doors which seemed to be kept open all the time. This was not the house I had in mind. I was expecting a posh house with security guards. I thought how this house should have been some 50-60 years back. Mama explained that though N.S.Krishnan built this house, most of the time he lived in Chennai and after his death, his son lived here. He was stabbed to death during a quarrel when he was drunk, and that the house was let out and mostly ignored. I had plans to go inside and see the house. But upon see the condition of the house, I dropped that idea and returned.

N.S.Krishnan & his wife T.A.Maduram

A view of the house from entrance

Another view

This  is the office that is functioning there now

[Pic: N.S.Krishnan's House]

On the way back saw the Pioneer Muthu theatre. Since it was closed, took a picture from outside and returned home.

[Pic: Pioneer Muthu Theatre]

Travel Diary : Nagerkoil Trip May 2012 - (2) - Nagaraja Temple Visit:

The Nagaraja temple was very close to the city, contrary to my guess that it will be in the outskirts. The temple is just around 4 kms from Vadasery. When the car crossed the main entrance, my little friend Dhanu immediately said "Appa, Ithu snake ooda temple"("Appa, this is snake's temple"). I was wondering how he identified. Later got to know that he had noticed the 2 big Nagaraja statues on either side of the entrance. Forgot to tell, the city got the name Nagerkoil due to this temple.


They are allowing the cars and vehicles inside the main entrance. It was very narrow and for a "Katthukutty"("Learner") driver like me, it was very challenging and indeed I managed to drive the Hyundai GETZ into it. I have to thank my Mama for beliving in me and allowing me to take the driver's seat. But once upon a time, I had to run around the car to take that seat :-). More on that later, if possible :-). Finally we parked the car inside the temple(parking charge Rs. 10). When I came out and turned behind, I saw a beatuful, old temple, with a nice pond in front of it.

 [Pic: Front view of the Nagaraja temple]

We entered temple, we men were supposed to remove our shirts and banians, as per the tradition in Kerala and Nagarkoil. My little friend Dhanu refused to do that and he declared that he wont come inside the temple if he had to do that. Then, the people nearby said that since he is a baby, he need not remove his shirts and he can enter the temple.

When we went to the main Sannathi, there were some Poojai going on and people were standing and some were sitting in front of the God, waiting for the pre-poojai events to get over. I had a good time watching the funny single packs of the half-naked men there. Those men also would have had a nice time seeing my single pack :-).

Then the Poojai started and we prayed to the Nagaraja God. Mama went to the front rows to get the Prasadham. Mama said that we have to give atleast Rs. 10 to get the Prasadam, otherwise there are chances that we may not get it. On hearing the word "Prasadham", I thought that Mama will come back with Pongal or Puliyodharai or something similar to that and was anxiously waiting. After a couple of minutes, Mama came with a banana leaf. I was even more happy to see the banana leaf in his hand, and my hope of finding an eatable increased. But Alas!!! It had Sandanam, Thiruneer & Puthuman(Sand from the snake God's home). My friend explained that this is the Prasadham.

[Pic: Prasadham of Nagaraja temple]

Pond in the front

One of the Nagaraja statue in front of the temple

Then we went around the temple, visited to other Gods there and came out. I was surprised to see that people were buying milk in small Mugs. Found that they pour that milk to the numerous Snake Gods planted in front of the temple. Think this type of praying is unique in to the Nagaraja temple.

While driving back from the temple another challenge awaited me. Not only the entrance was narrow, but there was a steep slope from the temple leading to the entrance. I managed this time too :-)... Think I am no longer a "Kathukutti" driver...

The Challenge in front of me

[Pic: Way out from the Nagaraja temple]

Travel Diary : Nagerkoil Trip May 2012 - (1) - Suseendram & Vattakottai(Circular Fort) Visit:

Before the trip, while analyzing the places to be visited, I came across this place on the net. I dropped the Padmanabhapuram Palace(which I have already visited) for this place and added it to my agenda. On the second day night, I finalized the plan to go Vattakottai early in the morning, next day, by car, with Rakesh.

We planned to get ready by 5:00 in the morning and start by 6:00 from Vadachery. Our plan was to first visit the Sushindram temple, which is about 6 kms and then visit Vattakottai. But in the morning, as usual, I switched off the alarm in my mobile and continued with my sleep until Rakesh gave me a call at 5:50 to check that I am ready. Seeing his sincerity, I woke up and hurriedly got ready. There was an hour delay and we started by 7:00 AM.

That was a lovely trip. I like such long drives in the roads of Nagerkoil, sorrounded by beautiful scenaries most of the time. The only issue is that that roads are without a median, and we have to be a bit cautious while driving, as the opposite vehicles at times may take extreme rights. Nagerkoil, being a small city, the city vanishes within 5 minutes of drive and after that we are surrounded by greeneries, lakes, ponds & hills. We reached Suseendram by 7:20 AM. After paying a parking charge of Rs. 20, we took the car inside and parked very near to the temple. I dropped my initial idea of visiting the places around the temple by walk, since we were already running late by 1 hour.

Rakesh explained me about the importance of the place, and about the story behind the big snake statue(Nagaraja) in the Gopuram. A very big Ther was also parked near the temple. The Suseendram temple was lovely with a beautiful pond in by the side of the temple.

Suseendram Ther

Suseendram Temple Pond

Suseendram Temple

Can you identify the snake(Nagaraja) in the Suseendram Temple Gopuram???

We had a very satisfactory Darshan in the temple. Normally in my way of praying, I will pray the moolavar properly and just say my "hi" to the rest of the Gods in the temple. But since I was with Rakesh, I had to follow his way of praying - praying sincerely and dedicatedly to each and every God. That was enjoyable too. I found that the the temple was not much crowded since we went early.

From there we started our trip the Vattakottai Fort. We took a by-pass road from Kottaram. The road was a bit damaged and I had to drive the car at a slower speed. On both sides of the road were small villages, with beautiful scenaries. There were also a couple of beautiful churches on either side of the road. Later came to know that the best route is to go straight from Nagerkoil and catch the Tirunelveli high road, then take left and take the first right to reach Vattakottai.

A Church on the way to Vattakottai

Upon entering the Vattakottai village, we have to pay Rs. 20 for the car parking fee. There is no entrance fee to the Fort. It was a small, but magestic Fort, built by De' Lannoy.

There is an interesting story behind this Fort. The Dutch army lost to the Travancore King Marthanda Varma. The Dutch Army was lead by De Lanny, who was captured by the king. He opted to serve the King rather than getting killed. The King had asked him to train his Travancore Army. He served loyally to the King and the impressed King made him the chief of his Travancore Army. De Lannoy built several forts across the country to check the Foreign invasions. This Vattokottai Fort is one among them, built to check the entry of enemy forces through the sea.

Inside of Vattakottai

Coming back, we entered the Fort, and found that now it has been made into a big garden by Archeological department. The view of the sea and the nearby secnaries were superb. We could even see the Kanniyakumari's Thiruvalluvar statue from the Fort. Kanniyakumari should be around 5 to 6 kms from here. Also Rakesh located the Koodankulam Nuclear plant from here. It appeared as a small igloo at a distance near the sea. Also from here we saw the Aramboly(Aaralvaaimozhi) (power generating) fans.

Scenary outside Vattakottai Fort

Kanniyakumari from Vattakottai Fort

The fans of Aramboly

Kundamkulam from Vattakottai Fort

I was so happy to see the Fort and its surroundings that I called up my Friend and also my mother and started giving them live updates about the location. Rakesh said that though he is living there, he had missed to see that place all these years. I thought next time, I should visit this place with family, probably bringing food from home and having it in the lovely garden inside the Fort.

Items we bought during the trip

We spent there about 2 hours and returned back to Nagerkoil on the same route.

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday

My little friend Dhanu has started understanding the days of the week.
These mornings the first question he asks is "Appa, what is the day today?" or "Amma, what is the day today?" based on whom he sees first. And we have to tell him the day.
The same happened today. As usual, as Dhanu got up, he asked "Appa, what is the day today"
"Tuesday", I said.
"What...", he paused for a moment and said "Yesterday you said its Monday."
"Yes, yesterday was Monday."
"And today you are telling its Tuesday"
"Yes, today is Tuesday."
Then Me and his Mom went on to tell about the days of the week - Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday and weekend days - Saturday & Sunday and that he needs to go to school on weekdays and weekends are holidays.
Then he asked "Will my music teacher come today."
"No, he will come only on Monday & Friday."
He said "Hiyaaa... Jolly..." and sped away for play.

New Year Resolutions

That was the last working day of that year. I was sitting in my class and that was the last period of that day. I was in my 10th class. Vasantha miss, who was handling that class stood in front of the class and asked this question: "What is your new year resolution?"

That was the first time I heard that question in my life. She went on and explained, "every year we need to set and get used to some good habit in our life." She explained how a habit followed for an year becomes a habit for life-time. She listed out some of the resolutions that she took over the past couple of years and her last year's resolution was to wake up at 4:30 AM in the morning and explained how it had helped her to complete her house-hold works, help her kids and husband and get prepared for the day.

That gave us a clear idea what a new year resolution is. Then she asked each and every one of us to say what our new year resolution is. As usual it started from the first persion in the first row. Without much time to think or prepare each went on to say different things. Like "I will do my home-work regularly", "I will dress neatly", so on and so forth.

When my turn came, I told-though I was thinking about various things in my mind-"I wont tell any lies". The whole class started laughing. After that I didnt notice what others said, but instead went on to think how I am going to implement and keep up that resolution. I went home conciously thinking that from tomorrow-from the new year day-I should not tell any lie.

Its new year and I kept myself away from telling a lie. I was surprised to realize the number of opportunities I got, where I normally otherwise used to lie - small, medium and large. Towards the end of the day, I decided to keep quite without talking a word so as not to tell a lie and thus to keep up my new habit and thereby my new year resolution.

But nothing could help me on the second day. I had to tell a lie towards the end of the day. The next day when I went to school, I almost forgot about my new year resolution and I was very well back to my normal life. Vasantha miss came in the afternoon for the maths class and asked her usual question "How many didnt do your homework? Stand up." I totally forgot about doing my homework in the holidays and I was one among those who stood up. She asked each one the reason for not doing the homework and punished them based on the reason ranging from one to several bangs in the palm with two wooden scales held together.
When it was my turn, I told "Miss, I have done the home work, but I forgot to bring the home work note to the class", in an attempt to get the minimal punishment. She looked into my eyes and then said "ok" and went away. She just believed my words and didnt punish me at all.
After that I definitely make a resolution every year and follow it sincerely for the first few hours on the first day of the year, and eventually forget it. One day I want to meet my Vasantha Miss and apologize for that lie and hope a day comes when I will be able to keep up the first new year resolution of my life.
- spgr.

Nagerkoil Trip - 1 - Introduction

Last week we had our much awaited trip to Nagerkoil. As a writer(???), now its my duty to write about it. I actually wanted to write a couple of very interesting blogs on the trip, but I think I have a long way to go for that. Anyway, let me try my best here.