Chennai Magic

13/03/2024

Temple elephant in the streets of Srirangam.

12/03/2024

Thennai kuruthu - coconut stem being sold as a quick, nutritious snack in the streets of Madurai!

11/03/2024

Kallazhagar Temple is a "divya desam" - one of the 108 Vishnu temples mentioned by the Alvars. The Alvars are twelve Tamil poet-saints from the 5th - 8th Century.

Like the Srirangam temple, the Kallazhagar Temple is also associated with "Thenkalai" (southern art) tradition. This tradition gives great importance to the Tamil Prabandham - the hymns composed by the Alvars in worship of Lord Vishnu.

Photo credits: Garnchai

10/03/2024

The Samanar Hills of Madurai are home to ancient Jain and Hindu carvings, dating back over 2000 years. Enjoy a short, peaceful walk up the hills and watch the sunrise.

Photo credit: Garnchai

09/03/2024

Madurai is home to many weaving families who create beautiful handloom textiles. Tamil Nadu has a rich history of handweaving. However, it is not as remunerative today and many of the younger generations are choosing other professions instead. Meanwhile, the government, civil society and private sector is making efforts to economically empower weavers.

Photo credits: Garnchai

08/03/2024

A stingray washed up on the shore at Kovalam beach near Chennai. Local fishermen came and took it away, to cut up, dry and sell. It could not be sold whole as parts of it were already rotted.

07/03/2024

Have you tried thenga poo (coconut flower)?! The sprouted coocnut is a rare delicacy.

The coconut flesh has has a spongy texture, and a very mild flavour. The vendor added a generous sprinkle of jaggery powder, which made it super delicious!

06/03/2024

Look at the varieties in Madurai's wholesale banana market!

India grows over 40 varieties of banana, and is a leading banana exporter.

Nearby Trichy (130 kM from Madurai) is also home to the National Research Centre for Banana under the government's Indian Council of Agricultural Research.

05/03/2024

Sri Meenakshi bhojanalay, Madurai - the softest butter buns and the most savoury roasted sesame chutney!

04/03/2024

Podi idli at Murugan idli shop, Madurai.
Accompanied by sambar, coriander chutney, mint chutney and tomato chutney.

03/03/2024

A lovely view of one of the Meenakshi Amman gopurams.

02/03/2024

Have you tried paddle boarding in Chennai?!

02/03/2024

Surfing near Chennai!

02/03/2024

The beautiful, ancient Srirangam temple dedicated to Lord Ranganatha (Vishnu). It is thought to be the largest active temple in the word.

Many dynasties including the Cholas, Pandyas and Vijayanagara contributed to its construction over the years.

All the Alvars (the ancient Tamil bhakti poets) wrote beautiful verses in praise of Lord Ranganatha.

25/02/2024

The Jambukeshwara temple is the site of lovely legends and stories.

Look carefully and you'll spot an elephant and a spider. They are incarnations of quarrelsome ganas (disciples of Lord Shiva). They had unfortunately cursed each other to be reborn as animals.

As animals, they dedicate their lives to worshiping Shiva. The spider builds a web to protect the Shiva Lingam from leaves and sunlight. However, the elephant cleans the Shiva Lingam daily with water from its trunk - washing away the web! The quarrel continues.

One day the enraged spider bites the elephant to death - losing its own life in the process. Moved by the ganas' devotion, Lord Shiva brings them back to his home.

24/02/2024

Ayyanar Temple at Samanar Hills, Madurai. Ayyanar is a guardian deity, whose temples are located on the borders of settlements. He rides a horse or an elephant. Terracotta horses are given by worshippers as offerings. This Ayyanar Temple also has a small wall alcove with Meenakshi and Shivalinga. Outside the temple are small shrines dedicated to folk heroes who gave their lives in wars or in other valorous acts of defending the village.

02/02/2024

Visiting Fort St. George in Chennai with family. Here we are walking to the church. Surrounded by government offices, we naturally discussed the Tamil Nadu's fascinating politics!

30/01/2024

More photos of the beautiful Mahabalipuram shore temples. This UNESCO site dates back to the 8th Century and was built by the Pallava dynasty.

As they are built along the coastline, you can visit the beach soon after.

04/01/2024

Announcing the next trip! This time we are visiting the Chettinad-Madurai region, to explore the unique architecture, history, culture, crafts and cuisine of the region. Open to families / spouses / friends. Please WhatsApp wa.me/+919867707414 for brochure. We have 5-6 seats left.

27/11/2023

Brihadishvara Temple in Thanjavur, at night. Built by the Cholas, it is over 1,000 years old. Over a million devotees and tourists visit the temple annually. The temple has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1987.

Photo credits: Rajiv Prakash

27/08/2023

Thanjavur (anglicised to Tanjore), is a great centre of architecture, religion, art and culture. A must-visit on any Tamil Nadu trip. Please do ask us for more information on our Tamil Nadu itineraries. Contact [email protected] on email, or WhatsApp +919867707414

02/12/2022

Exciting street art in Chennai!

18/06/2022

A video that will make you fall in love with the forests of Tamil Nadu. We were in tears by the end of it, with the sheer beauty of the language.

Culture, nature, people, community, all told in the sexy, raspy voice of Naseer. Great footage. Yes, the reality is glossed over and dramatized, and yes, this way of life has to end, for the gentle giants to have a real life of their own.

But what the heck. See the beauty of the language, and the emotions. Watch this. You will never look at a mahout again the same way. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QRPZazmNzVM

When we made 'Kadar', we were granted the grace of walking the jungle with loganathan. Every foot set forward, every forethought, every introspection and aft...

18/06/2022

If you are in Chennai, do come on our day excursion to Kanchipuram. It's a great way to see the culture of one of Tamil Nadu's most sacred cities.

06/04/2022

We have a collection of Five Escapes, specially curated to take you to cool, beautiful places.

For details WhatsApp: wa.me/+919867707414
Email: [email protected]

We would also be very happy to customize them to your interests.

11/02/2022

Bring out the bubbly! India has revised guidelines for international arrivals with effect from Monday, February 14. The government has removed the category of 'at risk' countries. It has removed the 7- day quarantine as well.
To visit India, you need to either be fully vaccinated, or provide an RTPCR negative report tested 72hrs prior to arrival. Please go through the official announcement to understand the current requirements fully. Or write to us.
You can reach us at [email protected] or by WhatsApp at +919867707414

https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/GuidelinesforInternationalarrivalsupdatedon10thFebruary2022.pdf?fbclid=IwAR26VSw6ntXVKy4WHgFtcgLsVYciazxs2_JGTs571ZwIcv577YF2SYaAmo8