The college visit was for a day with the day being a hectic rush to the finish line.
The hot sunny day a welcome break after non stop rains in Bangalore, the night at the beachside town was something to look forward to.
Velankanni Church in all its glory welcomed us for a short visit and some quiet reflection.
Not wanting to miss out on all the sea food on display, we gave into our cravings all the while praying that faith would keep us safe.
The sound of the waves and the cool sea breeze were all we wanted as accompaniments as we gorged on hot seafood and the local specials!
The stuffed tummies found the walk back from church to hotel much needed to help digest all the food we had eaten.
Next day was already planned with the help of a local guide and driver.
We had beaches, temples, dargah and history to keep the interest alive.
First stop at Nagore to visit the Dargah of Saint Shahul Hameed
And a drive to Karaikal beach
Hot, yet cool, clean waters, part of French controlled Pondicherry,
a quick dip and we were back on the road heading towards Tharangambadi, a Dutch settlement.
Once known for its export of pepper, today the port town, fort and bungalow on the beach sit quietly watching over the sea waters
We then decided to go get a taste of local history.
Once a flourishing ancient port city known as Kaveri Poompattinam, which for a while served as the capital of the Early Chola kings, Poompuhar today is a silent proof of a rich civilization.
Poompuhar is one of the oldest towns in ancient Tamilagam.
This is the place where well known characters of Silapathikaram, Kovalan and Kannagi lived.
It was time for lunch and the famous Pudur Jayaram mess
The heat, the crowds, the stickiness did not deter us and we waited like all the others and found a seat inside the hot, dingy mess to eat their standard fare
There must be something special in the food to attract such crowds everyday
For us it was a rushed lunch with the next set of people waiting to eat already breathing down on our backs.
No time to stop and smell the roses here!!
We moved on to a dip in a lake, where I stayed back while the men stripped, dipped and we made our way towards Chidambaram
This is a famous Natarajan temple, where Shiva is depicted doing his thandavam vs a lingam
2 hours and a downpour later we made our way to Cuddalore to take the bus back to Bangalore, mind, body, spirit satiated.
Rushed but a lot accomplished with colleagues who turned out to be fun company!!
