Kallidaikurichi’s Sannadhi Street: Prettiest Hotspot for Karthigai Deepam Festival Rural Bonanza

Karthigai Deepam or Karthik Purnima, the festival of lights, is almost non-existent in urban India, but thankfully it is alive and kicking in rural India, especially in rural Tamil Nadu. The agraharams of Kallidiakurichi are a fabulous place to experience this rich festival of India. The prettiest hotspot in Kallidaikurichi for this festival has to be the Sannadhi street where right in front of the ancient Adi Varaha Perumal temple and in between two rows of pretty Brahmin agraharam homes, all the vibrant action takes place.



As the lane is narrow, the sheer number of lamps lit by people in front of their homes gives this entire street a divine aura for close to two hours in the evening.

The action begins an hour before sunset on the festival days. Maa Kolam (or rangoli made from rice batter) are drawn onto the street in front of their respective homes. Each home comes up with their unique traditional design. Some kolams can be small, while others can be quite big. The size of the kolam depends on the number of lamps that you intend to place over it. Then comes the shining brass and silver lamps that are placed upon pedestals on top of the kolam. The married ladies or the young girls of the house anoint these lamps with sandalwood and vermilion, decorate them with flowers and then light them up.



Each person of the household and the street are dressed in traditional clothes. While some of them burst crackers (especially flowers pots, sky shots, chakri or rockets), others resort to sitting in front of their homes (in their home’s thinnai), guarding their expensive lamps and watching the action unfold in the other houses. The true magnificence unfolds as darkness sets in and the light from the lamps take effect. As with most Indian festivals, there is happy vibe amongst the locals and smiling faces can be seen and happy conversations can be heard almost everywhere on the Sannadhi street.



As the street is quite narrow in width and small in length, you can walk its length and width multiple times and slowly soak in the magic of this festival through the rich culture, the beautiful lamps and the intricate kolam designs. In between, you can strike conversations with the locals or simply smile at them and congratulate them on their gorgeous lamps and kolams. And finally after your Sannadhi street sojourn is complete, you can go to the Adi Varaha Perumal temple and offer your respects to the lord. A perfect end to a colourful, vibrant and magnificent festival.



Timings to experience this festival:

One hour before sunset to one hour after sunset.

The festival is celebrated usually on two days. The day before Karthik Purnima and the day of Karthik Purnima.



How to reach there:

The nearest domestic airport would be Tuticorin airport, about 75 kms away. It has daily flights from Chennai and Bangalore. The nearest international airports would be Thiruvananthapuram international airport (about 150 kms away) and Madurai international airport (about 190 kms away).

The nearest railway station with excellent pan India connectivity is Tirunelveli Junction, about 35 kms away. Kallidaikurichi has a railway station, but long distances options are limited. However, daily passenger trains and express trains connect Kallidaikurichi with Shencottai, Tirunelveli, Kerala and Erode.

The nearest bus station is Kallidaikurichi, though superior connectivity would be found at Tirunelveli.

If you are traveling by road on your own, take the 4 lane Bangalore – Kanyakumari highway till Tirunelveli. Enter Tirunelveli city for a bit and at Melapalayam signal, turn right towards Kallidaikurichi and Ambasamudram via Pattamadai, Cheranmahadevi, Karukurichi and Veeravanallur.



Where to stay:

If simple budget hotels are your thing, you can opt for Bhaskar Lodge or JRV Residences at Kallidaikurichi or Hotel Ambai Grand at Ambasamudram.

If you wish to stay inside the agraharam, opt for homestays like Kallidai Home Stay and other traditional homes that have been turned into guest houses.

If you want much better luxury, head to Tirunelveli city, about 35 kms away.



Where to eat:

The ideal option is to opt for meals at the place where you are staying at. If that is not an option, there are small restaurants like Varaha Mess and Kannan hotel that offer simple and delicious snack items like dosa, idli, appam, puri, etc. For proper sit down meals, head to Hotel Ramanas at Ambasamudram, 3 kms away. They also have an air-conditioned branch at Agastiyarpatti.

For a much wider range, head to Tirunelveli city, about 35 kms away. Janakiram, Aryas and Marudham serve excellent vegetarian fare, while the traditional mess hotels and the suite of restaurants in Reddiarpetti serve excellent non vegetarian cuisine.



Other traditional festivals to experience at Kallidaikurichi:

1) Kallidaikurichi Adi Varaha Perumal Temple Chariot Festival: Grand cultural spectacle in rural Tamil Nadu

2) Garuda Sevai from the agraharams of Kallidaikurichi

3) Festival of Shivaratri from a traditional Tamil Nadu village

4) Festival of Pongal from a traditional Tamil Nadu village

5) Festival of Thiruvathirai from a traditional Tamil Nadu village

6) Saastha Preeti festival

7) Sasthi festival and Soora Samharam

8) Vaikatha Ashtami festival



Top tourist attractions in Kallidaikurichi:

1) Thamirabharani river bank for bathing and photography (both Kallidaikurichi and Ambasamudram banks are scenic places that are also popular locations for movie shoots)

2) Old Thamirabharani bridge for early morning and late evening walks and for photography

3) Adi Varaha Perumal temple, the appalam shops of Sannadhi street and the cultural vibes of Sannadhi street – the epicenter of Kallidaikurichi

4) The posh agraharam houses of Veerapuram street, Mudalipuram street and Ekambaram street – perfect for a walking tour

5) Chidambareswarar Sivagami Ambal temple, the kannadigan irrigation canal (locally called as vaykaal) and the surrounding paddy fields

6) The large bungalows near the railway station – popular movie shoot locations

7) Tilak Vidyalaya school –that has been imparting education since the late 1800s



Other tourist attractions near Kallidaikurichi:

1) Kallidaikurichi Anaicut: Gorgeous picnic spot nestled in the lap of nature

2) Athalanallur Gajendra Varadharaja Perumal Temple: The location of the Gajendra Moksham Legend

3) Manjolai: The unknown hill station gem of India

4) Sivasailam Temple: 1000 year old temple surrounded by the lush mountains of the Western Ghats

5) Sivasailam: One of the wettest places during the North East monsoon in India

6) Nalumukku: The wettest place of India during the North East monsoon

7) Kudrevetty: The gorgeous windy station of Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve

8) Manimuthar Falls: The herbal waterfall inside a tiger reserve

9) Agastyar Falls: A gorgeous waterfall on the Thamirabharani river

10) Oothu: The quaint little hill station of Tamil Nadu



11) Kakkachi: The highest point inside Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve

12) Scenic Iron Bridge of Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve: Pristine nature overloaded

13) Karaiyar Dam: Offbeat wildlife and nature holiday destination in India’s deep south

14) Cycling through the backyards of Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve

15) Hidden pristine waterfall inside Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve

16) Mannarkoil Rajaopalaswamy Temple: Magnificent 10th century temple with an ashtanga vimana

17) 10th Century Brahmadesam Kailasanathar Temple: Lesser known architectural marvel of South India

18) 1000 year old Papanasanathar Temple: Where you can wash all your sins away

19) Iruttu Kadai Halwa: Icon of Tirunelveli

20) Nellaiappar Temple: A 7th century cosmic dance wonder

21) Pattamadai Pai: GI tagged beautiful hand woven mats from a tiny Tamil Nadu village

22) 10th century Valiswara Temple at Thiruvaliswaram: Hidden Chola gem in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu

23) Kallidaikurichi to Manimuthar Dam: A top scenic and rustic cycling route

24) Thiruppudaumarudur Naramboonathar Temple: 6th century Shiva temple located on the banks of the Thamirabharani river

25) Harikesavanallur Ariyanatha Swamy Temple: A powerful Shiva temple that is a Guru Sthalam, a Kubera Sthalam and a Maandi Sthalam

26) Cheranmahadevi Ammainathar Swamy Temple: A Nava Kailayam temple dedicated to the moon god that is surrounded by lush paddy fields and the Thamirabharani river

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Cycling from Kallidaikurichi to Brahmadesam: Soak in Oodles of Rustic Tamil Nadu charm

Gorgeous ancient temples, lush paddy fields, banana plantations and tuber farms, quiet village roads with cows, buffaloes and goats giving you company, the Thamirabharani river and its tributaries and smiling locals are what you will find on this rustic cycling route between Kallidaikurichi and Brahmadesam in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. This rustic part of the country offers excellent routes for cycling if you can handle the humidity and/or if you can start early in the morning. Previously, I had written about the scenic and rustic cycling route between Kallidaikurichi and Manimuthar Dam and cycling through the backyards of Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve. Both these cycling routes are closer to the mountains of the Western Ghats and the route is mostly green and full of coconut groves and paddy fields. This cycling route form Kallidaikurichi to Brahmadesam is a bit away from the mountains, though you can still see the mountains as you ride between these two villages.



The cycling route would be Kallidaikurichi –> Ambasamudram –> Gowthamapuri –> Brahmadesam. On your way back, you can either opt for a detour via Kovilkulam to see another bridge on the Gadananathi river or you can opt for the temple route of Thiruvaliswaram Valisvara Temple and Mannarkoil Rajagopalaswamy temple. Both these detours will take you back to Ambasamudram via two different routes and you can then return to Kallidaikurichi.

This route takes you past umpteen irrigation canals, large swathes of paddy fields, ponds, lakes, pretty little villages and colourful temples. Brahmadesam to Kallidaikurichi distance would not be more than 8 kilometers, but there are more than enough places where you can stop for a pit stop or to explore the attractions in detail.



The highlights on this route would include:

1) Kallidaikurichi Thamirabharani river banks where you can enjoy a swim and a bath

2) Kallidaikurichi paddy fields, the kannadigan canal and the Brahmin agraharams with their many temples. You can cycle through the different streets to get a flavour of the Brahmin culture and the rich agraharam houses

3) The Thamirabharani river bridge between Kallidaikurichi and Ambasamudram

4) Kasibanathaswamy temple, the Ambai Periyakoil Padithurai and the line of trees on either side of the road. This entire stretch is an extremely popular movie shoot location

5) Banana plantations at Gowthamapuri

6) 10th century Brahmadesam Kailasanathar Temple, a top attraction on this route

7) Gadananathi River banks and bridge at Brahmadesam

8) 10th century Valiswara temple at Thiruvaliswaram

9) The Magnificent 10th Century Mannarkoil Rajagopalaswamy Temple with an ashtanga vimana



Do carry a pair of pants or a veshti (dhoti) which you can wear over your cycling shorts in case you plan to visit any of the temples (shorts aren’t allowed in most of the temples). Most of the temples close by 9 or 9:30 AM, so you should plan your trip accordingly.

A typical plan would be to start at sunrise so that you can catch the sunrise colours at the Thamirabharani river banks or at the Thamirabharani river bridge. You can also experience the morning life of the village people with their swimming, praying, meditating and other temple activities and agriculture work. You can have a simple breakfast of idli, vadai, sambar with filter coffee at Hotel Gowri Shankar and then head towards Brahmadesam. As you have had breakfast, you can stop at all the places for photographs or for chats with locals. The Brahmadesam Kailasanathar temple closes at 10:00 AM in the morning, so if you reach by 8 AM, you will get a good couple of hours to explore the temple at leisure. Do not miss to taste the temple prasadam (usually pancha mirtham or curd rice). As the sun goes up, you can head to the Gadananathi river for a swim or just to watch the locals go about their chores.

If you plan to visit Mannarkoil temple or the Thiruvaliswara temple, make sure to have an early breakfast and reach them before 8 AM as both places close by 9 AM.



In addition to your cycling helmet, do carry a cap, a pair of sunglasses, a bottle of water or may be two bottles of water, a couple of energy bars and a spare set of pants or dhoti for your temple visits.

If you feel hot and thirsty, do indulge in some red tender coconut water (locally called sevva elaneer) and sugarcane juice (during certain months of the year). Vehicular traffic will be minimal and can be found only between Kallidaikurichi and Ambasamudram. Once you cross Ambasamudram, only the odd motorcycle, bus or tractor will cross you on the village roads.



The best season to embark on this cycling route would either be between June and August or between November and February. This is when the weather would be pleasant, the water bodies full, the farms at their active most and the terrain will be lush green.

Cycling from Kallidaikurichi to Brahmadesam is a great way to explore this offbeat part of rural Tamil Nadu and soak in all of its rustic charm. And as there is hardly any incline between these villages, people of most ages and fitness levels would be able to enjoy this cycling experience.



Other nearby tourist attractions:

1) Mekkarai to Achankovil to Konni: Heavenly motorcycle route through pristine forest

2) Mekkarai: One of Tamil Nadu’s prettiest villages

3) Kambhavurutty Falls: Scenic waterfall holiday destination of Kerala

4) Manalar Falls: The herbal jungle waterfall of Kerala

5) Achankovil Sastha Temple: Ancient healing temple located in the pristine forest of the Western Ghats

6) Rosemala View Point: Gorgeous motorcycling route inside Shendurney wildlife sanctuary, Kerala

7) Ottakkal Weir View Point: Lovely pit stop on the Thenmala – Kollam highway

8) Palaruvi Falls: Kerala’s herbal waterfall that falls like milk from the sky

9) Aryankavu Sastha Temple: Ancient temple located in the sacred forests of the Western Ghats

10) Vintage Pathimoonu Kannara Bridge: Colonial charm of the Indian Railways

11) Punalur Suspension Bridge: Historical gem of Kerala

12) Lesser Known Kerala Mountain Railways: Treat for nature lovers

13) Thenmala Dam: A monsoon pit stop view

14) Courtallam: The herbal bath holiday destination of Tamil Nadu

15) Sunderapandiapuram: Of lovely Brahmin agraharam houses, sunflower fields, windmills and mountain views

16) Puliyarai View Point: Scenic pit stop on the Tenkasi – Kerala highway

17) Sivasailam Temple: 1000 year old temple surrounded by the lush mountains of the Western Ghats

18) Sivasailam: One of the wettest places during the North East monsoon in India

19) 13th century Kasi Visavanathar Temple at Tenkasi

20) Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple: World’s richest Hindu temple

21) Shanghumugham Beach: The tranquil and divine beach of Thiruvananthapuram



22) Thiruparappu Falls: Gorgeous monsoon spectacle near Kanyakumari

23) Mathoor Aqueduct and Hanging Bridge: An offbeat wonder nestled in the mountains near Kanyakumari

24) Kappil Beach: Sandy beauty hemmed in between the sea and the backwaters

25) Varkala Beach: The stunning cliff beach of Kerala where you can wash away all your sins

26) Meenmutty Falls inside Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary: A beautiful tropical jungle trail

27) Ponmudi: The offbeat hill station of Kerala with a 360 degree mountain panorama

28) Manjolai: The unknown hill station gem of India

29) Thenmala Forest: Offbeat nature and wildlife getaway

30) Nalumukku: The wettest place of India during the North East monsoon

31) Kudrevetty: The gorgeous windy station of Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve

32) Manimuthar Falls: The herbal waterfall inside a tiger reserve

33) Agastyar Falls: A gorgeous waterfall on the Thamirabharani river

34) Oothu: The quaint little hill station of Tamil Nadu

35) Kakkachi: The highest point inside Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve

36) Scenic Iron Bridge of Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve: Pristine nature overloaded

37) Karaiyar Dam: Offbeat wildlife and nature holiday destination in India’s deep south

38) Hidden pristine waterfall inside Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve

39) 1000 year old Papanasanathar Temple: Where you can wash all your sins away

40) Iruttu Kadai Halwa: Icon of Tirunelveli

41) Nellaiappar Temple: A 7th century cosmic dance wonder

42) Pattamadai Pai: GI tagged beautiful handwoven mats from a tiny Tamil Nadu village

43) Thamirabharani River Delta: A motorcycle route full of rustic gorgeousness

44) Tiruchendur Murugan Temple: Sea shore magic

45) Garuda Sevai from the agraharams of Kallidaikurichi

46) Festival of Thiruvathirai from a traditional Tamil Nadu village

47) The Festival of Karthigai Deepam from a traditional Tamil Nadu village

48) The exotic tropical fruits of Puliyarai

49) Kallidaikurichi Adi Varaha Temple Chariot Festival: Grand cultural spectacle in rural Tamil Nadu

50) Kallidaikurichi Anaicut: Gorgeous picnic spot nestled in the lap of nature

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Manjolai: The Unknown Hill Station Gem of India

This gorgeous hill station is home to some of the most pristine forests in the Western Ghats. It’s climate, rich flora and fauna are influenced by the winds coming from all the three oceans surrounding the Indian mainland – Indian Ocean, Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. It receives rains almost every month of the year. It receives rains from both the South West and North East monsoons, but since most of its valleys are facing the east, it receives bountiful rains during the North East monsoon. It is considered a giant during the North East monsoon and rivals most of the monsoon giants of the Western Ghats like Talacauvery, Chinakallar, Agumbe, Masthikatte, Castle Rock, Amboli, Malshej and Chorla for its annual rainfall. I am talking about the relatively unknown hill station of Manjolai that is located in the Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve of South Tamil Nadu.



Manjolai is located at an elevation of about 4000 feet above MSL in the Western Ghats. It is part of the catchment area of the Thamirabharani river and its tributaries. It’s rain water run-off feeds the Manimuthar Falls and the Manimuthar Dam. It is a beautiful mix of tea estates, fruit orchards and tropical evergreen forests of the Western Ghats. During the British rule, tea was first planted on this hill station and it was managed by the Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation (BBTC). BBTC was given a lease by British India and the Singampatti Zamin for a period of 100 years in the year 1925. The salubrious climate allowed the tea estates to prosper and this gave birth to the tiny temples/churches, schools and houses in this hilly hamlet. Today, the 100 year old lease has come to an end and the government has decided to close the tea estates and restore the place back to its original glory. Manjolai will now come under the control of the Tamil Nadu forest department and the Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve.



While this is great news for the forest, wildlife and for the catchment area of the Thamirabharani river, I feel sad for the people who used to call Manjolai their home. The government has planned to relocate them in the plains below, but I think it will be very tough for them. I hope the people of Manjolai can be employed in the forest department and PWD in the same region so that they feel some continuity with the region.



This is the last year before civilization disappears from Manjolai and it completely becomes a forest. Not that the civilization was huge here, but the tea estates, the iconic Manjolai rusk with lemon tea, the pretty little homes and the hill station vibes, they will all be missed for sure. But, I hope that as the forest and the region regenerates, we and our future generations can hopefully experience the Manjolai of the old before tea estates were part of the landscape. And I am sure, it will positively influence the weather patterns of the region and result in more inflows into the Thamirabharani river, which is the lifeline of South Tamil Nadu.



If you wish to experience this unknown hill station called Manjolai, visit soon, before the landscape changes and the hill station vibes disappear. Whether it is the winding and scenic drive from Manimuthar Falls to Manjolai, the amazing weather, the lush landscape, the yummy home made rusk, the raw nature, the umpteen waterfalls and the tiny village look n feel, there is so much to like about Manjolai.



For me, I love the fact that it one of the most prettiest virgin forests in the Western Ghats. It’s surroundings that are home to umpteen mountain streams and waterfalls carry some of the sweetest water in the region and that holds medicinal value too as it flows through medicinal herbs and plants. In simple words, it is a tropical forest paradise that is untouched by the burgeoning population of India. Manjolai, Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve and the connected Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve is one of Western Ghat’s well preserved secrets and may be, that is why I love what this place has to offer. Don’t you wish to see and experience this place for yourself?



Best season to visit:

Manjolai is open all year round and can be visited in all seasons. Summers are incredibly pleasant and are a far cry from the hot plains below. The rainy season between October and December is magical here and this is when close to 3000 to 5000 mm of rain precipitates in three months and dresses up the surroundings in fresh green with full water bodies and waterfalls. January and February offer clearer weather with low humidity and this allows for clear views of the spectacular landscape that includes tea estates, forests, mountains, waterfalls and dams. June to August is when Manjolai is at its windiest best due to the winds blowing during the South West monsoon.



How to reach there:

If you are traveling from Tirunelveli, head towards Cheranmadevi and Kallidaikurichi. Just before Kallidaikurichi railway station, turn left and take the road leading towards Manimuthar. You will cross Golden nagar, Thekku Pappankulam, Tamil Nadu Special Force IX battalion and Manimuthar village. If you head straight from Manimuthar village, climb the narrow road and you will reach the forest check post at Manimuthar Dam. You will have to get your permits checked here, pay the necessary fees and then drive onwards towards Manimuthar Falls, Manjolai, Kakkachi, Nalumukku, Oothu and then onto Kudrevetty.



How to get permits for this place in KMTR:

To travel to Manjolai, Kakkachi, Nalumukku, Oothu and/or Kudrevetty, you will have to get permits in advance from the forest department at Ambasamudram. The permit costs INR 200 at Ambasamudram and you will have to pay vehicle fee and per person charge at the Manimuthar forest check post. The forest check post opens at 7 AM and closes at 6 PM.

If you book a room at the forest rest house in Kudrevetty, then that booking is good enough and you don’t need to get the permits in advance.



Where to stay:

If you wish to stay within the tiger reserve, you can book the forest rest house at Kudrevetty through the Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve website.

If you wish to stay in traditional Brahmin agraharam houses, you can try the home stays and guest houses at Kallidaikurichi village.

If simple, yet modern hotels are your thing, you can try Hotel Ambai Grand at Ambasamudram.

If you wish for a wide variety of hotels, you will have to try looking at the hotels in Tirunelveli.



Where to eat:

There are a few tea shops at Manjolai where you can find some basic snacks along with tea/coffee, but if you order in advance, you can get some food.

The forest rest house at Kudrevetty will prepare food for you if you happen to be staying with them. They will buy basic supplies once your booking is confirmed. However, if you have any specific requirements like country eggs, country chicken or any other requirements, you will have to inform them at least a day in advance.

There are a few family run restaurants at Oothu where you can get some local meals along with some tea and coffee. However, you need to order your meals at least a day in advance so that the people can arrange the ration and vegetables.

There are a few shack-like restaurants at Manimuthar village before the forest check post. Here, you can get basic meals and a decent array of tiffin items.



Other tourist attractions inside KMTR:

1) Nalumukku: The wettest place of India during the North East monsoon

2) Kudrevetty: The gorgeous windy station of Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve

3) Manimuthar Falls: The herbal waterfall inside a tiger reserve



4) Agastyar Falls: A gorgeous waterfall on the Thamirabharani river

5) Oothu: The quaint little hill station of Tamil Nadu

6) Kakkachi: The highest point inside Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve

7) Scenic Iron Bridge of Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve: Pristine nature overloaded



8) Karaiyar Dam: Offbeat wildlife and nature holiday destination in India’s deep south

9) Cycling through the backyards of Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve

10) Hidden pristine waterfall inside Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve



Other nearby tourist attractions:

1) Mekkarai to Achankovil to Konni: Heavenly motorcycling route through pristine forest

2) Mekkarai: One of Tamil Nadu’s prettiest villages

3) Courtallam: The herbal bath holiday destination of Tamil Nadu

4) Sunderapandiapuram: Of lovely Brahmin agraharam houses, sunflower fields, windmills and mountain views

5) Puliyarai view point: Scenic pit stop on the Tenkasi – Kerala highway



6) Sivasailam Temple: 1000 year old temple surrounded by the lush mountains of the Western Ghats

7) Sivasailam: One of the wettest places during the North East monsoon in India

8) 13th century Kasi Visvanathar temple at Tenkasi

9) Manalar Falls: The herbal jungle waterfall of Kerala

10) Kambhavurutty Falls: Pristine jungle waterfall in the middle of dense forest



11) Rosemala View Point: Gorgeous motorcycling route inside Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala

12) Thenmala Forest: Offbeat nature and wildlife getaway

13) Vintage Pathimoonu Kannara Bridge: Colonial charm of the Indian Railways

14) Punalur Suspension Bridge: Historical gem of Kerala

15) Lesser Known Kerala Mountain Railways: Treat for nature lovers

16) Achankovil Saastha Temple: That happy Lord Ayyappa in the middle of pristine jungle

17) Palaruvi Falls: Kerala’s herbal waterfall that drops like milk from the sky

18) Thenmala Dam: A monsoon pit stop view

19) Aryankavu Saastha Temple: Ancient temple located in the sacred forests of the Western Ghats

20) Mannarkoil Rajagopalaswamy Temple: Magnificent 10th century temple with an ashtanga vimana



21) 10th Century Brahmadesam Kailasanathar Temple: Lesser known architectural marvel of south India

22) 1000 year old Papanasanathar Temple: Where you can wash all your sins away

23) Kallidaikurichi: The village of the saaral season

24) Iruttu Kadai Halwa: Icon of Tirunelveli

25) Nellaiappar Temple: A 7th century cosmic dance wonder

26) Pattamadai Pai: GI tagged beautiful handwoven mats from a tiny Tamil Nadu village

27) Thamirabharani river delta: A motorcycle route full of rustic gorgeousness

28) 10th Century Valisvara Temple at Thiruvaliswaram: Hidden Chola gem in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu

29) Tiruchendur Murugan Temple: Sea shore magic

30) Kallidaikurichi to Manimuthar Dam: A top scenic and rustic cycling route



31) Garuda Sevai from the agraharams of Kallidaikurichi

32) Festival of Thiruvathirai from a traditional Tamil Nadu village

33) The festival of Karthigai Deepam from a traditional Tamil Nadu village

34) The exotic tropical fruit shops of Puliyarai

35) Kallidaikurichi Adi Varaha Temple Chariot Festival: Grand cultural spectacle in rural Tamil Nadu

36) Kallidaikurichi Anaicut: Gorgeous picnic spot nestled in the lap of nature

37) Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple: World’s richest Hindu temple

38) Shangumugham Beach: The tranquil and divine beach of Thiruvananthapuram

39) Thiruparappu Falls: Gorgeous monsoon spectacle near Kanyakumari

40) Mathoor Aqueduct and Hanging Bridge: An offbeat wonder nestled in the mountains near Kanyakumari



41) Kappil Beach: Sandy beauty hemmed in between the sea and the backwaters

42) Varkala Beach: That stunning cliff beach of Kerala where you can wash away all your sins

43) Meenmutty Falls inside Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary: A beautiful tropical jungle trail

44) Ponmudi: The offbeat hill station of Kerala with a 360 degree mountain panorama

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Lush views of Kallidaikurichi from my village home terrace

The last time I wrote about my village, I mentioned the paddy sowing season through a rustic photo series. That was the beginning of the South West monsoon and the rains had just started to fill the dams. This meant that the dams could be opened and their water could be channelled via the irrigation canals for all agricultural work downstream.

Since then, we have had a good monsoon season, good agricultural activity and hence the landscape has completely changed. You can see different shades of green all around you.



This is the lush view of Kallidaikurichi village from my home terrace. You can see the gorgeously green paddy fields, the Kannadigan canal flowing till its brim and an overall lush green atmosphere. This abundant greenery, ample water sources and good rains has ensured that there is a lot of flora and fauna activity.



You can hear more birds chirping almost every morning and evening. You can see the birds busy building their nests. And you can also see them don their mating colours and perform the mating dance. A common occurrence during this time is the mating dance of the peacocks. And you can hear and see these mating dances almost every day. Luckily for me, I can see this stunning mating dance right from my terrace. Either the peacock dances on my terrace or at my neighbour’s terrace. Either way, you can see it at close quarters and record the action through your phone camera.



The above video recorded through my phone camera is a practice mating dance of the peacock. I call it a practice mating dance because there were no pea hens in the vicinity and usually peacocks hone their mating dance so that they can put on their best performance when the peahens are nearby. These mating dances are usually accompanied by calls that are different from the peacock’s regular call. Some sound like a loud horn and the others sound like a series of horns that the peacock makes while bobbing its head and neck up and down.

    
   
This is also the time to see all weeds and plants flowering as there is bright sunshine almost every day. This attracts colourful butterflies, bees and dragon flies. All in all, the onset of the south west monsoon changes the entire behaviour of mother nature at the village of Kallidaikurichi in rural Tamil Nadu. This is my small slice of heaven in rustic India.

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Paddy Sowing Season at Kallidaikurichi, Tamil Nadu: A Rustic Photo Series

With the onset of the South West Monsoon, the consistent pitter patter replenishes the earth, fills up all the water bodies and allows for new life to thrive. As the Papanasam and the Manimuthar Dams get filled near my village, the irrigation canals are opened and they are brimming with water. This opening of the canal signifies the paddy sowing season. The season begins with the sowing of the paddy seeds in the nursery (this is locally referred to as ‘nattu pavaradu’). It takes about 3 to 4 weeks for the seed to germinate and ready to be planted in the paddy fields. In parallel, the paddy fields are tilled with tractors/humans/cattle and animals are allowed to graze on it. Once the canal water is opened, all these fields are irrigated. And once the paddy from the nursery is ready, they are sown into the tilled fields (this is called ‘nattu nadaradu’). For about two and a half to three months depending on the species of rice, these paddy fields will don a gorgeous green colour before turning golden just before harvest.

The best part about this paddy sowing season is that I can see all of these events unfold right from my village home terrace (it is my favourite past time with my cup of coffee in the evening) and more when I cycle across my village and the other villages. Here are some photos taken from my village home terrace. More photos to come soon. Hope you enjoy this rustic photo series of the paddy sowing season from Kallidaikurichi in rural Tamil Nadu.

Above photo: The nattu nadavu season has begun at Kallidaikurichi. The rich green in the yonder is actually the paddy nursery that is the precursor to the actual sowing. In the foreground is the irrigation canal or vaykaal that irrigates these rice fields.



Above photo: The actual paddy sowing work is finished within 2 to 3 days as people want to make the best use of the bright sunshine and the canal flowing full with water.



Above photo: Most of these people working in the paddy fields work other jobs and take leave from work during the sowing and/or the harvest season. Only a select few spend full time in the paddy fields.



Above photo: The paddy sowing work is intensive and gives one a serious workout. You have to stand in ankle deep slushy water for close to 6 hours in a bent position and sowing the paddy at equal intervals. Add to it, the bright and warm sun and the insects and you have a hard days work.



Above photo: Just before the paddy is sown, the earth wears a dull brown colour. And as the paddy is sown, it morphs into a fresh green colour. Within a few weeks, the entire horizon is shining in gorgeous green.



Above photo: This is the Kannadigan canal that people use to access their paddy fields. During sowing and harvest season, people and tractors can be seen buzzing on this route. On other days, you will the locals who are heading to the Thamirabharani river for a bath and the farmers who have to access their farms for spraying pesticide or for watering their fields using the sluice gates from the canal.



Above photo: Along with paddy, some farmers also grow banana and some tubers. Usually, they plant such crops during the dry season. During the wet season, they try to plant as much paddy as possible.



Above photo: Looking towards West, you can see the tall mountains of the Western Ghats. The Manimuthar and the Papanasam ranges of the Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve fall in the West. Kallidaikurichi is surrounded by these mountains on the south, west and a little bit of the north. This canal begins at the Kallidaikurichi anaicut where the Thamirabharani and the Manimuthar rivers join.

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