I met two women, Beta and Niki, in Chidambaram
and we traveled together for a few days. They wanted to stop in Vaitheswaran, a town famous for Nadi Josiyam, a form of astrology which includes, to put it crudely, fortune telling. (I abstained). As it turned out, it takes a really long time (4-8 hours) and is really REALLY expensive. Fortunately there was an interesting temple and small town for me to explore.
Typical Pongal (harvest festival) decoration
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Thanjavur
Thanjavur is known for its famous Brihadishwara
temple and the Marath Palace, but you
won't see them here.
Airtel
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Back on the Road
We came across this scene, driving through the country side: a grass hut village with a small open Christian church (one of the few in Tamil Nadu). The local people were lined up with their cattle to be blessed by the priest. This may also have been tied in with Pongal, their year-end harvest festival.
Cows in their Sunday best
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Rameshwaram
(Rameswaram)
A causeway connects the mainland to the island of Rameshwaram. The temple is dark and mysterious, but the pilgrims and Brahman priests are very welcoming. There is a lot of excitement and joy in the air.
Claimed to be a holy man on Dhanushkodi beach
Pilgrims
Fishing village nearby
Some rakish lads we encountered on Dhanushkodi beach
Banyan tree with small temple
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Next: Madurai, Kanakumari
