GC Mouli's Blog

Thirunelveli (mostly in pictures)

Did a weekend trip to Theeli (as the local sometimes refer Thiruneveli as). Travelled from Bangalore to Kumbakonam in the usual Mayiladuthurai express . And then drove down to Thirunelveli with the wife, kid and brother-in-law. The route is Kumbakonam-Tanjavur-Trichy-Madurai-Virudhunagar-Sattur-Kovilpatti-Thirunelveli. Kumbakonam-Tanjavur is horrible road. Tanjavur-Trichy is passable (except for the heavy traffic). Trichy-Madurai is good quality road but still some twists and turns on the road. There is a Ghar Dhaba in the Madurai bypass where there are clean restrooms and you can get some food. Madurai-Thirunelveli is just a fantastic stretch to drive - straight road with beautiful road quality. It almost feels like you are driving in US - like in Nevada or somewhere. No vegetation. No habitation. For miles together. While you need to pass through Tanjore and Trichy (if you consider Tiruverumbur as part of Trichy), you will take bypass for all other towns such as Madurai and Virudhunagar. View Larger Map The rest of the post is mostly just going to be pictures. [caption id="attachment_2749" align="alignnone" width="373"] IMG_1424 Nellai temple street.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2750" align="alignnone" width="499"] IMG_1426 Famous Iruttu Kadai Halwa Store[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2752" align="alignnone" width="373"] Gandhimathi amman gopuram Gandhimathi amman gopuram[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2751" align="alignnone" width="373"] Nellaiappar temple at the end of the temple street (kadai veedhi) Nellaiappar temple at the end of the temple street (kadai veedhi)[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2753" align="alignnone" width="640"] Paathira Chakravarthi - "Emporor vessels". Velayutha Naadar and sons and grandsons. Paathira Chakravarthi - "Emperor of vessels". Velayutha Naadar and sons and grandsons.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2754" align="alignnone" width="456"] Inside view of room door in Hotel Janakiram. How many times have you called room service and have forgotten your room number, and hunted for the room keys or opened the door and checked? Problem Solved. Inside view of room door in Hotel Janakiram. How many times have you called room service and have forgotten your room number, and hunted for the room keys or opened the door and checked? Problem Solved.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2755" align="alignnone" width="479"] Sculptures of Nayaks Sculptures of Nayaks[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2756" align="alignnone" width="640"] Temple tank Temple tank[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2757" align="alignnone" width="479"] Outer Prakaram Outer Prakaram[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2758" align="alignnone" width="640"] You will find a dozen Nadar Vessel Shops like this one around the temple. You will find a dozen Nadar Vessel Shops like this one around the temple.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2759" align="alignnone" width="640"] Pothy's and RMKV have supposed to have started here first. They are primarily Theeli (as the locals sometimes refer to Thirunelveli as). RMKV has moved out of this area to a more posh mall type store. Pothy's and RMKV have supposed to have started here first. They are primarily Theeli (as the locals sometimes refer to Thirunelveli as). RMKV has moved out of this area to a more posh mall type store.[/caption] The Nellaiappar temple is a huge temple, which is also very old. It is one of the paadal petra sthalangal (Tevara sthalangal). The temple was built by Koon Pandiyan - the Madurai king who was cured by Gnana Sambandhar. Nellaiappar and Gandhimathi Amman are housed in separate temples and the two temples are connected by a Sangili Mandapam - a connecting hallway. A detailed post about the temple can be found here by suryakala here and here . Update: I had this photo in my phone and had missed adding it here. [caption id="attachment_2764" align="alignnone" width="534"] Sculpture of Gnanasambandar leaving to Kailasam on Airavatam (Indra's white elephant). His close friend, Seraman Nayanar on a horse preceding him. Sculpture of Gnanasambandar leaving to Kailasam on Airavatam (Indra's white elephant). His close friend, Seraman Nayanar on a horse preceding him.[/caption]