Karpaga vinayagar temple, Pillayarpatti and Sri Shanmughanathar temple Kundrakudi

Tamilnadu is known majorly for its beautiful temple that carries a richness of architectural splendor matched by tradition and culture.I feel lucky to have lived most of life here in the Trichy Tanjore region which is the prime expanse of  beautiful temples.

Karpaka Vinayakar Temple at Pillayarpatti is quiet famous among devotees for its age old rituals and few specialities attached to the presiding diety of Lord Ganesha. I planned to set out to the place as it is just 2hr drive away.On a Sunday I set out to Pillayarpatti which  is a small town untouched by the modernity yet there are facilities enough to keep one going.There are sign boards all around the place that will lead you to the temple.My first site of the temple was with its large pond that offered a dash of cool breeze in the summer especially when the drive itself were quite dry, dusty and hot.

There is no specific area marked for parking and check the space before you part or there is every chance that your vehicle being wheel being punctured.Quite different to the place the temple is elaborate with the old world charm that only a rock cut temple can  offer.

I was quite excited to click all the speciality and that's when I saw the board that read that photography inside temple premises were not allowed, somehow I have a problem clicking when I get to see something like that, sorry about that but I'll try to explain as much as possible without pictures.

Karpaga Vinayaga temple derived its named from the main deity vinayaka aka lord Ganesh. Just like the Karpagavruksham or tree that satisfies every wish.Lord Ganesha the main deity is believed to fulfill every devotee's wish thus being known by this name.The central idol is a huge one just like that of shiva's lingam at Tanjavore Big temple.Unlike the usual idol this Lord Ganesha has only two hands in seen seated with his legs folded without the help of a stool.More interestingly smaller shrines of godess Laxmi, Saraswathi and Durga also found.The place offers too much to peace, the crowd was scanty dark and calm.You can find inscriptions .It is believd that Pallavas built this beautiful rock cut temple.It is also said that the shape of Lord Ganesha's idol itself such that when joined from heard to hand then to trunk to feet it resembles that of Tamil letter "O".There lord shiva lingam also in the same temple making it even interesting place to be in.Another specialty of this temple is that Lord Ganesha is seated facing north hence devotees worshiping would be blessed with all wealth.

How to reach Pillayarpatti

Like I said Pillayarpatti is a small town.The nearest railway station is Karaikudi which is 13 km away or Madurai or Trichy around 70 and 100km respectively.Buses are frequently available.I found few hotels around but I'm not sure on how good they are.

Unlike other temples shopping options near the temple is not there except for one or two stalls that sell flowers and coconut.

Sri Shanmughanathar Temple, Kundrakudi

On my way from Pillayarpatti I stopped at sri Shanmughanathar temple at Kundrakudi which is just few km from Pillayarpatti.

This temple is on top of a small hill.There is a small shrine dedicated for Lord Ganesh at the foothill.There are flightsof stair one has to climb in order to get a glimpse of Lord Sanmugam or Murugan who happens to be Lord Ganesha's younger brother.Here is refered to as Sri Shanmughanathar as the idol is six faced.On my way to Lird Murugan I also happend to see two more lord Ganesha's temple.I don't knowas on the story behind them though.

The time I got there was just when the Srikovil opened up after the noon pooja. It was a beautiful feeling when themain door opens up with the sacred bell ringing paired with the aarathi (sacred flame) by the poojari.Lord murugan is seen with goddess Valli and Deivanai. Another special feature of the temple is that the navagraha face lord Muruga's statue.after Parikrama and enjoying cool breeze in the mid day with not much view to look around, I started my descend.But unlike Pillayarpatti, this temple had a fair share of shops selling colourful things.My next stop would be Pudukottai for lunch.

Kashmir dairy: Gulmarg, meadow of flowers

Gulmarg famous skiing paradise is at an elevation of 8,825 ft making a great place during winter.They say there is a rush of foreign crowd in the winter when there are skiing competitions organised attracting participants far and wide.Gulmarg is around a drive of 1:30 hr.

We stopped at Tanmarg to hire winter gear.We then resumed our journey to Gulmarg with all those heavy coats and boots.The drive till Tanmarg was quiet smooth but from from then on there are numerous hairpin bends through the mountain with pines making green scenary.

Predictably we were surrounded by the pony men and were told that Ponies are the best option to reach the top but we somehow managed to make them understand that we needed a cable ride than on pony.But our relief was momentary as we were surprised to see the crowd .

We booked for boarding passes online. There are two options phase one Kungdoor and phase two which is called Aparwath.It is in phase two one can play with snow just like Sonamarg. As phase two is closed time and again as per snow fall we could get tickets only to phase one which could be extended on arrival from the counter in Gulmarg.It is best to get online tickets as the queue is quite long otherwise.We walked through beautiful golf fields.

There were announcements of phase two being closed then being resumed after sometime.

After a long queue we got to the Gondola station.Gondola can accommodate 6 people in one car.

Pir Panjal and Nanga Parbat ccould be seen from here.The journey till Kangdoor was quite smooth and exciting.We could see a chair car that was not operational anymore.

View from Gondola stop phase one was real beautiful, there is a restaurant and many people selling clothes and other fancy stuffs throughout.After few clicks we set for the next phase very eagerly.we could also see the tourist who had opted for ponies also having a good time.

I must admit we had the best time in Phase two with loads of snow around and no sign of rain unlike our experience in Sonamarg.Its here that our heavy winter gear came handy, People who are not interested in exploring phase two need not go for the winter gear.We could only stay there for twenty minutes and I had difficulty in breathing and so started our descend through the Gondola back to the station.

 To touch and get the feel of snow and play around was such an experience the changing scene from green to white and to move through the soft flakes was like a wow moment.There were tourist making snow balls and throwing at each other.There were people who skiing too.Many kids were trying to make snow man too..All in all the day was something to remember and cherish.

And that's what I wore for the day, you can check it out here.

Kashmir diary-House boat stay @ Dal lake

Dal lake is famous for its house boats but.Nagin lake and Jhelum river also offers the wonder called house boat for me it was a dream come true.
I was too eager t step onto Shikara(small boat) that would take us to our houseboat

As soon as the shikara starts its way into the heart of Dal lake, you can see shikara selling various stuffs coming towards you, we were told to keep away from them as the prices would be sky high.

One can get to see different kind of life on Dal Lake ,you get everything on water even a cup steaming cup of tea and snack.

The horizon started to fade away its glow slowly and watching the horizon from shikara was a beautiful site

Our first destination was the floating market that sells handicrafts since it was getting dark I couldn't get good pictures yet I savoured everything I got to see 

I found the price really high after sailing through the market for a while and having tuzzi this time it were of chicken but I must say the one outside Chashm-e-shahi was tastier and cheaper than this

Finally we moved onto our house boat.Our boatman told us that hell pick us up early for the vegetable market ride.Our house boat attendant was waiting for us with a smile.His name was Ali and he looked quite young for this kind of job.He told us that this boat housed four suites 2 of them being 3 bedded and 2 bedded one with single bed, he also told us that only one was occupied.He took us through the narrow path

 to our room that was by the end of the passage

And wow I felt as though I stepped back into time.The interior was such that with elaborate wood work that could be found in the victorian era. Our bathroom had a tub too all very classy.

Ali served us coffee and we got started chatting.He told us that he is involved in the embroidery and explained about different types of stitches and work.He also told us that on season he works here and would go back to his family in off season and get back to work as he prefers that over his work in house boat.

We were all too tired after a long day that we all slept quite early skipping our dinner. At

5:45am we started for the vegetable market, it is a energy packed site with lot of huzzle and buzzle .I forgot to take my cam  but you check here to get a hang of the site.

We got back around 7:30 and hot Kehwa's aroma invited us .We had specially requested for it.Later on we 

 had English breakfast and relaxed on the balco of our houseboat .

We had neighbors too

Through my window I saw this small kid coming to this boat taking control of it and move with absolute elegance and brillance

Around 9:00 am out shikara greeted us again and slowly and steadily our house boat began to fade from the view and bank started to show off clearly.That was a brilliant experience, a must have in every tourist's itenary.

And that's what I wore for the day, you can check it out here.

Note:

Have a word or two with your fellow tourist for the shikara ride fare.Look least interested to them when asked for a ride to floating market and vegetable market in the morning so that you get to bargain for the best prize.Do not shy away from bargain let the best spirit spring from.

Vegetable market sparks into action before dawn so get ready to get to feel the real spirit.

The prize for the goods they sell on Shikara are real high, so think twice before buying and bargain profusely.

Kashmir diary-Ruins of Avantipur, Avantiswamin temple

On our way to Pahalgam we gave this place a miss , as we weren't sure about the time needed to go around Pahalgam. Luckily as we kept the time frame we got down at the ruins of avantiswami temple.
.It took us around one hour and hour hour from Pahalgam.

Avantiswamin temple was built by one of the greatest King Avantiverman one of the greatest ruler of Utpal dynasty.It was during his reign that the state went on the path of prosperity in every walks of life.He built two temples one dedicated to Shiva and the other to Lord Shiva in his capital city of Avantipur.Though Shiva temple has been restored, this Vishnu temple is  in ruins.This temple was built in 9th century. Now in ruins

this temple gets us a glimpse of ancient past.

There is a skillfull pathway that leads to the ruins of the temple and a flight of few steps that will take you to the beautiful looking ruins if you can call a ruin beautiful.

One has to descend to get to the this place then climb through steps to the place where once it were sanctum sanctorum.

I was told that the whole place was restored in the 90's by a team of archaeologists lead by Dr.Sahini.

I could see few elevated space in the corners of the temple,perhaps for smaller shrines or it could have been other space of worship or just space for meditation.

Many of the sculptures were very difficult to even recognise.I bought myself a brochure on the ryins of Avantipur just to enlighten myself about the history after I'm done with it, I would update the post.

I found two interesting things in the ruins. These remains remained me of temple in Kerala.In temples of Kerala one can come across such things called "Beli kallu"that are considered to be sacred, even during Pradakshina or parikrama even as kids I was told not to step on them.

I was also told that few idols that were excavated by British in 18th century is kept in Shri Pratap Singh Museum at Srinagar.The pillars are all restored to the best way possible to recreate the old magic

I let my creativity take wings to imagine about the roof and monumental tower of the temple with its sculptural decoration of the early days.

And that's what I wore for the day, you can check it out here.

Entry fee

Rs 5 for Indians and citizens of SAARC

Timing

9:30 to 5:30pm