Danish fort-Tranquebar/Tharangambadi ,Nagapattinam

Fort Dansborg is a Danish fort at Tharangambadi.Bay of Bengal is at a walkable distance and one can enjoy a walk on the relatively cleaner beach.The fort was built by Tanjavur King in association with Danish administration in early 17th century.Presently there is a museum at the center of the building which is the main attraction with loads of artifacts, coins,Danish manuscripts, canon balls and whale skeleton.
This whole complex consists of two floors upper for governor and priest and lower being for soldiers and animals , there were warehouse, kitchen, church, and jail all in the same wall.. History and archaeology enthusiasts would love the place as not much damage has occurred to the complex.

front view

entrance

The complex looks like a small town self sufficient supporting itself.With the sea just meters away one and here the crashing waves.

visitors can climb upon the complex and have a look around

To look down to the lower floor

canons

Jail

Horse stable

The man behind TELC

Old entrance to the Danish area

There is a renovated Sr Masilamaneeswar temple on the beaches that has become quite colourful after renovation.I would have preferred it with the old charm.there is a danish cemetary nearby but as I was running short of time I couldn't visit.

How to reach
Do carry water
It is around 115 km from Pondicherry by road
The nearest railway station is Mayiladuthurai which is 40km.
The museum is open on all days except Friday and State government holiday
Timing-10:00 am to 5:30 pm

Narthamalai -Jain cave

My final destination for the day was Narthamalai. Narthamalai hills like Sittanavasal use to be home for jain hermits.These natural rock shelter at Alurutimalai has loads of similarities just like eladipattam interms of rock rocks.More of these are found in Kudagumalai s away that might be hidden but just walk towards left follow the foot way and you'll find them ask the locals for direction just to save time.

Narthamalai cave unlike Sittanavasal is not yet open to public all you can see this cave that is well locked and protected. Narthamalai was under Pallava empire

The Vijayalaya Chozhisvaram temple stand all alone in all its wonder.The restoration work was on It is a shiva temple with a nandi  facing the temple.

 The

And all this brought an end to a beautiful day.

Note:

I wouldn't recommend anyone to go single do take your friends as the place itself is quiet lonely.And who doesn't like a company to sit in the shade and enjoy the view.There is a goddess temple which is quiet famous.

Sittanavasal Cave/ Arivar Koil/ Jain cave temple and Eladipattam

Next stop was Sittanavasal there are two roadthat can be taken,but I followed the Musiri-Kulithalai-Manapparai-Pudukottai--Alangudi-Peravoorani-Sethubavacam Rd which was quite familiar to me.

I did not stop at Eladipattam as I wanted to start with Sittanavasal. I first read about Sittanavasal in  The Hindu back in my school days.Sittanavasal is not a popular destination among usual visitors definitely  underrated. Sittanavasal or Arivar koil is a rock cut temple.The first sight one get to see is that of pillared enclosure and steps upon the slopy hill that will lead take you to the cave temple.I was told that this pillared construction is relatively new dating to 20th century by Pandiya kings .But all  these were put together as a result of restoration carried out by ASI. .There are tamil inscriptions on the forepart of the temple.

Like I mentioned maintained by ASI the place is ticketed and there is a guide cum care taker who explains  about the place.Being Sunday there were few tourist otherwise it carries a deserted look. The guide is a short tempered man so be careful with his mood swing..The temple is relatively small with a hall and a main sanctum sanctorum.
There are beautiful fresco that  have withstood the test of time.He explained that few of them were lost as a result of vandalism.He didn't let us take picture and this was the one I managed before he stopped.

If these painting were so wonderful I was wondering how amazing the paintings of Ajanta caves Maharastra would be.The painting depicts a lotus pond and the flowers being collected by monks , animals from the pond depicting Jaina Samavasarana. He informed us that all these paintings are regarded as the greatest of the old century.

The sanctum sanctorum is a small room like enclosure were the guide demonstrated an interesting thing.He explained to us that the monks mediated here striking a balance of the mind with that of nature and when that comes in line a reverberating OM a mesmerizing chant could be heard.These definitely got me goose bumps , there were other tourists who all tried their turn to get it right but in vain.

This place is a must visit for archaeology enthusiasts.Very underrated

Eladipattam

Eladipattam is a natural rock shelter on top of a hill.One can walk through the steps that could be slight tricky but there are iron support to help you out.

There are low roofed rock beds with inscriptions.They are behind iron bars to protect them from vandalism, which has already destroyed the beauty of it.It really breaks my heart to see such things upon such heritage important sites, destroying the very essence of the soul.There are seventeen beds in number.

One can and enjoy the view of the village from top .Its a best place to be around 5:00 pm evening .They close down at 5:30.Like Sittanavasal there is an entry fee of Rs 5.
Jain monks living a life so well in the old days choosing all these caves for their way of life and builting it the way they chose is still an enigma to me.

How to reach
This place is well connected to Trichy and Pudukottai by road though there are government operating,I would recommend for a personal vehicle.Get your GPS on toe or do not shy away to ask for direction.The locals are quiet helpful and don't get carried away with their walkable distance.For them even five to eight mile (one mile is equal to 1.6 km) is a walkable distance.It would be good if you browse through the history before you get to the place ,so that it is easy to understand when the guide explains to you about the fresco or to search for the number of beds in the cavern. 3 to 4pm would be an ideal time to visit the place for having a breezy evening.
The nearest railway station is Pudukottai though Trichy would be ideal for people from most places.

Thirumayam fort, Pudukottai

Thirumayam that falls on the Pudukottai-Karaikudi highway is easily.As I was on my way home Trichy I thought of stopping by the fort.For me it was around 45 min drive.I stopped in Pudukottai for lunch and then headed to this fort.

Taken care by Archeological survey of India, there is entrance fee to the premises.Built by Vijaya Raghunatha Sethupathi in 1867 was handed over to Raghunatha Raya Thondaiman. Recently renevoated it hasn't fallen victim of vandalism yet.Originally with seven concentric walls now only three ramain. There are three entrances from north, south and east.

On top of the fortress there is a an elevated structure built of stones that holds a canon that is believed to be of  British Origin

Adjacent to the bastion there a water source that is caged and protected.

There is nothing much to do on top of the fortress and since the the fort doesn't enjoy a great elevation, you can see the highway and dry thorned plants around the fort.As you get out of the fort to the left of he main fort there is a cave temple of Lord Shiva.Climbing up the iron steps was fun .There is one more rock cut structure just opposite to this temple. 

How to reach

Thirumayam is about 20km from Pudukottai and is well connected by road as it is on NH 210 which Trichy-Rameshwaram highway.