Vanakkam Madras!

We Indians, our way of life is completely unique. It differs so much from place to place.

Just like the poles of the magnet, north and south Indian divide is very prominent in our country. Some traits draw these two people at times, and there are times when they repulse. 

North Indians on one hand have an Aryan look, with a taste for wheat, ghee and potato more. Who are a bit loud in their own ways of celebrations, for which they are known for-like the typical Punjabi weddings.

On the other hand the south Indians have a Dravidian look, with a taste for rice, sambhar and sweets, who are recognized for their flair for dance, music and all type of art. 

People in south belong to four different regions. Still the North Indians have a style of addressing all the south Indians as Madrasis!

Madras is apparently a small city in Tamil Nadu, now known as Chennai.

Being a Keralite settled in North, have never liked been called as a madrasi!

But today here I am, in Chennai.  A new girl to this fantastic new city. Each day has been really amazingly thrilling for me. Today let me walk you those amazing roads of Chennai, or let me say Madras!

Madras is a mixture of a whole new vibrant culture. From the much venerated shrines to the illuminated pubs; from the number of desolate and breezy beach to the highly lit crowded shopping places. Its geographic location is so amazing, that it just takes an hour or two to reach places like Mahabalipuram, also known as “mahabs” and Pondicherry or “Pondi”.

The love for Chennai is in the air! One of the reasons that make me say that is the FOOD!
There is no better feeling than tasting a fantastic dish- it just makes your day.
Starting from ‘Chicken 65’ – a spicy, deep fried chicken was supposedly invented in this place at Buhari Hotel. Personally my favourite!
Chennaiites are willing to experiment with their food and so are restaurateurs. Chennai biryani is known for it being seasoned by spice and turmeric. Thalappakatti and Anjappar are known for the mind boggling rice based food. From fish on the beach to the barbecued meat and the ever popular mutta- dosa makes the Chennai mix of food special.

With the break of the dusk, you treat your stomach with some delicious snacks like burgers and donuts from Donut House, Mash, Pupil, French Loaf and the list just goes on.

It’s not just the food, but the people around and the number of places you can go to. For all the party lovers out there, who just wishes to end your busy hectic working schedule, boozing and clubbing, Chennai is perfect. There are countless places that you can go clubbing. Hitting the” Illusions” on Wednesdays for a Bollywood night,  Thursdays in Pasha or 10D for a Karaoke night, and Fridays, how can one miss the Girls night at Dublin.

The best thing about Chennai is that it is a blend of everything. You will tend to find people from all over India, residing here. To mix it well, Chennai has exactly everything one can wish for.

Apart from all this bash and excitement, Chennai also molds its paths to divinity. The number of shrines and places of worship is countless. Chennai is well known for the Santhome Basilica church, Parthasarathy temple and the Thousand Light Mosque. These are just a few of them. There are aplenty.

Some times its all about just being by yourself and spend some valuable time, a time of introspection. For some of us the places of worship, tends to be the best place. Chennai just gives it all.

People are very friendly here and really welcoming, maybe they were also a guest to this beauty once. As a travel buff, my stay in Chennai has been a memorable one. With the new people, new kind of experience and everything! Everybody will have their own reasons to love this beauty. I have found mine. Now you find your reasons to love this place.

Just two months in this place, and it has just become my favourite picks in the basket!  

Now I don’t think I’ll mind anybody calling me a Madrasi. You know why, because I love you Madras!

My Travel Space..

KOLLENGODE- THE PRISTINE BEAUTY

That's what I call a Green Carpet Welcome!

My native Kerala has always been my favourite destination forever. Ever since I remember any sought of traveling in my life, it has always been to Kerala. Palakkad, Kollengode to be exact. This trip has been the stepping stone to all journeys in my life till now. 

Kollengode

Palakkad, known as the granary of Kerala, is a land of palms and paddy fields, and Kollengode enshrines the pristine beauty of rural Palakkad.Kollengode relatively being a small village is lost and not recognised as much as it should have been.

Let me give you a snippet of its mesmerizing beauty.

The village gets its name from the blacksmith (Kollen) community who live there. The paddy fields, takes the major chunk of the place. Amidst this goes the narrow roads , which seem endless while travelling. A ride, I bet the bike riders would never love to miss.

The divinity the place has, is molded with several temples and shrines. You can feel the music and the divine presence even along the roads. the lighted temples are the perfect places for all in seek of contemplation, entering Nirvana. The number of temples in this small village is innumerable.

Kollengode is a village, but never in the literal sense. The people here have their own big world in their small place. Kollengode has its own kind of festivals and celebrations that are not celebrated in the other ends of Kerala. "Desa Vilakku" is the festival followed by the "Aarattu" which is honored by giving a sacred bath to Lord Ayyappan. "Kummatti is another festival celebrated to mark the harvest festival. People here have their own rituals. One of them is "Kathiru", which means freshly grown paddy. What is fascinating is the way they make a ball of paddy, which is nearly a size of a football and throw it in the air. People there believe that this would bring good luck for an year to those who are able to catch it. Doesn't that sound very interesting? 

Kollengode Palace

One thing Kollengode is known for is the Kollengode Palace, which is known for its traditional and contemporary architecture. It is now used as an Ayurvedic Spa, which includes treatments lasting for two to three months. The aura of the Palace, goes beyond words. One needs to see it to feel the aesthetic sense and the artistic beauty of the palace.  
The pictures itself says it all. A place that many aren't aware of. Its worth a visit to this peaceful and beautiful place. 

Kollengode, for those who don't know and is a travel buff like me, it is worth a visit. So people don't think too much, its time to explore those hidden beauties. I have found one, hope you see one soon!