Markets and temples

Patteeswaram, Tamil Nadu

Just before you enter any temple in India, you have to pass through a market. In some cases, shopping happens right inside the temple complex. Very often I find the markets more interesting.


Madurai, Tamil Nadu


Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu


Chidambaram , Tamil Nadu.


Thirukadaiyur,Tamil Nadu

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by Jour ~ Thursday, April 23, 2009 0 comments

Travel and travel stories

There has been a bit of a slow down recently in my writing as well..the reason being I dont want to become a factory churning articles by the day.Travel writing is an intense personal experience, sometimes even more exhilarating and draining than the journey itself and just putting it down in an avalanche of words does not make sense to me.I have three articles published last week and my favourite among them is my wild Masinagudi night safari .Please read it (you can click on the words "Masinagudi night safari and it will take you to the article )when you have the time and let me know your feedback . There was a story on a cave temple in Madurai published in Metro Plus, Inside Story and a piece on Kaidala, a small village in Karnataka which is the birthplace of a legendary 11th century sculptor . The links to these two are down and I will post the stories shortly. Meanwhile , the above picture is that of a man smoking in the Kaidala temple.

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by Jour ~ Friday, November 7, 2008 0 comments

India through my eyes - What the Gods eat !

Grams sold outside the Azhagar (Alagar )temple dedicated to Vishnu near Madurai . This is bought by devotees and served to the Gods.. I asked why and no one answered..

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by Jour ~ Friday, October 10, 2008 0 comments

Expressing art

In Madurai inside the Thousand Pillar Hall of the Meenakshi Temple . For these tourists, expression is probably art..when will we ever learn to be responsible tourists ?

Update : Please read the comments for my views on this

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by Jour ~ Sunday, September 21, 2008 0 comments

India through my eyes

Outside the 17th century Thirumalai Nayak Palace in Madurai, a group of old women sweat it out to make a living. They sell a few knick knacks, some colourful bags and trinkets. I met these old women who were trying to sell me a few bags that I did not want. But I was caught by their warm smiles and their desperation to make a living at this old age. I took their pictures - one of them coyly smiled as she was just preparing to have lunch. We bought a few bags as well and a small trinket ..just to make their day

I am to Madras (Chennai )again for a couple of days and will see you all later in the week. I would like to thank Aaarti and Jeevan for giving me these awards. I give them away to everyone who take time off to visit my blog everyday and motivate me with their comments. Here are the two awards - the first one is from Aaarti and the second fron Jeevan . Thanks guys.

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by Jour ~ Monday, September 15, 2008 0 comments