Friday, June 27, 2014

In a Quiet Town Called Thiruvaiyaru, Tamil Nadu


Quiet town. Way beyond the consciousness of the restless traveling souls.

This is Thiruvaiyaru. On a whim, I decided to head further into the backroads of Thanjavur, heading deeper into the bowels of South India. The whole trip had me riding one of those craggy, dilapidated non-AC buses that I so ironically enjoy. So I walked within the confluence of narrow alleys. After almost being shredded to pieces by an unwelcoming stray dog, I finally found the unseemly temple, the site of a religious pilgrimage. But what I liked more was communing with the Cavery River.

"Hello, Mr. Cavery. Pleased to meet you." From its placid flow, I must have imagined a bump on the waters, like a gentle splash, as though it had acknowledged my presence. I smiled.

Meanwhile, the temple wasn't much of a sight but I knew of its sentimental, albeit religious significance to the locals.

Thiruvaiyaru is located 13 kilometers from Thanjavur in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

This is the Eye in the Sky!

6 comments:

Ishmael F. Ahab said...

India! I want to visit that country too. A former office mate told us of her adventure in India. She said that commuting in that country is more dangerous than commuting in the Philippines.

eye in the sky said...

To be honest, I have a love-hate "relationship" with India (been there 3x) and the country inspires extreme impressions. While most people prefer trains when traveling there, I prefer buses and cars. I cannot particularly say I have the same observation as your friend but then every visitor's experience in that country is distinct so she can't be wrong.

I guess I have been to enough rides all over India to actually say that commuting there isn't all that far from ours. :) You should go visit. I wish to see it again next year. :)

Unknown said...

OMG!! You went to the banks of the Kaveri (or Cauvery)? I hope you did the Big Temple in Tanjavur? Did you get to hear the 7 musical notes off of pillars in the Dharma Samvardhani temple? some of my favorite memories are from this region :)

eye in the sky said...

I wanted so badly to "commune" with the Kaveri and I am glad I did. Unfortunately, I didn't get to hear the 7 musical notes; I wasn't aware of such. Loved the big temple of Thanjavur. I think it as listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. I actually like south India a LOT more than north. People are kinder, more laidback/relaxed, and amazing sites aren't priced exorbitantly as they are in the north. It's a more welcoming region. :)

Ishmael F. Ahab said...

Hmmm...I wonder where my office mate went. Maybe that's a part of India where commuting is dangerous? Hehe.

eye in the sky said...

Hmmm. I'll go ask her the next time I see her in the hallway. ;)