Food for Thought

Over the last weekend , took a trip down to visit some of the DivyaDesam temples( A Divya Desam is one of the 108 Vishnu temples that are mentioned in the works of the Alvars (saints). Of the 108 temples, 105 are in India, one is in Nepal, and last two are believed to be outside the Earthly realms ) in and around Sirkazi, a town that is close to 250Kms away from Chennai . There are around 12 temples to visit and we hired a guide who could take us around efficiently and get us darshan . You may ask why a guide but we realized what a good decision it was to hire a guide –

Yes, the Google maps will guide us to all these temples but they would not help us with the timings that the temple opening and closing . Most of the 12 temples are private and so the priests choose based on that day , the time they wanted to open and close and sometimes they are open for short periods of time . The guide that we had,  not only knew the terrain but he knew the Priests in the temples personally and he called each one of them ahead and ensured that the temple was open. He changed the plan when there was some timing issues and there was not big deviation in the route as all the temples were in a short radius of 3-8 Kms span. We also met another group at one of the temples enroute and they told us that they were going around for a day and half looking out for the temples and wisely on day 2, they hired a guide who then took care to ensure that their visit was completed. So, guide was a BIG help !

I am not covering any of the temples but some insights on our stay place and the food and the costs. We looked at various  stay options through the Internet and some of the travel sites and found the rates not too friendly for us to book . These were ‘resorts type “  and the price just was not good . We called a friend who is used to visiting and staying in that area and he referred to a small hotel that was on the side street along with several other such type hotels. We would have never ventured in to these side roads along the temple towns but we did as the friend did inform us that they all had good room – efficient in all aspects and most important the pricing – it was barely one fourth of the price that we saw on the travel sites. Experience was very good with neat clean rooms and for just a night stay , it was very good. So the good old method of “ Word of mouth “ does help !

That was on the accommodation – the food was even better – We had sumptuous dinner at a very small place that could take in around 8 people at a time – its menu was limited but it had those things that you will go for – Personal attention and recommendations by the owner cum cook - . Very friendly approach. We ended up paying INR 180- for four of us . The same meal in Chennai would have costed us at least four times for the items we ate.

The breakfast was even better – This was a roadside little cute place – No great furniture but tables made on concrete benches—We had a steal

We had idlies  ( idli are a type of savoury rice cake, popular as breakfast foods ) being served with side accompaniments @ 2 per piece – We just could not believe the price – Again the serving was with personal attention of the owner cum cook cum Cashier etc. – Great experience – we also had the opportunity of local villagers who were waiting for “take away “watch us eat ! Some experience it was but the taste was outstanding . We heard that the place sells close to 1000 Idlies everyday

Thinking aloud – Earn in Metros and spend in Tier 3   !