We’re glad to be leaving Trichy and looking forward to a change of scene in Madurai. Another state bus is the order of the day! The trip takes 3.5 hours and is largely uneventful. A nice chap offers me some fruit; I politely decline. We’ve both been sticking to the hygiene advice outlined in the guide book; taking food from strangers is a no-no, as is eating unwashed fruit. As yet, we’ve not had any digestive issues. I thank the diarrhoea lord for every day that passes without incident.
Madurai is one of the oldest cities in India. It wasn’t founded by Europeans like Chennai; this was a trading town in Roman times. There’s a famous temple called Sri Meenakshi and also the Gandhi Memorial Museum.
The hotel is much better than the one we had in Trichy and the staff are super friendly. After a good nights sleep, we awake to realise that it’s Republic Day. This is one of the biggest national holidays of the year. TV channels are packed with coverage of a massive military parade in New Delhi, and we can hear peeps outside celebrating with fireworks and loud music. After breakfast the hotel manager presents Shejal with a small paper India flag to be worn with a pin on her shirt. Feeling all excited and weirdly (for me) patriotic, we head out.
The Sri Meenakshi temple is by far the most impressive temple we’ve visited so far. It’s packed with revellers due to the public holiday. We notice that there are many couples tying the knot. Shejal gets chatting with family of one of the couples - apparently this particular day is considered auspicious for marriage. We’re asked to pose for pictures with this bride and groom. Whilst this is happening an old lady pops up and puts red paint on our foreheads (bindi style).
A couple of older women then come over and inform Shejal that she should have her India flag over her heart rather than her sternum. This starts a conversation which lasts nearly an hour and ends up with us being invited around their house for dinner. We learn that one of the ladies is really excited about the upcoming royal wedding and hates Camilla.
Unfortunately the Gandhi museum was closed due to the holiday, so we spend what’s left of the afternoon snacking on masala dosa in an excellent veg restaurant.
The next day before we leave for Kerala we sneak in a visit to the Gandhi museum. Fascinating/scathing content on the struggle for Indian independence make me ashamed to be British. The museum has the dhoti Gandhi was wearing when he was assassinated. So sad, both of us couldn’t stand to be in the room for long.
We’re off to the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary next in Kerala. Bye-Bye Tamil Nadu for now. We’re coming back in a couple of weeks to visit Ooty.
Madurai is one of the oldest cities in India. It wasn’t founded by Europeans like Chennai; this was a trading town in Roman times. There’s a famous temple called Sri Meenakshi and also the Gandhi Memorial Museum.
The hotel is much better than the one we had in Trichy and the staff are super friendly. After a good nights sleep, we awake to realise that it’s Republic Day. This is one of the biggest national holidays of the year. TV channels are packed with coverage of a massive military parade in New Delhi, and we can hear peeps outside celebrating with fireworks and loud music. After breakfast the hotel manager presents Shejal with a small paper India flag to be worn with a pin on her shirt. Feeling all excited and weirdly (for me) patriotic, we head out.
The Sri Meenakshi temple is by far the most impressive temple we’ve visited so far. It’s packed with revellers due to the public holiday. We notice that there are many couples tying the knot. Shejal gets chatting with family of one of the couples - apparently this particular day is considered auspicious for marriage. We’re asked to pose for pictures with this bride and groom. Whilst this is happening an old lady pops up and puts red paint on our foreheads (bindi style).
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