The Chettinad splendour
RUPA GOPAL
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Chettinad is fast becoming a hot tourist spot with its temples, old palatial buildings, woodcraft and cuisine.
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TASTEFUL SPREAD: The interior of a Chettinad Bangala.
Chettinad is now a hot destination — both in terms of tourism, and temperature wise.
The cooler seasons of the year, between October and March, are ideal to visit this region, a perfect showcase of temples and old palatial buildings, antique hunting, woodcraft and southern cuisine at its best.
Karaikudi is the biggest town in Chettinad, about 90 minutes hours' drive from Madurai. Accommodation for upper class tourists, both from India and abroad, is now a delight here with the advent of the Bangala, a heritage boutique style hotel set up in a 75-year-old building.
The dream child of Mrs. Meyyappan, it has been restored to retain its old world charm, and provides a timeless ambience and comfort to its guests. It also offers high class Chettinad cuisine served with care in a traditional manner, on fresh plantain leaves.
Delectable
Both the menu and taste are delectably reminiscent of granny's days. The visitor can relax with well-stocked books on the region, or take a turn in the well-kept gardens, such a pleasant sight in this near-arid district.
The Bangala (Ph: 24934851) organises tours of old mansions, temples, the weekly village markets and trips to antique shops. The highlight of the trip is a guided tour to the MRM House in Kanadukathan, one of the palaces in Chettinad.
Owned by Mrs. Visalakshi Ramaswamy, a permanent exhibition of lifestyle objects and regional textiles has been put up with great artistry. She has been instrumental in the revival and high profile marketing of Chettinad craft like basket weaving, cotton sari weaving, Athangudi tile making and in the maintenance of old buildings.
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