Chettinad Tour! Sep 13 to 15, 2019

Nagarathar Nostalgia! A Chettinad Tour, Sept 13 to 15, 2019

Chettinad! The very word conjures up a wonderful world – a barren landscape, colossal mansions, Chettiar or Nagarathar clans, their temples, lavish weddings, delectable cuisine, adorable (and utilitarian) handicrafts, Athangudi tiles, aesthetic textiles, a way with business, an old world courtesy, tact in speech and hospitality of the highest order – in short, a way of life fast vanishing but kept alive by a determined few among the community.

Come on a two night, three-day tour to the Chettinad region of Tamil Nadu, with historian and storyteller par excellence – Sriram V! On the anvil are tales about business barons, a way of commerce that extended across the seas, a business ethic that was grounded in local tradition and could have given most B Schools a run for their money. There are also stories about how the phenomenal wealth so generated was put to use.

What is a Past Forward Tour without music and plenty of tales about the world of arts? And Chettinad was in the forefront for over a century when it came to patronage to music, dance, Harikatha and drama. Bringing the region alive with songs is star musician Ashwath Narayanan.

Stay: No trip to Chettinad is worth it if you don’t stay at the Bangala, Karaikkudi. You will be staying at a dyed-in-the-wool Chettiar establishment, with Meenakshi Meyyappan, its legendary hostess literally mothering you with the food and so many other delightful details.

Itinerary:

Friday, Sep 13, 2019 –

09.30 am – Depart by Indigo flight to Trichy at 9.30 am
11.00 am – Reach Trichy
01.00 pm – Reach The Bangala, Karaikkudi for check in and lunch
2.00 pm – Siesta (a compulsory aspect of the Chettinad lifestyle)
4.00 pm – Depart for Avudaiyarkoil, to see the unique temple to Siva as Atmanatha and to rejoice in the story of Manikkavachakar
5.30 pm – Reach Avudaiyarkoil
8.00 pm – Dinner and depart for hotel
9.30 pm – Reach the Bangala

Saturday, Sep 14, 2019 –

07.30 am – Breakfast at The Bangala
08.30 am – Depart for Ariyakkudi – to see the Perumal temple there and also to relive the extraordinarily musical and colourful life of Ariyakkudi Ramanuja Iyengar, the pioneering musician
08.45 am – Reach Ariyakkudi
10.15 am – Depart for Pillaiyarpatti
11.00 am – Arrive at Pillaiyarpatti
12.30 pm – Depart for lunch
01.00 pm – Lunch
02.00 pm – Siesta
03.30 pm – Depart for seeing textile weaving, Athangudi tile making and antique shops
06.30 pm – Return to the Bangala
07.00 pm – Presentation by Sriram on Chettinad and its ethos
08.00 pm – Dinner at the Bangala

Sunday, Sep 15, 2019

07.30 am – Breakfast at The Bangala
09.30 am – Check out and Depart for Chettinad Mansion Tour
01.00 pm – Lunch at Chidambara Vilas
02.00 pm – Leave for Trichy airport
03.30 pm – Reach Trichy airport
04.45 pm – Flight departs
06.10 pm – Flight reaches Chennai

Place of Stay: The Bangala, Karaikudi

Fare: Land Rates: Rs 28,000 per person, air travel extra
Air Travel: Rs 4,000 per person (approx) via Indigo (economy)

Note: GST of 5% is applicable on land rates.

What We Cover

1. Hotel accommodation
2. Local travel and guide fees
3. Entry tickets to monuments
4. All meals

What we don’t cover

1. Expenses of a personal nature – shopping, massage, tips
2. Room service

Payment Schedule

1. Please decide on whether you are booking your own ticket or would like us to do so.
2. Inform us accordingly by email
3. Payment: 50% on booking (last date for confirmation – June 10, 2019)
4. Balance: By July 10, 2019

Payment to be made to

Account Name: Past Forward

Account Type: Current

Bank Name: The Federal Bank Ltd

A/c No. 12820200104237

Branch: Royapettah
IFSC CODE: FDRL0001282

Cancellation Policy:

Airfare is non-reimbursable except when airline cancels for some reason
Land Costs – 50% will be reimbursed if cancellation is informed by July 15th, 25% by August 15th

Email walks@chennaipastforward.com if interested.

For those who want to share this info with friends, a pdf brochure is enclosed.

Chettinad_Tour_2019_V2