Pathai is a tiny village nestling in the foothills of the Western Ghats. The Pacchai Aaru flows by its side and during the monsoons and immediately thereafter, it is a sight to see, with plenty of water bodies all around it. It happens to be my native village and it gives me great pleasure to invite you all to spend an afternoon in it.
Close by is the town of Kalakkad, famed for its temple of Shiva as Satyavagiswara and its tower, with majestic Mahendragiri as its background, was the subject of an aquatint by William and Thomas Daniell in the 18th century. The view remains substantially unchanged till now.
Not far from Pathai are the great Divya Desams of Nanguneri and Thirukurungudi, both villages hallowed by the visits of Alwars and being home to massive shrines.
There is more to Tirunelveli than just temples. We have Pathamadai, famed for its school and its tradition of woven mats and we have Kallidaikurichi, known as the Brahmin Chettinad for this was where a unique tradition of Brahmin bankers existed, who lent money on interest. That would in turn spawn an industrial temper and it is perhaps no surprise that many industrialist families of Tamil Nadu had their origins in Tirunelveli – Amalgamations, TVS, India Cements, Chemplast Sanmar and the Easun Group. Let us therefore visit Kallidaikurichi and see what made this village take to commerce.
Tirunelveli is also home to some phenomenal natural beauty – there are waterfalls, forests and rivers.
And what is a Past Forward Tour without music? Accompanying us will be singer Amrita Murali, who will sing us the classical pieces associated with the various shrines we visit.
Come and soak in the history and heritage of this wonderful region of Tamil Nadu during a two night-three day tour between November 22 and 24, 2019
Itinerary
Friday, November 22, 2019.
5.25 am – Depart from Chennai Airport
7.20 am – Reach Tuticorin (breakfast in flight)
7.45 am – Depart for Tiruchendur
9.00 am – Reach Tiruchendur and have darshan of temple
11.00 am – Depart Tiruchendur for Tirunelveli
12.30 pm – Reach GRT Tirunelveli, check in and lunch
3.30 pm – Depart for Pathai
4.30 pm – Reach Pathai, visit Sriram’s ancestral home, see the village temples, visit Kalakad temple, have dinner in Sriram’s home and depart for Tirunelveli
9.00 pm – Reach GRT
Saturday, November 23, 2019.
8.00 am – Depart for Pathamadai and Kallidaikurichi
8.40 am – Reach Pathamadai for shopping
9.40 am – Depart for Kallidaikurichi
10.15 am – Reach Kallidaikurichi – to see the Lakshmi Varahaswami temple and also visit some of the houses. Also buy appalams
11.45 am – Depart for Manimutharu waterfall
- 00 noon – Reach waterfalls
1.15 pm – Depart for Singampatti for lunch
1.45 pm – Reach Singampatti Palace for lunch
3.00 pm – Return to Tirunelveli
4.00 pm – Reach Tirunelveli
6.00 pm – Depart for Kanthimathi Nellaiyappar Temple and also the Sulochana Mudaliar Bridge
8.00 pm – Dinner
Sunday, November 24, 2019.
8.00 am – Depart for Nanguneri
8.30 am – Reach Nanguneri
10.00am – Depart for Tirukurungudi
10.30 am – Reach Tirukurungudi
12.30 pm- Lunch at Tirukurungudi
2.00 pm – Depart for Tuticorin airport
3.30 pm – Reach Tuticorin airport
4.50 pm – Board flight to Chennai
6.50 pm – Reach Chennai
Costs:
Land costs – Inclusive of stay, meals, local travel – Rs 24,500 + 5% GST
Air fare – Rs 8,000 (approx at present and based on actuals. This cost is likely to go up as the tour date approaches. You can make your own travel plans and join us independently at Tirunelveli)
Last Date for Registration and Payment – October 31, 2019.
Mode of Payment
Option 1
Payment via bank transfer for which the details are below. Please remember to send an email with transaction details to walks@chennaipastforward.com after you make your payment:
Account Name: Past Forward
Account Type: Current
Bank Name: The Federal Bank Ltd
A/c No. 12820200104237
Branch: Royapettah
IFSC CODE: FDRL0001282
Option 2
In case you still wish to make payment the old way, you can make
it at the following address by cheque/cash:
c/o HVK Systems,
2&3, Bhattad Tower,
30, Westcott Road,
Royapettah, Chennai 600014
Cancellation Policy
Airfare is non-reimbursable except when airline cancels for some reason
Land Costs – 50% will be reimbursed if cancellation is informed by October 20th, 25% by November 1st.
Dear Sir, would like to contact you regarding arranging a heritage walk in Chennai for our school children.Kindly contact 8939051308