Page 21 - Seniors Toady - September Issue 2020

carvings is just beyond words. The statutes
of a dancing Shiva and Goddess Parvati
have different hues of Him being angry and
smiling – and changes with different light
shades.

Seaside Delights
After being suitably stunned and humbled
we drove onto Mahabalipuram, a beautiful
sleepy seaside town. Most resorts here have
“private” beaches and so it is just a few steps
to the ocean. We were at the stunning Grand
Bay Resort. The sunrise is what I had heard
so much about, and so I headed early in the
morning to the beach and was certainly
not disappointed. It was good to see a few
surfing enthusiasts who rise early up with
their surf boards. With the shore temple in
its backdrop it was a stunning picture.
This fisherfolk village here has a history
going back to the 4th century and you have Gateway to Kamakshi Amma Temple
monuments dating back to that time. The a hidden gem – of Gingee Fort, a 9th-century
famous places to visit are the Panch Rathas, outpost, very surprising for this part of the
the Arjuna’s Penance, and the Butter Ball. world. Unfortunately by then the sun was
However it is the bas-relief carving on two beating relentlessly and with the rest of the
monoliths which has the most recognisable day already planned, we skipped walking up
structure of the “Descent of Ganges”. It is the 600 odd steps and continued onwards.
pure joy to see the beautiful and intricate Tiruvannamalai is famous for the Ramanna
carving in such magnitude. Ashram and the mighty Arunachaleshwar
Temple. It is said that the devout Shiva
Hidden Gem devotee who wishes to go to Sabrimala first
From Mahabalipuram we left early for a has to pay respects at this temple before
two-and-a-half-hour drive for the temple going there. Ramanna Ashram is so peaceful
town of Tiruvannamalai and enroute found and quiet that it invites you to continue
staying there. Although we did not do the 14
kms perimeter walk of the sacred mountain,
there were many people going about it with
great devotion. On the outskirts of the town
we stopped for a meal at the only good hotel,
The Sparsa.
Finally we drove onto the French Indian
township of Pondicherry. The first thing
Butter Ball Mahabalipuram which struck me was the wide open roads

SENIORS TODAY | ISSUE #15 | SEPTEMBER 2020 21