Interesting performance - Must see in Cochin - Kathakali Dance Centre

The Cochin Cultural Centre - Kathakali Centre is centrally located in Cochin(Kochi) and in Ernakulam and is a popular destination. You need to generally pre-book to get assured seats for the 5 PM Lecture Demonstration









I am not the dance-seeing type (ahem...), and resisted going to this show. However, since we had an evening to spare I went with my family. The show was amazing and for a person like me who did not know (or care) anything about dance, the color music beat and speed was captivating.

The make up (a very important part of the show) starts early and please dont miss it. Also the proceeds from the centre support Kathakali - a dying art form

We saw it in the one located off MG Road.

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What to see in Madurai: Thirumalai Rayar Palace, Famous Jigarthanda and Madurai Meenakshi temple and Mariamman tank (Part 2)

This is Part 2 of 2 of the trip to Madurai - Link to Earlier post (Part 1)

The evening visit to Mariamman tank was pleasant - actually that is the Chennai beach equivalent in Madurai. People generally land up at the tank to relax.

From Madurai_Palace_JigarThanda_Temple

There is a avicha kazhangu there - tasted quite nice.

From Madurai_Palace_JigarThanda_Temple

Finally the next morning e visited "THE" Madurai Meenakshi Temple. A quick tip - take the Rs 100 ticket - thats a no brainer but more important is that most people dont know that the ticket is valid for both Sivan and Meenakshi sannathis. That makes it really worthwhile and fast.Also there is a parking lot near the main entrance to walk down to the gopuram via a side street (The now famous HC case!)

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1000 pillar hall

From Madurai_Palace_JigarThanda_Temple

Some sculptures...

From Madurai_Palace_JigarThanda_Temple

From Madurai_Palace_JigarThanda_Temple

This is Part 2 of the trip to Madurai - Link to Earlier post (Part 1)

As I started this post Madurai got famous for all the wrong reasons for its Mutt/Adheenam ;-)

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What to see in Madurai: Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal Palace, Famous Jigarthanda and Madurai Meenakshi temple and Mariamman tank (Part 1)

Madurai - Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal or Palace, Famous Jigarthanda : What to see in Madurai:   (Part 1)
(Also referred as Thirumalai Naicker or Nayakar Mahal)

Many of us have solved the travelling salesman problem  but the same is faced by nearly every tourist (especially when faced with triple constraints of time wife and kids ;-) [See my earlier post on how to get to Madurai by bus]

So for those who want to spend a day in Madurai and dont want to strain yourself (i.e. want to nap in the afternoon and only do visits in the morning and evening)

Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace - Nice large hall worth visiting and will take about 2 hrs. I was pleasantly surprised with the the tamil language has evolved - it was quite a simple script with much reuse (modular language ;-))

As you finish the Palace and are feeling quite hot - head out to the "Famous Jigarthanda" - yes... thats the name of the shop. The Jigarthanda drink out here is amazing.

Its as good as the stuff thats available at Chennai Murugan Idly albeit the ice cream is filled with ice flakes

<<End of Part 1>> see Part 2



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Sims Park: Coonoor: Photo essay and some details

This was the second time to Sims park. Its  YAP (Yet Another Park) in the hills except that its set up in 1874 and has more than 200+ generas. Its not very big. Only one tip for people with kids - The park slopes down and the kids play area is right at the bottom , so.... its fun to go down but very difficult to come up!!

History and Details of Sims Park

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Pond at the bottom of the park

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From 201104_Conoor

A log of who visited Sims park on bamboo

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General pictures of trees and walkways

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From 201104_Conoor

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A visit to the Tea Factory: How is tea made - Plant to cup process

This factory is about 2 kms from Coonoor Sims park. I found it very interesting and thought I should share the process of making tea

From 201104_Conoor

Tea is made in a 6 step process of
1. Plucking
2. Weathering
3. Tearing
4. Fermenting
5. Drying/roasting
6. Grading

Types of tea: CTC, Orange Pekoe, Green and White
1. Plucking: Tender tea leaf buds picked at a time of the day , twice a year is used for white tea. Tender leaf buds picked any time of the year is used for green tea and orange pekoe. The tea leaves picked through the year are used for CTC. Generally, lower in the stem and mature leaves are avoided as they have higher caffeine.

From 201104_Conoor

2. Weathering: Tea leaves are placed on a flat bed with air (cool/normal temp) blowing from below for about 12 hours. This removes about 30% moisture. This process is required to ensure that during the next CTC step, the leaves dont become pulpy but tear neatly.

From 201104_Conoor

3. CTC/Orthodox tearing: Cutting , Tearing and Curling (CTC) - this is the most preferred tea in India. The CTC process does just as it expands - cut, tear and curl, transforming the leaves into finer bits.

From 201104_Conoor

From 201104_Conoor

In the orthodox process , instead of CTC, the leaves are ground through a sieve. This process is used for orange pekoe and green tea. This process is preferred for exports.

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4. Fermenting: In this process, the leaves are processed through a rotating drum and hydrated with a water spreay. This is where they pick up the brownish color and aroma. The process is usually for 1 hour , with an additional 2 hrs in open tray fermntation. There is no fermentation process for Green, Orange pekoe and white tea.

From 201104_Conoor

5. Roasting/Drying: A 250 degree roast is done for the CTC and 30 degree to 80 degree for green and orange pekoe teas respectively. Generally white teas may not be roasted except mildly.

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6. Grading: Teas are sieve graded into 11 categories - 6 leaves and 5 dusts. The Super fine dust is typically used in the tea bags. It is not superior or inferior grades, but graded for the purpose they will be used. Many commercial teas are blended for best results. For example, granular gives strong, a ablend is used by hotels etc.

From 201104_Conoor

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Wellington Gymkhana and Golf course: Pictures

This place has an 18 hole golf course and a couple of cottages. The club was established in 1873 and belongs to the armed forces. The greens are beautiful against the backdrop of the hills and I have taken a few photographs here.

The main club

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From 201104_Conoor

Golf greens - beautiful sight

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From 201104_Conoor

The club also has a website http://wellingtongymkhanaclub.com/

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