The Meenashki Amman Temple is truly a momentous sight. After a rather fraught day traveling from Trichy to Madurai this superb temple dominates the city skyline. Seeing the glorious pillars soaring to the sky in the afternoon sun was awe inspiring and genuinely lifted my spirits.
Far too often temple pillars here are covered over for repainting or reconstruction and I was totally unprepared to see these wondrous colours in all their glory. I’d heard this was one of the sights of South India and it certainly did not disappoint!
The trip here was not an easy one. Having had to use the expensive taxi rather than the bus as I can't lift my luggage yet post accident, I expected at least a good service, but sadly not.
My driver tried to persuade me that a bathroom stop should be a ditch overlooked by vicious monkeys. When I refused he then went to the opposite extreme and stopped at a high class 'hotel' (restaurant) and whilst I was in the loo he ordered himself lunch and gave me the bill.
When I refused that too (he paid with a bad grace) he put the radio on full blast for the final hour and drove like a maniac, even more nerve wrecking as there were no seat belts. He didn't get a tip, funnily enough. But by the time he'd worked that out I was safely inside the hostel with my luggage....
This is yet another 'business ' hotel where I am again the only white face and the staff, all men, are yet again bemused by my solo female status. But as in the last 'residency' they seem very friendly and keen to help. When I left Trichy this morning the staff all came to shake my hand, which was very sweet, I felt touched by their obvious pleasure that I had stayed there so am this works out the same...
So 'all' I had time to do today once in Madurai was walk to it's famous temple. And impressive it was indeed. The bustling streets around it are filled with bazaars which offer delights to come. I'll venture inside the temple tomorrow. Today I was content to gaze.
Far too often temple pillars here are covered over for repainting or reconstruction and I was totally unprepared to see these wondrous colours in all their glory. I’d heard this was one of the sights of South India and it certainly did not disappoint!
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| Exterior of the Meenashki Amman Temple |
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| and its Refelected Glory |
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| Street outside the Temple |
My driver tried to persuade me that a bathroom stop should be a ditch overlooked by vicious monkeys. When I refused he then went to the opposite extreme and stopped at a high class 'hotel' (restaurant) and whilst I was in the loo he ordered himself lunch and gave me the bill.
When I refused that too (he paid with a bad grace) he put the radio on full blast for the final hour and drove like a maniac, even more nerve wrecking as there were no seat belts. He didn't get a tip, funnily enough. But by the time he'd worked that out I was safely inside the hostel with my luggage....
This is yet another 'business ' hotel where I am again the only white face and the staff, all men, are yet again bemused by my solo female status. But as in the last 'residency' they seem very friendly and keen to help. When I left Trichy this morning the staff all came to shake my hand, which was very sweet, I felt touched by their obvious pleasure that I had stayed there so am this works out the same...
So 'all' I had time to do today once in Madurai was walk to it's famous temple. And impressive it was indeed. The bustling streets around it are filled with bazaars which offer delights to come. I'll venture inside the temple tomorrow. Today I was content to gaze.
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