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Tiruchirappalli or Trichy to locals, is the administrative headquarter Tamil Nadu state. The city is also an important educational center of Tamil Nadu. Pilgrims across the country flock to Trichy annually for Hindu festivals. Trichy has a very efficient public transportation system. One can get around the city for as low of a fare as 4 IRP.
Our Lady of Lourde Church: Our Lady of Lourdes Church
Sri Ranganathaswamy temple: My friend Arya, a native of Trichy, invited me to stay at a guesthouse managed by his father. This guesthouse is situated on temple grounds and is right in front of the temple entrance. I was told that it is usually not permitted for foreigners to stay so close to the temple complex. It was a great opportunity and I enjoyed my stay. More on the temple..it is consider the first and most important temple in India. It consists of many Gopurams, with colorful engravings on its outer layer. It is the largest Hindu temple complex in world with the second tallest temple in Asia. It has been around for thousands of years.
There were some little temples where only Hindus are allowed entrance.
Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple
"My initial opinion of Trichy was not a very good one. It was frustrating, I am frustrated. I spent $18 for a room and they are charging me for wi-fi! No doubt this hotel is a shitty one. I'm staying one night, check out Rock Fort and bounce. I'm just baffled by this. I do not know how to react. Should I just generalize the whole city based on one bad experience? Prolly not. I hope Pondicherry has more hotel options. As for right now, it is what is is... I don't know what to do...my feelings and behaviors are becoming clear to me. I'm running away from my life and problems. Running away because things aren't going my way...No more running! No more great expectation of how my life should be. This is my life and I accept it. I'll travel purely for enjoyment. Its the only thing in my life that gives me peace. I like how D Wade handles himself. He just embraces everything. When he was a nobody, he was with a hood rat. When he got famous he embraced it; his GQ status, etc. Then he upgraded his girl once his life was different."
Journal Entry: 06.18.2014
Rooftop view of Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple complex.
Rock Fort: The Rock Fort is a military fort built by the first Vijayanagar emperor in Tamil Nadu state of Southern India. Its oldest structure is a temple built during the late 500 A.D. The ancient rock is 273 feet high and is geologically dated back to as long as a billion years. The view on top of the rock overlooking Trichy is breathtaking.
Panorama view of Trichy from Rock Fort.
Panorama view of Trichy from Rock Fort.
"The world is a bitter fruit... Dharamsala is the name of the guesthouse that Arya's father manages. Although, my expectations were high, I am not disappointed, for they seem like a great group of people. Its a glimpse into a typical Indian lodging. Its ironic that I started out and ended my journey thru India with a local family. It has been interesting nonetheless. The disease of Western Modernization has taken its toll on world cultures. What will be left of our cultures in 100 years?"
Journal Entry: 06.19.2014
Kallanai (Grand Circuit): Trichy's ancient dam, Kallanai (aka Grand Circuit).
For The Foodies: Mushroom Masala: Very soft, moist and slightly chewy. It was surprisingly good.
Masala Dosa: Creep with Masala (potato, spices, etc). Served with onion and regular chutney. In the South, most meals are served on a banana leaf. They like to keep it fresh down here.
Parotha and Chutney: A chewy version of Paratha. I didn't find this in the North of India, so I'll assume its a Southern thing. Served with masala gravy drenched all over it. My favorite out of all the rolls/flat breads.
Idly: White spongy cake that you can find throughout Southern India. Though, it can be found in restaurants throughout
the day, it is a common breakfast item. Non sweet has a sour end note. Served with onion, masala gravy and regular chutney on top.
Ice Apple (Tari)/sugar palm (Palmira): Similar to a coconut, only without juice inside of it. There are five chambered pouches in which the flesh are stored. The flesh taste very similar to coconut flesh. It has a gelatinous texture, but is a bit firmer.
The Chai Master of Trichy: I present to you, the Chai Master..