Exploring the Chettinad (Kanadukathan, Karaikudi)

[AppU]

Hi Friends,

I'm back with a short Travelogue

Last Wednesday(Oct 9, 2013), I received a call from my parents saying that they are going to Karikudi for some personal work in Whity & asked me to join with them, if I'm free.

How can I avoid the golden opportunity of driving Vista for a long distance. So took off on Friday and reached Vellore on Thursday evening from Chennai.

Next day we all started our trip at 5am at Vellore and reached Trichy around 8am and had breakfast at Trichy and continued our trip to Karaikudi. Reached Karikudi at 11am and completed the work at 12:45pm.

After finishing the Job, we thought of going to Pilliyarpatti. But, temple will be closed at 1:30pm so we left the plan and headed towards Vellore. When we reached Karikudi bye-pass, my dad told about some palace type bungalow is there at Kanadukathan which is present near Karaikudi. I wished to see the palace, so fixed the destination to Kanadukatan in my Mobile Google map and headed towards it.

Kanadukathan is a small village which is present some 15Kms from Karaikudi on Trichy road.

The Village is filled with palace type Bungalows, all the Bungalows are Grand and Majestic and the wooden work is just awesome.

Our First sight at the Palace, we all were speechless after seeing the Majestic structure.


I enquired the security, whether visitors are allowed or not. Then I came to know, visitors are not allowed form the past 4 years and we came to know that the Palace is belongs to Chettinad Cements owner

so we took some snaps from outside itself:










Then we started to roam the streets of the village, there we found old Palace type bungalows everywhere

















House turned into Hotel:


House which is present opposite to the Hotel:

 

[Figoian]

Re: Exploring the Chettinad(Kanadukathan, Karaikudi)

Karaikudi - One place in my wish list always... Nice pics AppU. Got to stay at least a day in that Chettinad Architect-ed palace.

BTW, are you done with your one month fasting (Veg)? Or visited Karaikudi just as a veggie?

 

[AppU]

Re: Exploring the Chettinad(Kanadukathan, Karaikudi)

Even we found some New type bungalows there




Still, Old Palace type bungalows adding the Pride to the Village








One thing I found there, all the bungalows are starting at one street and ending at the other street

The whole village was abandon, very difficult to spot any person on streets. Later we enquired a person and asked him is there any house where visitors are allowed. then he guided me to some house with the landmark Plantain tree.

Searching the House










Finally Found the Bungalow with plantain tree



one old men and two old ladies was there, we told that we are willing to see the Bungalow, then the old man welcomed us and shown the Bungalow.

we came to know from the old man, that the house is 200years Old:)

Look at the wooden work


















this Pillar was made up of single Teak wood :)













Flooring:


Bottom of the Pillar:


So many small rooms were there, like this

 

[AR Ram]

Re: Exploring the Chettinad(Kanadukathan, Karaikudi)

Hi Friends,

I'm back with a short Travelogue

Last Wednesday(Oct 9, 2013), I received a call from my parents saying that they are going to Karikudi for some personal work in Whity & asked me to join with them, if I'm free.

How can I avoid the golden opportunity of driving Vista for a long distance. So took off on Friday and reached Vellore on Thursday evening from Chennai.

Next day we all started our trip at 5am at Vellore and reached Trichy around 8am and had breakfast at Trichy and continued our trip to Karaikudi. Reached Karikudi at 11am and completed the work at 12:45pm.

After finishing the Job, we thought of going to Pilliyarpatti. But, temple will be closed at 1:30pm so we left the plan and headed towards Vellore. When we reached Karikudi bye-pass, my dad told about some palace type bungalow is there at Kanadukathan which is present near Karaikudi. I wished to see the palace, so fixed the destination to Kanadukatan in my Mobile Google map and headed towards it.

Kanadukathan is a small village which is present some 15Kms from Karaikudi on Trichy road.

The Village is filled with palace type Bungalows, all the Bungalows are Grand and Majestic and the wooden work is just awesome.

Our First sight at the Palace, we all were speechless after seeing the Majestic structure.
View attachment 112793

I enquired the security, whether visitors are allowed or not. Then I came to know, visitors are not allowed form the past 4 years and we came to know that the Palace is belongs to Chettinad Cements owner

so we took some snaps from outside itself:
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Then we started to roam the streets of the village, there we found old Palace type bungalows everywhere

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House turned into Hotel:
View attachment 112807

House which is present opposite to the Hotel:
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@AppU

Very informative travelogue with good pictures. Waiting for more information and pictures. Thanks for sharing.

@Figoian

We can plan for trip there exclusively for the famous Karikudy/Chettinadu cuisine.

 

[amit1km]

Re: Exploring the Chettinad(Kanadukathan, Karaikudi)

The layout plan just looking like french colony in Pondicherry.

 

[Figoian]

Re: Exploring the Chettinad(Kanadukathan, Karaikudi)

The whole village was abandon, very difficult to spot any person on streets. Later we enquired a person and asked him is there any house where visitors are allowed. then he guided me to some house with the landmark Plantain tree.

Even I noticed the same. Where are the people? Is this the scene in the entire town? I too heard in other articles about Karaikudi that, people have moved out of there for livelihood. Extremely sad to see such a beautiful place with amazing architecture, culture and of course cuisine is loosing it's mastery!

this Pillar was made up of single Teak wood :)
Flooring:
Bottom of the Pillar:

So many small rooms were there, like this

The dream house of mine is to construct one in Chettinad style. Of course, just in the style and not in size Especially the doors, design, plan and most importantly having "Muttram" with open roof (Sunroof ). Hmmmmm... I know, it's close to impossible and would end up with a regular boring flat somewhere in the outskirts of any city, yet, a dream at least.

@Figoian

We can plan for trip there exclusively for the famous Karikudy/Chettinadu cuisine.

Sir - Date & Time please...

 

[AppU]

Re: Exploring the Chettinad(Kanadukathan, Karaikudi)

In all the doors, they placed Lakshmi like this:








First floor contains some 6 Bedrooms, we were not allowed there :(



all are teak wood :)




some Stone Pillars:


















Some old paintings on the wall:


This is the main Entrance door, Look at the wonderful wooden cravings in the door












Full View




Roof infront of Main door










After spending some 45mins, we given Rs.100 for the old man and left the Bungalow.

 

[Figoian]

Re: Exploring the Chettinad(Kanadukathan, Karaikudi)

The Wood Work are breathtaking! Unimaginable to get something like that done today.

 

[tai_newbie]

Re: Exploring the Chettinad(Kanadukathan, Karaikudi)

Thanks for the nice pics that depict our ancient architecture and carving skills.

 

[AppU]

Re: Exploring the Chettinad(Kanadukathan, Karaikudi)

Again started roaming the streets of Kanadukathan village, I applied breaks every 10meters to click the pics
































There is a big pond in front of the Temple






spotted this 60 years old tree near the pond




After spending some Three hours in the streets of Kanadukathan Village, we finally left the village.


Bye bye Palace...






Found this hotel while leaving


One-thing made me sad. That was, the bungalows are big and beautiful, but noone was there to live in that bungalows. Just imagine the last generation, how they lived in that Bungalows with unity. that unity is missing now

then we all had Lunch at Puthupet and reached Vellore at 9:00pm with 810Kms on the Trip meter.

This trip is one of the Memorable trip in my Life

 

[AppU]

Re: Exploring the Chettinad(Kanadukathan, Karaikudi)

Karaikudi - One place in my wish list always... Nice pics AppU. Got to stay at least a day in that Chettinad Architect-ed palace.

BTW, are you done with your one month fasting (Veg)? Or visited Karaikudi just as a veggie?

Must place to visit.

BTW, still two days are there for the completion of this month(Purratasi) , so had Veg dishes

@AppU

Very informative travelogue with good pictures. Waiting for more information and pictures. Thanks for sharing.

Thank you the compliments

The layout plan just looking like french colony in Pondicherry.

The Layout is typical Karaikudi(Chettinad) Style ;)

Even I noticed the same. Where are the people? Is this the scene in the entire town? I too heard in other articles about Karaikudi that, people have moved out of there for livelihood. Extremely sad to see such a beautiful place with amazing architecture, culture and of course cuisine is loosing it's mastery!

Yes, the whole village is like that. Even in Karaikudi had very less population. Traffic free life :). That is one of the reason I love Karaikudi ;)

The dream house of mine is to construct one in Chettinad style. Of course, just in the style and not in size Especially the doors, design, plan and most importantly having "Muttram" with open roof (Sunroof ). Hmmmmm... I know, it's close to impossible and would end up with a regular boring flat somewhere in the outskirts of any city, yet, a dream at least.

Even I have a same wish buddy, Bingo..
After seeing the houses, I decided to construct a house in a typical Karaikudi style for sure in my lifetime. but, don't know when & how

The Wood Work are breathtaking! Unimaginable to get something like that done today.

Yes, we too discussed the same. Still can't imagine how they craved such a wonderful things in wood and how long they took to complete such a work. now a days, people going for ready-made doors/Windows. But, ancient people lived the life with their own lifestyle.

Thanks for the nice pics that depict our ancient architecture and carving skills.

Thank you for your compliment

 

[Gurrala74]

Wow !! what a village with those excellent wood work buildings around, I did not see something like this in my life time. Its quite interesting and will try to visit if I get a chance. Thank you for sharing Appu

 

[AppU]

Wow !! what a village with those excellent wood work buildings around, I did not see something like this in my life time. Its quite interesting and will try to visit if I get a chance. Thank you for sharing Appu

Thanks for your compliments Gurrala.

Before starting the trip, I have no idea of writing the Travelogue about the trip. But, that Rich village insisted me to share the details & pics here.

I'm happy that, I'm the first person shown this type of villages to you