After seeing Thirumayam fort we went to Kanadukathan (கானாடுகாத்தான்) to see Chettinad palace, the palatial house of Sri MAM Ramaswamy and family. Chettiyars hail from Chettinad region are a prosperous banking and business community who traveled across South East Asia doing trade especially during Cholas and later the British empire. To go inside the Chettinad Palace you need to get prior permission from the family which we were lucky to get through a friend in Tanjore.
Kanadukathan Palace
Look at the grandeur designs on the ceiling
African elephant ivory tusk
Kanadukathan Palace which has appeared in many Tamil films
After Kanadukathan we went to Athangudi to see the Big House (ஆத்தன்குடி பெரிய வீடு), this too is a palatial house slightly on a smaller scale compared to Chettinad Palace but matching in the grandeur of interiors. Tourist are welcome inside to see the house after buying a ticket for Rs.50 (~USD 1).
ஆத்தன்குடி பெரிய வீடு
Athangudi Palace
Look at the wonderful works on the ceiling — at Athangudi Palace.
Every part of the interior is richly painted or decorated
Look at the paintings on top of every window
On top of every window frame there are beautiful pictorial narration of mythological stories — at Athangudi Palace.
On top of every window frame there are beautiful pictorial narration of mythological stories — at Athangudi Palace.
The tile patterns are called Athangudi tiles
Every part of the ceiling is decorated
Exposed inner courtyard, Kithen and dining is one side
Peacock tile design next to main door
Next we went to Thappa Garden for a tasty authentic chettinad meal here. Especially the Vendakkai (Okra) Mandi (curry dish) with its mango bits, onion, garlic was yummy.
Traditional chettinad banana leaf lunch (செட்டிநாட்டு வாழையிலை சாப்பாடு)
Cottage resorts and restaurant
After lunch we had planned to go to Kundrakudi, Pillaiyarpatti, Kuberan Koil and Vairavanpatti but headed back to Tanjore. Next day, on Tuesday we toured around Thanjavur.
