Backpacking in search of the Lord! Temples of Tamil Nadu:

If i were to make mention of a footloose & bizarre backpacking experience i have had, it would easily be the temple circuit of southern India's gifted state of Tamil Nadu!
Not long ago, my photographer friend, Vinay had freshly acquired a 500mm telefoto lens for his camera. "What better, than put it to test" i had suggested. "Sure", he said, "only if you lug the 3kg monster all thru"! In hindsight, i'm glad i dint refuse! :-)
Setting off on a 'down-to-the-bone' budget (a mutually accepted pre-condition), we headed for Chennai by train. Thereafter, it was any & all available modes of transport & food that carried us thru! Over the next 10days we were to whirlwind ourselves thru Mahabalipuram-Pondy-Swamimalai-Kumbakonam-Chidambaram-Pichavaram-Tanjore(Thanjavur)-Rameshwaram-Madurai.

The Chola Dynasty (9th-14th century A.D.)truly had a great eye for detailing and built some of India's finest, largest & most intricate temples dedicated to Lords, Shiva & Vishnu.

Sample this! A 25ton Nandi Bull at Tanjore with a 4 mtr high Shiva lingam, Diamond studded palm of Lord Vishnu at Kumbakonam, Massive stone corridors, intricately carved at Rameshwaram, Lord Shiva's 'tandav nritya' (cosmic dance in anger) finely depicted in stone carving at Chidambaram...

A deligtful circuit to undertake, at leisure. Highly recommended for those keen on architecture, heritage stays, lip-smacking South Indian vegetarian fare & some serious sin washing!

And yes, comfortable & some high end options are available to put up!
(Pics top to bottom: Snap shots of temples at Rameshwaram, Chidambaram, Kumbakonam, Tanjavur & Mahabalipuram, respectively)
Lesson: Gods are safe in the hands of priests. Just that the former are more easily appeased!