Tastes & Textures of South India – A Culinary Tour
 

February 20 – March 6, 2006
Past Tour

Tour Leader: Chindi Varadarajulu was born in Singapore to South Indian parents and moved to Canada in 1996. She is an avid fan and connoisseur of the South Indian cuisine and culture. Chindi has introduced the South Indian cuisine & culture to Vancouver, British Columbia, with her ground breaking restaurant Chutney Villa. Join Chindi now, as she takes us through South India on a cultural & culinary tour experience. About Your Tour Leader page.

Detailed Itinerary

Tour Inclusions & Price
 

Meeting & assistance on arrival at Chennai Airport  & transfer to the hotel. Radha Park Inn or similar. Overnight Chennai. (most passengers will depart their home city Feb 20)

Breakfast at leisure at the hotel & time free to recover from the long flight. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Chennai, starting at Fort St George, which marks the beginning of Madras as an important center for trade.  Within the fort is St Mary’s Church, the first English church in India and the oldest British building to survive.  Our tour will also include the Little Mount where St Thomas is believed to have spent some time and Great Mount where he was martyred in 52 AD.  We will spend sometime in the Mylapore Temple area visiting the 16^th century Kapleeswarar Temple and the fruit and flower market.  Of the museums perhaps the most unusual is the Development Center for Musical Instruments, which exhibits ancient and modern instruments, which you may touch and play.  Some are curiously ornamental and some are modern experiments.  Of special note are those reconstructed with the help of ancient literary texts and temple sculptures. Dinner & Overnight in Chennai.     

Day 3 – Fri, Feb 24:      Chennai; Cooking Demonstration, To Mahabalipuram (B, D)

Breakfast at the hotel. Leave for cooking demonstration of local cuisine at the Institute managed by Mrs. Chanderi Bhatt, India’s well-known cookery expert and food consultant.

Mrs Bhatt trained in cookery at the Cultural academy in Chennai (A branch of Nirmal Niketan, Mumbai) & served the institute for 8 years as a cookery instructor. Later she started her own cookery classes and consultancy services.

She has contributed recipes, food columns, and restaurant reviews to popular magazines and newspapers and has done cookery shows for Indian channels. At present she heads the Chennai Culinary Institute promoted by Mr. Mahadeven of Oriental Cuisines, a NRI owning a chain of restaurants in many parts of the world.  3-4 items will be demonstrated.

This afternoon we drive to Mahabalipuram. On arrival check in at Hotel GRT Temple Bay or similar.

Evening excursion to Mahabalipuram, an extraordinary experience.  This open-air museum of Tamil art in living rock is the work of students under the patronage of the Pallava rulers.  Strewn along the coast are some outstanding examples of 7^th century sculpture – cave temples, an enormous bas-relief depicting scenes from the Indian epic the Mahabharata, and an amphitheater of chariot shaped temples.  The landmark of this marvelous collection is the Shore Temple, a world heritage monument, and the only surviving one from a complex, the other’s having been claimed by the sea. Dinner & Overnight in Mahabalipuram.

Day 4 – Sat, Feb 25:   Mahabalipuram; Full Day Excursion to Kanchipuram (B, D)

After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Tanjore enroute visit Chidambaram & Darasuram Temples.

The capital of the Chola Empire, Chidambaram is one of Tamil Nadu’s most important holy towns.  The Nataraja Temple here is, dedicated to Shiva in his form as Lord of the Cosmic Dance.  He was the patron god of the Chola kings.  This is a living and very active temple with priests at every shrine.  Legend surroundings its constructions suggests that this temple was built by Hiranya Varjna Chakravarti, who suffered from leprosy.  He came to Chidambaram on a pilgrimage from Kashmir in 500 AD.  After bathing in the tank, he was cured of leprosy and as thanks giving rebuilt and enlarged the temple.

After lunch at Swamimalai Hotel we continue our drive to Tanjore. On arrival check in into Hotel Sangam or similar. Dinner & Overnight in Tanjore.

Day 6 – Mon, Feb 27:   Tanjore; Excursion to Trichy, Sightseeing Tanjore (B, D)

After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy an excursion to Trichy. In the morning we drive for approx. one and a half hours to Trichy. Mentioned by Ptolemy in the 2^nd century BC, Tiruchirapalli or Trichy as it is commonly referred to, was built mainly by the Nayaka kings who saw the advantage of its strategic position at the head of the delta of the Cauvery River.  Its name is traced to a story about a demon Trisiras who terrorized man and gods until he was overpowered by Shiva at Tiruchi.

All the temples here are built along the Rock Fort, which stands on an 84m high rock.   As you climb up the 437 rock cut temples to the Vinayaka Temple, you pass the original 11^th century defense line and the remains of a 1000-pillared hall.  Further up is a hundred pillar hall and at the end of the last flight is the Tayumanasvami Temple dedicated to Shiva, which has a golden vimana, which houses the main deity.   There are also beautifully carved pillar and panels. It is worthwhile also to visit the old city on foot, particularly the Big Bazaar Street and China Bazaar.

Afternoon sightseeing tour of Tanjore .  The capital of the Great Chola Empire, Thanjavur also served as the capital for the Nayaka Empire and Maratha rulers.  The Chola kings who were great patrons of the arts built most of the 93 temples, of which the Brihadisvara Temple is the showpiece.  While they lavished their wealth on the temples, they also encouraged the belief in the divine right of kings, and the practice of donating a part of one’s wealth to the temple for spiritual gain.  Dinner & Overnight in Tanjore.

After breakfast at the hotel, we drive for approx. 3 hours to Karaikudi. On arrival check-in at The Bangala Hotel, or similar.

Afternoon Cooking Demonstration of famous Chettinad Dishes at the hotel followed by lunch.

The famous Chettinad cuisine- part of the heritage of the Nattukottai Chettiars is renowned for its delicious & original tastes. Evolved in the kitchens of the Chettiar community it boasts of a distinct character and flavor, uninfluenced by any other cuisine, its truly stands out on the food map of India.

The main ingredients that give it its special flavor are coriander seeds, dry red chillies, pepper corns, asafetida and cumin seed. Oil & coconut are sparingly used, making the food healthy and light on the stomach. The chefs Karippiah, Ponniah & Pandy at the Bangla will conduct the demonstration.  Lunch will be followed after the demonstration.

Afternoon sightseeing tour of Karaikudi. Karaikudi is famous for this rock-cut temple, which is, located about 12 kms from Karaikudi on the Karaikudi-Madurai road. About 1600 years old, the early Pandiya kings built this temple after clinching a hillock. The image of Karpaga Vinayaka and that of a Siva Linga were carved out of a stone by a sculptor called Ekkattur Koon Peruparanan who put his signature on a stone inscription found even today in the sanctum. Dinner & Overnight in Karaikudi.

After breakfast at the hotel, we drive approx. 3 hrs to Madurai. On arrival check in into Hotel Pandiyan, or similar.

Afternoon sightseeing tour of Madurai. Most cities in India have a legend surrounding its origins.  Madurai is no exception, and the story tells how Shiva looked down on this city and drops of nectar fell from his locks and so it was named Madurai, or city of nectar. Ancient Madurai was a center of Tamil culture, famous for its writers and poets and the history goes back to the 6^th century BC when it traded with Greece and Rome. The Nayakas laid out the old town in the pattern of a lotus with narrow streets surrounding the Minakshi Temple at the center.

Afternoon visit the Minakshi Temple, which is an outstanding structure dedicated to Minakshi the “fish eyed goddess” and the consort of Shiva who also has a temple dedicated to him.  Since Minakshi is the presiding deity, the daily ceremonies are first performed at her shrine. This is a living temple and each shrine has priests performing rituals in front of them and there is also a temple elephant.  The temple is entered through massive gopurams or gateways profusely covered in very colorful carvings, which are believed to be an encyclopedia of Indian dance poses.  The mandapas surrounding the main shrine have exquisitely carved pillars and panels.  Of note is the panel showing the marriage between Shiva and Minakshi and another showing Shiva in these 24 forms.

After an early dinner you again visit Minakshi Temple to watch the evening service, a ritual when Shiva or Sundeswrar as he is known here, is taken to Minakshi’s sanctuary for the night. Overnight in Madurai.

After breakfast at the hotel, you drive four hours to Thekkady and Periyar National Park. Periyar National Park is one of the premier parks in India for the Asian elephant. Dominated by Lake Periyar, fringed with the thick forests, the place has a picture postcard beauty. In the afternoon you will have a boat ride on Lake Periyar.

Evening cooking demonstration at the hotel followed by dinner. Overnight at Hotel Tree Top, Periyar.

A visit to Kerala is incomplete without a visit to the backwaters.  A series of canals, which thread their way through the state to the sea, it allows you a glimpse of life in Kerala - impossible to get from road transport.  Along the way you will pass rice fields, tiny villages, farmers transporting their produce to the market, and women completing household tasks such as laundry and washing utensils. Lunch & dinner on board. Overnight on Houseboat.

After breakfast on your Houseboat we disembark & drive to the Granary Inn for a cooking demonstration. (Duration 1:15 Minutes)

All items are locally procured from the village and very experienced local chef, Mr. Babychan will be hosting the demonstration. After the demonstration we drive to Cochin, on arrival check in at Casino Hotel. Evening Kathakali Dance Show in the theatre.

Kathakali is a classical dance form that has its origins in Theyyam a ritual tribal dance of north Kerala and Kalaripayyattu the martial arts which goes back 1000 years.  The dancers use dramatic costumes and exaggerated facial make up, and to the accompaniment of drums and cymbals, use stylized movements to relate episodes from the Mahabharata and Ramayana. We arrive early at the theatre to watch the dancers prepare for their performance.

We return to our hotel for a cooking demonstration followed by dinner.  Overnight in Cochin.

After breakfast at the hotel, morning at leisure for independent activities. Later enjoy a cooking demonstration of local cuisine at Nimmy’s & Paul’s place. We also get an opportunity to have lunch with the couple.

Nimmy is a cookery instructor with more than 10 year’s experience. She teaches traditional Kerala Syrian Christian Cookery & native Kerala cuisine to visiting travelers. Many of their guests continue to consult Nimmy on Kerala Cookery even after they return to their home countries.

Nimmy and her recipes have been featured in Savvy Cookbook, India (2^nd Quarter 2002), The National Culinary Review U.S.A (January 2002), Saveur Magazine U.S.A (September 2002), New York Times, USA (October 22, 2003)

After lunch enjoy a sightseeing tour of Cochin.

An ancient harbor town, Cochin reflects the influence of the many foreign traders who visited the city.  The Jewish synagogue, one of the oldest in India, is set in the heart of the area known as “Jew Town” surrounded by an aromatic spice market, and interesting shops selling antiques.  The synagogue is decorated with blue ceramic Chinese tiles, each distinct in their design.  The pictures on the tiles relate the tale of the romance between a wealthy mandarin.  We spend time in the surrounding markets and walk to the Mattancherry Palace, which was commissioned by the Portuguese for the raja of Kochi in exchange for trading rights.  The palace is two storeys high and is built in the traditional Kerala style known as nalukattu (four buildings).  The palace exhibits memorabilia from the raja of Kochi’ collection, but it is best known for its outstanding murals painted on the wooden walls.  The royal bedroom has ceilings and walls covered with forty-five 16^th century paintings illustrating the Ramayana.

After early dinner at hotel you will be transferred to the International Airport to board your flight homeward. (arrive same day)

	English speaking Tour Escort throughout
	Entrance fees at all monuments & temples
	Boat ride to visit Lake Periyar
	Visit to Spice Plantation in Periyar
	Kathakali Dance show in Cochin
	India service tax of 4.08%

Added Features

	Travel with Chindi Varadarajulu, owner of Chutney Villa
	Visit local markets & spice plantations. Learn about spices and local ingredients
	7 Cooking Demonstrations – learn all about South Indian cooking!
	Cooking Demonstration with Mrs. Chanderi Bhatt, India’s well-known cookery expert
	Cooking Demonstration of famous Chettinad Dishes at The Bangala Hotel
	Cooking Demonstration at Nimmy & Paul’s Place - famous in Kerala
	Overnight on a houseboat on the Kerala backwaters!
	Visit Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and have a boat ride on Lake Periyar and Kathakali Dance Show!

Note: The single supplement is ONLY for those who would like to secure a private room throughout the tour, at the indicated additional price. If you are not traveling with anyone you know and would like to share a room, we will be happy to work to find you a suitable roommate. Per our Terms and Conditions, registration for the tour will be held open until two weeks before the departure date in order to try to match everyone with a roommate. If by that date we have not been able to match you with a suitable roommate, you will be responsible to pay for the single supplement. An early registration will facilitate this process.

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