Chettinad and its Marvels
Marvel is the word best that describes this region of palatial homes and its stunning architecture, larger than life design and sheer show of olde worlde beauty afforded by foreign trade centuries ago. Cameras will click some of the most eye-catching buildings in India, making this a photographer’s dream come true.
Chettinad
Chettinad. It is more than a culinary delight, more than the marinade variation beloved by many, which is most commonly associated with the region.
You will begin your trip with a visit to the historic Meenakshi Amman temple which houses a thousand pillars. Also inside is a sacred pool with a golden lotus, gorgeous gardens, and countless shrines.
Meenakshi Amman temple
On day two, we present to you a Chettinad that is a photographer’s delight. A treat to the eyes. A region abundant with opulent mansions that are an amalgamation of Asian and European decorative and construction elements, blended in beautifully with the local method of construction, to create what can only be described as magnificent. Here you will find Italian marble, Burmese chandeliers, Indonesian crockery, Belgian mirrors, all held together with karai, a type of limestone found in several states of India, including Tamil Nadu. Their very profitable trade in precious stones enabled the Nattukottai Chettiars to build more than ten thousand of these spectacular mansions which can be found all over Chettinad.
These homes were built with the wealth they amassed as merchants and landlords and bankers, so was in keeping with the status this brought them. They were also mindful of the weather of their region, and one finds the palatial structures quite accommodative of the arid climate, thanks to the courtyards in the centre, stone and marble flooring, walls made of lime and brick and the rich terracotta roof tiles.
Chettinad that is a photographer’s delight
These mansions once saw life events of its residents unfold, from weddings to celebrations of birth, mourning, loss and everything in between, with its stunning halls and spacious courtyards housing generations of families. Today, however, most owners live elsewhere and these erstwhile homes are maintained by caretakers appointed for this very purpose. Tourists help with the maintenance costs while they have their fill of a glimpse into the glorious past that the Chettiars enjoyed.
We invite you to partake of this delightful offering down south. The Aayiram Janal Veedu (House with a Thousand Windows), the Periya Veedu (Large House), Chettinad Mansion, and many, many more await you, ready to be captured by your lens.
Mansion in Chettinad
On the trip to Athangudi, you will get to see how tiles similar to the ones used in these are made. When the owners left their mansions to live elsewhere, a lot of the treasures from their homes made their way to the antique market in Karaikudi. The curious and trinkets and downright ostentatious pieces of art and decoration collected by the original Chettiar tradesmen are sure to tempt you to add to your collection, or at least start one. And if the markets were not enough, the saree centre is sure to provide you with additional options to take home something for your loved ones. A visit to the village will give you a deeper glimpse into the culture of Chettinad, while you dine your way through the local cuisine on all your days here, at various mansions that are now hotels.
Mansions that are now hotels
Shruti August 24, 2023
