Chidambaram - seat of cosmic dance

Chidambaram

Chidambaram is also called as Thillai since the place was originally a forest of Thillai shrubs. It is an important pilgrim centre and a holy place for Saivites as the famous Natarajar Temple is located here. It is 245 kms. from Madras on the Madras-Tiruchirapalli main line of the Southern Railway.

PLACES OF INTEREST
The Natarajar Temple
The temple, located in the centre of the town, covers an area of 40 acres. It is one of the ancient temples of Tamil Nadu. The roof of the sanctum sanctorum is covered with gold plates. The presiding deity of the temple is represented by air, one of the five elements of the universe and is known as Akasa Lingam. There is also a shrine known as Chitrakootam dedicated to Lord Govindaraja, adjacent to the Natarajar shrine. There are five halls in the temple namely, the Nritta Sabha, Deva Sabha, Kanaka Sabha, Chit Sabha and Raja Sabha.

The Chit Sabha houses the Akasa Lingam, Kanaka Sabha houses the Nataraja image. These two sabhas are covered with gold tiles. Nritta Sabha is the hall of immortal dance. This Sabha has fifty six pillars depicting dancing figures. Here the stones pulsate with rhythm and life. Deva Sabha is the hall of festivals and meeting place of the administrators, The Raja Sabha is the 1000-pillar-hall measuring 103 metres long and 58 metres wide where the Pandyas, the Cholas and others celebrated their victories.

The Eastern tower rises to a height of 40.8 metres. On the side walls of the entrance through this tower are carved the 108 dance poses of Bharathanatyam. The Bharathanatyam Dance poses can be seen in the Western tower also. The Northern tower rises to a height of 42.4 metres.

The Sivakamiamman temple, the Sivaganga tank, and the thousand-pillar hall are other important features of the temple.


Kali Temple
The Thillai Kali Amman temple is at the northern end of the town. It was built by Chola King Kopperunjingan, who ruled between 1229 A.D. and 1278 A.D.


Annamalai University
It is a Residential University,founded by Raja Sir Annamalai Chettiar. It is on the eastern outskirts of the town and is a great centre of Tamil learn¬ing and Carnatic music.

Pondicherry - The French Connection

The 17th-18th century headquarters of the French colonial possessions in India, this serene township even today carries a distinct French flavour, which, combined with the sea and laidback air of the place, add up to an irresistible charm. Pondicherry was laid out on the sea front of the Bay of Bengal and stands out for its neatly planned parallel roads that intersect at right angles. During colonial times the town was divided into French quarters and Tamil areas, separated by a canal that has since been covered. The oldest part of the town is ranged along the Seashore Boulevard, and has streets still carrying their French names and their pasts with them. Strolling here among old elegant buildings, churches and leafy parks fill one with a lazy delight.


Churches - One of the most beautiful churches in the city is the dramatic, Gothic, Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus located on South Boulevard. Noteworthy here are the three stained-glass panels which show scenes form the life of Jesus. The Eglise de Notre Dame des Anges (1865) has a marble-like white exterior that was achieved by mixing limestone with the white of eggs. It's the proud possessor of an oil painting of Our Lady of Assumption that was donated by Napoleon III. A famous church festival in Pondicherry is the annual June festival of the Eglise de Notre Dame de Lourdes, on the outskirts of Pondicherry, which attracts people across religions. This church is patterned on the Basilica at Lourdes in France.

Beach - On its eastern front, Pondicherry is flanked by a one and a half-kilometre long beach, a dean stretch ideal for sunbathing and swimming. There is a statue of Mahatma Gandhi and a War Memorial on the beach. Further down the beach is a 150-year-old lighthouse.

Aurobindo Ashram - Pondicherry is today best known for the Aurobindo Ashram, which is a serene retreat shaded by trees. In the early 20th century, Sri Aurobindo, the Bengali philosopher-poet, took refuge in this French territory to escape the British and in 1926 established his Ashram. The residences of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother (Mirra Alfassa, a French disciple of Sri Aurobindo who carried on in his tradition till her death in 1973) are the main buildings of the Ashram. The Samadhis (memorials) of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother are in the courtyard and are the main points of interests for the visitors. apart from the most intense and unparalleled quietitude

Auroville -This "universal town" is about 10 km north of Pondicherry. The Mother, Mirza Alfassa, dreamt of international community living in unity, peace and harmony transcending caste, creed, religion, or nationalities. The famous international commune is a self¬sufficient settlement growing its own food, running its own schools, a beacon to others on how to try and live in harmony with humanity and the Earth. French architect Roger Anger gave an interesting architectural shape to this concept, especially to the 'Matri Mandir' which symbolizes the birth of a new human consciousness.


Temples – Amidst all its French flavour, Pondicherry retains memories of the time it was under the Chola dynasty between the 10th and 12th centuries. The Manakula Vinayaka Temple is also very popular with both the locals and visitors for it is believed that Lord Ganapathy blesses his devotees with success. In February-March, the Masi Magam festival is held here. The 12th century Varadaraja Temple is another ancient shrine.

Pondicherry Museum – The Museum is located near the Government Park on Rue St Louis and was opened in 1984. There is an impressive collection from the French colonial period which includes a bed used by Joseph Francois Dupleix, the most famous of the French governors in India. Also, do not miss the rare bronze and stone sculptures from the Pallava and Chola period.

For more information on Pondicherry visit http://tourism.pondicherry.gov.in/

What meals are served on board?

A typical question that many passengers ask is about the types of meals served on board. Below is the meal types and their respective codes just for your information:

Hindu (HNML)
No beef/veal or pork is used in the preparation of Hindu meals. However lamb, fowl, fish and milk products are allowed.

Muslim (MOML)
All food served on Malaysia Airlines is Halal.
Alcohol is forbidden; and the use of alcohol in cooking is prohibited.
Meat such as beef, lamb and chicken must be slaughtered according to Muslim rites.
Pork or pig products are forbidden.

Kosher (KSML)
These meals must conform to Jewish religious laws. It is important that these rules are strictly adhered to.
Pigs, rabbits and their products are forbidden.
Animals and poultry such as cows and chicken must be slaughtered in a special manner called Shechita.
Processed foods must be prepared under rabbinical supervision.
Milk and milk products are not be used in the preparation of meat meals or served with or immediately after meals.

Medical Diets
Bland Meals/Soft Meals (BLML)
The soft or bland meal is used as a transition diet. It is an adequate meal moderately low in fibre or roughage, fat and connective tissue found in red meat.

Diabetic Meal (DBML)
These meals are high in complex carbohydrates and dietary fibre. They are low in fat and with minimal sugar added.

High Fibre Meal (HFML)
Meals are similar to low-fat/cholesterol meals except that the amount or quantity served is reduced.

Low Cholesterol/Low Fat Meal (LFML)
These meals are low in total fat and dietary cholesterol, with minimum saturated fat and no added fat or fatty ingredients.

Low Salt (LSML)
No salt is used in the preparation of these meals and highly salted ingredients are avoided.

Gluten Free (GLML)
No wheat, rye, oats or barley are included in these meals, which are also suitable for those requesting a wheat-free diet.

Low Protein (LPML)
These meals have lower quantities of protein compared to other meals. They are intended for individuals suffering from kidney and liver diseases.

Non-Lactose (NLML)
These meals are planned without the use or addition of any milk or dairy products. They are intended for individuals who have difficulties in accepting milk or its by-products. Soya bean milk can be used as an alternative.

Low Purine
These meals are planned to reduce the amount of purine, which is commonly available in all foods.

Vegetarian Meals

Vegetarian Meals (VGML)
Does not contain all by-products of animals. Margarine and cooking oil should be pure vegetable oils.

Western (Lacto-Ovo) Vegetarian (VLML)
Contains eggs and dairy products and all plant-derived foods, but not meat, poultry, fish or shellfish and their products.

Western (Non-Dairy) Vegetarian (VGML)
Contains only plant-derived foods, but does not contain dairy products, eggs, meat, poultry, honey, fish or shellfish or their products.

Asian Indian Vegetarian (AVML)
Contains only plant-derived foods and dairy products. Meals are cooked Indian style.

Songkran Festival April 13 - 15, 2011

AS mid-April's temperature rises, ushering in the beginning of the hot season in Thailand, the whole country reverberates with the sounds of cheerful laughter and merry-making. The occasion is the Songkran festival, which ushers in the Thai New Year, celebrated nation­wide from April 13-15 yearly. It is a time when much of the worries of the past year are left behind so that a new beginning could be planned for the year ahead.
The water-splashing that usually accompanies a Thai New Year is certainly most appropriate, especially during the hot month.

Step out of your hotel rooms and you would probably be greeted by young and old alike with buckets of water or water guns, especially desig­ned for the occasion. And if you are lucky, then the splashing would be followed by a face make­up with talcum powder and perfume. `Songkran' (from the Sanskrit word Sankranti, signifying the sun's shift from one zodiac to ano­ther) heralding the beginning of the solar year and is the most important festival for the people of Thailand.

The festival is celebrated over three days, Ma­hasongkran on April 13, that marks the end of the old year, Wan Nao (April 14) is the day after and April 15 is Wan Thaloeng Sok when the New Year begins.

On New Year's Day, families and friends ga­ther to offer prayers to the Buddha, clean tem­ples and houses, offer alms to the monks and sprinkle scented water on elders as a mark of res­pect and on each other's hands as an act of wish­ing good luck.

The pouring of water is symbolic of the clean­sing of the spirit, mind and body. The water is also supposed to wash away bad luck-so consi­der yourself blessed if you get drenched.

In recent years, the tradition of sprinkling wa­ter has been interpreted by youngsters as a great excuse for a water fight, and it is not uncommon to have buckets and containers of water thrown at you by teams of merry makers in the backs of trucks as you make your way down the street - particularly in major tourist areas like Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya, Chiang Mai and Hat Yai.

The people of Thailand work hard in a very hot climate, so it only makes sense that their big­gest party is the world's largest water fight ac­companied with music, dancing and tons of splashing, as the typically mellow populace ex­plodes into wild celebration.

M. Hat Yai, there is something called the Mid­night Songkran, where festivities and splashing of water begin at the stroke of midnight on April 12 to cater to the large number of tourists from Malaysia who trooped to the southern Thai city to join in the fun.

This year, the Thai New Year falls on a Wed­nesday. Make sure you book your accommoda­tion early as you don't want to miss out on this yearly celebration.

Information extracted from Thailand Travel Talk (March Edition) for further information visit http://www.tourismthailand.org/