We returned to the local roads with its consequences: “watch out for the bikes that leave on your left, with the Ambassadore that pass you on the right, with the buses that you are facing, occupying your entire lane, with the slow ox-drawn cars , with the children dressed in uniform who fight on the shoulder while they go to school, with the goats, with the cows, with the dogs, with the highlights that seem brought from the Himalayas by some mythological monkey, with the potholes and patches of your lane ... "
Today we are waiting for a stop halfway much more attractive than the other days we stopped at any stand next to the road, yes, with irons where to cook the huge dosas, our star mototrip breakfast. The stop that awaits us today is none other than the great temple of Chidambaram.
This huge temple is a mixture between Madurai and Thanjavur. It is much more neglected than others we have seen but it is certainly impressive. Perhaps the largest in territory so far, with several modules and ponds, and with several sacred temples within the interior enclosure. Around here we turned around quietly, attending a ceremony with the fire as the protagonist and mixing with the priests and pilgrims coming from lots of places.
On the way out we couldn't resist having a super-refreshing orange juice! Just what we needed to follow the road and do the last kilometers until we reached Pondicherry.
Only the name attracts. After passing through here we may conclude that only the name attracts from this city. Pondicherry is formed by several parallel streets where some colonial buildings are collected, however it does not have the charm of other colonial cities like Kochi, much less Mumbai. The truth is that we are a bit disappointed.
What you do have are the typical comforts for Western tourists, read Kentucky Fried Chicken, pizzerias everywhere, air-conditioned coffee shops, street clothes shops ... this kind of thing we go ... At least we really enjoyed the market that occupied all The main street on a Sunday morning, often fuss was mounted !!
Yes, there are some points of interest (or disinterest because we weren't very motivated for the truth) like some Catholic church, the promenade, a statue of Gandhi, etc ...
In short a city to spend 1 day, but not much else! :-p
Chidambaran:
The temple is free and, although it is the weakest we have seen in the mototrip, if you pass by it is worth a visit. The entrance street to the temple is very busy and it is fun to have a little juice while watching people (and while they watch you clearly).
Pondicherry:
Little to tell the truth. We stayed at the Kailas GH. We are dedicated to walking from one place to another without much interest. It suited us to rest our battered backs.
Travel:
We leave Thanjavur on the NH-45C road for a few km to the detour to Highway 64. Before reaching Chidambaran we leave the NH-45A and arrive at the great temple after traveling 130 km in 3 hours. The roads are worse than the ones we have brought so far, although they are more fun.
In Chidambaran we stop at the temple and continue towards Pondicherry on the NH-45A, for 70 km and an hour and a half journey.
