The Highway to Happiness

When your days are mechanical and routines are predictable…the only way to Nirvana is random travel..so we set out on a road trip – without timelines, without checklists, without ‘baggage restrictions’…just ‘tolls’ and ‘petrol stations’ to control and contain your travel spirits!

The broad and beautiful highway took us to the temple town of Madurai..Madurai is almost synonomonous with the Meenakshi temple of Madurai..a mammoth architectural grandeur that is the heart, soul and center of the city..from which emanates the commercial and religious life of the city. While I label myself as ‘differently abled’ when it comes to religion – yet I was smitten first by the beauty and vastness of the structures and idols and then by the mystical cleansing environment of the temple. Perhaps the time of our visit – the late hours of dusk had taken the commercial bustle and devotees’ din out of the temple..what was left was just silence, unbelievable marks of yesteryear glories, serene corridors and a beautiful pond that reflects and magnifies the splendor of the temple towers!

The morning took us again to the Meenakshi temple where I admired the pillars, the statues, the ceilings and spent some time simply soaking in the era that created this marvel and the planner who envisioned this city to be as such…finally we ambled through the streets of Madurai..a mix of hustle bustle laced with traditionalism..jasmine flowers..coconut offerings…handloom sarees…white soft idly shops at every nook and corner..guess Madurai runs on Idly and ‘Jigardhanda’ (a concoction of the mallu ‘palada payasam’ and ice cream)!

And then we started the dream ride to the hill station of Kodaikanal..the drive was predictably scenic through the villages and forests of Tamil Nadu – the highways and roads in simple companionship with hills and hillocks..streams and lakes..flowers and trees…We unknowingly carried some baggage and notions of the Kodai town…the commercial influx and the slow death of ‘kodai’ as the ultimate stop for tourists…But as we landed and saw the first specks of the signature Kodai fog and mist…we knew no matter what we will love this town!

Waking up the next morning to an astounding view of the valley, lakes and mountains did the trick for us..Kodai seduced us with its intoxicating mountain and fog combination. Whilst we went on our sightseeing rounds..none of the real tourist spots mesmerized us..what stole our hearts were the vast stretches of pine forests and the mist-covered mountains and rocks that followed us through the day. No description of Kodai is complete without a special mention of the lovely and homely souls of this town..every stranger whom we met – whether to ask for direction, whether to buy tea, knick-knacks..each one of them warmed our hearts with their simple and helpful nature..they are born ‘hosts’..where we see in rest of the tourist world..locals strangling each other, aggressively cheating and freaking the tourists..kodai stands apart where everyone from your friendly waiter to the vendor to the random stranger on the street treats you like family..wonderful experiences that will touch your heart and make you want to return to this little town!

The day in Kodai drew to a close and the city gave us a twinkling party with the night view of the valley and we snuggled into the comfort of our hotel room…happy and truly relaxed..The next morning after a final view of the valley, a sumptuous breakfast..it was time to push the accelerator..back to the highway to home..recharged and rejuvenated but as we swerved our way out..we made a small promise to return to this idyllic heaven when the urban, corporate and personal life drains out the ‘real life’ in you!