Return to Thittai
I had visited the Vasishteshwarar Temple in Tamil Nadu about a decade back. A short car ride from Kumbakonam, situated just before Tanjavur, it’s a lovely journey on a narrow but smooth, well-kept road with trees on both sides and the river Cauvery languidly flowing by its side for many miles. The temple itself is ancient, and unlike Alangudi [also dedicated to Lord Shiva and Guru Jupiter], not visited daily by people in their multitudes. This time the driver took us by a different road – secluded, even prettier, paddy fields unfolding like a soft carpet to the left and different hues of green and emerald soothing the eyes. Unfortunately the river ran dry due to the waters barricaded by state politics. The road itself is narrow with goats and dogs lounging on the highway oblivious to our insistent honking, and the driver having to carefully thread his way through, past them to our destination. Built by the Chola kings in the 12 th century AD, the temple is dedicated to Lord S...