Chill Out Completely at Mantra Koodam

(To open the embedded Facebook posts fully for the recipes and details, just click on the date/time under the heading Food and Travel Secrets.)

Travelers across South India often plan a stop to see the ancient Chola Dravidian architecture Brihadishwara Temple at Tanjuvar. However also on the Hindu pligram trail is Kumbakonam where CGH Earth’s Mantra Koodam is offering an alternate Tamil temple experience in affordable luxury. 

The Kumbakonam area is famous for its over 4,500 registered temples and it has  the only temples where devotees can worship the planet gods. Even in the municipal limits there are 188 HIndu temples.

As you travel between CGH Earth’s Palais de Mahe in Pondicherry and Visalam in Karakudi, Chettinad you will journey through rural Tamil Nadu. 

After a three hour comfortable drive, a traditional Tamil welcome introduces you to the lush and extensive forest haven that is Mantra Koodam, about 17km from Kumbakonam, the Temple City.

Mango and coconut trees cover the property and wild life is plentiful. The pool is irresistible and the answer to keeping cool in the warmer weather.

Mantra Koodam has 24 cottages with wonderful large open air bathrooms and several larger options for families (where the bathroom is not as large and open). You can relax on your own verandah and lose yourself in the peace of your own little part of Mantra Koodam’s forest garden. Perfect for writers, it was one of my favourite things to do to sit with a chai and write as the garden awoke.

The Mantra Koodam Tea Kadai is a re-creation of the traditional roadside tea shop and a highlight of my visit. From 6:30-7:30am I could wander over and have a real South Indian tea or filter coffee, made to order, at no cost. In the evening from 4:00-5:30pm the Tea Shop also serves Indian tea snacks. It’s a great spot to chat with other guests who have travelled from all over India to visit the temples.

I think the secret to the great tea and coffee is all in the pouring! It creates a froth, cools the hot drink and mixes in any sugar.

Following a tea and a swim, a day at Mantra Koodam starts with breakfast in an idyllic natural setting. It’s a good time to try some Indian breakfast dishes, fresh seasonal fruits and juices or eggs made to order.

A driver will cost around $AUS 30 for half a day to visit some of the local temples.

Kumbakonam itself has an impressive temple in the centre of town.

It’s an interesting town for a wander around and don’t miss the famous Degree coffee.

Close to Mantra Koodam is Darasarum with a 1,000 year old stone temple, hand loom silk sari weaving and a busy early morning vegetable market.

For a walkable temple experience there’s even an impressive temple in the nearby village.

You may eat lunch when you’re out, from one of the plentiful South Indian restaurants catering for the many pilgrims or head back to Mantra Koodam for their delicious meals showcasing regional dishes.

Do take the opportunity to find out more about what makes the local cuisine special. The team are so helpful and spent much time helping me understand the special characteristics of traditional food.

As the team explained the special characteristics of local dishes,  I was reminded of the turkey berries Preethi introduced me, to from her home recipes in nearby Trichy, that made our Tamil Nadu thali cooking in Canberra unique.

A highlight of our Mantra Koodam experience was when we were treated to the magnificent Maharaja Thali!

Mantra Koodam is a wonderful chance to really relax, enjoy the colour and activity around the temples and experience delicious local cuisine.

(To open the embedded Facebook posts fully for the recipes and details, just click on the date/time under Food and Travel Secrets.)