#tamizhtales Agraharam homes in Tamil Nadu have always fascinated me. These homes are located on both sides of the main street leading to ancient temples. Agraharam homes have their distinct architecture, with high tinnais or outer sitouts, verandahs enclosed by iron grills, extensive woodwork, and red oxide flooring. The layout of an Agraharam home is unique; rather like a train, with rooms opening into rooms one behind the other with doors on a single axis! You can get a clear view of the backyard from the main door! My dream was realised last night when we stayed at a beautifully restored, functional homestay in Azhwarkurichi, a small village near Ambasamudram in Tamil Nadu. This house was built in 1922! The house is only 17 feet wide, but over 200 feet long! It was a pleasure to wake up to the call of peacocks, and watch morning unfold in a living Agraharam, with women decorating each threshold with fresh kolam. The Perumal temple at the end of the road was open for darshan, and as we sipped hot filter coffee sitting on the tinnai, street vendors came by with fresh vegetables and fruits like Palak and bananas. The home stay has two AC bedrooms and can accommodate upto five guests. It is an excellent base to explore the temples of Tenkasi and Ambasamudram. Those interested to know more, may check the website. theagrahara.in
@ShefVaidya I adore the temple towns of my home state. Next time you must visit my ancestral temple town of #tirukurungudi in the #Tirunelveli district. The NAMBI PERUMAL temple is magnificent
@ShefVaidya If you’re still around Alwarkurichi, visit temples around Papanasam Sivasailam Mannarkoil Brahmadesam To name few
@ShefVaidya Great granddad lived in one such Agraharam, sadly not much remains anymore
@ShefVaidya In the early 80s we lived in a similar home at Ambasamudram . The street ended in the Tamirabarani. Beautiful house ❤️
@ShefVaidya have seen some only ten feet wide .. ancient plots
@ShefVaidya Thank you @ShefVaidya for this share 🙏 @Kar
@ShefVaidya Wonderful madam🙏🏼 We also had an agraharam house which was more than 180 years old in Srirangam outside the Thayar sannadhi. We had to dispose it off as 'distress sale' literally for a song in the sixties. I still miss those days when I was a kid playing in the thinnai.