The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Hot spot for religion and trade

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Friday, Jan 18, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Hot spot for religion and trade

Photo: G. Moorthy

Congregation: Popular destination for people.

Every place has a landmark and so does Tallakulam. No goodies for guessing. Yes, one of them is the Tamukkam ground – the venue for many historic rallies and meetings, religious functions, exhibitions and mega lifestyle shows.

But what makes Tallakulam stand apart is its amazing mix of history, religion and commerce. Though small in area, it stands big in variety that it packs in.

Flashbacking reveals its religiosity and the origin of the name. It came from the Prasanna Venkatachalapathy Perumal Temple built by the Nayak kings. The water tank near the Temple gave the place the name Tallakulam, which boundaries off at the Outpost near the Corporation building.

The main part of Chithirai festival, which takes place at Tallakulam every April, assumes tremendous significance, as it is believed that Lord Azhagar spent a night in this Perumal Temple. There was a time when drumbeaters used to take position at the Tamukkam Grounds to herald the Lord’s entry into the city.

This religion-centric spot of high activity also played host to several cultural programmes, theatre festivals, political rallies and meetings.

But history and religion combined did not make the place lose its commercial value. Over the years, a part of it has flourished as a trade centre as well. Big showrooms of furniture, watches and utensils apart from departmental stores makes this place very busy – not only during the month of Chithirai but through the year.

And last but not the least, Tallakulam is famous for its roadside eateries which almost crop up at every tenth step. Tallakulam is the place where you will get piping hot idlis till midnight and even the “Madurai special” – the non-veg kurma with crispy dosas.

And once you are done with shopping at the exhibition ground during season or the innumerable shops around and had your stomach stuffed, you can conveniently walk into nearby Gandhi Museum and return a bit more knowledgeable, with an uptake on Madurai’s history, its people, rulers and important visitors.

Soma Basu

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