My first post in 2011. Today, it is 3rd of January and days are fleeting past…. This year started with a great News . A pat on the back , from whom one may wonder, it is from none other than wordpress.com. Click here. Now on to todays’s topic.
This post I have modelled like an interview between moi and my memory. After all, my blog is all about my Memoirs.
“What is this Paithraga gramam? It sounds strange!!
Name only sounds strange, It just means a Heritage Village in Malayalam, regional language of Kerala.
Where is this , have you seen it?
Yes, It is in Palaghat, Kerala.
Can you explain??
Yes, they are a group or a row of houses which are about hundred years old near the the famous Kasi Viswabathar temple ,Kalpathy.
Is it the same temple famous for it’s Ratholsavam? (Chariot festivals)
Yes , very much.
So coming back to Paithraga gramam. How was your experience there?
It was very neat and clean, No flying plastic or garbage around. At least for a few moments I could breathe fresh air:) . Cleanilness is next to Godliness . I found it there.
Can you elaborate more on the Heritage Village?
Oh yes,
I was there to visit the Kalpathy temple and the board ‘Welcome to Heritage Village’ puzzled me no end . I had not heard of the same and became curious and a pleasant surprise was in store for me.
So why it is called a Heritage Village-
There are agraharams ( Garland of houses) traditionally occupied by South Indian Brahmins around the Kalpathy temple . They still maintain the ancient houses quite well. The houses share common wall, tiled roofs and wooden grills. More information here.
Does that mean there are no modern constructions. ?
Yes there are , a few, like weeds among a beautiful green lawn.
One more thing , the sound pollution was zero. I could also speak to few residents who were polite and kind.
Did the temple visit open up a new window?
Yes, of course. A thing I never knew , could learn something about our culture which still holds the communities together. The travel was really worth, I really enjoyed it.
Let me not talk more, I shall show you some photos. Enjoy them.These agraharams are fast vanishing. Who can stand against changing times.
Shall be back with more intersting things.Till then take care.
Adieu!!
My Memoirs 
An excellent village with its cleanliness a predominant feature.Your presentation in the form of a dialogue made the post more interesting than prosaic mode.I am despite the tiles and old appearances, the houses would be enjoying the modern facilities like electrcity, TV,net,geyser,western toilets,shower etc..sometimes it is expensive to maintain the old looks much like maintaining a vintage car!!
Thanks Chitra, you have started 2011 on the right note.Would have liked some facts and pics of the temple too
KP, what you said is true, all the equipments that are needed for modern day living are very much there.One cannot live with out those things. I didn’t post pictures of temple just because there is another blog for that. But for you I would make it in my next post , a few pictures of the famous chariot too. Thanks
Wow, would like to visit this place too. My husband would grumble that bcoz of u, my list of places to visit is increasing 😉
Lovely post
Bhagya, hope you would visit all these places Bhagya, Your hubby would take you to keep his family happy.
LOL hope so 😉
Sometimes i wonder if I need to visit any place at all or not. Just need to come here and have a virtual tour, as good as the real! South of India inganey I can cover with your blog Chitra :-).
Thanks Sree. Comments like yours help me to think and create more. Son is home so v.busy.
Very nice description, Chitra. I was knowing about this place before. Thanks.
Prabhakka.
thanks Prabakka.
Wowo the vilalge look beautiful and you have explained pretty nicely tooo ..
and no sound pollution now thats got to be a first one in india .. I think if our locality is neat and clean then it reflect on us also as you said the people were very polite and all ..
Bikram’s
We hardly come across villages like this. All this are fading away.I do not know how long they would hold against. But I really enjoyed it.
great post
Thanks Kiran,
The pictures kindle memories our own KERIs of Kochi. Thanks!
Our keri are same as agraharams , all around the temple, but most of the houses have become concrete ones, who can continue to live in old dilapidated houses.