Just a few steps away from the gates of Kariappa House, is the Muthalamman Temple, dedicated to Goddess Shakthi (Power).
Almost every street in this locality has a temple of its own with its own special deity...this one is ours.
As you come down Vanniar Street to go to Kariappa House, you may think you are heading straight into the temple as it stands at the end of the T junction. You reach the main door of the temple and turn right.
At the other end of Vanniar Street, after you cross a variety of small huts and houses and a talioring shop, there is the Sri Aurobindo Centre for Advanced Research with an inconspicuously small facade.
For those interested in understanding or studying Sri Aurobindo's philosophy and his Yoga, this is the best place. They have continuous programs and classes and offer online courses as well.
This is just 5 minutes from Kariappa House.
Once a year, sometime in early March, all the GODS of Pondicherry come out of their temples and are brought to the beach at Vaithikuppam for a ceremonial bath.
It is quite a spectacle to behold and get immersed in the festivity of the locals.
They come in chariots which could be a tractor, a jeep, a bullock cart or simply pulled by the devotees themselves.
Vanniar Street residents flank the road as the procession of the Gods are driven to and fro and everyone gets blessings from the priests.
As you walk down from Kariappa House to North Boulevard, you will see some adorable little windows from where housewives run little grocery stores.
.Don't underestimate these for what you may find there...probably everything that you need for daily survival and more.
They serve ice creams as well!
Although this part of Pondicherry coastline was not really affected by the 2014 Tsunami, there were fishermen out there when it happened and some people did lose their lives.
This litt;e fisherwoman statue was made to pay tribute to those who lost their lives.
Every 26th December, a local function is organised here on the beach, to remember those who never came back.
We have our very own Ayyanar Horse standing proud and tall at almost 20' height from the ground.
As in all Tamil villages, Ayyanar horses have special significance and when you step inside Kariappa House, you will see our sacred grove in the garden with traditional ayyanar horse statues.
Ayyanar is a deity who is the Village protector and he rides a white horse. As a symbol of gratitude, villagers offer terracota horses to the deity and they are often found outside almost every temple.
This small but beautiful 159 year old church is built in the Colonial French architectural style.
Not much is known about it but its an important place for local Christians to congregate every Sunday morning and on festivals.
Situated in between temples, it definitely stands out.
Just as you enter the Kuruchikuppam area from the North Boulevard, you see this dilapidated gorgeous mansion on your left.
The good news is, it is probably being restored.
The house belonged to Selvaraj Chettiar Trust and is built in a typical Chettiar style. Currently, it is owned by the Ashram Society and unfortuantely, it is not open to the public.
However, you can always admire the house from the Gate.
The fishermen of this region still use simple wooden boats which they rig with a diesel motor. These are often painted in bright colors and are customised with names and motifs painted on them.
In fact, you can also see some traditional Kattumaram,...which is the origin of the fancier Catamaran, these (the Katumaram) is generally a bunch of craftfully shaped logs tied together.
You can often see big bundles of fishing nets being made.
It would not be fair not to mention the work of the Dutch jeweller extraordinaire Olaf Van Cleef, who worked for Cartier and loved India so much that he chose to live in Pondicherry towards the end of his life.
He lived in Vaithikuppam and this is where he produced his art,
His Gallery (very close to K House) now displays and sells his beautiful work.
Olaf's artistic endeavour is inspired by the vibrant colours, the sights, sounds, smells and cultures of India and each painting can be termed a jewel in itself.
Last but not the least, one person who owns the Aurodhan Gallery and the Krtashraya Garden in Vaithikuppam, Lalit Verma, must be mentioned because the variety of cultural programs that he hosts here, are unparalleled and it adds a cultural richness to this area.
Krtashraya Garden is a few steps away from K House and it is here that we get to see some world class performances.
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