Paradise Resort

Ganapathi Raman the brain behind Paradise Resort with a row of heritage houses in the backdrop

We next headed for Tanjore, where we stayedat Paradise Resort. This is a classic heritage resort set in the lush green Thanjavur countryside on the banks of the Arisalaru, a distributory of the Cauvery. The resort has been painstakingly crafted on a more than ten acres of serene ntural beauty. The rooms are masterpieces of archtectural reconstruction. The rooms are spacious and comfortable. The bathrooms are fitted with the the best fittings and have massive bathtubs.
The promoters are an unassuming yet highly creative couple, Ganapathi Raman and Latha Raman. Ganapathi is a Chartered Accountant with industry experience with Lucen Technologies. It just goes to show that there is nothing that Chartered Accountants are not capable of doing!

What I really loved was the extraordinary care they have taken to avoid cutting down even a single tree. Where they are forced to cut down a tree they have planted and nurtured another. Bravo!

We spent the evening viewing the world famous Tanjore Brahadeeswarar Temple in the evening. The massive Nandi, Siva Lingam and Gopuram were awe inspiring.





The next day was spent in viewing the sculptural splendour of the Iravatheeswarar Temple at Darasuram. The temple at Tanjore was built by Raj Raja Chola I. There is another temple at Gangai Konda Cholapuram built by Rajendra Chola his son. And then we have the Darasuram temple built by Raj Raj Chola II the grandson!

The Arisalaru

Those of us who have read Ponniyin Selvan by Amarar Kalki would appreciate the significance of the Arisalaru and its environs which are the backdrop of substantial parts of the First part.