Tanjore Temple

                                                1000 year old Temple at Tanjore

In my childhood I saw a documentary on discovery channel about Tanjore temple.Since then I had a wish to see this temple which is an UNESCO world heritage site.It is 1000 years old  engineering marvel.Top of the temple is carved out of a single stone.Even today it is not very clear how people managed to take such heavy stone to the top of the temple. There are no mountains near the temple. It means the stones used to build the temple has been brought from far off places. One of the hypothesis is that a very long ramp was used to slide the stone to top of the temple using elephants.

Tamil Nadu is a wonderful state with rich culture and heritage.I have had good fortune to have traveled extensively in this state. Thirukurral ancient Tamil work on ethics has had a lasting impression on me. What prompted me to write the blog is the honesty of auto drivers at Tanjore.

After finishing our temple visit we boarded an auto to reach railway station.On getting out of auto we realized we had forgotten our bag in the auto. But the auto drivers was no where to be seen.But when I told about this to another auto drivers he immediately assured me that we will soon get back our bag.He went out of the way to find out the name and phone number of the driver who had our bag.As he had assured we got back our bag in half an hours time.

But what was amazing for me was their genuine concern to help a stranger. They had no hidden agenda to get money from me.Both of the drivers refused to take extra money from us.I had a friendly chat with the auto driver and discussed about cyclone Gaja,Tamil and national politics. In the bigger cities this kind of behavior is very rare.Real India dwells in small towns and villages.We leave Tanjore happy and content.I will finish it with a quote of Warren Buffet "Honesty is expensive gift don't expect it from cheap people".

With honest auto driver of Tanjore