what happend to the idlli next complete the jorney of idlli
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Explanation:
Highlights
Kanchipuram idli has long been linked to the Varadharaja Perumal temple.
This flavourful idli might even date back to the Pallava era.
The idlis are steamed for almost three hours.
Chef Arokyadas at the Welcomhotel GST Road Chennai is a reticent, almost old-school chef. At a time when chefs across India are enjoying their long overdue moments in the spotlight, he's a chef who prefers to let his food do the talking. The Pallavas, the same dynasty that constructed Mahabalipuram's UNESCO-recognised World heritage shore temples used to lord over much of the area around this hotel. It's now one of the world's automobile manufacturing hubs. It is a 50 sq.km centre of excellence that's home to some of the world's best known car brands from BMW to Ford to Hyundai. It's also at this hotel that I began a fascinating food trail that took me back to Kanchipuram, the erstwhile capital of the Pallavas and in search of a dish that some local legends suggest dates back to their reign.
I set out on the one-hour drive to Kanchipuram before sunrise and my first stop was the Varadharaja Perumal temple. Kanchipuram is among India's oldest continuously inhabited cities and was once called the city of a thousand temples. The Varadharaja Perumal temple is among the imposing temples in Tamil Nadu and made national headlines in 2019 when devotees from across the world thronged the temple for a glimpse of Athi Varadhar statue. The 12-feet tall Athi Varadhar statue is immersed at the temple tank - Anantha Theertham, and taken out for just 48 days every 40 years (last done in 2019). The Kanchipuram idli is the other star attraction at the temple and you don't have to wait for 40 years to sample it.
(Also Read: This Tiny Tea Stall In Kerala Keeps Ramasseri Idli Alive)
Varadharaja Perumal temple
Temple food is a big part of the overall experience of visiting many temples across Tamil Nadu. From the Sakkarai (sweet) Pongal at the Parthasarathy temple in Chennai to the panchamirtham at Palani, many temples are strongly associated with their prasad or offerings to the presiding deity. The identity of Kanchipuram idli has long been linked to the Varadharaja Perumal temple. After visiting the temple, I met Sudha, one of the two home cooks in Kanchipuram who makes these idlis on order. She tells me that this flavourful idli might even date back to the Pallava era (6th to 9th Century AD). I'm unable to watch the intricate process that goes into making this idli since both home cooks only make this against orders. Sudha suggests I head back to the temple to try the idli.