Around Cardamom House – Cardamom House

Travellers’ Choice Award 2018

Di Collins — Mon, 05 Feb 2018 06:38:43 +0000

Congratulations to the team. In 2014 and 2015, you were awarded the Trip Advisors’ Certificate of Excellence.

In 2017, you were awarded Trip Advisors’ top accolade, the Travellers’ Choice Award.

And now, in 2018, you have again received this award – 2018 Travellers’ Choice.

Well done to the team. You deserve it.

The grizzled giant squirrel settles in the valley

Di Collins — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 05:07:41 +0000

For the grizzled giant squirrel high trees are an ideal habitat.

The squirrels have taken up residence in a number of

neighbour’s gardens. From time to time, they are seen at the

Sadayandi Temple.

They are on the ‘near threatened’ list of the International Union

for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

At the moment our mixed habitats aren’t so suited to it, although

Chris saw one sunning itself on the solar panel, by the pool.

Water!

Di Collins — Fri, 24 Feb 2017 07:32:40 +0000

The monsoon failed and the temperatures are rising, yet there are still plenty of birds around. Yesterday morning guests watched as a flock of around twenty painted stork wheeled around above the remnants of Kamarajar Lake.

Nearer to home, bee eaters have taken to diving into the pool.

Barking Deer

Di Collins — Mon, 30 May 2016 08:35:44 +0000

Barking Deer are becoming regular visitors on the hillside behind Cardamom House, where there is good cover in the dense vegetation. Occasionally they appear in the clearings above the rocks. More often, we hear them but don’t spot them!

Giant Squirrels

Di Collins — Mon, 30 May 2016 08:17:44 +0000

Over the last few months giant squirrels have been spotted at Cardamom House and in the surrounding gardens and countryside. Their body is roughly the size of European domestic cat. with the tail the same length again.

This is evidence that, as the valley becomes more vegetated, the flourishing habitat is proving hospitable to a wider range of wild life.

Thanks, Polpandi, for taking these photographs.

Things to do in and around Cardamom House

Cardamom House — Fri, 08 Apr 2016 14:27:55 +0000

There are so many things to do at Cardamom House. You can spend the day locally, visit the nearby village of Athoor or go on half or full day trips.

Cardamom House is ideal for relaxation and contemplation.

Hours can be whittled away reading, writing, sketching, photographing and watching the world go by.

The swimming pool (11m x 6m x 1.5 m) has a separated children’s access area. There are sun loungers and a shaded area.

There is a sports area for volleyball and badminton.

You can walk around the lake or climb up to the Sadayandi Temple a cave, overlooking the lake.

Some guests practice yoga and meditation.

The season’s visitors

Di Collins — Mon, 02 Nov 2015 09:22:16 +0000

At Cardamom House we have a wide range of visitors. Kumar and the rest of the staff team are always alert for new visitors .Here are some of the most recent visitors. We have so many bird books to check out the names of the birds. It is good to see that many of them have been attracted by a full Lake. The painted stork is an exotic visitor, which roosts in colonies on the far shore.

Party time

Di Collins — Sun, 11 Oct 2015 03:04:21 +0000

When it’s quiet and most of the jobs are either completed or can wait until the next day, there are few things that we enjoy more than a family day, when the children can explore. learn to swim and maybe even produce some works of art. Meanwhile, the mothers and grandparents can chat, while their husbands cook a biryani.

A variety of habitats

Di Collins — Tue, 27 Jan 2015 05:54:52 +0000

As the grounds around Cardamom House evolve, a variety of habitats are developing, ranging from shrub, to flower gardens, to more established trees and to open grassland. In addition we have views across the lake and up onto the hillside. This means we have a richness of birdlife.

For a few nights a tailor bird rested at night beside our entrance driveway. A number of birds are currently nesting.

A pooja

Di Collins — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 21:26:44 +0000

A pooja is part of the everyday rituals of all practicing Hindus. Many of us have a room, or a corner of the house set aside specially for holding the ritual. During a pooja the following happens.

A bronze temple bell is rung by the devotee on entry to the Temple.

The tilak consisting of sandalwood paste & red powder is applied to the forehead at the start of the pooja.

Incense sticks are burnt to symbolize the ever presence of the Lord.

Camphor pellets are burnt. As these melt and burn they symbolize the melting of one’s ego. As the smoke ascends, it allows the devotee to become closer to the Deity. During this part of the ceremony the smoke is wafted three times towards the face with cupped hands.

A coconut is broken, using a machete. The water inside a coconut is absolutely pure and uncontaminated. It is scattered around the temple area.

Prasad, consisting of bananas, sweets and other food, is offered to the God.

Pandi and Chris.