A unique heritage hotel- Sterling Swamimalai.

<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081393839125485378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEsBXdYZvJ9va5dM8WH3W4bxvCUn66z2-r4znB8Xj1Q2v_euLDSJnTsCSFlfRuj2iWAFM3I6njkUiUUqmLnSB5B9LuNRdEfGKFC22LRvJHfkU_hLkAodkpS4-NSwtNSOcJh8_gnIt21w_b/s400/ss14.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><a href="http://www.sterlingswamimalai.net/">Sterling Swamimalai</a> was our first choice when we decided to make a trip to Tanjore last December and we cherish our stay and memories till date. <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081403794859677714" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCjyTd7m6dSLO8_i-1xwn0uExsuSXwQGX-RYHriTi1ut1DVm7ono8uSUjhuF_Vs4gy0jt1KkwyA3eNUm6MCidjl6U9OISXFcGJdclsoj7DZWNWiAIdiYETz-scQHT-Cm05M1tzcLUc24HD/s400/ss17.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />A villa built in 1896 in a traditional south indian style is the nucleus of this resort. The other cottages are inspired by this main structure. The resort is the brain child of <a href="http://www.indecohotels.in/steve.html">Steve Borgia</a> of <a href="http://www.indecohotels.in/">Indeco Hotels</a>.<br /><br />The minute you step into a very discreet entrance, you are transported to the 19th century.<br />You are welcomed with temple bells ringing and a beautiful 'Kolam'- Rangoli design at the entrance. The setting is very rustic with the ambience like that of an old south indian village.<br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081408051172268098" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsVtSHrpfAk2YoBy58K_SiiA9VcUAx9_piWdBfu6TUDUfNz-oHKirAT9KnHhyoPHHxH_gdpVnWqwt2sCZR4gur8SULH6HCozeXGZanrscrduYfgbfufWdr0v1akmuVQrHyIjzcnvGFKlM5/s400/ss18.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />Amazing terracotta figures of Gods & Goddesses are scattered all around the resort. All courtesy the in-house potter.<br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidDssAARb4eojTNpuwuhgXY2n316J8jY59E8jedTTDC5paSUCvvnLohJjXqxQT8egZtRXd3itlR24Kb_4BEqCaJupzVZIsQxnhSuCXdkdoPDwn1CMUCFdgEo4EcKT27hlsAWIC2UMeUD6u/s1600-h/ss5.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081394380291364738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidDssAARb4eojTNpuwuhgXY2n316J8jY59E8jedTTDC5paSUCvvnLohJjXqxQT8egZtRXd3itlR24Kb_4BEqCaJupzVZIsQxnhSuCXdkdoPDwn1CMUCFdgEo4EcKT27hlsAWIC2UMeUD6u/s400/ss5.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>Coconut, Banana, Jackfruit, Papaya trees form the perfect setting for the village scene.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3uGaYHD45fuCFb0jwHDfVWEtJDMT-m-1t2-rSp6291JCe0pa7MhmfVtv3JKWpR5K2YBk694BXZDV1S-NPfQ71LqLwPuOg4uvFF7wcPh5Opn2VdA71h1jUN8zxMGAZ6-oMSpbbnwWZUVPe/s1600-h/ss12.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081394384586332050" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3uGaYHD45fuCFb0jwHDfVWEtJDMT-m-1t2-rSp6291JCe0pa7MhmfVtv3JKWpR5K2YBk694BXZDV1S-NPfQ71LqLwPuOg4uvFF7wcPh5Opn2VdA71h1jUN8zxMGAZ6-oMSpbbnwWZUVPe/s400/ss12.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> Beautiful folk goddess figure!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmojqaYtQI33T10blsdwIlqG0h6ers2_iDdOfvGq7rJb9vrtY_DIh8CTFPlcX7hcAGDf1n1cS7tPhG267KqdAUgsboNtjQp9l09TFtHlAvz37niz9_1MGaWcuZLNkYm4auvNEWCOqtRoLU/s1600-h/ss10.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081394384586332066" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmojqaYtQI33T10blsdwIlqG0h6ers2_iDdOfvGq7rJb9vrtY_DIh8CTFPlcX7hcAGDf1n1cS7tPhG267KqdAUgsboNtjQp9l09TFtHlAvz37niz9_1MGaWcuZLNkYm4auvNEWCOqtRoLU/s400/ss10.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> A traditional village house forms the dining area.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081395522752665538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxvFwHfhsIwTZyfcu6YNcJ4D10QtczaxPGntVZv3jB6-SVXBXVgbV6wcJLcO7vvsnSPBBjWWAnokzTmXVBgcE9LvylCq8M0qLJ1aqTvOCGyEXzYpTh1_sS5Dq3XWSxQyY5SVUxurazt_e1/s400/ss6.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />Even the trees are treated well, the potter has created lovely terracotta eyes for the trees.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFkswpNZfkSVygcFCEm8s9DMLKIOYH897TzchuUtSUq9HhyphenhyphenvDnNCi52KhWWI6A2O_ACi3OfK_LWePz6O8CP6QKraEcE35-FqYHt8acPBjeWdRYNy6pMBO_LRi_Sm8W3i2xbDBJRE3Lke_4/s1600-h/ss16.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081394388881299378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFkswpNZfkSVygcFCEm8s9DMLKIOYH897TzchuUtSUq9HhyphenhyphenvDnNCi52KhWWI6A2O_ACi3OfK_LWePz6O8CP6QKraEcE35-FqYHt8acPBjeWdRYNy6pMBO_LRi_Sm8W3i2xbDBJRE3Lke_4/s400/ss16.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081395527047632866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF4ERMM3x0wjAuMDsiLtt_JQIEXVOA9G3E3TZn_Z-a6QFQdI51uJS8bM0sIJZxbQchBzqjlKgO1XeFeA12vQwEduYw9Zu6YNYiqmFBQB1KFpU5LN4ekQrwL0SYIb3-6fgSWPjv38UPOsJ9/s400/ss8.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />The rooms are basic with traditional furniture. The roll-up blinds are made of natural fibres for good air circulation.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmaiiYguD1cBp1TOrxozfcM4O5D8Xv-vi_1G-_Vj76gSk_GfCCzjJW8vUozi56K5opTnFoEcfwg1EqDm5BsrgOlPmqQY8BseqGV9ehpbLiAkCnCvw2HtE7y75MfBA7UfqoXwVWexDWIu-r/s1600-h/ss1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081393843420452690" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmaiiYguD1cBp1TOrxozfcM4O5D8Xv-vi_1G-_Vj76gSk_GfCCzjJW8vUozi56K5opTnFoEcfwg1EqDm5BsrgOlPmqQY8BseqGV9ehpbLiAkCnCvw2HtE7y75MfBA7UfqoXwVWexDWIu-r/s400/ss1.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ywD8g5_gHQZ4o49tb9KvYbkMt4gp_Do4le_X5K9T78fpeIJ29My5HtyT9EvXljMfkwd3wmxo_x2UG938uT0VC-CBhvMbcNyf9P1rsIXdAuyuo90Zi0Qw3t73oaiEWd-1Mpro61BFG92T/s1600-h/ss3.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081393847715420002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ywD8g5_gHQZ4o49tb9KvYbkMt4gp_Do4le_X5K9T78fpeIJ29My5HtyT9EvXljMfkwd3wmxo_x2UG938uT0VC-CBhvMbcNyf9P1rsIXdAuyuo90Zi0Qw3t73oaiEWd-1Mpro61BFG92T/s400/ss3.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081404400450066482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVj8Ab3t2ZK8iQgrFXcyV5EwaXz9dMOXfq31GwbqbeRUZVgwtBwlFfiD3DucoeKK4_5-BpzRSBV2hslh4frxLuGBWRHHIkPydi1FT095KocPnx8BDPdpsbT9IC-ZDt7aPfFB1subUKrHd9/s400/ss15.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRmbtdoYenqZle7a_uB_Uv5OyQuEhyphenhyphenq6gfYgh1wsKXlaPG8eDhPzonSz8AUbIFRemwrntdMLs9J-blyVyk2iiRoiEzNbYcQcj34aW4H8bQb31P7dUGzGg5aPuvQO4hJ9w1L2kpjtpwuvnO/s1600-h/ss4.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081393856305354610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRmbtdoYenqZle7a_uB_Uv5OyQuEhyphenhyphenq6gfYgh1wsKXlaPG8eDhPzonSz8AUbIFRemwrntdMLs9J-blyVyk2iiRoiEzNbYcQcj34aW4H8bQb31P7dUGzGg5aPuvQO4hJ9w1L2kpjtpwuvnO/s400/ss4.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> The swimming pool is designed like an old temple tank. On special occasions the side slots are lit with earthern lamps in the evening. What a gorgeous sight would that be!<br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081403786269743090" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOSGQap3-3vds6ebnKnHm_gUnI_hfmpCzsBy9ivZoVHKrDEIRgkDp6ZsGKI7X4Fey4vey_HqXbVUeAWQkb1KWsGrgZYtzFy_ZwGjycCkB7goAt_7AdDTYNIk8ABMYdlNfRjBpNRgB9wtce/s400/ss11.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081395527047632850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOcC1a-RFqTQ67vKTo1vNugqdSHSPA-WJNSNoADkVg-fpwa6QY7BH_1TXP3_n5TrBmF-am3s7QeFpgGMm15e2IvKTzsi1KUYIN8NrGmBhCo27OkPuPcJnSnU2xj37kmlYTYWrXLEFYHHu0/s400/ss7.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />The main villa has a lovely courtyard with a natural well and a museum of antiques.<br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081404400450066466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicll2V7sbLfB96-enEkfrUbVgyskssgnTYIaLTQMItMR8XsfVNlUeEFdPkmTZi8Q5_fNnsPfNSCJIYhOCo0LOwQvtruIIvkFLluljmLfRgMHUPoM5ei-L1De242UmaucyZOxH3OLu663n-/s400/ss13.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />Truly traditional, truly spiritual, truly Indian.</div><br /><div></div><div>Experience it- <a href="http://www.sterlingswamimalai.net/">http://www.sterlingswamimalai.net</a></div></div>

A unique heritage hotel- Sterling Swamimalai.

Sterling Swamimalai was our first choice when we decided to make a trip to Tanjore last December and we cherish our stay and memories till ...

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Thanks Happy Living Blog!

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcgcp72Pi6p6XeNgTqyNCbrnaob5kWcNzUO6HM0YxQdFxGRrUNyUnbLwbjX3bX5UgijKsgK2eQnGv3rYhTAIt2gVIL_iMVfoy4c_mAqyQb26xfN1CGCSIJZ39rGWkAOlYkGv6vhnS25cyt/s1600-h/happyliving.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081307321304274738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcgcp72Pi6p6XeNgTqyNCbrnaob5kWcNzUO6HM0YxQdFxGRrUNyUnbLwbjX3bX5UgijKsgK2eQnGv3rYhTAIt2gVIL_iMVfoy4c_mAqyQb26xfN1CGCSIJZ39rGWkAOlYkGv6vhnS25cyt/s400/happyliving.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><a href="http://happylivingdesign.typepad.com/"><strong>the happy living blog</strong> </a>became an instant favourite, ever since I stumbled upon it while blog- hopping few weeks back.<br /><br />Erinn describes - <em>'This blog is about everything having to do with the place, experience and spirit of home and making our homes a place that we love'</em>.<br /><br />Erinn of <a href="http://happylivingdesign.typepad.com/"><strong>'the happy living blog'</strong> </a>has been very kind in giving a <a href="http://happylivingdesign.typepad.com/happy_blog/2007/06/new-favorite-bl.html"><strong>great introduction </strong></a>to my blogs.<br /><br />Thanks Erinn!

Thanks Happy Living Blog!

the happy living blog became an instant favourite, ever since I stumbled upon it while blog- hopping few weeks back. Erinn describes - ...

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Illuminate your interiors.

To add the sparkle to your interiors, just light few candles, diyas (earthern lamps), kerosene or hurricane lamps.<br /><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWmkFDhZP_is6CSrcFhOGhkwhZJi0gjINwX3VKQ88CJPlMaknhRspTHo7ORuwmpXYOF3R0KoHom2uz3cqMsBoVJc-SGCuvAEqwJaCyQ9tI-oUNCsVuomWXnnNHC9UWiupzJa0P_DyxsBLC/s1600-h/diya2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078809595285769874" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWmkFDhZP_is6CSrcFhOGhkwhZJi0gjINwX3VKQ88CJPlMaknhRspTHo7ORuwmpXYOF3R0KoHom2uz3cqMsBoVJc-SGCuvAEqwJaCyQ9tI-oUNCsVuomWXnnNHC9UWiupzJa0P_DyxsBLC/s400/diya2.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>I love lighting diyas or floating candles at the entrance to the house, in balconies, on tables or just about anywhere.<br /><br /><div><div>Here are some interesting ideas.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078823614059024114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLGAvjPYRxEgAWeOm-QL8bAru6WYLZMmgeloVFuRj93_e40kZLEaBH_9X3ZxbWuGHNMRGBOyLlx9KZuldFuGrNxOql3IuaJDMqH6DpAWZJ9V-4IljZeNpEbwi03tHilLydiKKrc1blx5CN/s400/ill6.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078819722818653890" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI5ESCakohyphenhyphenhvKM73erJSlL_kjEKXJb-riItnXpwkk3nYPdFBOXUovuRD8CEEZcOuCriCYtmCvlQLlse6Yzdf0aoqiZQdtTvHpp6fB0JG4QGZCXcTln5D8tki8vLVxGYANqlfJJHDYecEw/s400/ill3.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><em></em><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078819722818653874" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnWpPEW85VI9V3OwXbtq1_yS3ypf0-AsZvYqWm2ERech6G40aQ79XTmWU5qab-7B9U1JPl9wjGssj7Bz_EUxczIjJJZ6PGCT4HiaWeNgc0cJEFADuXAuBkeyHtNzTKYFnnrWKvfLTTlPCU/s400/ill2.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></div></div></div></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078823876052029186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaZbzYpIJFTiVjX1_VVje_aSox9yAmzhVEjcUrl40zGkXUFwMn-sPolxlZAdZIn64HgXnvceNoRospBI_QjQQmxdh9gDP4ZV2g6LpUMm-OEGDqGlzQM9cSPyy1xRJKrSd_gxZ7Sfk3mXkL/s400/ill7.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078819727113621202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpifuM6sWjtLkm-rkAwjIkMU4JQbmN8vei4IpmZExKBLWZ5Hqi8gPS5Ti_r3sniHDMqHkeKV6iFsSk3Srb606rw9PpkLZjqtiZDNmim2VHVfEgOjQRmKW6gYR9Y517g6JQxYgIA5bs2h94/s400/ill4.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078819718523686562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizfm-9i6h4EsKhXyY4d9Shxf9o5KYcL86flY-gIUJfCyXYGRP1ajeq4MVOZ38qGBFy7k1lvQtdgF2PGBSol8MZ14Mm5nokfY_HfLQuh__PdQv4oIAk2AUpi-n8W5bxXnAawUQ7YtB8v7Fi/s400/ill1.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><em></em><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078823609764056802" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9gkAEdfOEFvSuTpZfC4fN8sFjbAnLoIAfDFbMLALKyC81v1GEKp0kqG54T4oJ-KcI4Z_WWiF1jyCbXcoE-FycJ9fTsnYVYNIkCJnNTk-ow6-NVbexbb7FWeQSwgkPkTD7ThR4O_EbO1F9/s400/ill5.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></div><br /><em>(Images from Inside Outside, Oct 2006 & Good Earth)</em>

Illuminate your interiors.

To add the sparkle to your interiors, just light few candles, diyas (earthern lamps), kerosene or hurricane lamps. I love lighting diyas or ...

Read more »