Things To Do
in Kathevaram

The local temple provides strong architectural details, ritual scenes and evening lamps—ideal for cultural and portrait photography (ask permission before photographing individuals).

Market stalls with piles of produce, spice vendors and colorful textiles make for vibrant street photography and candid portraits.

Open landscapes at dawn and dusk create excellent light for wide-angle shots, reflections in flooded paddies and silhouette work with palm trees.

Local water bodies attract birds and morning rituals, providing opportunities for wildlife and lifestyle photography.

Steamed rice-and-lentil cakes served with tangy sambar and coconut chutney, widely available at breakfast stalls and tea shops.

Must-Try!

Crisp fermented crepes filled or served plain; best from local tiffin shops in the mornings and evenings.

A tangy, tamarind-based fish curry flavored with local spices; find it at family-run restaurants and coastal eateries.

A spiced rice and meat or vegetable biryani from the nearby Chettinad culinary tradition, available in town restaurants.

Market day offers fresh produce, chutney powders (milagai podi), spices and street snacks—try sundal (spiced chickpeas) and banana bajji from roadside vendors.

If you travel toward the coast or a nearby town, visit the fish market early morning for vivid photography and fresh seafood to sample at lunch stalls.

Remove shoes before entering temples and many homes; dress modestly (cover shoulders and knees) when visiting religious sites.

A respectful 'Vanakkam' and slight nod or folded hands (namaste style) is a polite greeting—use your right hand for giving and receiving items.

Ask permission before photographing people, especially women and elders. Some religious rituals may be sensitive—follow local guidance.

Public displays of affection are frowned upon in rural areas; be mindful of noise levels and public conduct during festivals and rituals.

Tipping is modest and discretionary: round up bills at small eateries, give 5–10% in restaurants if service is not included, and offer small amounts (a few rupees) to porters or guides. Tipping local drivers and guides for good service is appreciated but not mandatory.

Cash (Indian rupees) is the most widely accepted form of payment in villages; keep small notes for purchases. Larger shops and hotels in nearby towns accept cards. UPI and other mobile payments are common in towns—download apps if you plan to travel widely.

Vegetarian food is easy to find—rice meals, lentil-based dishes, vegetable curries and snacks are widely available. Confirm that dishes are prepared without ghee (clarified butter) if you avoid dairy.

Many South Indian dishes are naturally vegan (plain dosa, idli with sambar) but check with cooks about the use of ghee, curd (yogurt) or butter in preparation.

Halal meat is available in towns with Muslim communities; when in doubt, ask local eateries about meat sourcing. Fresh seafood is common near the coast; inland village eateries may have limited options.

Rice-based dishes and many South Indian staples are gluten-free, but check for wheat in snacks, gravies thickened with flour, or cross-contamination at shared pans.