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Up in the air: Come January, the sixth edition of the Pollachi Hot Air Balloon festival will give visitors the chance to soar above the vast coconut tree plantations in both free and tethered flights. There will also be a history of aviation expo to educate children. From January 7 to 9. Details: tnibf.com
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Those verdant Kallapuram fields, the black soil of Palapatty, and the red-tiled roof of Kakadavu Solambalayam, are all introduced to filmmakers by VK Rajan, a Pollachi native from the town of Vettaikaranpudur. “Just last week, we had Jeyam Ravi filming for Bhoomi and Karthi for Sultan,” he says. In the business for 25 years now, he has been part of over 2,000 movies.
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Avnii: Discarded coconut shells are given a new lease of life at Avnii. Bowls, cutlery and planters are hand-crafted by a women-led workforce. Their bird feeders are big in the European market, and the grow bags and coco peat soil alternative find takers in the US. A smart upcycling initiative we say, which is why several others have followed suit. Details: @avnii.in on Instagram and Facebook. Email buy@avnii.in. 9524276799
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Sangam connect: The Keezhadi excavations revealed that the Sangam era is older than previously thought. Adding weight to this is the discovery of a 14-foot-tall menhir in July, reportedly from the same time period (between 300 BC and 300 AD). Stop by this megalithic structure while driving through Kurumbapalayam village near Pollachi.
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Temple of Consciousness, Aliyar: Take a mindfulness break on the lush grounds of the Aliyar Arivuthirukovil. The ashram, founded by Shri Vethathiri Maharishi in 1985, offers spaces for meditation, and residential courses in Simplified Kundalini Yoga. Details: vethathiri.edu.in 9842268733
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Bajji shop: Freshly-fried bajji and bonda are served fresh off the stove by this adorable paati, with her signature wide, toothless grin. She has been dishing out these delicacies, paired with spicy chutney, for over 31 years from the same spot at Mahalingapuram Circle.
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Santhi Mess: Like Rayar Mess in Chennai, this eatery has limited seating, but a long line of people waiting to get in. Their speciality? Dosas, made hot and crisp by the proprietor's wife. We recommend the nei poondu podi dosa (ghee garlic powder) at ₹35, accompanied by egg kalakki (₹15) and seeraga (jeera) soda (₹10). At Marapettai, open from 7 pm to 10.30 pm.
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Selvam Canteen: Even at 4 pm, this small restaurant serves country chicken biryani, pepper chicken, quail fry and mutton chukka on the traditional banana leaf — all of it hearty and delicious, with flavours of Kongu. Vegetarians, please excuse. At Aliyar Road. Till 10.30 pm.