2. Eat Thirunelveli Iruttu Kadai Halwa ! - Completed

I like sweets and to top the list would be a good halwa!   Right from my early teens, I have heard of this Halwa from Thirunelveli which is very famous.   However, I had to wait till my age of 23 to eat my first bit of it !   Here are some facts about Tirunelveli Halwa (alwa)..

Tirunelveli is popular state-wide for its famous halwa (pronounced locally as alwa). The sweet dish is made primarily from wheat and sugar. Tirunelveli halwa is golden brown, has a jelly-like texture and contains a ghee (clarified butter), which gives it its distinctively greasy appearance. Best served hot, this popular sweet is generally enjoyed as a starter/dessert or even main course!!. Tirunelveli halwa is said to owe its uniquely rich taste to a special recipe of this region, blended with the renowned sweetness of the Thamarabarani river.

The best place to buy Tirunelveli halwa is around the Nellaiyappar temple and avenue leading to the central railway station. The most famous halwa store is Irutu Kadai Halwa (Transliterated as the Dark Halwa store), situated near the Nellaiyappar temple.  The name Irutu Kadai of the former store derives itself from the fact that the looks of the store have been kept unchanged from the date it was started. Till date, there are no bright electrical lights or even a board to display the shop's brand. 

My friend Anandaraman got me the first Alwa from his native town Tinnaveli in 1994 !   The experience is truly amazing..   Tip - You should heat it a bit and take a spoon and drop it in the mouth - You might find that it just lands straight into your tummy!   Warning - Too much heat can burn your lips, tongue and the entire passage too !!!!