Mantra Koodam, a CGH Earth Experience hotel in Tamil Nadu, has launched Diraviyam, an immersive culinary experience that revives the forgotten flavours of ancient Tamilagam. This initiative highlights the cuisines of four historic Tamil regions—Thondai Nadu, Nadu Nadu, Kongu Nadu, and Pandya Nadu—alongside the existing Chola Nadu cuisine at the hotel's Annaprasanna restaurant.
Diraviyam is more than a dining experience; it is a celebration of cultural preservation, community empowerment, and sustainability. The experience draws on fresh, organic ingredients sourced directly from local gardens, transforming them into dishes that honour Tamil Nadu's rich culinary heritage. "A defining aspect of Diraviyam is its deep connection with the local community," said Radhakrishna Shenoi, Assistant Vice President of CGH Earth. Three women from nearby villages have been trained to preserve and present traditional recipes, ensuring authenticity in every meal.
The dishes are prepared using traditional methods, such as wood-fired stoves and earthenware pots, which enhance flavour and nutrition. Harish Venkatasubramaniam, General Manager of Mantra Koodam, noted that the restaurant's design evokes the simplicity of a traditional Tamil village, offering guests an immersive cultural experience.
Guests can enjoy a grand vegetarian feast featuring 28 dishes, each representing the diverse culinary identities of Tamil Nadu's regions. Served on banana leaves, the experience celebrates Tamil hospitality and communal dining. Diraviyam serves as a platform for cultural preservation and offers travellers a chance to reconnect with Tamil heritage through authentic flavours and practices
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