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When filling out your travel plans for the new year, remember to save time to explore the areas right around you. Some people call them “staycations” or being a “hometown tourist.” The thing is that we often don’t make time to see some of the most interesting sites near our homes – those that might even top the “to see” list of a visitor – because we think we’ll get around to it sometime.
Guess what? “Some time” can be now!
One of the features of Texas that makes it fascinating to explore is that it’s home to a diversity of cultures as big as the state. Yesterday I took the time to revisit the stunning Sri Meenakshi Temple in Pearland. Luckily for me, it was still bearing many of the colorful decorations of the celebration of the new year.
This is the only temple outside of India dedicated to Meenakshi, who is the Hindu Goddess of Marriage. It’s an exact replica of a temple in Madurai, India, with four smaller corner temples surrounding the main temple.
The concrete structures were produced locally, but all of the granite stonework was carved and imported from India. They are currently having additional pillars carved there to add to the complex.
When visiting, please keep in mind that this is a place of worship. Though they welcome visitors throughout the year, they request that appropriate clothing should be worn as a sign of respect, covering shoulders and knees. Shoes must be removed before going into the temple, but socks are allowed. Wooden shelves at the side entrances can also be used for their temporary storage, or you may leave your shoes on the ground outside of the temple and retrieve them as you leave.
As you enter the large temple through the main doors, move around the interior in a clockwise motion. This signifies keeping “the god” on “the right.” Inside are four shrines dedicated to Shiva, Meenakshi, Vishnu and Lakshmi. In Hinduism there is a “pantheon of gods,” symbolizing many concepts and Hindus pray to them as their favorite or personal dieties.
Photography is permitted, but as with any place of worship, please try not to be intrusive of those who are there to pray.
After visiting the temples and taking in the remarkable architecture, follow one of the sidewalks behind the temple complex to the Peacock Sanctuary. The Indian Peafowl is the national bird of India, and the beautiful specimens that live here wander around an enclosure that can be viewed from benches surrounding it. My grandmother used to have peacocks and (although they can be obnoxiously loud early in the morning!) they always hold a place in my heart.
A Visitors Center is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends, and if you are interested in learning more about the culture this is the time to visit. There is also an on site cafeteria that’s open to the public on weekends and serves authentic vegetarian fare. Visitors can purchase tokens and use them to pay for their meals.
Several years ago, I took my young Girl Scout troop, and one of the temple priests invited them to sit on a rug with him while he explained some of the things they were seeing and hearing. What a wonderful experience!
Remember that although it may feel a bit awkward to step into an unfamiliar setting, as long as you are respectful of the people and culture the space serves, they openly welcome visitors.
Check the Temple’s Facebook page for the latest updates on visiting days and hours.
What are some of the places in your hometown that you’ve never taken the time to see for yourself?
As a colorful nod to its namesake fruit, Pearland installed a public art sculpture trail affectionately dubbed Pear-scape.
Pearland’s original pear groves were devastated by the 1900 hurricane, after which the city changed its focus to other types of agriculture. But thanks to the Pearland Alliance for Arts & Culture, a different variety of pears now decorates the local landscape.
Four-foot tall, fiberglass cast pears hand painted by local artists have been installed in ten locations throughout the city. There are 20 pears in all, sometimes solitary and sometimes in groups, but you’ll need a car to visit them all as they aren’t within walking distance of each other.
Whether you’re just visiting Pearland or doing a stay-cation, finding all the unique fruits can be a fun activity for families. Make the search more exciting by having a scavenger hunt for the pairs with clues to where to find them! Clues for either adults or a kid-friendly version can be found here.
Or you can cut to the chase with addresses and a map in hand by printing this reference.
Even with a map, some of the artwork is a bit more easily visible than others, but they are all worth the effort.
Let the hunt begin!
Remembrance Pear
by Sherri Harris
Hilton Garden Inn, 12101 Shadow Creek Parkway
Visible from street
A beautiful, sentimental tribute, this one should be on your to-see list even if you can’t make the rounds to see them all.
Because it’s located at a hotel, this stop also provides a restroom break opportunity (hello!). The restaurant is only open for breakfast and dinner, but if your hunt is taking place in the morning or evening…you’re in luck!
One World
by Emily Grygier
Reflection Bay Event Center, 12234 Shadow Creek Parkway
This one is not visible from the main road. The best way to find it is to go to the address, turn in by the Sherwin-Williams paint store and drive all the way to the back of the complex.
There is parking available at this one, but not much else to see while you’re there so it’s a quick one to check off your list.
Patched to Pear-fection
by Kathy Ericksen
and
Paint a Pear
and
Close Pear
by Joan Moody
Pearland Town Center, 11200 Broadway Street
Drive in and to the back of the center, and the pears are at the back of the shaded pavilion.
Plenty of parking since it’s a shopping district, and once you’ve marked these beauties off your list, you could easily spend the rest of the day here. Lots of shopping and dining options, and places to grab a quick cookie or pretzel as a reward for a successful pear hunt! For a list of restaurants and stores, click here.
I just love “Close Pear” with all of its brilliant circles!
Wildscape
by Robin Tatem
and
The Pollack Pear
by Hannah Levy
and
A Perfect Pair
by Suzette Schutze
This trio of sculptures is at Southdown Park, 2150 Smith Ranch Road
There’s plenty of parking and would make a great break spot for families. A nice
playground and shade provide a great spot to enjoy a picnic or cold drink. If you haven’t prepared for ahead of time, you can grab to-go options from nearby Big Horn BBQ, Jack in the Box or Panda Express.
Whimsical Harmony
by Lee Ann Hillbrich
Pearland Golf Club, 3123 Flower Fields Lane
To see this one, you’ll go through a gated entrance, but the guard will wave you through when you tell him you’re on a pear hunt.
Pear Blossoms
by Celebration by Kathy Ericksen
and
Celebration
by Paulisa Winsong and Sandy Shiver
Zychlinski Park, 2243 N. Grand Blvd.
Though they’re all special and unique in design, I have to admit that Pear Blossoms is my favorite. Its neighbor Celebration is going to be a big hit with music lovers, too!
Pairing Together
by Kelly Kronfeld and Chris Garcia
and
Loving Life
by Josephine Eager
and
Peary, Peary Night
by Lisa Tenney
Independence Park, 3919 Liberty Drive
Van Gogh lovers are going to revel in this one. The Peary, Peary Night version of Starry, Starry Night is such fun. But be sure to take a closer look at its pear neighbors installed at the same spot to enjoy all of the details included by the artists. Can you find the Texas flag?
Infinite Diversity
by Roberto Barron
and
Pearsonified
by Kelly Kronfeld and Chris Garcia
and
Rose Pear
by Kermit Eisenhut
and
Swirls of Gold
by Claudia Zopoaragon
City Hall Gazebo, 3519 Liberty Drive
This one rewards scavenger hunters with four pairs in one location! It also has a fountain and antique train depot with a caboose on site that make great exploring and photo opps.
Dream Birds
by Pelhong Endris
King’s Beirgarten & Restaurant, 1329 E. Broadway Street
In front of one of Pearland’s best restaurants, this one has plenty of parking and would make a gre
at lunch stop on your route. To find out more about King’s Beirgarten and their amazing German food, click here.
Life in Color
by Umanga Liyanage
BAKFISH Brewery, 1231 Broadway Street
And because grown-up pear hunters deserve a reward, too… we’ll wrap up our pear gathering at a popular local brewery. If you want to quench your thirst, check for updated hours the brewery is open by clicking here.
PHEW! That’s a lot of fruit!
Which design is your favorite?
