Jawaharlal Nehru, the country’s first prime minister, affectionately referred to the town of Bodinayakanur in Tamil Nadu as the “Kashmir of the South.”[1] The town, which is surrounded by the Western Ghats, is known for its breathtaking waterfalls, lush coconut trees, and magnificent cardamom plantations. Despite its small size, Bodinayakanur has been home to two of the state’s twelve current chief ministers, demonstrating the political clout of the area.