Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Theosophical Society, Chennai


On 17th Jul, Pavithra, Anand & I visited Theosophical Society.
Visiting hours: 8 – 10 AM & 3 – 5 PM
Started from home by 8.50AM and reached Theosophical Society by 9.15 AM.
By the time we reached, all the shrines inside the campus were closed (Zorastrian temple, Church, Temple of Light, Buddhist Shrine, Anjaneya temple – not sure if there are any other shrines).

As we entered, we asked the way to go to the Banyan tree. Everything within the campus is nice. Lots of butterflies, various insects, colourful flowers, huge trees all around, no noise except for the chirping and buzzing sound of the birds and insects, sweet smell of flowers – all these, not away from the city !

There was a bhojanasala and we were surrounded by the smell of good food – I made Anand ask the person there if food was available to visitors – he came back with a negative answer. I liked the building. There were also few quaint houses here and there, for the staff, I guess. Would be a nice place to stay – a feeling of living in the forest yet within the city !

There were many avid photographers & nature lovers silently taking photographs in their big cameras. Anand & I have decided to invest in a good camera (our Olympus digital camera is pretty good but considering my big list of beautiful places to visit, it would not be a wrong decision).

On the way back, we were going in the wrong direction – we had parked our car in the Besant Avenue entrance but we were heading towards the gate in Adyar (wish there were boards with directions). Suddenly Anand felt we must ask for guidance and the elderly person nearby told us to take the other path to reach Besant Avenue.

An early morning walk here would be wonderful but sad that visitors are allowed only from 8 AM. Considering the Chennai heat and visitors not being allowed before 8 AM, a visit to this campus in Jan/Feb would be ideal. By the time we came out, it was 10.45am and we were tired because of the sultry weather. It was a relief to sit in the car with the AC on. However, we are planning to visit Theosophical Society again in October when Kiran & Radhika are here.

After some quick shopping of audio & video CDs, headed to Eden (the vegetarian restaurant in Besant Nagar) – as usual, great food and great service. Packed the excess rotis and corn n mushroom masala. On the way back home, we saw an old man sleeping under a tree – gave the cover containing rotis to him – he thankfully looked at us. After driving quite a distance we realized that the corn masala was not given to the old man (I had told the waiter at the hotel to pack both rotis & corn mushroom masala in the same cover, which he didn’t). Anand quickly drove all the way back – we were hoping that the old man had not started eating because it would be very difficult for him to just eat the rotis. He had not started eating and must have been surprised to see us back with another cover !

Reached home by 2PM. Since my in-laws were not at home, Sparky (our pet dog) was waiting for his food – quickly fed him (he needs to be fed b’coz he doesn’t eat on his own) – spoilt brat – eh?

Pavithra was busy watching the movie New Moon, Sparky started his noon nap & me too went to bed (Anand was already snoring !) – what’s a week-end without a good siesta?


Friday, July 23, 2010

Thirunallar Trip

My sister & her hubby (Rekha, GaneshRaj), cousin & his wife (Kishore, Rani) – all based in Bangalore, had planned to visit Thirunallar. They reached Chennai on 25th June night. Quickly had dinner and decided to go to bed soon because of the early morning travel. The idea was to return to Chennai the same day from Thirunallar so that they could drive back to Bangalore on Sunday after lunch.

Pavithra was reluctant to join us because both her cousins, Pooja & Anu, had stayed back in Bangalore & she did not have company – Pooja & Anu had a gala time I suppose.

Finally 7 of us (including Pavithra, Anand & me) left by 5 AM in an Innova to Thirunallar via Thindivanam. The first break was for breakfast at around 7.30 AM.
We were tensed if we will be able to reach the temple by 12 noon (we were under the impression that the temple closes from 12 noon – 4 PM). Despite this tension, Raniakka happily went for a round of shopping in the hotel complex after breakfast !! and there was yet another break ……this time, to buy mangoes !

Reached Thirunallar by 12.30 pm and all of us jumped out of the vehicle and rushed to the tank for a dip – there we were told that the temple is open throughout the day on Saturdays – what a relief ! The steps in the tank leading to the water is very very slippery – one has to be extremely careful. It was fun, though. It is believed that after the bath in the tank and the change to fresh clothes, we have to leave our wet clothes near the tank itself and not take it back with us.

After changing to fresh clothes, we went to the temple – we had bought entry tickets for Rs.100/- each (not sure whether it was 100/- or 150/-) – there was uncontrolled crowd inside the temple and we did not have satisfactory darshan of God Shani. One person inside the temple asked for Rs.500/- and said he will allow us all to go closer and have good darshan. Finally we paid him Rs.300/- but all of us had a very good darshan of Lord Shani.

Drove to Karaikal for lunch – nothing great to talk about the meals / service – Saturdays being generally crowded, one should not expect much I guess from this small town hotel. Had a tea break in Cuddalore and then stopped at Pondicherry for some snacks in a bakery. It was dark when we reached ECR and hence could not enjoy the beauty of the ECR stretch. Dinner at Hot Kitchen – all dishes tasted the same – average food and poor maintenance – wash area & the toilet was badly maintained. Reached home by around 11 PM.

Despite the hectic travel, we had an enjoyable time and we were planning for a trip in October when Dad, Mom, Krian & Radhika are here from Abu Dhabi.

Sunday noon, the 2 families drove back to Bangalore. Wish we all meet quite often.