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.
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.
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