We two, Arun-Gayathri, Arvind-Krithika went to Vaitheeswaran Koil on 22/23 feb 2007 for Mission-Mottai to our two princesses Aditi and Sowmya.
Arun-G-S came to our place Karpagam avenue by 11AM on 22 Feb for lunch and onward travel. We five (except Krithika) left Karpagam Avenue by 3-10PM after the Rahu Kaalam was over. We had booked a Tempo Traveller AC van for the trip (Rs 9.50 per km). Krithika, Aditi and K's parents were waiting at Ashok Nagar for us.
Finally, we left at 4-15. The journey was both tedious and enjoyable (there were two great reasons for enjoyment - Sowmi and Aditi). We took GST road, and via Tindivanam, Vikrawandi, Panruti, Neyveli, Vadalur, Bhuvanagiri reached Chidambaram by 9-45PM. Stopping at Hotel Akshya on the East Veedhi, we were aghast to know that the hotel was about to be closed for the day - somehow we could get some morning-made dosai and yesterday-made chappati.
Resuming, we reached VK by 11-15PM; I had booked four rooms in a lodge (Thaila Lodge, near Amman Sannadhi), the lodge owner was anxiously waiting for us - he was mobiling us every two hours since we left CHN ! Slept.
We had told our Gurukkal that we would take the 12-noon Abhishekam (there was one more at 9AM); so we had our Idlis at Thaiyal nayaki Mess. Sowmya's mama RAMANA came to VK from BLR by train. By 10AM, we took the two Ilavarisigal to the Mottai-Kottagai. We had carried new blades with us. (blade available with me for Srinath also). Mottai ticket is 2-00 per, and the official charges for the barber is 20-00 (paaththu pottu kodunga, saar, so thirty rupees each)
It was seniority-wise; first Sowmi on the lap of her mama - and she cried. But only during the process. Next was Aditi's turn - on MY lap. She cried more than Sowmi, but she too stopped. By the way, do you know that the child should sit on the lap of either her mama or her paternal Thatha only? Father, no no. Chittappa / Periyappa chalega. Gurukkal told me this.
Post Mottai, we returned to the lodge, took bath, new dresses for the Stars, went to Koil. Abhishekam (Rs 450.00) to Swamy, five archanais (@ 30.00 per) and we were back in our rooms by 1-30PM. Being Friday, (many people mistook that day for Kruthikai) there was a huge crowd in the koil. Nowadays, almost all the temples are CROWDED, thanks to the millions of "Aanmika Pathrikaikal" that are promoting temples week after week.
Arvind, after non-stop efforts, could get some packets of Puliyotharai - and since we were all very hungry, the P tasted that much tastier ! Lots of photos outside the lodge, and then we left for Kumbakonam, 55 kms away. Gayathri's paternal chittappa was waiting for us (he had indeed asked us to come for Lunch itself), and we had hot, hot ADAI at his house. There was an antique easy-chair that belonged to the Kollu-thatha of Sowmya and both the children enjoed sitting and sliding in that.
We left KMU by 6-15PM, proceeded to Thirukkarugavur, 22 kms from KMU. The amman, Sri Garba Rakshambikai, is well-known for Her Blessings of child to issue-less couples, and safe-delivery to the pregnant women. It is a neat and nice temple. We did two archanais there and started back to CHN - it was 7-30PM then.
Horrific Chidambaram at 11PM was worse than CDM-at-930PM - we had to search and search for a hotel that would give us dosais or whatever - we could locate one and we were not in a mood to do research on the antiquity of the dosais - maybe yesterday's or even day before yesterday's - no one bothered. Resumed our journey and reached CHN via Cuddalore, Pondy, and ECR.
Dropped K's parents at Ashoknagar (3-15AM) and we were in home, sweet home. Mottai Payasam, vadai, appalam adorned our lunch. Arun-G-S left in the night for their house.
Thus, our trip to VKoil was satisfactorily, and successfully accomplished - with Blessings of Sri Vaithyanatha Swamy and Sri Thaiyal Nayaki amman.
Love,
Rajappa
14:15 on 3 March
IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS
DURAI GURUKKAL : 04364 - 279220, 94435 64347
THAILA LODGE : 99448 86682 (Mr ANAND)
BALAMBIKA LODGE: 94435 64604 (Mr RAMESH)
VISWA LODGE : 94444 32665
