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Our Visit to Tiruchy & Kumbakonam

Gayathri’s sister Meena’s Nichchaya thaartham was done on Monday the 12th Nov 2007 at Vishnupuram, 25 km from Kumbakonam. We two attended it. Here is a brief description.

About 22 persons started from Chennai. We left by Pallavan Exp on 11th a/n. As to be expected, there were non-stop songs, eats, and what not. Since Deepavali had come just a few days before, every family brought the Deepavali bakshanams which vanished in no time. And also the idlies soaked with milagai podi.

Sowmya was the star attraction, needless to add. She enjoyed the train journey. We reached Tiruchy by 9PM. There we dispersed as three groups, and our group of 11 went to Gayathri’s periyamma’s house. Night stay there.

Next morning (12th), got up by 4-45 AM, had a wonderful coffee, then hot water bath, and we left for the next leg of our trip. At the Station the group’s strength grew to about 32.

There was a passenger train at 0710 AM for Kumbakonam. It was not crowded when it pulled out of Tiruchy, but was jam-packed on the way. Tiny tots going to schools, young ones going to school / college / office packed the train. Finally we reached Kumbakonam by 10 AM. A bus had been hired to take us to Gayathri’s Chiththappa’s house.

Arun took bath (Thula Snanam) in Kaveri river. Here another 12 to 14 persons joined us, and Mr. GBS (Gayathri’s father) had arranged for lunch for over 45 people from a caterer. Lunch over, we dressed up for the NT, and left Kumbakonam in the bus for Vishnupuram at 2PM.

The road to VP was dotted with temples (Uppiliappan koil etc), and you know who was giving us company all along? The river KAVERI ! A beautiful scene, lot of Vazhai, pachchai pasel paddy fields, and the river Kaveri … ! [Sozha Naadu Sorudaiththu]

Reached VP by 3PM. It is a sleepy village of 1940 vintage. The house reminded me of our house at 17 Babu Rao Street.

The NT was done in a nice manner (SURESH is the boy’s name, he is working in s/w at Singapore - the marriage will be on 18 Feb, 2008 at Chennai).

Evening tiffin of two sweets, two Sevai, Idli, Poori, coffee was served. Many of our Group started on a sight-seeing tour – there were two temples nearby. And the famous Arasalaaru (Arisil River) which was gushing forth just behind the house. Sowmya enjoyed the village and particularly the River. Read my blog and Magesh’s comment thereon.

Left VP by 6-15PM, reached Kumbakonam by 7-30. Nine of us (incl Magesh and his parents) got down at the bus station and proceeded to Tiruchy. Others went to G’s chiththappa’s house. Arun and 6 others left for Chennai by bus that night. We reached Tiruchy Periyamma’s house at 11-45 midnight, slept off.

Next day (13th) got up by 4-45AM, and five of us (we two, Magesh, his parents) left for Rly Station. Our train was at 6-30 AM, and reached Chennai by 12-30 noon. All in all, it was a most pleasurable trip on the whole, though one can call it a bit hectic. Since the Railway track conversion work was going on, there was no direct train to Kumbakonam via Cuddalore – the only train Rockfort express was over-booked.

Thanks to the excellent arrangements so thoughtfully planned and executed by Mr. GBS, we never felt any discomfort anywhere. Most particularly, SOWMYA enjoyed it. She took bath (Thula Snanam) in the river Kaveri on 13th; so much enjoyed that she wanted an encore today (14th) also … !

rajappa
14 November 2007

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