Hello Chennai !

I m back. I will not say I missed this place for 2 years, yet that 11 years of bondage between me and Chennai make me to think a little. In this two years how many changes? I am more amazed to see the new look of Chennai,  new buildings, fly overs, big malls, 4 wheelers, traffic, Oh, the list goes on and on.

Three weeks ago, me and Karthik landed in Chennai International Airport. We rushed to Chennai to see my father-in-law, who got admitted in Apollo. He had a by-pass surgery, so first 2 weeks, we were busy running between Hospital and home. Thanks to God, my in-law is recovering fast.

Last week, we both went to a beautiful Shiva temple in Tirukkachur, roughly 30 kms from Chennai. Tirukachur, looks like a small town. Its an ancient temple must be 1000 years old. We think it has been built by Pallavas, based on the layout and structure of the temple premises. But not sure about that, if any of you know more about this temple, please write to me.

Front view of the temple from outside

It was a very nice experience, as soon as we reached the temple, more than 25 cows were standing before the temple to welcome us. I was very happy to see the cows, inside little scared too. The door of the temple was slightly opened, when we entered, we were the only person inside that big temple, after few minutes, the temple Gurukal came and opened the Swami gate.

The temple have a big pragaram inside, beautiful stupas engraved with different deities. The Shiva, Kachabheswarar and Devi, Anjanakshi. According to the stala puranam, Sundaramurthy nayanaar was visiting this place. He was very hungry, at that time Lord Shiva Himself went for Bikshai and fed Sundarar.

Though the temple is having a lot of inner beauty within, its lagging a lot in the external beauty. We spent an hour there, hardly we saw 2 or 3 people in the temple. Near the main entrance so many wooden planks were lying on the ground. After dusk, we were little scared to go pradakshanam out side the temple.

Wish some big sponsors will undertake the temple and replinish its outer beauty and do a Kumbabishegam to the temple.

Are you there

Why no updates in Fun and dreams ?
I am asking the same question to myself a lot. I didn't totally abandon this blog, but still not getting a push within myself . Or am I concentarting much about my other blog Preethi Bhojan? I am having a lot of news to share with you all, still....

OK, past is past. I am coming out of my shell. From this first month of the New Year, I am going to write and share my all experiences with you.

Wishing a Happy new year to all

Fall Colours at the Peninsula State Park

Last month, to enjoy the fall colors we went to Peninsula State Park in Wisconsin. It is one of the best scenic drives that we enjoyed so far. Since the park is 4 and a half hours drive from our place, we started at around 6 o'clock in the morning.

We like to drive in the morning a lot. Nice to see the world waking up, the sun rise, sun rays flashing in between the colorful trees. Oh God, nature is so beautiful, can't describe it in simple words. I captured a little through my lens.

In this trip, I drove the car for an hour. I am comfortable driving at 45 to 50 mph on state roads byut having to drive at 70mph on the interstate was a  bit scary. Still enjoyed the drive and the fall colors. By 11 'o clock we reached the park and took bicycle for rent to roam around the park.

This is my dream America. Oh yes, in my dreams I have always imagined America with lots of trees, big farms, small wood house, single lane road, big long trees in different colors on the sides, me and my loved one riding bicycle, enjoying the chilly breeze and the crystal clear lake... You all know, how I would have enjoyed this place.

The whole day I had lots of fun, bought a nice earring as a souvenir...

Deepavali Celebration at home

As soon as we get the New Year calender, the first thing we look is for our Birthday and the next thing is obviously Deepavali. If anybody is saying No, they are fooling themselves. Ok, it doesn't matter whether you agree or not, the point is Deepavali. It is always fun.

Deepavali, always a big celebration at our home. It starts two days before the deepavali day and lasts till the next day. Since we all three, me,my Sister and my brother stayed away from our parents, we try to make sure that we come home a day earlier and help mom in bakshanam preparation. As I mentioned in my earlier post my mom will do lots and lots of sweets and savouries we all sit and help her. The actual fun part is that for us. We all sit and talk more about our works, friends, cracks joke, sometime get motherly scolding also :)) All for good...

The day before deepavali is the actual pandigai for us. My mom will cook a big feast for dinner. My dad will fill the water tank and tubs with water, also keep Chandhanam and Kumkum as a ritual. I still don't know actual reason behind it May be since we are getting early in the morning around 4.00 am, we should not disturb others, like running the motor or draw water from the well and make any screeching noise.

Our ancestors were great, they made some unwritten laws to follow which are very good to us till today.
Getting up early on deepvali day, taking a nice herbal oil bath, greeting people, going to temple, enjoying the crackers, sharing the joy by exchanging sweets, lighting up the whole house.Oops, I forgot to mention one main thing its Deepavali Legiyam or Marunthu. This is one of the finest thing our ancestors passed to us.

On Deepavali day, after having nice oil bath, the first thing my mom give to all is a spoonful of Legiyam. When we were kids, we hesitate to eat , so she will give our favorite sweet in another hand. Even now nothing has changed in our house. I missing them a lot...

Now a days, I don't see anybody enjoying like this. Everybody is addicted only to Television and buy sweets from outside . All the channels compete with each others and airing all new films, some talk shows with somebody, in the name of debates one will make fun out of his wife and mom in public. Its like everybody is tied up with TV. Thank God, we are not gone that bad.

I am praying God that this should change. People should spend time with family and friends, other than watching TV crap. Wish they should enjoy the Deepavali as we enjoyed.