Salutations to the Divine Woman, Dr. Catherine Hamlin

           Let me dedicate this Women's Day, March 08 to the Divine Lady, Dr. Catherine Hamlin, an Australian Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, settled in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, dedicating her life to the service of the underprevileged women suffering from Obstetric Fistula, an injury caused during child birth.

      The credit of coming to know about this great soul,Dr. Catherin and the physiological
problem of our poverty stricken sisters in Africa goes to my favourite daily, The Hindu, which in turn happens to be the main window to me for a glimpse of the the world around me.A chance reading of the article about the noble and unselfish task of Dr.Catherine  with her husband, Dr.Hamlin, a New Zealander in Africa stirred my heart.

    The highly commendable humanitarian gesture of such kind hearted women should often be highlighted while magazines list the powerful women of the world in the corporate sector,political front,films and fine arts etc.

  As God cannot be present everywhere, it is said that he created mothers.

 Yes, Divine mothers like Dr. Catherine Hamlin,actively serving the downtrodden even at
  the age of 90  are the living Gods of Earth.

  It is certain that the nominee is sure to be the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize.
 

Super Suruli Falls

                                On seeing the Suruli Falls at close quarters, the thought "What is this Falls, so small, compared to the various Falls of Coutrallam " flashed in my mind.But only after the water started hitting my head like rocks, the force of the Falls was apparent, seeming more vibrant than the other Falls.

                           Starting from Coimbatore at 5.30 A.M.,We reached the Suruli Falls at a distance of nearly 270 Kms.On the way, there was a halt at Kuchanoor just 30 Kms. before Suruli,to pray to the Sani Bhagawan.Landing at Suruli around 1 P.M.,to our joy there was not much crowd, enabling a bath to our heart's content.The Falls is accessible only after walking through a greenery for 15 mins.from the parking lot.

                   Suruli Falls is actually the Suruli river, originating from the Meghamali. It is a two tier Water Falls.It is said that the Falls is perenial and it is emerging as one of tourist attractions of the Theni District.This scenic Falls is at a distance of 56 kms. from Theni and about 120 kms. from Madurai.

                           

The Great Harmony

                                The great harmony, atleast, at times, between the Saivism and Vaisnavism along with the fact that Shiva and Vishnu are one and the same can be best exemplied by the presence of the Navagrahas in the Koodal Azhagar Temple, one of the popular Divya Desams.The Navagrahas may be very common in all the Shiva temples but uncommon in any Vaishnava Temple.

                               During our visit to Madurai in Sept. Three in One,getting up early and reaching the temple at 6.30 A.M. we were free from the hassles of car parking, long waiting in the queues and had the greatest blessing of Worshipping Sri Koodal Ahagar and Maduravalli Thayar in a calm and peaceful way.

                        The temple looks majestic with a grand Rajagopuram, in close proximity to the Central Bus Stand, Railway Station and the Meenakshi Temple in the ancient city of Madurai.The main deity, befitting the name Azhagar, is stately even in the sitting posture
and there are separate shrines for Madura Valli Thayar and Andal Nachiar.The devine beauty of the Lord had been eulogised by the great Azhlwars, Perialwar, Thirumangai Azhlwar and Andal.