Thamirabharani Pushkaram

                The Thamirabharani Pushkaram may be an astrological event at the outset; to me it was an occasion to take a trip, down to to my hometown and also down the memory lane. Tirunelveli is my hometown but my parents left for Chennai for the good some forty years back.Coimbatore has been our home for the past three decades whose salient features are listless, very lovely and charming.Yet Tirunelveli, is also close to my heart; its people are known for their education, valour, hard work, loyalty and so many other attributes.

              Most of the times, my visit to Tirunelveli may be for some auspicious occasions like marriages, house warming ceremonies, religious festivals etc.This visit is something very special and memorable as I got the opportunity to fulfill my long pending desire of taking bath in the river on whose banks at Sindupoondurai, I was  born, brought up and moulded. 

            Many a times, I used to wonder, why we people, including myself eulogize a lot about the tourist destinations abroad, when our own country has plenty to offer, both for pleasure and pilgrimages. Many well known temples around my hometown are yet to be discovered. Two such places are the Narambunatha Swamy temple at Tirupudaimaruhar and the Gajendravaradha Perumal temple at Athazhanallur. Both the temples are little close by and at a distance of about nearly 30 kilometres from Tirunelveli, easily accessible by good motorable roads.

              Both these temples, the former, a Saivite temple and the latter, a Vaishnavite temples are built on the banks of the divine Thamirabharani.The Gajendra Varadha Perumal in the standing posture at Athazhanallur is very majestic.According to the legend, it is believed that only in this spot, the elephant, Gajendran got liberation, Mukthi from the crocodile.

            Actually it was a momentary decision taken by us due to a sincere and fond invitation by one of my cousins.Profound thanks to her. Our visit to the Pushkaram coincided with the grand Dasara celebrations on the following day of Vijaya Dasami  at Palayamkottai turned the momentary decision to  a life long joy to be cherished for ever.

  

Super San Antonio

         
       The mesmerising River Walk is one of the main attractions in the city of San Antonio.We could spend only three hours in the city of San Antonia after attending the wedding of my cousin's daughter in Austin.A co passenger who happened to be from Chennai,flew with me from Kansas City to Dallas.He had done his Master's in San Antonia and lovingly insisted that, going all the way to Austin, though only for two days, the River Walk of San Antonia, just two hours drive should never be missed.


      The grandeur of the boat ride through the river for 40 minutes covering the entire city with its hotels, offices, historic buildings on both the sides of the river was awesome.Actually this is not a kind of river like any other river with sand banks on either sides but concrete walk ways and buildings, something rare and also picturesque.


    This wonderful view of river with the buildings seemed to be a miniature of Venice, despite the fact that Venice is more excellent in its majesty and magnitude.My brother from Detroit and a paternal cousin from Tennessee, also invitees for the wedding had backed up this trip from Austin to San Antonia and back.

          A word of thanks to them and the co passenger !

Mother Nature, Impartial and Just.

           The whole country of US can be called a great blessing of Nature with each of the 50 states, having to offer something, renowned or less discovered, to the people with the time and mind to admire its Beauty. It always beckons men to enjoy the exotic Niagara, the lovely Miami Beach, the strikingly colourful flowers in Spring,the explosion of myriad colours in Fall, the formidable Pacific Coastline of California,The majestic Rocky Mountains,the towering Redwood trees,some of them, even 300 feet tall, icy Alaska and so on.

          Nature must have also plans of showing the other side of its face, quite contrary to the lovely side, a thing of joy for ever.Hence some parts of the country often becomes  victims of Nature's fury, in the form of Tornadoes, Hurricanes, wild fire and flash floods.

          To cite an instance, the tragedy and the devastation caused by the storm, Katrina in New Orleans, in 2005 telecast in the TV. channels are still fresh in the memory.Two months back in the month of April, a train blown off the track in the same place is yet an outcome of the wrath of Nature.

          The trauma of witnessing if not the heavy storm but little gentle, preceded by the sirens was undergone by me during both my visits.

         On May 25,2011,at 11 AM, the siren sounded in Overland Park, Kansas, where we reside.Being my first time experience of being exposed to these frightening sirens,my daughter and myself with our Jiji, an infant of not even three months, ran to the basement, grabbing the necessary things like milk for the baby.My son in law at his work, with the least idea of the forthcoming storm, it was a nightmare for us alone, the baby in our lap at the basement for nearly two hours.

          What made the situation very alarming was the outbreak of one of the deadliest storms in US, that devastated the town of Joplin, in the neighbouring state of Missouri, just 257 Km. from our place, a couple of days back. More than 100 people were killed.The damage was heavy, ripping off the roofs of the Mal mart and shaking off the St. John's Regional Medical Centre .All these visuals from the channels, flashing in the mind, not memory,words are out of place to express the agony.Later, the confirmed reports came out with the tragic loss of 158 lives and the damage to the tune of 2. 8 billions

                 By God' Grace, impact of the thunder storm was not much in Overland Park. On telling my daughter to come back to India, rather than facing such crisis, she retorted, " Amma,Think of the entire population of Overland Park,if not the country.Can they all migrate to other places?"

                July 6, 2015.This time, the warning and the storm at about 6.00 PM, the whole family at home was joined by an other family living in an apartment.Again rushing to the basement, as the saying,united we stand,with ten of us together,the situation was overcome, undaunted, of course, with the prayers going on silently in each individual.The sounding of the sirens, the howling of the  high winds and the torrential pouring of the rain could be counted as one of the life time experiences,lasting for 40 minutes.


            Mother Nature, though furious at times has to be hailed for being impartial and just as  Nature knows no discrimination between the prince and the pauper; the natives and the visitors !
              

                            

The story of the Maple Syrup

         

          During my last visit to US, on meeting my friend from Canada, she presented a big bottle of Maple Syrup, not the one in the picture but, much bigger than that. Canada is the largest producer of the Maple Syrup, said she .That Maple Syrup, seen and heard by me for first time tasted too good to be seen in the fridge for long .My" small brain" could only recall the name of the Maple tree mentioned in some stories and text books and nothing more. The Maple Syrup went into oblivion for four years.

                   
      The Maple Syrup came into the picture again now, on feeding it to my grand son, Jiji along with the bread or the Pan Cake.

            
      Stacked in the shelf of his room were the series of the Curious George, the Monkey, one  of the most popular Children's books.  A book titled Curious George Makes the Maple Syrup got my attention as I picked up a few books to read till I could go to the library. These books would be read to him at bed time.


         What could be special in making the syrup, mused me. The Maple Syrup like any other juice, at times called Cider like the Apple Cider  must be extracted from the fruit. Only after going through the pages, I could realize my ignorance, learning that the Maple Syrup is extracted from the bark of the tree by tapping it .Not only was I ignorant but also impulsive not to have patiently looked at the cover, which has the picture of the syrup being tapped from the tree. Besides being informative, the book was quite interesting. These series have also been made into animation movies.

         On googling, loads of information popped up, as to how the trees are found in England, US and Canada. On seeing the picture of the tree, many Maple trees could be identified even in the neighborhood of my daughter's house but no idea of any syrup being extracted. 

       With an open mind, it is to be admitted, a lot can be learned from the Children; so also from their books !

     

The Dancing Daffodils!

   Hundreds could I see during a drive  and a stroll,
        Fifties greet me from the morn till night as night falls late,
               Daffodils! Daffodils ! as I get up,as I cook, as I stroll, as I dine!
                      Fluttering and swaying in the breeze !
                              And dancing their heads in sprightly dance !

                  The beauty of the golden Daffodils immortalized  by the great poet William Wordsworth mesmerized me at all times and at all places in Overland Park , the state of Kansas, US during my visit.


                  True to the words of the legendary poet, the lovely flowers swayed their heads gracefully.Ready to greet me right from dawn on opening the blinds of the window ,coming down to make my coffee, while I cook and partake my meal, their grandeur within my focus,the bright flowers in full bloom make my day.


                  Again on an evening stroll or a drive, along most of the stretch on both sides of the road, alighting at the shopping complex or the the hospital, where our cute little Aarji enjoyed his first light of the Earth, the awesome flowers welcome me.

                               
                 O ! Daffodils !  Let you be thankful to the Nature Poet and let me be thankful to you for making my days more joyful and enriching. 

           
                                     

A Night At Dallas Fort Worth International Airport

                   

                 It is a billion dollar question till this moment, how my stress was overcome without much panic ,held up at the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport over night on May 28,en route to my daughter's place in the US. Despite being optimistic and undaunted, stress and emotions take control of me easily even at the slightest provocation.          

                 Boarded the third and final flight ,the American Airlines at Dallas, scheduled to depart at 9. 50 PM to reach my destination, the Kansas City, after 90 minutes.The flight took off at 10. 30 PM only to stop immediately at the runway,with the announcement that the flight was stranded due to the bad weather.The delay was conveyed to the other end with the help of the phone from a good Samaritan, seated next to me, as the status of the flight would  be displayed as "Departed ". At 11. 00 PM, the passengers were told to alight and go back to the gate.

               At 1 O' Clock midnight, the flight was officially cancelled, followed by the issuing of alternative tickets, a standby ticket for the 7.00 AM flight and a confirmed ticket for 11.55 AM flight. All these formalities over at 2 O' clock midnight, taking the elevator and the Sky Link, reached the other gate to board 7.00 AM flight. Also had the first time experience of eating at midnight in a restaurant, that too Burritos in a distant country.

               A pleasant surprise, of course midst of so much of anxiety, was the sight of some folding, camp cots at the gate.Nearly 36 hours since leaving home at Chennai,what else can be so alluring to stretch the body for a couple of hours.Camp cots being provided at the airport was not known earlier to my daughter and family, other friends and relatives, some of whom happen to be frequent fliers  but had missed the " adventure " of being held up over night in an airport.

             Getting ready to board the 7.00 AM flight, my name, listed as the 42 nd standby, lost all hopes.Opening the mouth to narrate my ordeals of a 36 hour Odyssey to the Airlines Staff at the Gate on two or three occasions had to end abruptly seeing their  hands raised,signalling to stop and mean   " We do understand you; yet we are helpless ! Listening to such stories are a part of our profession, when the weather plays truant ! "

           Noting that there was also a flight at 10.00 AM , my request to give a seat for me in that flight was accepted.To move from Gate A 11 to Gate  A 37 ,again the elevator and the Sky Link, with the bare minimum to walk.Had Coffee and Chips at the stall. Confirming the departure at 10.00 AM, the news was conveyed to my daughter again with a phone of yet an other good Samaritan.The co passengers and others waiting ,at the gate ,were very cordial and supporting.

        Last time Jiji , GG, God,s Gift, safe in his mother,s tummy was  now holding his mother's hand to receive this grandma while his brother to be,Aarji, RG, Reward of God has succeeded him in taking his place.May God' s blessings be with their family for ever !

Rain, Rain Go Away !

                            Rain, Rain, Go Away!
                       Come again another day !

                        Had this popular rhyme could become true due to a miracle,the inconvenience turning into an experience for me at the Dallas Fort worth international airport in US could have  never happened.

                      Really, it is a sorry state of an incidence as well as incident for the passengers with immediate,urgent and prior appointments, engagements, persons with health issues, infants etc.

                     A couple of days before my departure from India, my son living at the opposite of the globe casually said, " Amma, I remember you are going to US through Dallas, Texas.The news is that the state of Texas is in floods." Busy with the travel priorities ,what he conveyed was least assimilated by me and brushed aside.

                 The first leg of the journey, departing at 4.10 AM from Chennai and flying for 4 hrs. and 30 minutes to Doha, Qatar was fine. Hamad international Airport, Doha whose expansion work is going on for more than 10 years seems to be an airport of world class, well connected to many destinations through a wide network of airlines.The service both by the Qatar Airways and the airport deserves to be recorded.

               After a transit of nearly 2 hours at the airport, embarked on the long mission of 15 hours plus to Dallas.On many an occasion discussing my travel to US,letting out my ordeals to be encountered on board for several hours, despite my optimism had no check.Fortunately,time seemed to have taken wings! My long time desire of watching the movie of my favourite star, Kathi, was fulfilled.There were nearly 10 Tamil Movies downloaded in the mini TV.

             To my joy, the fight landed at Dallas,the port of entry, at 3.30 PM, Local Time, 30 minutes prior to the schedule.The immigration took nearly 1 hour followed by the collection of baggage, Customs check, rechecking of the baggage to the American Airlines domestic flight to Kansas City and the Security Check up. Completing all these formalities, had a sigh of relief at 5.30 PM at the gate to board the domestic, final and third flight to Kansas City,from where my daughter's residence at Overland Park is a 30 minutes drive.The gates of the all the terminals at the Dallas airport are well served by the Sky link, only with a bare minimum to walk to reach the gate.I remember even at the Chicago O,hare airport, the passengers have to walk a long way depending on their gates, after alighting the train at the entrance of the Terminal.

         With more than 3 hours to board the flight, walking through the several corridors to while away the time, had the least thought that this airport is going to be my haven for more than 15 hours!

           



         

           

Hello Mumbai

                      

 

    Mumbai visit, be it the second time for an outsider, I feel is never complete without having a look at the majestic Gate Way of India.May be my brother also had similar thoughts.Heavy rain or hot sunshine is not a matter.It was pouring heavily. Yet he drove us to have a glimpse of the elegant entry point of India from the car.The city as well as the monument were drenched and cleaned by the heavy downpour.The historic
architectural marvel minus the pigeons in the ambience is something beyond our imagination.

                    Yes, we made it to Mumbai after two decades inspite of my brother's repeated invitation for atleast a week's stay at his home in Mumbai.Finally the Vinayagar Chathurthi before the week end by the end of August became an extended week end facilitating the response to a long pending request.

               Having a darshan of the all powerful Siddhi Vinayakar of the famous Siddhi Vinayakar temple at Mumbai on the day of Ganesh Chathurthi seemed so exhiliarating.
Must be a life time experience !
 

The Andal temple

                              The majestic towers of the popular Andal Kovil of Srivilliputhur greets the devotees well in advance before they reach the town.We visit the temple at least once in a year but only during our latest visit, the grandeur of the gopuram was captured in the camera.

                             It is a matter of great joy and pride for my mother in law that the Rajagopuram of the Andal temple of her home town, Srivilliputhur is the official emblem of our state.Naturally the town happens to be the birth place of my spouse and his two sisters.The Andal Ther is very magnificent to look at on the move. Really blessed and fortunate are those, outside the town, who can make to that occasion on the day of Thiruadipooram,the birth day of the great Vaishnavite saint and composer,Andal, whose Pasurams vibrate in the dawn during the month of Margazhi.

                       An ancient Siva temple at Madarvilagam, 2 km. from the Andal temple is also worth seeing. The town of Srivilliputhur is also well known for its pure milk sweet,called Palkova.No visitor to the town returns without the Palkova.

                     

Arul Tharum Amma koniamma

                          Arultharum Koniamman, in a sitting posture in the temple, situated in the heart of the city of Coimbatore is a powerful deity, guarding the entire region and blessing her devotees.The Kumbhabhishekam of the temple was held on a grand scale on July 11, Friday.The newly built Rajagopuram is very majestic that no passerby can cross the threshold without bowing the head.The grandeur of the Gopuram adds value to the already popular temple and one of the important tourist destinations of Coimbatore.

                    Only yesterday, the day of Aadi Ammavasai, we could make it the temple  after the consecration.This post is an outcome of the elegance of the grand tower, the Navagrahas with their consorts, rarely seen in the temples and the omniscient Goddess.

    Suryan         Usha Devi, Saya Devi
    Chandran     Rohini
    Chevvai       Sakthi Devi
    Budhan       Gnana Devi
    Viyazhan     Thara Devi
    Velli            Shukkruthi
    Sani            Neela Devi
    Rahu           Himshika
    Kethu         Chitralekha
           

                  There are separate shrines for Vinayakar, Murugar and Adhi Koniamman. Festivals galore throughout the year, the main one being the Car Festival, celebrated in the month of Masi.Let us be a part of the celebration and get the blessings of the Devi Koniamman.

Gods Do Listen To Us

                            Gods do listen to us and help us, wherever and whenever possible is known to all of us.At times it is quite explicit.For the past two decades, I fervently wanted to take part in the Perumal Koil car festival,Ther Vizha at our hometown Sattur. That was only a dream till last week.This year, it was firmly decided by me to to  worship the Satthurappan with his consorts, Sridevi and Poodevi in the Ther at any cost.

Sathurappan,Venkatesa Perumal

                     Initially the festival was scheduled on Thursday,July 12. The day,being the middle of the week, some constraints in availing leave from work, left me to do nothing but lament.

                      It is really a miracle that Sattur Venkatesa Perumal must have listened to me. For reasons unknown, the Car Festival was rescheduled on Saturday, July 12, a week end, facilitating our trip from Coimbatore to Sattur without any hassles of Casual leave.
Started from my workplace at 4 PM on Friday, July 11, and halted at Madurai.Next day, early in the morning, we worshipped the Subramania Swamy and Deivanai in Thiruparankundram and reached Sattur at 10 AM to pull the Ther at 11 AM.The next day, on Sunday, we visited the famous Andal temple at Srivilliputhur and also our family deity Matha Angalaparameswariamman temple.

                    Later we could also make a darshan and get the blessings of the powerful Muthumariamman of Perumaldevanpatti, a village 8 kms off Srivilliputhur.The village is proudly called as Kutti Punjab, as nearly 800 people from the village were and are defending our nation, safely with the blessings of Muthumariamman of their hometown.
 for nea
               My spouse and mother in law could also extend their stay for a fortnight at Sattur to complete some works kept pending at our ancestral home for more than seven decades.

             A big thanks to Venkatesa Perumal for helping us to accomplish several tasks in a single trip,only by rescheduling the day of His Ther Thiruvizha.

                       Gods do listen to us, don't they?

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.

Sangadam Theerkkum Sani Bhagawan

                                   My long desire of nearly ten years to visit Kuchanoor, the seat of the temple exclusively for Sani Bagawan became a reality with a momentary decision.

                              A comfortable and pleasant drive of nearly 4 hrs. and 30 mins. took us to the abode.We started at 6 A.M. and reached Kuchanur, a very small village at 10.30 A.M. nearly 220 kms. from Coimbatore without any break.This small yet powerful and the only shrine, exclusively for Saturn is situated on the banks of a perennial channel named Surabi.
                           
                         The crows,the Vahana of Sani Bhagawan looked so cute and greeted us as we alighted from the vehicle. The people with belief, buy those crows, made of clay and baked and offer it as Parikaram. A click of those lovely flocks of birds available with almost all the vendors was missed by me, to be regretted even now.

                         The Sani Bhagawan is a Suyambu in the shape of an Achu Vellam circular in shape, broad at the bottom and narrow at the top , about 5 inches tall. The eyes, the nose and the mouth resemble the Sivan of the Kerala style.The namam fixed on the forehead, typical of the Vaishnavite traditions is surprising.A Devi is also seen along with the the Saneeswarar in the main shrine but the name could not be found.

                        Despite the day being a Saturday and a small queue, the darshan at the main  shrine and two small shrines, one each for Vinayaga and Muruga at the back and four shrines, one each for Karuppasamy, Saptha Kannigaiggal and two others in the front
took only 45 mins.

                      The abode, 20 kms. from Theni is scenic with the canal, green trees and as usual, the majestic Vinayaka on the banks of the canal.Extending the drive just by 30 kms., the religious trip becomes a pleasure trip and picnic with the landing and bathing at the enchanting Suruli Falls.

Wayanad Welcomes - Day III

      Soojipara Falls :

                        If Meenmutty Falls can be called a ferocious but a handsome king, this Soojipara Falls is like a tender and charming prince.Unlike the king, the prince can be approached easily,walking a distance of about 850 metres through a path, made of levelled steps of stone.For people like us, accustomed to the huge crowds at our Courtallam Falls, taking a bath at this beautiful falls just with our family and a few others was a pleasant surprise.A big congrats to the Kerala Government,especially the forest department,maintaining the sanctity of Nature with the forest guards, sincerely checking the tourists for carrying the plastic bags and bottles.

Pookot Lake :

                          This lake is a perennial fresh water lake couched in the laps of Mother Nature.One can enjoy a refreshing walk around the lake.Both rowing and pedal boating facilities are available.Lavender coloured beautiful lily flowers, floating in the lake were unique, reminding me of the Daffodils of William Wordsworth.An aquarium with coloured fishes, a children's park full of attractive flowers and a handicraft emporium were added attraction.

Kozhicode Beach :

                         Unwilling to leave this most beautiful and lovely hillstation,we bid a good bye to Wayanad,hopefully to come back once again with our son and daughter's  family.While getting down,we had a brief halt at the CHAIN TREE,immortalised by the Nijam program of the Sun TV.
Lucky were we, to have a cordial driver, who also took us to the Kozhicode Beach to enjoy the waves of the Arabian Sea before boarding the train.Several trips might have been taken by us but this was something very special with the beautiful scenes of Nature,flashing in our memory.

               

Wayanad Welcomes - Day II

     Wayanad  Wildlife Sanctuary                         
                      This sanctuary is located at Tholpettah, 59 kms. from Kalpettai.It was a wonderful discovery of the fauna and flora of the lush green jungles with tall trees and groups of bamboo trees, in the jeeps of the forest department,escorted by forest guides.The humming of the insects was pleasant to hear and mountain squirrels were spotted on the trees.Several groups of spotted deer,on hearing the sound of the vehicle would run for a few metres to be safe and then give a look at us. The tigers eluded us but their pug marks were visible on the muddy path.An elephant with its calf seemed to relaxing at a distance.The moving of the bamboo trees in the wind was weird and musical.It was a real retreat into the world of Nature and entirely different and enchanting than the sanctuaries visited earlier.

Kuruwa Island :
               Again simply exotic was this uninhabitated island, either accessible by boat or by crossing the river Kuruwa.This wooded strech of land,thick with green vegetation and bamboo trees is the home to the rare species of birds,herbs and orchids.Walking through the enchanting woods for a distance of nearly a kilometre, we reached the river,where a bath was most refreshing.Inside this island,amazing was another island, to be reached by boat or by crossing the river.

Banasura Dam :
                   Awestruck,were we by the grandeur of this dam,said to be the largest in Asia and the second largest in India.Boating across the background of tha dam was superb.

Wayanad Welcomes - Day 1

Day  1

Edakkal Caves :
                        Our first destination was the Edakkal caves, about 28 kms. from Kalpettai.We have to change over to jeeps to cover the last 2-3 kms.uphill.Thereafter, it is climbing up the hill through an enchanting path of Nature to reach the top.The steps are nothing but rocks and at times just iron boulders.On the top, two big rocks form the caves and pre historical writings are found on the wall.Looking down from the top was awesome.

Heritage Museum :
                    On the way back from the Edakkal caves, we had a brief halt at the museum.As suggested by the name, it is a display of the ancient articles used by the people of the region.

Meenmutty Falls:
                  This majestic, spectacular and wild Meenmutty Falls is deep inside the jungle and  can be enjoyed only after trekking for nearly an hour with the escort of the forest guides ( mandatory ) by paying around Rs. 300 for a group of ten.Exotic, was the trekking through the jungles of the Western  Ghats to access the falls.Yet it was also little tedious and at times seemed to be dangerous at some points, with the paths being only 3 feet wide with a deep ravine on one side.In a few places,holding on to thick ropes,was the support.The grandeur of the Meenmutty Falls,falling down in three parts, from a height of nearly 1000 metres was simply captivating and worth the trouble.

Karapuzha dam :

             On the way to Kalpettai for the night stay, just 15 kms. before Kalpettai,we halted to visit the Karapuzha Dam,one of biggest dams in the country.
          
           

Wayanad welcomes

                       Waynad may not be as popular, a tourist destination, as Ooty or Kodaikanal but this hillstation is simply exotic.Now it is emerging as a favoured hill resort and thronged  by people.Waynad, nestled in the laps of the majestic western Ghats, situated at an altitude, ranging from 700 metres to 2100 metres can be called the hill district of Kerala, rightly hailed as God's Kingdom.Kalpettai is the district headquarters,where most of the tourists stay to explore the beauty of the region.We made it as a family tour to enjoy this great gift of Nature.It was a package tour which included the train journey, the van facility, boarding etc.Kozhikode Junction is the nearest railway station and the driver was ready to pick us up from the station as early as 4.30 A.M. when Mangalore Express arrived there.Atleast three days are the minimum to unwrap the precious gift from God in the form of Nature. 
                As usual in the case of most of the tourists,we stayed at Kalpettai,about 72 kms. from Kozhikode.Just with 12 of us in the Tempo Traveller luxury coach,we could sit comfortably.Going up the hill, the green trees and vegetation on both sides of the ghat road were refreshing,giving us the much needed break from the concrete jungles.It is a 2 hrs. journey through the intoxicating hills to Kalpettai from Kozhikode.Just 10 kms. before Kalpettai,most of the vehicles stop at a view point to enjoy the floating silver clouds.After bath and breakfast,we were ready to visit the Edakkal Caves.

Kansas city to Bengaluru

                                           Just only one post in the last five months.Five months were like five days due to the wonderful time,we had with my son's family from New Zealand and my daughter's family from US.
                                         This post would document my journey back home from US in July.I left for US from Chennai but entered India thr' Bengaluru as there was be a time constraint,  landing in Chennai to board the flight to my home town,Coimbatore.My onward journey to US covering 26hrs. 30 mins. of 3 flights and 2 transits took only "15 hrs".Now flying westward,I left Kan. City at 3.30 P.M on July 20 and reached Bengaluru,via London at 4.30 A.m on July 22.The actual duration of about 26hrs.had taken  " 37 hrs ". Having flown in more than a dozen flights in the past 6 months,with not much anxiety ,the grandeur of the Chicago O'hare and London Heathrow airports,missed during the onward journey was enjoyed while returning. 
                                       The farewell at the Kan.City airport bidding,good bye to Jiji after a stay of 6 months was tearful.Yet,the fond memories of the birth of jiji along with the birth of my twin blogs in US lingered  on my way back home.                                       

The awesome Niagara Falls.

                             There isn't much that hasn't been said about the awesome Niagara Falls, one of Mother Nature's most impressive extravaganzas.The entire drive along the side of the lake from Detroit to Niagara Falls was simply exotic with the amazingly beautiful green vegetation on either sides of the highway.The mighty Niagara Falls can be said to be  the "Queen of the Waterfalls" by us, who have enjoyed the beauty of  our princesses like the falls of Courtallam,Pavanasam and even the wild Meenmutty Falls of Wayanad,rightly to be called the "prince', accessible after a dangerous trekking of 1 km.The two tours "the Maid of the Mist" and "The cave of the Winds" take us close to the waters of the grand spectacle.The colourful parks,the pathways, the beautiful tulips and the nearby city of Buffalo have lots to offer to the lovers of Nature.A whole day must be the least to enjoy the city of the Niagara Falls with the colourful illuminations at night.Unfortunately,with other plans for the next day, only 3 hrs. could be spent by us in Niagara ,devoting 13 hrs.for the drive up and down,for a distance of 614 kms. + 614 kms.A big thanks to my brother,not only for driving akka and anni from Chennai to Tirunelveli and back,the same day ,taking a day off from work but also letting his ears open without any option to the conversation between two ladies( back in India,we never get such time),which we proudly proclaimed to keep him alert behind the wheel.

                       The Niagara Falls of the US side is pretty much closer to Pittsburgh than to Detroit.Let me end this post with this story,may be useful to a few, to update things frequently.My original plan was to visit the Niagara of the Canadian side for more than one reason.First of all,it is close to Detroit,my brother's place,secondly my school mate and close friend lives in Waterloo, just a 100 miles away from the Niagara of the Canadian side and above all the immense joy of visiting one more country.Canadian visa could be obtained by surrendering the passport in person and collecting it after 3 hours at the Canadian Embassy,Detroit.The confidence of this facility made us never to bother about the official website,other than checking the requirements for the visa.To our shock and dismay, 3 weeks before my departure to Pittsburgh and Detroit,we came to know that the "same day visa service" has been withheld from March 13, due to some reasons.It was too late to send my passport by post for the Canadian visa and also alter my travel plans,scheduled well in advance.Not checking the website earlier along with the booking of the flight tickets made my daughter regret and amma's missing the prospect of visiting,yet an other country made my son more miserable than me. Kaikku ettiyadhu,vaikku ettavillai! Many a slip between the cup and the lip.

The Maid of the mist

                                                       

The Rainbow bridge connecting Cananda and USA

                                                                          

Canada on the other side of the Niagara

                                                 

The Cave of the Winds