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.

Thai Veetu Seedhanam

           

                                           Thai Veetu Seedhanam, immediately is associated with something valuable and precious like gold, silver,sarees etc. which at times is proudly proclaimed by the receiver with the sense of joy to themselves and to the giver.

                                          This time, the gifts from my mother were entirely unique beyond even the slightest guess of anyone.A wonderful chariot drawn by horses,a lovely pair of parrots,a pair of  majestic  elephants,pair of endearing deer, Laughing Buddha, a set of lucky pots, all made of clay and porcelain,products of our beloved Mother Earth who also gives us the gold, silver and even the Diamond.

                               The road in which my parents' house is located in Chennai, just opposite to the Shridi Sai Baba temple in Mylapore can be called a Pondy Bazaar or even Ranganathan Street, with all vendors selling attractive and colourful articles on the platform.They live there for the past three decades. Yet the very huge crowds of devotees to worship Baba on all Thursdays till 11 P.M. in the past one year is unprecedented and so also the list of beautiful commodities for sale on that days.

                               All most all the things, right from stainless steel articles, handbags, purses, Blouse pieces, bed sheets, pillow covers, toys, dolls, costume jewellery, mud pots
Hand bags,garments etc. find a place in the sale.  My mom's acquaintance and rapport with some of the vendors from Mylapore is such that,makes me wittily remark, she may even win on contesting for a ward ccouncillor.It is heartening to see that she  wants to buy things, at times to please them and they reciprocate her gesture with a good discount.

                              The lady who sells mud pots and the porcelain show pieces is a permanent vendor and it is natural,she developed an intimacy with my mom.So on the way back from my last visit to Chennai in December,two heavy card board boxes with gifts worth a thousand and more accompanied me in the train.The precious diamonds may even be worthless and tiny, compared to these presents which are as large as the love with which they were showered.

                            Thanks to both the beloved Moms, Mother Earth and my mom for
this Thai Veetu Seedhanam.
                                                       Jai Sai Ram. 
                                                    

Welcome 2014

         Ready to bid a good bye to 2013, a year of so many pleasant memories , abundant blessings of God and a couple of disappointments in the matter of extending the family tree.Otherwise a big thanks to God for making the year, a peaceful one.We look forward to His Blessings in the coming year in reproducing the missed fruits.
       I pray and wish 2014 to be a year of prosperity, peace and acceptance to each and every individual of this planet.
      May we all join together with cheers to welcome 2014!

Happy Children's Day !

                        We can really be proud that our country is unique among the other nations to celebrate the Children's Day on the Birth Anniversary of our charismatic Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.
                 
                  The children,the symbols of joy, happiness,love, innocence and purity really deserve all the days as their days.Yet for practical reasons and celebrations, Nov.14 is ear marked for them.There is a popular saying that as God cannot be present everywhere, he created mothers to take His place.

                Similarly,God must have sent children as His substitutes,well illustrated by the meaningful adage,

                        Kuzhandaiyum Deivamum Ondru ! - God and a Child are the same !

                           A Happy Children's Day to all my dear children over the globe !

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.