Our wanderings and perceptions

There is no Frigate like a Book To take us Lands away Nor any Coursers like a Page Of prancing Poetry – This Traverse may the poorest take Without oppress of Toll – How frugal is the Chariot -Emily Dickinson The Chennai Book fair conducted every year during January by the BAPASI was a huge crowd puller in the city this year too. The entry, exit and parking were neatly organized at YMCA this time. Rs.10 was charged for entry and another Rs.10 for 2-wheeler parking. Events held outside the book stalls were also equally attracting reading enthusiasts. Book releases, debates and lectures engaged the audience. The number of stalls seem to have out numbered this time. Huge collection of old English novels were available at huge discounts. As usual Kalki was the start author with his Ponniyin Selvan, Sivagamiyin sabadam and Parthiban kanavu were available all around the fair. Mini copies of Thirukural were to be seen on all the stall's billing tables. Children's book stores were...

I floats on high o'er vales and hills, When all at once wandered lonely as a cloud That I saw a crowd, A host, of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze. -William Wordsworth Chennai city has been bustling with events since the start of 2015. One such event for the reading minds was provided by The Hindu in the form of 3 days festival called 'Lit for Life 2015', http://www.thehindulfl.com . This yearly fest brought famous faces from the bestsellers writing scene like Amish Thripathi and Chetan Bhagat, bureaucratic faces like Vinod Rai and Sanjay Raru and also the journalist angle in the form of Rajdeep Sardesai and P Sainath.   Here are few of the events that we witnessed, The discussion on Good governance with Vinod Rai, Rajdeep Sardesai and Sanjaya Baru was a welcome topic with each one pitching in their views frankly. The question time at the end made Rajdeep agree that media lacks governance. During ...

Rajnikanth - a name no more, its a brand. When the man decided to gift his fans with his movie release others made sure the brand is cashed-on on the event of his birthday. One that caught the eye was the e-greetings by the governmental postal department. Coming to his movie, we were lucky enough to get tickets on just the second day to watch Linga. Rajnikanth has literally carried off the film in his shoulders with the sparks of Santhanam for support. Other actors appear has mere minions. The Super star has been the hero of Tamil movie world for 40 years now is itself a magnificent achievement and speaks volumes of the brand called - Rajini. An actor in his interview said God has stopped manufacturing people like Rajini, very true. No one till now or in future will be able to scale such height starting from the lower most like the super star!

Maasil veenaiyum maalai madhiyamum veesu thendralum veenkila venilum mosu vandarai poygayum ponradhe Esan endhai inayadi nizhale sings the great nayanmar Appar. That was how we were blessed with Ramanatheeswarar darshan on a evening in Porur.   As the name suggests this temple came into existence due to Sri Rama's penance in the forest while accidently laying foot on a siva lingam. He had then worshipped Siva for 48 days as his penitence. Thus goes the history of this ancient temple.   The temple gopuram has been recently renovated. The statues in the gopuram stand evidence to Tamilian's sculptural skills. Known as 'Sthabathi' they have exhibited their art in various temples across the globe.   After entering the temple one is blown away by the magnificent look of it. The Kodi maram and Savagama Sundari sannadhi are immediate in sight. When you go further in across the vast praharam the Easwarar sannadhi is visible. Huge nandhi is at one end while the Sivan ...

Yaadhumagi nindrai Kaali! Yengum nee nirainthai Who better than the great Tamil poet Bharathi can praise Kaali.. Sri Kaaligambal temple at Chennai is were she occupies the throne for several years. Temple history states the Maratha king Shivaji had visited here during the 17th century. As the temple is situated in the very busy street in Mannady area one has to get through the traffic to reach the temple. Parking vehicles near by is an impossibility in Thambu chetty st. ; use the Armenian st.  entrance to the temple. Public transportation is recommended to reach the temple. Before getting into the temple don't forget to worship the first lord Ganesh just opposite to this temple in the street. Once inside the Kaligambal temple usual temple shops greet you followed by the urchavamoorthi just in the centre of the temple giving the darshan you would crave for. Going towards the main deity once would face a queue very often. Inside the sannadhi it very serene...

Karunai ulam kondavale Karumariamma Un kadai kannal nalam kodupai arul mariamma   As simple as the song sound Karumari is also the simplest God making the visit to  Thiruverkadu Karumariamman temple as visit to your mom's place. Situated 10 to 15 kilometers away from Chennai city, Thiruverkadu once a small village with paddy fields now houses many high risen apartments. This makeover does affect the God Karumari who is always eager to meet her kids. Devi Karumariamman Temple is just near the Thiruverkadu bus terminus. One could also take their own transportation from the city to reach here. There is also a huge parking lot available near by for 4-wheeler at a cost of Rs.15. The temple entrance stalls a number of shops selling all items for the temple workship. There is free darshan open to all round the clock, Rs.20 and Rs.50 for special darshans and other special pooja tickets are sold just before the temple entrance. Once you enter th...

Sri seetha lakshmana bharatha chathrukuna hanumath sametha sri ramachandra swami parabrahmane namaha sri anjaneya swami parabrahmane namaha! praying to the lord of braveness to shower strength so that we can face all ups and downs in life head on.  Yaayuputra has always been kind enough to provide all his devotees with huge amount of courage and here in Porur he is bound to bless that in abundance being Veera Aanjaneyar. The deity here is believed to have been erected by Vyasaraayar. Entrance to the temple have huge potraits depicting the history of the lord's existence here. All types of lamps lit in the temple are sold just near the main entrance. Agals (mud lamp) with oil, ghee, ellu and butter for aanjaneyar are available ranging Rs. 2 to Rs.5 each. The main deity Anjaneya's praharam is quiet small for people are let into this area in batches only during peak timings like Saturdays. Trishnam is given once you have worshoppied the lord. This temple is surprisingly is ...