A Tale of Three Trips

Happada, I got to manage three 'T's in the heading - just to indicate 'Three' :P

It has been quite a while since I boasted of my travel diaries and made the random reader feel jealous! I happened to do three trips in the past weeks.

1. Laagatam:

There are two places that I have always wished to be, Laagatam and Srimushnam – this used to get postponed like anything whenever I plan. Srimushnam is the topper in the list, there have been two instances where I booked a car on rent to travel, once booked tickets in Koodal/Rockfort combo with all three getting cancelled the night before and umpteen number of travels to places nearby but skipping Srimushnam because of one reason or the other. ‘Laagatam’ (Thulaa Kattam, abbreviated) is a place in Mayuram that is famous for the bathing ghat in River Kaveri. I have planned quite a few times to travel to Laagatam to take a holy dip in Kaveri as Thulaa snaanam during the month of Aippasi (Oct – Nov). Never it came true! This year, I made up my mind, that I ‘will do it’ whatever be the case. Got to know that Aippasi month beginning will be on Oct. 16, so booked my tickets in Kamban and return by Cholan ex-MV. Appa and Anand also agreed to join and it was all set.

A few days before the trip, I thought of giving a ring to some of my friends who are Mayuram and Kumbakonam natives to check whether I can plan any unvisited temples in this trip – and I got to know that Aippasi 1 is famous for Kaveri Thulaa Snanam only in Talacauvery and not in MV. T.Snanam in Kumbakonam and Mayuram is famous only on Kadaimugam festival which is on the last day of Aippasi. I had to cancel my tickets and book them again for Mid-November. As a blessing in disguise, I booked my tickets in the newly introduced Mannai Express from Egmore (ofcourse in Nidamangalam quota to grab a Lower Berth so that I can remain awake all night!!).

Finally, it was all set and we boarded the train on Nov. 15. Dilip gave a warning that only two out of the four rakes of Mannai are new and the other two are dirty to the core! Unfortunately enough, we got a ’87 rake that even an electric train beggar will think twice before he boards. Mannai got a usual TNP deemer 17946 that did a decent job till MV. We pulled into loop at Nellikkuppam to give way for Up Kamban (what a wonderful video it turned out to be!), crossed the spouse at Tiruppadiripuliyur and Up Boat Mail (waiting in loop) at Alappakkam. No other significant events enroute. Spent the wee hours at Junction and later took a bus to Town to reach Dilip’s house.

Dilip’s parents were quite busy that morning, getting ready along with us for the trip to Laagatam. We took an auto and reached the bathing ghat – it was an amazing sight, it appeared to me as if I was in Kaasi… the whole atmosphere was electrifying. Sluices have been opened at Kallanai and Kaveri was in her full form – running water touching both the banks, to the brim, with typical scenery of tambram mamas and mamis taking a dip in Laagatam ghat, the ghat mandapams with later chola architecture – one has to witness it to get a feel of it.

To my utter dismay (read as ‘fright’), Dilip’s appa asked me to stand facing the ‘veLLam’ flood water and take a full dip thrice – I half-heartedly attempted it once (holding his hand with a firm grip :) ) and he instantly complained that not even my ears have got wet and I have to do a ‘deep dive’. I was already shivering with me standing inside the cold water upto neck level. Then, after a few failure attempts, I was able to take a ‘satisfactory’ dip… we then took an auto to come back to his home, have some hot idlies + molaga podi and a coffee followed by the customary visit to Mayuranathar temple.

We then booked an Ambassador (me in my favourite posture of front seat, window end, with the front-side triangular small window kept ajar to allow additional breeze in) and visited Sirupuliyur and Therazhundhur divyadesams, Aamaruviappan Perumal continues to mesmerize His devotees with His swaroopam! A halt at Kuthalam for tiffin (again!) and a visit to Ukthavedeeswarar temple on the south bank of Kaveri was followed by a visit to Thiruvelvikudi (count is now 102) temple and collecting Kaveri water for those who did not turn up for the trip (for them to use for Mudavan Muzhukku festival the next day). Boarded a comfortable 3A in Cholan on the way back – super sleep onboard waking up only at Villupuram Jn to eat samosas that Anand bought for me and again at Vandalur to get down at TBM. We have planned to be in Laagatam every year for Kadaimugam.

2. Udumalai routine:

It has been quite a while that I registered my attendance at in-laws’. So there came a trip to UDT – took 71 Dn Blue Mtn this time in 1A (last minute booking). Coupe D was allotted to us, with Coupe C allotted to one State Govt Minister – as we were trying to get some sleep after a busy Friday at office, our Rangu papa decided otherwise! He was in full form and was playing with anything that was available in the coupe – with a condition that he will never come down from the Upper berth. At one point of time, he found banging the berth-lock against the coupe wall very interesting and turned out to be uncontrollable – lol, we concluded that we will be booked by the Minister on a nuisance case onboard and will be pushed out at Katpadi – luckily it didn’t happen!

Udumalai keeps fascinating me for one reason always – you have excellent lighting all day all through the year. A paradise for photographers. I elected to stay home and not wander outdoors this time. Enjoyed a lot and came back on that Sunday in 74 Up Cheran 1A. We shared our Cabin A with an MP from the Arcots.

3. Quicky to Trichy:

Cousin’s Nichayathartham required us to take a quick one-day trip to Tiruchi. Saturday night 177 Dn Rockfort – schedule screwed up by MAS division controllers, 22829 was made to underperform! This was the first time I visited Srirangam, well within the perimeters of the mighty walls (East Uththra veedhi) and still did not attempt to get a sevai of Namperumal.

Took Spicejet on the way back 2230 dep, 2330 arr. Cost per head is 1000 which is worth the spend!