The Festive days at home here in Coimbatore

Few weeks ago, we (self and Sarojam) learned that, Anushruthi- our daughter –in-law is due to come to India in July 2011. The real purpose was to have her sponsorship changed to my son Sudhin.
Anushruthi /Sudhin wanted to make use of this opportunity to visit us and her parents within the short duration of the vacation.
Sudhin had to go to Shangai on an official visit and hence Anushruthi came on her own via Dharmsala – where a house is being constructed by her parents.
So, Sheeba too wanted to accompany Anushruthi during her visit to our home in Coimbatore.
Anushruthi, Sheeba and Ayush arrived here on Saturday the 16th of July 2011. Everything was normal and we went to Aliyar dam, Amaravathi dam and to Masani Amman Temple on our return path to home.
This trip was NOT of any great importance but gave all of us a break from our hectic daily routines, especially when we had to travel within 3 hrs of Anushruthi’s arrival.
It rained all the way, I was against taking umbrella (Saro took one despite my suggestion, which came as a great relief and I was proved wrong.)I was sure of the rain stopping sooner we entered the Aliyar dam park.
We carried with us 3 iddlys, biscuits, ribbon pakoda, banana chips, (Gems, potato chips, and wafer biscuits for Ayush), tang pouches and water in two bottles – including one for Ayush.
The rain stopped after wetting us formally and we enjoyed cool weather as we walked up to the dam wall taking few snaps as well. Ayush wanted to take a boat or at-least get in-to water. Some how, we persuaded from standing firm on his demand. We took him to the cage were few hamsters were kept in captivity. Ayush fed them grass blades with fear if they will grab his hands too! We managed to chew off some of the items during this period and left for Amaravathi dam / near the famous Sainik School. There was nothing there that we could spent time on, and hence chose to return via the famous Masaniamman Temple.
We reached the temple around 4.00 PM. All went inside the temple and I chose to stay outside. Asymbolic pooja was performed by the priest and all came out later.
We drove straight to Annapurna Hotel in R.S Puram where we reached by 6.45 PM.
We were not tired and enjoyed evening snacks with Ayush having poori baaji like a sahib. Ayush was so natural in his act; he defeated us in all aspects when it came to dining in a hotel.
The trip was enjoyed by all of us and we returned home safely by 8PM.
I certainly, enjoyed the get-together as we – Anushruthi, Sheeba,Ayush, Sarojam and myself, were meeting after a long spell of time and the visit was brief.
We all felt that Sudhin and Ananth too were with us but that was over come as Sudhin called twice during our snack time in the hotel.
I wished that our next gathering as close knit members of family includes Sudhin and Ananth.( Group of Seven)

Masaniamman Temple

Masaniamman Temple is situated at a distance of 15 miles away from Pollachi. This sanctified shrine attracts large number of devotees.
The idol of Masaniamman is very powerful one and offer blessing to all devotees who have a stunt belief in her. Devotees also expect that Goddess will respond their prayer within three weeks. There is a stone image in the temple representing as a Goddess of Justice with the body of serpent.

Merchants meeting loss in their business, people hassled by enemies, women or men who lost their belongings take bath, sport holy ashes of the shrine, grind red chilies in stone grinder of the temple, smear the paste on stone of Justice called ‘Neethi Kal’.
In the sanctum, the extensive image of Masaniamman lying on her back measures about 15 feet long from head to foot. The gigantic image of Masaniamman is painted with flashy colours.

Here, one can see Goddess Masaniamman in the lying posture. The idol has four hands, two hands placed on the ground, two hands raised above. While the top left hands hold a skull and snake and other two hands holding drum and a trident.

On Tuesdays and Fridays devotees rush to this temple, during Krithigai and New Moon day they undergo special pooja.
There is a historical background for the configuration of this powerful temple. Anaimalai, a place near Pollachi was ruled earlier by the king called Nanan. He treated their people very badly. During his reign he had a very big mango tree in his farm on the riverside of Aaliyar, which was very special to him. He was so particular that nobody was permitted to use neither mangoes nor its leaves.
Once,a gang of girls went to river to take bath they noticed a mango floating on the river which belongs to Nanan's tree, one of the girl picked up and ate the fruit. Even after several pleadings made by her father, instead of excusing her the king sentenced her to death.
After some time villagers in that area formed a female statue in lying posture using sand in graveyard with the remembrance of innocent girl and worshipped as ‘Masani’. Later Kozhinkhosargal defeated king Nanan and destroyed the mango tree.
It is also believed that Lord Rama on his way in search of Seetha was attracted by this powerful temple and made meditation over here which adds glory to this temple. So, once you visit Pollachi don’t miss to worship Masaniamman.