A visit to TajMahal

Prelude / Planning:

Having lived in Delhi since 1969, I had to face frequent questions from my friends and relatives, if I ever saw the Taj Mahal in Agra. They also wanted to know if I visited places like Red fort, Qutab Minar etc;
Being a workaholic, I never had time even to dream of visiting these places of historical interest, due to my tight work schedules and my dedication for devoting most of my time to work place.
So, at one point, I decided to go to these places after my marriage. Again, I could NOT visit these places till after my daughter Sheeba was born.
Therefore, I planned to see these places along with my sister-in-law – (Thankam,) who came to Ghazibad escorting my wife and the new born.
I took the help of my wife’s cousin Mr.Subramaniam – affectionately known as Mani- who was staying at Janakpuri with his family. We too wanted to visit them for a long time. They suggested us, to stay in their place and make the trip to Agra from there. This was the best plan to accomplish both the visits at one go.
As such I booked our tickets – three tickets each costing Rs.15.00 for the trip - thru’ the agent known as Panicker’s Travel established in the location known as Karol Baugh.
The Travel:
We left for Janakpuri on Friday the 23rd of March 1979. We hired a cycle rickshaw from our residence in Old Raj Nagar to the local bus station to board a bus to Delhi – Kashmir gate terminus. From their, we took another bus to Ajmal Khan Road.
The travel agent – Panicker’s travel had its office there and hence we took this route to Janakpuri. We collected the tickets and also procured some items for Mr.Mani and family who was our host.
We reached our host’s residence by evening and were greeted in a lavish manner. Sheeba – our nine month old daughter was quiet and did not even know we are travelling with her.
My sister-in-law, Thankam was seeing them after a long time and we all in general had gossip about almost every one in my wife’s family since time memorial to tem. In short the assembly of family members created a happy atmosphere and we had our dinner late and went to bed late as well.
We woke up at 5 AM on 24-3-1979, to the fragrance of steamy idly and equally attractive sweet smell of Mysore pak etc; We had quick breakfast as, we had to leave for catching the bus from across the road. (The stops for this kind of trips are located - called pick up points- in few places around Delhi.)
We were also given to carry some idly for consumption during travel. We left for the tour and boarded the bus by 8 AM on 24-3-1979. Our first stop was Agra Fort followed by Taj mahal.
There was a young man who boarded our bus and called himself as our tour guide. He briefed us about the fort, the city and the monument – Taj mahal. Since I knew the history of the town, I enjoyed verifying the facts as told by this young man. Apparantly, he turned out to be a student and worked as tourist guide at times. I think this boy’s name was Saxena.
There was reasonable crowd in all places being Saturday, but not disturbing as we could get entry tickets to all places with ease. For some reason, the movement of all of us was smooth and no way a rushing us from one place to another. We spent more time in a place far away from Taj Mahal known as old fort.
We had quick lunch within the bus as carried idly along with soft drinks from the nearby shop where our bus was parked. We also saw places of historical interest in and around Agra.
Then we briefly visited Mathura and worshipped Lord Krishna and attended the Arthi ceremony. We could not proceed to Virindavan as it was getting dark.
We reached Janakpuri late by 23.30 hours, on 24-3-1979.
NOTE: The film roll, I used was accidently opened by Sheeba – Sheeba grabbed th edge of the film and pulled it out exposing the whole strip and our tour had only one photo as memory- the one took by wayside photographer at the Taj.
Details of expenses for this trip

1 Rickshaw fare from Raj Nagar to bus-stand 2.25
2 Bus fare to Delhi 3.75
3 Bus station to Ajmal Khan road / Arya Samaj road 2.10
4 Jasmin Flower strings 0.90
5 Apples – one Kilo 6.00
6 Soap – Mysore Jasmin - for use while staying out. 2.70
7 Biscuit 4.50
8 Bread 3.00
9 Cashew nut – 200 gms 2.00
10 To Janak puri 1.20
11 Fare to Agra- for 3 persons 45.00
12 Entrance fee to Taj mahal – 3 persons. 6.00
13 Do- Agra fort. 6.00
14 Cost of Tajmahal marble models-2 33.00
15 Marble kum kum box 5.00
16 Marble stand for agarbathi stand 5.00
17 Cost of Portarits – taken by wayside tourist staff including mailing to Ghaziabad. 10.00
18 Birds – moulds – 2 boxes 8.00
19 Rings – bangles 2.00
20 Coffee 0.15
21 Cold drinks 4.50
22 Pan – Beatle leaves and nuts 0.75
23 Kum kum 1.00
24 Ticket for entering Fatepur sikiri fort 1.50
25 Tip to tour guide 1.00
26 Rent for safe keeping chappals at Taj 0.10
27 Toys for Sheeba 0.50
28 Donation into hundi 0.25
29 Repairs to chappals 0.15
30 Return trip-Janakpuri to Madras Hotel 1.50
31 Madras Hotel to Shadra 1.20
32 Shadra to New Ghaziabad 1.95
33 Cycle rickshaw to house 1.25
TOTAL 164.20
The above was total expense incurred
For three persons for this tour.
PHOTOS: self,wife and AND self,wife,daughter Sheeba with sister-in-law Thankam

Of Songs and related Memories of the past---

I think once Shakespeare, said, what is in a name, a rose is but a rose nothing but a rose, always a rose no matter what you call it,
For me what is in a song, what can it do to you?

It is said that, (don’t ask me who said that- as it could be myself)
Any sound when made with rhythm and in a sequence, then it is called music. If sung with proper wording or humming then it is admired further and, when supported by instruments of modern times, it puts the listener to some kind of emotional order.

Well, then given the opportunity, most of the sinners will abstain from committing any un-holy act at-least for that duration of time when he / she is spell bound and concentrating in listening to such music.

I’m neither a sinner nor intended to commit few (more), but love to be absorbed into my own world of old memories- all related songs of the past.

One can co-relate anything with anything- an instance, an experience, an acquaintance, or some kind of attachment of two things.

I do not wish to drag any one for narrating such inter actions but of my own.

I hit the alarm at 4.30 before it hits me, for, I normally is awake by 4 AM, no matter what time I retire to bed in the previous night. Every day, when I get up so, I just think of my father who was behind this harsh practice. Yes, it was harsh to get up by 4 AM every morning at the shout of my father followed by my mother.

The orderly, Ramaswamy, was already up and waiting to take me to the well side, to pour at-least two buckets of water over me to really wake me up!! Washing the teeth and mouth was done before being washed in full length. Then, this ritual is extended to all my brothers and sisters as well.

Then other thoughts that follow are about how I was given a tumbler of coffee, strict instructions to complete chanting of few lines of prayer songs from holy scripts, home work etc;
Then there was RADIO CEYLON, broadcasting every available song from 7AM (or so) filling the streets with adorable noise.

The numbers of songs I know are purely due to the compulsory pumping of the same into my years, during child hood, as I walked to school. While listening to a song, I also was talking to a classmate- whenever this song was audible; I get back to see my friend in my thoughts.

Another song reminds me of few of my classmates who also sang it as it was seen in a particular cinema. Few songs were sung in the class room, being philosophical, or it conveyed some moral – (NOT obscene message as it is in these days) information.

For e.g, a song narrated a series of advices to a young bride by her brother as how to take care of husband, uphold the values of parents, in-laws and above all herself. Whenever I listen to this song, I saw my Tamil Pundit Shri. Athmanathan Pillai and most of my classmates, alive in front of me.

There is another one from a cinema. I skipped my class and went for this cinema. The tragedy is on that day, they started the film reversing one of the film reels. In other words, had to re- run the same in the proper order, taking more than necessary time for completing the show. This caused my arrival with a delay of more than an hour. The film is NEELAVANAM.

There is another song, which when listening to it, reminds of my Tamil Exam in class 10.I challenged few of my classmates that seeing a film prior to the day of an exam will not affect the performance in the exam. I scored above 60% in that exam. When ever I hear the song from that film, I laugh to myself and recall my good friends and their friendly challenge.

So, a song, even when you are NOT even the singer but a good listener and an admirer, can trigger your past related to something as you heard it for the first time in your life.

I sang some songs just to make people to laugh – like RAHASIYAM, Parama rahasiyam, or Nan Enna sollivitten NEE aen alarukirai,etc;

Then there were weddings, where people became real singers- teasing the groom / bride depending on whose side where they, became heros by singing a particular song on demand, etc;

There were several weddings including my own, where very many songs were heard. I remember each one of the guests who sang the song – as and when I hear them and I am over Joyce as always.

There are sad songs, which, reminds me of those passed away, and some related to hospitalization of few of them.

Few remind me of my school time picnics, and the company of the students involved.

Then comes another one from a near horror film after seeing which I walked thru pitch dark roads, chased by dogs and seeing elephants on the side walk. Name of the film is GUMNAM and the place was high way of Trichur. Year was 1965 or so.

I was asked to stand up on the bench for singing a song quietly, but fellow students laughed at it exposing me to the class teacher. At that time I was very much upset with my friends, and to-day I again laugh at this incident. The song was from film KAIRASI – Kathal ennum atrinile kanniyaram odathile---

I could listen to songs from films in Tamil, Malayalam and later from Hindi movies as well.

Songs from Katipatang reminds me of my dinner in a restaurant in Ghaziabad – Sangam Restaurant near clock tower – Ghanta Ghar.

I was in Tamil Nadu express when the songs from film JOHNEY MERANAM - film with Hema malini and Dev Anand.were shown in the compartment T.V.

I wrote exam at one time- hopelessly, when marks came I was reluctant to show the paper to my parents for getting their signature. For a while, I was very much worried, then sang a song to myself –Ennathan Nadakum nadakkattume, a songt from MGR film, Don’t ask me if my father ever signed that paper?

Then there are devotional ones. I listened to them, when attending temple functions. Most reminds me of Lord Ganesha, Muruga, and many Goddesses of Specific powers.

There are situations when I listened to few in exhibitions, hotel clubs, and road shows in native village.

The very emotional ones are still those which I listened and tried to silence my younger ones to put them on sleep as they were infants.

So, if nothing can keep me quiet, the very song from one of the many I keep listening has the power to give me invisible company at all times, - a good and healthy companionship of course.

I can write a kind of auto-biography only based on my interest towards listening songs of various times which will bring all my friends closer, bring all my past alive and there by keep me alive as well.


Sounds like going through my life again


V.Sivasubramaniam

15-08-2010

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.