Chennai - A blend of the modern and the traditional - Concluding part

             Wherever places had been dug up for the Chennai Metro, the areas were neatly demarcated with tin sheets on which strings of lights served as warnings for motorists, in the dark. No rubble lay around.

             We noticed that all the buses had their destinations marked only in Tamil, which could be troublesome for non-Tamilians. Women safely commuted, wearing loads of gold ornaments! However, the unscrupulous auto-drivers were a bane!

Ashta Laxmi temple

                 We saw the Ashta Laxmi temple, with various forms of the Goddess on two levels. The stone-hewn idols were benign and beautiful. Then we saw the Parthasarathy temple dedicated to Lord Krishna and Lord Balaji with his two consorts. This temple was  ISO certified.

Parthasarathy temple

Parthasarathy temple

Fort George

Government Museum

Thiruvalluvar Kottam

Thiruvalluvar Kottam

Thiruvalluvar Kottam

Guindy Snake Park

                        The half-day’s sightseeing tour of Chennai that we had booked, was a whirlwind tour of all the must-see attractions like the historic Fort George, the first fort constructed by the British in India; that housed a museum, the Government Museum with priceless antique sculptures; the profusely carved Thiruvalluvar Kottam, dedicated to the memory of the poet-saint Thiruvalluvar; the snake park at Guindy, with its collection of reptiles; the Padmanabhaswamy temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu reclining on Sheshnag with Goddess Laxmi beside; and lastly, the famed Marina beach, Asia’s longest beach.

Marina Beach

             There, horse-borne policemen patrolled its shores. We watched the milky waves lashing against the beach with awe, even as couples and families laughed and frolicked amidst the waves.

              Later, we visited the Kapaleeshwar temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Peace permeated us and our Chennai sight-seeing ended on a blissful note, with just one regret. Time didn’t permit us to visit the centers that sold the colorful golu dolls displayed by Tamilians during Navaratri. Hence a return trip is on the cards!

Concluded

The abridged version of this travelogue was published in the Sakal Times newspaper published in Pune, in 2015.

The copyright of this travelogue and snaps is with Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan.

Chennai – A blend of the modern and the traditional - Part 1

                 Recently, we visited the metropolitan city, Chennai. We were totally enamored by its wide roads, orderly traffic, cleanliness and efficient public transport system. There are very few private travel operators as the Corporation’s buses run regularly and at great frequency, within the city’s limits and also to its mofussil areas.

               Since our guest-house was located right near the Parry’s bus depot, it was very convenient for us to go to Koyambedu for the CMBT (Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus) for our sight-seeing trips around Chennai. This 45 minutes’ ride was itself thoroughly enjoyable, as we passed by heritage structures like the Chennai railway Station, Ripon building, etc. The ride over the heritage Harris bridge and with a view of a small island with a huge tree on it in-between a placid lake, was out of this world!

Ripon Building
Headquarters of Greater Chennai Corporation

Chennai Central Railway Station

Madras High Court

Madras High Court

               

              Then we rode over spiraling flyovers deftly constructed for the smooth one-way movement of traffic. We felt as if we were on a roller-coaster ride! The absence of unruly riders, traffic snarls and jams made it a dream ride. We noticed that unlike Pune, there were very few two-wheeler riders in Chennai; thanks to its superb public transport machinery.

               The CMBT stand was just too good to be true! An ISO certified Bus Terminus is possible, I realized, only when I saw this certified Depot. The vast, clean and swanky waiting area, with authorized stalls, restaurant, seats, fans, clean toilets and drinking water facilities overwhelmed us. There was a pre-paid auto booth at its entrance and police on duty to handle any enquiries. Stalls sold the subsidized mineral water branded under the former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s name as Amma mineral water, for just Rs. 10/- .

              When we entered the Terminus, we saw a counter manned by Health Personnel who attended to needs of the passengers who could need medical aid. This service and medicines were provided free of cost. A security officer was monitoring a dozen monitors of CCTVs, in a booth. Lady police constables constantly shooed away the beggars and vagabonds out of the premises.

              A huge, decorated kiosk with a life-size cut-out of the former Chief Minister’s photo beamed at us. It displayed the photos and video of her implementing various welfare schemes for the needy people of Tamil-Nadu, such as providing things, cows, etc.

              A Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation’s (TTDC) Office was situated behind the kiosk from where we obtained pamphlets regarding the sight-seeing tours conducted by TTDC and also the tariff rates of various TTDC hotels.

TTDC's Office

To be continued....

The abridged version of this travelogue was published in the Sakal Times newspaper published in Pune, in 2015.

The copyright of this travelogue and snaps is with Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan.

Last Day Today for the Discount Offer, Hurry! Just Not Meant For Marriage by Priya Ramesh Swaminathan

 Dear friends,

What happens when a person finds his soul-mate but that soul-mate is unwilling to reciprocate?

Read on to experience it in my e-book titled Just Not Meant For Marriage!

A Kindle Countdown Deal will be on till 3rd August, 2026 at www.amazon.com for this e-book which will be available for just $1.99. So hurry and purchase it. Read and review it. Enjoy your reading and reviewing sessions. Please don't forget to post your invaluable review at Amazon.com.

You could even peruse my other 27 books.

Eagerly awaiting your invaluable feedback!

Thanks.

Priya Swaminathan

EXCERPT

                  As all the girls in his class turned towards him like sun-flowers towards the sun, he walked into his class-room, oblivious and blissfully whistling, “I love you” even as the Professor standing there admonished him, “Stop right where you are Preet! How dare you casually walk into my class, whistling like that! You are late. Please get out.” Preet stopped in his tracks as he realized his faux pas. Instantly he apologized and turned to go.

                   He was stunned when Professor Mhatre told him, “O.K. Preet. Apology accepted. Take your seat.” He cheerfully said “Thank you sir. Sorry once again!” and took his seat in the last row. As he was tall, he had to sit in the last row. He was Professor Mhatre’s favorite student, hence the Professor had relented. 

          

END OF THE EXCERPT

Did you like what you just read? Would you like to find out what happens next?

Kindly purchase the e-book and read on.... Preet is waiting for you....

Here's the link:

Just Not Meant For Marriage!

https://www.amazon.com/Meant-Marriage-Priya-Ramesh-Swaminathan-ebook/dp/B0716TDTJK/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0

The copyright of this book is with Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan.

108th Birthday of Dada J.P. Vaswani - Sadhu Vaswani Mission - Spiritual Mentor

           On this sacred occasion, we humbly pay our respects to the great soul who was truly an apostle of peace and unity. True to his name, Jashan, his life was a celebration of all the noble things of life, Service, sacrifice, humility, purity, genuineness and goodness! We were blessed to have heard his speeches, discourses and been in his divine presence on several occasions.

        As a student, I had even visited him in his tiny and pristine room in the precincts of the Sadhu Vaswani Mission complex. I was impressed by how he lived so modestly, without any pretense and with hardly any worldly belongings!  He spoke with a twinkle in his eye and was very sweet and polite in his manner. 

        We had heard of an interesting and illuminating anecdote related to him. Once, one of his followers gifted him a shawl. Immediately, he gave it away, saying that he already had one and that it was more than enough for him. 

        

        Even his soul was devoid of any baggage of negative virtues. He embodied simplicity and selfless service in all that he did. He proved that true religion was meant to be lived and not just talked about! Thus he was a true successor of his mentor and founder of the Mission, Sadhu T.L. Vaswani; in letter and spirit.

     

        We pray to the Almighty that his blessed soul rests in eternal peace and his teachings continue to inspire and motivate us to lead enriched lives!

     

        Dear Dada, we will observe the moment of calm today at 2 p.m. on the occasion of your birthday and pray for universal brotherhood, peace and forgiveness.

      

        Your legacy will always live on in our hearts!

                                                                             

                                                 Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan

                                               Ex-student of St. Mira's High School 

Courtesy: pro@sadhuvaswani.org 

Here's a poem that I had written when he was here:

Beacon of Love

With your innocent smile

Without any guile,

You spread the gospel of love, harmony and peace

Far and wide,

With friends and supporters by your side!

         You are the light-house which guides many

          In the stormy sea of life.

Your life you live, one of service and sacrifice

Without hatred or malice.

Your sincerity of purpose

We admire, appreciate and try to emulate!

          On this pious day, your birthday,

          We felicitate and wish you, Dada J.P. Vaswani,

          The harbinger of universal brotherhood,

          Who follows his Guru, Sadhu T.L. Vaswanis’s teachings,

          More than anyone could!

May you have many more,

To guide us as always

From your heart’s core!

The copyright of this poem is with Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan.

'Just Not Meant For Marriage!' - My Novel Dedicated To My Dear Anna (Dad).

                                                    

I had dedicated my novel titled 'Just Not Meant For Marriage!' to my dear Anna. Here's the tribute...                                       

Myself with the two Rs in my life!

                                        A tribute to my beloved father (Anna)

                                                   For a Very Special Person!

                     I dedicate this book to my evergreen Dad, Ramesh Sharma. Fondly called Anna by us, he is the person who taught us to be brave and confident, while struggling against all odds. His unstinting support was behind the success of my mother as a Principal. An old adage goes, “Behind every successful man, there is a woman.” My father turned this adage on its head! “Behind every successful woman, there is a man!” 

                      He was like ‘The Rock of Gibraltar’ for her, always helping her out with the chores, guiding us in our home-work, availing leave for our Board Exams to ferry us to and from our respective exam centres and attending to his work at his office. He ensured that we didn't only study, but had hobbies and other recreation too.

                 I’ll especially never forget how he spent several sleepless nights when I had severe jaundice, as a young girl. He would be always at my bedside, at the hospital and later, at home, administering my medicines on time, buying and giving me the appropriate diet as prescribed by the physician and encouraging me with kind, loving words and lots of Chandamama books!    

                      Later in life, when I insisted on having an arranged, but registered marriage, without matching horoscopes; and with a list of attributes to be possessed by my would-be groom, my father ran around meeting prospective grooms, apprising them of my ‘demand’ for a simple, no-frills, registered marriage ceremony, braved being rejected by them; till he finally discovered one such ‘gem’ for me! A perfect match - my husband Ramesh! What a beautiful coincidence it was, to have my husband sharing my beloved father’s name!  Of course, I soon discovered that they share several endearing traits too! In fact, I often joke that they could pass off as father and son!            

                      He is also a great multi-tasker and shows us how life must be lived and enjoyed. He is great pals with our friends too and they envy us for having such an easy-going and friendly father. We are never scared of him and always look up to him for any advice, and he has never ever failed us. He is a living example of how a person can be a constant source of joy for everyone around him! He is very helpful, dependable and doesn't thrive on any ego. He takes equal pride in my mother's and our achievements. He never boasts about his accomplishments, which are quite a few! 

                      He’s blessed with a photographic memory as he remembers people and places, even after meeting and visiting them just once, no matter how long ago! He’s a good singer, a great artist and an excellent palmist. His exhibition of water-paintings and fabric paintings was very well-received by one and all! He’s fond of listening to good music and watching movies. He dotes on his grand-daughter and constantly teaches her new things. Apart from our family, his friends at the Senior Citizens’ Association are his other lifeline. He enjoys spending his time with them and often goes for picnics and other programs, with them. They miss his lively and cheerful company when he is not around. His enthusiasm is highly infectious!

                      He appreciates the wonders of Mother Nature and has inculcated the same perspective in us too. He has always encouraged us to be forthright and fearless, honest and just, in our dealings and interactions with others.

                 Thanks to these two great teachers, my mother and father, we siblings have become well-balanced individuals and always strive to make them proud of us. For them, we are three little gems and for us they are our heart and soul! We owe everything to them. Dear Amma, we miss you a lot!

                      Thank you Anna, for always being there for us!

           The copyright of this book is with Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan.    

     

Dear friends,

A Kindle Countdown Deal is on till 3rd August, 2026 at www.amazon.com for this e-book which will be available for just $1.99. So hurry and purchase it. Read and review it. Enjoy your reading and reviewing sessions. Please don't forget to post your invaluable review at Amazon.com.  

Thanks in advance. 

Priya          

This lovely collage has been created by me with the help of Canva.com. 

Thanks, Canva!

Just Not meant For Marriage! - Kindle Discount Offer - Preet awaits you eagerly!

 Dear friends,

What happens when a person finds his soul-mate but that soul-mate is unwilling to reciprocate?

Read on to experience it in my e-book titled Just Not Meant For Marriage!

A Kindle Countdown Deal will be on from 27th July to 3rd August, 2026 at www.amazon.com for this e-book which will be available for just $1.99. So hurry and purchase it. Read and review it. Enjoy your reading and reviewing sessions. Please don't forget to post your invaluable review at Amazon.com.

You could even peruse my other 27 books.

Eagerly awaiting your invaluable feedback!

Thanks.

Priya Swaminathan

EXCERPT

          Preet had an annoying habit. It drove girls literally up the wall. He would court all the pretty girls in college, have them eating out of his hands and eating out their hearts for him and then spoil it all by popping the most-dreaded question. It was not the eagerly looked forward to, “Will you marry me please?” No, that wasn’t the most-dreaded question. It was, hold your breath, “Are you just not meant for marriage?” All the girls who had swooned over him some time in their college lives had been flabbergasted by that bomber.

              

          But eventually, everyone had reconciled themselves to the inevitable, ridiculous proposal. In fact, no girl was still quite sure what that absurd question meant. Did he mean that he was asking her to marry him in a back-handed manner, or did he want to cast her away by insinuating that she was not worthy enough for marriage? And that too after wooing her as if she was the last girl on earth!

******************

             

          Preet was the equivalent of Amitabh Bachchan, Rishi Kapoor, Salman Khan and Naseeruddin Shah; all rolled into one combo package of style, romance, brawn and smoldering intensity. As for looks, he had everything going for him, right from grayish-brown dreamy eyes fringed by thick lashes, smooth high forehead, well-chiseled cheek-bones and chin, tawny complexion and thick black hair that was always styled as per the latest trend in town. His gym-toned body was just meant for modeling as he wore smart outfits that suited him to the T. Towering well above six feet, he stood out from the rest of the college boys.

              

          Almost all the girls who enrolled in Universal College fell in love with him as soon as they set their eyes on this impossibly good-looking dude. After all, seeing the above-mentioned heroes on screen and seeing their combo in person, was different. Well actually, thrilling! They just couldn’t believe their luck. Each girl tried to get into his good books and charm him as much as she could. In fact, these girls thought that education and careers were secondary, as their primary aim was to land the catch of Preet! It was the be-all and end-all of their existence.

                

           Thus Preet got to see girls of all shapes and sizes, dressed in all types of clothes from mini-skirts to saris, ‘artificially’ made-up or ‘naturally’ made-up and with all sorts of fancy accessories. His friends envied him but joked that thanks to him, they also got to see well-dressed lasses and feast their eyes on them! Preet was cool and casual in his manner towards the girls. He didn’t lead anyone on. He obviously was waiting for someone special to light up his life. He just knew that one look would be enough to separate the grain from the chaff. His heart would tell him so!

END OF THE EXCERPT

Did you like what you just read? Would you like to find out what happens next?

Kindly purchase the e-book and read on.... Preet is waiting for you....

Here's the link:

Just Not Meant For Marriage!

https://www.amazon.com/Meant-Marriage-Priya-Ramesh-Swaminathan-ebook/dp/B0716TDTJK/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0

The copyright of this book is with Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan.

Jai Jai Vithoba-Rakhumai - The Divine Pilgrimage to Pandharpur - Pandharichi Wari

                                                                                                                                                   Jai Jai Vithoba-Rakhumai!

                                             Source of the image: Internet

                 The annual 'Pandharichi Wari' i.e. the pilgrimage from Dehu-Alandi to Pandharpur began its journey around two weeks ago. As the Sant Tukaram Maharaj and Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj 'palkhis' (palanquins) bearing their 'padukas' (foot imprints cast in silver) wind their way through the long and torturous route of approximately 240 kilometers to their final destination, Pandharpur, the divine abode of Lord Pandurang (Lord Vitthal) and his divine consort Goddess Rukmini; the aura is one of infinite patience, perseverance, devotion and faith. Nothing daunts the 'warkaris', the pilgrims in their annual trek. Neither rain nor scorching heat, nor sores on their feet nor worldly troubles; as they have dedicated these 15-20 days to the Supreme Lord who they believe, will take care of them and their fields/ houses/belongings/beloved ones left behind in their native places!

                  They sing 'abhangs', religious hymns and songs, endlessly chant 'Gyanba-Tukaram' and verses from divine scriptures, play traditional instruments, perform folk-dances, enact street-plays with socioeconomically relevant themes and walk on in a blissful trance, (some even with 'Tulsi vrindavans', 'padukas' or the idols atop their heads) till they reach their destination on the auspicious 'Ashadhi Ekadashi' day. When they are at last in the temple in front of their beloved God, nothing matters except the 'Darshan'. They will pray fervently and return year after year.

                  The 'warkaris' are helped in their onward journey by the devout who feed them, provide free medicines, footwear, mobile recharge vouchers and other necessities; in turns, at their various halting places. Thus these Good Samaritans earn divine benediction too!

                   These pilgrims take well-deserved breaks in between, at predetermined places, including Pune; and halt with the sacred 'padukas' for a day or two. Then, refreshed and rested, they begin their onward journey to Pandharpur, where the deities eagerly await their 'Bhakts'. It's said that God doesn't want anything else but the devotee's 'bhakti'. A sense of total surrender to Him, for receiving His blessings manifold!

                   I fervently pray to Lord Vithoba and Rakhumai Devi to bless everyone with a strong sense of ethics, honesty, morals, wisdom, devotion, faith, diligence, patience, perseverance, peace, contentment, happiness, prosperity and success. I strongly believe that the more conscientious, empathetic and compassionate we are, the closer we are to God!

                   Let's just keep walking on the 'right' path in life. God will walk us safely through all our trials and tribulations and make us winners in the truest sense of the word.

                                                   Jai Jai Vithoba-Rakhumai!

              The copyright of this write-up is with Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan.