A THANKSGIVING TO THE LORDS

Trupthi is a beautiful word, probably emerging in Sanskrit and now accepted in various other Indian languages. The easy meaning to it is 'satisfying and pleasing'. But it is slightly more than that. One would use this word only if one is deeply and completely satisfied. The soul should also be agreeable. This is when we can happily say God is in heaven and all is right with the world.
My parents left me an apartment in Chennai, which after 18 years finally saw the skill of redevelopment and it got registered to my name. I went to thank the gods and send a thank you to my parents. They would have been happy to see the place.
Meera, my sister in law and an extremely agreeable person and I went to the famous Triplicane Parthasarathy temple, dedicated to Vishnu. The name 'Parthasarathy' means 'charioteer of Arjuna'. And here Krishna sports a moustache.
Tiruvelikenni, the area where the temple is situated is also known as the Brindavan of the South. We expected a huge crowd but the queue moved on and we had a wonderful darshan. And then we perambulated to be greeted with a bunch of young Iyengar mamis dressed in nine yards pattu saris, busy with something and they all looked so beautiful and colourful with their stone encrusted necklacea and jimkis.
The Utsava murthi of Sri Ranganatha was being carried by handsome young, bare bodied muscular Iyengar boys. While the Nadaswaram led the way and the thavil player had a field day shocking the audience with his single beat. It sounded like a heart beat woken up from a sudden dream.
Lord Ranganatha was dressed in his best, the stones shimmering in the heat of the day, and the lights of the temple, even as the entire group stepped on a white cloth being laid for them. A huge mirror in front reflected this splendorous sight. The palanquin with the Lord is carried with a gentle sway and the step is mesmeric to say the least.
We stumbled along even as devotees stood there in awe with a prayer on their lips. Trupthi.
This morning we left very early to visit the Navashakti Puliyaar temple, where an abhishekam was going on. After a small namaskar to my favourite God, we went towards Kapaleeshwaran temple. We were afraid there would be a huge crowd because today is Ekadashi. Shiva here is worshiped as Kapaleeshwarar, and is represented by a Lingam, while his consort Parvati is depicted as Karpagambal.
We started by worshipping the Goddess, all resplendent in red. And then went on to meet Lord Shiva. This temple tends to bring my devotion to its fore.
Earlier, my visit was never complete without a visit to this temple. And then it got enhanced with the bajji mamis outside the temple gates. There was a Jannal Bajji kadai, and all because we were served from behind a window. The hot bajjis and chutney are to die for.
The Giri Stores was also a must visot for the Tamil New Year Calendar. And in earlier days devotional music cassettes.
This temple is on one side of the Mylapore temple tank. And is dotted with famous places like Leo Coffee, Karpangabal Mess, the famous vegetable market, Ambika Applam store,  Raasi silk saris. There is a music Hall and one would get all kinds of temple jewellery around here. The famous Dabbachetty store with its valuable Ayurvedic powders and roots is also in one of these lanes. A veritable treasure trove, except for the terror of parking your vehicle.
Now there is a metro station and so travel can be easy, maybe. But one would miss out on visiting the Rangachari store, with its incredibly durable cotton shungadi sarees. Now they have better patterns and super colour combinations.
Somehow I feel the vadu maangas from this market are the best. But then for me, it is just exciting to be here on this street. Trupthi.
About our breakfast I will soon let you know.