MAAVADU, SEVAI AND EXCESS LUGGAGE

I normally reach the airport at least with two hours to spare. Window shopping and sometimes just gawking at people is inspiring. I reached the Chennai airport with two hours to spare. When I kept the suitcase for weighing, it weighed 16.45 kgs and I was suitably shocked. 
Luckily a very young boy at the counter simply scolded me and said "next time please learn to pack less, maam" And added the luggage tag, looked at me disapprovingly and sent me off. I came away with a light heart and another heavy hand luggage. Incidentally I was carrying a slightly large kal chatti, some maavadu and sevai (cooked and steamed. We just have to add flavour). 
I was stopped at the security and the guy asked me what I was carrying. When in Chennai I tend to pick up things and these days all the major sweet shops are selling pudi khozakattai, amani khozakattai, sevai, etc. I told him I had such with some chutney. He strangely asked me if I was also carrying talcum powder... ������ 
When I left for my monthly sojourn to Chennai, I was carrying a little something for a friend. Since I did not want to carry two different bags, I put everything in one large suitcase. And still carried a small bag along with my holdall (my official bag������). 
Reached Chennai and handed over the extra something to friend and separated my bring-home treats for various parties and looked at the suitcase.... Empty. Filled me up with all kinds of hopes and desires to carry back things. But since I will be visiting every month, I relaxed a tad. 
Though I ran a few errands, it was more family meetings this time. Enjoyed every minute of the meetings, but missed out on the gadding and filling stomach with all kinds of foods. The other reason was the incredible heat, sapping humidity and the fact that I decided that my monthly visits would be curtailed if this kind weather continued. 
I was tired all the time and since the trip abroad I am also counting my steps and that was also tiring me a lot. Lemon soda with salt and sugar is the magic drink here, but unlike Hyderabad, Chennai does not have those kind of bandis. So water it was with a grain of salt, which I carry with me. 
I also went to pray at the Ashok Nagar Anjaneyar temple, where Lord Hanuman stands tall at 12 feet, with folded hands. This temple apparently is built by an ardent devotee. After he could not find suitable place in T Nagar, he found place in Ashok Nagar and now it is a very busy temple. 
Today the "Hanumanthavanam Trust" manages the affairs of the temple.  Vadamalai and Venna kaapu (butter alankaram) is very popular. Here the Lord is covered in butter and it has been booked for everyday till December 2024.
The trust also does a numbered poor feeding and help with special classes and with free uniforms and books. There is a small Lord Genesha temple also while Bharat Mata with her flag stands proudly. 

 

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