The trivandrum experience
...Once in Trivandrum, there was a loud cacophony of meeting everyone and exclaiming at the growth of each kid. Hugs were exchanged profusely. We met Thangachchan (the poor driver who was stuck with this loud and raucuous group) and went to the hotel to get checked in. We freshened up, went to have breakfast, and then embarked on a "discover Trivandrum" trip. We hit 2nd Puthen Street - all 17 of us! It was a sight. I'm not sure if we were the sight see"ers" or see"ees"! I think the amusement and "gawk" factor was mutual amongst the residents of 2nd Puthen St and us. Especially 2 little boys who were amused to no end while we stood at the doorsteps of the house Amma was born and brought up in, while posing for a myriad of pictures. We then went to Veli beach, and did the touristy thing including a lunch at a floating restaurant. Once we got back, it was time to beautify ourselves and head off to the Padmanabhaswamy temple. Another picture session was in the cards, and we played second fiddle to Prakash's neatly conducted picture-taking orchestra while we posed for him.
I remember going to this Padmanabhaswamy temple while I was little, and being awed by it. It was HUGE. The Sannidhi was so big that you had to see it through 3 different doors (of course now that I know the significance of the three doors, it makes more sense). This time, I went in trying to see things through my kids' "ABCD" eyes. The beauty is still there - that (thankfully) cannot be destroyed. The temple outside was airy and the beach sand still remained the same as from yester years. What I don't remember was the crowd and the stuffiness while waiting to be shepherded through the various queues for the briefest glimpse of the sanctom sanctorium. Tirupathy was the last place where I had experienced the "Jaragandi Jaragandi" madness. This place was no exception. There is also a newfound constant push for money making. While capitalistic ventures surely help the temple, there seems to be an odd metalic bitter after taste left when priests push you to take "oil to light the lamp" etc. which cost you money - after the fact. I absolutely understand the need for money to keep such a temple thriving. When priests have greed in their face is when I back off. How are my kids, who are not "street smart" in terms of temples in India, going to survive if they are placed in a situation where they'd have to visit one of these temples and fend for themselves? I hope that all temples are not commercialized to the extent that "praying" becomes a bollywood-like cliche. Going to a famous temple in India now seems to be akin to a business venture. If you pay the appropriate fee - or grease the "right" hand, you are taken through a disney-esque "fastpath" route that takes you right outside the Sannidhi. If not, you are given either a slightly dimmed view further away, or the view of the backsides of the people who DID pay. I've never liked Tirupathy because of this very commercialization. Show me a quiet temple where one can actually go and reflect in peace over this overcommercialized madness any day, and that'll be the temple of my choice!
OK OK my ranting is done.
We came back from the temple, and headed back out to the Taj for a scrumptious dinner, where Prakash was treated like a King. He seems to command that where he goes just by his enviable networking skills. Anyway, this was a start to our penchant to try all the Malayali foods for the week. I'm not sure there were any left that we did not eagerly try! All this further fueled by the everlasting "remember when" stories that went around each food item made it yet more wonderous a trip.
Thank you for reading!
I remember going to this Padmanabhaswamy temple while I was little, and being awed by it. It was HUGE. The Sannidhi was so big that you had to see it through 3 different doors (of course now that I know the significance of the three doors, it makes more sense). This time, I went in trying to see things through my kids' "ABCD" eyes. The beauty is still there - that (thankfully) cannot be destroyed. The temple outside was airy and the beach sand still remained the same as from yester years. What I don't remember was the crowd and the stuffiness while waiting to be shepherded through the various queues for the briefest glimpse of the sanctom sanctorium. Tirupathy was the last place where I had experienced the "Jaragandi Jaragandi" madness. This place was no exception. There is also a newfound constant push for money making. While capitalistic ventures surely help the temple, there seems to be an odd metalic bitter after taste left when priests push you to take "oil to light the lamp" etc. which cost you money - after the fact. I absolutely understand the need for money to keep such a temple thriving. When priests have greed in their face is when I back off. How are my kids, who are not "street smart" in terms of temples in India, going to survive if they are placed in a situation where they'd have to visit one of these temples and fend for themselves? I hope that all temples are not commercialized to the extent that "praying" becomes a bollywood-like cliche. Going to a famous temple in India now seems to be akin to a business venture. If you pay the appropriate fee - or grease the "right" hand, you are taken through a disney-esque "fastpath" route that takes you right outside the Sannidhi. If not, you are given either a slightly dimmed view further away, or the view of the backsides of the people who DID pay. I've never liked Tirupathy because of this very commercialization. Show me a quiet temple where one can actually go and reflect in peace over this overcommercialized madness any day, and that'll be the temple of my choice!
OK OK my ranting is done.
We came back from the temple, and headed back out to the Taj for a scrumptious dinner, where Prakash was treated like a King. He seems to command that where he goes just by his enviable networking skills. Anyway, this was a start to our penchant to try all the Malayali foods for the week. I'm not sure there were any left that we did not eagerly try! All this further fueled by the everlasting "remember when" stories that went around each food item made it yet more wonderous a trip.
Thank you for reading!
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