Mani's brother marriage trip..

Place : Madurai, Virudhunagar & Sivakasi [ for a short time:-) ]

Date : 21 & 22 Jan 2012

This journey starts with Me & Sakthivel (@ Sutri) reaching Kalasipalayam.. We had a simple dinner at a hotel opposite to Bangalore medical college and boarded the bus.. We've booked the tickets up to Virudhunagar.. But Sutri blabbered something "Why can't we get down in Madurai?".. That's it, our plan changed and we got down in Madurai :-)

Saturday morning, we reached the city of Pandiyas.. (Now called as the fort of so called DMK's "Annan" - Mr. M. K. Alagiri. "B.A.,"-vam. -Nan apadiyae shock ayitaen).. We stayed in Hotel Vijay (0452-2336321) near bus stand.. The hotel is not that cheap(Rs. 600/day), but had a decent and comfortable stay..

We booked a local tour package (Rs.160/head) in the hotel itself and started our tour to "Thiruparangundram" Murugan temple (First divine house of the six Murugan temples).. This was my first visit to this temple, as I remember.. We had a pleasant and wonderful darshan of Lord Muruga (called as the "Tamil God") with less crowd in the temple.. But, now-a-days temples are becoming business centers.. Worst part we experienced is, a guy forcefully kept the flowers in our pooja tray and collected 10 rupees.. I am not against the small business in temples for livelihood, but I hate such cheating fellows in the name of God.. Next, we came back to Madurai bus stand and had Nelli Juice (Amla Juice) and Ginger juice ( it's a first try for me at-least).. Then we roamed on some Madurai streets to buy the gift for Rathinavel's (@Mani) brother marriage..

At last, we started our city ride.. There were around 25 people in the bus, but worse thing is only 5 people are Tamils, remaining all are North Indian people.. Funny thing here is, the guide asked Rs.20/- for parking and other expenses.. But, some North Indian aunties(who seems to be from a upper middle class family) argued with that guy for more than 30 minutes for that..


First, the travel guy took us to the "Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal", the remains of an ancient palace, which is known for its Gigantic Pillars.. I have seen this place in "Iruvar" movie already, but I don't know that is this place.. It's good to be there for a while.. Then we went to "Gandhi Museum", where the cloth worn (with blood stains) by Mahatma when he was shot was kept preserved and then we visited "Mariamman theppakulam" and had some bright light photos..

 

Next, we went to "Pazhamudhir Solai"- another divine house(6th) of Lord Muruga.. It was a short and beautiful temple situated amidst small green mountains.. Luckily, the moment we there, there was a Golden Chariot Ula.. Good to see that.. I liked that temple.. In the bottom of those mountains, lies the "Kallalagar temple - a form of Lord Vishnu.. we went there just before the temple close and had a nice dharshan of Gigantic Kallalagar with some hot Pongal:-)..

Next, we visited a small temple on the way and finally dropped in front of the "Meenakshi Amman temple".. We rushed there as the temple will close by 9PM.. This is the only place where I felt the crowd for the day.. Anyways, we had a good darshan of "Meenakshi Amman".. Unfortunately, we couldn't see "Sundareshwarar" temple as it was closed just at the moment we reached there.. Anyway, we roamed around the "Golden Lotus" pond and the "Four gigantic gates" of the temple, had Madurai famous "Jigarthanda" and ended the day back in the room..

Next day(Sunday), we started early from Madurai to Virudhunagar for Mani's brother marriage.. Virudhunagar was one and a half hour journey from Madurai.. The fun of the day happens here.. The bus stopped in Virudhunagar old bus stand.. But we thought there will be a new bus stand and didn't get down there..  From there the bus started and kept moving for a long time.. After half and hour.. I said "Namma Sivakasi poitu irukomo??".. And Sutri looked outside on some boards and said "Mark, you are right?".. Having no option, we exchanged some crazy laughter and got down the bus and got a Virudhunagar bus and finally reached Mani's town..


Mani took us to his home, and from there we reached the Mandapam.. Pratheep and Docomo(Dinesh) were already there.. We had some chit chats for hardly 5 minutes.. Then one of us said "Sari, vantha velaya papoma??".. Next moment, we were in the dining hall:-) 

We faced a different kind of marriage there.. Yes, the marriage happens in two halls.. Bride's hall and Bridegroom's hall.. The Groom will start from his hall and goes to the Bride's hall on Elephant, the marriage happens there and the newly married couple comes back to the Groom's hall on a decorated horse chariot for the reception..  Few more interesting things.. When multiple marriage happens on the same day, there will be a lot to choose who will use the elephant it seems.. And the marriage doesn't have any Pundit chanting Mantras.. It's just like, an elder person in that community speaks about both the families, the couples and few general things and finally the groom ties the knot to the bride and start their journey of life together..

 After finishing the lunch, we returned to the room, rested for some time, had some chit chats and roamed on the streets of Virudhunagar, had some hot bondas and tea.. Pratheep and Dinesh had their bus from Madurai, so they started before us.. Finally, Me and Sutri boarded the train to Bangalore.. And there ends our two day trip..