Thirunelli

Thought its a long time since I wrote. Decided to write about our Thirunelli trip before I forget.(sorry no photos this time. Have taken a few in my new camera, yet to learn how to transfer )

We-Venu , Malini & I, started from Uttara in an auto & a 7seater van was taken to Sharanya for all others.We reached the station on time to go to Kozhikode. Had taken sandwiches, coffee in 3 flasks, pazham & other snacks. Reached Kozhikode by 10.45 or so. Madhavan chettans brother had come there with a van & we went to his house.Enroute we realized that we forgot to take a packet of 5 umbrellas Meenu had taken with them. it was hung on a hook, nobody noticed it while getting down. Then Preeta said somebody had taken it with him!!!& we didnt realize it. Felt bad-dont know if someone actually took it or it was there only. Had our lunch at Aniyans house at about 11.30. Mini & aniyan joined us from there & we left for Thirunelli.We had booked 5 rooms in a hotel called Holiday Hill. It was neat & clean but about half an hours drive away from the temple. Then we all went to the temple.Had to climb a few steps to reach the temple. A small beautiful temple of Vishnu. We booked for the Shraddam -7 of us did it. Ramu Vinu & Aniyan for Madhavan  chettan; we three for our parents &others of our family & V ch for Machechi & others. Waited for Deeparadhana after which we had to pray as directed by the temple jeevanakkar-he will say something like moksham for all our Pithrukkal & forgive our samasthaparadham & we had to repeat with folded hands.We had our dinner in a hall in the temple itself- upma & pickle.Dinner was free. Venu couldnt come as he had 'Pula'(pela as we say).It had started raining & so couldnt take many photos. We have to get permission for taking photos by donating either for Anna danam or for renovation. I gave for Anna danam.

Went back to our rooms & most of us slept by 8.30!!! Got up early & started at 5 to go to temple without our bath & breakfast/ coffee. By the time the counter opened it was 6. Got the things for the "baliyidal"-darbha & a leaf 'potli' for each. Bali was to be done near the river Papanashini. We had to go down about 100 steps( heard a kid count upto 60+) then through rocky way. Thank God Ramu & Vinu were there to hold our hands.V ch had a fall also- when we were waiting for the bali samagri he went with Venu. Luckily nothing happened.

We had to take dip in the water & get out of the water & again walk a bit, get down to the river& Stand in the water with wet dress & perform the rites. The river is very narrow, water is very clean & freezing cold. But I didnt feel that cold while standing there. But while taking the dip I had to gasp for breath because of the cold.

Did a bit of shopping for cloves, honey & such things. We were not sure if we can go to temple in that wet dress after the kriya without taking bath, so didnt go.We wanted to change our wet dress & there was a room for that. Didnt go to that dingy room ( iruttu guha it looked like). There was no other place so all of us used the van as our changing room with mundu tied as screen.Someone noticed a leech in Vinus feet. Luckily it had not started his sucking of blood. Later we realized that Malini & I were also attacked by it-eeeeks.( this was the worst part of our otherwise nice trip) Mini had taken salt & with that got rid of it.

Went to the hotel & had our breakfast & started our journey back. Enroute there is a famous place( chaya kada type) where you get unniappam & we bought a few packets. It was really tasty( missed all those who couldnt have it). Went to Pazhassi Raja memorial Museum- nothing much to see. Wanted to go to a lake but it started raining & we couldnt wait  there. Reached the station & returned by the 4O'clock train. We had asked for the van to come & all of us managed to fit in that.Got our dinner packed from Oottupura, dropped Sharanya people & reached Uttara by 9.30 or so.Though tiring it was indeed a good trip. Sad we couldnt spend more time there.