My First Experience of Original Tirunelveli Halwa

Vanakkam Nanbargalay....

I hope all are fine and busy with their own routines. Summer is at its peak every where in particular at Chennai. I some how managed to visit during the peak Summer so called as 'Agni Natchathiram' (not the tamil movie..ok??) during May 2010. As a result we got nicely fried in the non-stop heat of the summer through out our trip. Just to cool us, before our departure we were able to experience the heavy rain fall in the name of cyclone 'Laila'. That was really so nice to enjoy the thunder and the heavy rain in chennai that too during May month..

We also managed to visit so many places during our trip to Chennai. I would like to share my experience of one of our trip, that is Tirunelveli. The main agenda of our tirunelveli trip was to visit a family temple near a place called seranmahadevi (now they call it as seranmadevi..). We had a pleasant & comfortable train travel from Chennai to Tirunelveli. We have planned and arranged the things very well before our travel to tirunelveli. So every thing went on well during our entire travel.

We visited few tourist spots like Famous water Falls 'Kuttralam', 'Pabanasam', 'Agasthiyar Falls' apart from en route temples like Nellaippar, Kailasanathar etc., To our disappointment there was very little water falls in kuttralam. But we thoroughly enjoyed a detailed bath in agasthiyar falls. We were told that this agasthiyar falls has abundant water through out 365 days. I cant put in words of the joy we had in this falls.. Amazing.. When ever some one visit tirunelveli never miss to have a shower in this falls.

The high light of the entire tirunelveli trip consists of two things. One is the visit to the family temple 'Kallur' Sivan Temple which is on the banks of the river tamira barani. Excellent temple to visit. The idol of shiva is a 'swayambu' (Swayambu = originated of its own.. not man made idol..) and this temple is just 1500 years old. Great sculputres and fantastic divinity through out the temple. We were told by the priest that this particular shiva temple is second in number in the Nava Kailsam (Nine shiva temples) and also this is the one and only temple where Goddess Parvathi resides on the right side of Lord Shiva in the temple. This is the very first time I am visiting this temple and thoroughly felt the divinity of the place. Memorable experience.

The second high light was the famous tirunelvi halwa which is sold in the popular so called 'Iruttu Kadai' (Iruttu Kadai = Dark Shop; less lighting..!!) This shop is located just in front of the famous nellaippar temple. We found more crowd in front of the shop than the temple. So we also joined in the Jyothi and became one among the crowd. It seems this shops opens only in the evening at around 6.15 and closes exactly at 7.45 likely. We bought smaller quantity of halwa and tasted at the same time. Wonderful taste. What a moment was that.. Original Tirunelveli Halwa... that too in front of the shop which is the authenticated seller of this famous halwa and also we were served hot halwas in plantain leaf... Then we filled our bags with sufficient quantity for our chennai consumption as well as distribution for our relatives and friends..

So far I was very nicely given 'HALWA' (bulb!!) by so many people... This is the very first time I myself got the original halwa of my own..!! I am sure many of you might have got nice halwa (bulbs!!) from several of your friends etc.,!!

Apart from this two high lights there were several nice experience during our tirunelveli trip. I shall try to share it with you in the future posts..

vartaa....

Hoteloooo Hotels...

HOTELS IN CHROMEPET

Vanakkam Nanbargalay... I am sure many of chromepetians might have heard (even visited..!!) and began to exult about the recent developments in chromepet. In particular the upcoming of restaurants in chromepet. I am very much delighted to hear the news about the latest arrival of hotels in chromepet.

I have already written in my earlier posts, that a good hotel is really a curse for chromepet in particular Radha Nagar. Almost nearly for the past 15 years I have not seen any good vegetarian hotel in and around Chromepet. Now the time has come and chromepet is blessed to have good standard hotels.

During my recent visit to chromepet, I happened to have my breakfast in Balaji Bhavan. This hotel is located just few meters away from Vaishnava College Railway gate. I found the food very tasty and I thoroughly enjoyed my breakfast in detail. Also the response (Crowd) was too good, by which I had a feeling of having food somewhere in a hotel in T.Nagar I am sure many of you might have tasted and already given your ratings for Balaji Bavan. I really cannot even guess that how many of you will join hands with me in complimenting the food taste of Balaji Bavan.

The talk of the town in chromepet during end of year 2009 was all about the great Namma Veetu Vasanta Bavan restaurant. Until the opening of Vasanta Bavan in Chromepet we all used to go to Tambaram to have a quality food at Vasanta Bavan. But now chromepet is lucky enough to have this hotel in the prime location of the GST Road. I still not have tasted the chromepet vasanta Bavan food, but assuming they keep up their standard similar to their outlet in Tambaram. But I heard that we need to wait a long time to get a seat in Vasanta Bavan, that crowded..!! is this true?

Wow, more good news are on the way in chromepet with respect to the opening of hotels. Now Adyar Ananda Bavan also have opened an outlet in GST road, if I am not wrong, some where near the great Vettri Theater.. Amazing.. I have tasted once in Adyar Ananda Bavan in Tambaram and I found the food tasty.

So now our GST road is become a hot spot for choosing a variety of taste and restaurant. No doubt chromepet is all the manner competing with T.Nagar by having all kinds of outlets. I hope in the near future let Saravana Bavan too have an outlet in our Great Chromepet.

The most important and joyful news is that Radha Nagar now fortunate enough to have a good vegetarian hotel, that too in the most famous street.. 'Bharathi Street'. Thanks to the VSP and their contribution to Chromepet and Radha Nagar. The VSP super market is a big hit among the chromepetians.. Yes all the items are available and the display, customer assistance is perfect. I am sure the VSP will reciprocate the response of its customers by expanding and providing more customer friendly environment with their super market.

The new VSP hotel is located in Bharathi Street just above the VSP Super Market. So far I have not received any information about the quality and taste. I am just waiting for it.

So what more proof is required to show the world, that chromepet is booming and becoming like a Texas of Chennai.. In the future, Chromepet will be much more a better place than T. Nagar to have all the branded outlets.

but still I have a soft corner and sympathy to our long serving Bhajji Kadai Nair and Bonda Rao in Radha Nagar, station Road. They are popular in their own style.

Tail piece : During my recent visit, I also witness the MTC Bus Route number 52E services resumed. Yes, again the Bus Service between Nemilicherry and Broadway by route number 52E has resumed. Thats another good news. Thanks to the people who really put their effort to resume this bus service. I hope more frequency and more new services will be introduced in the near future.

In short, I AM PROUD TO SAY I AM FROM CHROMEPET.. TEXAS of Chennai..

The only draw back in chromepet, in particular Radha Nagar is the Railway Gate. Even a great astrologer cannot predict the subway or flyover possibilities in Radha Nagar.

- vartaa..

TEAM INDIA

Hi all.. Wishing you all a Very Happy New Year 2010. So far the year 2010 looks good other than few natural disaster like Haiti.

Now let us now dance down the track... A Straight Drive.. Yes, without any more clues I wish to say something about Cricket, in particular TEAM INDIA and their performance in the recently completed first Test Match agains South Africa. I was controlling myself so much in posting something about cricket, but this time I cannot hold any more my frustrations and anger over our TEAM INDIA and their poor performance in the 1st Test Match between South Africa.

So many questions got triggered in my mind, once we lost to South Africa in the 1st Test Match last week. More than any thing I was so upset that Badrinath wasted a golden opportunity to prove his skills. Finally I came to a conlusion ( this is the only way I consoled myself..) we badly missed 'THE WALL'.. Mr.Perfect, Dravid.. No doubt he is a legend. TEAM INDIA badly missed Dravid, for sure he might have played a major role and would have changed the entire fate of the 1st Test match.

I would like to list out few of my suggestions to TEAM INDA for this second Test Match. I will be happy to receive all your comments for the below listed suggestions... Finally I decided not to make this post so serious (not worth...) talking about TEAM INDIA performance, so trying my best to blend it to bring out in a lighter manner.

1) Better, TEAM INDIA to hire some talented players from Australian Team to play in the 2nd Test Match against South Africa.. Hope for this Mr. Lalit Modi will be of great help to TEAM INDIA.

But before we hire players from Australian Team, we must make those players believe that TEAM INDIA is full of australian players and the opponent SA team is full of Indian players.. The main reason behind this is, as Aussies are already thrashing our Indian in the streets of Australia, as well they will do it in cricket field..!!!

2)TEAM INDIA always keeps up the motto.. Yes as we stand in the No. 1 Spot in the Test Match Rankings (SINGLE DIGIT), so we got defeated in the 1st Test Match against SA by Single Digit only, just 6 runs..

3)TEAM INDIA to bid and hire Amla, Kallis, Steyn from SA Team for the 2nd Test match.

As Amla is of Indian origin, and hence there should not be any problem in this decision..!!

4)TEAM INDIA was far better than South Africa in the recent 1st Test Match. Because South African Team was dare enough and also capable of batting only once against Indian Bowlers, whereas TEAM INDIA played twice, - continuously.. epppuddddiiiiiiiiiii..

5)First and foremost our TEAM INDIA bowlers cannot bowl swings.. how can we expect reverse swing.. Probably we should train the Indian fast bowlers to run in reverse (backward) and then try to swing the ball.. Should try this in 2nd test match..

6)If any of the South African bowlers takes 2 wickets against TEAM INDIA in the second Test match, the umpires should ban those SA bowlers from bowling for the entire remaining match.

7)Last but not least.. When ever our Master Blaster scores a century (100 runs) our TEAM INDIA losses. No problem, one more record for Sachin and one more feather in his hat..!! I guess because of Sachin's continuous records and so many feathers in his hat, our TEAM INDIA has now become a 'FEATHERLESS CHICKEN'.

Sachin got out the very next ball he scored his century in the 1st test match.. Very dedicated guy.. On Personal Front..!!!

As usual, let us keep our fingers (if possible hands too..!!) crossed and watch the 2nd Test Match between TEAM INDIA and South Africa at Eden Gardens, Kolkata from 14th Feb 2010.

It is sad to note that this global recession has badly affected our National Game, Hockey too.. yes TEAM INDIA (hockey) is still pending of their dues..

-- Varataa...

Nobel Break

Vanakkam Nanbargalay.....

I hope every one of you might have celebrated diwali in grand manner. Belated Diwali wishes to you all. Diwali is real joyous function and great moments to cherish through out the following days and months. The newly married couples (who got married prior to diwali that particular year) will have a special celebration during diwali and it is termed as 'Thalai (Head) Diwali in Tamil Nadu. As per me its only one year or that particular year diwali is the 'Thala Diwali for the newly married couples, but every year it is a 'THALAI Diwali for only one person in Tamil Nadu.. Can any one of you guess who it is...

It is none other than our Ultimate Star ''THALA' Ajith Kumar.!!!

Though traditionally Pongal is the main function of Tamil Nadu, yet Diwali holds equal or more importance with pongal festival. The pongal function went on well all these years and due to some sudden change to its fundamental by our great tamil nadu politicians, now there is a very big confusion among people when to celebrate pongal. Our politicians do not even spare the festivals..!!! ivlo Naal Nalla thaanaiyaa pongal festival poittu irundudu..!!! kelambitaangaiyaa.. kelambitangaiyaa.. Namma politicans edhaiyavadu summa ippadi kolluthi pottukiney irupaanga.. Namma makkulum semmaiya confuse agi, function celebrate panradaiyey vituduvaanga..!!!

There is only one major difference between Diwali and Pongal. I am sure many of you might have got the answer right now. The answer is ..... during Diwali we can eat pongal, but during Pongal we cannot eat Diwali..!!! idhu dhaan difference.

Along with this celebration mood and joyous moments, we take this opportunity to Wish and congratulate Mr. Venkatraman Ramakrishan for his Nobel Prize. Whole of our Country, in particular Tamil Nadu is so proud of Mr. Venkatraman. He has won this Nobel prize in Chemistry for his studies of the structure and function of the ribosomes.

Let us also wish and congratulate Mr. Barack Obama for his Nobel Peace Prize.

It is great achievement by Mr. Venkatrama Ramakrishnan. Recently I read a very good article about Mr. Venkatraman in tamil magazine and it was simply superb. I shall try to brief a few words about that article and I feel every one should read and should know the greatness of Mr. Venkatraman.

It was early in the morning, Mr. Venkatraman recieved a phone call from a lady who works as secretary in the Nobel Prize foundation office and informed him about his Nobel Prize. Mr. Venkat could not blieve this phone call and thought that was some pranks played by some one. Then he rang up the top level people in the Nobel foundation and then it came as a surprise to him that he has won the Nobel Prize for sure. Being morning hours, his wife had been for a walk and there was no one for Mr.Venkat to share this joyous news. His sister and family along with his father were residing in USA, but since it was sleeping time for them, Mr. Venkat dropped the idea of calling and disturbing them with this news.

Later he took his bicycle ( he does not have car it seems.. even to commute to his work place he used bicycle only.. ) and then located his wife and shared this happy news. Though he was born in tamil nadu at his early age of 3 years he moved to karnataka as his father relocated there due to his employment. So all of the studies of Mr. Venkatraman was not in Tamil nadu, where as to his surprise and shock several people in Tamil Nadu started giving news in all the tamil magazines that they were the professor, teacher for Mr. Venkatraman. !!! idhu daan namma aalugangaloda speciality. Cycle gap la auto ootiduvaanga..!! Also several people started mailing to Mr. Venkatraman claiming as his relatives, though he has not even heard about their names in the past..!!!

Then the local television arranged for an interview with Mr.Venkatraman, where his lovely humbleness got revealed. This entire interview shows nothing other than the greatness of Mr. Venkatraman.

Let me narrate about that interview details of Mr. Venkatraman in the future posts..

Enna friends, why there is no Nobel Prize for Blog posts???? Can any one find out and inform me..

-- vartaa...

HAPPY VIJAYADASAMI

வணக்கம் நண்பர்களே .......
உங்கள் அனைவருக்கும் இனிய தசரா மற்றும் நவராத்திரி வாழ்த்துக்கள் நவராத்திரி பண்டிகை ரொம்ப நல்லா கொண்டாடி இருப்பீங்கன்னு நினைக்கிறேன். இந்த வாரம் நம்ம ஊரு இஸ்திரி கடைக்கு தான் ரொம்ப நல்ல வருமானம். வீட்டு பட்டு புடவை எல்லாம் ட்ரை வாஷுக்காக இஸ்திரி கடைக்கு போகும். இந்த ட்ரை வாஷ் செய்யற காசுக்கு ஒரு புது புடவையே வாங்கிடலாம். !!! இருக்கட்டும் இருக்கட்டும்.

எனக்கு தெரிஞ்சு நம்ம ஊரு புள்ளைங்க எல்லாம் ரொம்ப சந்தோஷமா கொண்டாடுற பண்டிகை இந்த சரஸ்வதி புஜை தான். அன்னைக்கு மட்டும் தான் நம்ம புள்ளிங்கோ எல்லாம் நைனா, அம்மா சொல்லற பேச்சை எல்லாம் அப்படியே கேட்பாங்கோ.. அம்மா, அப்பா சொல்ல முன்னாடியே புஸ்தகத்தை எல்லாம் கொண்டு புஜைல வைச்சுடுவானுங்கோ.. பாவம் பெத்தவங்க குழைந்தங்களை ரொம்போ நல்லவங்கனு சொல்லிடுவாங்க. நம்ம ஊரு புளைங்கலக்கு தினமுமே சரஸ்வதி புஜை தான். விளையாட்டு புள்ளைங்க. வராத படிப்பை வாவானா எப்படி வரும்?.......

நம்ம ஆம்பிளைங்க தான் பாவம். சும்மா ஒன்பது நாளைக்கு எல்லார் வீட்டு சுண்டலையும் துன்னுட்டு வயிறு நேஷனல் பெர்மிட் லாரி கணக்கா சத்தம் கொடுக்கும். அலாரம் வைக்காமலே விடிய காலைல எழுந்திடுவாங்க. இந்த ஆம்பிளைங்களுக்கு எந்த வீட்டு சுண்டல்னும் தெரியாது, என்ன சுண்டல்னும் தெரியாது. சும்மா மாவு மிஷன் கணக்கா தர சுண்டலை எல்லாம் வாய்குள்ளார போட்டுக்குவாங்க. அவங்க வயித்துக்கு மட்டும் வாய் இருந்தா சும்மா கெட்ட கெட்ட வார்த்தையா சொல்லி திட்டும். "என்னது இது சின்ன புளைதனமா இருக்கு.. பிளடி நொன்சென்ஸ்.."

இந்த பெண்கள் இரண்டு வாரத்திற்கு ரொம்ப பிஸி. எல்லார் வீட்டு நவராத்ரி மற்றும் பட்டு புடவை, சுண்டல் எல்லா விஷயம் பற்றியும் சும்மா ரொம்ப பேசி ரொம்ப அலசி அலசி ஆராய்ஞ்சு ரிப்போர்ட் ரெடி செய்து விடுவார்கள்.

Anyways these 9 days of Navaratri unites lots of people இன் particular ladies and keeps a good environment all over.

வரட்டா.................

UID's....Appreciable Adaptation

Hi Everyone,

Finally, I decide to break the shackles of dormancy with this post. Since so much has been said and discussed about Chromepet, I thought of jumping into totally different topics to write about.

There was a discussion between me and my roommate about a news article published a couple of days back [http://ibnlive.in.com/news/nilekani-quits-infosys-to-head-govts-unique-id-project/95681-3.html]. It was about the implementation of a new system called Unique Identification cards (UID's) by the Govt. of India.

As the news post claims, by employing this UID, each and every citizen of India can be taken into account and can be acknowledged for his economical and educational status and else more. It will be one of the most appreciable adaptation by India, of the already successfully existing system called Social Security Number (SSN's) in United states of America which accounts for each and every individual who earns taxable dollars. I feel that, rather than just westernizing in culture, which we should not have done, adaptation of infrastructure and governing schemes of developed countries should be given importance to put India on fast track to become a developed nation.

The best part of the discussion we had on this matter, is on what benefits it would serve on a future prospective just other than serving as yet another identification card. I felt it very interesting to share it here.

Once this UID's are implemented, as promised it will "count and account" for each citizen of India of his/her economical and educational status. If that happens, the Govt. of India should be able to identify and classify different sections of the society on a economical and education basis. If we can do that, then we can focus on employing reservation for different sections of society based entirely on economic status which many of us would highly recommend and strongly wish for.....Of course, it is easier said than done, but still its the thought that counts most. A good thought is half-work done and rest is only about execution.

[Thought courtesy - to my roommate Pradeep]

Regards,

Rajesh Subramanian

"YOU ARE THE MASTERPIECE"

Vanakam Nanbargalay..

Thats nice to see another post with in a short interval. Recently I came acorss wonderful message, but unfortunately the Author of this golden words remains unknown. I felt it is really worth to share with you. The words of this article are so inspiring and motivational. I hope you all will also have the same feeling after reading this. Njoy...

“You are a Masterpiece"

A plum once said, just because a banana lover came by, I converted myself into a banana. Unfortunately, his taste changed after a few months and so I became an orange. When he said I was bitter I became an apple, but he went in search of grapes. Yielding to the opinions of so many people, I have changed so many times that I no more know who I am. Now I wish I had remained a plum and waited for a plum lover.

Just because a group of people do not accept you as you are, there is no necessity for you to strip yourself of your originality. You need to think good of yourself, for the world takes you at your own estimate. Never stop down in order to gain recognition. Never let go of your true self to win a relationship. In the long run, you will regret that you traded your greatest glory - your uniqueness, for momentary validation. Even Mahatma Gandhi was not accepted by many people.

The group that does not accept you the way you are, is not your world.There is a world for each one of you, where you shall reign as king / queen by just being yourself. Find that world... in fact, that world will find you.

What water can do, gasoline cannot and what copper can, gold cannot. The fragility of the ant enables it to move and the rigidity of the tree enables it to stay rooted. Everything and everybody has been designed with a proportion of uniqueness to serve a purpose that we can fulfill only by being our unique self. You as you alone can serve your purpose and I as I alone can serve my purpose. You are here to be you... just you.

There was a time in this world when Lord Krishna was required and he was sent; a time when a Christ was required and he was sent; a time when a Mahatma was required and he was sent; There came a time when you were required on this planet and hence you were sent. Let us be the best we can be. Don't miss yourself and let the world not miss you.

In the history of the universe, there has been nobody like you and to the infinite of time to come, there will be no one like you. Existence should have loved you so much that it broke the mould after making you, so that another of your kind will never get repeated.

You are original

You are rare

You are unique

You are a wonder

You are a masterpiece... your Master's piece.

Celebrate your Uniqueness.

- Author Unknown.

Enna nanbargalay, I am sure you all might have enjoyed reading the above.

Good, have nice time.. Shall come back with stunning post soon.

- Vartaa...........