Chennai: The past three days have literally been a walk down memory lane for many Chennaiites. With electricity failure in many parts of the city, television sets and mixergrinders did not work. So, people willy-nilly had to tune in to the radio if they had one, or bring out the grinding stone that they had long ignored.
As Chennai and its suburbs were submerged, water entered electricity junction boxes at many places. The Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) had no choice but to stop power supply, to prevent electrocution.
“Even during the 2005 floods, power supply was not disconnected. This time, we could not go out to get milk and other essential commodities. Cooking dishes was a problem; I had to grind the masalas,” said Amudheshwari Mahalingam, a resident of Virugambakkam.
Radio suddenly regained some of its old glory. “We had electricity on Thursday morning, but the supply got cut by noon. I did not part with the radio, because I wanted to keep track of the Mumbai hostage drama and the flood situation here. After a long time, I heard songs on Vividh Bharati,” said K S Subramaniam, a West Mambalam resident.
For Meenakshi Seshasayee in Mylapore, the past few days have been both painful and exhilarating. “I got a backache after using the grinding stone to make dosa batter and chutney. I felt like being transported to the days of my grandmother,” she said.
In Kodambakkam’s Azeez Nagar, senior citizens were put to hardship. “The milk got spoilt as the refrigerator did not work. I could not contact anyone because my cell phone could not be charged. And I did not go out due to floods,” said Ramamoorthy.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Koyambedu bus terminus cut off
Chennai: People found it difficult to access the Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus on Saturday as a stretch of the 100-Feet Road from Koyambedu to Vadapalani, which is under water, has been blocked for traffic since Friday.
As the waist-deep water is yet to recede, people are using fishing boats to shift out of the area. All buses from southern districts were diverted in Tambaram.
They took the route via Chennai bypass and Maduravoyal instead of Ashok Nagar and Vadapalani to reach Koyambedu.
The route diversion made the trip longer and arduous. “Travelling through Maduravoyal is a difficult task due to heavy traffic and poor road conditions even during normal times. After the rain, things have turned for the worse and it took me three hours to reach Koyambedu from Tambaram,’’ said Kannadasan, a passenger who came from Villupuram on a government bus.
With the entrance to the bus terminus flooded, passengers, particularly the elderly and children, had a tough time boarding buses. Passengers from other districts going to areas like Vadapalani, Guindy, Ashok Nagar and St Thomas Mount remained stranded in Koyambedu because of the route diversion.
According to MTC drivers, buses on the Tambaram-Avadi route were operated only till Vadapalani. Similarly, Avadi-Tambaram buses were were plied only till Koyambedu. However, some buses were operated via Aminjikarai and Kodambakkam. And some Tambaram-bound buses were operated through Maduravoyal instead of Vadapalani.
“When there is a route diversion, passengers must be informed. I did not find any such system here. We cannot hire autorickshaws as drivers demand exorbitant amounts,’’ said Dhanraj, a passenger.
Many drivers of government buses suggested that mofussil buses from southern districts could have been stopped in Tambaram so that passengers could reach their destinations. As buses from other districts were running several hours behind schedule, many services were cancelled and a large number of passengers who had booked tickets in advance cancelled them. Meanwhile, residents and shopkeepers on 100-Feet Road are worried as there was no sign of water receding. With several vehicles remaining stuck on flooded roads, including 100-Feet Road, MTC drivers said they were instructed not to operate new buses as this would damage vehicles.
As the waist-deep water is yet to recede, people are using fishing boats to shift out of the area. All buses from southern districts were diverted in Tambaram.
They took the route via Chennai bypass and Maduravoyal instead of Ashok Nagar and Vadapalani to reach Koyambedu.
The route diversion made the trip longer and arduous. “Travelling through Maduravoyal is a difficult task due to heavy traffic and poor road conditions even during normal times. After the rain, things have turned for the worse and it took me three hours to reach Koyambedu from Tambaram,’’ said Kannadasan, a passenger who came from Villupuram on a government bus.
With the entrance to the bus terminus flooded, passengers, particularly the elderly and children, had a tough time boarding buses. Passengers from other districts going to areas like Vadapalani, Guindy, Ashok Nagar and St Thomas Mount remained stranded in Koyambedu because of the route diversion.
According to MTC drivers, buses on the Tambaram-Avadi route were operated only till Vadapalani. Similarly, Avadi-Tambaram buses were were plied only till Koyambedu. However, some buses were operated via Aminjikarai and Kodambakkam. And some Tambaram-bound buses were operated through Maduravoyal instead of Vadapalani.
“When there is a route diversion, passengers must be informed. I did not find any such system here. We cannot hire autorickshaws as drivers demand exorbitant amounts,’’ said Dhanraj, a passenger.
Many drivers of government buses suggested that mofussil buses from southern districts could have been stopped in Tambaram so that passengers could reach their destinations. As buses from other districts were running several hours behind schedule, many services were cancelled and a large number of passengers who had booked tickets in advance cancelled them. Meanwhile, residents and shopkeepers on 100-Feet Road are worried as there was no sign of water receding. With several vehicles remaining stuck on flooded roads, including 100-Feet Road, MTC drivers said they were instructed not to operate new buses as this would damage vehicles.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
Varanasi Tour- Remembered
Some suggestions for those who want to perform Varanasi / Kasi Tour from Tamil Nadu:
Accommodation:
In Varanasi you can stay in Kumarasamy Madam (also called Thirupanndal Madam).For confirmed accommodation you have to got letter from Thirupanndal Madam,Which is near Kumbakonam in Tanjore District,Tamil Nadu and phone to Varanasi Kumarasamy Madam about your tour plan and requirement of rooms.In normal days( other than Ammavasai or festival days) you can get rooms With out letter from Madam.You can request by phone itself.
Kumarasamy Madam ( Thirupanndal Madam) is near Kedar Ghat and Kedareeswar temple.It is very convenient and clean room.24 hrs water supply avilable.Generator is switched ON during power cut.Tamil Nadu food ( Meals at noon,tiffin Idly,Pongal vadai, Uppma, Chappathi,Poori at morning and night)is available opposite to Madam itself. Shops to purchase daily ( soap,shampoo,paste,brush etc)needs are nearby located nearby to Madam.
There is a Nattukkottai Nagara Satram in Kasi which is also very good.It is located near the temple.You have to phone and give your requirement.For this Satram , if you get recommendation of any Nattukkottai Chettiyar you will get assured accommodation.
The auro/rickshawal knows the locations if you mention natcot satram or Kumaraswamy matt.There is no language problem in Varanasi.
In both the places rooms with attached bathrooms and family halls are available. There is no problem for food as well as for transport.They will help to get Gurukal for doing all poojas.
As our main purpose is taking taking bathe in Ganges several times during our stay ,if we stay in Kumraswamy mutt which is very near to Kedar ghat will be very convenient.
Motor Boats are avilable near Kedar Ghat for rent to visit all the 64 Ghats and back. On the way we can visit Viswanathar temple and Bindhu madavar temple.
Hence staying at Kumaraswamy Mutt is recommended.
1. Sri Kasi Nattukkottai Nagara Satram,
Godowlia, Varanasi, Mr. Muthukaruppan
Phone: 0542-2451804
2. Nattukkottai Nagara Satram,
No. 171, Chand Chowra, Gaya,
Mr. Jeyamkondan - 09973436309
3. Nattukkottai Nagara Satram,
( 149 ) 1/91, Mori, Daraganj, Allahabad,
Mr.Annamalai- 05322501275
Mobile- 09305562457
Sri Kumaraswamy Matt,
B/13/156, Sonarpura, Kedar Ghat,
Varanasi-221001,
Ph:0542-2454064,
Agent: V.P.Shanmuga Sundaram.
It is helpfull to follow my suggestions.
1.Get confirmed train tickets for all your journeys well in advance.
2.Phone to Madam or Satram and inform your requirement of rooms.
3.Take your kattusathams,Chappathis for train journey and ooruhai ,milahai podi, thengai thuvaiyal etc for journeys( onward and return )
4.Bring Panner ( 500 ml) and Vipoothi ( 500gm) ( Palani Siddhanathan sons) for abisheham at Viswanathar temple from your native place itself as they are not available and costly in Varanasi..You can do abisheham by yourself and then collect vipoothi as prasatham .
Things to be carried for the tour are as follows
1.Paste, brush, oil, soap, comb, shaving kit
2.Water mug, plate, tumbler, spoon, water bottle
3.Small umbrella, torch light, spare battery,
4.Plastic bags, cloth bags, plastic rope,
5.Camera,battery for camera
6.Specks and speck's box
7.Cell phone and cell phone charger
8.Regular Medicines and emergency medicines
9.Train tickets, ID Card, ATM cards
10.Sand collected from Rameswaram
11.Chain & lock for suitcase and lock for bags
12.Books,brouchers,maps,address book
13.Idly powder, ready mix powders, pickles
14. Dresses, towels, Hair clips
Accommodation:
In Varanasi you can stay in Kumarasamy Madam (also called Thirupanndal Madam).For confirmed accommodation you have to got letter from Thirupanndal Madam,Which is near Kumbakonam in Tanjore District,Tamil Nadu and phone to Varanasi Kumarasamy Madam about your tour plan and requirement of rooms.In normal days( other than Ammavasai or festival days) you can get rooms With out letter from Madam.You can request by phone itself.
Kumarasamy Madam ( Thirupanndal Madam) is near Kedar Ghat and Kedareeswar temple.It is very convenient and clean room.24 hrs water supply avilable.Generator is switched ON during power cut.Tamil Nadu food ( Meals at noon,tiffin Idly,Pongal vadai, Uppma, Chappathi,Poori at morning and night)is available opposite to Madam itself. Shops to purchase daily ( soap,shampoo,paste,brush etc)needs are nearby located nearby to Madam.
There is a Nattukkottai Nagara Satram in Kasi which is also very good.It is located near the temple.You have to phone and give your requirement.For this Satram , if you get recommendation of any Nattukkottai Chettiyar you will get assured accommodation.
The auro/rickshawal knows the locations if you mention natcot satram or Kumaraswamy matt.There is no language problem in Varanasi.
In both the places rooms with attached bathrooms and family halls are available. There is no problem for food as well as for transport.They will help to get Gurukal for doing all poojas.
As our main purpose is taking taking bathe in Ganges several times during our stay ,if we stay in Kumraswamy mutt which is very near to Kedar ghat will be very convenient.
Motor Boats are avilable near Kedar Ghat for rent to visit all the 64 Ghats and back. On the way we can visit Viswanathar temple and Bindhu madavar temple.
Hence staying at Kumaraswamy Mutt is recommended.
1. Sri Kasi Nattukkottai Nagara Satram,
Godowlia, Varanasi, Mr. Muthukaruppan
Phone: 0542-2451804
2. Nattukkottai Nagara Satram,
No. 171, Chand Chowra, Gaya,
Mr. Jeyamkondan - 09973436309
3. Nattukkottai Nagara Satram,
( 149 ) 1/91, Mori, Daraganj, Allahabad,
Mr.Annamalai- 05322501275
Mobile- 09305562457
Sri Kumaraswamy Matt,
B/13/156, Sonarpura, Kedar Ghat,
Varanasi-221001,
Ph:0542-2454064,
Agent: V.P.Shanmuga Sundaram.
It is helpfull to follow my suggestions.
1.Get confirmed train tickets for all your journeys well in advance.
2.Phone to Madam or Satram and inform your requirement of rooms.
3.Take your kattusathams,Chappathis for train journey and ooruhai ,milahai podi, thengai thuvaiyal etc for journeys( onward and return )
4.Bring Panner ( 500 ml) and Vipoothi ( 500gm) ( Palani Siddhanathan sons) for abisheham at Viswanathar temple from your native place itself as they are not available and costly in Varanasi..You can do abisheham by yourself and then collect vipoothi as prasatham .
Things to be carried for the tour are as follows
1.Paste, brush, oil, soap, comb, shaving kit
2.Water mug, plate, tumbler, spoon, water bottle
3.Small umbrella, torch light, spare battery,
4.Plastic bags, cloth bags, plastic rope,
5.Camera,battery for camera
6.Specks and speck's box
7.Cell phone and cell phone charger
8.Regular Medicines and emergency medicines
9.Train tickets, ID Card, ATM cards
10.Sand collected from Rameswaram
11.Chain & lock for suitcase and lock for bags
12.Books,brouchers,maps,address book
13.Idly powder, ready mix powders, pickles
14. Dresses, towels, Hair clips
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