Food for Thought


Over the last weekend , took a trip down to visit some of the DivyaDesam temples( A Divya Desam is one of the 108 Vishnu temples that are mentioned in the works of the Alvars (saints). Of the 108 temples, 105 are in India, one is in Nepal, and last two are believed to be outside the Earthly realms ) in and around Sirkazi, a town that is close to 250Kms away from Chennai . There are around 12 temples to visit and we hired a guide who could take us around efficiently and get us darshan . You may ask why a guide but we realized what a good decision it was to hire a guide –

Yes, the Google maps will guide us to all these temples but they would not help us with the timings that the temple opening and closing . Most of the 12 temples are private and so the priests choose based on that day , the time they wanted to open and close and sometimes they are open for short periods of time . The guide that we had,  not only knew the terrain but he knew the Priests in the temples personally and he called each one of them ahead and ensured that the temple was open. He changed the plan when there was some timing issues and there was not big deviation in the route as all the temples were in a short radius of 3-8 Kms span. We also met another group at one of the temples enroute and they told us that they were going around for a day and half looking out for the temples and wisely on day 2, they hired a guide who then took care to ensure that their visit was completed. So, guide was a BIG help !

I am not covering any of the temples but some insights on our stay place and the food and the costs. We looked at various  stay options through the Internet and some of the travel sites and found the rates not too friendly for us to book . These were ‘resorts type “  and the price just was not good . We called a friend who is used to visiting and staying in that area and he referred to a small hotel that was on the side street along with several other such type hotels. We would have never ventured in to these side roads along the temple towns but we did as the friend did inform us that they all had good room – efficient in all aspects and most important the pricing – it was barely one fourth of the price that we saw on the travel sites. Experience was very good with neat clean rooms and for just a night stay , it was very good. So the good old method of “ Word of mouth “ does help !

That was on the accommodation – the food was even better – We had sumptuous dinner at a very small place that could take in around 8 people at a time – its menu was limited but it had those things that you will go for – Personal attention and recommendations by the owner cum cook - . Very friendly approach. We ended up paying INR 180- for four of us . The same meal in Chennai would have costed us at least four times for the items we ate.

The breakfast was even better – This was a roadside little cute place – No great furniture but tables made on concrete benches—We had a steal
We had idlies  ( idli are a type of savoury rice cake, popular as breakfast foods ) being served with side accompaniments @ 2 per piece – We just could not believe the price – Again the serving was with personal attention of the owner cum cook cum Cashier etc. – Great experience – we also had the opportunity of local villagers who were waiting for “take away “watch us eat ! Some experience it was but the taste was outstanding . We heard that the place sells close to 1000 Idlies everyday

Thinking aloud – Earn in Metros and spend in Tier 3   !

Comments

Dhana said…
Mouth watering narrative... started with temple, guide and ended with hotel. Mishkin style eh...
3:57 AM
Anoop said…
Wonderful narrative Sri, in your usual flowing style! There is still a lot that gets done by people, word of mouth, personal connections that makes me wonder if technology will ever be able to fill the gap.
5:13 PM
shobha arvind said…
Very good write up . Travel temple tasty food good weekend
11:45 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A chance reconnect -- Heartfulness of Abundant Joy

  This Sunday ( 3/2/24 ) , I was at a Federation that supports the needs of People with Disabilities ( Diverse abilities ). It was their District conference and I went there to make connections for my organization and leverage their federation .  While the meeting went on desired lines   and as it was about to close formally , a young man who had lost both his hands got up on stage – He insisted that he had to speak – I did not recognize him instantly but as I stared at him . a little more intently , i told myself—Wow – I know this   person.   I rushed up on to stage and gave him a tight hug .           now   wind back seven or eight years back ……. ------------------------------------------------ Flash back but no music as in movies--------------- Venkatesan the person who lost both his hands in an accident was the person on stage. I got to know him through a Rotary event.   I took an instant liking for him ....
Read more

40 Years of Employment -- Gratitude Series 1

  I completed 40 years of being employed  continously recently - That was a long period of time and many others  like me would have crossed this milestone in their careers. I wanted to use this milestone to thank so many people who have helped, provided me with opportunities, supported me, trusted me and wholeheartedly wanted me to do well.  My first thanks of course goes to the Almighty for his abundant blessings. My first full time employment started in Aug 1984 enrolling myself as a Articled Assistant to pursue my Chartered Accountancy (CA). Before getting to this point, my whole career was shaped up by one of my mother’s cousins who I took as a role model  and got in to  Commerce Stream - V S Kumar or Kumar Anna to me was the guiding force for me to get into the commerce stream. He spoke to me a lot in my younger days, in deciding what one wants to be and what your liking was and was fierce in advising me to make decisions on my own. ...
Read more

Alert Awards - - A humbling experience always The 7th edition

  The Amenity Lifeline Emergency Response Team   popularly known as Alert   has instituted   The   Alert Awards   honouring Unsung heroes with   Alert Being Award – I get excited to go to this award function every year ( This edition is the 7the edition   ). Reasons for me wanting to be present are : You get to watch and hear about simple people who do extraordinary acts of selfless service These heroes have no or limited access to resources – be it people or money or material—they simply excel in adversity Through the award function as you hear the   heroic deeds, the eyes are always moist and the emotions that   one goes are hard to describe. But it is positive . The award function is conducted in the most efficient way and so you know it will start and end on time ( some delays but does not lag ) The process of selection   -- calling for nominations including self nominations , an eminent jury evaluating each nomination...
Read more