WE KEPT SOME OF AMMA'S ASHES TO BE TAKEN TO INDIA. HERE IS A DETAILED ACCOUNT OF OUR 5 DAY/4 NIGHT TRIP TO INDIA
The urn, which had amma’s ashes, had to be packed into the
luggage because we were not sure if it would be a problem getting it onboard
the plane. SD, who was supposed to pass the box to me, obviously forgot, even
after his mother had left him a list! So the night before I was left searching
around the house for a suitable box. And guess what was the exact fit, a
whiskey box! Well appa would have approved of it. So in the urn went, nicely sealed
in a zip lock bag with pretty lilac designs, some paper and she was snug and
ready for her journey. She then went into Davinia’s bag.
We managed to make it to the airport without any incident
but then Davinia goes off to buy bottled water and we are next at the check-in
counter. I start becoming agitated but she soon comes back in time and then we had to stuff the bag with the
bottles. The zip gives way and without making too much of a scene I managed to
zip it up again securely. Safely checked in or so I thought. Davinia then reminds me
that amma’s ashes are in the bag with the not so secure zip on the brand new
bag! Yikes….. too late to do anything now! So I just said a silent prayer and
hoped for the best.
We arrived in Thiruchipalli at about 10am and proceeded to
clear immigration. Soon we were together with the rest of the group and the
vehicle that would be our travelling companion for the duration of the journey.
Looked comfortable and spacious from the outside. Our first stop obviously had
to be a meal. It was a delicious late breakfast and then we were off to
Coimbatore. What a grueling journey it
was with the bus going at a death defying speed of 60km per hour. It was the
first of our many long journeys. Oh… and amma travelled comfortably with us
inside the bus.
We were driven straight to Shivanjali, the Temple of Fine
Arts’ establishment in Coimbatore, where
Swamiji’s memorial stands and where he spent his last days. We paid our respects and then proceeded to
the café where we were treated to some lovely western vegetarian food. Dr. Uma
should be very proud of running such a noble establishment. Next stop was our
hotel. We parted with half of the group and proceeded again to the middle of
chaos. Immediately after sorting out our bags we decided to go do some retail
therapy. How can one go to India and not shop?
We ended up at Mahaveers, which was right across the street.
Near enough but what a nightmare it was getting across. No idea how we did but
we got across safely and shopped for a few hours. We were there until past
closing time and managed to get back safely to our hotel, with a few bags in
our hands.
We had a quick bite at the hotel café and proceeded back to
sleep or so we thought. The 3rd bed in our triple room was a mattress on the floor, much
to Davinia’s chagrin. A few calls by Periamma and Shobah and many visits later, Davinia had 2 beds
piled on top, sheets and a comforter. And Davinia learnt her first Indian word
‘adjustpanalam.’ That would be our favourite word on the trip. Anyway we
finally went to sleep and before you knew it was time to get up. I was official
alarm keeper and Davinia was official ‘last person down.’
DAY 2 BHAVANI/COIMBATORE
We arrived at Sivanjali as the prayers were going on. I could remember some of the prayers because of the months practice I had listening and following to them. Amma's and Ragini's urns were kept at the alter as the prayers were being conducted. I'm sure they were blessed by Swamiji. We left for Bhavani after breakfast. It was a long and tiring journey. The bus went on and on for hours. We finally arrived at our destination and it was blazing hot. We walked towards the river and tried to find shade to protect ourselves from the immense heat. It was an extremely busy day with many people doing the final rites. Finally we were led to the river and the prayers were conducted. First for Ragini and then for Amma. I am glad that they have each other for company. Dharan, Davinia and Shobah rode in a round boat and went further down the river to scatter amma's ashes. All of us then took the customary dip in the river. We quickly changed out of our wet clothes (now that is another story altogether!) and joined the second part of the prayers in the temple. Finally it was all over. Hopefully we have returned amma to her maker and her soul will be at peace.
We were all very tired, thirsty and hungry. We made our way back to the bus and went to a local restaurant for lunch. It was a terribly rundown establishment but the food was good. Not for the faint hearted but when in India do as the Indians do. I was amazed at the giant size appalam, which was delicious. Then it was back on the bus to Coimbatore. We made an executive decision to stop at a Indian Mall, when we returned to Coimbatore. Many bags later we were happily riding an auto back to Shivanjali. The auto guy had some nice tamil music blaring and it was a pretty tame ride back. Shobah would say otherwise because she did not exactly have a comfortable ride back. Maybe she could tell us why.
The other group did not return so the bus took us back to the hotel. Shobah and I made a quick 'pit stop' at PSR Silk Sarees for another round of shopping. We had a bit of trouble with our card but All's Well That Ends Well. SD and Davinia came to the rescue. Lets say we helped them close shop for the day. Another harrowing auto ride and we were back at the hotel. Our second long journey awaited us the next day.
DAY 3 COIMBATORE/RAMESHWARAM
We had our breakfast and bundled ourselves back on the bus. We knew that we would most likely be travelling the whole day arriving at Rameshwaram in the evening. We made a lunch stop at one of Pulen's friend's place in Madurai. We had a lovely home cooked meal. The payasam was sweet and mouth watering not what the doctor ordered. Davinia who wanted to eat only half ended up eating the whole serving. We continued on with our journey. Soon we were crossing the bridge to Rameshwaram. You can supposedly see Sri Lanka on a clear day. We had to practically run in and out of the hotel because we wanted to be in time at the temple for our 22 well bath. 4 autos lined up to take us to the temple. We had to take a dip in the sea and proceed to the temple grounds. Our timing was perfect because there was no queue at all. We literally walk from one well to another and it was just our group with our own personal guides, who drew the water from the well and dumped it over our heads.
Of course we had to have a bit of drama otherwise our day would not be complete. No, the well water did not dry up but the lights went out just as we were getting changed. It was pitch black and nerve wrecking standing in your knickers trying to calmly continue to dress. It came back on after a short while. The Hanuman statue was a sight to behold. Imagine the lower part of him submerged in the sea. 6 feet above water and 6 feet submerged. (not too sure of the height)
DAY 4 RAMESHWARAM/TRICHY
We arrived at Sivanjali as the prayers were going on. I could remember some of the prayers because of the months practice I had listening and following to them. Amma's and Ragini's urns were kept at the alter as the prayers were being conducted. I'm sure they were blessed by Swamiji. We left for Bhavani after breakfast. It was a long and tiring journey. The bus went on and on for hours. We finally arrived at our destination and it was blazing hot. We walked towards the river and tried to find shade to protect ourselves from the immense heat. It was an extremely busy day with many people doing the final rites. Finally we were led to the river and the prayers were conducted. First for Ragini and then for Amma. I am glad that they have each other for company. Dharan, Davinia and Shobah rode in a round boat and went further down the river to scatter amma's ashes. All of us then took the customary dip in the river. We quickly changed out of our wet clothes (now that is another story altogether!) and joined the second part of the prayers in the temple. Finally it was all over. Hopefully we have returned amma to her maker and her soul will be at peace.
We were all very tired, thirsty and hungry. We made our way back to the bus and went to a local restaurant for lunch. It was a terribly rundown establishment but the food was good. Not for the faint hearted but when in India do as the Indians do. I was amazed at the giant size appalam, which was delicious. Then it was back on the bus to Coimbatore. We made an executive decision to stop at a Indian Mall, when we returned to Coimbatore. Many bags later we were happily riding an auto back to Shivanjali. The auto guy had some nice tamil music blaring and it was a pretty tame ride back. Shobah would say otherwise because she did not exactly have a comfortable ride back. Maybe she could tell us why.
The other group did not return so the bus took us back to the hotel. Shobah and I made a quick 'pit stop' at PSR Silk Sarees for another round of shopping. We had a bit of trouble with our card but All's Well That Ends Well. SD and Davinia came to the rescue. Lets say we helped them close shop for the day. Another harrowing auto ride and we were back at the hotel. Our second long journey awaited us the next day.
DAY 3 COIMBATORE/RAMESHWARAM
We had our breakfast and bundled ourselves back on the bus. We knew that we would most likely be travelling the whole day arriving at Rameshwaram in the evening. We made a lunch stop at one of Pulen's friend's place in Madurai. We had a lovely home cooked meal. The payasam was sweet and mouth watering not what the doctor ordered. Davinia who wanted to eat only half ended up eating the whole serving. We continued on with our journey. Soon we were crossing the bridge to Rameshwaram. You can supposedly see Sri Lanka on a clear day. We had to practically run in and out of the hotel because we wanted to be in time at the temple for our 22 well bath. 4 autos lined up to take us to the temple. We had to take a dip in the sea and proceed to the temple grounds. Our timing was perfect because there was no queue at all. We literally walk from one well to another and it was just our group with our own personal guides, who drew the water from the well and dumped it over our heads.
Of course we had to have a bit of drama otherwise our day would not be complete. No, the well water did not dry up but the lights went out just as we were getting changed. It was pitch black and nerve wrecking standing in your knickers trying to calmly continue to dress. It came back on after a short while. The Hanuman statue was a sight to behold. Imagine the lower part of him submerged in the sea. 6 feet above water and 6 feet submerged. (not too sure of the height)
DAY 4 RAMESHWARAM/TRICHY
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