Nyabhagam varudhe..

Yesterday was second day of "Margazhi" month and Vaikunta Ekadasi had come much earlier this year. It was nice to wake up early in the morning yesterday and go along with my old flat friend L (just like old college days) to "Sathyanarayana temple" in W.Mambalam. We went to have darshan of Lord Vishnu on a beautiful rainy day! I was happy to have a long chat & walk with L after a long time.

I was reminded of the college days- when we used to get up and go as early as 5 am in the morning to beat the crowd to the temple. We would end up waiting in a long queue till the next street of the temple to have "Vaikunda Ekadasi" swami darshan . This year after almost 10 years, we had gone for Vaikunda Ekadasi. I guess due to rain, there was hardly any crowd while we went in the morning aroun 7am! We were able to peacefully recite "Vishnu sahasarnamam" in the temple premises.

During school/college days, many years, myself and L would want to keep ourselves awake during "Vaikunta Ekadasi" night. We normally try to read in the terrace of our building late evenings. We had made permanent provisions by having a tubelight, enough chair/tables in the terrace. But, unusually we would not even be able to be awake till 11pm on "Vaikunta Ekadasi" night alone! Our eyes would automaticaly close and eventually we would yield to "nithra devi".

Aadhu oru azhagiye nila kalam..

Mumbai trip..

To wakeup in a chill morning -to stare at the window with a cup of chai - to see beautiful sunflowers blooming-all while in a running Chennai mail train -was just awesome!! The December weather was perfect to travel 1 whole day in a second class train from Chennai to Mumbai. We made last minute second class Tatkal reservations to meet our nephew and co-sister, who had come down from US.
I dont know whats with train journey and food. We tend to feel hungry and feel like snacking all the time ! I had packed enough food and snacks from Chennai to munch along with card games,melodious ipod music and reading sessions for the train journey. We got good "Vada Pav" in Sholapur station for evening snack.
Had a good time with my inlaws, co-sister and nephew on our short trip to Mumbai. Did manage to do some shopping as well. The mumbai city continues to amaze with so many people moving in everyday to this city, still managing to find some means of livelihood in the city.
Bhooma devi has been considerate to provide good perennial water supply to the ever growing population of the city.
Given a choice, would I want to live in Mumbai-the answer is probably a "No" mainly for the mode of commute and housing options. Though the train is the fastest mode of transport, I am somehow scared to go by them especially close to peak hours timeframes! The rentals are high close to the office locations and hence people end up staying far off locations and commute more than hour and a half one way for work! I find that difficult to accept!

Bond is back...

Is Bond back in a new form ;)
http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/11/26/secret-agent-crippled-irans-nuclear-ambitions/

Interesting article to read.

Cheers
Shuba