Vanakkam Makkalay!
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| Arangamaanagarulane - Aadi Rangam |
The Yamuna Phase
Its been a little more than seven months since I shifted from the banks of river Yamuna to the banks of river Kaveri. My father used to pull my leg saying that when I am in the banks of Kaveri I become a mischievous and a lazy kid. Thus, he made me do my college far away in the banks of Yamuna. But I have never been closer to home even at Thanjavur than I was closer to my traditions and culture at Delhi. I was never able to feel home to understand and associate with Yamuna though. (One simple anecdote on this note is the taste of Kaapi. For some reasons the Kaapi I made with all the popular and regular filter coffee powders never tasted right in Delhi. I tried many combinations and ratios to make it perfect but was never able to achieve it. Until I moved to Mysuru, found a new constant 'Gayathri Coffee Works' in Devaraja market. Their special blend powder's aroma touches your soul when you brew. Might sound silly, but believe me 'twas a serious issue.)
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| Arangamaanagarulane - Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Satsangam's Primary Object of Worship |
The South Indian Temples, Vishnu Sahasranama Satsangam and other activities made Delhi feel like a home. At some point I even thought that there is no going back for me from Delhi. Every time I finished and tried rushing back to Thanjavur, Indraprastha would soon drag me back for some reasons. I made friends, brothers, sisters and mentors and they welcomed me to their homes, made me part of their families, appreciated me and I became the 'Chamathu Kondhay' the parents would compare their kids with saying 'look at how he is regular to temple, doing his Nithyakarmas etc.' I am hope they knew that the delicious Prasadams and the company of the people that made me going to the temple most of the times. But the fact is I got to learn a lot about my culture, identity, purpose and life. Dhanyawad to Dilli!
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| Vaikunthanatha Swami, Delhi |
The Kaveri Phase
April 2023 - Feb 2025 was the climax of Delhi time for me. I stepped into the world of job, switched jobs within months. Towards the end, a call came from a batchmate who was not so familiar beyond just the knowledge of each other's existence and she became the reason for my homecoming (Not exactly to Thanjavur, but to the beautiful city nourished by the Kaveri river, Mysuru). The initial month was to orient myself to the place, people and the work. Then became my frequent visits to my home, being closer to mom, doing things I love (doing tours and talking about the history of Cholas & Thanjavur region). Surprisingly, the workplace in Mysuru had put me in touch with lot of good people (I am grateful for each and everyone). More than anything, it got me closer to Kaveri. I don't know from when did I grew so fond of Kaveri. But I know one thing for sure that it is the purest, cleanest Kaveri that is flowing that had made me so fond of her. Because, the same divine Kaveri when she reaches and blesses the fertile land of Thanjavur, she had seen a lot by then and carries all the dirt and sin of people along with her (Sorry got too much philosophical. Kaveri is revered even holier than the Ganges (Sorry Ganga Maiyya, we have this bias and affection towards Kaveri).
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| The Royal Mysuru |
I am trying to recollect why I started writing this post. Nevertheless, I am enjoying my time at Mysuru and feeling home with lovely people around me (Don't Put Nazar pleej). The colors, the calm, Kaveri and Kaapi are all the reasons. The joy of being in a city that retains its rural characteristics is something that is unexplainable. Seeing agricultural fields, clean and sacred river flowing in some 10 kms radius, a chaotic and historic local market are something that I missed for a decade while I was in Delhi. Not to forget my palatial workplace filled with culturally vibrant objects and every corner to fall in love with. The work that I am doing has restored my confidence in many ways.
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| My Dear Kaveri |
I am realizing this while writing my post that how these two rivers actually shaped my journey. Right now I am being embraced by Kaveri's warmth and I like to hold on to that. I also feel that Delhi lingers in me a little and I carry the Delhi within me.
I think the universe puts you at the right place in the right time. Trust the process!
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