Unforeseen Moments

 Life often unfolds in ways we never expect — sometimes with surprises that leave us smiling, sometimes with lessons we didn’t know we needed. Through it all, we’ve learned that what matters most is not perfection, but the memories we create along the way.

💍 2006 – A New Beginning

In 2006, soon after we got married, we were wrapped in the excitement of beginning our new life together. Like most newlyweds, we decided to mark the occasion with a movie date — our very first one after marriage.

With hearts full of anticipation, we booked tickets for Jillunu Oru Kaadhal at Udayam Theatre. A perfect romantic film to match our mood, or so we thought.

But as the lights dimmed and the screen lit up, we were in for a surprise — the movie wasn’t Jillunu Oru Kaadhal at all. It was Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu, a gripping crime thriller, miles away from the tender romance we were expecting.

We were shocked, even a bit disappointed. But instead of letting it ruin our mood, we looked at each other, smiled, and decided to stay and watch. Maybe it wasn’t what we planned, but we were together — and that’s what mattered.

Later, we found out that only that particular afternoon show was Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu, and the next one was indeed Jillunu Oru Kaadhal. It was just a scheduling mix-up. An unforeseen moment.

But looking back, it wasn’t a mistake — it became a memory. One of those small, unexpected turns that life takes, reminding us that not everything has to go as planned to be perfect.

And just like that, we began our journey — with a twist, a laugh, and a story we’d tell for years.

👶 2010 – Welcoming Our Second Son

In 2008, we welcomed our first baby boy while living in Singapore. Knowing his gender ahead of time helped us prepare, and everything felt wonderfully predictable.

But when we were expecting our second child in India, things took a delightful twist. This time, we believed it was going to be a girl — we had the name ready, and our hearts were set. But to our surprise, we were blessed with another chubby, adorable baby boy. And once again, life showed us how love expands in unexpected ways.

🚆 2013 – A Ticket to Remember

That year, we booked a train from Nagai to Chennai. My husband, though unwell, handled the booking, and with two small children to manage, we didn’t double-check the travel date. We boarded the train as planned — only to find another family sitting in our reserved seats.

Confused, we looked at our tickets and realized with a jolt — our journey was actually scheduled for the previous day.

Thankfully, a kind TTR stepped in. He asked my husband to get down at the next stop, buy fresh tickets, and helped us with two berths for the journey. It was an embarrassing moment, but one that reminded us to always, always check the details — and that there’s kindness in the world when you need it most.

✈️ A Near Miss

Another close call came during a solo trip I took with the kids from Abu Dhabi to Chennai. Thinking our flight was the next day, we almost missed it — only catching the error during a last-minute double check. We scrambled, packed, and rushed to the airport. We made it — just in time. That day, I truly understood how easily travel times can confuse, and how crucial it is to always verify.

After that, we made a quiet promise: no more AM/PM confusion, and no more travel plans that leave room for doubt.

 A Day of Shopping and Surprises 🛒

Years ago, it was a mix of excitement and a little stress. We went to Saravana Stores and spent hours shopping 🛍️ — mainly for the kids. We picked out a bunch of stationery ✏️🖍️📚 and some of their favorite items 🧸🎁. It felt great seeing everything come together, thinking about how happy the kids would be.

But when we reached the billing counter, our card suddenly failed 💳❌. The staff suggested we withdraw cash from a nearby ATM 🏧. I went over, but the transaction didn’t go through — the slip just said, “Contact your bank.” 😓

I called the bank, and they told me the issue was due to missing KYC documents 🪪. I had no idea that could block a card from working. Thankfully, our home was nearby 🏠, so we rushed 🏃‍♂️ back, grabbed some cash 💵, and returned to complete the payment.

Though stressful, the day ended on a high note—everything was bought, and the kids are going to be super happy. The big takeaway? Always carry some cash and keep your documents up to date!

___________________________________________________

🌟 A Journey Etched in Memory

Looking back, these weren’t just incidents — they were unforgettable unforeseen moments that shaped us. Each one taught us something. Each one became a story. And each one brought us closer, not just as a couple, but as a family.

We may not always have had the perfect plans, but we’ve always had each other — and that, more than anything else, has made the journey worth it.

Have you ever faced a similar  Unforeseen moments? Share your stories in the comments!

Way to Go............😃 

Guru Kṛpākṣam – Sukha Dinam(Kanchi Kosh)

 29th September 2025

🪔 A Day of Blessings

Our Gurus

गुरुकृपा हि केवलं, सुखदं जीवनं यतः।
यत्र कृपा सदा वसति, तत्र नन्दति मानवः॥

Translation:
"Guru’s grace alone makes life blissful.
Wherever that grace abides, there the heart 
rejoices."

In the rhythm of everyday life, we often forget the quiet gift of a Sukha Dinam — a day not necessarily marked by grand success or excitement, but by ease, presence, and contentment. 

Today was truly special. We visited Kanchi maha Swami Vidya mandir school @ Rajakilpakkam, Chennai.

My friend (bhagavathy) and I had the incredible blessing of receiving darshan and blessings from 70th Peetadhipathi of our Guru parmpara.The moment was filled with deep peace and spiritual connection.

What made this day even more sacred was the opportunity to witness the 71st Peetadhipathi performing pooja.

Later in the day, we had darshan of Kamakshi Ambal. Standing before the Goddess, I felt embraced by her compassionate and powerful presence.

We also got to witness this year's Golu — a beautiful display of devotion, creativity, and cultural heritage.

Highlights of Golu

Lord Ganesha was presented in a truly creative form, with a unique backdrop of pyramid using paper cups.

⚛️This clearly is an example of bhakti is not limited to traditional materials.Even the simplest items, when offered with devotion, becomes divine.⚛️

Samudra mandan 

the scene of the churning of the ocean of milk (Pārkadal) by the Devas (gods) and Asuras (demons) in their quest for Amrit (nectar of immortality).

Mount Mandara served as the churning rod.

The serpent Vasuki was used as the rope, coiled around the mountain.

Lord Vishnu appeared in his Kurma (tortoise) avatar beneath the mountain to provide stability.They used thonnai made of mantharai leaves to represent kurma avatar.

Devas and Asuras stood on opposite sides, pulling the serpent in a grand tug-of-war.

The emergence of divine elements — Lakshmi Devi, Kamadhenu, Chandra (Moon), Airavata, and finally Dhanvantari with the pot of Amrit — was beautifully shown with handmade dolls.

This scene is a profound reminder:

⚛️Life itself is a churning.Through struggle and effort, we rise above chaos to reveal wisdom, beauty, and divinity.⚛️

Later we visited Kanchi kosh museum dedicated to life and teachings of Sri Adi Shankaracharya.

Walking through the museum,,🕉️ I was struck by how the pictures and artifacts spoke volumes, capturing centuries of history and philosophy without needing words. Each display brought to life the remarkable journey of 🔯Adi Shankaracharya 🔯— his travels, his teachings, and the spiritual practices he inspired.

Hara Hara Shankara Jeya jeya Shankara

🕉️It's a must visit place for all Mahaperiva Devotees.🕉️

🌿 Truly blissful day, wrapped in what felt like, divine blessings at every turn. May each day unfold in the light of grace and true joy, be our constant companion.

Navarathri Golu Memories_ Over the years!!

 From childhood days I love Navarathri Golu festival. Hope all of you know about the history of Navaratri. So I am not going to explain about that in my blog. This year we don't have Golu festival. So decided to share story behind each doll that we keep in our golu every year. 

I hope this post will be quite interesting to read.

Firstly below pics are collage of previous years Golu.

Golu 2024

We started keeping Golu (after marriage) from 2006. First year we celebrated in my in-laws native place Nagapattinam. There we have a lot of collection from olden days golu Bommai. My husband used to say every year they used to collect bommai (without telling) from  grandmother home when they help packing and after golu over. Both my in-laws and my parents followed traditions of keeping golu.

My maternal grandmother used to keep golu for 21 steps. Huge collection of dolls she had especially peenkan(ceramic) bommais more.

They used to make maida paste before placing dolls on steps as they had disturbance of rats on early days. Story goes on. Coming to our story.

In 2007 we started our Golu with above God dolls that we got in Singapore (china town). Second step of our Golu is dedicated especially for our Golden collection, that is still looking shiny over the years. We carefully packed and transported to many places. But still those divine Gods have the same fresh look.

Taking Golu bommais out of box and seeing is indeed a great feel that cannot be expressed in words.

Above dolls that decorate our first step are made up of rubber. We got it from North Indian doll sellers who sell it on a push carts on road sides.

We always prefer small and easy handling Bommai for our golu.

Above ones Tanjore dancing dolls we bought it from tanjore.we also got some more wooden cooking set from there 

No golu is complete without chettiyar and his wife, and Mara pachi wood doll set 

Farmer set without them we couldn't lead our life peacefully. This set we got from Mylapore along with chettiyar Bommai.

This horse is more special was given by my Cosister Sumathy, never thought that would be her last golu visit on 2017.

Below dolls hanuman sanjeevi malai set and thiruvannmalai girivalam set we got it from Sreetex in mambakkam For our 2022 golu. On that me n my son's went to that place on two wheeler. After buying the doll they packed carefully only mountain part we were ble to keep inside seat,rest all we kept in front. We planned to eat on way but we couldn't with doll in bike., bcoz we can neither carry inside hotel nor leave it unattended. Later my husband ordered food online and we reached home. 

In below pic Mahalaxmi is a rubber doll, green ganesha and vasudeva krishna c3 mami presented for our golu. Lord Venkatesh our marriage gift.  

Crocodile and elephant is a wooden doll we bought it for 2023 golu fromkhadi gramodya bhavan at Mount road.

Below are some more dolls that we bought there.

Vathi Raja theerthar

Saptarishi set

Ram Anjaneya - Dasyam

Dattatreya 

 

Icecream seller and Mithaiwala set

Here is a short description of above set

Below Ganesha was given by my Bestie                Dr sakthipriya when she visited our golu.

Below babies and golu pics is from Abudhabi, we bought camels,emirati and boy girl dolls. My kids added with their DiY Robot kit as we didn't carry golu dolls with us. With our pooja Gods we just added and did a creative golu on 2019.

Abudhabi Golu Fest

Some more collections to be added will continue in part _2

Chennai diaries Part-2 (ISCKON-Krishna Temple))

 Second most visited place by us is isckon near Sholinganallur.

Ever since the temple built (2012) we started visiting atleast twice an year. 

Such a huge temple and once you enter the place you can feel the divine vibe. Radhakrishna dressed up so beautifully you cannot take eyes off. it requires more patience and devotion to do such alankara to God. Getting darshan of aarthi is a bliss. Evenings before aarti tulasi Pooja done. We have seen tulasi Pooja many times. 

Everyone chants Hare Rama hare Krishna mantra. During our first visit we bought hand cymbals from there and presented as a surprise gift to my elder son 5th birthday. He was very excited to see that gift.

There is cow n  calf & elephant statues infront of entrance. Night lighting view is mesmerizing to see. Prasadam stall is available. Also there is good food court where we get satvik vegetarian food.

After aarti darshan we will be closed in queue to have a closer look of Krishna. That time we can see a Protect cows charity box if we offer coin it says moo. It is a very nice initiative to inculcate knowledge about protecting cows to kids. Because actions speak louder than words.

Temple inside walls are filled with  art works where one can know more about krishna.

One time when we visited mataji gave my younger son japamala to chant hare Krishna mantra by seeing him chant from heart.He happily got and chanted 108 times she asked my son's name he said Mithran and her name was Mitra. 

Evening pooja ends with  bhajan session where every one sings n dance,volunteer ly, even those who don't know how to dance will enjoy dancing.

We can book hall for marriage, seemantham etc..Book stall is Available. Also lift facility is there for elders. 

Two years back I did learn Bhagavad Gita in 18 days program and received certificate from ISCKON. Felt blessed to get knowledge about Gita lessons.

I still remember my childhood days memory of my sister dressed up as Krishna and me as radha. I have tried my son's dressed up as Krishna's. Ever since my childhood days I remember drawing Krishna's footprint 👣 for krishna Jayanthi festival. Uri adi utsavam Is very famous event in my home town. We enjoy watching that with our family.

We also got opportunity to visit ISCKON temple at Bangalore. 

Hare Rama Hare Rama hare Rama hare

Hare Krishna hare Krishna hare Krishna hare 

Chennai diaries Part_1 (Vandalur Zoo)

I would like to start Our  journey with our  frequently visited places around Chennai.

First place goes tooo...,........😀

 Vandalur Zoo (Tuesday Holiday if any public holiday falls on this day it will be working pls check before you start)

It is one of our favourite spot as we have visited n number of times......that is our family's favourite too. We have walked around ....cycled around and buggied around. Never felt bored for visiting it again n again. Both my son's visited for school field trip also.

Now coming to our visit. We start to zoo very early to avoid walking in hot sun. We get tickets and enter, to avoid long queues, these days no snacks or food or plastic allowed inside. Some special considerations for small babies and old people to carry food on non plastic box.

We can chose to walk or rent cycle or choose buggy ride. For renting cycle or electric bike we need to pay advance amount ( always have cash in hand as they don't accept card)and we should carefully park n take care of our rented vehicle during our entire visit time. Nowadays we have gpay or phonepe options. 

Small refreshments available inside zoo. Especially we never missed aavin shop inside to enjoy our cool treat icecream.

We can have nice time if we have stamina to walk around with kids. Recently they added park inside for kids to play. More than elders all kids will definitely enjoy seeing animals. Moneys,bears, chimpanzee,bengal tiger,white tiger,leopard,lion,giraffe,zebra, elephant,hippo,snakes, crocodiles,birds and so on.

There is a separate lion safari tour, we need to buy tickets separately. Previously we saw more lions in their environment..but now less.

Also,if we go around zoo in buggy we can see zoo easily especially if we have kids and elderly people with us. They stop at two three points ,if we need to have a closer look of animals,we can get down and see n take pictures.

Also there is Special enclosure for snakes and a fish shaped acquarium. We can see lot of peacocks and deers walking around  enjoying nature. Many interesting facts about animals are kept as hoardings around zoo for kids to learn more about animals.

Years Before elephant safari was there but now we miss that. My elder son and dh enjoyed that years back. 

We celebrated Our elder sons 14th birthday at zoo. He gave food expenses for zebra One day(Vandalur Zoo animal adoption scheme).https://aazp.in/adoption. 

He wanted to do that on his birthday so we visited zoo and enjoyed that day.

A small gesture to show his love for animals 

 We really enjoy every visit. On the whole it is a must visit place in Chennai with kids and family. Do you all know Vandalur Zoo is the largest zoo in India with 1300 acres space.

Navagunjara

साख्यत्व (परमात्मा से मित्रता)-Friendship with divine

During Covid lockdown i got opportunity to attend classes to know
more about Sanatana Dharma. 

I attended classes in Adhyapika training program during 2021. When we were about to
complete our course everyone got opportunity to give presentation on their favourite topics
in group or individual..

Mostly group work is preferred but intially i got no team so i selected about Navagunjara
and did lot of research through internet and collected points and prepared my presentation
but due to time constraint i was asked to join in group presentation. So Likeminded friends
joined for Aarupadai Veedu Presentation and i prepared my talk for First padai veedu.
But on final presentaion day i could not perform due to asoucham. All my friends were
supportive and they carried on presentation taking my part too.

I was very much disappointed, but to my surprise my guru Geetha Mami gave me an
opportunity to perform about my earlier sent solo presentation topic Navagunjara........
still couldn't believe and cannot forget about that day miracle.

This happened on may 2021,  but am sharing about it on my blog 2025. Because, this  year
 i got to see Golu doll Navagunjara with arjuna and we have placed order for same to 
add in our Golu. So i immediately felt like sharing it on my blog too. My presentation
 was in tamil so i have shared how i presented as below for those who cant understand
 tamil please see image of my ppt presentation in English. 

Arjuna Krishna Adbhuta Shakyam

மனுஷாளோட பிரக்ஞையில்  கனவில் கூட எண்ணிப்
பார்க்க முடியாத விஷயங்கள், தெய்வப்   பிரக்ஞையில் உண்மையாக 
இருக்கக் கூடும்.

அப்படி 9 உயிர்வகையின அம்சங்களை உள்ளடக்கிய, அந்த உருவத்தின்
பெயர் தான் நவகுஞ்சரம்.

நவ - 9 , குண் - குணம் , ஜரா -old

நவவித பக்தியில்  எட்டாவது நிலை ஸக்யம் .(ஸக்யம் - நட்பு)

"நிருத்யம் மதுரம் , ஸக்யம் மதுரம், மதுராதிபதே ரகிலம் மதுரம்"

மதுராஷ்டகதில்,

வல்லபாச்சாரியார் கிருஷ்ணனை பார்த்து, உன் நடனம் அழகு,

உன்னோட நட்பு ஒரு அழகு,

மதுரா  நாயகனே நீ எல்லாவற்றிலும் இருப்பதால் இந்த அகிலமே அழகு.

நாம் தேர்ந்து எடுக்கும் பொருட்கள் நம் குணத்தை காட்டும், ஆனால் நாம் தேர்ந்து

எடுக்கும் நட்பு நம்மையே காட்டும்.அப்படி பகவான் கிருஷ்ணனை தன் நண்பனாக

கொண்டு ஸக்ய பக்திக்கு உதாரணமாக திகழ்ந்த அர்ஜுனனின் கதை இது.

இந்த கதை சரளா தாசர் எழுதிய மகாபாரதம் கதை பதிப்பில் கொடுக்கப்பட்டிருக்கு.

பூரி ஜெகநாதர் ஆலய கோபுரத்தில் நீல சக்ரா இருக்கு. அதுல 8 நவ குஞ்சரங்கள்

மேல் நோக்கி கொடியை பார்த்தபடி  அமைக்க பட்டிருக்கும்.  

ஒரு நாள் காட்டில் அர்ஜுனன் நடந்து  போகின்ற பொழுது, அவர்  முன்னே விசித்திர  -
உருவம்  என்று சொல்லமுடியாமல் அது கொஞ்சம் இது கொஞ்சம் சேர்ந்த ஒரு உருவம்
வந்தது.இயற்கையோட சிருஷ்டியில் இப்படி ஒரு உருவம் இருக்குமா என்ன? அவர் 
இதுக்கு முன்னாடி பார்த்ததே இல்லை. ஆனால் அப்படி பார்க்காததால் அப்படி ஒன்று
இல்லை என்று ஆகிவிடாது.அவனோட மனதில் ஏற்பட்ட பயத்தால் உடனே அந்த
உருவத்தை தாக்குவதற்காக தன்னோட வில்லை எடுக்கும் போது அந்த உருவம்
தன் கரங்களில் சக்கரம் ஏந்தி இருப்பதை  கவனித்தார்.உடனே அவர்  தன்
மனக்கண்களில் பகவான் கிருஷ்ணனின் உபதேசத்தை எண்ணிப் பார்க்கிறான்.

“மனித மனம் ஒரு  எல்லைக்குள் அடங்குவது ஆனால் பிரபஞ்சம் எல்லையற்றது”

அப்படிங்கறது நினைச்சு பார்த்த உடனே தன் வில்லை கீழே வைத்துவிட்டு, தன்

முன்னால் நிற்பது பகவான் ஸ்ரீ கிருஷ்ணர் என்பதை உணர்ந்து நமஸ்கரிக்கின்றார்.

Nava-9,Gunja-Bouquet of flowers-here it looks like bouquet of nine creatures.

பல ரூபங்களின் வழியாக பகவான் தன்னோட மகிமையை , அர்ஜுனன் மூலமாக

நமக்கு உணர்த்த விரும்புவது என்னனு பார்ப்போம் .

இந்த உருவம்  பார்ப்பதற்கு,சேவல் தலையும், யானை, புலி, மான் ஆகியவற்றின்

கால்களுடன் நின்ற நிலையில், நான்காவது காலுக்கு பதில் தாமரை அல்லது ஒரு

சக்கரம் ஏந்திய ஒரு மனித கை, கழுத்து மயில் கழுத்தாகவும்,

காளையின் திமிலொடு, சிங்கத்தின் இடுப்பு கொண்டு, வால்

நாகப் பாம்பாகவும் இருந்தது. 

பகவத் கீதையில் krishanar ,

 படைத்தலைவரில் நான் ஸ்கந்தன் - அவர் சேவல் கொடியுடையவன் -மயில்

வாஹனன்", விலங்குகளில் நான் சிங்கம் பாம்புகளில் வாசுகி, வீரத்தில்

சிறந்து விளங்கும் ஆண் மகனை காளையொடு ஒப்பிடுவர். கிருஷ்ணன்

அர்ஜுனனை purusarsabha அப்பிடின்னு கூப்பிடுறார், யானைகளில்-  

ஐராவதம்,மனிதர்களில் நான் அரசன்.

புலியும்,மானும் எதிரெதிர் குணாதிசயத்தை உடையது . 

ஒரு மான் ஆனது மனிதனைப் பார்த்து பயந்து ஓடிவிடும், ஒரு புலியை

கண்டால் ஓடாமல இருக்குமா?  ஒரு சமயம் பிருந்தாவனத்தில் கிருஷ்ணர்

கண்ட காட்சியானது அவரை வியப்பில் ஆழ்த்தியது , மானும் புலியும்

நட்புடன் அமைதியாக நடந்து செல்வதை பார்த்தார்,  ஆனா மனிதர்கள்

மட்டும் தான் ஒருவருக்கொருவர் வெறுப்பும் பகையுணர்வு காட்டுகிறார்கள்.

“pāṇḍavānāṁ dhanañjayaḥ”-amongst the Pandavas I am Arjun

இதுலேர்ந்து நமக்கு என்ன தெரியறது 

அனைத்து ஜீவராசிகளிலும் பகவானை உணர்ந்து , கருணையுடனும் நட்புடனும்

இருந்தால் பகவானின் நட்பு நமக்கும் கிடைத்திடும் என்பதில் ஐயமில்லை.

அது சக்ய பக்தி.

கடைசியாக ,கந்தனின் திருப்புகழை பாட இருந்த என்னை, ஸக்ய பக்தி பத்தி பேச
செய்தவரும் அவரே,கந்தனைப் பற்றி பேசினாலும்,கிருஷ்ணனை பற்றி பேசினாலும்
பகவானை பற்றி பேசுவது மட்டும் அல்ல, அவரை நம் சிந்தனையில் நினைப்பதே
பெரும் பாக்கியம்,ஏனென்றால்  பகவான் சர்வ வ்யாபி ஆனவர் ,அவர் இன்றி ஒரு
அணுவும் அசையாது.சர்வவ்யாபி ஆன அவருடைய அருளைப் பெற  நாம் அனைவரும்
நம் குரு, ஆச்சார்யர்கள் காட்டிய வழியில் செல்வோமாக .

Thank you.

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