Chennai Diaries Part-4 SeaShell Museum

 Have you ever wondered how a simple love for seashells can turn into something extraordinary?

Our pearls posing inside pearl 

Tucked away in the coastal town of Mahabalipuram, the Sea Shell Museum is a shining example of how passion can be transformed into a one-of-a-kind experience. It’s not just a museum—it's a dreamscape for ocean lovers, with thousands of unique shells, fossils, and marine collectibles from around the world. Whether you're a curious traveler or a true thalassophile, this hidden gem proves that even the smallest wonders of nature can inspire something truly grand.

Today will always have a special place in my heart — our first long road trip as a family in our new car.

It may not sound like a big deal to some, but for me, it felt like a milestone. After weeks of everyday routines and busy schedules, we finally got to pause and just go — together. No deadlines, no rush, just the open road ahead and my kids buzzing with excitement in the backseat.

Our destination was the Sea Shell Museum in Mahabalipuram — a place I’d heard about but never visited. We didn’t expect much, just a day out. But it turned into something far more special.

The museum was quiet and full of beauty — walls lined with thousands of unique sea shells, corals, and fossils from across the world. It felt like walking through a secret world under the sea. The kids were wide-eyed, pointing at shells shaped like stars, spirals, and flowers. We took our time, moving slowly through each section, learning and laughing as we went.

And just when we thought we’d seen it all — we discovered Dinosaur World.

What a surprise! Life-sized dinosaurs moved and roared, and the kids couldn’t believe their eyes. It was pure joy watching them run from one dino to the next, trying to pronounce their names and asking a million questions. I could see their imagination come alive in that moment.

Before we left, we stopped by the gift shop.

We picked up a pearl souvenir — simple, elegant, and something I’ll treasure as a reminder of this first trip.

We also bought a wooden crocodile 🐊 toy that we used in 2025 golu ,with elephant for Gajendra moksham story.

while waiting for refreshments we clicked above three pictures.

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We didn’t go to the beach. We didn’t check off a long list of sights. But we made memories real ones.A moment to be cherished in our memories forever.My family and I were thrilled by our visit to the sea shell museum. 

While I understand it may not captivate everyone the same way, it’s truly a unique experience that shouldn’t be missed.

Go Green Kolam Competition-2012

 My Kolam Journey: A Lifelong Passion

Kolam has been a part of my life since childhood. Ever since I was little, I loved creating kolams for every festival at home. Although my designs weren’t always perfect, the joy of drawing and decorating our doorstep was something I cherished deeply.

One thing I especially loved was making colorful kolams. At first, I struggled with using colors—they would often smudge or mix unintentionally. But with time and practice, I learned how to work with colors better, and that made the process even more enjoyable.

After marriage and having kids, our living situation changed as we moved into an apartment. This meant I had to simplify my kolams, but I never stopped making them. Even simple kolams brought me peace and a connection to my tradition.

After these many years am sharing about this in my blog.

A very special moment in my kolam journey was in 2012, when I saw a kolam competition announced in a weekly magazine for the Pongal celebration. The challenge was to create a kolam using 25-14 inside dots. I submitted my creation and was thrilled to win first prize along with a cash award of Rs 1000. That moment was a proud milestone for me and deepened my love for this art.

Below are few trials I did before I arrived on my final version 

Below picture is the final output of the kolam i submitted for the competition 

To me, kolam is not just a decorative art—it is a way to bring positivity, creativity, and blessings into the home. Each design is a symbol of tradition, patience, and joy. It connects me to my roots and brings a sense of calm and fulfillment.

Now, as I write this blog, I want my children to know about my passion for kolam. I hope that by sharing my story and photos, they too will appreciate this beautiful tradition and maybe carry it forward in their own way. Keeping kolam alive in our family means passing on a piece of our culture and the happiness it brings.

Chennai diaries Part 3 - Dakshinachitra

 Dakshinachitra 

We've visited Dakshinachitra many times over the years, and somehow, it never gets bored. Every visit brings something new to notice, experience, or learn. It’s such a cool place to explore., full of beautifully preserved old houses from across South India — Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra.

Every corner brings back memories of the little things that we grew up seeing traditional kitchens,thinai(porch) homes colorful saris, and handcrafted decors. It honestly feels like walking through a snapshot of how life used to be in the South. So nostalgic!

What really stands out each time is how beautifully they’ve recreated the lifestyle ,it never feels like a staged museum. The attention to detail is amazing, and it gives you a real sense of how people lived, worked, and celebrated in those times.

This time, we especially enjoyed watching saree weaving unit close. Seeing the threads slowly come together into intricate patterns was absolutely mesmerizing ,a true reminder of the artistry and patience behind every handwoven fabric.

The live pottery session was another highlight — calming and fascinating to watch. There were also traditional dance performances every day.

And the puppet show? Always a hit — especially the one about little Krishna. That show actually became the biggest inspiration for my younger son’s school puppet competition. 

It's moments like these that remind me why I keep coming back  the way traditional art connects with our lives, even today.

Dakshinachitra is more than just a museum  it's a living, breathing space that keeps South Indian heritage alive in the most beautiful way. Definitely a place we’ll keep coming back to.

Unforeseen Moments

 Life often unfolds in ways we never expect — sometimes with it wonderful surprises, sometimes with unsaid lessons we didn’t know we needed.  The most important thing, we have    discovered, is not perfection but the memories we make and cherish with our family.

💍 2006 – A New Beginning

In 2006, soon after we got married, we were 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.

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 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.

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👶 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.

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🚆 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.

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✈️ 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.

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 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!

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The Casual Walk That Turned into a Life Lesson 💧

It all started with a simple, spontaneous evening walk. No plans, no purpose - just a casual stroll to get some fresh air. A little while into the walk, we got thirsty (because apparently we’re 70% water but still never carry any). So we stopped at a local shop to grab a water bottle.

Phone out. GPay opened. Finger hovered confidently over the “Pay” button.

And then… nothing.

Loading… loading… failed.

We blamed the network. Switched between data and Wi-Fi. Waved the phone around like it would summon better signal strength. Still nothing. That’s when we realized the actual problem:

Our bank’s server was down.

Suddenly, our high-tech, cashless selves were standing helpless with a ₹20 bottle and no way to pay for it. It’s a strange feeling -to know you have money, but can’t access even a tiny bit of it.

              The Forgotten ₹20 Note 🙌

Just when we were ready to give up (and seriously consider bartering with the shopkeeper), we did one last check — and there it was.

A lonely ₹20 note, folded and forgotten, living rent-free in a corner of a pocket.

You’d think we found buried treasure. That little piece of paper felt like a superhero -swooping in to save us from both dehydration and embarrassment.

Moral of the Story?

We live in a digital age, sure. But that doesn’t mean old-school habits have no value. Tech can fail , phones hang, apps glitch, servers go down, networks disappear. And in those rare but real moments, cash becomes the real king .

So here’s our simple takeaway:

💡 Always keep a little cash on you _even if it’s just ₹50.
💡 Your phone and your bank might ghost you at the same time.
💡 That one crumpled note in your pocket could save the day.

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🌟 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.