A stranger at the Chennai airport

Visiting multiple places within short period of time was quite tiresome. It was 4pm & here I was with dad, sitting at Chennai airport after the security check, bored & waiting for announcement of the Mumbai flight. There was this foreigner working on his LAPTOP. I dont remember how I started the conversation, but soon we connected well. He told me his name is Jan, a Polish national on his way to Bangalore. A biologist by profession, Jan was pursuing multiple careers viz. journalism, tourist guide, lecturer in a university etc. etc.

I then asked him what he was upto in India, when he shared his personal life with me. He said he was suffering from this chronic disease which was incurable according to doctors from the WEST. One of his friends told him about a Chinese meditation therapy which can prove beneficial. He started practising the same which transformed his entire life. Not only did he disease vanish gradually, but Jan stopped smoking /drinking and was detached from non-veg food as well. Contiuing to practise it in daily life, Jan then started brain storming for the art's base when he found its origin was in India through Buddhism.

According to Jan this art is being taught in ICSE schools in Bangalore & has helped students perform better. He also said he's heard about Taare Zameen Par and that the art might prove beneficial for dyslexic kids as well. I told him about my quest to know why ICSE / CBSE students have an edge and changes required in our education system etc. After seeing my keen-ness, he immediately opened his bag & gave me a small part of his research papers. I was too thrilled & excited to receive this wonderful gift from stranger. Couldnt stop thanking him for the same.

Soon, it was 5pm , his flight was announced and he had to take leave. We shook hands, he took my e-mail id & promised to keep in touch. It was truly an amazing experience. Now I realise, why people say that journey is much more memorable than your final destination.

Regards,

Pady

A short & sweet trip down south

GOD has been kind enough to guide me during tough times, and help me realise my potential. To convey my heart-felt thanks to the Almighty, I decided on this short trip down south (Chennai) where temples of most forms of GODS/GODDESSES are present at short distances from each other. Dad accompanied me since he had some offical work. Mom opted out because of winter.

(Courtesy: http://www.photoatlas.com/)

Some of the temples we visited were the Pancha Mukha Anjaneya(5 faced Hanuman) at Santoshpuram, the Adi Parasakti temple at Melmaruvathur, Kolavazhi Amman temple in Mylapore, Sri Skandashram (Murugan temple) at Raja Keelpakkam. Most of these temples are quite old & popular. You can very well feel the spiritual vibes when you are in the premises. We then went to Pondicherry, where we visited the Aurobindo Ashram. The golden silence inside the ashram is something I was longing for. In Pondi, maximum people are of French origin.

We also visited the Ancient Cave temples of MAHABALIPURAM. Since childhood, I have always been fascinated by Indian mythology. I therfore bought a stone scuplture of Dasha Avtara, the ten forms of Lord Vishnu.

Since this trip was planned in a hurry, I forgot to carry a camera. I kept cursing myself for having missed the opportunity of capturing lot of wonderful stuff live. But, then some things are better imagined than watched again. Somehow managed to find & upload a pic from the net, which is from Mahabalipuram. The concluding part of my journey was something which is again interesting & quite amazing. But, I guess it should be discussed in my next blog. Till then guys, keep waiting!!