Thiruvannamalai (One Day Picnic)

Lord Arunachaleswarar (Arunachala) Temple Visit

Started in Early Morning from Porur to Koyambedu (13-Dec-2014). Normally I used to book NTL/Fast Track, But this time I used OLA cab. Ola is very Punctual, Free Upgrade to Sedan, Very reasonable rate ( Rs 12/km) and Working GPS. One missing thing in OLA is " Card Payment". I Paid Rs 144 for the ride of 8.5 km with waiting charge of Rs 6. Started at 6am and reached Koyambedy 612am. Boarded bus ( No 122) after sipping very average Tea at Tea stall near by Thiruvannamalai Bus Platform. It is around 200 km travel to reach Lord Almighty Arunachala.

Courtesy: Google

Bus has tag of Express and the charge is Rs 110 for Adult ticket and Rs 55 for Child ticket. It stopped for breakfast after Tambaram around 8am. Food is not bad not good category but Rest Rooms are very horrible. We crossed Melmaruvatur around 9am, Dindivanam by 920am and Gingee by 1015am. We reached Thiruvannamalai by 1110am.

Priya and My Mom @ Raja Gopuram

Took Auto and reached Temple by 1130am. There is no chappel/shoe Stand. So we kept our sandals and shoes just near by shop at the entrance of Temple. Lord Arunachaleswarar Temple is so Big and around 25 Acres. Raja Gopuram is really mesmerising and we can spend atleast 30 minutes to see all beauty of Tower. Temple has privileges such as Special entry & Battery car for Elder and handicapped.

General Darshan and Rs 20 Darshan both are having rush and populated due to Right after thiru Karthigai deepam week and weekend spot ( Also Melmaruvatur Devotees). Fortunately, Temple remain open for the day without regular closure of 1230pm and Reopen at 330pm. Had Very good darshan in Privilege Queue and Took Temple Prasadam ( Laddu and Then Kulal). Weather was very pleasant and I would recommend to visit the temple in December period. Again took auto to reach Bus stand ( Auto Fare flat Rs 40).

Abhinav and My Dad

Abhinav rode Stone elephant with singing Elephant rhymes. The Fun part is " Author of Rhyme is Mr. Abhinav".

We had Lunch at Abirami Hotel Right opposite to Thiruvannamalai Bus stand. Meal was very good and service was moderate. Meal charge is Rs 58. We took Bus to Villupuram to go relative house and took train from villupuram to Chennai Egmore. While we are having dinner at Hot chips, I called Ola Cab for pickup. They are right on time and Reached Home around 1015pm.

Ancient Temples provide Divine experience and Feel of  "Light at the end of Tunnel".