A Disastrous but Miraculous Road Trip

"Our happiest moments as tourists always seem to come when we stumble upon one thing while in pursuit of something else." (Author: Lawrence Block)

Time is the best healer and it cannot be any truer than in my case. A couple of years back, a car trip landed us in a one of our worst predicaments. Scarred for life and on the verge of debilitation, the road ahead looked bumpy & unsure. It so happened, that my hubby’s friend was getting married near Cochin and a trip was pertinent. Adventurous last minute planning were the norms those days despite a  hyper 2 year old. Deciding to drive all the way from Goa to Kerala, due to lack of rail tickets & leave, hubby dearest was coerced into hiring a driver. We were supposed to start by 4 in the evening but ended up hitting the highway by 7 :30 PM. Being a good samaritan that hubby always is, the driver was asked to catch some pretty winks for a few hours, so that he can drive the rest of the stretch fresh  & invigorated. The driver, a local lad slept blissfully till almost 2 AM the next morning by which time the kid was also fast asleep in my lap. After a simpering hot tea and getting refreshed, the driver’s seat saw a change and the journey continued uneventful till 2.30 AM. Mind you, the driver was kept regaled with songs from the stereo. Around 2.30 AM we decided to court sleep and that spelt disaster. A few minutes in to our sleep. I was jolted awake by a loud thump. Chaos & mayhem reigned all over as all I could make out was immense darkness, shards of glass everywhere and a free flowing red liquid from my nose and from my hubby’s forehead. 


At this point everything became a blur as I fell in & out of consciousness, and I could just about hear my hubby calling out desperately to my daughter who had mysteriously vanished from my lap. After a few tension fraught moments, we could hear her yelping from outside the car. Having established that she was ok and my hubby calming her down & ordering her to stay put, he calmed me down as well. In the meanwwhile  a few people whom we later established as truck drivers sleeping across the road came rushing to help us. Gently but firmly, they shifted us from the mess to terra firma and also moved us to the road that was 10 feet above us. Miraculously, an auto appeared out of nowhere and whisked us to a 24 hour critical care centre located hardly 200m away (another miracle).

My hubby took charge as with god's grace he had not lost consciousness and was fully aware of what was happening around him. The night shift doctor wove his magic immediately by stitching our respective gashes and putting us on further tests to rule out brain injury. A few days in the critical care saw us celebrate our wedding anniversary while recuperating and there was another minor surgery to my nose . Hubby dearest suffered even more as he had a few torn ligaments in his back which laid him off work,vehicles and day-to-day activities. He was bed-bound for 2 to 3 months and those were the moments when you asked yourself the why me/us question?


We later found out that our driver had dozed off due to which the car veered to the opposite side of the road, hit a road marker, did a 180 degree turnaround and crashed 10 ft down in to a valley sort of thing where rain water used to flow. Being the mid of may there was no water accumulation and it was like a mini forest !


A good 6 years has passed and the fateful road trip no more evokes bad memories, rather it is a reminder of all the blessings and is definitely a few lessons learnt.  My daughter escaped unhurt save for a few scratches and the driver went absolutely injury-free. We still look back to those days and send a silent thanks to all the people who helped us in our time of crisis.Besides, it reinstated my faith on humanity as the immediate help around such an unearthly hour was nothing short of a miracle. 


Linking it to Mahindra XUV- 500 Incredible Stories

Thirumeeyachur Temple

Thirumeeyachur Lalithambigai is one temple I had on my wish-list for a long time ! Last sunday when hubby dearest initiated an impromptu temple visit guess who was a happy lark :) The day was one religious affair, guess the goddess wanted us to completely immerse in the spiritual warmth and that's how we chanced upon another temple (Thirupamburam) with the trip ending with darshan of Shani Temple in Thirunallar.

Lalithambigai temple located in Nannilam circle of Thiruvarur district on the Mailaduthurai- Thiruvarur Road is approximately 1 km from the railway station of Peralam. 

The presiding deity is Lord Meghanatha and his consort is Lalithambigai. The Goddess is installed over Sri Chakra and is seated in a Abhaya ,Varada Mudra posture with her right leg folded.The deity is a pictuire of serenity, peace & harmony.

This picture of the Goddess is from an old book of mine !

The legend goes that Sun God was once cursed by Lord Shiva as a result of which his whole body was burnt. Seeking to get alleviated from the curse, surya did a heavy penance for almost 7 months by end of which he still had not got rid of his sufferning. Shouting out loud for the lord to hear, he further invoked the ire of Parvathi whereupon shiva intervened and asked Parvati to be at peace (shantam).The goddess depicting this moment became shanta nayagi . Vasinis or peace angels emerging from the goddess mouth sung sahasranamam - 1000 words in praise of the goddess and so she became Lalithambigai

There is a sculpture of kshetrapuraneshwara depicting this in the outer circumambulatory path, where-in Lord Shiva is seen cajoling and pacifying the goddess

It is said that in the Tamil month of Chithirai the days from 21^st to 27th are very special. It is on these days that sun rays directly fall on the idol of Lord Shiva and the phenomenon is true till date.

Yet another speciality of the temple is that on the northeren side there is IIlam Kovil (temple within temple). It houses yet another small temple with Sakala Bhuvaneshwarar as the deity & his consort. 

Visit this temple to attain health, peace & tranquility. 

My Son loves Tea

A few days back,my neighbor dropped in and was aghast seeing my son helping himself to some tea from a huge mug. Her shocked expression conveyed a myriad of things, the foremost being your son is just 3 and already tea??


What do I tell her ? Enjoying my evening cuppa of the steaming beverage has almost become a ritual and that has caught my son's fancy. He sure knows when his mom brings the strainer out and starts spouting chaaaee chaie and anxiously wait till I pour a little something for him in to his cup.

The huge mug is his favourite and as as he balances the cup in his hands,taking care not to spill the beverage, I swell with pride at his maturity.As long as he enjoys his regular health drinks (read complan) and drinks tea in moderation, I don't see any harm in his new found liking ! What say ?


So how did I react to my neighbour's quizzical expression ?

With a casual shrug and a simple Don't Judge Me look!

Celebrating Myself - An Ode to Me

Celebrating myself- well that must not be so difficult a task, that's what I told myself when I started to pen.Instead, the fingers lingered a little longer than usual while typing, despite a thousand thoughts milling in my head.The thing is that as a mother to 2 hyper but adorable kids and a doting wife to a wonderful spouse, the time for self-indulgence does take a back seat. However, when there is a call for gloating & boasting, why miss the opportunity ? So here I am happily hooting about all that's ME !


I am a child-woman so full of love & strength.A happy soul with loads of innate sensitivity, I don't flinch while expressing my true feelings; after all a spade is a spade ! I am not a cleanliness freak and I would rather prefer a few hours of merriment & revelry with family than tending to a messy home !


A full-time dreamer besides being a SAHM, the sometimes thankless job does see me getting in to bouts of anxiety and exhibit loony traits. However, what lurks behind an ever busy mind and a tender as a coconut heart, is my indomitable spirit and never say die attitude.Born to a very loving parents, the struggles of life and specially that of a woman were etched in to my mind very early and I owe my compassionate but resolute attitude to them. The disciplined upbringing laced with lots of self-belief and hope has seen me weather many a turbulent storm.


A hardcore romantic, I wear my heart on sleeve and has been the subject of quite a few disappointments because of it. Unapologetic about the way I am, I flaunt my oomph with ease. Getting drenched silly in rains and dancing away unabashedly are a few things that transports me to heaven & back. Simplest things gives me immense pleasure and it ain't very difficult to bring a smile on my face.


Drowned by showers of self-doubt, I fade into oblivion, only to bounce back like a phoenix from the ash.A mother,wife,daughter-in-law and above all a woman, what keeps me going is the wind beneath my wings - my hubby dearest ! 


And yes round is a shape and no sire, there is no guilt while I lick the tin of Peanut butter & Nutella clean.

I am not perfect- far from it but I live my life to the fullest !

A song that is constantly on my lips is "Top of the world' BY THE CARPENTERS.I sign off with a few lines that signifies ME

Such a feelin's coming over me 

There is wonder in most every thing I see 

Not a cloud in the sky, got the sun in my eyes 

And I won't be surprised if it's a dream 


I'm on the top of the world looking down on creation 

And the only explanation I can find 

Is the love I've found ever since you've been around

Your love's put me at the top of the world



This is off to Women's Web celebration of woman's Day and am glad , I peeked a little in to my soul,baring myself and coming triumphed !

The Alchemist - Book Review

Gauri Trivedi's endeavors in making books our best friend is commendable. Her space My Best friend is a book has her reviewing books (fiction/non fiction) and inviting guest reviews. Besides this, her culinary adventures are chronicled in Pasta and Paratha.

It gives me immense joy to join her book-fest and spew out reviews of the books I read !

The first review to join her space is The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

REVIEW -The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Paulo Coelho's books have always held a mystical allure transporting me in to a magical realm. Calling out to the gypsy in me, his books cast a spell. Be it Veronika decides to die, The witch of Portobello or Brida, Coelho breathes life in to his characters; makes sure that the story stays with you for a long time.

The Alchemist raises a few notches than the other books by instilling positivism; making people believe in self. For he says that's the only way to realize one's destiny and true calling !


Story :-

The story is about an Andalusian Shepherd boy named Santiago setting out to find what his dream is all about. His recurrent dreams of a hidden treasure near Pyramids in Egypt forces him to sell his flock and explore the path that would enable him to not only find the treasure but also leads to self-realization.

What sets him on the journey is the encounter with a wise old man, who calls himself Melchizedek, the King of Salem. It is this man,who imparts many a valuable lessons and advices him to stay grounded with the soul purpose of realizing his destiny.Spurred on by the old man's words, the boy leaves his home and crosses the colourful Tangiers market en route to Egypt. On the way he experiences a whole lot of memorable moments, meets interesting people and gathers wisdom that further propels him in to finding his true-self. He begins to understand the signs of omens, listens; interprets his heart's messages and follows unflinchingly towards his goal.

And in the desert, Santiago meets his soul-mate, the love of his life who further motivates him to follow his dreams.And finally he meets the Alchemist who empowers him to realise his destiny. The boy discovers the truth behind the treasure as well as his personal legend, he understands that the true treasure is not the destination itself but the journey made, the wisdom,experiences & the knowledge gained !

The book strikes a chord with us because Coelho reiterates that it is the simplest things in life which gives us profound lessons on life as well as immense happiness.The review would be incomplete without mentioning a few quotes that buoys us up and resonates even after finishing the book :-

• If a person really truly wants something, all the forces on universe would conspire in making sure that he gets it.

• When you play your cards for the first time, you are almost sure to win, because there is a force that wants you to realise your destiny; it whets your appetite with a taste of success.
• It's not what enters man's mouth that is evil, it's what comes out of the mouth that is
• There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve - the fear of failure !

Final Word :-  The book is so beautifully written and reveals so many insights; it's an experience that is best read, re-read & savoured. It comes as no surprise that the book has been translated in to so many languages. Go ahead and revel in this magical journey !
Book - The Alchemist
Author - Paulo Coelho
Genre - Allegorical/Psychological Drama
Year Published - 1988
My Rating - 9/10 

Down the Road - Book Review

Down the Road, a collection of 28 stories by 16 authors is a candid shot of campus trials & tribulations meant to evoke nostalgic moments. Does it manage to do that- yes, many stories had me sporting a bevy of expressions and transported me back to the good ol' school/college days. The stories cover a gamut of emotions ranging from the first crush to first kiss, making friends, spinning trouble & getting caught , falling in love, teacher/professor worship, bunking classes, ragging, bidding adieu and is sure to touch more than a chord or two !

The book has both seasoned as well as first-time writers exploring their choice of topic with innate sensitivity & subtle sense of humour.Edited by Ahmed Faiyaz & Rohini Kejriwal, the book divided in to 5 sections. Attendance is compulsory, Festivals, Elections & placements, Lights Out,Looking Back , Essays are the broad section heads under which the various facets of campus is essayed.


The editors have contributed 8 & 2 stories respectively and the other authors who have graced the pages with 2 stories each are Ira Trivedi,Paritosh Uttam,Sneh Thakur & Malathi Jaikumar. The remaining 10 are contributed by Aashish Mehrotra, Naman Sariya,Vibha Batra,Sahil Khan,Sonia Sarfi,Aseem Rastogi,Prateek Gupta,Ranjani Iyer,Chinmayi Bali, & Kunal Dhabalia.


While a few stories were quick & easy reads with a not-so compelling take on it, a many of them definitely made me to stop, think & chew - the review will not be complete without listing my favorites:-

• Soroicide by Paritosh Uttam - Delving deep in to human nature, the story stayed with me for a long time.
• The Music Room by Ira Trivedi - With heart tugging emotions, the tale is all about the bitter love story between a student & his music teacher.
• Learning and Unlearning by Rohini Kejriwal  - Written with spot on sensitivity & tenderness, the story is a cherished read 
• Bellow Yellow by Chinmayi Bali -  The story handles dark emotions with a surprising delicateness 
• An Accidental Start by Kunal Dhabalia  - Loved the subtle humour & the fine writing by the author.
• Setting by Ahmed Faiyaz - Nice read; made me wonder how the protagonist will behave hence forth

The final segment of essays has Sonia Sarfi & Aseem Rastogi commenting on the Indian writer's new found love for their take on campus life as well as the depiction of the same by the Mumbai film industry over the years.


A quick note on the authors- an eclectic bunch, the tale-spinners have woven a multitude of emotions in a variety of narrating techniques. Kudos to all !


Final Word :- The book published by Grey Oak & priced at INR 195/-  is refreshing, warm & exciting. A good addition to my ever-expanding book-shelf.

This review is part of the Book Review Program at  Blogadda. Participate now to get free books!

The Reluctant Detective by Kiran Manral - Book Review

The Reluctant Detective

With a whole lot of buzz around Kiran Manral’s new book, I was looking forward to grab it soon. And my excitement was justified thoroughly. A completely fun read, the book nudged my funny bones on enough occasions. And, I was merrily giggling almost till the finish.

The story is about Kanan Mehra aka Kay, a suburban home maker in Mumbai who recounts her life in a sequence of witty narratives laced with funky attitude. Recent murders in her apartment lead this uber housewife to ditch her fears and reluctantly aid in solving the case. In the centre of the storm by virtue of being the last person to have seen one victim and the first one to chance upon the other, Kay’s otherwise seemingly perfect life takes a tumble as she finds herself inadequate to deal with strangers including the policemen. No, she does not actually find the hand behind the gruesome acts like Poirot or Miss Marple, nor is this story a typical whoddunit ; but the tale is more  a spin on kay’s actions & reactions, a recount of her daily life going through a variety of sizzle.

I could connect to kay and why not ? – Wardrobe dilemma, battling bulges, grin & bear the maids saga , PTA woes, keeping the hyper kids engaged are some issues that will definitely ring a bell in all of us at some point or the other. Also, being a Cancerian myself, there was a lot of bon-homie with the protagonist !

Hooked to the book , I was chuckling away merrily even as I was waiting for my son’s progress report (btw, he is a preschooler ) inviting a few curious glances from some parents :D  That’s how much I enjoyed the read !

Coming to the characters, they are lively and well-etched. The perfect albeit serious hubby, adrenaline junkie son, pot-pourri of vibrant neighbours to the typical policeman, the people around Kay’s life are colourful & engaging.

As I am typing this review, few of the riot situations are still in mind like this one – 

Kay we are going for three days ! You have 20 tops,  8 trousers, 4 skirts, 3 stilettos ; to which she thinks aloud What if there is a discotheque in the hotel, men will never understand :) 

And another :-

Her narration of exploding buttons & splitting seams where in, a button of her jeans just flies & ricochets the wall of a restaurant promptly hitting a startled soul – Hillarious !

Kiran Manral, dedicated blogger, social activist, author defenitely deserves a pat on the back for having bared her heart & soul in the book.

I really could not fault any thing about the book except that the writer has tried to find funny overtures in all and sundry. Not there is anything wrong about it, but it was a few times uncalled for.Overall, the book is a pleasant, refreshing, light on mind kind of read with loads of smiles.

Go for it !