Yes. I could understand how she felt.
PS: If you are planning the trip remember to take a small camera. By the time you finish I promise it will be as heavy as any pro-piece.  

The final stretch - devotees light camphor on each step. 

Once at the top it feels great to stretch out a bit.In this pic the gold clad gopuram above the sanctum sanctorum can be seen. 

...and the view is worth it. 

Lucky Strike

A scene at the Marundheeswarar Temple, Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai.I was there a few weeks back and struck lucky - found this group meditating in the middle of the hustle and bustle of a crowded temple. The group was an island of calm.
First I was not sure if I should start clicking away but luckily another guy who was getting ready to meditate gave me the go ahead.  

Aruvathimoovar Thiruvizha

Just rounding of the series of pics of the Aruvathimoovar Thiruvizha celebrated at the Kapaleeswarar Temple, Mylapore. I could not make it to any of the main events so decided to post pics of the temple car and the procession of the 63 saivaite saints that I had taken a few years back.

A show of hands. At the Aruvathimoovar Thiruvizha, Kapaleeswarar Temple, Mylapore. 

The Kapaleeswarar Temple car starts the ride around the temple.  

Crowd swirls around the palanquins carrying the 63 saivaite saints at the Aruvathimoovar Thiruvizha of the Kapaleeswarar Temple, Mylapore. 

On the last day of the Aruvathimoovar Thiruvavizha the 63 Saivaite saints, after whom the festival is named, are taken out in palanquins in a procession with Lord Kapaleeswarar following them. In the this pic all the palanquins can be seen. 

Just thought I would publish some more pics from the Kapaleeswarar Temple festival at Mylapore. Here a priest adjusts the flower arrangements on Kapaleeswarar seated on the Nandhi. 

Karpagambal and Murugan on the Gandharva Vahanam. 

Coconut seller. (Check out the another coconut seller in the archives - April 2005)
Also, an irrelevant detail: The lens hood worked loose from my camera and almost fell on her head -- after I took this pic. 

Wish You All A Happy New Year (Puthaandu Vazhthukal). Pic taken at the Thiruporur Murugan temple.  

Also, taken at the Thiruporur Murugan temple - I found this guy inside the temple walking around in the crowd. He suddenly struck this pose and held it for several minutes as the crowd gathered around him.  

Ganesha on his vahanam.  

Lifting the palanquin. 

Devotees taking vibhuthi from the priest. The bird-like puppet hanging from ropes to the left of the frame is part of an interesting ritual -- the cup in its hands is filled with flowers, it is swung by a pulley to shower the flowers on the deity. See next pic. 

Kapaleeswarar on Adhigara Nandi. Hope you can make out the bird-like figure showering flowers on the deity. 

Kapaleeswarar Temple Festival

I've posted a series of pics taken at the Kapaleeswarar Temple Festival -- the Aruvathimoovar Thiruvisha -- at Mylapore. Tried posting them as combo-pics to include more pics and sidelights.

The Palanquin bearing Kapaleeswarar on the Adhigara Nandhi vends its way around the temple at Mylapore and the orchestra that leads the way. 

Devotees taking prasadam. A closer view of Kapaleeswarar on Adhigara Nandi and Karpagavalli Ambal on Gandharva Vahanam, Boothagi. 

The first palanquin that comes out of the temple carrying Vinayakar followed by Kapaleeswarar on the Adhigara Nandhi. To the right are some additional pics -- a photopgrapher and some devotees.  

Murugan on the Gandharva Vahanam (vehicle), Boothagan (top left) and Karpagavalli Ambal (bottom left); and a collection of sidelights at the festival -- the palanquin bearers, a gypsy family, an orchestra and the main palanquin carrying Kapaleeswarar. 

The palanquins bearing Karpagavalli Ambal and Kapaleeswarar (top); a gypsy family that has set up shop; prasadam distribution. 

The palanquins bearing Karpagavalli Amman and Kapaleeswarar (top); a sceptre bearer; and Murugan on the gandharva vahanam, Boothagan. 

Stamp of Chennai - 4

This is a stamp issued to commemorate St Thomas, one of the 12 apostles of Christ. The stamp was issued in December 1964, to mark the visit of Pope Paul VI to India to attend the 38th International Eucharistic Congress convened in Bombay (Mumbai). The Santhome Church, as the Basilica of the National Shrine of St Thomas is popularly known, is in Mylapore, Chennai.

Some information from the St Thomas Basilica website: "By Apostolic brief dated 16th March 1956, Pope Pius XII gloriously raised the Cathedral Church of the Archdiocese of Madras-Mylapore to the dignity and rank of Minor Basilica.
The present National Shrine of St.Thomasis built over the tomb of Saint Thomas the Apostle, who came to India in the year 52 AD. After preaching on the West Coast, he came to Chennai(formerly Madras), and suffered martyrdom on a hill at the outskirts of the city, today known as "St. Thomas Mount." His body was buried on the spot over which the present Basilica stands.
As for the church, that too has much history behind it. This lovely Gothic Church is an architectural treasure. Rising 155 feet from the ground, with a nave of 112 feet by 33 feet, and an imposing sanctuary 62 feet long and 33 feet wide, it is adorned with stained glass windows depicting St. Thomas and the other Apostles. Inside the sanctuary is a statue of St. Thomas seated."

Stamp of Chennai - 4: A first day cover of the stamp of St. Thomas. The cover depicts a drawing of the St Thomas Basilica, Mylapore. Check out the pic of the Basilica below. The stamp shows the figure of St Thomas as represented in a silver bust in Ortona Cathedral in Italy.