We'd set off at a half past 6 for Koduppana. George was efficient as usual, though a block in the passage had us deviating from the main route and use up over 45 minutes in catching up. Consequently, breakfast was delayed till we found a suitable place, short of Chertala. The day was uncomfortably warm and the vehicle's air conditioning system had a problem but the discomfort was overcome thanks to the continuous good humoured banter between us.
We're at the destination at 1030h and the boat was used to transfer mom to the venue. Lekha and Rema could negotiate the narrow wooden bridge with ease. The place thronged with people and the final preparations were on for the placement of the idols on their respective spots and the connected pujas. They'd retrieved two of the three idols - the 'Nagaraja' and the 'Nagayakshi' and these two were to be placed with a 'chitrakoodam'(the place where the celestial serpents cohabit!) at the main venue.
The third idol, the 'karinagom' hasn't been located yet and therefore, a 'chitrakoodam' has been placed at the second venue - about 50 meters away from the first, with the fond hope that the lost idol would find its way to its symbolic home, the 'chitrakoodam'. This has been done based on astrological pointers! The actual dedication was at 1200h and it was a grand ceremony.
The highlight of the day was our familiarisation with our relatives drawn from Koduppana. The welcome that they gave us was spontaneous and sentimentally touching! Mom was the cynosure of everyone's eyes and I was reminded about my dad's words - she was charged and I found her to be extremely thrilled to be amid the crowd. She reminisced about her previous visits to the place and rattled out names of her elders who'd always looked after her well. The families got around her to hear as many stories and anecdotes that she could pass on...she was easily the star of the day! Yes, dad was right!!
Mrs PN Panicker's family was almost complete except for Vilasini kunjamma because her daughter, with whom she's staying currently, is down with chicken pox. I believe that there's an unwritten rule that no one from such homes can attend ceremonies of this sort!? It was evident that everyone had made it to just meet the rest after what has been a long, long time. I was able to promulgate the next meeting of the family at Paravoor on 24 May, to which there was a unanimous chorus of approval!
After a lovely lunch and extended goodbyes, we'd finally begun our return trip by a half past 2. The unbearable heat of the afternoon accentuated by an erratic a/c of the car, coupled with a massive block at Edappalli did zap us, albeit, for a short while.
We're at 'The Quarterdeck' by a half past 7. A nice, sentimental trip where we'd the privilege of meeting almost every member of the family!
Tailpiece.
The water well rejuvenation team is expected by 10 in the morning tomorrow. Another of those inescapable activities that ensures continuous supply of water in the well even in the harshest summer heat!
We're at the destination at 1030h and the boat was used to transfer mom to the venue. Lekha and Rema could negotiate the narrow wooden bridge with ease. The place thronged with people and the final preparations were on for the placement of the idols on their respective spots and the connected pujas. They'd retrieved two of the three idols - the 'Nagaraja' and the 'Nagayakshi' and these two were to be placed with a 'chitrakoodam'(the place where the celestial serpents cohabit!) at the main venue.
The third idol, the 'karinagom' hasn't been located yet and therefore, a 'chitrakoodam' has been placed at the second venue - about 50 meters away from the first, with the fond hope that the lost idol would find its way to its symbolic home, the 'chitrakoodam'. This has been done based on astrological pointers! The actual dedication was at 1200h and it was a grand ceremony.
The highlight of the day was our familiarisation with our relatives drawn from Koduppana. The welcome that they gave us was spontaneous and sentimentally touching! Mom was the cynosure of everyone's eyes and I was reminded about my dad's words - she was charged and I found her to be extremely thrilled to be amid the crowd. She reminisced about her previous visits to the place and rattled out names of her elders who'd always looked after her well. The families got around her to hear as many stories and anecdotes that she could pass on...she was easily the star of the day! Yes, dad was right!!
Mrs PN Panicker's family was almost complete except for Vilasini kunjamma because her daughter, with whom she's staying currently, is down with chicken pox. I believe that there's an unwritten rule that no one from such homes can attend ceremonies of this sort!? It was evident that everyone had made it to just meet the rest after what has been a long, long time. I was able to promulgate the next meeting of the family at Paravoor on 24 May, to which there was a unanimous chorus of approval!
After a lovely lunch and extended goodbyes, we'd finally begun our return trip by a half past 2. The unbearable heat of the afternoon accentuated by an erratic a/c of the car, coupled with a massive block at Edappalli did zap us, albeit, for a short while.
We're at 'The Quarterdeck' by a half past 7. A nice, sentimental trip where we'd the privilege of meeting almost every member of the family!
Tailpiece.
The water well rejuvenation team is expected by 10 in the morning tomorrow. Another of those inescapable activities that ensures continuous supply of water in the well even in the harshest summer heat!
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