House Prayers

During eve of X'mas I had a prayer in my house.  Most of my thianam and thevaram class members came for the function.

Inspite of the busy, Monday working day, many turn out to my house including my mother, brothers' family and children.  My Thianam sir came on time with his wife. Our family members was very happy to invite them.

Once, majority of the members were in, our sir started the function, by lighting the 'vilaku' (used in prayers) and the 'thiba arathanai'.

We all sat down and my elder brother Mr. Manimurasu @ Sri started the thevaram songs, we followed behind. Later, mami aunty continued with the Perumal songs (since it was on 'Vaikudam Ekathesi' Day) (Indians believe, if stay awake on this special day, once we die, we can go to Heaven and our karmas are forgiven).

 Almost 1 hour, we all sang the thevaram songs and end by sivapuranam. Evey members was singing and deeply praying to god. Atmosphere was very fine, no disturbance, not even a phone rang. Towards the end, again thiba arathanai shown and 'thiruniru'  (white ash) was distributed to all.

As a remembrance a souvenior was given to the participants. A short speech was given by our Sir encouraging each member to take turns to conduct a similar prayer in their house.

The function ends with a light refreshment and cookies.

We take this opportunity to thanks all members and sir who makes this function a meaningful one. Thank you again.

House Prayers

Thianam sir's birthday celebration

About my temple friend

Let me share about my temple friend (Ms Saratha).

Around December, (Margali month) we used to go temple, as early as 4.15am daily for 1 full month. Everyday, I used to see her in temple daily morning. She is tall around 5ft 2in, slim, short hair and a simple fair lady. She is very active in doing all the temple job without being told by others. Picking up flowers for god. Another words, doing voluntary job. She will sweep, clean, wipe etc. Normally i will notice all she is doing before any poojas starts. She loves to do work in temple. Sometimes i join her in helping.

I can't remember when is the first day, i talked to her.  In the long run, we became good friends.  Her husband passed away, and she had a prayer in her house. Thats the first day, i went to her house. After the prayers, she offered vegetarian food to all of us.

INDONESIA TRIP

We went together to Indonesia trip. This trip was arranged within a short period of time. I had a long time being together. We talked about temples, people, family, working problem, marriage lives and so on. I came to know her more deep.  No doubt she is elder to me, but she looks even younger.

We spent 4 days in Indonesia. Visited Lake Toba, Mountain, Forest, Restaurant and stalls.   We realise how wonderful is Malaysia, when we start comparing the roads, building, scenery and so on. Both of us almost has the same sharing of idea. We feel sorry, for how indonesian, so pushy in selling their goods for survival, even the younger generation do their part in singing in the floating ferry.


Penang was our 2nd trip with other friends of mine. This time the whole group join in. It was really fun. Pls read my article below on Penang Trip.

Note:  Hai friends, please do write some comments about my article so that I can improve. Any new suggestion are welcome.

Thianam Class (Spiritual Class)

(view photoes below)
Thianam Class Sir  (a short introduction)

Mr. Nanthidevan is our Thianam (spiritual) class sir. He is running this class for free.  He is a very simple and humble person. He respect everyone, young and old. He treats every member the same way. Very soft spoken. Sometimes jokes in between. (Even in my young age, i knew him. His brother, Sittrasu used to teach at Hospital Qrts, Murugan Temple way back in 1970s.) During annual thevaram competition, Nanthidevan sir (Thavaneri Mandaram chairman-if i not mistaken) will be around.


Thianam Class

 Our Thianam Class only started this year which is conducted in our Kaliamman Temple small hall every Saturday morning at 6am every week.  Currently we are having 20 to 30 members who will join us every Saturday morning. There are young and older members.  Majority is ladies. Sir will start the class with Vinayagar Vanakam,  mild exercise, breathing exercise to fresh us all up.  Next he will teach us Sivapuranam. He will read every sentence by sentence and teach us the meaning. He even will tell us short stories about the 'sittargal' holy person, and their deep love towards god. How they devoted their whole life towards the High Superim. Very interesting to listen.

Next he will teach us Thirukural (The best book of Hindu). Since i am not the tamil medium (went to english school), sometimes difficult to understand. So he will explain in english too. He will also give away free CD's mainly on devotional songs.


Meditation

During meditation, he wants us to close our eyes and sit up straight. He will switch off the lights. He will guide us, until we reach our destination in meditation. We will conduct the poojas by ourselves in meditation. Normally it will not take more than 15 minutes. Once we open the eye, we need to rub our hands and wipe our face then greet the person next to us.

Classes will continue till 7.30am. (1 1/2hr)  We will have light refreshment towards the end.  Each member will contribute some meal prepared by them and shared among us.

My experience in Penang Trip, West Malaysia

21st September, 2012

This Penang trip was organised by our thianam class (Spiritual class). So, one Saturday was arranged for this event. Our class members plus their family members were called to meet in front of the Kaliamman Temple (Hindu Temple in our area) around 10pm. A small fee was collected for the travelling and food expenses.

Our main organisers for this trip were Ms Uma and Ms Saratha (our team members). As we planned, our bus arrived around 10.30pm. By 11pm we start to move from Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia. The whole night the bus travelled, stopping at few junctions  for rest at highway stalls.  Two drivers was on the bus.  Before reaching Penang, we had to cross a bridge.  Finally around 4am we reached Penang (a small island, North of West Malaysia). It was not too far, we reached the temple.

It was rainning. Feeling so cool inside the air-con bus. Since too early, most of our members is still sleeping in the bus. We wake them up around 5am. Managed to find the bathroom and toilets. We took bath and clean ourselve in the cold water (no shower).

By 6.30am all members already looking fresh, mostly in sarees (Indian traditional dress for girls) and punjaby suits while the mans in their vesti (Indian traditional dress for guys).  After our morning prayers at the Vinagar Temple, we start to walk up to Murugan Temple (Hindu God). It was a long way up roughly 500 over steps to reach the top.  Along the steps, there were nice wording hanged. We read it when we rest short while. Finally, we reached to the top where the atmosphere from top was marvelous, very beautiful to see. 

THANNIRMALAI TEMPLE

Even from far the temple looks awesome. The koburam looks great. At the entrance, some construction work is still going on. I went into the temple. I felt so happy that i managed to climb 500 over steps. No doubt everyone felt tired, but the beauty of the temple make us forget about the pain.  I just love it. The morning prayers started. Our trip organisers has bought some prayers items and pass to the temple priest to conduct the morning prayer. We all saw the abishegam to Lord Muruga, to get his blessing. Once the thirai closed, i went around the temple.

Flooring with beautiful granite tiles, beautiful pillars with small statue, even ceillings beautiful drawings and painting. We can feel the expert touch on everywhere. Even the window raillings are alike peacock design.

Took some photoes and i went outside the temple. Wah, the rising of the sun, its a very nice experience for me. I took few photoes in my camera. Its really beautiful. I dont know how to put into words. From the high hill, slowly the day is getting brighter and brighter. By now can see the sun fully. Tall buildings are below me. Felt as if clouds are down. Far behind i can see the sea. Very, very beautiful scenery.

When the temple bell rings again, we all went into the temple. The routine poojas starts. After participate in the poojas, taken our prasatham we rest for a while. Since our stomach making some noice (hungry) we agreed to take our breakfast which we already brought along. Slowly we move down the steps again. This time we saw the monkeys. As we did not distrub them, we are fine.

In between there were a lot of land scape, Lord Sivan statue (sitting position), a small pool, flowers are planted which gives a beautiful scenery again. Once touches the last step down, we thanked Lord Muruga for his blessing again. Straight we went to the bus.

After a quick breakfast, we went to another 2 more temples. Only short time were given for each temple to visit which is only nearby to each other.  We need to move quickly.  Next we went to Pagoda, saw few temples while travelling.

Weather was not too good. Now its raining heavily. Umbrella not enough, so we need to share.  But some or rather we made to the pagoda temple.  There were a lot of stalls, selling all variety of items (fm head to toe) along the steps. Managed to buy a few souvenir for family. 

Got into the bus. Now even raining more heavily. Next to indian restorant to take our vegetarian lunch.   Food was very tasty. After lunch,  we did some sight seeing, on the way back to Kuala Lumpur.

On the way back, we had question and answering session.  All about spiritual. My Thianam Class sir, Mr. Nanthidevan, asked his students some question. Actually it was really to get together among us. Its was really fun. Mostly everyone enjoyed even the bus driver Mr. Bala also joint in. I was taking the points for the 2 groups. Eventually it was a draw. No winner no loser. Sweets and drinks was distributed to all.

DANCING SESSION

Since from the start, we could hear only devotional songs, youngers in the bus got bored. They requested for some latest songs, where they too can enjoy. Among the group, my daughter Prema also join in the dancing while the bus is moving. More songs were played, other groups too join in.

By 9pm we already reached home. Finally waving at every member to say goodbye.

A memorable trip to me.

Pagoda trip, Penang Malaysia

Pagoda temple (Buddha temple) in Penang Malaysia.

Some pictures taken at Pagoda Temple, Penang Malaysia.