19 Dec - Went to Budget Terminal for Departure to Chennai. Took Tiger Airways. Plane was delayed by 1hr. The seats were uncomfortable. When we reached Chennai, the travel agent who was supposed to pick us up was not there. Sis and dad had to borrow a handphone from a stranger and call the driver to inform us that we have arrived.
19-20 Dec - from airport went directly to Tiruvanaamalai hotel - Arunai Anantha, a three star hotel. Everthing in the hotel was average, but the bath room and toilet were of deplorable condition. We had to wear our flipflops while bathing as we did not dare to put our bare feet on the toilet floor.
Monday 20th Dec 2010 - Went to Arunachalam Temple. At the temple, we my mum and I were standing at the temple grounds waiting for the guide to bring us in the sanctum. Someone brushed my buttocks and when I turned, I realised it was the priest. Do not know if it was an accident. How then can I pray peacfully when it was the same priest who did the poojas for us? On top of this, the priest demanded 500rupees from us for doing special puja for us. This incident shows that prists openly demands money.
After the prayers, we bought about three audio CDs and then went back to hotel and had our lunch there. The food there was good and the service staff were good too. Saw a few European who stayed at the hotel but was wondering why they were there. We wanted to go for Girivalam at 3pm but unfortunately it was pouring. We had to go Girivalam via Autorickshaw. This was Lisha's first Autorickshaw ride and she enjoyed it. We know that it is good to walk all 15km but since we had to go to Thrupathi on 21 Dec, and the weather was wet, we went to the 8 lingams via an Autorickshaw.
One priest at the Vayu Lingam made us upset. I noticed that all the prists there light up the deepam only when you place money on the prist's tray. We got a rude remark from him when we placed a 2 rupee on his tray. He told us that it was a mere paper and it has got no value. He spoke to us in English. Then I picked up a pack of Vibhuthi on the tray and for that he asked for 4 rupees. We did not have any small change then and had to dig our pocket for all the coins that we had ( I think it made up to 5 or 6 rupees) and then he let us go. I did not pray well after this as I was disgusted with such an attitude. From what I know priests accept whatever is given to them. But these priests are demanding for money nowadays.
Nevertheless, I will visit Tiruvannamalai again and will walk the whole 15KM if Lord Arunachalam permits.
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