You have Travel on your mind!
You have travel arrangements in place! But you are apprehensive about travel.
You are concerned about “What if I get infected during travel?”
If thoughts such as these are keeping you in a fix, then this article is for you! These were the exact same questions that were doing the rounds at the back of my mind for several months. And, it feels nice to have shattered the illusion of fear within me! Read on to know more!
For more than six months in this calendar year, if it is one common topic of discussion across the country and the globe, then it certainly has to be the COVID-19 pandemic. With severe travel restrictions both within and beyond the geographical boundaries of the respective states, there’s an uneasy calm all around. Being an avid traveller, I am deeply moved by the fact that the virus has had widespread impact. Although rigorous restrictions were imposed for several months, the number of fatalities is exponentially increasing each day. At the time of this writing, the total Coronavirus cases in India stood at 5.99 million. Undeniably, such lockdown restrictions can’t go on forever and these don’t serve the real purpose. It only delays the onset of virus spread. Until the arrival of a vaccine, it is imperative for each individual to act responsibly to help keep the impacts to a minimal. And, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t venture out.
So, should you be cancelling your travel plans and get enveloped by the corona scare? Or should you want to keep your travel spirits high and get going without being affected?
What’s more deadly than Coronavirus?
It’s FEAR & PANIC.
NEW NORMAL, NEW TRAVEL:
What’s coming ahead in this blog is a narration of my recent travel experiences! So, sit back comfortably and savour a virtual journey to several prominent and historical places of worship in Tamil Nadu.
After, nearly, six months of confinement at home, there was an inner urge to get back to the routine. Being an adventurous buff, the propensity of courageousness was natural! So, I drafted the plan and took it over for a discussion with few of my closely-knit friends! Although, I was skeptical about my travel proposal, it turned out to be a unanimous decision for a road trip! As this was our first trip post the lockdown blues, the plan was to explore places of interest within the home state – Tamil Nadu! And, the duration of the travel was restricted to a day!
IN ALL THE EXCITEMENT:
On a sombre Sunday morning of September 20, 2020, a group of four liked-minded individuals started off from Chennai and headed towards our first destination of the trip – Arulmigu Vedagiriswarar Temple, Tirukalukundram. After a 60-km ride and taking steep stairs, that count to 565, we arrive at a hill temple dedicated to lord Shiva (a Swayambumurthi). The deity and the temple are named Vedagiriswarar and the view of the temple at the foothills is Tirupurasundari Amman Shrine. It is believed that the hill on which the Vedagiriswarar temple is built, is the mountains signifying the Vedas created by Shiva himself.
Next on the list was the historical Kailasanathar temple at Kanchipuram. Being the oldest temple in Kanchipuram, the construction is credited to the Pallava dynasty, who had established their kingdom with Kanchipuram as the capital city. It is considered one of the seven sacred cities under Hinduism! As a photographer and a keen observer of depictions at temple sculptures, it was too difficult to go by the plan. We spent more time at the temple among others.
It was half past 5, and we decided to visit another ancient temple – Kamakshi Amman temple. Probably, another masterpiece of the Pallava kings! It should be noted that multi-storied Gopurams were being introduced during the Pallava dynasty. And, this temple could be a classic reference! There was a long queue of devotees waiting to enter the temple. Devotees were examined for COVID indications with a thermal scanner and only those with mask were let in. Inside the temple, the path to the Garbhagriha was barricaded. All devotees were to maintain social distance and follow the barricaded path until the exit route.
By the time we got darshan of Kamakshi Amman and made our way out, the clocks ticked past quarter to six. Next, we had visits to Shri Chitragupta Swamy temple followed by Vazhakarutheeswarar temple. This is a Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and is a perfect remedy temple to get favorable judgment for civil and criminal court case!
That was all about this trip! It was a thoroughly planned trip right from the time each of us agreed to meet at a pre-agreed venue, food arrangements and up to the point we all got back home safely! We carried packed breakfast, lunch and snacks from home! The only expenses were fuel and drinking water! The entire travel expenses was a meagre INR 400! This trip will go in to my long list of self-administered trips! And, a Memorable one too!
I hope you had a great time with my narration and the wonderful photographs from my recent travel!
STAY HYGENIC!
STAY SAFE!
ENJOY YOUR TRAVEL!
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