madurai – gcmouli.com

If you have not seen this short film, you should see it. This is the story of grit, determination, and a vision of a man, who despite his humble beginnings and his eventual roaring success, never lost his humility and his roots.

Blurb (in the youtube page):

An eye clinic with 11 beds. A country with 12 million blind. …and one doctor dedicated to a beautiful dream.

Infinite Vision is the story of Dr. V, the legendary eye surgeon from South India who made it his mission to restore sight to the blind and whose work has resulted in one of the world’s most extraordinary models of service delivery.

This film traces the inspiring life journey of a visionary dedicated to serving humanity, outlines the evolution of the Aravind model of eye care and affords glimpses into the spirituality that has guided both for over fifty years in service for sight.

“If you can’t pay them you don’t have to. If you can’t come to them they’ll come to you. Each year they bring light to millions of lives. Their services are world-class, but the spirit that drives them is one of a kind…”

Did a weekend trip to Theeli (as the local sometimes refer Thiruneveli as). Travelled from Bangalore to Kumbakonam in the usual Mayiladuthurai express. And then drove down to Thirunelveli with the wife, kid and brother-in-law.

The route is Kumbakonam-Tanjavur-Trichy-Madurai-Virudhunagar-Sattur-Kovilpatti-Thirunelveli. Kumbakonam-Tanjavur is horrible road. Tanjavur-Trichy is passable (except for the heavy traffic). Trichy-Madurai is good quality road but still some twists and turns on the road. There is a Ghar Dhaba in the Madurai bypass where there are clean restrooms and you can get some food. Madurai-Thirunelveli is just a fantastic stretch to drive – straight road with beautiful road quality. It almost feels like you are driving in US – like in Nevada or somewhere. No vegetation. No habitation. For miles together. While you need to pass through Tanjore and Trichy (if you consider Tiruverumbur as part of Trichy), you will take bypass for all other towns such as Madurai and Virudhunagar.

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The rest of the post is mostly just going to be pictures.

Nellaiappar temple at the end of the temple street (kadai veedhi)

Paathira Chakravarthi - "Emporor vessels". Velayutha Naadar and sons and grandsons. — Paathira Chakravarthi – “Emperor of vessels”. Velayutha Naadar and sons and grandsons.

Inside view of room door in Hotel Janakiram. How many times have you called room service and have forgotten your room number, and hunted for the room keys or opened the door and checked? Problem Solved.

You will find a dozen Nadar Vessel Shops like this one around the temple.

Pothy's and RMKV have supposed to have started here first. They are primarily Theeli (as the locals sometimes refer to Thirunelveli as). RMKV has moved out of this area to a more posh mall type store. — Pothy’s and RMKV have supposed to have started here first. They are primarily Theeli (as the locals sometimes refer to Thirunelveli as). RMKV has moved out of this area to a more posh mall type store.

The Nellaiappar temple is a huge temple, which is also very old. It is one of the paadal petra sthalangal (Tevara sthalangal). The temple was built by Koon Pandiyan – the Madurai king who was cured by Gnana Sambandhar. Nellaiappar and Gandhimathi Amman are housed in separate temples and the two temples are connected by a Sangili Mandapam – a connecting hallway.

A detailed post about the temple can be found here by suryakala here and here.

Update: I had this photo in my phone and had missed adding it here.

Tag: madurai

Infinite Vision – The Story of Aravind Hospitals

Thirunelveli (mostly in pictures)