Chennai trip 2006

Day 1: The Train Journey (Skip this paragraph if you are not too fond of trains)

My train was hauled from Pune by a WDM-3A (diesel) locomotive upto Renigunta. Slightly surprised because a WDM 2 (diesel) generally does the honors on this route. The loco belonged to the Guntakal shed but had been rebuilt at Ludhiana and hence had a livery very unlike the standard livery of the Guntakal locos. I asked the engineer (the driver) if he would allow me to footplate on the locomotive but he refused saying that only A-1 Government officers had that privilege. At Renigunta, a WAM-6P (electric) loco took over upto Chennai.
Some unusual observations……a long stretch of track before Renigunta was both double lined (I had observed some track laying going on 2 years ago) and electrified (!!)……almost all goods vehicles were hauled by powerful WDP-4 locos (in the past twin WDM-2 were used) .

Day 2: The Wedding Reception

It was nice. Met lots of relatives after a looooooong time and had a good time. It was a testing time for the wedding couple as they had to stand for most of the evening and have photographs taken with relatives/friends. The couple looked good in their outfits and the background music too was good. The food was sumptuous and the icing on the cake was the dessert, jalebis+icecream (though I missed this because my stomach was too full).

Day 3: The Wedding

I was attending a wedding after 18 years and this time was determined catch all the action from the start and…. I did. Understood most of what was happening thanks to inputs from my mom. The rituals as I remember them,

Kashi Yatra – the groom wants to go but the father of the bride calls him back.

And the winner is…… - A white purdah separates the couple. The moment it is lowered both of them try to throw rice grains at each other and this time the winner was…..the groom.

Mangalsutra tying– the usual thing

And finally, the ceremony concluded with everyone congratulating the couple.

Day 4: The Rendezvous day

All the day was spent in meeting relatives in Chennai. Played a round of antakshari and had a nice jog at the beach that night.

Day 5: Farewell Chennai

Back in Pune at the end of the day. All in all an eventful trip. Got an opportunity to meet my cousin (from US), lots of other relatives and had a good time. Glad I could make this trip.