Chennai Diaries

May 30th - Today, I resolved how much to pay the laborers at the site by a frank discussion with the builder. It looks like it is a common practice to give one day labor charges or a bit more as a gift. The builder discussed it with the site manager and we all agreed to give Rs 1,000/- to workers and Rs 3,000/- plus dhoti and towel. We purchased dhotis and towels for the maestris. We also purchased additional dhotis for 3 more for those who are accompanying the Vedic Scholar. My MIL asked me to buy some gifts from her side to give it to me, my wife, son and the pet. I bought all of them today.

Later Shoba bought all the items we planned to courier after purchasing from Mylapore Kitchen. She went to Bhat’s Kitchen and bought a set of vessels which I understand absorbs heat well without darkening the bottom. The set of vessels are nice and we decided to courier them to the US as well.

In the evening, We went to see the status of the house.It is getting close to getting ready and one more day of cleaning will make it ready. Tomorrow, we are planning to move Puja items into the house and store other than fruits and flowers which we are planning to buy on Thursday. We inaugurated the lift today by visiting each floor including the terrace. Shoba was pleased with the terrace visit as there was a nice sea breeze (as the house is just 500 meters away from the Bay of Bengal).

On the way back, we stopped at the Besant Nagar (our favorite shop) to have ice cream and returned home.

Tomorrow, the work is cutout for me. I need to go to bank to set up separate envelops for the Vedic Scholar and his team of scholars (Dhakshana) and envelops for the workers at the site. Later I need to go to shop for 4 pumpkins, 25 coconuts, 25 kgs of rice, 25 plantain leaves, and a few green mangoes. Flowers and fruits to be purchased on Thursday. We interacted with the caterer a few times and he is yet to send the menu.

 

Thank you @Rihana for your kind wishes. The function is on 2nd. I sure will post the pictures of the house after the event. Yes. Especially, all of us are not becoming any younger, we decided to have a lift at home.

I am glad you liked it and I owe Chennai Diary’s inspiration to you.

 

May 31st - Today we visited Giri Traders and Thangavel Nadar store to buy some Puja items and a brand new vessel and utensil for boiling milk. My driver went to pick up the items ordered by my wife from Mylapore Kitchen so that we can courier them all together with the vessels she bought from Bhatt’s kitchen.

We had home-cooked meal today as well as we wanted to keep our stomach healthy. We gathered all the items that needed to be taken to the new house for puja, dhotis to be given to Vedic Scholar and his team as well as Maestris. We kept it in a bedroom in the new house and locked the room. Tomorrow morning, I am planning to make separate envelopes for distribution of cash to workers. There will be a separate list for the Dhakshna team be given to Vedic scholar and his team. Shoba has gone to T.Nagar to pick up her blouses she gave for stitching. The next two days are going to be hectic and if I find time in between, I will continue to write. If not I will write again on 3rd June.

 

Thank you @swarnamary for your kind wishes. I will definitely post the picture of the house soon after the Grahapravesam.

 

@MalStrom,

It is my pleasure to share my experience with ILites. Thank you for your kind wishes. I will post the pictures soon after the event. Unfortunately, they are still waiting on Athangudi tiles. I can check whether they have exported Athangudi tiles in the past.

 

Thank you Thyagarajan Sir for the wishes and blessings. The Vedic Scholar confirmed he left and on his way to Chennai. Chamiana guy is still not at the site and hopefully it won’t take long to erect it. He said he would come at 10 am