நம்ம கிராமத்துக்கு போகும் நேரம் 328 , ON WAY TO MY VILLAGE - 328

 ON WAY TO MY VILLAGE

நம்ம கிராமத்துக்கு போகும்           நேரம் 

Each year , the last leg of the near 75 Hour Train Journey which included a  near 15 hours of transit time at Madras ( Central and Egmore ) and at Tirunelveli to catch the connecting train   from , 

Calcutta/Kharagpur  to Ravanasamudram 

as a school going kid was always special .

 Each year had its own share of new thrills and experiences . Travelling as we did in the super comfort of the  First Class Coaches of the British Era which had individual doors for Entry/Exit for each 4 Berth Cabin  , the entire journey was totally private with no one else for company during the entire journey of near 40 hours . This was thanks to the Railway Pass to which my father was entitled as a very SENIOR Railway Officer . With only the three of us for the entire journey ,  meant that I could have the window of my choice for the entire journey .

The journey was even more special because  the Howrah - Madras Mail came with the Restaurant Car ( Not Pantry Car ) where a waiter in Starched White Uniform Clothing with their trademark Highpeaked Headgear would take orders and deliver the tasty food at the next train halt . Absolute Royal Treatment .

The Madras Central to Madras Egmore journey by the yellow painted Taxis to catch the Tirunelveli Express ( Note : No Nellai Express ) had its own share of excitement . The taxi could be driven inside the platform right upto the place of your coach .

The Meter Gauge Journey by itself  had a unique feel . The near 3 hour ride from Egmore to Vizhuppuram had the Electric Locomotive as the Engine . Since it was almost an half an hour halt where the Engine had to be changed to the Steam Locomotive, my father  would take me to the place when this operation happened . It sure was a thrilling experience .

The train would reach Tirunelveli Junction at around 10.00 am . The Shenkottah  Passenger was only in the evening at 5.45 pm . After a  Sumptuous Lunch which came from the Chandra Vilas Hotel, the last leg of the journey to Ravanasamudram was well on the way . 

The ride over the Tambarabarani River  between Kallidaikurichy and Ambasamudram made our arrival almost  complete.  The thunderous sound of the train as it crossed the bridge still remains etched in memory . The huge girders on both sides of the bridge being the reason for this sound . The present day Broad Gauge Bridge has done away with the side girders and as a result it is a lot quieter .

The train would chug in to Ravanasamudram at around 7.30 pm in almost utter darkness , save for a few 40 watt bulbs shedding their dim yellow light .

For a short time , the scene would  almost be a replica of Biswajit arriving at Chandangadh Station in the horror movie Bees Saal Baad .

That though would be only for a very short while .  Sure enough , the Station  Master who also happened to be our relative  and many of my cousins with torches in their hand  would ensure that extra halt time was given to unload all the baggage and everything taken care .

The luggage would be loaded on to the Bullock Cart to ferry  it to our place in the Agraharam . 

The cobble stoned pathway coupled with the  metal sleeve  on the bullock carts WOODEN  wheel made a loud  clanging sound and this together with the  jingling sound  of the big bell around the bullocks neck ,  WELL AND TRUELY ANNOUNCED OUR ENTRY in to the Village in the grandest possible manner . The village  would sure enough go on to be the heaven on earth during the next month or so of our stay in the village  .

UNFORGETTABLE INDEED !!!