Velankanni – extended trip no:1 – 2013

A larger view of photos can be found here
This post is a continuation of  Chennai – Thanjavur Road trip No:1 – 2013

As I said we reached Karikal, had to meet a relative and from there we set out to Nagapattinam to reach Velankanni in the morning.

Velankanni is a commercial place, yet the temple didn’t sound any were near to commercial when compared to Tirupathi or other places. Devotees maintained silence and the place prevailed tranquility.

Seems like this place is the new Velankanni, there seemed to an existence of old Church in that vicinity. I heard it from an other friend who had been to both the Velankanni. I did miss to visit this Church.

This photo should give you an idea about the old shrine no 4.

Layout of the Basilica complex. 1.Basilica, 2.Nadu Thittu shrine-site of second apparition, 3. Adoration & Reconciliation chapel, 4.Our Lady’s Pond-site of first apparition, 5.Stations of the cross, 6.Stations of the Rosary, 7.Stations of the Sacraments (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When I said commercial it is because I did see few more Churches in the near vicinity, heard a story about locals demanding work in the areas of maintenance around the Church, the locals have seen the improvements, they feel there is a lot of money. Well I can’t prove you by numbers, Could be rumor floating around the Church.

Photography was not allowed inside the Church, meaning they didn’t want distractions for the devotees. All of you would have watched the live event of the Church broadcasted on TV networks.

Velankanni amazed me with the kind of architecture and how the place has been maintained.

Wish the beaches had been maintained properly, for the kind revenue coming in. Proactively the locals around could have take little care.

Finally a suggestion If you ever wanted to take a trip to Thanjavur, take the Trichy highway, Yes the highway is extended till Thanjavur, you will be making more miles, certainly your car doesn’t have to suffer the bad roads, neither the driver has to undergo fatigue.

I am not sure about the ECR route, If there is any one who has taken this route, please do comment.
Well now there aren’t good roads to Nagapattinam. Guess we will have to wait.

Chennai – Thanjavur Road trip No:1 – 2013

      

 

Photos are in random, you can have a larger view of the photos here 

This is the first time I started later part of the day for a trip, usually I start by 5:00 AM just that I had to pick my in laws from Railway station and they too where joining our trip. We started around 9:00 AM. Here is what the plan

1. Chidambaram temple
2. Kumabakonam lots a lots, wanted to see at least one
3. for sure the Big temple at Thanjavur
4. And for the large shrine at Velankanni  at Nagapattinam

that was my bucket list for 2 days. They say it takes 5 and half hours of journey to Trichy by road, and I heard the route to Kumbakonam was bad, Chidambaram route i.e the ECR was dangerous. So finally deviated from our Chennai – Trichy toll road to Panruti and all the way to Kumbakonam. But on the way, we realized that all temples would be close and open only at 4 PM so we drove down to Thanjavur

Just before I forget, let me tell you about the roadways, On the way Kumbakonam, Panruti was a nice place, village where awesome sight, green, greener & serene. The roads where bad that it woke up the passengers at sleep when a pot hole was hit. My average KMPH reduced from 80-20 KMPH. I was wasting lot of time, PETROL and my effort in driving

The very view of the temple from the road side was so huge that I realized it would take a minimum of an hour to see the temple site. True it took that much time.

My experience on the temple

The Brihadeeswara temple also called as the Big Temple is true sight which would gasp your breath, sculptors and the vastness of place with well-balanced space between temples of worship. It was peace when you look at the Nandi and the Lingams placed around the main shrine. By the way there are awesome paintings on the walls, few faded but still it was a feast for eyes.

I sure missed the Thanjavur Palace, also called as Maratha palace it is in close proximity of the Brihadeewara temple. But time was running out. We had to reach Karikal the same day, had accommodations there, so started from the Brihadeeswara temple i.e the Big temple of Thanjavur at 5:30PM. When we where at Karikal it was 10:00PM 

Will post things about Velankanni in the next post, till then take care watch this space.

 

Night Photography, Aadi velli celebrations

We all love Aadi velli.  But some time takes a toll on the traffic, because of this celebrations the roads were blocked the traffic was diverted, was wondering did God ever wanted it this way.
By the way how come Chennai Government give permission or do they ever need permission to block the road.

See and download the full gallery on posterous

You can never become first on a public road, drive with a smile

You can never become first on a public road

The above line holds good if you are racing against time on any public road. If you did over take a car ahead of you, there will be countless car ahead of you before you reach your destination.

I drive around 50KMS/day and I have personally realized that by going fast you may actually reach your destination 5 or 10 minutes earlier, but on the way I would have got cursed and raged by hundreds of road users. So start early or start really late. And do ride with a smile, you could surely win lot of hearts.

drive safely

Technorati Tags: drive, safely, road, Chennai, India

Honda hybrid now in India

Good news for people in India who care for the environment, but the cost of these cars will be dear to their pockets. With 104 percent duty levied by the Indian Government the ex showroom price would be 21.50 Lakh INR.

Here are the details about the new Honda Hybrid from the Honda Indian website

Wish there are more buyers, so that Honda thinks about having a plant in India, as we could see the prices of these cars coming down.

My best wishes for the Honda Team – Power of dreams
Technorati Tags: cars, foreign cars, safety, green, environmental, fuel, India, hybrid

Can TATA or BAJAJ make 1 Lakh rupee Truck?

Does TATA or BAJAJ really care for Indians?

Indian consumers bought about seven million two-wheelers and one million cars in 2006/07.
Source

The Solution:

according to Ratan Tata, the company’s 70-year old chairman: — “That’s what drove me — a man on a two-wheeler with a child standing in front, his wife sitting behind, add to that the wet roads – a family in potential danger,” Tata wrote on the company website.

I have heard the similar kind of statement twice. One from our Reliance Ambani and one from Henry Ford.
The Reliance one actually helped many, to lower the cost on Phone calls.

Well If TATA brings Buses for 1 Lakh rupee that makes lot of sense in helping Indians. I know this is an exaggeration.

What will be the impact, if the 1Lakh rupee car Tata Nano becomes a hit?
In 2006-2007, Indian consumers bought 70 Lakh two wheelers and 10 Lakh cars. Source The equation for the coming years could be 35 Lakh low cost cars which could hit the Indian roads. My questions are simple, Whether our roads are built to bear that kind of traffic explosion. What about the pollution and What about the parking space in the city malls for consumers.

Who are the actual beneficiaries?

I don’t blame any businessmen for that matter. Any businessmen who finds opportunity will exploit it. Why can’t people understand the TATA’s and BAJAJ new venture in to cars and how about few more foreign car makers (Adding fuel to the fire) who are trying to make a mark in to the Indian consumers market.Why are the Politicians keeping mum?
End of the day they actually know that the cars can kept in their garage there will issues and they will come up with a solution which will benefit them. Let us say the solution would be to invest in more infrastructure like roads, parking lots etc etc
The solutions are costly only for the middle class people not for the rich and not for the business class and certainly not for the politicians.

Do the Government will make more money?
YES, certainly. How?

1. The CC of two wheelers at a maximum is only 300 CC on an average. Hence the registration cost is going to go up by 600 CC and Odd.
2. The road tax
3. Then the Insurance cost (education excess) etc.

Why are the BAJAJ’s in to the car scene any Ideas?
Potential threat from the TATA’s One man’s dream car.

1. Auto ricksaw could be easily replaced with a comfortable 4 seater by looking at the cost, not much of a difference. Well seems like their own Indicab could get in to trouble with in city limits.
2. A Bajaj two wheeler at an average cost 50,000 Rupees, What about the new 4 wheeler another 60-70K on finance could solve the middle class problem of 1 Man’s Dream.

If not now, it is never for the BAJAJ’s to be in the market.

Technorati Tags: concept, cars, tata motors, tata, air car,1lakhcar

Tech Tags: 1lakh 1lakhcar TATA BAJAJ “public transport system” public system train bus

The Devil in my Mahindra Renault Logan

Meet the Devil right here. After I took my car from my first free service, I returned home and went to buy fruits along with my family. After shopping, we got in to the car, my wife and my son did enter the right side back door as the opposite doors was no were possible to open because I had parked next to wall close to the door. Usually they get in to the companion front seat.

So we drove back home and I had completely switched off my car, so did the central locking system open the safety latches, so as to open the door. But the right side rear door was not opening, she was pulling the lever for sometime, She screamed at me to help her unlock the door, sitting in the driver seat, I turned back and pulled the lever, the door didn’t open. The opposite side door was already facing the wall this time too, as I had done the parking next to a wall.

I unlocked my door, that was possible. Then I felt “Shit man, I asked them to fix the rattling noise at the left side front door, Why did they touch the back door? I thought they screwed the back door” I reached to the back door and pull the lever to unlock the back door. I was crazy, how come it works from outside and not inside.

Took the car this morning “Monday” to the service station.
Don’t you want to meet the devil in my Mahindra Renault Logan. Here it is…

Latch or manual lever in ON position top

Latch or manual lever in OFF position top

Some one at the service station had turned the lever to “ON” State.

The best part is that this small lever works manually, and is called the child safety lock for the rear doors.

How does this work?
If you are going to make sure that kids alone are traveling with you, you switch on the lever and then lock the rear doors.

What ever the damn situation may be. Let it be accident or fire or hell freezes over your car. Your kids can’t unlock the back side car doors.
You must noticed in the Cops cars. They put the criminals back at the rear seats and lock it. No matter what, they can’t unlock from inside. Some one needs to unlock the door from outside, even when central door locking unlocks the safety latch.

Why would I choose to have my kid in the back seats while leaving the car in the off state.

What a moron usability on the Mahindra Renault Logan?
Why can’t the child door lock feature be part of central locking system. If the central locking system disables the safety latch, even the door should be made to open from inside.

Update:
I heard from a close friend, all rear door child lock performs the same way as the Mahindra Logan. Just to note, I have updgraded from Maruti 800, so I am totally unaware of the rear child safety lock. Still I would like all cars to posesses intelligent system. So control for the driver to have more control on the doors or atleast the dashboard to have controls so that any passenger can disable the rear door child lock.

Some more post which are in continuation with Mahindra Renault Logan

1. Why Mahindra Logan, Renault Logan, Dacia Logan?
2. Mahindra Logan – Usability Explored
3. Is your Mahindra Logan in safe hands – After sales, What service
4. Mahindra Logan – Look out for the new version
5. Mahindra Renault Logan free service – unveiled
6. The Devil in my Mahindra Renault Logan
7. Tested on animals – Mahindra Renault Logan

Technorati Tags: Renault, Logan, Mahindra Renault Logan, Review, safety, kids, usability, car, chennai, dealer, howto, best, petrol, diesel, fear, marketing, sales, savings, automobiles

Mahindra Renault Logan free service – unveiled

My First Mahindra Renault Logan 1.4 GLX service explained and here is the userexperience. Comparison with Maruti Service explained

First things first: I had a loyal Maruti 800 for 4 long years 2003-2007 untill I replaced it with a Mahindra Renault Logan 1.4 GLX 2007.

My first experience with GMS motors | Sahil motors in terms of service.
I had been to the service station personally to drop my Mahindra Renault Logan last Friday the 21st of December 2007, so a gentleman supervisor assisted me, early morning at 9:10 A.M, took careful notes.

My requests were:

1. Front left door rattling noise
2. Remove the plastic covers for the back seats
3. Replace new headlamps black dot stickers
4. Remove the reverse horn and not the reverse horn which comes with my remote lock.
5. Scratch on the left side doors (check and give me the quote)

Apart from the above list, His suggestions were:

1. Anti corrosion coating under the car body ( I stopped him. When he suggested that, as I know that the rubber coating is not gonna do anything good for the car)
2. Fully powder coating of the body of car with a scratch resistant formula (comes with a 3 year warranty) cost a mere 3700 and odd Rupees. Item 5 of the above wish list is covered.
3. Labour charge of 150 Rupees + tax for just removing the reverse horn. That would be Item no 4 of my wish list.

As far I know there is no oil change in this service and I was not charged for that.
What things got fixed and what not?

1. Front door rattling noise not fixed, and the safety latch of the left door got buried. Any ways that safety latch was not of any use, you could still open the door with the safety latch down.
2. Our supervisor was holistic, he felt that it was better if I not remove the back seat covers for quiet some time as it is still a new car, his explanations went more like “have it for some more months, kids would tear for you”. What a shame? tell me either you forgot it or your technicians were lazy enough to unlock the rear seats to remove the plastic cover.
3. One thing rightly done was to replace the black dots on my headlamps
4. The second thing, reverse horn removed and placed in the boot.
5. Before doing the scratch painting fix. It was supposed to be tested, after the testing was done, the call said the scratch can fixed. Meanwhile a friend suggested with sticker which would work out cheaper. So I asked them not to fix the scratch.

There happened one evil incident on my Mahindra Renault Logan, While We returned home from shopping the same after service. My wife and son at the back seats. My right side back door could not be opened from inside. So what did happen? know it right here.

Now let us look in to the comparison of Mahindra Renault Logan and Maruti Service centers

My experience at Maruti service center
A profile or service history of my Maruti 800 was already available with the service advisor
A job sheet, which will note the requirements for the service to be done for my car

This job sheet comprises of

1. history of previously done KMS
2. history of parts changed previously
3. Things to do list
4. Dents and body parts marked when I leave my car for service ( a diagram of car top view and side view detailed diagram to mark the scratches and dents)
5. Accessories contained in my car, which include how many floor mats, Air refresher, dolls, body cover (the plastic one) and what ever minute details which belong to the owner.
6. Apart from that the costing proposal, date and time of delivery
7. after delivery a customer feedback form to be posted after driving the car (postage will be paid by the addressee)

Now on the Mahindra Renault Logan service center
Job sheet contains

1. to do list of service
2. date and time of delivery
3. ofcourse the customer feedback form before even you pay the service bills and before even you touch the car.
4. once nice badge which is attached to the mirror which talks about the names service adviser, technician and the quality inspector. Apart from that I have the mobile number.

At the time of delivery, My experience with the Maruti’s was best when compared with the Mahindra’s.

The first free service was charged 75 Rupees for replacement of odd stuffs + labour charges + tax. Did I say free service.

Some more post which are in continuation with Mahindra Renault Logan

1. Why Mahindra Logan, Renault Logan, Dacia Logan?
2. Mahindra Logan – Usability Explored
3. Is your Mahindra Logan in safe hands – After sales, What service
4. Mahindra Logan – Look out for the new version
5. Mahindra Renault Logan free service – unveiled
6. The Devil in my Mahindra Renault Logan
7. Tested on animals – Mahindra Renault Logan

Technorati Tags: Renault, Logan, Mahindra Renault Logan, Review, safety, kids, usability, car, chennai, dealer, howto, best, petrol, diesel, fear, marketing, sales, savings, automobiles

How I bought my new Mahindra Renault Logan – space, value for Money- Review

The questions which I asked myself before I bought my car.

When should you buy a car?
When there is a need to commute (atleast 40 KMs a day) or for other reasons like family, prestige etc. The reason why I choose a sedan and not a hatchback was that, I take my car to my native place, which is around 650 KMs away. So didn’t want my family to feel cramped.

What would be the best option to buy a car?
If you have full cash, that is the best option available. If choosing finance, go for atmost 3 years not more than that. Look for any travel agencies their cars would be financed for not more than 3 years. That is the best value for money.

Why 3years?
Imagine if you took 5 years finance and at the end of 4 year you are planning to upgrade to a new car. Which I did, selling my Maruti 800. You end up making a huge loss.

Market price of car during the 4year + Finance settlement charges (1 year interest rate + pre closure interest amount) = Market price of your car at the 5 year.

What are the things you should look for?
Safety, Value for money, Space, Looks – these are my terms. May differ with individual.
Why?
The moment you drive your car from the car lot, the value of the car depreciates by 20 percent. Shit man. I look for value for money than looks. Look for your ideal car.

What car to choose, Petrol or Diesel, Why?
Petrol cars – good, if you are going to use for your personal and family use and won’t cross more than 50 KMS/day.
Diesel cars – good, if you are going to travel more than 60 KMS and odd/day. That should be better choice when you look at the service point of view. That is one reason you will find most cabs and travel agencies operate Diesel cars than the petrol one.

Now let us break down the pricing details of the car you plan to purchase.

Ex Showroom price – cost that the manufacturer expects, no tax.
On Road Price -Cost of the car + Life time road tax + Annual insurance

Now let me discuss where all you can save money in the price components

1. Actual car value – manufacturer price – depends on the dealer. Bargain here with the dealer
2. Annual Insurance – Don’t take the policy from the dealer, talk to some private insurance agencies (Bajaj Alliance, TATA AIG, ICICI lombard), even the public players like (New India Assurance) Bargain here
3. Life time Road tax – Don’t even dream about it. The Government own our ass.
4. Finance (if you have100% cash that is the best option) Don’t take the options from the dealer, talk to private players like (Kotak, ICICI, ABN Amro etc) Bargain here

Sites to visit before you buy a car http://www.carwale.com

The carwale site has enough calculators for eg. the EMI calculator.

Kindly note: I would have asked you not to get leads for the Finance and the Annual insurance from the dealer. Still compare the prices individually and the comprehensive package offered by the car dealer. Check which is the best & Go for it.

compare cars of your choice before you buy, take test drives, show it to your friends and family. You will come to hear about the good and bad about the car which you are planning to own.

Here is my test drive experience on Mahindra Renault Logan

Some more post which are in continuation with Mahindra Renault Logan

1. Why Mahindra Logan, Renault Logan, Dacia Logan?
2. Mahindra Logan – Usability Explored
3. Is your Mahindra Logan in safe hands – After sales, What service
4. Mahindra Logan – Look out for the new version
5. Mahindra Renault Logan free service – unveiled
6. The Devil in my Mahindra Renault Logan
7. Tested on animals – Mahindra Renault Logan

Technorati Tags: Renault, Logan, Mahindra Renault Logan, Review, safety, kids, usability, car, chennai, dealer, howto, best, petrol, diesel, fear, marketing, sales, savings, automobiles

Why Mahindra Renault Logan, Renault Logan, Dacia Logan?

Dacia Logan

Renault Logan

Mahindra Logan

Did you notice the contents of the links, Yes it is the same car. So ultimately it is Dacia Logan under the rebranded name of Renault and marketed in India under the name of Mahindra and Renault.

So why choose a Logan?
I just fell for the price and the boot space.

1. Price: A entry level sedan at the price of premium hatch back.
2. Boot space: more than, Honda City WOW. I travel to my native place. All the time I had baggages placed inside the cabin of my Maruti 800. Didn’t want things around me any more.
3. Lots of Space: Room/ head space.
4. Of course the tubeless tires

Just like Maruti 800 is the entry level for hatch back, I would say Mahindra Renault Logan is an entry level for a Sedan. Don’t expect too much…

Here is my test drive experience on Mahindra Renault Logan

Some more post on Mahindra Renault Logan

1. How I bought my new Mahindra Renault Logan – space, value for Money- Review
2. Mahindra Logan – Usability Explored
3. Is your Mahindra Logan in safe hands – After sales, What service
4. Mahindra Logan – Look out for the new version
5. Mahindra Renault Logan free service – unveiled
6. The Devil in my Mahindra Renault Logan

Technorati Tags: Renault, Logan, Mahindra Renault Logan, Review, safety, kids, usability, car, chennai, dealer, howto, best, petrol, diesel, fear, marketing, sales, savings, automobiles