Chapter 7 - 'Lord Ganesha' & 'Lord Kartikeya'

I reached Thiruvananthapuram on December 31st at around 3 PM. I was trying to find accommodation near 'Shri Padmanabha Swamy Temple'. I was traveling alone. All hotels and lodges were fully occupied as it was New Year's Eve. After an hour or two of efforts, I tried to book a hotel online.

It was around 5:15 PM by my watch. I booked the hotel successfully. Normally, hotels take bookings from 12 PM to the next day at 12 PM. But somehow, my hotel was booked only until 5 PM that day. I called the reception. They said that my booking was confirmed, but I couldn't check in because the time had already passed.

I questioned them: "Why did you take the booking at 5:15 PM for a room for which your hotel was giving accommodation until 5 PM?" This was both a technical error and a business operational error. The hotel reception staff denied a refund as well. They blamed me for the mistake. They said that they were not responsible for it. I lost XXX /- INR.

Because I needed a room urgently, I booked another room. This time everything was correct. I paid YYY /- INR. My hotel was 28 KM away from 'Shri Padmanabha Swamy Temple', but I didn't have any other choice.

In total, I paid ZZZ (XXX+YYY) /- INR. My room booking was confirmed. I confirmed with second hotel reception as well. 

I was searching for a taxi. A local auto-rickshaw came. The driver's name was Ganesh. I asked him to take me to the second hotel. He asked about my purpose of travel. I told him that I had come there to have darshan of 'Shri Padmanabha Swamy Temple' on January 1st (the next day).

He advised me not to go to the second hotel as it was 28 KM away. But I said to him that I didn't get any hotel nearby.

He asked me, "Should I try finding one ?"

I said, "Okay. Let's try."

I made up my mind. I was okay to lose ZZZ /- INR. He persuaded a hotel manager. He arranged a room nearby. The temple was very near to the hotel.

I paid for the third hotel. Everything was set.

I called customer care. I wanted to get the refund for the first booking atleast as it was a technical and business operational error by the platform. It was not my mistake. I also wanted to check if something could be done for the second booking. But for the second booking, I didn't have much hope.

Customer care support person refused to refund the amount for both the bookings. My call got disconnected.

I called again. This time another person picked up my call. His name was Karthik. I explained him my concern. He put my call on hold. The call got disconnected.

I called for the third time. A girl picked up the call. While I was explaining the concern to the customer care agent, I received an incoming call.

I picked up the call. It was Karthik again. He called me back. He raised service requests for both bookings. He said that he would try his best.

I thought that I deserved a refund for at least the first booking. For the second booking, I just wanted to make a try.

Still, I didn't have much hope. Usually, customers don't get refunds in such cases.

Next day on January 1st, Ganesh called me at around 3:30 AM. He came at sharp 3:55 AM. I reached the temple at 4 AM.

I had amazing darshan. I felt blessed at that moment. Ganesh took me for a city tour as well.

On the same day, I was featured on national television for setting a national record. My name was registered in the 'India Book of Records'.

I had amazing time at Thiruvananthapuram. I started my journey for returning back to my home.

Before I reached back to my home, I got the full refund of ZZZ /- INR for both the bookings.

This was the trip where two people helped me: Ganesh and Karthik.

I felt like 'Lord Ganesha' and 'Lord Kartikeya' came themselves to help me.

I felt blessed.

ॐ श्री गणेशाय नमः ।।।

ॐ श्री कार्तिकेय नमः ।।।