FROM THE LEMON TREE VEMBANAD LAKE RESORT, ALLEPPY, KERALA..................1

                         DEVOUT DILEEP 

I always pick up people for my blogs with one simple criteria - he or she must be a contributor.

That said Dileep Haridas (36) - the Maintenance Executive at Lemon Tree Vembanad Lake Resort, Alleppy, Kerala is a contributor of the first order. Though he is only an Executive - he acts, behaves and conducts himself like an HOD.

His contribution is as follows:

There are two Ganesha idols at his hotel. One is kept on the Eastern side, next to the hotel entrance and the other is just outside, on the Western end wall of the hotel campus.

Both idols are in black granite.  Dileep performs ‘pooja’ (prayers) for both the Ganeshas. He himself makes the garland and organises for Oil, Agarbathis, Wicks, Camphor to Matchbox...and everything else required to perform the prayers. He does everything end to end related to the everyday ‘Pooja’…..and he does it selflessly.

"The Ganesa on the Western side is propitiated even by the localites.  Recently, someone had gifted lamps. Every day someone or the other performs Pooja here, other than myself" Says Dileep.

Dileep had joined Lemon Tree Vembanad Lake Resort, Alleppey in July 2007. Ever since his joining he has been performing Poojas to both the Ganeshas with unabated regularity.

"Ever since, I started praying to both the Ganesha’s here, I am blessed with everything. I am happy at work. At my home also. Here and there some problems are there in life, but God will give me the strength to face that also" says Dileep.

He is happily married to Sreena, who is working as a Lab Technician. Blessed with 3 year old son, Devanandan.

Text and Pictures: R Kesava Mallia in Alleppey, Kerala