Came as a pleasant surprise but we had an email from Aman Kumar – our ‘floor butler’ – here at the Leela Palace Hotel in Chennai
“Keeping in mind our ethos “Atithi dev Bhava” in Indian hospitality we aim to provide our guests an experience of a palatial welcome with this old tradition of the blowing of the Sringa and lighting of mashaals ( a sort of eternal flame) which represented prosperity and wellbeing.”
It was followed by some traditional music, which featured a real Jimmy Hendrix of the sitar and an Ian Anderson of the flute.
Lucky us.
