The photos are taken at my house. Happy Deepavali to all of you.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Maheswaram Temple
Maheswaram Shiva temple is on the Srisailam highway. Once you cross airport and travel for 3 kilometers, you will find a huge temple entrance on your right side. One has to travel for about 6 kilometers on that road. The path is decent and one can easily touch 50 kms/hr. The temple is at the dead end of the road, so you will not miss it.
The temple is unique in its construction. The main temple is surrounded by 16 Shiva lingams. Each of the 16 lingams is housed in 3 walls and a roof. Most of them are in dilapidated condition. The main temple is few feet into the koneru. I was told that i
t was originally built by Akkanna and Madanna but Aurangzeb destroyed the temple once he conquered the land. Aurangzeb destroyed the temple main deity and
16 lingams around it. Temple authorities could not find any trace of the destroyed lingams even in koneru. The koneru is of 13 feet deep and I was told that there are four deep wells at four corners of the koneru.
Ammavaru temple is below Shiva temple and the main sanctum is lit only with oil lamps. The light from lamps adds to the yellow glow of the deity and gives a magnificent radiance to the worshippers with a smile.
The temple is still not under endowments but the maintenance is at the best. I came to know about this temple from ETV 2 and my parents. Hyderabad has best kept secrets from the past and this temple is one of the testimonials.
The temple is unique in its construction. The main temple is surrounded by 16 Shiva lingams. Each of the 16 lingams is housed in 3 walls and a roof. Most of them are in dilapidated condition. The main temple is few feet into the koneru. I was told that i
t was originally built by Akkanna and Madanna but Aurangzeb destroyed the temple once he conquered the land. Aurangzeb destroyed the temple main deity and
16 lingams around it. Temple authorities could not find any trace of the destroyed lingams even in koneru. The koneru is of 13 feet deep and I was told that there are four deep wells at four corners of the koneru.Ammavaru temple is below Shiva temple and the main sanctum is lit only with oil lamps. The light from lamps adds to the yellow glow of the deity and gives a magnificent radiance to the worshippers with a smile.
The temple is still not under endowments but the maintenance is at the best. I came to know about this temple from ETV 2 and my parents. Hyderabad has best kept secrets from the past and this temple is one of the testimonials.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Basara Trip
There are only two Gnana Saraswati temples in India and one of them located in Basara and another in J&K. Folks rush from all over A.P and adjacent states for their children’s aksharabhyasam. Basara is a temple of historic significance. As per the records, Valmiki installed the statue of Goddess Saraswati before commencing the epic book Ramayana. Another legend states that Vyasa after the great Kurukshetra war spent many years in the place seeking solace and installed the status of Goddess Saraswati and Lakshmi.
Basara trip was long due since I came from US. I was invited/’ to a marriage in Nizamabad. As Basara even though in Adilabad is not far from Nizamabad, we thought we will visit the temple before attending the marriage. I along with a team of six decided to start in two cars at morning 6:00.
We had a perfect to start. The weather was not warm all along the journey. We had very little or no sun shine, cloudy clouds and gentle breeze wind. We did not even turn on our car A.Cs for most of our journey.
If you are a big breakfast eater, then I suggest you carry food from home. As it is Nagpur HW, dabbas are scattered on NH7 and not many restaurants on the way. Courtesy AP tourism, there is one restaurant close to Nizamabad. Drive on NH 7 is smooth and one can easily touch 80 kmph. Toll plaza stops you on the way and I suggest you purchase a two way pass if you planning to return on the same day. So, spare 170 or so.
We stopped at a dabba and had our breakfast to invigorate. We crossed around 5 railway crossing on the way to Basara. The temple is 2 kms away from the town; bumpy and single road sure to greet you. On the way we crossed Godavari. Parking at the temple can be a problem if you travel on a busy day. The Sunday rush took us more than 2 hours to enter the temple premises. Devotees were mostly disciplined in the snake like line with occasional disciple breach.
The main temple sanctum is not big but the very presence of Goddess Saraswati with Lakshmi idols gives a glow to the surroundings. Goddess Lakshmi idol is smaller and is left to the goddess Saraswati idol. One cannot make difference between the two idols. Both the idols are covered with turmeric and have a gleaming smile. In spite of long line, the temple authorities give ample time for the devotees to catch a glimpse of idols.
We missed Kali temple which is on the first floor as it was closed, Vyasa caves and river Godavari. Hope I catch them next time.
We attended our friend’s marriage and reached home around 9:00.
To be taken care: Breakfast & lunch if one do not prefer rotis at dabba
Basara trip was long due since I came from US. I was invited/’ to a marriage in Nizamabad. As Basara even though in Adilabad is not far from Nizamabad, we thought we will visit the temple before attending the marriage. I along with a team of six decided to start in two cars at morning 6:00.
We had a perfect to start. The weather was not warm all along the journey. We had very little or no sun shine, cloudy clouds and gentle breeze wind. We did not even turn on our car A.Cs for most of our journey.
If you are a big breakfast eater, then I suggest you carry food from home. As it is Nagpur HW, dabbas are scattered on NH7 and not many restaurants on the way. Courtesy AP tourism, there is one restaurant close to Nizamabad. Drive on NH 7 is smooth and one can easily touch 80 kmph. Toll plaza stops you on the way and I suggest you purchase a two way pass if you planning to return on the same day. So, spare 170 or so.
We stopped at a dabba and had our breakfast to invigorate. We crossed around 5 railway crossing on the way to Basara. The temple is 2 kms away from the town; bumpy and single road sure to greet you. On the way we crossed Godavari. Parking at the temple can be a problem if you travel on a busy day. The Sunday rush took us more than 2 hours to enter the temple premises. Devotees were mostly disciplined in the snake like line with occasional disciple breach.
The main temple sanctum is not big but the very presence of Goddess Saraswati with Lakshmi idols gives a glow to the surroundings. Goddess Lakshmi idol is smaller and is left to the goddess Saraswati idol. One cannot make difference between the two idols. Both the idols are covered with turmeric and have a gleaming smile. In spite of long line, the temple authorities give ample time for the devotees to catch a glimpse of idols.
We missed Kali temple which is on the first floor as it was closed, Vyasa caves and river Godavari. Hope I catch them next time.
We attended our friend’s marriage and reached home around 9:00.
To be taken care: Breakfast & lunch if one do not prefer rotis at dabba
Thursday, June 16, 2011
My dream destinations
UFOs, mysterious and historic places, mountains and seas have been my fascination which grew with me. I found an interesting book ten years back at a fair organized at my school which lists the most interesting places in known world. The book was less than $5. After reading the book, I saw so many shows on History channel that it just compounded my interest. I spent around nine fascinating years in US. I went to Colorado and California but could not make to Area 51 which is not far from any of these places. Another one which fascinates me is Yellow Stone National Park, again not far from Fort Collins, Co. Boy!! I wish I had a chance to go there. I heard so much about the place and geysers. One more on my list is Egypt. Need no introduction. Recently I came across wonderful locations as Andaman Nicobar Islands and Gangtok in Sikkim. If Mauritius boasts of coral fishing and deep diving I think Andaman is not far which makes it as an exciting destination. High mountains, rich Buddhist heritage center makes Sikkim a wonderful holiday destination. I want to cherish my dream and when I will get a chance.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Quotes
I found good quotes:
Never be sad for what is over, just be glad that it was once yours.
You should be arrested for murder, because you took my life away from me.(love)
Never be sad for what is over, just be glad that it was once yours.
You should be arrested for murder, because you took my life away from me.(love)
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Visit to Chitragupta temple in Chatrinaka (Old city)
Chitragupta is an important person to Lord Yama who tracks our good and bad deeds. We rarely hear a temple on his name. I was taken aback by surprise when I first heard from my parents and we planned to visit on Sunday. Not sure of exact location, I googled and found that it is far interior into the old city. I never had been so far into old city so it makes it more interesting. We started in the morning around 8:00 on Sunday by car. The route is straight with no diversions from Chaderghat. You have to pass museum, Charminar to reach the temple. The sheep lovers throng road to make their Sunday meal little special. So, occasionally you tend to slow down. We reached temple with no difficulty and looks like it is well connected by public transportation.
The entrance to temple is hugely built with stone and colored with saffron. The temple premise is huge occupied with few families on left when you enter. One can find Hanuman mandir on the right side. The original Chitragupta temple is small but it is extended to accommodate Shiva, Ram and Shirdi Sai temples. The original temple looks like never had a gopuram earlier but built recently in South Indian style. The other gopuram for Shirdi Sai is built in North Indian style. Chitragupta temple has idols of Chitragupta and his two wife’s Iravati and Dakshina. The old style doors and stone still stand out when you get closer to the temple. The dwaja stambam is built in stone and stands erect in the premises.
The temple is built by devotees from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar some 200 years back. But I could not get any more information why these devotees from far way places came to Hyderabad to build this temple. We forgot coconuts and someone in temple suggested a place. The shop keeper quickly recognized and pointed that I am not from the locality. I also noticed that the people from both communities coexist peacefully in the place.
Whatever may be the reason, the temple once again stands as a testimonial for communal harmony in Hyderabad.
The entrance to temple is hugely built with stone and colored with saffron. The temple premise is huge occupied with few families on left when you enter. One can find Hanuman mandir on the right side. The original Chitragupta temple is small but it is extended to accommodate Shiva, Ram and Shirdi Sai temples. The original temple looks like never had a gopuram earlier but built recently in South Indian style. The other gopuram for Shirdi Sai is built in North Indian style. Chitragupta temple has idols of Chitragupta and his two wife’s Iravati and Dakshina. The old style doors and stone still stand out when you get closer to the temple. The dwaja stambam is built in stone and stands erect in the premises.
The temple is built by devotees from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar some 200 years back. But I could not get any more information why these devotees from far way places came to Hyderabad to build this temple. We forgot coconuts and someone in temple suggested a place. The shop keeper quickly recognized and pointed that I am not from the locality. I also noticed that the people from both communities coexist peacefully in the place.
Whatever may be the reason, the temple once again stands as a testimonial for communal harmony in Hyderabad.
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