Golden temple pics (11/07)

My first Shatabdi Express Experience on 11/2/09

Shatabdi express, the train I heard so much from my friends and in news was in front of me. The train was spectacularly clean and colorful from outside. I was excited for the train to come for a complete halt. It was Amritsar Shatabdi express from Delhi to Ludhiana in the late afternoon. People were decent enough and were taking turns while boarding the train which I rarely find in capital city train station. I boarded A.C chair coach and as expected the train inside was impeccably clean. The train started on time.
The food is included on Shatabdi ticket price. Train cafeteria served evening snacks, soup, dinner and dessert. I enjoyed the taste of snacks and soup but dinner was not at its best. The rotis were warm for the namesake and vegetables served were not in good combination with roti at least for me. Ice cream was served as dessert. I had to firmly say no to it as I had any place in my stomach. The journey was about four to five hours. I reached Ludhiana on time and I have to say that India really has some commendable train service in form of Shatabdi.

My first week in Ludhiana

I came to Ludhiana by train from Delhi. The capital city train station is probably the most untidy station I visited until now. My fellow office mate received me and drove me to my new room/apartment. Ludhiana is big, roads with lots of potholes, and crowded at some places. On the way to my apartment in car, I observed no city buses and noticed only interstate buses. I felt that Hyderabad has one of the admirable public transportation facilities in India. I started missing our city's green color and high tech city buses. My friend drove me to a mall this Saturday. The mall is big, centrally air cooled and visitors seem to have a sense of fashion especially young. People in Ludhiana are friendly and found Punjabi very similar to Hindi. The food served here is all chapattis and parathas to which I am not used to. I just finished my first week; my body is adjusting slowly to the sudden changes around me.

Food places on way to Bhadrachalam and places to skip

Food places:
Punnami restaurant after Suryapet: Good food at a decent price
Swagruha foods at Bhadrachalam: Good tea and snacks
Soumitri cafeteria at Bhadrachalam: Good food and inexpensive
There are places which cater lunch and dinner for their respective castes at Bhadrachalam. Karivena Vari Satram is small, few minutes away from the temple but serves decent food. Manager there informed me that they even have air conditioned rooms for rent.
Places that you can avoid to visit:
I like to mention that there is a place called "Sita Devi Nara Cheera" near Parnasala. Locals suggest that you visit this place. To my knowledge I found no mention of this place anywhere on internet or none mentioning it. The road that leads to this place is beyond imagination for half a kilometer. Full of mud and you may be putting your car at a risk for sure on this road. I had butterflies in my stomach while driving. Some locals occupied this place and started a story about this place. Ultimately the story will lead them to ask you for money at every point. I ain't suggesting not to visit this place but I found nothing sacred about this place.

Pictures

Bhadrachalam Trip (10/08-10/10)

Recently I visited Bhadrachalam the abode of Sri Vaikunta Rama. I started with my parents on 10/8/09 morning. The drive to Bhadrachalam is about seven to seven and half hours. The drive cannot be said as a good one as it is only one lane for each direction and lots of traffic until Suryapet. The driver has to be skillful while overtaking vehicles as one will find too many overtaking vehicles on both lanes of the road. One will not miss accidents, car crashes and wind shield pieces on and by the side of the road. You tend to slow down very frequently due to slow movement of the preceding heavy or not so heavy loaded cargo vehicles. I cannot not rate this road trip a fun. I bet a bus or train journey will be lot more safe, relaxing and fun.
On the way to Bhadrachalam, we passed through Palair reservoir. The reservoir is scenically set with small peaks, water and small islands scattered in water. I think recent rains have added some water to reservoir. We found fishermen catching fishes at the opened gates of the reservoir with fish nets. I saw fishermen with nets after a long time. As the highway is maintained by contractors, we paid toll. I could not grasp an iota of what they are really maintaining. We reached Bradrachalam in the evening and checked ourselves in one of the Devastanams’ rooms at Sri Rama Nivas for Rs. 350. There is toll if you are driving vehicle towards or close to temple. The air conditioned room was big enough for two. The room was not cleaned before and found a Jurassic park of insects. We got it cleaned eventually.
We refreshed and visited temple. There are about 40-50 steps to reach top. We found beggars for alms at every step of the temple. I am no joking. The beggars occupied on both sides of the steps, so devotees have less respite. The car drive for hours and beggars cacophonous made a dip in my concentration for god.
The first temple we visited on top was of Anjaneya Swamy. The five foot statue of Hanuman made me to feel that I am in a place of great significance. The recent floods in Krishna River have deterred many to visit the temple so the usual rush of devotees was missing. I entered temple premises that Bhakta Ramdass built by siphoning treasury money from last Golkonda ruler Tanisha. I entered temple with no difficulty. At last I saw the idols that I saw only in photos until then. Lord Rama here has four hands with Shanku, Chakra, Bow and Arrow in sitting posture. His consort Godess Sita condescended in his left lap and His brother Lakhsmana on left in standing posture. Interestingly Lord Rama and Lakshmana idols are of same height. Lord Rama and Sita are covered with gold whereas Lakshmana armor that covers his chest is of silver. There is no Vayuputra Hanumantha nearby idols. I had the darshanam and waited outside for Pavalimpu seva. This seva is to put the Lord with His consort to sleep. I saw this seva for any idol for the very first time. I found all the devotees with folded hands with respect and glaring at seva. The seva concluded around 9:30 p.m and doors of the temple were closed. It was night so I had no opportunity to observe the temple premises. I decided to do it the next day.
The next day morning, I took a holy bath in Godavari and visited the main temple. I also had a darshanam of the god and visited Lakshmi Tayaru, Bhadra Maharshi and Andal temples to list few in main temple premises. The main temple along with others is not a big one but the grandeur of the temple construction is beyond words. I went around the temple premises and found important scenes of Ramayana were pictorially sculptured at the base of the main temple walls. Above these there are statues in singing and playing music and also statues in reverence postures. To summarize the temple structure, it is Ramayana sung with devotion. All the credit goes to Bhakta Ramdass. His statue is left to the main temple entrance when you enter. Bhadra was the sage who did penance for Lord Rama and He appeared to him as Vykunta Rama.
I visited a museum in the temple premises which displays the ornaments that Bhakta Ramdass made for Lord Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Bharatha. It also hosts the main idol sham that was destroyed by Ibrahim Dhamsa. We had whole evening to spend so we visited Parnasala where Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshmana stayed during their vanavasam. Took some pictures of Godavari and headed back to Bhadrachalam. The next day we started in the morning and reached Hyderabad.

Day one of Dasara

The nine day festival of Dasara started today. I visited Sringeri’s Shankar Mutt today in the evening. The Mutt usually celebrates this festival as the most important one as Sharadamba is the presiding deity. I rode to temple and found car parking space with a great difficulty. Parked somewhere on the rear side of the temple and walked almost a quarter a kilometer to the destination. Entered temple from rear gate and started to feel the vibrations of the festival evening. The temple front open space was filled with colorful tents for the occasion. There could be around 125-150 devotees in the temple premises at that time. People were dressed colorfully apt to the occasion. The Mutt organized Yakshagana play in temple. The play was in Kannada and the sight was colorful. Three artists were performing the roles of a rakshasa, some lady (I could not make out) and Narada respectively. There was an orchestra to add music to the play. Yakshagana play was completely traditional with no latest instruments.
The flashing of the women jewelry in lights, smiles, greetings, and few reading religious texts, few in meditation, few watching play, few lined up for prasadam and rest of them in line to have darsanam was a sight of grandeur. Sharadamba today was decorated as Brahmi avataram. Ammavaru sat on Hamsa (Swan) Vahana. The idol with blissful smile and gold ornaments with mottled stones made the idol of Sharadamda more beautiful.
I think the festival started with a bang.

YSR is no more

Our CM Dr. Y.S. Raja Sekhar Reddy with his gleaming smile is no more. I was emotional and moved looking at the fatal chopper crash pictures on TV. His death can come no more than this tragic way. Andhra Pradesh will surely find it difficult to fill this political leadership void.

A photo in rain

Rain gods are cheering from last night. The much needed rain is here. I took this picture in rain at steps on the way to second floor.

Meeting with Len Aiyyapa

I went to Tirumala to have darshan of The Lord Venkateswara. I was in line with another family. We were in a special line. We introduced each other. The younger one in their family asked about me and I reciprocated the same courtesy. He told me that his brother is Len Aiyyapa and he playes for the Indian hockey team. As I have very little familarity with field hockey, I could not show any excitement. After having darshan just before saying good bye to my new acquaintance I took his autograph. Later I realized from web that the person I met is no ordinary one.

August 23rd - Vinayaka Chavithi

India never dries up with festivals at any point of the season. Lord Vinayaka birthday was on 23rd of this month. I celebrated the festival with my parents after a time gap. The dawn started with wishes from relatives and friends through voice and text. We completed puja by little over 12:00 in the afternoon. I had prasadam in more than usual quantity.
"Tenali Rama Krishna" movie, relatives and an acquaintance visit busied our afternoon. In the evening, Brahmasri Chaganti Koteswara Rao speech deliverance on the occasion in Bhakti channel was remarkable. Gained and missed some points. On the weather front, the sky was scattered with thick clouds all throughout the morning and afternoon.
Later in the evening, I went around in my neighborhood and spared no time in taking pictures of the Idols after brief interruption cropped up due to rain. I saw reverence and enthusiasm filled not only in the eyes of the devotees who were doing such a commendable job of installing, decorating from small to huge Idols and but also its visitors sparkling eyes in the decorated lights. Many of the idols were aptly decorated. Oil and electric lights added brilliance to the decorated Idols.
The music speakers for devotional songs were not at work at any of the locations this time. And moreover the idols were not placed anywhere close to the main road. So, traffic congestion was not more than usual. Occasional sprinkles kept some of the traffic off the road.
Lastly, I like to salute our policemen who were on work to prevent any untoward incidents on that holiday.

Old Coins

Vinayaka Chavithi is 2'morrow. I hope to celebrate with veneration and enthusiasm as I am celebrating festival after a very long time in India. Today I went to Koti (yes Gokul chat comes to mind) and bought Tenali Rama Krishna and Chakrapani DVDs.
After a small drive on my Aviator, I got into cleaning mode for 2'morrow's pooja and stumbled across old coins which were passed on to me and my brother some time back.

Pictures of One (1972) and Two Paisa (1975); Ten (1970) and Twenty Paisa (1970)



Pictures of Two Anna (1945) (front and back)

George VI King Emperor One Rupee (1947) (front and back)

August 9th - Trip to Golconda fort

On Sunday 9th, 2009, I wanted to visit a place to quench my travel curiosity. Around 10:00 am I go ogled to check if any place interests me. I narrowed my choice to famous Golconda fort. Even though born and raised in Hyderabad, I never visited Golconda fort.
My friend Shanthi Kiran agreed to tag along. We finished lunch and started around 1:30 p.m. I was keen to drive my beautiful, splendor and lovely Aviator but my friend insisted that we take his Pulsar bike.
We reached Golconda fort but with a little misadventure at the entrance. The fort has many entrances; we wanted to take one from Chilkur side. We should have realized that as it is completely under military control and we should be extra careful while taking routes. We entered the first gate and later to be stopped at the second gate by military staff person. The guard said we actually breached and did not stop at the first gate signal which we never noticed. After a brief "talk" we were let go. Thanks to our brave soldiers who are on a constant vigil all the time. The doors of the gate have sharp pointed metal spikes pointing out. It could be to prevent any attacks from elephants in olden times. We paid for our bike parking and an entrance ticket to visit Golconda.
Well, we entered the famous Golconda fort. The citadel was built by Qutub Shahi kings (who founded Hyderabad) to defend from the invading Mughal emperors. Aurangzeb is the Mughal who conquered and destroyed much of the fort in 1687 A.D. The entrance is well maintained with well trimmed lawns on both sides of the aisle. We took no service of a guide. But guides will be delighted to help you at a cost. Our first stop was Balahissar gate. The gate is a huge one with the fusion of both Islamic and Hindu cultures. Soon after passing though gate, you will hear loud clapping clamor of the tourists in a large hall. You cannot blame them as there are testing the great acoustics system at work in Golconda. One can see a panoramic view of the citadel ruins after passing through gate. To the left of the view one can find an ammunition store house and a photo gallery exhibition.
As you get close to the steps which lead to summit view of the fort called as “Baradari”, you will find a mosque named after "Taramati" which is well restored. Taramati was the famous courtesan to Abdullah Qutub Shah as Bhagmati was to his grandfather Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah. There are ruined and half ruined buildings all over the place. The sight of which can be left to an artistic imagination. It took about 20-25 minutes to reach "Baradari" at a steady pace. APTDC scores good points in keeping up the necessities of the tourists with proper water facilities and refreshment shops. But all along the way, I felt little disappointed with the litter that tourists dumped on sides. The litter was from small paper to empty water bottles.
Lucky for us, Sun was not dehydrating us and it was cloudy with mild cool breeze. In spite of these extremely favorable conditions, we were sweating while taking steps. On way up, you will notice a granary known as “Amber Khana”. The old granary house is in dilapidated condition but one can imagine the size of the storage house looking at ruins. Just before the summit point, a must visit "Ramdass Jail" where “Kancharla Goppana” was imprisoned. Bhakta Ramdass as called was an ardent devotee of Lord Rama who siphoned treasury money to built temple at Bhadrachalam. Last stop was "Baradari" which is a two storied building from where kings used to enjoy surroundings. There is also an audience hall.
We took some pictures, small videos of and from "Baradari" and we headed back to parking lot. That day was one of the memorable days as I checked out on one of the items on my wish list.
A dynasty’s work to keep its enemies at bay turned to be an architectural splendor and one of the jewels in Hyderabad places to visit.