A Photographer’s Paradise – Organizers Trip to Badami!

A Photographer’s Paradise – Organizers Trip to Badami!

To begin with, I’d say that some walks are just about…

…coming face-to-face with timeless beauty,

… watching the power of standing strong even in times of destruction,

…treading those roads which men of strength have walked, but are now, just in our hearts…

     Well, I had been longing since a while – to have a peaceful walk straight down the Historical Heritages. And AihoLe (pronounce : ayi-Ho-Ley) / Badami was on the top of my List (mainly for Line number 3 mentioned above).  Hadn’t shared this thought with anyone though (rather, left it on time to play it), but when one fine day, in between those tangled thread of mails (on Organizers’ trip-locations), when I read : ‘Location finalized to Badami’ – I was like – woaaaah! Life does throw surprises at you…

Train journey: Gang-of-bhukkads

Golgumbaaz express: (16535) : A troupe of 10 bhukkads: Even before the introduction round (ow..we had 2 ex-organizers – Shruthi n Dinesh; and a new one – Raja - too!), we started the ritual of hogging (this time, with a break of 5-minutes after finishing each snack – that went on for an hour and a half, until it was time for dinner). Chaitanya and Shubhroto tried playing the ‘gentlemen’ initially (by pretending as if they weren’t a part of us, the gluttons); but later gave up. Shubhroto joined openly by confessing  – ‘I was not hungry, but after watching you guys I am also feeling like eating something’. While our silent-killer Chaits went a step ahead by quietly snatching the popcorn pack from my hand; when Hiren & I were busy digging into chips.

The night went by – with the game of UNO (that awakened the strategist out of Subbu, and the Babaji out of Hiren); and then some gossips – and finally we wished each other a Good night and slipped into our dreamworld…

Day 1: Pattadakallu, AihoLe:

     Our Day 1 trip started with settling down at a lodge in Badami (we had planned caves visit for Day 2). After a quick refreshment and breakfast, we started out in the auto that Chaits n Channa had hired for the day. First destination was the Banashankari Temple. This temple’s existence is dated back to 7^th Century AD, and is an abode to a form of the ‘Goddess of Forest’. After finishing our ‘darshan’ and a brief photo session near a lake opposite to our temple, we headed out for our next destination, in the same auto. Our Biker guy Subbu seemed so overwhelmed with the temple darshan, that he could not stop asking for his ‘Arati’, ‘Aradhana’, ‘Pooja’ and finally ‘Prarthana’ throughout our travel to the next destination. The next visit was to an Ashrama.

Banashankari Temple

Team at Banashankari temple

Maharatha - at the Ashrama

     The village of Badami, in itself turned out to be a mesmerizing place. When you are travelling from one sight-seeing spot to another, it gives you a feel as if you yourself have entered inside some scenic artwork [reminded me of the regular sceneries we used to paint in school days – with hills, birds flying across the hills, bore wells, women carrying piles of hay (jowar in real), and squirrels and trees around :P].

     Our next visit was at an Ashrama near Banashankari temple. This had a Maharatha – that is built splendidly; and a Samadhi of a Jain priest of those ages. Another round of randomn photography and amazing comments at the Trucks-with-dhinkchak-music-systems; we headed out for Pattadakallu. And Our Real Trip began…

…And our photographers got equipped with their DSLR’s and tripods.

Pattadakallu – This place has a group of quaint temple monuments built during the Chalukyan ages – the main gopuras of which have been strategically destroyed in wars. It also has a number shrines of Shivalingas – each having a nandi facing it – again heads of which have been destroyed. Despite the destructions, the place offered picturesque display of the intricately designed structures, murals and sculptures carved on the columns and walls – that have still stood strong and still stay beautiful. These are basically craft-works on tales picked from Hindu mythology (some of which are known – loads of which are lost down the ages). Pattadakallu is listed as one of the World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.

     While the photographers got busy capturing shots; I had a nice time looking around and feeling amazed at the fact that I was face-to-face with something that was existing even centuries ago – timelessness! [Sculptures, Ancient architecture, Mythology and History had always been a fascination!]. We had loads of time to bask into the place, but suddenly our organizer Chaits started getting a bit restless. After spending sufficient time – we packed up to leave Pattadakallu – on instructions by a bit-restless Chaitanya (we later know why :P)

Pattadakallu-1

Pattadakallu

     It was afternoon (close to 1:00pm). Our next spot was AihoLe. In the morning, it was decided that we would be skipping lunch; however our plans was suddenly changed by Chaits – reasons still unknown. We would be going to a dhaba nearby AihoLe for lunch and then visit the Heritage site.  Nevertheless, we agreed and continued our travel full-on fun with ‘Ae-Raja’; Subrata-turned Shubhroto-turned Subbu-turned Subbanna’s quest for his Prarthana (phew!); some leg pulling session to Shruthi and so on and so forth. We took 2 tables and ordered dry and soft jowar rottis (speciality of the place); along with some other dishes. While we were waiting for the food to arrive and casually chit-chatting; the sound of a very familiar bike caught our attention – and Lo! Here arrives Captain Virander proudly in his Harley, along with  Deepthy. 

     We howled and clapped at the surprise entry (and now understood all that restlessness and sudden-plan-changes made by Chaitanya – hummm..so he was aware of if, and was co-ordinating secretly with him all this while). With the two joining us, there was no derth of the already fun-environment (just that there were more number of PJs now :P). We were still waiting for our food, when again Captain Viru surprised me by handing over the BTC pull over that I had ordered. [Well, this was again a surprise because of the confusion that I had created, over my pullover’s delivery; in the group chat the previous evening. Chaits had forgotten to get it, and poor Viru had to bear the consequences : of dramatically riding all the way  some 500 kms on his Harley and delivering it :P]

     Post lunch – we headed out for AihoLe. And it started pouring heavily. After an hour’s wait inside a lone temple right opposite to our destination spot; we entered the temple complex when the downpour reduced a bit. This place, again, had a group of temples built in Chalukyan era; with Inscriptions and sculptures of the Mythological tales. Inside the same complex, we made a visit to the museum that have preserved some of the sculptures of gods and goddesses; and provides information on the excavated site.

AihoLe excavated site

The sculpted columns - AihoLe.

     It started to rain again. The heavy downpour did not show any signs of stopping or slowing down since then; hence we cancelled our further visit plans (that was a bit of disappointment to our photographers) – and decided to get back to our lodge at Badami – now some 30 kms away.  The journey on the way turned out to be out-and-out hilarious: the take-of-the-hour being ‘the cover’ comment that Ritu had made on me! [Hiren and Raja couldnot control falling and laughing about it!]

     After returning to our lodge, we refreshed ourselves; had dinner; and then gathered to play our savior game of UNO. And with the game – all the true colors of the group appeared :P. Chaitanya’s conspiracy to corner me in the game (I had to ensure I did not sit beside him in future rounds :P); our Advocate Shruthi madam’s Liar’ing; Channa and Shubhroto – the strategists (read cheaters); and Hiren’s Babaji avatar with his rut ‘Bhagwan sabka hota hai’  - all this ensured the fun was on till the end. After pathetically losing all the rounds of the game, I finally won one last round – and then we all decided to crash down our respective beds; and get prepared for the next day’s trip.

Day 2: Badami Caves:

     Day 2 was quite a dry and sunny day. It again, began our day with breakfast’n’chai – and then a walk up to the Badami Fort. Our BTC cameramen and women were all in action again with full enthu. Hard core climber Hiren now was little happy that he got to ‘Climb’ at least somewhere :P The Badami hill is an absolutely stunning region to tread into! What makes the place more beautiful is the red soiled region that makes the entire region naturally colored and attractive. 

     I immediately immersed myself into the ambience of the place – my thoughts revolved around a lot of things, as I made my way peacefully through the alleys and steps: people, human efforts, Nature’s way of showing us examples of strength etc etc. With not much public around, we had a great time admiring the grandeur work; and also cracking stupid jokes; clicking loads of pictures and having fun. Ritz and I started our punar-janmon ki katha related to the place, when Shruthi and Viru suddenly realized that they too had been with us in that previous birth (yeah..so some of us BTCians are previous-birth-se-mile-hue jaani dushman hain :P)! The view from the top was vividly attractive; as we could see the entire Bhootnath Cave temple (our next destination) from the top. Our photographers continued hopping and clicking pics (when some of us non-photographers happily posed for them along with the sculptures :P)

Badami - entrance

Walking into the alley  between the fort rocks

Some of  the BTC Marvels - standing on top of Badami Marvels ;)

Bhootnath Cave Temples:

     Located right opposite to the fort, the Bhootnath Cave temple is a perfect epitome of Beauty. Some of our guys – Channa, Hiren and Viru chose to take a dive in the lake, before heading out towards the caves. This is a group of 4 caves, each having a sanctum sanctorum, a mandapa, a verandah and pillars. The cave temples also bear exquisite carvings, sculptures and beautiful murals – a perfect treat for the lenses of both -  photographers’ and story-seekers like me J

Inside Badami cave temple

 
















   
   













 




 


     The walk specifically to this cave temple felt peaceful and soothing – I could not believe I was actually right here – to one of my dream destinations (that was still - just with me!) To add to the feeling was the magnificent surrounding that we couldn’t stop appreciating. Our photographers went zoom with their Visual talents, capturing all that they could out of the place. We spent a couple of hours soaking into these marvels; and it was time for us to push off for lunch.

  Walked down a hotel for lunch, again had a blast of fun-round with the group – sharing previous trek stories, cracking some doubly-meaningful jokes,  and digging into each others’ plates. Back there in our room at the lodge, we did our final packing (some of the folks rested in the time that was left, and the rest again tuned into the game of UNO). Had a small meeting where we discussed stuff, and then headed out for our return journey, calling it a peaceful-weekend-Getaway. So, if you are someone who loves to bask into timeless pieces of beauty, or a passionate Photographer - AihoLe / Badami / Pattadakallu ought to be in your 'must-visit' list - and your quest for that peace and creative urges will certainly be fulfilled ;) :P

     Well, the entire trip was fully-loaded with surprises, yet again fun with people; while accomplishing my personal quest. In the end it was just a : 'some-things-just-happen-perfectly-for-you'...Finding all that we were seeking out of the trip, and loads of memories; we bid each other adieu and continued with our tasks on Monday morning...

Some of the after-effects of the trip:

1. Shubhroto is still addicted to the ‘sounds like’ rule of Dumb charades (this was during return journey)

2.  Hiren & Raja still imagine things when they think of the ‘cover’ story and burst out..

3. Photographers: Channa, Ritz, Chaitanya still admire their photographic skills; and are making        plans for the next appetite for their creative juices..

4.   Dinesh is still waiting with his ‘Application-pending’ status :P [would not like to mention anything further for ‘peace’ sake :P]

       Ahh..yes…and adding to my souvenir collection (be it from our History-making 2-day WOW trip; or the unexpected events at this Badami trip) -  my BTC pullover’s gonna bear the special stamp of this : ‘Delivered via harleydavidson courier services: C & V’… ;)

Cheers!

A traveller...

Theme song of the trip: With no doubt, a beautiful number by my icon Dr. Rajkumar - 'huttidare...' that talks of these marvels of Karnataka :)

Photo credits: Channa, Chaitanya, Ritu

Another walk into a Govt school..

Importance of ID cards – Take 2!

     This time it was a visit to a more interior Govt school. The talk was to be delivered during the first period, since the teacher was on leave. I was asked to come few minutes earlier (which I did). It was 9.20 am, precisely. The kids were already standing in their respective Queues, in the school ground, and were just about to start their prayers; when I entered the School gate. The teacher (who was my contact point), signaled me to join the staff on stage. I just stood at a corner, waiting for the prayer session  to get over.

The Prayer Session:

      The minute the session started, nostalgia started playing its chords in my mind – the prayers, followed by news-headlines-reading, and then proverbs-reading took me straight to my school days (experienced this typical school-prayer atmosphere after a little more than a decade!). The only difference being, I wasn’t doing any of those this time :P

     Some of the kids gazed at me, simultaneously while reciting ‘Jai Bhaarat maate, Jai Karnatak maate’  [no! I was not their Bhaarat maate; they were just suspecting me to be their new Miss [teacher :P]

Enter into Class 7^th:

     The school does not have a high school, hence the authorities decided to keep 6^th and 7^th class kids as my audience. Fair enough.

     Before I could begin, unexpectedly, the students once again filled me with warmth by chanting Omkar and few other morning shlokas (as a gesture of welcome) – and then gave a sweet collective wish of -  ‘GOOD MORRNIIING MEEES’. [Purely Indian!] I was humbled!

     Quickly dusting off the clouds of emotions (before they could take over me), I started the Introduction section [which was in the same format as the last time, since it had worked out then. The 3 points I have listed here]. And then slowly, we slipped into the world of ‘chalk-piece-and-blackboard’, through my half-cooked-kannada – discussing ID cards for the next 40 minutes. [this time I somewhat felt like Amir Khan of TZP, perhaps because the kids were comparatively younger than my previous audience, and I had to keep them engaged; by being one among them]. To add to it, I learnt another kannada word from the kids - ‘Mane vilaas patra’ that is synonymous to ‘Residential proof’ [learning is always mutual, u see B-)]

     Post the session, was the Q&A – where again – the kids left no stones unturned in answering to all the questions that I and the teacher [who accompanied me, to supervise the kids, just in case] had asked. Every kid I pointed out, walked up confidently to write the answer on the board. This was my victory.The purpose was again – served!

     The Q&A was followed by a counter ‘Q&A’ – this time the kids really bowled me over by asking questions ranging from ‘White board - yellow board vehicles’ to asking ‘LIC policies’. The time was almost up, when I finished clarifying them about the difference between the ID cards, LIC policies and LIC agents. Quickly, I closed the session by, once again, taking a promise for getting their ID cards done – and receiving a collective yell of ‘YYYYYessss’

After a short thank you speech from my end, I packed my bag and walked out of the classroom, to find the kids opening up the windows to bid me a good-bye (they had realized I was not their ‘hosa miss’, but just a guest speaker)

     Another feather in my cap! After few formalities with the school staff, I walked out of the school still basking in the warmth the kids had showered on me.

Wonder if while volunteering for something.. are you really Giving? Or in fact, Receiving….

Express my gratitude to: Govt High school staff, Thippenahalli ; iuindia; Mohan from iuindia. And Aunt, who once again, was the main connect!

Cheers!

[This is about my talk on Importance of ID Cards – Voters ID, Aadhar Card and LL-DL – a part of my assignment from iuindia. The experience of my first talk, you can find here]

My First talk of 2014!

Jan 04th, 2014

It was a nice Saturday morning at around 9.35 am [the first Saturday of the year]. The school was buzzing with kids of all ages chirping around classrooms, as I entered the Nagasandra Govt High School premises.

 The teachers had gathered all the students from 7^th and 8^th Class, for my Voluntary talk.

Topic was: ‘Importance of ID cards’->; a talk that I have had been planning since a while (an assignment from iuindia).

So here I was - standing right in front of a 150+  pre-teenage kids in a long classroom (2 combined into 1), along with few teachers.

I had to be slow..not because my audience were kids. But because I had to manage my just 10-year-old language skill – Kannada [one of Karnataka’s regional language]! My only funda was -> Keep it simple and clear!

The Start:

One of the school teachers kickstarted the program, by giving a brief introduction of myself and the audience. And then, Over to me!

With half-cooked kannada, I started off with the below 3 points:

1.  Wished kids a Happy new year

2.    My name, of course!

3.   And then shot out to them – “nange Kannada baralla” [meaning - I dunno kannada]. I could see the little surprised expressions in my audience (as expected) –  this was an intended move!

     

After confessing my level of expertise in the language and a heads up to the teachers’ that I might need some shadowing, in case the kids were unable to comprehend my way of talking kannada language, I started my ‘Actual talk’

So here goes the show…

Firstly, I had to put across the basic idea of ‘Identity’ to them. And so I randomly chose few kids by identifying them with the color of their sweaters, and asked them to call out their names. Exemplifying as to how the color of their sweater had become a part of an ‘identity’ for the moment, & taking them to school ‘Roll numbers’; I went on to explain the greater meaning of ‘identity proofs’ and why is it necessary in the outside world. This gave a clear picture of the agenda to the students; and in the process, I too learnt that in kannada - ‘identification’ is called as ‘gurthu’ [which invariably meant that..I was on a right track..:P]

I continued by stating few examples of identity proofs (the core matter) ->; Aadhar card, Voters’ ID and LL-DL (had selected a few that would be the most relevant to them in near future, and sufficient to cover 45 minutes of talk). The students were all set to take the gyan. (not going to put down the content hereJ)

The rest of the 30-35 minutes turned out to be quite interactive! [and strangely but slowly, i came to realize that ‘language’ was hardly a concern in the process!]. The knowledge of these ID cards, was meshed with explanation of the terms – ‘proof of Age’ and ‘proof of Residence’ , wherein a couple of students were picked to read out few important points from the notes that I had got for reference. I circulated copies of these cards and showed them the fields (of course - cracking jokes in between :P)

The entire program was in a flow – smooth sailing, lively and interactive. [just loved the energy that had built up in the classroom!]

Show climax:

After spending the 30-35 minutes of the ‘core’ talk, I had a brief 10-minute Q&A session (partially to test their knowledge, but more to test whether ‘I’ was successful in the attempt). The surprise was – the children not only gave satisfactory answers to my questions – but also kept asking for more [‘Akka – please explain about Birth certificate and Death certificate also’ – (none of which were in my agenda!) now what more does a Speaker wants than – audience asking for more!

With a brief account of some uses of Birth and Death certificates, I finally concluded the session with a brief thank you speech, and took a promise from the kids to get their ID cards done at the appropriate age. The response was – ‘a collective yes’. My task was accomplished!

After the show ended, the kids started walking out of the room in a line, to start for the mid-day meal that had arrived. Loved the ‘celebrity-feeling’ when all of a sudden few kids took a detour from near the door and walked upto me to just ‘shake-hands-and-thank’ – [this was a ‘real’ takeaway for me!].

All said and done! My first talk of 2014 was thus successfully accomplished. Thanked the school authorities and then, after winding up with few formalities, I winded up my show. It had been a highly energetic morning, the first weekend of the New year, with a difference!

The walk back home:

With the energy that I had picked up, I started walking out of the premises, feeling like a school kid myself. 

Was just basking in the feeling, when a boy [cycling back home] turned back at me, gave a ‘thanks’ and asked me as to ‘when m I coming again’!..couldn’t stop smiling the rest of the day….

My learning – When it comes to sharing knowledge, language is hardly a barrier! 

Credits & Motivation Courtesy: iuindia, Mohan from iuindia, School HeadMaster and teacher who helped in orgainizing the talk. Last but not the least -  my aunt [retd teacher from the same school], who was the main connect! J

Cheers!

A dream-come-true

     Really dunno where to start from; what to say first! It's been quite a while since i wrote anything here! Lots happened, just that i got too lazy to sit and type my mind out! But I had to write about this! My 'almost-first-time' visit to Tirupathi!

    Not many noticed, but just a few days ago, there was a staus msg on my Facebook account saying this : The last time i visited Tirupathi was, 20 years ago!... I was hardly 3 yrs old then! It was for getting my head shaved (a religious custom for us). They say that the sanctum is not just-another temple. The Lord  himself has to invite you to give you his darshan. I believed all of them, and with reasons. I had seen many meticulously made-plans of visiting there, fail in the last  moment; and many unplanned visits successfully accomplished too! Me, being a strong 'timing-matters' believer!

     It was a dream knitted by us - siblings; to visit the place with parents (for the first time). The dream strengthened over the last few years, when things went terribly haywire! Strengthened to such an extent, that we did not mind NOT visiting it for lifetime(even though its a family-deity); if it was Not with parents for the first time! Yeah...did invite criticism and oppositions, when we Refused few offers we got with friends and relatives (one is Not supposed to deny a visit to Tirupathi - another Common belief); but we did not really bother! Even off-late we siblings have been facing, made fun of; for being Brahmins and NOT being able to visit the place for years together (parents did visit quite a couple of times). But as said, we stuck to our dream; and did not want any low-life to mess with it. Dismissed all of them, because poor things were ignorant about the bigger picture of it! We must let few things happen by themselves. (Guess SOMEONE UP there was really listening to us, and counting our thoughts seriously!).

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      So, finally; after 2 decades; the plans were made and we were invited for a visit the place by a friend named Venkateshwara! All said and done! Call it a co-incidence, or a miracle, or whatever! It was a positive sign of  our dream coming true...

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     The trip:

03nd Sept, Friday - 04 Sept (midnight):

  Our group of around 13 people; from Kadapa, reached Tirupathi at around 3:15 in the noon. It's become usual in my life! meeting new people and touring around with them. Ditto, the family friends were kind of New people in our life, and we had really struggled with broken telugu, and made-broken english; to converse with them!(Dad was at his best! he knows telugu!). Other than that, it was fun, fun, and fun.

     When everybody chose to climb the hill, instead of taking a bus; i too gave in!( i dint mind even going by bus, but majority won!) Like, i said; we had never experienced such a visit, just heard of them ; I wondered what was so much hype about the temple, and why people took so much of hardships for a few seconds of darshan! Didnot ponder about it, because i was enjoying the climb! Of course, the huge crowd of 13 made it fun and easy-going. (Ideally it should take you around 2-3 hours to clime the hill; but we took 5 hours. we had all the time on earth, FOR the mother earth;)) It was fun, shouting out loud slogans of GOVINDA, GOVINDA (I would never miss an opportunity of howling and shouting out loud). And then I had this encounter with my best friend (a monkey:P), at the mid-way (Just that I had forgotten that I was carrying a bunch of chocolates happily in my hands, and did not share it with them!); which had become a joke for the evening! Phew. Never ever seen a monkey thaat close to me!

     I loved the fact, that almost throughout the climb, I was holding dad's hand (something which is really special to me!). And so, distance did not really matter.... It was around 8:15p.m, when we reached the last step. And an hour later, reached the destination...

     After freshening up and then dinner, we started towards the main temple, for darshan. It was around 11:00p.m. Heard the guard at the entrance say that we would get darshan in just an hour! Rushed towards the queue. We aren't super-humans, and I admit that we were weared out, after those long hours of walk. Plus this crowd for darshan, made me finally ask mom as to why people struggle so much to get just a glance of the deity. "Nambike (belief)" , was the reply! I was almost there, and I just got more curious. To be frank, more than bhakti, I had a curiousity to see what was soo powerful about the place!

      As we moved nearer to the garbhagudi (shrine), my curiosity just grew more and morre...Until I had the first glance of the deity. Complete transformation! I donot know how to express what was my state of mind then. All i know is that i'd gotten the answers to all my questions, in just a single glance!

     A strange happiness, a spirit - grew out from nowhere. There was smile, some enlightened feeling. And despite my height, I was able to view the deity from a distance! I would not say that suddenly i grew taller, or i was walking on air! Thats what i call Supernatural calculations. Right timing! Strangely, nobody pushed me! And I was allowed to stand there for a while to get a full-fledged darshan; without asking anybody, with nobody bothering me! The crowd behind me was moving at its pace, me at my own! Do I call it my luck? or a reward for a wait for these many years? One thing is sure! This place carries LIFE, from eons of ages! Saturday had just dawned, it was 12:10 a.m, when we came out after the darshan.. enlightened! (just FYI, Saturday is considered an auspicious day for Lord Venkateshwara). The siblings' dream had just come true...!!:)

    Still the body ache was there, parallelly the enlightenment feeling. While everyone made plans for the next day; I had decided that this was not enough for me! I just got greedy, and I wanted to have another darshan.....


04 Sept, Saturday 2010 noon:

     Venki (the one who invited us), myself and 2 of his friends (Raghu and Hari annas); started for the second-time darshan. This time, the darshan was expected to take a good 3 hours of time. (Saturday , VIP visits etc etc). But we were prepared for that. As said earlier, we had all the time on earth to spend. Standing in lengthy queue for such a long time, never felt so comfortable and easy! Also, Hari anna was up with the mythological stories about the place; which helped us pass time. Interesting as they were, they made me believe in them! And then the broken-Telugu, made-broken english and Hindi; just made the conversations lively and interesting:P. And in the mid-way, I remembered my visits to Puri Jagannath and Palani too...

     The second-time entry to the garbhagudi(shrine), was equally enlightening! This time, twice darshan. Don't ask me how; I was just lucky to have a second look. Once again, right-timing! Came out completely satisfied, and happy. Only shedding a drop of tear was left out (which I didnot!)...and there - began my visit to the Tirupathi...


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     So, that was pretty-much about my 'almost-first-visit' to Tirupathi. One visit-thrice darshan WAS a good deal indeed! A dream-come-true. It was a fulfilling experience - of the divine, of the sanctity that the place holds. All of which looked worth the 2 decades of wait; worth the long hours of walk.

     Must say, that Tirumalai Venkateshwara is Not a mere-earthling. It's a piece of 'The Cosmic Energy' , a slice of 'Heaven' - just existing on earth...

     Just hope and pray, that the other visits to any holy shrine henceforth,  be equally good ;):)...


Cheers,
  

  

  
     

A Sneak peek into the mystic world..

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   A Sneak  peek into the mystic world..

   It looked like an ancient era, post Budhdha!! Three travelers (all girls) reached what it looked like a sea-shore, in a mystical blue twilight, just before sunrise. At a distance, sat a huge Statue of the Budhdha, in a posture similar to Lord Shiva’s (a meditating posture). The travelers had come with a knowledge that the peak of Statue was reachable! Adjacent to the Statue, there was a hill (almost as big as the Statue itself. Looked as if a part of the hill was leaning against the statue) And at the peak of the hill, there was a closed semi-circular dorm resembling a prison cell. It had two windows on opposite sides , each of which had closely spaced iron bars, spacious enough to let lean people penetrate into it. With great excitement, the travelers climbed up the hill, and reached the dorm. Now all these travelers were lean enough to sneak in the cell, and so they entered one by one, through the window. Now to disappoint you (as well as myself), I would say that there was nothing remarkable about this dorm, except that it offered a spectacular view of the surrounding. From one side, you could see the horizon where the sun was just about to wake up; and from the exactly opposite side there was a forest spread as far and wide, as your eyes could view.There was comlete silence. Each of the three travelers was just enjoying ,in peace, the scenic beauty that that moment was offering. None spoke to the rest.  And all of a sudden came violent roars, from almost near the base of the hill….