Enchanting Somnathpur and Brindavan Gardens

A day’s trip to Sonathpur and Brindavan Gardens with colleagues and researcher from the U.S Dr. Wayne Steward was something that was decided in a short span of time but was a best shot. The last time I went to Talakadu with colleagues and friend we missed Somnathpur which was just on the way! Aww... But I had never thought I’d get a chance to experience this lovely Hoysala temple so soon from the last time I missed. It also flashed our minds to visit our very own Brindavan Gardens. I had been to Brindavan several times but this time I got a view to my heart’s content with all my lovely colleagues. Thanks guys for all the wonderful moments I have shared with you… Wish time just froze :)

As we reached Somnathpur, a small village on the banks of the river Cauvery that was founded by the commander of the Hoyasala army, Somnath. The temple was consecrated in 1268 AD and is dedicated to Lord Keshava. As we entered the beautifully maintained lawn which held some of the stone sculptures was most welcoming. Amidst the lasting rural serenity I could see the Kesava temple, one of the grandest of the Hoysala monuments standing high in pride!

The Kesava temple at Somnathpur, resting 45 km from Mysore, is one of the most famous Hoysala temples in Karnataka, the two others at Belur an Halebid being equally famous.

This splendid temple has been built in the Hoyasala style of architecture . The Hoysalas were a mighty martial race who ruled large parts of present day Karnataka between 1100 and 1320 AD.

The temple is famous for its elaborate and intricate sculpturing and is built on an elevated star shaped platform. The sides of the raised platform are decorated with richly carved friezes, portraying rows of cavalry, elephants and scenes from the epics. The rows above have sculptures of Gods mainly Vishnu in various forms. The shrine has three shrines and three sanctums. The temple has three intricately carved pinnacles and a common Navranga. The northern sanctum has the idol of Lord Janardhana and the southern sanctum has the idol of Lord Venugopala. The main hall has exquisitely turned pillars and ceiling panels. The image of Lord Keshava that once adorned the main hall is missing today, but the other two still adorn the sanctums in their original form.

The temple is an example of the grand and glorious temples built by the Hoysala rulers. The names of the sculptors are inscribed on their works, which was a common practice during the reign of the Hoysalas. This Hoysala temple at Somnathpur, is truly unique in design, perfect in proportion and the stone carvings are striking marvels in stone! One can feel an eternal stillness and freshness in the air as if the place is if saying eternity grows here …

After the wonderful everlasting experience at Somnathpur, we reached Brindavan just around noon just on time for lunch. It was time to unpack all the delicious food my colleagues had bought and of course, I could never forget all the “team work” we put in to prepare those tasty (hmm ‘m not sure about that :) sandwiches!

The Brindavan garden is located about 19kms from the heart of Mysore. This beautiful garden was laid out below the Krishnaraja Sagar dam built across the river Cauvery. The Krishnaraja Sagar Dam (KRS) (known as Kannambadi to the locals) itself is a superb example of excellent engineering by Sir M. Vishveswariah, one of India's finest engineers, built it in 1924.

The dam is named after the then Maharaja of Mysore Sri Krishnaraja Wodeyar who financed the dam. The dam is 3 kms long and is located at the confluence of the rivers -Cauvery, Hemavati and Lakshmanathritha. The lake that is formed by the dam is one of the largest in India. The dam is a multipurpose project conceived by Sir M. Vishveswariah for supplying water to the agricultural lands of Mandya and Mysore districts and for ensuring power supply to the Shivanasamudra project.

The gardens were designed by Sir Mirza Ismail another important and progressive Diwan of Mysore. Spread over an area of 150 acres, the Brindavan Gardens is considered one of the best gardens in India. The garden not only been meticulously laid out and has beautiful lawns and shrubs, but has thousands of fountains in different shapes and sizes that are lit with colorful lamps and are set to pleasant music.

The best time to visit the gardens is after sunset when all the bright colourful fountains come alive and seem to dance with joy to the accompanying music. This is a sight worth beholding as the entire garden is transformed into a fairyland. Well we wished we could stay back till then hmm… not all in life happens as per your wish :)

Awareness on Wheels

When I first saw an advertisement about the Red Ribbon Express, I was already interested! To me and 'm sure to many more people, it does make a lot of sense to completely appreciate the inititative taken up to spread knowledge about HIV/AIDS amoungst the masses especially the rural India.

The Red ribbon express is an initiative of the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, a unique and powerful idea to combat HIV/AIDS: a train that will traverse over 9,000 km a year, cover 180 districts/halt stations, and hold programmes and activities in 43,200 villages!

The train comprises of seven coaches, equipped with: educational material, primarily on HIV/AIDS, interactive touch screens and 3-D models, PPTCT services in the context of RCH II, HIV-TB co-infection, an LCD projector and platform for folk performances, counseling cabins and two doctors’ cabins for providing counselling and syndromic treatment for STI and RTI cases, an office, dining area and pantry.

The Train was flagged off on 1st of Dec 2007 and is expected to reach by Delhi on 1st of Dec 2008. The focus is on youth groups, women self-help group members, adolescents/student community from schools and colleges, PRI members, youth in uniformed services and out-of-school/non-­student youth, particularly in the rural areas.

The train reached Bangalore on July 24, 2008 and I faithfully went along with my colleagues to be of support to the initiative.

Route map of the Red Ribbon Express! Supposed to be whole of India in a year, spreading awareness and educating masses. No Jokes!

The first coach of the train had basic information about how one should safeguard himself or herself from HIV. I thought the soldier who stood to symbolise the concept of "safeguard" was very interesting.

The poster of various people and a mirror on it which meant to project the person's face who stood in front of it and said "You too may be prone to AIDS" was intersting. I could see some silling guys just running without wanting to look into it.. I never read anywhere that by looking into the mirror they would get the disease! Gosh!

Videos about HIV/AIDS were played in every coach targetting different audience.

Some initiatives were as per a person's capability to understand specially to students and the youth. There were phones for various categories of people in the society. For example this student was able to listen to a message played which educated about what a student could do in order to safeguard oneself from HIV AIDS and what he or she could do as a student in educating other students

Importance of an immense magnitude was given on eduating rural India about HIV/AIDS.

Training sessions on HIV/AIDS were held for school and college children, Medical Professionals and general public. It was an exhaustive task for the staff on board but very well carried out.

A 75 year "young enthusiast" who bowled me over with his interest in learning about HIV AIDS. When i approached him and appreciated his zeal, he said this was interested and wanted to explore what this was all about. He had picked up a handout and that was impressive!! Seriously. How many of us can do something like this when we are 75?

Signature campaign from PSI (Population Services International) I did my duty on it too!

At the end I had to say " good bye to the Red Ribbon Express! It was a pleasure meeting this lady"!

Peaceful Pondicherry

The Portuguese have been here. So have the Dutch.. The Danes. The English And the French. Pondicherry it is. Somwhere in my heart I had developed a love for this city and needless to say, I surely was hugely excited when I got a chance to visit the city for a weekend hide out :)

A trip to puducherry is like a journey in time with a vibrant present celebrating its interesting past. “History goes back to the Roman times, but factually started with the arrival of the French in 1963, who founded the town and built it in its present form, during the two and a half century they occupied it. “Puducherry” is the French interpretation of the original name “Puducheri” meaning “new settlement”. Many pilgrims have shared the town’s hospitality on their way to the temple town of Rameshwaram, thus enriching its culture.

An overnight journey surely made me tired but once I stepped into Pondicherry the feeling was different above my tiredness. The city didn’t disappoint me at all. At last I was assured that surely there is a “City” that is so isolated pollution and noise. I could only envy people of Pondicherry at that moment :)

I was sure, two days was not enough to experience everything in Pondicherry but I surely was determined to make the best of everything I could along with friends ralph and reshma along with my younger brother rony.

We started off by picking up the map of Pondicherry which ended up being so handy. You really don’t need a guide when you have this map. Its not easy to get lost and people are so helpful.

If you cannot walk, feel free to hire a Cycle :) That’s the best I liked about Pondicherry. People looked so much at ease and happy going around the city in cycles.

We started off with the Aurobindo handmade paper Industry. This a great place for green lovers. One can find all kinds of utilities made of paper only including Jewelry. This surely is a must visit.

Well I was sure it was going to be boring for my little brother, but I couldn’t get off from seeing the Pondicherry museum. The museum has a collection of rare bronzes and stone sculptures from the Pallava and Chola dynasties and artifacts excavated from Arikamedu, including remnants of Greek and Roman jars, 200 year old beads made from glass and precious stones and even objects from the Tsung period in China. The museum also has a Geology room, a shell and fossil room and a collection of handicrafts, coins, church relics and French furniture. Also on display is Dupleix’s bed.

After feeding ourselves enough with Pondcherry’s past history it was time to visit my favorite and the main reason why I went to Pondicherry. The Beach! It was just magnificent to view the blue stud! The 1.5 km long promenade running along the beach is the pride of puducherry. There one can relax or take a stroll at any time of the day.

On the sea front are several land marks out of which I got to see The War memorial cold and dispassionate throbbing the memory of last dreams, the statue of Mahatma Gandhi, a four-meter statue surrounded by eight magnificent granite pillars, which were supposedly brought from Gingee, a fort some 70 Kms. from Puducherry and

an Old light house that used for the first time on July 1st 1836 and continued to be used upto the year 1979. This now- abandoned lighthouse stands on the edge of the sea.

It was noon and we started planning towards Auroville. We were not left with a lot of time and decided to just visit the Auroville Beach. The Auroville Beach as the name indicates is close to Auroville. Located around 12 kms from the main puducherry town, its shallow waters and small waves make it an ideal place of swimming. Blue sky and the blue sea is a real heartthrob! It was fun unlimited and unlimited means….Tired :)

It was time to leave this quiet and pretty city but we just had to end it the right way and what more than to visit the beautiful Botanical gardens.

The gate leading to the garden is reminiscent of French architecture and it stands out from its immediate surroundings because it is smack in the middle of the old Tamil town. The Botanical Gardens were laid out in 1826 in the ornate French style, with pruned trees, beautiful flower beds and gravel lined paths and fountains. The French introduced many exotic plants from all over the world, many of which thrived. With over 1500 species of plants, this could actually qualify as one of the best botanical gardens in South India.

The cannon ball flower (state flower of Pondicherry) and the 12 million year old fossilled tree was the grand finale!

Well that ended my most memorable journey to Pondicherry but I surely promised myself that I’d come back again! Wait for me Pondicherry :)

Noise and God :)

If the sky is god's throne and earth is his footstool... imagine god sitting up there and getting mad with all the noise from below, millions and zillions of folds more than what we hear everyday!! Passing thought :) God's the most affected by noise pollution human's create; he must be sitting up there listening to music with headphones on - ah :)

ನೆನಪಿನ ಬುಟ್ಟಿಯ ತುಂಬಾ ಸಿಹಿ ತುಂಬಿ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಕಹಿ ಬೆರೆಸಿದೆಯ ಗೆಳೆಯ ?

Simple Kolkata

This was the second time i was visiting this magical city and it was now Kolkata! I don't remember much of Calcutta from the last time I visited except for the exciting matka chai i had in one of the local trains...

Kolkata was a drop-in city before we left for a trip to North East of India but that surely didn't under estimate the urge to experience (how much ever possible that is) all the wonderful moments this city was just going to bless me with!

After a roller coaster ride in the Howrah Express passing through the baking ovens like AP, we reached Kolkatta on a early morning! Trust me, the first site of Howrah bridge through the little window of the train as you enter this city of joy is amazing! It was May & needless to say, I had started enjoying the hot stories of Kolkatta already :)

Its a blessing that I have my maternal uncle, Fr. Gregory Monteiro in Calcutta, who has the city and its flavour in his blood! As soon as we landed, my bro and I got picked by my uncle, and just like how Alice entered the wonderland.. I entered the Presbytery of St. Thomas Church, where my uncle serves as the Asst. Parish Priest and Youth Director of the City.

The Presbytery is an amazing building built in the colonial style. Cozy corridor, wooden staircase, wooden artefacts around, high ceilings, curvy walls.. wow! I have never seen such a thing and this feeling which I was experiencing was priceless! Everything was made with so much of taste in this place, including the handles of the windows and doors.. This was a great start to an amazing time ahead in Kolkata!

Kolkata gives an insight to life's most simplest things. A larger number of the masses do not believe in a lavish life style. Being simple is a way of life in Kolkata. Swaying my way around the city, getting into the nooks and corners of every big and small bazaar was a wonderful experience. The trams, the rosagullas, the old and mighty buildings, the metro, jam packed roads, british flavour in every other brick, football grounds, churches, blessings of mother teresa, the tongawalas who take you around on their feet, the "good luck" hour in the bazaars, the kala-khatta and the calcutta puchka are the most choicest memories i carried back!

Here is a glimpse of Kolkata through my eyes..