Globe Trotter

St.Mary's Island..Calm Place below the sun

2010-01-19T12:07:00.025+05:30

I always wondered how it would be to live on a place surrounded by nature and its beauty, with no or less human habitation to destroy it..and where the winds, water and sun all are so pure that make you heart gleam with joy. Well, looking through the pictures, I was hinted to such a place at St. Mary's Island near Malpe, Karnataka. Going to Udipi was an additional boost to visit these islands and I grabbed an early chance to be there. The experience I had was of a calm,peaceful surroundings that were close to nature and away from hustle bustle of world

You need to start from Udipi on any local bus which will drop you to Fishermen area at Malpe. An entry ticket of Re.1 per person gets you inside where for the first time, I saw the fisheries business in full flow. Hundred above boats each ready to move into the sea and hoards of fishes lying at the bank to be sequestered by ladies, working on them. Men were preparing,cleaning, checking accessories in early morning sun. The road to the ferry location was good but carried less visitors. In the end of 1.2 kms walk, we reached the ferry boat location. After waiting for ferry to fill up for around half hour & paying Rs.80 per person, We started our journey towards the islands. This half hour journey was filled with loud blaring hindi music, some nice scenic views and gushing sounds of blue water.
On reaching the islands, the first thing to note is Golden sand and coconut trees shading the place. We quickly found a tree shade and spread the sheet to give ourselves a nice treat to scenic views before us. Carrying food items, an umbrella and cover sheets along with us, was a good planning decision and it went out well.

At around 3 pm, we planned to enter the waters (the Sun rays were less harsh). Played a lot with waves that were rushing towards me and spent a lot of my time just relaxing on the shores with waves hitting me time n again. Collecting shells of different sizes and colors was another thing that got me engaged.

The rock formation on the islands have got their names in top geological tourist spots in India (8 out of 28). After a playful time of around 1.5 hrs there, we decided to return back from the island on the last ferry trip left to be taken at 5.00 pm. As the island is only accessible by water, hence, no chances on this,should be taken. The return journey was much faster and completed within 20 mins.

Overall, the day was sunny and relaxing for me. Playing in the waters, and then trying and exploring my swimming practices, overall a cherishable treat to mind and body. I would love to be back to this place on a less warmer and a bit cloudy day.

VinMe

2010-01-17T13:33:00.007+05:30

Shri Krishna Temple, Udupi- Rich history,Raw traditions

This time I moved my steps toward the north-west of Karnataka to Udupi. Have known the place because of Udupi cuisine (which I have never tasted,although). The place to visit there was Shri Krishna Temple, which came as only big attraction offered in this place. The further part of the trip was reserved for Malpe beach and St. Mary Islands. This temple in itself had old-fashioned grandeur and vastness in its culture and traditions and hence, am concentrating a complete post to this temple visit itself.

Me and HR started from IIMB at around 8.20 pm to catch a 8.45 pm bus at Jayanagar. The bus was on time and we alighted the bus to find our seats covered with blankets. That's a good thing you get in Volvo Services. Covering ourselves in, we slept the whole journey to wake up at Mangalore (which I misjudged for Udupi). Later,after an hour, we reached our destination. After getting ourselves fresh and energized by a morning bath, We went out in the city. The view outside, at once, mesmerized me with its simplicity, open spaced streets, old styled buildings and above all, a small city like culture. The temple was at walkable distance, hence, we carried our bag to trot our steps for around 10 mins to reach the temple.
The temple opens out at the end of a street but is vast in its periphery coverage as the entry is from the south side. Upon entering and passing by the green water bathing pond, we moved serpent like rows to move inside the first part of the temple. Well, I met with "never expected" shock of my trip. To enter inside the Krishna Darshan room, men have to remove shirts and under-shirts. I at once, resented this, by refusing to go inside and asked HR to carry on. But with her persuasion, I somehow overcomed my fear of public body display :-) and went inside.

Going inside, you see the serpent cue reaching to a window to a small room. Inside, sits the Krishna Idol and you pray to him, again for a few seconds, only and then move ahead. Well, many devotees preferred to stay out of line and pray from a distance in the direction of window itself. I somehow ended this line and came out to visit other idols of Shri Krishna kept inside the Bhawan. HR wanted to circle one more round and in turn, I completed two more rounds to find her again. Outside this Bhawan, you enter a great hall, again filled with various idols housed in small rooms. I was much happier to be able to put back my clothes itself. :-) Each of these rooms is taken care by individual priests who are changed orderly after a period of 2 years. Here, I came to know that the next day itself, was that day of change in Management and hence, was celebrated as a festival.

Well, the above picture can show you the preparation going on for the food fest and the other picture represents the auditorium prepared for the change-over programme. In all, the Temple circumference was so large, that we explored for hard ways to exit out itself.

In all, this temple was less crowded (maybe we were lucky), more arranged, very well managed by priests and sevakars and is indeed, a place to visit in Udupi. I know, I have missed all the big history associated with this temple, But I believe, I have already left that part since long ago in my blogs.

Name: Shri Krishna Temple,Udupi
Famous for: Adobe of Krishna
Where: 10 mins walk from Udupi Bus stand
Fare: Only to Reach Udupi (500 Rs- Volvo {Bangalore to Udupi})

VinMe

ShivaGanga-Unique to great heights Part-II

2010-01-09T14:48:00.003+05:30

This is Part-II of this story

As we passed the temple at mid-way, they were there..basking in the fun, some ready to move, some about to fall asleep, kids playing and elders controlling them. But, soon after we passed them on our way, they came after and then we realised how many monkeys were actually there in that hoard..Elders, young and kids..all of them accompanying and showing us the path of the journey..The path is not well carved out in the middle, so u need to make guesses to reach the top. The monkeys eased our thinking and we just followed them where they took us along.

While the hill was gaining its glow, our faces were losing our sheen..Just 0.5 km ahead and 300 steps away, and we found idols of Shiva and Parvati,and also an advice not to continue further,as the rest of trip was dangerous and much tiring and time consuming. Well, no turning back n not atleast after so long of walk..Thus, we continued with our path and reached the last step path..The advice was correct and the last lap was really harder to cover. taking enough time and short steps on those even smaller steps (where ever they were), we reached the hill top and finally completed one side of our journey at 4.45 pm.

On the top, is a small & simple Shiva temple,and just that..No lights,artificial glow/paints or anything..the enroute temples had at least colorful priests dresses, arrangements etc. but this was "bare". Well so much for the trip and a tiring trek..I found my respite in terms of scenic views and rusty winds at the temple rear side..Stayed there for half n hour and then started my descent down at 5.15 pm

Although no one writes about their descent in hill treks, but this one is worth mentioning.Right from the start of our descent, we neither met anybody en-route nor were surpassed by any human, even monkeys had gone somewhere.This experience of being alone in the whole big climate of serenity, peace and calmness, somewhere below the sky, was unique and un-earthly. I covered my whole descent in 2 hours with the same feeling of content.

Route back to Bangalore was covered with another auto ride to Dabaspet (Rs.60,this time) from where we boarded a private bus at 7.30 to Bangalore. Waiting at majestic for half hour, we boarded the bus to IIMB and reached here at 9.45 pm.

This was the first time, I did my trot with a fever and shoulder ache and that too, for a demanding journey to such steep trek over the hill top. The end experience, was unique and satisfying, in the sense, of proximity and silence of nature, that this place beholds.. Go to ShivaGanga..Its a unique experience clouded at great heights of devotion and determination

VinMe

Shivaganga- Unique to great Heights Part I

2010-01-09T13:57:00.006+05:30

Somavar is for Shiva..Got this mantra from my friend and realised Monday was the day it would be for me to travel towards Dabaspet, nearly 60 kms from Bangalore. Well, being a trotter, you have to be ready to grab any opportunity of trotting and that's what I did when a morning alarm at 8 waked me up to start my trip. What started as a commitment to my heart ended up as a tiring day for my body completely. and that too only on a travel of 150 kms for the whole day. The place in itself is a Shiva temple located on top of ShivaGanga hills, located at 8 kms from Dabaspet, on the way to Tumkur,from Bangalore. Such great heights, steep ascent and in company of some serious devotees, the day in itself was worth remembering and it will remain in my memories as a hill trek which has been unique till now.

I and my friend, started at 8.30 from IIM,B and reached Majestic Bus station at 10.00 am. En route, I got the tip that the place was around 60 kms away and KSRTC bus services is the best available medium for covering the route. We hopped on the bus at around 10.20 and the bus circled around city till 11 am and later joined National Highway 4 to give us a relief of reaching the place in time. At around 12, we de-alighted from the bus at Dabaspet Bus stop. There, we had some fruits to eat for afternoon and hired an auto for Rs. 40 (although rs.10 is charged for shared auto) and reached the entry to the temple at around 12.45 pm. What looked like any other temple gate was in fact the start of a hard,tiring and long journey. The entry is a small rectangular gate leading to stairs which didn't looked like they were 3 kms long. Actually the temple entry is made from the city street and it ends up to reach the hill top. So much for reaching the deity, easily (or much harder, for us)

Entering the temple and starting our steps, my friend realised her impatience to glaring sun rays and thus, we decided to halt our journey within 15 mins of start. Idea was to wait for some time to get an appreciably warm weather to continue the journey, but I had no idea this would take two hours of wait. Well, I gulped cucumbers to sustain water for the hike in the meantime.There were surprises to come ahead of us and I was particularly unsure of them

First one, It is still 2.0 hrs to reach the top and you are starting your journey at 3 pm..Really, the hill top didn't looked that much far from down below,(provided we had such steps ahead too)..That is where my second surprise came..The trek path was a mix of steps and steep slopes..so you cannot be sure of reaching the place in fixed time. having juices, eatables and life precious water along the way, we two continued our journey till the mid way where we encountered another temple. Too late and unimpressed to wait anywhere less than thee top, we continued past the temple. and realised..a third surprise..Hoard of Devotees accompanying us till the top

Next half of this trip in Part II

VinMe

Dere's another Vaishno Devi..Down South !!

2010-01-01T13:33:00.000+05:30

Many a times, what you plan of in the start..just doesn't go as planned. On the new year's eve, I planned a well anticipated trip to Goa, a bike ride covering 750 kms from Bangalore to Goa. Well, didn't knew if it was my good luck or right senses,But I dropped this plan to Goa(I do cared about my back !!). So with Goa trip being scrapped n me, short of any other excursion ideas, I came across with idea of going to this Shiva Temple at Tiruvannamalai (woof,spelled d word right). The day was auspicious and the team was fun..So here went the trotter rounding about the Globe again. After reaching and covering this place, I realized that Vaishno Devi at Jammu isn't the only arduous trip to seek god(ess), there is Tirvanamalai Temple at Tiruvanamalai,T.N that will give enough rememberance of the former. Why do I say so ? and What is special about this place?,you will know in the coming para's.

We started a team of 3 at around 7.30 pm from IIMB and hopped on the bus at around 8 from Central silk board. Karnataka Inter-state Private bus was itself,a first time experience,for me. Two seater and three seater arrangement were similar to my state transport but seats were congested n my long leg space had no chance. DVD played on TV was beyond my understanding and thus I preferred my Samsung Tocco's music more than TV pictures. D trip was about 4.5 hrs long and trust me, I spent all the time observing the sleeping, adjusting, and snoring behaviour of humans for a sample size of around 30.

We reached Tiruvanamalai at 00.45 on 31 December.I got a hint of the voyage,on my way to reaching Bus stand,by seeing families move bare foot at this stroke of hour. Only later, I realized that I too,would walk the same path with them.

Starting our journey from Temple's entrance, the plan was to cover 8 lingams of Shiva situated at distances along the 15 kms path by bare foot. The proposition was adventurous and I grabbed it. We started the walk along that dark n dimly lit path which was never alone or serene. People were moving along with us during the whole journey...thus, FIRST similarity with Vaishno Devi!! Day or night..everyone is moving..But here, it was in single direction. Actually the walk was a circumvent around hill where the temple is located. So, there wouldn't be people coming back ur way :-).

SECOND similarity was the arduous task of walking 15 kms (against Vaishno Devi's 13.5 kms) but it was simple as the road was straight(not sloped) but the caution is to cover the same by BARE FOOT. That is where my adventure streak dampened after half of journey was covered. Against any option to wear shoes now(sadly, they were deposited at shoe counter at start only), I walked the later path with those sore feet glued with pebbles, gravels coming below my steps.

At around 11 kms cover stretch, I reached the THIRD similarity. Remember, Adibadri at half way to Vaishno's Bhawan at top, there we used to have a constrained path to go through the stones. Here too, there was a temple to give u the same experience, although bit easier because here, the path to travel was straight, and not Topsy curvy as in Adibadri. But, Worth to give u Adibadri's shivers again

The end of journey was to temple to have Shiva's Darshan. They have coupons for special darshan( Rs.20) and extra special (Rs.50) darshan. Rs. 20 were all,that we deemed appropriate and thus,went thru fast through the special corridors only to find a long spiral queue at the end. I met my horror again of being bored in a waiting queue for 1.5 hours. Finally, after following a serpent like curve of human queue, I reached inside the temple only to be exposed to the FINAL similarity

They wont allow you to stand there more than 3 seconds (Vaishno's temple was 2 seconds,right). You come to front, bow before god(no kneeling allowed),take bhasm(yagya powder) from Panditji n keep moving ahead to exit. And It does makes you feel that was it worth a journey to cover only in end to be allowed this much of time with the deity? I wouldn't debate on this any more because beliefs and religion are somethings I have my differences with.

While covering all this, The clock keep running and it turned 7.30 am, when we exited to take a bath to freshen ourselves. A lot of private bathrooms are rented here to take dirt and tiredness out of body system. Freshened for resuming our journey back to Bangalore, we bid adieu to the place at 8.30 am and I reached back to IIMB at 2 pm

Well in all, the trip was adventurous and arduous in sense that it was an 18 hours stretch journey without sleep and rest and that we had to travel bare foot along the coarse road paths. But,a sense of satisfaction and rest came to my mind in the end that I am starting my new year on an auspicious note.

VinMe

Place: Tiruvanamalai
Speciality: Shiva Temple symbolism of tussle b/w Brahma and Vishnu
What to go for: A 15 km walk on bare foot to experience faith & belief in diety
How to go: Inter-State bus from Bangalore, (Central silk Board)
Travel time (One side): 5 hours(average)
Duration of trip: 1 day (maximum)
Expenses: Minimal (300 Rs. per person)

Final Part-Heart-Less Story

2009-08-11T16:36:00.000+05:30

"Life is as hard or simple as u wish it to be. Whatsoever the world gives you, cannot be changed.",Kazen said."This you fill up from the love and attention of the near ones. But what if those, dear to your heart, break you. Suddenly, you are alone in this world",and Alan closed his eyes in shame and despair.His pledge seemed to be breaking away.

After learning that he has a brain damage which doesn't let flow his emotions, Alan didn't know what to do. He kept talking to Kazen,regularly,but could see a change coming in their relationship.No body was talking, No body was understanding. Alan, couldn't find the courage to tell the truth out of the fear of losing her.His pledge of caring for her love always assured him everything will be all right.

Kazen,was perplexed at Alan's behaviour. He couldn't change so much,so soon.There's something which is troubling him more than he can endure. Otherwise, how can he miss my subtle ways of alluring him, chiding him and cajoling him in their talks. His mind is somewhere and it should be returned back to normal.

Kazen went to Alan's place without notice. She wanted to surprise him, although Alan didnt show any reaction to seeing her. Kazen, didnt commented on it. She was there, to find the reason for it,not lament on it.In the meanwhile, Alan went away for having some refreshments for them, Kazen thought of starting their story afresh with remembrance of previous times. She rummaged through Alan's diary and there, she came across the medical report.She was shocked at reading it. She shrieked and turned back,to found Alan standing in the doorway,looking at the report at her hand.

Alan, rushed at her,snatched the report, and assured her" I will make it alright. Don't worry, See I am reading all our past times written, in this diary,although this report,too, is kept along to remind me of my limitations".It is hard,I know, but I would solve it myself, somehow; please don't leave me for this". Kazen started weeping, She was broken and amazed at his behaviour.She looked at him and said,"Life is as hard or simple as u wish it to be. Whatsoever the world gives you, cannot be changed.",Kazen said."This you fill up from the love and attention of the near ones. But what if those, dear to your heart, break you. Suddenly, you are alone in this world",and Alan closed his eyes in shame and despair.His pledge seems to be breaking away.

And now this morning, two years since that day passed, Alan, remembered how the events that day,changed his life. He got married sooner after that, but still wondered,what if, that day would have been otherwise.

He turned to other side of bed,found his wife intently looking at him,just like every morning;Alan smiled out of routine..and said" Thank you darling, for understanding me, and for being the love I seeked",and he embraced Kazen in his arms. Kazen,too lovingly,caressed him as she always used to do. She said,"So wat if our relationship have a little less flow of emotions, but the intent and the hearts are still the same. I love you for what u are, and would be along till my lifetime". And they kissed each other, to start another nice morning of their lives.

VinMe

Heart-Less Love Story Part2

2009-07-29T00:43:00.000+05:30

"Alan, It seems you have Lost something today..and that is the ability to read my heart n the emotions. You seem to have changed..Changed a lot in a fortnight"
Alan was wondering why Kazen said these words..has something really happened..Has he really lost something in him? He needed to know..and so he travelled back in his memory.

After coming back from Kazen place, he had joined his workplace.Wishing and expecting a sweetened life ahead, each of them took a vow to remain happy n cheerful to make other feel less of the pain of separation. Appropriating fake feelings from the mind was one thing they learnt well.

Alan,was on his usual trip to Kazen's place.A bike trip was made for 180 mile distance. Alan was off with a Haversack on his back and his speed raced to 90 mph.Although he scented d fragrance of his woman,but he shrug his mind to concentrate on the road. A left turn across the steep curve and he slowed the speed. Just about to make the curve, he tilted his bike and suddenly,a big Land rover moved in behind him. He hadnt much time to control his balance and car went through his side at swoooshing sound. God! he was saved somehow from this.He stopped his bike on the road side and lowered his helmet to gain some composure. He brought his head down in his hands and the perspiration was palpable.His heart was racing faster and he closed his eyes in relief.

0.5 of a second it was that he got, to see the mini truck hitting him from the front.SUV's rash driving had changed truck's direction at curve end and it never realized the still bike driver at roadside in time. Alan, was off in mid air and feel back 12 metres from the site. He saw hazy pictures of clouds seeping thru sun and a sudden shade of darkness emerging. He didnt wanted to die..there were so many things left undone..meeting Kazen..giving her gifts unimagined..watching her smile..He closed his eyes..for a Prayer to keep him alive!!...For his promises..for innumerable wishes he had..for loving his Karen.

Somebody was knocking his elbow. He tried to neglect..too tired of a deep sleep. The hands were now giving continuous pushes. He opened his eyes, with great pain and less energy, to see a square cabin with doctors around examining his skull covered with bandages. Alan, panicked. Doctors assured him he was okkey and out of any danger. They said he suffered from a brain injury and direct trauma occured inside his skull to damage his "Amygdala", situated near the temporal lobes. Although no crack and hemorrhage occured, still this part of his brain had been affected. The full report was to come later.

Relieved after two weeks time,Alan rushed back to his place to continue his life. This case of an accident was kept hidden to prevent any tensions/worries arising out to Kazen. As no visible damage occured, he escaped the questions from his friends and mates. But to keep it hidden from Kazen was hard, very hard, for she will not understand his absence.

He called Kazen, and she picked the phone in an excitement similar to what a nomad has to quenching thirst from a water source in a hot desert summer. Wait n Wait and then u find some satisfaction. "Where were you ?, why were u away?, Why u didnt picked my calls?, Are you all right? where had u been?" the questions didnt seem to end any time soon.

Alan answered each one of them with the story he had in mind to conjure a fake reason for his absence. He knew it wouldn't be receipted well on other side but he didnt felt any guilt in this. It was like he knew what he was doing but couldnt feel the bad or good about it. Kazen, as expected, realized something, and pressed hard. Alan maintained his story. Kazen went quiet. She didnt uttered a word for minutes in which the only sounds were, of her breaths rise n fall. Alan remembered this situation but didnt knew how to react. His anxiousness n curiosity, when it came to knowing Kazen's mind,seem to be lost.He didnt felt bad or helpless when he couldnt answer to her response.and then, Kazen said something he never wished to listen" I think You have something in mind and that is big enough that u dont have space to understand what is going thru my heart.How much I have been looking from you and how well you have responded today. Alan, It seems you have Lost something today..and that is; the ability to read my heart n the emotions. You seem to have changed..Changed a lot in a fortnight"

What was it ? Alan wondered. What happened actually.Why he couldnt feel the things Kazen was talking about. Why even after Kazen's fear n worries, he cannot feel anything in his mind. Ohh yes..his mind..this has to do something with his mind. He searched the report & rummaged through the diagnosis. "Amygdala Damage" was the problem, he searched for the meaning n found it on the end pages. Amygdala damage referred to damage to small structure in front part of skull cerebrum and this structure is responsible for emotional memory. Now, He may remember the trauma, the pain, the happiness but cannot feel it anymore. The emotions will not run thru his blood anymore...It would mean that He will love Kazen..But He would not feel the giggle n happiness of it anymore..That s the change he was in..That is the part he had lost..his emotions...!!

He had his love story but didnt have the heart to feel it. With no clues how to do it, He was desperate to continue and maintain this heartless Love story ahead..for himself..for His Kazen..For his Promise.

(Last part coming soon)
VinMe

Heart-Less Love Story-Part1

2009-07-25T13:33:00.000+05:30

"You are my life.I have always wondered how it would have been without you in my life..Alan, I always want to be close to ur arms and feel myself lost..away from this world of sorrows and greed..You understand me and complete me wholly..Alan ! I love you..Love you so much.."

This 27 second ring tone on the Alan's Mobile acted as a Morning alarm for him, reminding him of words of his love..Kazen !The length of the ring tone superseded Alan's age by 1 while the contents of the ring tone made him go back in years by more than that time. Fighting the urge to slumber back to sleep, Alan remembered the day when these words changed his life..the day his love Kazen was along..The day when the time stood still!

Kazen and Alan were together as friends from the time they met each other. Each one knew of the other best and worst times and wanted to caress other by instilling a feeling of life and happiness again. Time used to went by quickly they were together..Howsoever,hard they tried it to..they could never match up with time..which always succeeded in closing down the affairs. And then there were moments, they thought they defeated it..when they remained cuddled in each other arms..when they saw sun rise..glow in shine n going down..all the time they being together..Time was running slow..slow as they were able to catch more memories that could be counted in seconds they spent.

Kazen's identity was unknown to many, including herself. She wanted to break free..be along with Alan..forgive and forlorn the world for what it was..But she couldn't forgive the feelings for Alan.Life for her,had a meaning of happiness and pristine characters everywhere.
Alan,on the contrary, knew that world may not be fine n understanding to both of them, and so remained in the reality n cruelty of world around him. He knew that Love to Kazen is something bestowed to him for his being doing the good deeds to someone..somewhere.

And then, the time came..the day they were to go in different directions. The day they could have made a decision, the time which was correct, the moment they should have decided correctly. But they went away from each other..leaving each other's life to disarray, wondering why their lives were so short..short in happiness and enjoyment they had each other..Each was wondering whether they would b able to live again. they contended that life has decided this for them..

They were wrong and they discovered this soon..

Kazen called Alan,some time later, her voice crackling, her words confusing, her accent fazed and Alan, could not judge better that something wasn't right."Should I Come there", asked Alan..There was no reply..he got his answer and reached her place before the sun opened his eyes the next day.
Kazen met him with the same zeal n eagerness they used to feel..the world was too small..they realized again..it was made of two people..Kazen n Alan. And then Kazen told him
"You are my life.I have always wondered how it would have been without you in my life..Alan, I always want to be close to ur arms and feel myself lost..away from this world of sorrows and greed..You understand me and complete me wholly..Alan ! I love you..Love you so much.."

He couldn't control his emotions.The words kept flowing,so his tears. How could she knew what was going inside his heart. How could he ever had told her if she wouldnt have said the same to him,as today. Alan recorded her voice in that comment.This he knew would be the morning mantra for him, to remember how his life is bounded to someone who is bound to get all love from the start of day till the last lights of darkness. this became his daily morning ring tone..Not as Reminder of Kazen..But a Reminder of his promise..The promise his life was living for

"To Care his love to give her all happiness, the life could bestow"

VinMe

Visit to Hot Hill station

2009-06-11T22:03:00.000+05:30

My various last visits had been to hot places where either i had been sweating a lot or was combating with the sun heat hitting at my face. After my necessary stint required at Mumbai, i headed back for Delhi and had already decided for this retreat to something cool and soothing than the hot weather I experienced in my last two months. had my college mates along to make the trip more enjoyable(& thats why its not a trotter visit), and we routed ourself for Nainitaal..the city of lakes..

The best way to reach from Delhi..well there are two similar routes from either bus or rail side..The earlier route takes approximately 8 hrs while the later takes 6 hrs.Although the bus service is irregular, still the distance can be travelled in pieces at any moment of day( or night). We started our journey at around 1.30 in night from anand vihar bus stop and reahced muradabad(first station).Next bus to Haldwani took another 3 hours and from there another bus/cab ride for nearly 1 hr 15 minutes. In all a staggered ride post which my body n face showed no signs of life..We needed a room and that too fast..to keep our bodies away from tottering.This is how we reached Nainitaal..

Best thing about this place..well Naini Lake for the start..water lake sorrounded by mountains and giving a panoramic view of the engulfed beauty all along while u stroll along the Mall road which moves in parallel.u can move along this 1 km stretch to enjoy shopping and chill breeze on either sides. All the big market buzz and other buy-hush stuff is available here for the visitors. you can move along to see a mix of hotels, restaurants,shopping stalls, and other vendors at the roadside selling the usual stuff that you can see at any other hill station. No wonders and different stuff here till now..Move ahead till the end of lake and road meets a police post, u can see a church, a temple and gurudwara, all located at near distances..Well somethings are in peace here..thats nice to see and behold.

Its not like this is the only thing in Nainitaal. What is a hill station visit if you didn;t climbed the hill peak. our plans were scheduled for China peak, the hardest but the night buzz and its effect on the morning rise made us change the plans to Snow Peak. Although you can find a trolley tram to go up the hill but hell, why are the young legs for ?.. We found the answer in a while after starting our journey. The steep hill and the less travelled road made the distance much difficult.tried all short cuts( through roots, trees, steep cuts,roof tops) but still took the same distance to reach the top..LEARNING--"Do not tread ur own path while climbing a hill..That one is for roads". and what we found at the hill top was enough to demotivate us more. nothing but just a hilltop with no special view of anything..Keep away the snow part..we couldn't see the clouds itself..May b we came here at the wrong time of the year..and so mistook snow peak to be perennial..The peak Had other amusements such as steep rides, go karting and other stuff which we enjoyed and suffered likewise.

The second half of the day was scheduled for a bus ride to visit the lakes nearby city. all of them looked similar and there was literally nothing in special to Bhimtal, saattal and other nearby temples.The ride ended somewhere 6.30 in the evening and with that our day at nainitaal. We travelled back to our respective cities the next day and there too, one important thing..do not intend to travel in daytime..as the bus service to other cities is erratic..( Experienced while going and coming back)..

Rest all the city is ok in my chart and a go away from city heat..If u can bar away from the heat of the city people there..

VinMe

Some things Shall not Change..For Good !!

2009-06-01T10:41:00.000+05:30

Does a trotter comes back to the same place.. Well dictionary explains me as someone who walks fastly in short steps, like in a hurry. But this trotter wants to slow down here, to reach back to one place where he started his life as a trotter. My first job took me there and this place is awesome for its simplicity & back to ground basics. What you expect from a place like this is not what you will get. No fixed menu for food, no place for rest and neither a cold bottle of water...But the rest and siesta at this place is indeed refreshing..Cold breeze blowing round the day and in the rainy weather, this place abounds so much freshness that you would realized a pure nature bliss here..Enough of a suspense, the place is Sinhgad.
All those who have been to this place and for those who haven’t, My suggestion is to go again with an idea of getting a respite from fast, hazy and restless world. This hill adobes that peace which will entrench ur senses.
I, myself, went with the same notion. Busy and transfixed in Job & presentations, I calmly allowed myself this trip owing to the needed break I required. Just to have a nice afternoon lunch at this place made me pack my bag (with a shirt & toiletries) and move in an AC coach to Pune, especially on a Saturday morning.
You catch a morning 6 am train at Dadar (Indrayani Express) and reach pune in three hours. A bus to Swargate at 6 Rs. Fare leaves outside the station every 5 minutes. Reaching Swargate you have two options, either to wait for a Bus No. 50(takes directly to Fort) or take a shared auto via Dhayari & Khadakwasla. Reaching to taxi stop, you board a jeep (again Shared Rs.30) for hilly road travel. The Jeep will take you hill ride to top of hill where the Singhad fort is located.

Oops Sorry to add, I met a family with a couple and two kids from Nagpur who were visiting the same place. My globing around turned me into a guide for them and that made my visit more “Interesting”. Well, reached the hill top to find the same entrance by Great Shivaji whose memorial is built at start to explain the history of this place. They say his person Tanaji, famously re captured this fort from his enemies by climbing this 3500 ft mountain by using Komodo dragon (Big Lizard) as planks to climb ropes. He was referred as Lion and hence the fort got its name as Sinhgad (Fort of Lion). Walking on the stone steps, which have degraded far too much in age and rains, you slowly climb the hill by foot and in the way, finding local vendors selling fruits and jamuns etc to quench thirst n empty stomach..ahmm ahmm,.No Coke,pepsi here..Just these things available..Barring one or two restaurants, no one offers packaged foods and Cold drinks and eating Non vegetarian, consumption of liquor and smoking is all banned here too..Too much for a small place..Naeh..Niether is it such a small thing to neglect and nor is this place so small to forgive that.

Go ahead and you find a temple where you get fresh potable water wit coldness so soothing it will surely quench your thirst..This is you Bisleri here( mountain Bisleri). Go ahead and you reach the fort in ultimatum. This is a place where you can appreciate the bravery and courage of fighters to cross over an appreciable straight wall this much high. And for tourists, Sit at the edge of the roof of tower, feel the breeze blowing, look down at the deep gorge and then forget the world behind. Believe me, it’s a one in all feeling. If a trotter like me can come back to this place for experiencing this, I do believe you will appreciate this vey much.

Next comes the better part!! Afternoon Lunch! You approach back the clear area in mid of the path to fort and there you will find ld ladies chanting the monotone words of bhakar, kanda vadi, taak etc..All in all, so many chefs but the dish is same..I went to same tree shed I sat the last time, 4 years back, and as per last routines, the lady only asked the number of people taking lunch. No menu, no paneer bhurji,dal tadka ,chowmein chilly..nothing..Just Bhakar vadi, Kaanda bhajji, chhachh is what you will get..Price is cheap..Floor mat is torn..Tree shade is cool and the group of people around is all localoids. So in all, you get a maharashtrian culture back to basics where there is no western mask of Mc’D’s or potato chips squandering around. Liked this the last time I was here and Loved it this time I experienced it. On the menu, I ate three bhakar, kadhi, thrice the taak & twice the kulfi too..So much to eat and combined price of 5o bucks. A nice siesta later for 45 minutes during which I forget that I was sleeping in open shade of a tree. This place is so amazing that you feel like you should stay here for more which no other place can provide. Well the sun was blazing and I needed to move to my next place. So much for the experience, so much for the trip, so much for the life. I went at around 3 pm from this place.

In end, there are some things which are liked for the things they behold. Some places do not change with time and that’s what the better part of it is. The same price menu, the same travel price charges and then no adulteration from external culture. This is why, Some things should not change, for good!!

VinMe

Trotter..Fell in Love..AGAIN

2009-05-25T16:10:00.000+05:30

Trotter kept moving his feet in search of a place which is an adobe to movie crazy and achievement frenzy people. Moving along a slow local train and reaching the heart of Mumbai Central, There is a cinema Theatre with its history so reputed that It beams straight out from the golden books.
Well, enough to create the mystery, My next trot is towards MARATHA MANDIR, the archaic Cinema theater at Mumbai Central to be an admirer of History in making..700th week of "Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge".

TO start with, the theater is very near to Mumbai Central East side and only a 5 minute walk will reach you there. The DDLJ is screened at 11:15 in the morning matinee show( the only show for the day) and the tickets are priced at Rs.20.Yeah, you heard it right,only Rs.20 in Mumbai for 3 1/2 hours of AC wind and a nice romantic flick being played.Reached there at 11:30 and missed the initial scorelines and intro song.

But my entry in the theater was received with mirror glaring in brightness and the paintings glowing in shine..Nostalgic feeling of going back to old theaters at hometown and much more in terms of wooden frames, squeaking chairs and foam-haystack filled seats.

Enjoyed the start of movie with Amrish Puri's hoarse n hard voice rocking through the hall. The movie went ahead and I moved back in time. The times when I watched the movie on VCR in cable transmission n voice cracking and breaking in between. Never realised I missed so many important parts of the movie with time. As the flow maintained, My memory retained senses and I started babbling dialogues along with the stars. The whistles, the hushes, hools and the sighs of the crowd made the experience of '95 relive again.Although a lot of crowd was daily wagers, still an appreciable city crowd gathered the scene. In all, the songs hymned, the dialogues prespired, the scenes passed by and the TROTTER fell in Love again, with the love n romance screened on the cinema label. DDLJ is indeed, a movie to fall in love again. Had fallen into love with the movie and waited for the hero turn his romance to heroism and take the girl back to his home when the interval came.Sadly, I had to leave immediately owing to Next project lying ahead of me, but still i am intending to come once again and complete the movie this time.

Well, Maratha Mandir houses latest movies too and is a normal theatre with no extravagant looks. But sometimes, The mind finds sobriety in a place which gathers you back to old and nostalgic moments. Go watch DDLJ there and fall in Love again..!
VinMe

Harder Reply..

2009-05-22T15:37:00.000+05:30

Relationships..!! Some feelings which relates us, binds us, joins us,groups us for reasons of love,care,hatred and vengeance. Relationships are both made by self or either put on you by family/friends. Throughout our lives, we come across various people, for various reasons, in various relations, for various events. These people have different purposes for meeting, for being together and for interacting with us. What is similar in all the cases is you, your name, your identity as known by all people. My idea here is that we maintain different relationships with different people and hence, maintain them in separate manner. A single identity like you has to mold himself every time, he has to connect with a new person. But sometimes there are some people who are extremely close to ur heart,decisions and life itself. What do you do for these people.

And when it comes to make a decision of being together with them or leaving them mid way,Will U be able to take logical decision ?

When It comes to receiving a Love proposal from someone u admire,care and adore but don't feel that hearty tingle, would You be able to reject that proposal. Would your heart be strong enough to make other face the blow.
And What if you have to accept a love proposal from someone whom you love, but are sure wouldn't be able to carry along because of inhibitions and restrictions. Would you be wise enough to reject the love coming along your way.

So Is accepting Love a harder decision or rejecting It a daunting task ?

Love, I have heard, is not achievable. It comes itself to one who is worthy enough of receiving it. It is a wonderful irony to relieve something when you were never sure of having it.Love, it is said, gives all happiness to lives but again,it is a source of desperation,pains and vows ahead. Admiration,adoration and caring relates one to others' good but love seeks something more which is mutual and that mutuality of happiness, coziness and understanding fuels this passion.You are approached by someone you love and her eyes are fixed on another guy,What will you do ?..Yeah Yeah..a bollywood flick scene..But what if it happens in reality ?

Let me show you two options..First, be a yesteryear cinema superstar and leave the world for her to enjoy.BE a good wedding friend and carry her hand to the boy to make them marry each other. What about you in this all? What about the better life you would have given her? What about the other heart Which you let suffer, to make the other happy. Wouldn't you dare enough to show the most desirable n worthy individual of her hand ? Will your confidence and yearn for her weaken out because someone else had entered ? Love and war have no rules, only war end up in bloodbath which is visible.Is the decision to take your love easier here ?

And in the other option..D latest shtyle..grab her hand..take her to your place and admire her more and more to impress her towards you..Will your heart be naive enough not to feel a guilt inside you of not allowing someone get her life chance. Is this decision of holding your love for your love only,wise and easy ?

Just enough..I know there is no end to these thoughts. I mean It may all look crap and useless, but it is held by heart and decisions of the heart do not carry any mind behind them. Now I understood why there is a heart and a mind together in a human body. Both are essential and both are prominent but both need other for controlling themselves.

Thanks..

Stints..Short,Super n Stylish

2009-05-21T10:41:00.000+05:30

Well, there were many other places that I have missed in my recent blogs about places at Hyderabad. Some of them included Lumbini Park, Birla Science Museum, Planetarium, Dinosorium & A.P Archeological Museum. Lumbini park famous for the a good hang out place in the evenings with the water fountain, laser lights, floral clock on the outside and the way to Buddha statue through ferries and boats available at lake shore. Birla Science Museum in itself a collection of old, historic and some memoirs of Indian Science. Excavations since the Krishna age, India'a advent in space age, Rewards and honours for Indians and Others,Indian Antarctica Mission..I mean the list was large and varied from classes and topics. Dinosorium was a usual stuff with a Real like Dino model placed in the room middle and all the writings on the wall about origin, life and extinctions of this beastly life. Planetarium was a nice place to visit for the 40 minutes movie they displayed With a circular dome shaped screen giving it a see-it-real feeling. Atleast I saw stars studded sky after long time, may be fake but atleast had a feel of being child again,at my home looking in vast sky. More than educational, this movie was alluring towards learning thru explanations and simulations that they had made in the movie. With your head set at inclined seats, you can watch up in the limitless skyline dome to experience the "Galaxy Oddyssey" Yeah thats what they called it. In all, It was a nice , not to be missed attraction, if u are visiting Birla Mandir and around.

And then there was this Archeological museum, housed by government carrying various sections based on paintings, sculptors, books, furniture and lot of historical stuff. This is located in Public gardens which itself is famous for hanging out right from the sunrise. Located at place near Nampally Rly. Station, this museum was easily accessible as I was Staying at Hotel nearby. I went in the morning well before the entry timings and waited for the clock to display 10:30. Entered the building and Started with the paintings section which housed similar paintings as were displayed in Salarjung Museum. I have one question for the painters of Moghul period. Why do they always show Emperors and nizams with a Rose flower in the paintings and that too with the side pose only. Weren't other flowers available or were their fragnance itching for the noses. And for the side poses, were their postures less impressive when painted from the front side. I mean all the pictures..They are painted with a rose flower in right hand and man himself, posed on the side views only.

Well, come out of this section and u enter Mummu section which houses a real mummy of the daughter of 6th Pharaoh of Egypt. The daughter must of be 16-18 years of age as the mummy was short in length. Her foot fingers were still visible from the age-torn clothes and her face was covered by the mask that they hold. It was one among the seven mummies placed in the whole India's museums. Well see the pic and decide how beautiful it is..

Other things were Buddha Section, south statues sections and westren section. Seen a large wooden chariot with huge sized dinosaurial cabinet to sit on three floors of the chariot. Then there was a marriage mansion with the paintings and engravings done on the ceiling. Look at the pictures to believe and experience yourself.

In all, these visits were although short but they were stylish and super in unique way. Excursions in Hyderabad can be made better by including them in your itinerary. Bye

VinMe

Last Step..the Hardest

2009-05-21T07:58:00.000+05:30

Coming towards the end of my stint in Hyderabad, I trot towards the old section of Hyderabad, just to feel the Nizami & urdu zeal among people living there. This was ought to be the last step in my journey & it turned out to be the hardest one too.

I went to my friends house( previous job & College mate) on holiday & he greeted me with the news of a power blackout. Well, its really not easy to step out of Room Ac environment & shift/accustom yourself to sweating rooms..The Harder steps were about to follow. During my travel b/w these two places( hotel & Friends House), the Bus & Auto travel itself was hectic as both of them turned their faces off When they were most desired. Stayed inside the room till evening until the sun's anger was precipitated and wind gods tried to show any resistance, and then my shout..Take me to the CHARMINAR. He & His friends looked at me in mesmerize & pity and asked whether I really want to go there. I praised hard for the monument and its history and repeated my wish to be there. Okay, said my old pal, I am going and just going for your sake, but would like to hear ur comments after we return.

Started our journey and went along in an auto, who was again a adamant fellow who felt that using auto meters would depreciate their value and that his mouth is his meter charges dis player. Nothing to be done, we had to accept what his mouth vouched for and started our journey. Well, it was a journey with adventures curves, near misses(to an accident) and a dashing climax with the traffic cop hitting the auto driver duo nice slaps and taking 200 bucks for these services.

Well Well, Charminar was here.And how well it was there. A four pillar building, well built(muscular) and crowd all around it. The place around Charminar is densely populated market mostly made up of jewellery,bangles,perfumes etc with No eatery anyway near to it..( mark these words..NO EATERY.!!).The pictures of this place from different views has been pasted along. So have a view of this monument and decide for yourself the necessity of hard cut out chase among other trotters to visit this place. Entry time is limited to 5 pm..So make sure u reach early to see the crowd gather at Mecca Masjid( situated alongside).All four sides of this place was dense crowded area and among them the bus routing and auto fellows were only increasing the mess. Literally a crowd of hundreds with no direction was around and So the best part for us was to gain a sense by moving in One direction. We chose it to be Laad bazaar on left side. It is a market famous for ornamental bangles, fancy artificial jewellery,pearls and other ladies stuff. This market was well lit by lights for artificial shine to fake gold jewellery and hence, visiting it by evening was fun.

In all, my move towards Charminar was purely from Trotter point of view.For a traveller of interest, this post must be useful to make an ample decision of hardships v/s results. Anyways, Enjoy( try to),being @ Charminar..most well as I did..

VinMe

Clocks !! Made as Time piece,Huh ?

2009-05-20T23:25:00.000+05:30

Clocks..Those big hands showing time and duration of day house in a big box or eithr mounted on top of a city centre building. Thats the only thing you might know about an old, aka ancient clock. The same thoughts run through my mind too but till my trot reached Clock Section at Salarjung Museum. There's a reason to keep this section as a different post to previous article and this dates back to the special attraction this ection holds owning various masterpieces in art and thinking the makers had in these clocks. A mention of two-three models is not enough, there are almost every different way to represent time in these clocks...And I felt clocks were made as time piece !!

Horologues..Thats what they were called till 14th century..Dunno Why they changed it to clocks..Well Whatsoever that reason was..here thats more than a clock..its a marvel carved out in various materials n manners..Be it in the shape of hexagons,Round, Square or triangular, I think I learned geometry better here than mathematics in school. Then, there was a clock in the shape of mandolin with dials for temperature,rainy/dry seasons,year and month etc. These people had already thought a lot n expected much more than a time piece..Right ?? Add to that a helm clock indicating dials for months/days/climate & time piece( of course). I mean a simple thing as clock could serve so many purposes, truely they had a lot of time to think n do things.

Other tyes of clocks included Marble pedestal clocks, Ball shaped clocks(the circumferance acting as viewing pane), Globe shaped clocks( indicating time with place), Solo Cupid & Duo Cupid Clocks, Pillar housed Clock and lot more.

If that was not enough, you cannot expect more than seeing a monk on an elephant clock, Cut glass pedestal clock, a clock in a gun carriage, Balloon or balloonist shaped clocks.It seemed that these people had a memorial symbol in clocks for every time epoch. A carriage of animals had a clock housed in the wheels n although the size was minuscule, a convex lens was put ahead to improve visibility n view. End of the gallery contained a bicycle clock, globe/world map housed clock, an Atlas clock and a dial hanging clock.

And if you are thinking I moved in all the museum to see these things, stop ur imagination right here. All of this was contained in a 70*35 footsteps space.Well again so much to have in so less a space..but everything worth n everything unique.
I know I am not justifying the posts by not posting any pictures for these places. But they are not allowed there n better, this post will be more lip-smacking & exciting for travellers and explorers to reveal the real magic of these things.. SO Visit n Explore..Bye
VinMe

Best Things..Come for free..ALMOST

2009-05-20T14:41:00.000+05:30

Travelling along the roads of Hyderabad on the way to Old city, you will reach a place where you will find a mix of greenery and grandeur together..This place is Salarjung Museum.Well this is a best place for history n art lovers, almost a huge full day collection to ponder over..and the price of this all is a meagre Rs. 10. Well, see the post below n apprise urself that Best things in world really comes for free..almost

I wouldnt go into details which are already published on web regarding the no. of display rooms, sculptures, paintings, books etc that are housed in this museum. Niether this is about the history n work of Salargunj, the person who singlehandedly( well, almost) collected these items. This post is mainly posted for mentioning the experience of visiting this place n seeing the collections that this place beholds. Lets start our journey with the Ground floor of central part of the building

Starting with the Paintings based out of Moghul n Sufi age, there was a painting of a saint with a cat. Couldn't trace the reason of painting this portrait as I couldnt sense the relationship of Saints n cat..one near to Allah..other to egyptians. Other good paint was for a composite plant of various animals protuding out of roots n leaves of plant and all of them looked positively angered. May be a representation of all facets among life forms growing day by day, building daily and showing its faces on puberty. Moving ahead in Moghul paintaings n Bikaneri class, you can see the battle scene of 16th century and the intricacy of displaying soldiers n horses with weaponary on the field along with their home,hamlets n wives in the background at lower horizon to give the effect. This is a general pattern of Bikaneri paintings but the intricate description got me hooked.

Next I went to Box/earthen ware sections and the designs n pitchings on them will catch ur eyes n breaths for sure. Name it..anything from Masaaledaan(Spice Box), Itradaan( Scent Box),Spitoon or a milk jar. They are all exquisite class of art n engravings on these utensils were like awesome. Imagine this, Can u expect to see stories inscribed on a hexagon shaped teabox with colors n shapes still so lively..Thats why these things are amazing.

One more Famous things here is Vieled Rebecca..This comes under Westren section of Museum.This statue made in marble is of a lady covered with a silk cloth & this silk cloth makes it lovely. Description of a silk covered face through marble was so good to believe the class of art the sculptor would have. and then there is Double Statue. This statue holds the picture of a man with his chin high in esteem n proud and on the back side is a woman with her face bowed down in respect and humility. This statue, made of wood, resembles dual personality in humans. haughty n proud on one side demands respect n humility in the backdrop.Well i felt this message,better this must be d real one, anyways my learning is over.
Come over to next section containing Glass bowls n glassware. Designs, colors, shine and smoothness is palpable in these bowls n bottles. Pictures, images n designs on their walls made them lovely n exquisite.

VinMe

Max Xperience...Max Entertainment

2009-05-19T18:43:00.000+05:30

Well For those Who have visited or about to visit Hyderabad, this one is a "Dont miss" stop.. A maximum entertainment is guaranteed when you visit Prasad Imax Theatre in Hyderabad. Located near Lumbini Park( again a famous spot..We'll discuss dat later), this theatre abounds in itself a mall, eatery and a lot of shopping venues. There's no best time to visit this place..Every time is great..Its just nicely built mall with a good crowd gathering to have fun. Finely and beautiful water sprinklers outside with a nice mall facade made of glass make this experience bigger.
I knew this already that I will visit this place whatever the movie they are playing. Sometimes, You hear about some places so much that You visit those just to experience them yourselves. So I went there, bought a ticket for 200 bucks for "Aliens v/s Monsters" and got inside. Waited a worthy half an hour for the movie to start because after that, it was pure awesomeness.You can say thats partially because of my first 3-D movie viewing experience, but there was something more..The KING Size Screen..The Thrashing sound and the theme of the movie. It was really a nice experience. Prasad imax has really been a class in itself in having max fun in movies. Every second was worth of the price I paid for the movie. Either be it the start or the middle, You were always mesmerized by the experience of watching reality story passing before ur eyes. Really spellbound for 94 minutes..I came out with one comment "F%&k, Why havent I come here the first day itself"

In all, a great experience to watch movies. Hope to have same fun again at some nice theatre with an Action movie next time..Till then..Have MAX fun..MAX entertainment..
VinMe

World's Longest...but Best ??

2009-05-16T11:25:00.001+05:30

The Globe is not limited n the trotter travels ahead to other places in Hyderabad. The places next in line are Hussain Sagar Lake & Indira Park. Hussain Sagar lake houses a Gautum Buddha Statue in the middle of lake and you have to board a board to reahc his lotus feet. Well, i never planned to touch his feet as I was bestowed by his blessings from above. While travelling along lower Tank road, i received sunshine in rays coming from behind his statue just in similarity to the aura statue of our gods in photos and posters. Well, taking that as enough, I travelled ahead to Indira park. the name says it.. Laid in memory for Indira Gandhi, a beautifully made garden for morning walkers,lovers,old age people and a haven for city people to get peace amidst city road traffic. Beautifully converted stones resembling animals and birds are laid out along the passages in the park. Sitting in the shade of a tree and hearing the birds chirping, the sun shading down, the breeze bristling slowly, It is a nice park to spend evenings alone or with close relatives. Have a look at the small lake view from the tree shades..It was good..!!

There's something along side this park known as the India's first and World'd Largest Snow theme park..SNOW WORLD. Well, the trotter doesnt stop n he continued to see after all the magnanimity of this place. The first thing one shud know..Dont try to go there by yourself, You wont get it..Its in a kind of alleyway and mostly known only by auto drivers. So just hop on an auto n he will take u there. Well, I reached there well before my session time which was scheduled to start at 6.30 pm. I booked my ticket and in the meanwhile had snacks at the side cafeteria. Went to see the other things here as Rain forest n House of Living dead. Found them spooky enough to let other people cry out with their mouths and come out shouting. Well..literally it made me spook out n was chilled at several instances. Well made n worth the price I paid for them.

I entered the snow theme park( WORLD"S LARGEST) n realised the fact that I was still in India. The crowd, their Hustles n rush, and the ill maintainence form Administration was palpable. Anyways, I was happy atleast to b able to get my sized shoes and jackets for apparels before entering theme park. Again the next stage was a Lounge where they maintained a cold( 0 C) temperature to make people accustomed with conditions ahead. But again, India was rushing in the hearts. There are moments when U like their hools, rush & excitement n wonder you will miss it sometime when u see the order coming in these places. So , I liked and waited for these people to unfurl their excitement in the real place ahead. The gates opened n the crowd rushed in. The speed of movement slowed as in a facade of ice was blocking them. I went in late in last installment n really found the temperature chilling. Well, that was it...Really that was it.. I remembered the view n said a hindi proverb which says" Oonchi dukaan..Feeka Pakwaan" ( aka The places with high names are often low in reality). Made in an area of less than half a football field, the park housed a roll ride, mount everest hike, dance fountain, Baski court, Rolling slopes and an Ice restaurant. Well too much..really too much for the small place they had. I started with the baski court game but needed a support. So I called one guy, seemed alone trotter like me.. We two played for 15 minutes n jumped and rolled a lot in ice for the game. then went ahead to have a rolling slope experience. A good one and the end of slope in ice is fun to do. By this stage, they started with artificial snowfall..That was enough of a fun for many who wouldnt have otherwise travelled to real snow places. Hiked the Everest in six steps( well a long height makes fun smaller, at times) and by that time, I was chilling with the ice in my boots. It was paining n chilling..So made my way out 5 minutes before my scheduled time..Replaced the apparels with the mgmt. and gpot out to have a hot coffee to sober my feet. Took a whole lot of time to get them accustomed to Hyderabd warmness outside.

In all, The snow world was worth an effort but not worth the amount( 250), they are charging for it. Niether it seems, that they are much interetsed in improving the experience. The rides r old n Everest hike was broken at places. Too much Hype..Too less reality..Go there with a family if you have never visited a snow place otherwise board your flight n go to Manali..See the real n feel the ice. Not here if you want unlimited fun experience.

Snow World may be the largest in World but If this is the largest, better try not to project it further. It is disappointing n unimpressive. Well, that was it from Snwo world side. Keep it moving for my next post to get the MAX 3D experience at the WORLD LARGEST 3D screen...Coming ahead..till then..keep Trotting..Bye

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Birla Mandir..All places, All purity

2009-05-15T13:22:00.001+05:30

My Latest stint is to Venkateshwar Temple..Visited this as my first site in Hyderabad..well the god's blessing is necessary for every auspicious start..The temple is located at hilltop..nothing like big hill..still enough for the overview of the city. Best time to visit is at night as the lights of city shows u the panoramic views of Hussain sagr lake, snow world, museums n churches around,almost everything visible from the top.

Birla Mandir, is this venkateshwar mandir,itself. Why it is called Birla Mandir, I dont know.Not like the last one at Kanpur that i visited( I mean no furnishing going on here), But the location is awesome, built in white marble n maintained clear clean..It will rock u by its beauty n dedication from visitors. A lot in crowd visit this place and their lane is enough to keep u waiting for darshan for hours. Better thing is to wait outside and have throbbing views all round the city.
Really liked the place for the height it is located at and the maintainence done at temple. Photographs and mobiles are not allowed. So keep them at the shoes store room only. Autos are available and this place is easily accessible to all locations. A distance of around 300-400 m needs to be covered by foot to reach hilltop.

I will suggest to go there if you are travelling Hyderabad.It is nicely built and a must see for travellers n tourists. Wait for my next article..
Bye

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Return to Holy Grail

2009-05-10T10:28:00.001+05:30

Another addition to my Trotter editions
this time the place is Ahmedabad..better known as Amdabad by the local residents.
Before starting to write abt my visit..there's one genuine comment abt the auto-Rickshaw drivers here..they are so sweet natured and genuine that everyone s interested in giving the best response to the visitors.

The places I went to were inside the city. My stay at IIM-ahmedabad was intensely motivated to make me trot away from the campus. The dense n dark dungeons seemed as a scene from harry Potter flicks. So, I thought better to start my trip from the place where it all started.D place which holds d famous logo of dis world renowned institute.

Return to Holy Grail

Robert Langdon searched for it his whole life n I searched for it my whole night. D difference between us lied in the intent n extent of our need. When I came to knw that the history of IIMA logo lies inside the city, my quest for the Holy grail seems ending. Taking my friend along, we went out from campus, shared an auto for 40 bucks n reached Sid Syed Mosque. This place, although protected under Indian heritage rules, doesnt attract much tourists. A small mosque located on road side, It would otherwise be oblivious to one's eyes unless U knw its importance to you..( Thats Why I said it as HOLY GRAIL). Made in 16th century in rememberance of Mughal emperors, this was one among various mosques n tombs made in their rememberance. The mosque is small n empty but that didnt deterred me.. My eyes peered through and found it. There it was..The pattern really mesmerizing. i couldn't resist taking numerous pics of it. and then I hit upon this wisdom..All the great things lie in small places. How much this pattern has been the part of great places n people n great names, still its origin is backed at such a small and sober place. Hats off to the person who used this symbol as it truly resembles the intricacy of art n management that the students at IIMA have to learn.Both are exceptional and both are rare to find..Here's the picture for you to find it out urself.

Count your life..!!

2009-04-17T13:58:00.000+05:30

How do you count your life? Is it the way you earn the money which gives u the pleasure of wealth, wine or women. Do you count it by the length of stay when you can see your children grow and be like you . Is it meant to be counted as an addition in ur family dynasty .Is it just another member on the family ration card. Or ur life is counted as the years u live where both you and those near u wonder whom they are living with.

Is life counted by the years we spend ? Is it meaningful to say that age of 23 is enough for me to live. Or is 65 enough. Is having a big family enough of ur life being counted as big. That big life which may never had any experience of enjoying its worth with others. Living alone for long..is it enough or countable in ur life span ?? If the answer to above is NO.. this is something U need to listen..

Life s not counted in years, neither in months, weeks, days or any feature of time. Life is not counted by big family and estates. Neither is life counted by your names in government records or big education institutes or big corporate offices. Ur life is valuable if it is counted in somebody’s heart. If someone values u there, he will count u forever whether u r alive physically or not. If this concept seems far fletched to understand, take this example. You may forget the richest and big estate holders but won’t forget that person who had quenched ur thirst in a grilly afternoon, or helped u in tough exams time, guided you through tough terrains of life. Were they extra rich or big family owners? Are they Counted anywhere in Google list. No, Not maybe.. But they r counted as indeed living, always , in your heart. For you, their life is counted, for you the life of richest is not countable.

This understanding of life gives us d importance of maintaining priorities in life. Do u wish to earn a huge lot of money for ur generations to plunder later, or a life worth remembered. I wish myself the latter role & this is indeed rewarding, while you live itself. Ok. Tell me this, how many times you have heard from someone whom you have helped in your normal course of work, how many times you have found enough shoulders to support you when you were down. How much you have found others helping u in things u never intended to do for urself. U may consider it to be a reverse side of altruism, but even altruism doesn’t make a person forget himself. Such is the fun of living in somebody else life and being counted as “living” till eternity.

Life is never a matter of time span we have to cross over from this life to other life platforms. It is only a manner of expressing urself for the joy of others. Everyone is bound to die..So what is the big deal about living rich, in tranquil, in tensions etc. These are all transient factors which will vaporize with ur body after life and they even keep changing when u r living. So, this mode of life is never a complete understanding of our motto. Thus, if there is some other way of living the life, why not adopt the way as discussed above. I am doing the same. Hope and wish to find a better way of enjoying my stay.

Do send ur remarks about this column.

Who's fast..The Heart or the Mind..

2009-02-18T11:14:00.000+05:30

I watched a movie. and my heart ached with emotions..

I observed an opportunity and ran to grab it soon.

I see my love and the adrenaline rushes at a jumbo.. I see my fate and my nerves twitch without any delay..

Who is fast.. My Heart or my mind..