Happy Friendship day :)

“There is nothing better than a friend”

Happy Friendship day

“Friends” ~ from the streets of Varanasi

 

Incredible Indeed

This is in continuation of my previous post காசியில் கால் பதித்தேன்.

Kasi is all about Myths, Facts, Wonders,  Characters all together totally a new world. For people like me, its a city of life. A day or even a week will not be enough.

Incredible Indeed.

காசியில் கால் பதித்தேன்

I stepped at Kasi…..

Stepped at Kasi

Varanasi – Kasi – Banaras – Anandhavanam, These four names refers to the same oldest living city, where it is assumed our sins are washed away by river ganges (Ganga). I got an invite from Umanath and for sure I didn’t want to miss this life time opportunity.

I stepped at Kasi, with so much of excitement and with my own imagination about the holy place as seen on Television, but all of wasn’t true. Never believe all you see on TV shows

A Scene from Ganga aarthi

Kasi, wherever you go, hawkers and brokers surround like swam of bees. Though you act smart, somehow you tend to be cheated. Beggars don’t accept coins, priest don’t give you prasad, if you don’t pay them.

So many duplicate babas roaming around, whom you can’t click without paying them. This good soul didn’t demand any money for clicking him

Saint at the Ghat

The famous small narrow streets of Varanasi was full of life, colors, at times bit scarey. Where ever you step you will see these two for sure. temple & garbage. They have built tiny tot temples where ever possible and in our country where ever you want you can throw garbage.

Streets of Kasi

It is a beggar's pride that he is not a thief

Kasi as seen from Ganga

My imagination about this place was there will dead bodies burning everywhere in kasi, but that wasn’t true. It is only at Harichandra ghat and Manikarnika ghat where they do these rituals.

A Scene from Harichandra ghat:

The END

The end or a new begining

A Scene from Manikarnika ghat:

Manikarnika Ghat

Busy streets round the clock

A scene from ganga arthi

Early morning at the river bank

These are the regular activities one can see on the banks of river Ganga. People take a dip in the river and fill there small vessel with the holy water for Lord Vishvanath and the localities getting ready for business with the make-up. There will be so many people around you dress liked saints. Its really hard to spot if they real of just roaming around for money.

One of our friend said he spotted an aghori, who hid his face with his hand when my friend wanted to click him. He said “give me money”, when my friend gave 5 rs, he replied what will I do with this 5 bucks.  He gave a 10 rupee note after which he was allowed to click but not more than two. he said “enough enough, how many you will click”

I was surprised on hearing this as these aghories will not be seen in common places during day time.

Morning routine

The next we saw the same so called aghori busy with his make-up session sitting next to this old man.

There are many misconceptions about Kasi, Hinduism & India. He is one good example for that. I was sitting on the banks of Ganga watching this guys, within minutes his appearance changed. He was given a mala and blessed by a brahmin sitting in the ghats.

Mark Antony (a) Mari Muthu

Below is another common scene from the holy place.

Faith! Hope!

Food was initially a problem for us, but after a lunch at Iyer’s Cafe. We became a regular visitors for all the days we stayed there.  For people who love to try new food and snacks, Kasi will be a great place Round the clock you get yummy variety.

Hot!

My advice to any South Indian going to Kasi will be,  Lodging at Jaipuriya Bhavan, hotel where stayed, very close to the ganga, kasi vishwanathar temple and food at Iyer’s Cafe where you get the feel of home food at very minimal cost.

Streets active throughout the day

to be continued….

Angel who haven’t yet spread her wings

Lavanya  said, I belived in angels only after the birth of my daughter, she is an angle sent from heaven. Mani and Lavanya invited me to do a shot for their little angel.

 

I really didnt have any problem shooting this cute little girl, she filled my memory card with loads of expression.

Kambala

Kambala is an annual Buffalo Race held traditionally  in coastal regions of Karnataka, India. This season usually starts in November and lasts until March. About 45 races are being held anually every year. This started as a source of entertainment for ther farmers during off season which is still being continued every year as pride.

Welcome to Kambala

Kambala is traditionally a simple sport. The ‘track’ used for Kambala is a paddy field filled with slush. The contest generally takes place between two pairs of buffaloes, controlled by a whip-lashing farmer. In olden days, the winning pair of buffaloes was rewarded with coconuts and a bunch of plantains. However, Kambala today has become an organised,professional sport. People place massive bets on the buffaloes to win and one can witness more than 20,000 spectators in a well-organised Kambala.

An old Shiv temple in Puttur, Karnataka

We had a chance to be a part of the puttur kambla. Puttur is about 1 hour drive from Mangalore. We stayed in Managlore city and hire a cab to reach Puttur. I shouldn’t forget to quote this about manglore “Well organised city in India. I have seen till now”.

We went to Puttur a bit earlier to the start of the race. There were so many people from near by village coming in trucks with their buffloes to take part in that race.

Crowd entertainers

!!

The practise session started, the owners comes with their buffaloes for registration. An old man cheked the teeths of bulls, by which they catogrise them into senior or junior. Each team is allowed for 2-3 practise run.

Kambala committee member

Beware

Ready for our turn

Entering the race track

Just started

Practise session in progress

The owners hires a jockey for their bulls, the jockeys can run for different team. Howver some of the owners restrist them to their team alone.

Kambala rider refreshes after a practise session

Nothing but muscles

Taller and sharper

A junior team in practise session

Oh my god

I win - You lose

Bulls out of control while entering the race track

The main event started in the afternoon, where 2 team will compete at a time. Who ever finishes the 200 m track willed with water wins the race. This goes on for the entire night till the monday evening when the finals take place. people was buzzing like bees, It was like village festival crowed with 1000s of people.

Bulls went out of control and broke the median

The owner trying to bring them under control

Prasanna with the turban

The Kamabala committe members were happy to see us coming all the way from chennai just for this race. They presented us the red turban as a symbol of respect. Also gave us coupons for tea, snacks and lunch.

Red turban as a symbol of respect

Speed

Lunch and tea tokens for us

Getting ready to start

Waiting for the start

At the starting point

We fly

The urge to win

Thsi old man checks the bulls before they enter the race

Teeth being checked

Registration in process

Proud owner entering the race

Entry pass

Owners being gifted a shawl

Go go go

175 mts

Faster Faster

Their speed breaks the silence

Crowed at the finish point

Lost the race

Lolly

Happy Valentines Day

Love is the most wonderful of all feelings in this world. It’s Valentine’s Day and what could be a better time to let your dear ones know that you love them. Make them feel… 

Nothing is as beautiful as being "Together"

 Love is being stupid together ~ Paul Valery

முப்பொழுதும் உன் கற்பனைகள்

Friends ForeverLove is not singular except in syllable

Love is not singular except in syllable

 

 

63rd Indian Republic Day, Marina, Chennai

Happy Republic Day

63rd Indian Republic Day, I had participated twice in Marina Republic Day Parade during my College NCC days. Today I was there as a spectator among thousand of people gathered along the road side of world’s second longest beach. Our Marina.

People gathered either side of the road

As usual traffic was blocked from all roads connecting to the main beach road. People and children walking with us to the beach road with their Parade uniforms, national flag made me think of the good olden days.

People with VIP Passes can take the seats along the pavement on the Gandhi status side. General Public can use the pavement on the opposite side, going through a bomb detector gateway.

CAMERAS NOT ALLOWED inside. This is only for a stretch of one Kilometer there the VIPs are seated. So we took the service lane and reached the other side of stage. People from different community, different classes of  society have gathered without any difference sitting on the road side eagerly waiting for the show to begin.

Waiting!

Indian Army Contg.

Indian Naval Contg.

TN Police Contg.

Commando Force

1 TN (BN) NCC sqd

1 TN Naval Sqd

1 TN Air Sqd

RSP Contg.

My world around you!

Love is not singular except in syllable ~ Marvin Taylor

“And they lived happily ever after”

Knock knock

It is too late to lock the stable when the horse has been stolen

Doors form the streets of Mylapore, Chennai

Temple Tales 2 – Madhava Perumal Temple

This temple is located in “Madhavapuram” in Mayurapuri i.e. in today’s Mylapore. The closest known landmark is the Mundakanniamman temple of Mylapore. 

 

 According to Mayurapuri mahadhmiyam in the Brahmandapuranam, when sage Vyasa requested the Lord to show him the holiest of places where he could do penance, he pointed out to Madhavapuram (Mylapore) where sage Bhrigu had earlier set up a hermitage and did penance. The Lord is hailed as Kalyana Madhavan as he married Goddess Amritavalli, who was born as Sage Bhrigu’s daughter here.

 

 

 

 

Peyazhwar, the last of the three saintly men hailed as “Mudhalazhwargal,” was born in a 60-feet deep well known as Manikairavam, to the south-east of the temple.

 

 

 

 

 

This temple is specially known for:

 

Taking a dip in “Santhana Pushkarini: on masi makam is considered very holy.Amrithavalli thayar’s Thirukkalyanam with the Lord is celebrated on the Panguni Uthiram day. Peyalwar avatara is celebrated during the Tamil month of Aipasi in this temple.This temple is known for prayers offered to lord with respect to marriage and child boon.

 

 

Getting there:

 

This place is very near to Luz corner and Light House/All India Radio.  

From  luz corner take kutchery road towards santhome and turn left at Mundakanniamman temple arch. Once you reach Mundakanniamman temple, you can see the entrance arch of Madahava perumal temple quite nearby.

 

From Light House/All India Radio, take the road adjacent to AIR (opp tomahindra showroom. At the end of the road take a left and immediate right leads to the temple entrance.