Memories of a trip to Tirumula!

A trip to Tirumala Tirupati takes planning. Its not only a place I love visiting but also happens to be my parent's native place. So you can imagine my joy going back there every time. As I child, I remember traveling with parents to grandparents home by train. Getting up early in the morning, packing our breakfast, which mostly would be bread jam cheese. Even though I love this breakfast, eating it in the train has a special attachment. Those days, the trend of eating bread for breakfast was still catching up. But as expected it was already a norm at home. So it wasn't a new thing for us, though our fellow passengers would look at us with a funny expression.

We normally board the Sapthagiri Express which still leaves by 6.20 am. We used to travel by the AC Chair Car and during the season (which by the way is always) its really full! Even though Dad was working for railways, he has to book the tickets much in advance. We used to set alarm to get up early and then after bath, I would get into the ceremony of getting the bread, jam cheese ready. The entire loaf would be spread with either Jam or cheese with cucumber. The typical English breakfast!

The journey starts when we board the train and every time I get this thrill and excitement on hearing the train hooting to start! The entire journey hardly takes more than 3 hrs, still it used to feel so different. Different because we cross the boarders, meet people speaking different language, act differently or that was what I always felt. Most importantly I get to meet all my Aunts, Uncles and cousins. Though our stay at most times has never exceeded more than three days max, it used to be spent shuffles between the different aunt's place for either lunch or dinner. And come back to grand mom's place for sleeping, which usually was on the open terrace.

So even if we were not able to visit the temple, I used to run to the open terrace and look at the Gaali Gopuram. This is visible all over the city and does have a serene effect on the one who looks at it. For us a visit to the temple is a must at least once a year, if not more than that. And Dad used to take care of all the arrangements. From what I remember it wasn't so crowded as it is now. And it used to more of a resort than anything else. The cool weather with the lovely cottages and less crowd. it used to be a trip worth looking forward too.

Years passed, we frequency to the temple city depending on how the dynamic worked at home. After marriage, we got used to traveling by car, which reduced the distance even further. We have been to the place on all festivals. For every festival, the city adorns a different look. I remember visiting it during Vinayaka Chaturti too, but this time its different. Maybe because as grown up you look differently? Whatever the excitement in seeing huge Idols of Ganesh being taken in vans across the villages, entrance of each village had the sign post saying that it was celebrating the day, was surely a sight to enjoy!

When we booked the tickets months ago, it never struck us that it was Ganesh Chaturti. So knowing it, we decided to get back on time for the pooja. We started here by 10 am. On the way I stopped hubby dear for couple of pictures. Normally with the kids around, we don't disturb hubby dear in his driving and normally reach much ahead to our planning. This time round since I was chatting away non stop, we missed catching up with the miles. He finally said either I can talk or he can hit on the road. Well naturally with the scenes changing so rapidly, I left him to his driving.

We reached Tirupati by 1.30 pm, landed at Hotel Bliss for lunch. As always Hubby dear ordered a south Indian Thali, while I ordered Paneer Butter Masala with Butter Naan. He was teasing me that I can never stop myself from ordering these! Well for all that both the dishes were good. While he enjoyed his pappu, I was teasing him that he is no different. I make that pappu at least twice or thrice, still he was eating only that. After spending some 40 mines on lunch. we started for the uphill drive.

The drive from the hotel to Alipiri is about 10 - 15 mins, on the way the roads were quite crowded and it even drizzled for a while. We stopped to capture the waterfall from the mountains. We can see the waterfalls only when there is heavy rains or during the monsoon. After that we moved on to the check post, where every vehicle is checked before climbing the hill. The police does a thorough job of checking the entire car. Depending on your luck, you get this done fast. Since it was a festival the next day, we hardly found traffic movement on the climb.

Before entering, we had a great opportunity to capture the Garuda in his excellence. The entire road was empty and with the drizzling, we could see fog coming out! The beautiful Garuda standing erect looked too awesome! I could also see the Gaali Gopuram, which is en route to the walking path. Years ago, on my only trip by walk, I remember stopping there for a solid 30 minutes for rest. It was still so fresh in mind, the entire 5+ hrs that we took to climb the stairs. The steps from Gaali Gopuram are really too steep. This time round, we stopped to click some pictures too!

The weather so magically changed from being to chill to foggy. along the way I even clicked pictures which reflected on the side mirror. We reached Tirumala by 3.15 or so. Since the Darshan was booked for 3 pm, we went straight to the counter place. The crowd was comparatively less, the next day being the Vinayaka Chaturti. After a long time, we went using the Sudarsanam Token, which on regular days could even take more than 5 hrs for darshan. This time it took about nearly 2+ hrs. It wasn't the usual pushing and pulling experience at all places. Though it normally gets very crowded near the Maha Dwaram.

We mostly go for the Archanantara Darsanam (AAD), which is between 5.30 am to 6.30 am. In this seva, you are sure you can come out by 7 am at the most. When I was kid, I remember going for this and staying in the temple for sometime as they used to issue only about 100 tickets. Now nearly about 2k tickets are sold and it becomes like any other regular darshan. For this we got to report by 3.30 am. So you hardly get to sleep through the night. The cool air that hits you when you go to temple is not something that can match anything!

So I was remembering that when most people were shouting Govinda, Govinda, and you just move on with the crowd. Sometimes you need not even take the efforts, the crowd pushes you ahead! Finally we entered the sanctum sanctorum or the garbha griha, this is where it gets even more difficult and you just move with the crowd. Including the security who makes sure to push all the devotees. Since the mandap is quite high, you get to see the God as you walk towards the entrance. But its all about 2 -3 minutes is all you get. But I remember, as a kid we have had sevas where we have sat in front of the God for some 30 minutes, yet when you come out you will not remember anything later!

As its hard to enter, it also takes time to come out. Entering and exiting is all in batches. On coming out, you are given pasadham, which is normally a small laddo for AAD, while it can be anything from the Ven pongal, Pulihora, Sakkara Pongal or curd rice. Even to get something is a big blessing but the taste surpasses all that you would've ever eaten! Seriously you simply can't recreate that taste at home or anywhere else! Though I was wishing we would be given Pulihora, I was happy I got to taste the Ven pongal. It was simply superb! Finally we came out and I waited while hubby dear went to collect the Laddoos. For each ticket you will get two laddos. Believe me its just not enough.

We started back, on the way stopped to pay a visit to the Coconut offering. We finally came to the rooms, which we got in the Varaha Swamy Guesthouse. The new building is very good and we have stayed in it the last couple of times. Our room was 204 on the first floor. When we climbed up, we were surprised to see mouse holes next to every room and couple of mice running around. I was too shocked to even utter a word. With the heavy lunch, I wanted to skip the dinner, but we anyways went again. So settled for the small joints that are present near the hotel. You can't expect me to order anything other than parotta right!

After that I said I wanted to walk on the Mada streets. The Four Mada streets surround the main temple and are the roads used during the festival time. During the night, its all lighted with serial lamps and very colorful. We sat there for a while, and reluctantly had to leave as it started raining. Lots of shops which is a attractive thing for kids. Finally came back to our room to settle for a much needed sleep. We had planned to have an early start but were really too lazy!

We started the climb down by 7.30 and stopped in many places for the view. The wonderful waterfall in closer view! The view of the city down from the aerial point. There is a Deer park which is also accessible by the walkers. We stopped for a moment at the Gaali Gopuram and saw the long road ahead! And you can't miss the naturally formed Garuda in the mountains! Before even the government put up the notice board, hubby dear used to show it to us every time we visit. Its just too great to be real!

Finally you reach the huge statue of Lord Anjaneya in all his excellence. These pictures are taken during the night, from our previous visits. The way down has more curves than the up hill and takes more concentration. So I stopped disturbing and enjoyed the view.

On the way back we stopped to meet my uncle. And was able to capture these Ganesh Idols that were on the display. The entire city was brimming with its festival preparation and we were hurrying to do our pooja.

We reached home by 11.30 and took the kids for a tour again. Finally returned and made the neivedyam. Had a blissful pooja and only then had time to prepare the lunch. On the while it was a hectic day but finally had a nap and felt it was a fruitful day with so many activities.

This too shall pass!

...how very true. I don't know exactly when I read this line. But ever since then it has always been back on my minds. Whether one thinks of it at times of happiness or not, at times of distress, this line surely comes to mind.

I remember this being associated to some Chinese fable, some Indian story too. But the latest it being related to seems to be with King Solomon. Whatever, it holds true so much!

I get solace reading these lines at this time, when things are really so hectic at home. With kids being so naughty and pressing for so much attention, I remember Konda growing up and remember this line. I take solace knowing This too shall pass!

More Pencil Sketches!

Pencil Sketches that were done almost a decade ago! This one is particularly a favorite with me as I was able to capture the essence and the look that I love in this sketch.



Will be uploading the rest soon..

Are you having fun?

...I mean are you really enjoying your life, doing whatever you are doing? I think you should think about it again if you think you haven't!

Life at times feels very hectic. There are times when almost think I should just take a break. But then it can't happen right! I am too deep into all the things I am right now to even think otherwise.

There was a time when I thought, left with the option of not ever becoming what I wanted too, what would I do with my life. Well surprise, surprise, life has its own design for each of us. And I am here now doing whatever I am supposed too.

Doing so many things with such high pressures mounting all the time, there are moments when I feel should I really take up so much. Though surely I know the moment I do something like that, I will be left feeling emptiness swallowing me!

Still all said and done, I am enjoying myself. Staying up very late into night, working on my posts, researching for the book, editing my pictures, in between taking a peek at the kids sleeping, then rushing back to catch up with whatever I was doing. Finally reluctantly switching off the PC, to hit the pillow. Seeing my small family (:)) sleeping, rest assured that momma will surely take ages to join them!

Frenzy sleep that refuses to come, with so many other ideas hitting at the wrong time. How I wished I had my laptop handy while sleeping also...That does sound crazy right, at least it surely does to me. So I strongly curb the urge and get back to sleep.

Body clock strikes on time, depending on whether I planned my morning cooking or not will see me literally running around. Guess that will surely run for many posts, if I ever want to fill in those details. Finally with kids all packed and sent, I again have a marathon to do to reach office on time.

Most days only after I hit my chair, I take a breath! Life is surely fun to live!

Another day!

Recently a colleague of mine came back from a vacation, it was only for couple of days. But the feelings and the rejuvenation he was expressing sound just too good to be true. But he confirmed it was. He said he didn't want to get back from those hills. He was trying to explain me how that place looked and I was imagining and visualizing on how it might look. Of course there has never been a time when I was correct in guessing a place on its looks. But I kind of liked the idea of getting away from this maddening crowd and being alone, that is if I can ever get away.

Have you ever felt the need to be alone? Growing up, I had loads of such times. Parents never intruded into what I was doing. I used to spend painting, or listening to KK songs, or even just gazing! I love gazing at the stars and the moon. How does the Moon look to you or rather looks at you?

To me since the time I can remember the chanda mama always had a face on it, ever smiling! I even felt it wore a sad look when I was sad, giving me company! And it was my company on many such alone times. If there was one entity that was always been with me through thick and thin, its chanda mama.

See how random the thoughts fly! Coming back to the original thinking, I wish I take few minutes to ponder on what I am doing. For ever its a big list that I need to complete. So much so that I was feeling awful hearing what Konda told me couple of days back. She asked me to forget my work and continue sleeping with them. I was surprised on her statement. She expressed further saying, "now you get back to your computer once we sleep right, why don't you just forget that and continue your sleep" I said "I have work nana." She said "that's what you do the whole day right?" Now how do I reply to that? As luck would have it she went off to sleep before I could respond, but I am still left with the question burning!

From when did this pastime, hobby turn into an obsession! Well whatever it is, I am enjoying it! I am still learning..every second of it..

A trip down the memory lane ~ revisited!

It was a tough question that finally got dissolved on its own. It was either Kodai or Pondy that has been running on our minds the last couple of weeks. Finally Athamma saying that she can't venture out for a trip with her still healing hand, got it fixed for us. We decided the short weekend trip to Pondy, its going to be. We normally don't like traveling by train and subjecting ourselves to the trials, tribunals and daredevils of our kids. Imagine running the long passages behind a toddler!

So the defined constrains of a four wheeler is what we can think of. Since it was about 3 hours drive down, I thought I will pack the breakfast and also lunch as kids don't eat otherwise. Made Idlis with Tomato chutney and Peanut chutney, which are my favorite picnic food too. The boys after getting into the car, asked Athamma to join in too. Konda knew she wasn't coming. We told the boys that its going to be just us. They happily waved her bye and settled down. Konda was remembering our first trip we went, just the three of us. She was recollecting on how I had got her a drawing book with crayons and tried to keep her engaged on the long drive. Imagine me doing that again with 3 kids!

The boys were jumping from the middle seat to the back one, its a eight seater car with enough space for the kids to sleep. So they took the maximum use of the whole thing. Within minutes, the boys started asking for chocolates and biscuits. We pulled it along till we reached a picnic spot. It was a neat spot with wood chairs for enjoying. But enjoy they didn't. They were running around the place while we ate our breakfast. Both of them refused to eat anything. The entire stretch was beautiful only lacking the water streams that I remembered. It was all dry and empty.

I remembered the salt manufacturing and wanted to click few pictures. We finally reached in Hotel Ashoka and warmly welcomed with their traditional garlands made with shells. We had booked a room facing the beach. I tried feeding the boys with Pooris that I had made for lunch, with the hope that they would atleast eat pooris. I need not have gone to such pains! None of them touched it. Within moments on reaching the room, the boys settled down playing with the toys they got, the hotel staff were watering the lawns. The boys ensured they got drenched fully in it.

After lunch we tripped down to the beach and spent the next few hours playing in the water. The kids refused to come out. On our previous trip I had got a big set of beach toys for Konda and few were still left behind. We played with those trying to build castles with them. It was very nostalgic, thinking back on the time when we had only Konda. That time we were not only trying to enjoy our idyllic small family statue but wanting to make Konda enjoy. Now its more of a big family and again trying to occupy the kids with some activates.

I saw those hammocks and wanted to enjoy a moment of loneliness, just to enjoy myself for a moment. But gone are those days. I always felt perfectly fine with my own company. Never felt bored when I found 5 minutes for myself. But even that is a scare thing to happen. After couple of hours on the beach, we got back to play in the kids zone. We bribed the kids with lot of other activities and got back to play in the garden. All I could do was pushing the hammock on which the twins got on and was longingly looking at dropping myself. Hubby dear consoled that I could get back after the boys went to sleep. On the promise, the hours flew.

Since it was the Election counting day, hubby dear was glued to the TV all excited to know the result. I was angry at the resort management for even having a TV in the room in the first place. If there is something that I dislike, its the TV!$%&*%. The boys had the entire garden to themselves and run around for no end. I couldn't convince them to eat the dinner too. They got back to eating the chocolates and juices. We finally managed to get the kids into the room and locked ourselves. We even had our dinner room serviced.

When the kids finally conked off, I was drained and couldn't budge. So that swing on the hammock has to wait for another trip! Peddu didn't sleep much because of the new place. And only in the wee hours did we go to the other land! And body clock was right on spot by waking me up at 6.30 am! As everybody were still asleep, I was reading the newspaper and still looked longingly at those swaying hammocks.

The breakfast was another fiasco of trying to get the boys eat but to no avail. They were keen to go to the beach. God knows from where they got the energy. Chinnu got over his fear of the water and finally settled down on the beach. We almost spent 3 hrs on the beach and waves after waves hitting us, made us feel we could just settle down. Of course that's a feeling one would get over after 3 hrs!

We had left our footwear back in the room as it was such a cumbersome task walking with wet feet carrying the kids. But wish we had better sense, it was literally like walking over hot coal! We just ran down about half a kilometer, trying to escape the hot sand! I was sure we were going to get blisters! Playing in beach is lovely but washing the kids and the cloths afterwards, is a pain in the wrong place! More you do, more sand comes out from everywhere.

We decided to start back home after lunch. We ventured out to the restaurant daringly hoping the boys will sit and eat something. In the end, Chinnu ate the roasted peanuts and Peddu had few servings of Onion Raitha.

The trip back was calm as the boys slept exhausted. Hubby dear stopped to buy some palm fruit or Nungu. We simply love this fruit and always looked forward to eating them in the summer. Its been a while since we had and we got some back home. Parents and Athamma loved it and we wished we got more!

The boys broke the fasting once back home and ended up crying, asking to get back to the beach! Guess they will have to wait for another year till they promise to eat better!

Artist Weekend!

We had an Artist Weekend at office, where the employees were asked to exhibit their skills with hand. We were surprised at the skills and talents each of them had. Some of the most voted pictures are below.







This one of jerry was done by me seeing this picture of mine. I was happy that I was able to replicate it to T after nearly 10 years!


Happy Weekend!