In continuation of the previous post about Chidambaram, let’s travel to the Pichavaram mangrove forest!
Mangrove trees at Pichavaram
Pichavaram is small coastal village, situated to the east of Chidambaram. The huge Kollidam river and the Vellar river pour into the Bay of Bengal here, forming two massive estuaries. Several sand bars are formed between these two estuaries, over which the mangrove trees flourish. The mangrove forest here, is the second largest in the world, with the Sundarbans being the largest.
Mangrove trees
There are many state and private operated boats, steamer and rowable, that take us for a ride through the mangrove forests, over the shallow waters.
The mangrove trees are quite hard and strong, than they appear to be. They support a variety of life forms within them, forming a major eco system of their own, within the marshland. There are also occasional trees of other variety nestled within these mangrove shrubs.
Waterways through the mangrove forest
The boat operators are well versed with the routes, and they maneuver the boat smoothly. The water ways are quite shallow a places, with knee deep water, and deep at other places.
That’s me, during our boat ride!The coastal ecosystem is quite suited for cashew plantations, many of which are present along the coast.
Thus said, Pichavaram is a must visit, for any adventure seeking traveler!
In my previous post, I had mentioned that professional commitments had kept me quite busy for the past few months, and travelling had been a part of it. As a part of my work/training, I had to travel long miles, and these travels were quite memorable, professionally and personally!
Travelling wide, makes us realize the never ending width of the infinite horizon, bringing in new experiences and memories, good and at times, sad. Travelling wide, brings in a lot of changes within us. It makes one more adaptable to the environment, people, situations, and our own mind imbalances!
Enroute to Delhi
In one such instance, I had to spend a fortnight at Noida, which gave me the opportunity to explore the nearby National Capital and the other splendid town of Agra, on a weekend cramped between two hectic weeks.
It was the first time, that I got to travel towards such higher latitudes, and I was indeed excited over it. The trip started along with 2 other colleagues, and we flew north directly, from Bangalore. The flight had a smooth sailing among the wavy clouds, and we landed to a sunny afternoon at New Delhi. The journey continued towards our actual destination at Noida, directly from there, where we were to spend the forthcoming two weeks of time.
The stay at Noida was quite comfortable, with occasional late night visits to Delhi, on weekdays, and the long organised journey to Agra over the intervening weekend.
Iconic, Majestic Red Fort
One of our stopping was at the iconic Red Fort. The fort, built by the Mughals, seemed more majestic in real, than in pictures. The mild mist surrounding it, created a mystique atmosphere around it.
The majestic walls of the Red Fort, built of Red StoneInner Hall of Red FortInner Hall of Red Fort
We got to visit another iconic landmark of Delhi, the tall and majestic India Gate. The majestic structure was illuminated after sunset, giving it a graceful radiance.
Illuminated India Gate
We did visit some other places – Lotus Temple, Connaught Place, Sarojini Market, Akshardham Temple. Due to lack of time, we got to spend few minutes at each place, and not gaze at ease.
Dandi March – 11 Murthi MonumentLotus TempleBangle Shop at Connaught Place
Though we got to spend few hours, over few days, roaming about Delhi was a good experience. I’m looking forward to, when I could explore Delhi with much time, at comfort!
My next post would be much detailed, about the trip to Agra!
Spring season is loved by everyone. And more by those, for whom, the springs blows away the harsh and cold winds of winter, literally and metaphorically!
It could be the truth, or psychological effect, or a beautiful imagination, the onset of this period of time (last final weeks and February, and the beginning weeks of March) brings a sudden gush of energy and happiness into me, every year, right from childhood.
Probably it could be, because of the anticipation of completing the annual exams (I’ve never feared exams 😉 ) and enjoying the long summer holidays, the happiness of playing on streets without fear of rains disrupting (actually I loved rain, but the fact that I’d be pulled into home, by grandma, made me detest it slightly) the excitement of family tours, the joy of watching TV without any restrictions, the happiness of relishing pulpy, sweet-tangy mangoes, and the reasons could go on and on, in the days of childhood.
Meanwhile, semester holidays which arrived during spring/summer gave me uninterrupted time to read books, start blogging 🙂 , occasionally go out and play (I stopped playing out, once getting into college, unlike my friends. Not sure if a good or bad thing 😀 ) and few to name, to happen in the later days of my life.
Now spring/summer doesn’t make a difference in the routine or ‘timetable’ of the day. Yet the spirit of spring remains intact and brings in a fresh wave of energy, from nowhere.
Well, on a second thought, if we make and take the best of any situation, and derive happiness from it, everyday of life is spring, with flowers blooming around and butterflies abounding everywhere!
Sharing an all time favourite song of mine..that matches the situation here!
P.S..the title for this post was inspired by one of the chapters in my 6th standard English Literary textbook – Songbird in Spring Time – a short biography on M.S.Subbulakshmi. One of the few chapters from my school textbooks that I can never forget!
A post with specially picked photos from my phone, that defined the year 2015 for me
Its twenty days since the beginning of 2016, and a budding procrastinator is here with a recap of 2015!
It began with a ritualistic screenshot of my mobile screen…One of the first events of the year, The Hindu Lit for Life in the month of January…Some baking in February…A wonderful trip to Kumbakonam in March…Sketching, shading, twists and surprises in April…Lots of dates with self in May…Dreams and reality merging in June…Realization of the fluidity of life in July…New vistas, new experiences in August…Celebrations in September…More celebrations in October…Again celebrations in November…Celebrations extending to December…Ritualistic screenshot again…
Cheers_________________________________________
God Bless
It’s a while, and it seems like I’m on an exile. And when I decided to return back to post, what can be better than one of my favourite topics, rather the favourite of many – Food, Glorious Food!
Food is the basic necessity, for survival for any organism. For some organisms, food is a matter of life and death, for some it is a luxury, for some a celebration or a fantasy, or happiness, or divine, or something beyond.
I was always taught from childhood that food (any food) is divine, and should always be treated with respect. Food must never be wasted, but at the same time, our body must not be overloaded. This is perhaps the only lesson I’ve religiously followed until now!
At this moment I recollect a conversation from one of my favourite books – The Pregnant King. //And I run to fetch the book, to type the lines as they are, from the book//
– – Once, while wandering in the woods, they came upon the carcass of a wild buffalo teeming with maggots. ‘How disgusting’, cringed Shilavati.
‘I don’t think the maggots will agree with you’, said Prasenajit. Shilavati realized the wisdom in her husband’s simple words. The human way is not the only way in this world. – –
One’s disgust is someone else’s food, someone’s waste could be one’s food, and that’s the way our beautiful universe is meant to be.
Let’s stop with philosophy and move to the fun part. Did miss saying food could be fun? Yes food must be respected and not wasted, yet there can be a lot of fun over food. Trying out new cuisines to eat, or cook, trying new recipes, spending a calm afternoon with only food for company, a romantic time with beloved and food! And wading through the tough times, or celebrating happiness, or nothing for that matter, food always and should come in, to be a part of that moment to complete it, in my honest opinion!
When it comes to food, one habit of mine seems to be a boon as well a curse. I’m still to determine, from where I’ve acquired this habit of eating slow. I have no idea of when, or how it started, but I’ve always eaten slowly. This comes as a great boon because, eating slowly come with a lot of benefits, as discussed everywhere. And it becomes a nightmare while having a formal lunch with team members!
I’ve got several advises too, to speed up the process of my eating. But why would I give up the temptation to relish the moment, slowly 😀
I’m left with nothing to do, for next 2 weeks. And I chose my favourite pastime – doodling. Here’s one of them, just a random doodle, without any theme. Open to interpretations 🙂
It has been a long time since i’d posted anything on animation. It’s long time since I opened 3D S Max and designed few models. High time to brush up. And posting few of my favourite models that i’d been designing over the past few months in 3D S Max..
Inspired by the Vellai Gopuram of SrirangamAlways grateful to Him!Emphasizing on the moon that adorns Him – Chandra-ShekaraShiva-Linga is always an easy one. Modelling Him gives a pleasure.One of my first humanized model Modelling robots. Tough, but again my favourite.Modelling homes are fun!Chain – a random one
Continuing from my previous post – Vacation Chronicles ~ 1, here I go with my second post. Without any explanation, by the end of this post, you would know why ‘The stones are alive!’
Standing at the threshold of the mighty and impressive Chennakeshava Devasthana*, I wonder, Do I bow to the Lord Or the spirit of the sculptors? Then, I feel His charm And I bow to the Lord, who dwells in and as the soul of the sculptor, And of the stone!
The following pictures were taken at the ChennaKeshava Temple complex at Belur, Karnataka. ChennaKeshava expands to ‘Chennagi Iruva Keshava’ which means the Handsome Keshava, in Kannada. His temple is beautiful, but His charm is matchless!
Finally, we got time for our long pending, long family vacation/pilgrimage! And honestly I just cannot write about our week long vacation in a post, or even a series of posts! So I go with a summary of my experiences, thoughts, observations and happenings…
Raya Gopura – Melkote, Karnataka
Journey is a destination too… The journey through the dense forests of Sathyamangalam, along the course of the river Kaveri, next to the impressive Bhavani Sagar Dam, over the twisting roads of Mettupalayam, over the rough terrains of Ooty, kissing the bright Morning Glory creepers from the hilly terrains, over the bridges, through the tunnels, overlooking the tea estates, over the narrow roads adjacent to Pykara Lake, on the steep slopes overlooking the scary Frog Hill View Point, though the evergreen forests of Mudumalai, occasional sightings of a variety of monkeys and buffaloes, a rare sighting of an elephant, through the downsloping roads of Bandipur, through the broad regal roads of Mysore, through the sugarcane fields to Melkote, over the rough roads to Belur, on the dusty roads to Halebidu…oh wait! These are just the bus journey routes. Many times in life we forget that, real happiness is not a destination, but found all around through the journey!
Window to the world… It is the window which shows us the world, as we sit comfortably in our home, or a cosy bus/train. It is the window which makes one enjoy the sightings, like those which were mentioned above, to admire the beauty of nature and sing the praise of the Lord. One disturbing thing was that people tend to take (dis)advantage of these beautiful windows and the more beautiful vistas outside. And I honestly wish that every bus/train (with openable windows) have a Pleading/Warning in bold letters which says…“Windows are NOT DUSTBINS!”
Fragrance of a river… Believe me this river has a fragrance, an emotional connect to everyone related to the place though which it meanders, and is considered holier than the Ganga – the Kaveri. The fragrance, the warmth, the peace, the connect could be felt while cruising along its banks through Sathyamangalam, over the bridges at Mysore, over its canals at Mandya, along its banks at Srirangapatna, over the lush green sugarcane fields, the coconut groves, and my praise and admiration for this river can never stop!
Chennakeshava Temple – Belur, Karnataka
Love affair with a city… Ask me, ‘which is your favourite place?’ and my instant reply would be Mysore! One of the cleanest, greenest, less-congested, regal cities of India. The palaces, wide and clean roads, almost-nil traffic jams, greenery, crispy and mouthwatering dishes, well connectivity, humble and simple people, non-existent water woes, absence of crimes, cheaper lifestyle, and on and on. The list to fall in love with Mysore can be extended to one’s will!
One just can’t stop me from singing the praises for the places that I visited. Such was the mesmerization, enchantment that were present here. So continuing my chronicle in the next 2 posts too…
This was a post pending for long, and finally I’ve got time to post. An office colleague who is also a good friend got married few days back, at her hometown Kumbakonam. Few guys of us not just attended the wedding, but also had a good time roaming about at Kumbakonam.
A town known for temples and festivals, it also had some of the warmest people i’ve ever met. The town, its streets, temple, people, their hospitality, wedding, food, ponds, fun, etc, etc could be elaborated over a series of lengthy posts! So rich was our experience in a short stay of two days. And here goes my short picture chronicle on our Kumbakonam trip…
Sarangapani Temple undergoing renovation. We had a pleasant time praying to the handsome Sarangapani, with the temple not much crowded while we visited on the Saturday morning.The famed Mahamaham pond, right at the heart of Kumbakonam, getting decked up for the Mahamaham festival to be held next year.Porthamarai pond behind the Sarangapani Temple. The temple seen here behind this pond is AdhiKumbeshwarar Temple. Kumbakonam is a town with so many temples, that when you exit from a temple, you enter into another!Another enchanting view of the Porthamarai pond.Nageshwarar Temple. Another hub of peace and serenity.The elephant of AdhiKumbeshwarar Temple, who was dancing with joy and was only happy to bless us too!A bright and colourful view of the Kumbakonam skyline at twilight. Can you spot a lone star twinkling?The A/C bus stop here. Chennai needs some of these very badly!Hey, that’s me at the friend’s wedding!
As stated earlier, it’d take a series of lengthy posts to talk about the rich and awesome experiences we had at Kumbakonam. And these pictures talk about few of them!
The mountains are pimples, and the valleys are dimples…a silly-sounding rhyme, which was a great achievement for me and my sister when we ‘invented’ it!
There was an old Tamil ad where a girl would shout, ‘Miss Pimpley varaaaaa’. Maybe when I was 5-6 yrs old, this was one of my favourite ads. Sadly I’m able to neither recollect what endorsement was it nor find the ad anywhere.
Those were some of the funny experiences I’ve had with pimples and if you’d have guessed, the not-so-funny experiences surely were when I got some. When I was young (very young actually), I had a thought that only girls would get pimples on their when they grow up. And boys would get hair on face as they grow. Of course I realized the dumbness later.
Honestly saying, I was luckier than most of my friends, for I never had more than a pimple or two, if not many on my face, at any given time. And I should thank my mother for it. As in any home, oil and spices were not included in high dosage in ours’. The junk food I sneaked at times also didn’t create much damage in form of pimples.
How can I forget my friends and well-wishers who came up with innovative ideas to avoid, or cure pimples! Rub face with banana peel, apply toothpaste, apply some-some cream, don’t apply any cream, use soap, don’t use soap, apply my own saliva (gross! but believe me, I’ve got his suggestion too) Again coming to my rescue, it was my mother who gave the best idea – leave the pimple as it is. It’s natural to get a few pimples and it’ll go away on its own. As I said earlier, I had just one or two pimple on my face and occasionally that too. So it wasn’t a big deal to worry about quite often.
And I grew older and bolder, so did the pimples that started appearing. So my way of just ignoring them was not too good an idea. The pimples did disappear but not without leaving their mark. These marks stayed for a period longer than their previous tenant and were too adamant to vacate on their own, at the earliest. Use any inappropriate force on them, and they will grow stronger.
It is in such situations that Garnier products comes to your rescue. Garnier Pure Active with the goodness of neem is an excellent way of treating pimples, vacating their successors, keeping yourself fresh and clean!
P.S..If you were wondering about what the title (this term comes in an old Tamil movie) means, it is literally ‘nothing’ or something useless like the pimples. A better desi explanation would be Pimplekyi Pilapi = Babaji ka Thullu!
Words & Lines 