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!
I had been away for a long while, as my personal and professional commitments had taken a higher priority. And I’m back to my good world of blogging, which sadly had to take a backseat.
Writer’s block, I should say, is one which anyone would hate, when trying to type out a good post, and that too after an exile. And I keep thinking, observing, little bit of rolling too, to come out with something worth posting about, to celebrate my return to Words and Lines. And there, I get a sudden flash from a block of memory.
The holy nights and celebrations of Navaratri have started and it’s supposed to be the time for spiritual ‘reconciliation’. Well, if one is ready to explore the unknown and is ready accept the outcome, any time would be a good period of celebration, for such reconciliations and realizations that follow.
The Navaratri celebrations signify the victory of Goddess Durga over the tyrant Mahishasura, the victory of Sri Rama over Ravana, or more precisely the victory of ‘good’ over ‘bad’
The concept of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ has always been and should always be debatable. What’s seemingly good to one is bad to another and the vice versa holds good too. What’s good in a situation might be a bad one in a different situation, from the same point of view that held it as good, earlier!
Mahishasura, a strong willed, tough devout, noble enough to receive boons of greater strength and power, turned into an arrogant bundle of vile, to unleash his powers over the unparalleled. Well, the neurons inside Mahisha’s brain would justify how being a ruthless tyrant, would be for a noble cause! That’s how perspectives work! But rising over good, bad, right, or wrong, one level headed cause must create a balance from every known and unknown relativity, which is denoted here by Durga, who adorns a third eye over her forehead, that could see the unseen and foresee the not to be seen.
Anyway, the twenty eyed Ravana couldn’t view the better horizons as seen by the ‘dual’ eyed Rama, and it paved way for his victory, or more aptly, the balance as denoted by the bow he carries! A similarly different perspective, with a differently similar example!
So, in my ways, Navaratri can more aptly be put as a celebration of the restoration of the erstwhile fallen balance, than the victory of ‘good’ over ‘bad’
Such realizations, celebrations culminate in on the eve of Vijayadasami, the last day of the Navaratri, and the day for new beginnings.
Preparations under way for celebration of Dasara/Navaratri at Mysore.
Festivals are about celebrations, relationships, realizations, knowledge, colour, food, pomp, splendour, sharing, giving, receiving, and so many other things, abstract. And for a long festival, the preparations for which begin even long before, there is so much to do within.
I wish a Happy Navaratri. I also seek blessings for more knowledge, and time, and to blog regularly.
This work of words comes from my level of knowledge and understanding. I’m always ready for any correction or discussion.
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 🙂
In a significant judgement, the Supreme Court of the US has recognized the equal status of its LGBT citizens. It’s nice to see people offering their support by various means. There is so much positivity, hope, warmth shown all around in the social media. But how much of it is genuine? Is India ready for such a change? Are Indians willing to accept such a reform wholeheartedly? All I had to say about this were 5 things, as tweets.
Status updates, profile pic changes, etc are good and give a positive feel, but how many actually support LGBT wholeheartedly? (1)
Constitutions, courts can give mandates, but it’s up to the people to overcome prejudices! (2)
Talking about India, when just tweeting about gay things can fetch rude, ‘well-wisher warning’ messages, miles to go ahead! (3)
Anyway, people judge, hate, love, accept according to their capabilities but one leads their own lives 🙂 Smile and cheers! (4)
Finally, plant rights didn’t make me a plant, hence gay rights won’t make me gay! Thanks and sorry for the ranting-tweeting spree! (5)
Hope i’m clear headed and have summarized my thoughts.
Again emphasizing that there is so much positivity, love and warmth all around. Wishing and praying that it lasts genuinely forever and Love Wins always. Union of souls is beyond the spectrum of gender, orientation, religion, caste, creed, *whatever differences have been created by humans* and we have a long way to reach there!
P.S. Supporting gayness doesn’t make me gay (if i’m not already, actually 😉 ) And the term gay actually means happiness (if you don’t know already) Special cheers!
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!
Today is March 8th – Women’s Day. There are many posts about women making rounds. Yes, it is special to be a woman, so it is to be a man. We need to celebrate women, we need to celebrate men, and we need to celebrate the people who don’t fall under these spectrums too! Celebrate life, including all your near and dear, irrespective of where you fall on any of the ‘scales’ created by ourselves or God.
Women have the ability to create life, from within them. Men have the ability to create life, from outside of them. Let’s not get into debate on which is the greater ability. Both are awesome and needed to work in unison to sustain life.
A very happy and awesome Women’s Day to all wonderful women. And tons of thanks too.
There are umteen ways in which i’ve been indebted to many women, who have helped me, either directly or indirectly.
My grandmother, mother, sister, aunts, cousins, bff, relatives, teachers, friends, acquaintances, colleagues, the aunty who supplies milk to my home every morning, the flower selling granny who smiles at me, the aunty who sells tender coconut near office, the aunty at office pantry, the authors who enlighten with their books, the singers who bring peace with their mesmerizing tone, the artists who amaze with their skills, the aunties who sweep my street every morning, the aunties who help in maintaining the cleanliness at office, my English teachers who made me strong in the language, my history mam who brought out my love for history, my maths mam who eradicated my aversion to the subject, Mother Goddess, and the list can only stretch to infinity…i’m indebted to them. I’ve got some opportunities to thank them directly, but unfortunate often for I couldn’t do it. Every one of them command respect in their own way, and keep the (my, our) world moving!
Sharing lines from a poem in my older blog that I had written on Women’s Day, two years back…
It’s long since I posted here. Past few days were hectic, with some work to be done. With severe writing block now, really had no idea of what to post about, and then came a flash! Why don’t I make a post on few of my latest tweets, and what made me post tweet them. Maybe an expansion of the short tweets. And I logged into Twitter immediately!
I really don’t understand why some people consider ignorance a cool thing! Probably they take ‘ignorance is bliss’ too seriously..
I’ve known many people with this kind of attitude, who consider ignorance a very cool thing to possess, and good to flaunt it around. It could be a different perspective from mine, or something which I don’t know to value, or some good thing which I don’t know at all (okay i’m ‘flaunting’ my ignorance now 😉 )
It’s good to follow any religion, many religions or not to follow any. But keeping it to yourself is awesome! (1) — Kaushik (@KauGov) February 18, 2015
I’m religious, spiritual and as you know, awesome too 😉 (2)
I think I don’t need to elaborate much on this. Many are more bothered about spreading their religion, picking issues/criticizing religions that they don’t follow, and so on than actually practising the religion that they identify themselves with. And there are the ‘cool’ guys who proclaim that they’re spiritual but not religious. Being religious is not such a bad thing at all. But not keeping the religion to oneself, is such a big one!
Everyone sees the world with their own eyes. Let’s accept all of them atleast, if we can’t agree to them! (1) — Kaushik (@KauGov) February 16, 2015
Variations can create many a collage, and many a conflict too. It’s upto us to choose between them. (2)
I’ve always dreaded the idea of a homogeneous society. How boring it would be, if everyone looked same, had same behaviour, same thought process, everything same-to-same?! A society is like a collage, the more colours and textures, the more beautiful. Just as the sections of a collage, everyone in a society must be unique, yet complement each other.
One can have cool head, not reacting much to the happenings around. But mind is one thing which is ever inquisitive to travel deep into the forbidden areas. One fine afternoon I was travelling in bus, listening to Let it Go and then this poem happened. There are things that aren’t perfect, In and around me. The cause of which, Doesn’t trace its roots to me. I’m told to accept them And embrace too. As nothing can be And should be perfect. I understand and agree. But where were and are These voices, When I did things That weren’t perfect, That didn’t meet the standards Which I didn’t set. When I was judged, And accepted not For meeting not Their standards. Well, the past is in the past. The stones that stand The test of time, Will live, to sing The song and the story Of the past. The wounds have healed But the scars remain. And these may disappear too, Along with a serene sunset. Here I stand, Accepting the judgement Of none, but One. Raised by the hands, That wanted to make a gentleman. Will live so forever, Not succumb to the pressure. Let the world respect a unworthy. But I will stay true to those Whom I consider worthy.
Words & Lines 