Saturday, August 30, 2008

thiruvannamalai



just a few weeks back i had a sudden unforeseen call from arunachala. Sumanth was also very excited, he being a great lover of Ramana thoughts. It was a Friday and we left Mysore at 12 noon. we drove to Bangalore and was supposed to join Jayanthy (My cousin) and family and continue our journey from there. but there was a small change of plan and we straight away drove to t'malai on the Hosur road. as usual the Bangalore traffic was irritating and we could get out of it only after two hours. Sumanth was pointing to certain road repair work that was going on and said that he is seeing it ever since he was a child!!.

After reaching Krishnagiri, we were pleasantly surprised to see the 6 to 8 lane roads with modern toll. prani and shravan were very excited to see these things that too after seeing various English movies on the TV, they were seeing the same here in India and that too in Krishnagiri!!!.

After Krishnagiri, the road suddenly took a turn for the worst. These roads had petrol bunks in dozens but no hotels for food or refreshments. we had some thing to eat after hosur so did not feel hungry.

we reached T''malai at 10 PM. We were booked in a resort called sparsha by Hari ( Jayanthi's Mr.) this place was very enchanting and very well decorated in a ethnic fashion. Once we entered the reception, suddenly a few dothi clad shining people took out maligai poo garland and garlended all of us. It was so funny!. One thing that we noticed in the reception was the sofa set that was made of banana fibres. It was fantastic.The buildings were very well designed with low cost materials and was made to look very ethnic but with full luxury. there was a kapi kadai decorated with cinema posters and with copper boilers just like the shops on the tamil nadu village roads.
The lawn and the garden were excellent and was lighted up in a dull manner.In the background rose the grand arunachala mountain that was a awesom sight. There was a light drizzle and the whole place was such unbelievable.

After we took our room, we had our food in the restaurant that was cooked fresh only for us (Since we were the only guests that day at that time) As usual the cooking and serving took so long we thought that the people were gone off to plant vegges and harvest the same !!

After we came back to the room,............. Now about the room ........ Very clean with full of snow spotless whitedrapes and bed covers. The room had various books about Arunachala and Ramana and certain books on spirituality. The room was also very well designed with low cost items and Sumanth was much interested in seeing each and every low cost idea. There was a bay window through which we could directly see the mountain in full view. Till now we did not have any idea what was in store the next day.

Jayanthi, Hari, their two children and Hari's mother arrived at 12 PM. We had a small meeting and decided to leave the room exactly at 3 A.M. the next morning.

We went to sleep peacefully that day.

The next morning........................................

Friday, August 29, 2008

Nature and Natural


I cant pinpoint precisely when the dislike of " chemicals" got imprinted in my mind. I guess my the environment during my childhood made me so.
I grew up in a very " organic " home with home cooked food, garden produce, grandma medications; even household cleaners were biodegradable stuff like wood ash, sand, salt etc.
"English Medicines" as allopathy drugs were called, were rarely used. It was all roots and herbs potions and powders for us.
Perhaps all this caused my body to develop intolerance for chemicals in any form of consumption. I was very surprised myself to discover that I erupted into a variety of allergies if I used something as simple as a Shampoo - even branded ones of International quality! ( only Shikakai for me)

Chemicals ! I shun them like they are biological warfare weapons created by Saddam's crony Chemical Ali. And unless I'm almost into a coma or something, i never want to touch allopathy drugs.

Ayurveda is fine. But after I discovered Homeopathy, I have become a religious convert to that brand of medication.
Homeopathy is dismissed by many as a pseudoscience, faith-healing or a placebo-illusion. But I find the science behind it fascinating. The knowledge about human body types, the various influencing factors etc. gained during my study of Homeopathy has revolutionised my way of seeing people. The Human Body is indeed an awesomw piece of creation.


Ofcourse, the little pills take their time to produce results. But i have decided to stick to the snail for myself and my family.
And so far, so good. Amen.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

SPACE CENTRAL !


CHIDAMBARAM is my most favourite place in the whole world. It is at the epicentre of my existence. Actually, according to mythology, Chidambaram is the central point, the pivot of the whole universe !

The town has always been eulogised as a seat of learning and as a treasure chest of Culture.

Nataraja, the universally known symbol of Indian art, an epitome of perfection of form,grace and dynamism, resides here.

Chidambaram attracts visitors unlimited. Not only is it an important place of pilgrimage but also a political stronghold. But for all that, the town shows no fuss and puts on no airs. It has retained its cosy, snug , small town feel till today. It has both old world charm and modern amenities. Rural romanticism and urban bustle. Internet Cafes and ultra-conservative "kapi-klubs" exclusively for the Twice-Born can be found in the same narrow street. Computer peripherals and pink plastic whistles can be bought at adjascent shacks. Global seminars on Non Conventional Renewable Energy Sources are conducted alongside " Thee Midhis" ( firewalking) for guardian spirits. And ofcourse, there's the famous " Natyanjali " that attracts all the high flying culture vultures from all metros.

I like it this way. Lets move ahead, but why burn the bridges behind ?

Lets eat idli with fork and knife and Lasagna on Banana leaf. Let jack up the latest Bose Woofer and listen to Musiri Subramanya Iyer's Bhairavi. Lets live in the past , present and future together, seamlessly.

Its fun to be composite.

Hullo , World !

Just Stepped into the Blogworld.
Hulloooooo! Everybody.
This is a blog just to share
My thoughts on this and that.
My version of trips to here and there.
My opinions of events of now and then.
My account of thought processes, left and right.

Lets share.