Irpu: The Falls

Story continued from Trip to Nagarahole - Coorg -> Drive into Nagarahole -> Chilligeri Estate

 

The Drive:

We started at around 3PM on Friday towards Irpu, which according to Land Lady was only 2 KM from Estate. By the time I reached the falls my meter read around 7 KM. Roads were very bad. The scenic beauty overdid the bad the bad roads. The mist was amazing. We could hardly see tips of Brahmagiri Hills.

The Falls:

I had visited Irpu when I was in 7th grade.  Man there was no comparison. It was like a tap water when I visited long back. But now, the sound at the gate itself was hinting me that the falls is huge. There is an entrance and parking fee (About 10 bucks per person and 10 for my car, dont remember exactly). I could see amazing improvements on the pathway towards the falls. There was not problem to reach the falls even though it was pouring. The whole pathway is cemented and no chance of skidding. I liked it..

After 15 min of climbing up the Brahmagiri hills, we could see the gigantic falls. Wow.. I never expected that our trip would turn so beautiful suddenly. Enjoy the video

 

 

Story Board:

Drive into Nagarahole -> Chilligeri Estate ->Irpu Falls -> Waynad (Kuruva, Tirunelli) -> Talakaveri -> Madikeri/Kushalanagar

Chilligeri Estate

Story continued from Trip to Nagarahole - Coorg -> Drive into Nagarahole

The Estate:

After adventurous drive into Jungle, we exited Nagarahole, and after few minutes drive we entered the village called Kutta. From here, we need to take some deviation towards Manchally Village. People here talk Kannada, Kodava and also Malayalam. The drive from Kutta to Chilligeri is only 2 KM but very scenic. The road from Kutta goes towards Srimangala and after around 2 KM you get a small diversion towards Manchally Village. The scenic beauty doubles after entering this road. You have farms on both sides of road and this leads to The Jade and as well as Chilligeri.

The Chilligeri estate is good, not that great. They have a very old house, as old as 100 years. Owner Somaiah and family stay there. His wife, Banu runs the entire show. She welcomed us with Amazing Coorg coffee and showed us our room which was inside her house. We felt very uneasy to stay in someone else's house. And then I walked around the entire estate and realized that there is another out house with 4 rooms. I asked her whether we can get one there. She agreed and we moved into one of the rooms there.

The Flora:

Estate contains lot of vegetation on Coffee, Banyan, beetle leaf, jack fruit, Moosambi, Sapota , spices. It was raining almost all the time we stayed there. Initial plan was to stay 2 days and roam around a lot. Also visit, nagarahole safari, Wayanad Forest Safari, Kuruva island, Tiruneeli Temple etc. Heavy rains ruined our plan and we decided to check out the next morning. The lady gave us some trouble by asking 2 days' rent and leave, but then she agreed after realizing we can not do much in the heavy rains.

We went to Irpu falls in the afternoon and enjoyed a lot. I will write another post for Irpu falls.

The Food:

The food provided was good enough. May be  meat eaters would have enjoyed more by having Coorg-famous pork. We also enjoyed rice, rasam, sambar, curry and pappad. Enjoyed a lot the next morning during break fast. She had prepared a kind of Roti, she called it as Rotti-Akki. Learnt the recipe of the same and checked out in the morning.

The Video:

 

Story Board:

Drive into Nagarahole -> Chilligeri Estate ->Irpu Falls -> Waynad (Kuruva, Tirunelli) -> Talakaveri -> Madikeri/Kushalanagar

Drive into Nagarahole

This story is continuation of Trip to Nagarahole - Coorg

The Realization

Thursday night I kept 3 Alarms at 3:45 AM, 4 AM and 4:15 AM for the next morning. We both were determined to leave latest by 5:30 AM.  I got up for the second Alarm at 4AM and woke Thimmi as well. Both got ready by 5 and started at around 5:15 AM. To reach Mysore road from my home takes around 10 min. One I was there, the fun began. I could rip my car at around 100-120 till I reached Mandya. We have our favorite restaurant called Sharada Restaurant. We had tasted when we had visited Mysore few years back (Ooops I have not blogged that trip yet!!). As it was just 7 AM and restaurant was just open, we could get only coffee and upma. We sipped the drink and moved on. At Srirangapattana we deviated as per the route discussed, I took right towards Ranganatittu and Hunsur. By that time it was around 7:30 AM. Had breakfast at Hunsur. After Hunsur, I knew it was full of Jungle till I reach Chilligeri estate, so we had to force some food in.

From Hunsur it takes less than 15 min to enter Nagarahole Jungle. At the entrance, you have to give all your and your vehicle details to the security guard and enter in. Note: Two wheelers are not allowed inside. The fun stated from there onwards:

The Jungle Road, welcome by Jumbo

It was just around 8AM when we were into deep jungle of Naragahole. The roads were empty, it was complete silence. You can feel it in the video below. After few distance we could witness a Jumbo Elephant on the road. We were just speachless. Happy, scared and confused.. Wow that moment were amazing..

 

 

After some distance from there, we could witness a lot of Deers. We moved towards National Park Entrance via Murkal. At Murkal there is an Elephant camp, but there is no permission for public to go inside. We could see few elephants standing outside.

 

Story Board:

Drive into Nagarahole -> Chilligeri Estate ->Irpu Falls -> Waynad (Kuruva, Tirunelli) -> Talakaveri -> Madikeri/Kushalanagar

Trip to Nagarahole - Coorg

The plan: It was just routine work and both of us were tired like hell. We first decided that we are going out somewhere, and I decided myself that this time we are going in our car. First choice was Chikmagalur. Thimmi's colleague had recently gone there and enjoyed a lot itseems. She expressed that we go there. The place where they stayed was Nature Nirvana. I called for accommodation for weekend of 27-29 Jun. It was not available. I asked for the next weekend, even though it was available I did not book because I realized that it was heavily raining and roads are very bad during this season.

So the next choice was Coorg. After a lot of research on net I found this blog post, which talks about South Coorg and beautiful drive inside jungle. I was more excited about drive within jungle that anything else. More over the place was very well situated, which is amidst, Nagarahole, Waynad, Kuruwa, Irpu and complete jungle. I also got the Estate Stay information from the same blog post and called them and got the accommodation and booked for 2 days. Land Lady insisted me to deposit 50% amount into the specified SBI account. I did the same and got confirmation the accommodation.

Accommodation Details: 

Chilligeri Estate
P.O. Box – 167, Manchally Village & Post,
Kutta, S. Kodagu. Pin – 571 250.
Ph : 08274 – 244265. Mobile : 94485 82496.
Contact : Mr. T. T. Somaiah / Mrs. Banu

Tariff  - Rs. 1000/- Per person per day.

Other good places to stay is The Jade. This place also very near to Chilligeri and better than it. I did not get accommodation there. The rate was also almost same.

The preparation:

As I was driving this time, I wanted to be more cautious of routes. I did research on Google Maps and found the complete route till Chilligeri estate in Kutta from my home. I got all the printouts highlighting major land marks on the maps. I really started loving Google Maps after that. I could trace all the roads even within Jungle on the Google Maps. Another risk I had anticipated was - Plan was to start very early in the Friday morning like around 5 AM, so that traffic is very less and I don't miss the entire day. In that early morning I would not get much people in the jungle to ask for the routes if I miss. Find my entire route document below:

Other than the route, a lot of planning was made. I had already serviced my car and checked all the tyres and made it full tank. I know it was a rainy season and took good jackets and very importantly 2 umbrellas and a torch. Made sure both of us have both slippers and trek shoes and warm clothing. Took 5 Lts of water cans. Charged my camera, handy cam and cell phones.

Keep tuned to this blog to see more on following

Story Board:

Drive into Nagarahole -> Chilligeri Estate ->Irpu Falls -> Waynad (Kuruva, Tirunelli) -> Talakaveri -> Madikeri/Kushalanagar

Trip to Coorg

Wow... its over.. uff.. so nice.. Safely reached.. Enjoyed a lot. In few lines if I have to say about my adventure..

---> Great drive, Full of rain, Amazed about mother nature, drove for about 800 Kms in 4 days, smooth car, lovely companion

Stay tuned for more stuff on this trip..

Story Board:

Drive into Nagarahole -> Chilligeri Estate ->Irpu Falls -> Waynad (Kuruva, Tirunelli) -> Talakaveri -> Madikeri/Kushalanagar

Bob'son'

My colleague's name is Bobson,
Who was recently gifted with a son
Bobson named his son - Bob
So, Bob's Father name is BobSON !
And, Bobson's Son's name is Bob !!

 

Weird huh ?

Our next adventure .. To South Coorg

Oh man, I am excited. We are driving to South Coorg, to a place called Kutta, which is very near by Nagarahole, Irpu falls and Waynad. I spent around 3-4 hrs today on Google maps to identify the entire roads starting from Bangalore to Kutta. It will be total of around 6 hrs journey. Around 240 KM. Out of which around 50 KM will be inside Nagarahole Forest. Wow! I am excited.

This is not actually a very good season to go to that place, we are taking little risk. We want to enjoy rains as well.

 

The Plan: Thimmi and I will be leaving home very early in the morning on this Friday at around 4:30 - 5 AM. I will be driving the entire  stretch. Plan is to reach Nagarahole forest area as early as possible. I think it will be around 8:30 AM. This will make the drive more excited. Rest of the plan to visit different places will be made then and there. Plan is to come back Sunday night, if get crazy, will be taking Monday also off. Just want to get lost man..

The Route: The route will be Bangalore - Mysore - Mysore Ring road towards West and reach Hunsur SH 88 - HD Kote road - Nagara Hole forest - Gonikoppa Road - Kutta. We have already booked accommodation at Chilligere Resort, which is just few KM away from Irpu falls.

The Places: Nagarahole, Waynad, Irpu Falls, Kuruva Island, Kushala Nagar, Abbey Falls, Lakshmana Thirtha, Madikeri etc

Preparation: Driving map is ready, Accommodation is ready, packing in progress,

View Larger Map

Day out to Lumbini Garden

It was a lovely Sunday morning we decide to go to Lumbini Garden at Nagawara. I had never been there but heard of good things about it. Thimmi and I started at around 11 AM and reached there by 12 noon. You can see route at attached map.

Coming from Mekhri circle towards Hebbal flyover take diversion towards east in the outer ring road. From there it is around 3-4 KM and you get in your left side.

View Larger Map

Entrance fee: 30 per person and 30 per camera Very nice place for kids, boating (general and peddle). They also have some water games. Not so great, but nice for weekend get away. Lots of games for kids.

You get all kinds of food there. Boating was very nice. Worth a visit..

View some movies

 

Here are some snaps ->

Tampere Photos

Here are some photos Thimmi has captured during her Tampere Visit ->

 

Tampere Map

 

 

View Larger Map

ಬೇಗ ಬಾರೇ ನನ್ತಿಮ್ಮಿ

ನನ್ ಬಿಟ್ ಯಾಕೆ ದೂರ ಹೋದೆ, ನೀನೇ ಎಲ್ಲ ನನ್ತಿಮ್ಮಿ
ನೀನಿಲ್ದಂಗೆ ಬಡವಾಗೈತೆ, ಈ ನನ್ ಜೀವ ನನ್ತಿಮ್ಮಿ
ಹೋಗಿದ್ದೊಂದೇ ತಿಂಗಳ್ಗಾದ್ರೂ, ವರ್ಸಾಂಗೈತೆ ನನ್ತಿಮ್ಮಿ
ನಿಂತೋಗೈತೆ ಗಡ್ಯಾರದ್ ಮುಳ್ಳ, ಬೇಗ ಬಾರೇ ನನ್ತಿಮ್ಮಿ

 

ಊಟ ಹತ್ತಕ್ಕಿಲ್ಲ ಮೈಗೆ, ನಿದ್ದೆ ಬಾರಕ್ಕಿಲ್ಲಾ ಕಣ್ಗೆ
ಕೆಲ್ಸ್ದಾಗಂತೂ ಮನ್ಸೇ ಇಲ್ಲ, ನೀನಿಲ್ದಂಗೆ ನನ್ತಿಮ್ಮಿ
ಮನ್ಯಾಗೆಲ್ಲಾ ಉಮ್ಮಸ್ ಇಲ್ಲ, ಮನ್ದಾಗ್ ಲವ್ ಲವ್ಕೇನೇ ಇಲ್ಲ
ಅಗ್ಲೂ ರಾತ್ರೆ ಬ್ಯಾಸ್ರಾ ಎಲ್ಲ, ಬರ್ಬಾರ್ದೇನೇ ನನ್ತಿಮ್ಮಿ

 

ಸ್ಯಾಂಡ್ ವಿಚ್ನೋನ್ಗೆ ಕೆಲ್ಸಾ ಇಲ್ಲ, ಗೋಲ್ಗೊಪ್ನೋನ್ಗೆ ಗಿರಾಕಿ ಇಲ್ಲ
ಚುರ್ ಮುರಿ ಗಾಡಿ ಕಾಣಕ್ಕಿಲ್ಲ, ನೀನಿಲ್ದಂಗೆ ನನ್ತಿಮ್ಮಿ
ಗೋಕುಲ್ ವೆಜ್ ಗೇ ಬಾಗ್ಲೇ ಗತಿ, ಅಡಿಗಾಸ್ ಗೇ ಎತ್ತಂಗಡಿ
ಐಸ್ ಕ್ರೀಮ್ ನೋನ್ಗೆ ಯಾಪಾರ ಇಲ್ಲ, ಬೇಗ ಬಾರೇ ನನ್ತಿಮ್ಮಿ

 

ಆಗ್ಲೇ ಆಯ್ತು ಅದ್ನೆಂಟ್ ದಿವ್ಸ, ಆದಂಗೈತೆ ಅದ್ನೆಂಟ್ ವರ್ಸ
ಎತ್ಕೊಂಡ್ ಕುಣ್ದಾತೀನಿ ನಿನ್ನ, ನೀನ್ ಬಂದ್ ಮ್ಯಾಕೆ ನನ್ತಿಮ್ಮಿ
ಇನ್ನೇನ್ ಬಂದೀಯಲ್ಲೇ ಅಂಥ, ಆಕಾಸ್ದಾಗೆ ತೇಲ್ಕೊಂಡಿವ್ನಿ
ಬೇಗ ಬಾರೆ ಬೇಗ ಬಾರೆ, ಬರ್ಬಾರ್ದೇನೆ ನನ್ತಿಮ್ಮಿ

 

My dear Thimmi, has gone to Tampere, Finland for a month for attending a training. She went Apr 30th and will be back on May 30th. I am missing her a lot and this poem is dedicated to her and asking her to come as early as possible.

Tampere on Google Maps

You don't have to know to feel it ..

I was listening to Swami Sukhabodhaananda's speech on Bhagavadgeeta. More than the content I caught a very curious concept Swamiji was trying to explain. I just wanted to share the same. He was reading a verse from Geeta and asked listeners to enjoy it, even though they did not understand it. He started explaining the concept that one can enjoy/feel anything even if he/she does not understand it. He started giving some examples as below:

 

No need to know Sanskrit to feel Bhagavdgeeta.

No need to know the dynamics of Fan to feel cool breeze..

No need to know technology of Television to enjoy a TV program

No need to understand complexity of "LIFE" to live it

Last but not least.....

No Need to understand your wife to live with her and enjoy journey of life with her.

Women feel things... Men try to know it/ understand them.

So swami suggested all women to start understanding men and suggested all men to feel women's feeling instead of trying to understand them.

 

What a concept yaa.... your comment please yaa..

ಇದೂ ಸಹ ನಿಮಗೆ ಗೊತ್ತೆ ??

ಕಳೆದ post ನಲ್ಲಿ ಕೆಲವು ಅಪರೂಪದ ಪದಗಳನ್ನ ಪಟ್ಟಿ ಮಾಡಿದ್ದೆ. ಇದರ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಮನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಚರ್ಚೆ ಮಾಡಿದಾಗ ಇನ್ನೂ ಕೆಲವು ಪದಗಳು ಹೊರ ಬಂದವು. ಕೆಲವನ್ನು ನಾನು observe ಮಾಡಿದೆ. ನಿಜವಾಗಲೂ ಇದನ್ನ ಮನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ casual ಆಗಿ ಉಪಯೋಗಿಸುತ್ತಾರೆಂದರೆ ನನಗೆ ನಿಜಾಗಲೂ ಆಶ್ಚರ್ಯ ಆಗತ್ತೆ.

1. ಕಣಕ: ಒಬ್ಬಟ್ಟು/ ಚಪಾತಿ ಮಾಡಲು ಕಲಸಿದ ಹಿಟ್ಟು. (Dough)

2. ಗಳು: ತೆಳುವಾದ ಕಡ್ದಿ/ ಸಣ್ಣ ಕೋಲು. ದಬ್ಬೆ ಗೊತ್ತಲ್ಲ್ವ? ಅದೆ ನಮ್ಮ ಮನೆ drainage pipe ಕಟ್ಟಿಕೊಂಡ್ರೆ ದಬ್ಬೆ ಹಾಕಿ ಶುಚಿ ಮಾಡ್ತಾರಲ್ಲ. ಅದಕ್ಕೆ ಗಳು ಅಂತಾನೂ ಕರೀತಾರೆ.

3. ಗುಬ್ರ್ಹಾಕ್ಕೊ: ಗುಬ್ರು is same as ಮುಸುಕ್ಹಾಕ್ಕೊ

4. ಹಂಕು/ ಹಪಾಪಿ : ಎರಡೂ ಒಂದೇ ಅರ್ಥ. ತುಂಬಾ restless ಆಗಿ ಆಡ್ತಾ ಇದ್ದ್ರೆ, ಅದ್ಯಾಕೋ ಹಾಗೆ ಹಂಕ್ ಹಂಕ್ ಆಗಿ ಆಡ್ತಾ ಇದೀಯ ? ಅಥವಾ ಯಾಕೋ ಹಪಾಪಿ ಮುಂಡೇದೆ ಊಟ ಮಾಡಿಲ್ಲ್ವ ?

ಇದು ನಿಮಗೆ ಗೊತ್ತೆ ?

ಮನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಸುಮಾರು ಅಪರೂಪದ ಪದಗಳನ್ನ ನಾವು ಉಪಯೋಗಿಸ್ತೀವಿ.. ಎಷ್ಟೋ ಸಲ ಅಂಥ ಪದಗಳಿದೆಯಾ ಅನ್ನೋ ಅಷ್ಟು ಆಶ್ಚರ್ಯ ಆಗತ್ತೆ.. ಕೆಲವು ಪದಗಳನ್ನ ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಪೋಸ್ಟಿಸ್ತೀನಿ.. ಅವುಗಳ ಸಾಂಧರ್ಭಿಕ ಅರ್ಥದೊಂದಿಗೆ. ಈ ರೀತಿ ಅಪರೂಪದ ಪದಗಳನ್ನು ನೀವೂ ಹೇಳಿ..

೧. ತಣುವು : ಥಂಡಿ ಇರುವಂಥಹ ಪದಾರ್ಥ. ತೀರ ಒದ್ದೆಯಿರುವುದಿಲ್ಲ, ಆದರೆ ಒಣಗಿರುವುದೂ ಇಲ್ಲ. ಉದಾ: ಬಟ್ಟೆಗಳು ಇನ್ನೂ ತಣುವಾಗಿದೆ

೨. ಬೋಸಿ : ಬಚ್ಚಲಮನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಉಪಯೋಗಿಸುವ ಚೊಂಬಿಗೆ ಬೋಸಿಯೆನ್ನುತ್ತಾರೆ.

೩. ಗೋಮ : ಊಟವಾದ ಮೇಲೆ ನೆಲವನ್ನ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ನೀರಿನಿಂದ ಶುಚಿಗೊಳಿಸುವ ಕೆಲಸ. ಉದಾ: ಗೋಮ ಬಳಿಯುವುದು. ಅಥವಾ ಗೋಮೆ ಹಚ್ಚು

೪. ಆರಿ ಅತ್ತಿಕಾಯಿ ಆಗಿದೆ: ಯಾವುದಾದರೂ ತಿನ್ನುವ ಪದಾರ್ಥ ತಯಾರಿಸಿ ತುಂಬಾ ಹೊತ್ತಾಗಿ ಆರಿ ಹೋಗಿದ್ದರೆ, ಆ ಸಂಧರ್ಭದಲ್ಲಿ ಉಪಯೋಗಿಸುತ್ತಾರೆ.

೫. ಒರಚ್ಚು: ಯಾವುದಾದರೂ ಪದಾರ್ಥ ಅದರ ಜಾಗದಲ್ಲಿ ಸರಿಯಾಗಿದ್ದರೆ, ಬೇರೆಯದರ ಜೊತೆ ಸೇರಿ ಅದರ ಮಹತ್ವ ಕಳೆದುಕೊಳ್ಳದಿದ್ದಾಗ, ಉಪಯೋಗಿಸುವುದು. ಉದಾ: ದೇವರ ಮನೆ ಒರಚ್ಚಾಗಿ ಇದೆ.

೬. ಸಾಟಿ: ಚಪಾತಿ ಮಾಡುವಾಗ ಸಣ್ಣದಾಗಿ ಲಟ್ಟಿಸಿ, ಒಳಗೆ ಎಣ್ಣೆ ಹಾಕಿ ತ್ರಿಕೋಣದ ರೀತಿ ಮಡಸುವ ವಿಧಾನ. ಉದಾ: ಚಪಾತಿಗೆ ಸಾಟಿ ಹಾಕು

 

ನಾರಿ ನೀನಿಲ್ಲದಿರೆ ..

ಶಿಶಿರದಲಿ ಎಲೆಯುದುರಿ ಮರವು ಬೋಳಾದಂತೆ ಬೇಸಿಗೆಯ ಬೇಗೆಯಲಿ ಕೆರೆ ಬತ್ತಿದಂತೆ ಕರಿಯ ಕಾರ್ಮೋಡದಿಂ ರವಿಕಾಂತಿ ಕಳೆದಂತೆ ನಾರಿ ನೀನಿಲ್ಲದಿರೆ ನಾ ಬೊಂಬೆಯಂತೆ | ಪ|   ತೈಲವಿದೆ ದೀಪವಿದೆ ಬತ್ತಿಯಿದೆ ಕತ್ತಲಿದೆ ಜ್ವಾಲೆಯಿಲ್ಲದೆ ಕಾಂತೆ ಏನಾದರೇನು ? ನೂರಾರು ಬಂಧುಗಳು ಹತ್ತಾರು ಬಳಗಗಳು ನಾರಿ ನೀನಿಲ್ಲದಿರೆ ಯಾರಿದ್ದರೇನು ? |೧|   ಕೆಂಡವಿಲ್ಲದ ಹಂಡೆ ಗುಂಡಿಯಿಲ್ಲದ ಅಂಗಿ ದಂಡವಿಲ್ಲದ ಸ್ವಾಮಿ ಸಾರ್ಥಕತೆಯೇನು ? ಬರ ಬಡಿದ ಭೂಮಿಯಲಿ ಭತ್ತ ಬಿತ್ತಿದ ಹಾಗೆ ನಾರಿ ನೀನಿಲ್ಲದೆದಿರೆ ಈ ಬಾಳು ಬರಿದು |೨|

 

ನನ್ನ ತಿಮ್ಮಿಗಾಗಿ ಈ ಕವನ ಮುಡಿಪು ....

Testing Uploading of images thru - Windows Live ..

Photos

From my archives: I had taken this shot in Dec-2004. I used to click a lot. Its been a long time I clicked. Batteries for camera had drained out. Today I bought 2200 mAh Panasonic batteries. I hope I can re-starting my shooting..

Windows Live - ಪ್ರಯತ್ನ..

ಇವತ್ತು ವಿಂಡೋಸ್ ಲೈವ್ ಇನ್ಸ್ಟಾಲ್ ಮಾಡಿಕೊಂಡೆ. ಅದರಲ್ಲಿ ಬ್ಲಾಗಿಸುವ ಪ್ರಯತ್ನವಿದು..

Trip to Ooty

We had been to Kadaltheeram beach resort in Feb this year through Artha Health Options. I have given more info about Artha in this post .

As a second trip, Sowmya and I had decided to go to Ooty. We planned this trip sometime in 2nd week of Sep 07. Booked hotel through Artha. They booked Hotel called Sunshine Inn which is in Coonoor road. I booked travel for Oct 6th to Oct 8th - Delux bus from KPN travels, which starts from Bangalore at 10 PM and reaches Ooty by morning 7 AM; and starts Ooty at 9 PM and reaches Bangalore at 5 AM. This bus is daily and very convenient. I booked bus tickets over internet. During our trip to Kanyakumari also we had booked KPN bus. I feel it very comfortable.

After I booked everything, suddenly there was a very important meeting that spurted at my office on 8th Oct. I called Artha and asked for pre-ponement, for which they did not oblige. Then I directly called Sunshine Inn and explained this problem, he was very polite and obliged for the request. He told I can use the same voucher for the stay from 5th Oct to 7th Oct. As it was non-season it was doable.

We started Thursday night 10 PM from Bangalore and arrived at Ooty on 5th Oct, Saturday 7 AM. Checked into the Hotel Sun Shine Inn. We were very tired as the Mysore to Ooty road is pretty bad. It was as if we were sitting in a swing. We slept till 9AM and then had dosa as break fast. Hotel folks asked whether we want to take a city sight seeying. As we did not have anything in our plans, we took it. He charged 150 per persons and took us around Ooty and Conoor. We saw Dodda Betta, which is highest view point, Botanical garden, Ooty lake in Ooty. We took peddle boat there. In Conoor he took us to Lamb's rock, Sim's park and to tea estates. As road to Dolphin Nose was broken we could not see that. Trip was pretty good. In the middle he parked for lunch at a decent restaurant. By evening, the temperature dropped heavily and I started catching fever. The most dumbest mistake we had done was, we had taken any warm clothing excepting a shawl. It was a very bad night for me. I had taken some paracetamols, which saved me that night.

Next morning: 06-Oct-07, Saturday

Woke up late, got ready by 10 and we wanted to go to Conoor by famous Toy train. There are 3-4 trains everyday from Ooty to Mettupalyam. Conoor station is in middle of these two cities. We took 11:15 AM train to Conoor. It reached Conoor by 12:15. The train is very small and has only 4 compartments. The seating arrangement is also very different. Ticket charge is Rs. 5 from Ooty to Coonoor. The scenic beauty, the tunnels and hair raising bends are all un-explainable. You feel as if you in Disney world. If you remember Dil Se - Chaiyya Chaiyya song was shot on this train itself. The maximum speed of train is only 30 KMPH. Its such an amazing experience.

At Conoor with some difficulties we found a decent Hotel. Had lunch and thought of going for some shopping. We hardly could find good place there to shop. We thought waiting for next train back to Ooty, but we did not have patience. So we took bus and reached back to Ooty by 3 PM.

There is a Wax museum in Conoor road just beside Sun Shine Hotel. We visited that. Its not that great. But they have started recently and still improving. Went back to room and rested for rest of the day. Suffered by fever again at night. Saved by paracetamol. :-)

Next day: 07-Oct-07, Sunday.
This was last day in our trip. In Bangalore we were thinking of going to Blank Thunder water park. But it is near Mettupalyam which is around 60 KM from Ooty. More over the weather was not suitable for water games and hence we skipped that idea and took another Sight Seeing for the day which they call it as Filmy Chakkar.

Even for this tehy charge 150 per person. It started at around 10 AM. In this trip, they took us on Mysore road towards Pykara. On the way we saw places like 9th Mile, 6th Mile, Pine trees and all the beautiful places where many Hindi, Kannda and Tamil movies has been shot. Guide explained very nicely. At the end he took us to Pykara Lake. This lake is very big compared to Ooty lake and it is natural where as Ooty lake is man made. Shooting is not allowed in Pykara. We ganged with other 3 pairs and took a Motor boat. The experience was really good. Had lunch there it self. Then he took us to Pykara Falls, which is not too far from lake. Falls is very broad and has multiple level falls. Water is calm and scenic beauty is very nice. Spent around an hour there and head back to Ooty.

Got down near Ooty market. Place is called Charing Cross. We shopped some items like pain oil, eucalyptus oil, some clothes, shawls sweaters etc. Head back to room had dinner and boarded the bus at around 8:30 PM. Reached Bangalore by 5 AM on Monday morning.

How far Fullness and Nullness

Zero, Null, Nothing, Vacuum -> where nothing can exist. Do you think such an entity is very far from Full, Complete, Everything ?


I have labeled this as a philosophical post and not any other, because, science talks about facts and ideas which can be argued with evidence. But this subject is little hypothetical and can not be proved with facts, hence I am trying to rely on philosophical inputs.

Lets take a shanti mantra from Vedas:

पूर्णमदः पूर्णमिदम् पूर्णात् पूर्ण्मुदच्यतॆ

पूर्णस्य पूर्णमादाय पूर्णमॆवावशिष्यतॆ

Meaning:

That (Brahman) is whole. This (Creation) is also whole.
From That Whole (i.e. Brahman Only), this whole has come out (Creation)But even though this whole has come, out of that whole, yet that whole remains whole only(i.e. Brahman remains unaffected. Retains His fullness and completeness.)


I have taken the above meaning from one of the books. The meaning of the above mantra looks very vague and confusing. But if calmly read, one can derive many truths from this mantra.

1. Completeness of God: God is the one who created this world, or in other words this Whole world has been derived from God. As per our knowledge, this world is complete. So 'complete' has been derived from God who is again complete. But that does not affect Him.
   
2. The line 'पूर्णस्य पूर्णमादाय पूर्णमॆवावशिष्यतॆ' is very curious. According to Arithmetic, if you subtract X from X, what remains is ZERO. But according to this mantra, if full is removed from full, what remains is again full. Mathematics can not answer this, because in Mathematics, Full is indeterminate. But if I equate Mantra with what Arithmatic has taught me, I can conclude, ZERO is FULL

Now, Lets us observe some of our day to day activities that shows similarities between Fullness and Nullness:

1. At the end of session or a class, no questions will be asked by persons who completely understood it and who did not understand a bit of it.


2. Old man behaves like a child. He becomes very sensitive, wants everyone's attention etc.


3. Atheist and a Brahma Jnani, who understands real God, both behave in a very similar fashion. Atheist does not think about God; Brahma Jnani, understands that everything is God, he himself is God and he does not worry about God too much after that.
   
4. Only two who are happy in this world are: The richest man and the poorest man. For the former, there is everything and he does not have to worry, for the later, there is nothing to worry about.
   
5. Totally transparent object can become opaque in certain angle, due to Total internal reflection. So transparency and opaqueness are also not too far.
   
6. We feel frustrated, if our brain nothing to do (Joblessness) or it is full of thoughts (Hectic Work)
   
7. There is a saying in Kannada "ಅತಿಯಾದರೆ ಅಮೃತವೂ ವಿಷದಂತೆ": Meaning: Excess of Nector becomes poison
   
8. Another saying "ಅತಿ ವಿನಯಂ ದೂರ್ತ ಲಕ್ಷಣಂ": Meaning: Too mild person will be cruel from other end

There are many more examples and experiences in the same line. Please share to prove that Fullness and Nullness are not too far..

ಶಂಕರಾಚಾರ್ಯ - ಅದ್ವೈತ

ಇದೇನಪ್ಪ ಇವನು, sudden ಆಗಿ, ಏನೇನೋ ಬರೀತಾ ಇದಾನೆ ಅಂದ್ಕೊಂಡ್ರ .. ಹೂ .. ನಮ್ಮಮ್ಮ ಆಧ್ಯಾತ್ಮ ಜೀವಿಗಳು .. ನಮ್ಮಮ್ಮ ಅವರ friends ಗೆ ಸೌಂದರ್ಯ ಲಹರಿ, ಶಿವಾನಂದ ಲಹರಿ, ಭಗವದ್ಗೀತೆ etc ಎಲ್ಲ ಹೇಳ್ಕೊಡ್ತಾರೆ. ಅವರ ಜೊತೆ ನಾನು ನನ್ನ ಪಾಮರ ಚರ್ಚೆ ಮಾಡ್ತಾ ಇರ್ತೀನಿ ಆಗಾಗ.. ಹೀಗೇ ಮೊನ್ನೆ ಭಾನ್ವಾರ ಆದ ಒಂದು ಚರ್ಚೆಯ ತುಣುಕು ಈ post.

ರಾತ್ರಿ ಎಲ್ಲಿಂದ್ಲೋ ಬರೋ ಅಷ್ಟ್ರಲ್ಲಿ ಸುಮಾರು ೧೧ ಘಂಟೆ ಆಗಿತ್ತು. ಈಗ ಅವ್ರ classನಲ್ಲಿ ಶಿವಾನಂದ ಲಹರಿ ಶುರು ಆಗಿದೆ. So, ನಾನು ಸುಮ್ನೆ ಆ ಪುಸ್ತಕ ತೆಗೆದು ಓದಕ್ಕೆ ಶುರು ಮಾಡಿದೆ. ನನಗೆ ಕೆಲವು doubts ಬಂತು .. ಹಾಗೆ ಚರ್ಚೆ ಶುರು ಆಯ್ತು.

ಹಿನ್ನೆಲೆ: ಶಿವಾನಂದ ಲಹರಿಯು ಈಶ್ವರನನ್ನು ಕುರಿತು ಶಂಕರ ಭಗವತ್ಪಾದರು ರಚಿಸಿರುವ ಉತ್ಕೃಷ್ಟವಾದ ಕೃತಿ. ಅದರಲ್ಲಿ ಶಿವನನ್ನು ಹೊಗಳುತ್ತಾ ಬೇರೆ ಇತರ ದೇವತೆಗಳಿಗಿಂತ ಶಿವ ಹೇಗೆ ಉನ್ನತ ಎಂದು ವಿವರಿಸ್ತಾರೆ. ಅಲ್ಲಿಂದಲೆ ನನ್ನ ಸಂದೇಹಗಳು ಶುರುವಾಯ್ತು. ನಿಮಗೆಲ್ಲ ತಿಳಿದಿರುವಂತೆ ಶಂಕರೇ ಅದ್ವೈತ ಸಿದ್ಧಾಂತವನ್ನು ಮಂಡಿಸಿದ್ದು. ನನ್ನ ಸಂದೇಹ ನಿಮ್ಮ ಮುಂದೆ ಇಡುವ ಮುಂಚೆ ಅದ್ವೈತದ basics ಗಳನ್ನು ನಿಮ್ಮೊಂದಿಗೆ ಹಂಚಿಕೊಳ್ತೀನಿ.

ಅದ್ವೈತದ ಪ್ರಕಾರ:

1. ’ದೇವ’ನೊಬ್ಬ ನಾಮ ಹಲುವು - ಏಕಂ ಸದ್ವಿಪ್ರಾ ಬಹುಧಾ ವದಂತಿ
2. ’ದೇವ’ನು ನಿರಾಕಾರ, ನಿರ್ವಿಕಾರ, ಅನಾದಿ, ಅನಂತ, ನಿರ್ವಣಿ, ನಿರ್ಭಾವ, ನಿಸ್ಸ್ವಭಾವ
3. ಆತ್ಮ ಪರಮಾತ್ಮನ ಒಂದು ಭಾಗ - ಅಹಂ ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಾಸ್ಮಿ ಅನ್ನೋ ವಾದ
4. ಪರಮಾತ್ಮ ನಮ್ಮೋಳಿಗಿರುವ ಅನುಭವ ಕೇವಲ ಜ್ಞಾನಯೋಗದಿಂದ ಬರುತ್ತದೆ

ಹೀಗೆಲ್ಲ ದೇವರ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಮಂಡಿಸಿದ, ಶಂಕರರು - ಶಿವನೇ ಇತರ ದೇವತೆಗಳಿಗಿಂತ ಮಹಾಮಹಿಮನು ಅಂತ ಒಂದು ಶ್ಲೋಕದಲ್ಲಿ, ಶಿವನ ಆಕಾರವನ್ನು ಮತ್ತೊಂದು ಶ್ಲೋಕದಲ್ಲಿ ಇನ್ನೂ ಅನೇಕ ವಿಚಾಗಳನ್ನು ವಿವರಿಸುತ್ತಾರೆ.
.. ಏನು ಇಷ್ಟೊಂದು inconsistency ಅಂತ ನನ್ನ ಸಂದೇಹ ಶುರು ಆಯ್ತು. ಉದಾಹರಣೆ ಕೆಳಗಿನ ಶ್ಲೋಕ

ಆಕಾರವನ್ನು ವರ್ಣಿಸುತ್ತಾ:

ತ್ರಯೀ ವೇದ್ಯಂ ಹೃದ್ಯಂ ತ್ರಿಪುರಹರಮಾದ್ಯಂ ತ್ರಿನಯನಂ
ಜಟಾಭಾರೋದಾರಂ ಚಲದುರಗಹಾರಂ ಮೃಗಧರಮ್
ಮಹಾದೇವಂ ದೇವಂ ಮಯಿ ಸದಯಭಾವಂ ಪಶುಪತಿಂ
ಚಿದಾಲಂಬಂ ಸಾಂಬಂ ಶಿವಮತಿವಿಡಂಬಂ ಹೃದಿ ಭಜೆ

ಪರಮಾತ್ಮನಿಗೆ ಆಕಾರವಿಲ್ಲವೆಂಬ ಸತ್ಯ ಗೊತ್ತಿದ್ದರೂ ಶಂಕರರು ಈ ಮೇಲಿನ ಶ್ಲೋಕದಲ್ಲಿ ಆಕಾರದ ಬಗ್ಗೆ
ಅದೆಷ್ಟು ವರ್ಣಿಸಿದ್ದಾರೆ ಅಲ್ಲವೇ? ಏಕೆ ?

ಅದೇ ರೀತಿ ಶಿವನ ಔನ್ನತ್ಯವನ್ನು ವಿವರಿಸುತ್ತಾ:

ಸಹಸ್ರಂ ವರ್ತಂತೇ ಜಗತಿ ವಿಬುಧಾಃ ಕ್ಷುದ್ರಫಲದಾ
ನ ಮನ್ಯೆ ಸ್ವಪ್ನೇ ವಾ ತದನುಸರಣಂ ತತ್ಕೃತ ಫಲಮ್
ಹರಿಬ್ರಹ್ಮಾದೀನಾಮಪಿ ನಿಕಟಭಾಜಾಮಸುಲಭಂ
ಚಿರಂ ಯಾಚೆ ಶಂಭೋ ತವ ಪದಾಂಭೋಜ ಭಜನಂ

ಮೇಲಿನ ಶ್ಲೋಕದಲ್ಲಿ ಇತರ ದೇವತೆಗಳನ್ನು ಕ್ಷುದ್ರಫಲ ಕೊಡುವವರೆಂದು ಕರೆದಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಅದ್ವೈತದ ಪ್ರಕಾರ, ಹರಿಹರಬ್ರಹ್ಮರೆಲ್ಲರೂ ಒಬ್ಬರೆ ಅಲ್ಲ್ವೆ? ಶಂಕರು ಈ ರೀತಿ ಹೇಗೆ ಬರೆಯಲು ಸಾಧ್ಯ ಅಂತಾನೆ ನನ್ನ ಮೂಢಮತಿಗೆ ತಿಳಿಯಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಅದಕ್ಕೆ ಅಮ್ಮ ಬಹಳ ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿ ಪರಿಹಾರ ನೀಡಿದರು. ಅದನ್ನು ನಾನು ನಿಮ್ಮೊಂದಿಗೆ ಹಂಚಿಕೊಳ್ಳುವ ಮುನ್ನ ನಿಮ್ಮ ಅಭಿಪ್ರಾಯ ?

Trip to Anantpur - Rayadurg :: Sri's Engagement

My close friend Sridhar Machani, got engaged on the 60th Indian independence day :).

He describes that as his In(Dependence) with his would-be.. hahaha.
As usual, I am blogging this little late :).


Whatever, we all enjoyed the trip, as it was arranged in Bride's native Rayadurg. The crowd of friends were more compared to his relatives. We all travelled together from Bangalore to Rayadurg and back to Bangalore. We started on 14th Aug, 07 night and were back on 16th Aug, morning. Good thing was even Sowmya had joined the trip and even she enjoyed a lot.

The place was very peaceful but very hot. Some pics:




Train journey was really awesome. Sridhar had done great job in putting "like minded" people together.. Thanks Buddy














On the way, scenic beauty was really great!

Ah! What a welcome by bride.. We all enjoyed it

Oh it was very hot, needed some drink badly..

Look at the pair. No No.. Not reception.. it was just engagement... :))

Can you believe it was just engagement, not marriage reception ??

From left to right:

Shashi, Sudhir, Mahendra, Jayprasad, Siddhu, Sridhar, Shailaja, Sowmya , Karthik, Kashi, Naveen

Read Kashi's blog on same topic