Where did i go all these days? Just another move, Moved from LA to Santa Barbara, the wine county of California. Life is becoming pretty good with the new place and my work. Working in product based company, is a dream come true for me at least. Actually, i was really tired of those offshore calls that i have been taking for the past 3 years !!! Compared to the service based industry, the product based is interesting [My Opinion] and there is a lot of scope for thinking.
Oh, i did forget one important thing. I get a lot of time to think and do it the right way.
On the lighter side, i would share one kadi joke from my dearest friends, when i announced the move to Santa BARBARA, our kadi mannan's immediate reply was that atleast i don't have to worry about my haircut from now on. [If anyone did not get the joke, mail me, of course it took me a minute to read and understand the kadi myself.]
The last weekend was a labor day weekend and i had an extra day off, so we sped off to San Francisco... The experience and how i missed my Saravana Bhavan meals is all coming up in my next blog.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
>>>>>> 2007 Above & Beyond <<<<<<
Hi All,
Thinks its a way too long break for me from the blogs, sorry about that. Just wanted to get back to you all with an interesting piece and start the 2007 afresh.
To start with let me share some attributes of mine [Not a self evaluation though!!! So don't believe it entirely]
here is my rating on how selfish i am.
So now for the real matters in life. The 2007 has been really wonderful with lotsa happenings. I would first mention about my dad's 60th bday function. You should be really lucky to see your parents getting married :-) wow, that was a wonderful experience. With all the relatives around, had a real nice time.
Obviously, did not miss the opportunity to hog all the food items. Opportunity knocks not often right?
The vacation was complete with a trip to sabarimala & pongal celebrations.
But alas, now i am back to LA, doing the same old design, coding and development ... By the way, just got myself a 2007 Honda Accord VP.
Well that's it for now, catch u all soon, but i don't want to mention when/where/how details - Following the mantra of a Pure Software Engineer,
>>>>>>>>>>"Don't commit on any deadlines, Just say, Will get back soon" !<<<<<<<<<<
Thinks its a way too long break for me from the blogs, sorry about that. Just wanted to get back to you all with an interesting piece and start the 2007 afresh.
To start with let me share some attributes of mine [Not a self evaluation though!!! So don't believe it entirely]
| The Keys to MY DUDE! - My Heart |
 You are attracted to good manners and elegance. In love, you feel the most alive when things are straight-forward, and you're told that you're loved. You'd like to your lover to think you are loyal and faithful... that you'll never change. You would be forced to break up with someone who was emotional, moody, and difficult to please. Your ideal relationship is lasting. You want a relationship that looks to the future... one you can grow with. Your risk of cheating is low. Even if you're tempted, you'd try hard not to do it. You think of marriage something you've always wanted... though you haven't really thought about it. In this moment, you think of love as something you thirst for. You'll do anything for love, but you won't fall for it easily. |
here is my rating on how selfish i am.
| I Am 44% Selfish - Am i? |
 You are quite balanced. You are able to compromise when it's in the best interests of those involved. But you're no pushover. If something is important to you, you'll get it! |
So now for the real matters in life. The 2007 has been really wonderful with lotsa happenings. I would first mention about my dad's 60th bday function. You should be really lucky to see your parents getting married :-) wow, that was a wonderful experience. With all the relatives around, had a real nice time.
Obviously, did not miss the opportunity to hog all the food items. Opportunity knocks not often right?
The vacation was complete with a trip to sabarimala & pongal celebrations.
But alas, now i am back to LA, doing the same old design, coding and development ... By the way, just got myself a 2007 Honda Accord VP.
Well that's it for now, catch u all soon, but i don't want to mention when/where/how details - Following the mantra of a Pure Software Engineer,
>>>>>>>>>>"Don't commit on any deadlines, Just say, Will get back soon" !<<<<<<<<<<
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Las Vegas - The Entertainment Capital of the World
Everything happened in a last minute and we decided to go to the Las Vegas & Grand Canyon for the extra large weekend.... sorry long weekend. We searched in the net for deals and ended up in a rather cool deal. 3 days 2 nights tour to London Bridge, Grand Canyon and Vegas only at the cost of $128. This included the 2 nights stay, the bus fare and entrance fee for the canyon.
The Bus started from Los Angeles at 7:20 AM on Saturday. We reached right on time but to the wrong address! We walked all the way for 15 minutes to reach the correct address. We boarded the bus and it took us to one of the branch offices of the tourism from where we had to catch another bus to the main office. Was wondering whether they will take us to vegas or just show it on poster [Everybody will think the same when such a trip comes for so cheap deal :-) ]
Atlast we boarded the main bus and the journey started at around 9:30 AM. As we were going, the temp slowly started rising. We reached the London bridge around 12:00 Noon. The temperature outside was just 110 degrees. Arizona was literally getting baked in the sun. It did not bother me too much, i was just remembering the good old days in the college during the month of May when the whole campus heats up.
The London bridge, as per the guide was the oldest antique in the US. It was having the typical British looks.
London bridge was the only item on the menu for the day. From there, we went to a place called kinsman. The night stay was scheduled at this city.
Next day morning, the tour was scheduled to start at 5:15 in the morning, we boarded the bus as usually at 5:15 Indian Stretchable Time!
We reached canyon at 9:00 in the morning. The place was too good. I was just recollecting the scenes from Jeans, Everything was the same except that i was there with my friends, not Aishwarya rai Hmmmmm:-)
We spent around an hour and half at the canyon view point. We then left to the iMAX complex to watch a 30 minute IMAX movie on canyon, finished our lunch and headed towards the vegas.
We boarded the Reviera hotel at vegas by 6:00 PM, dropped the luggage and started for the night tour at 6:30PM. The night tour began with the Ceasar's Palace. We saw the Light&Water show with robots playing roles and headed towards the Rio casino where we saw a live dance show.
From there, we headed towards the Volcano eruption show at the Treasure Island.
After the volcano show, we headed towards the Fremont street show. The speciality of the show is the speakers. The set is designed to give an output of 140000 watts. We have to just stand below the roof where the speaker is set and it will be pretty much audible. It went on for 5 minutes and once it got over, we went to the final show of the day, "The water dancing" show at Bellagio.
All the shows that we were taken to were free shows. We were left at our hotel by 10:00 at night. We went out to the strip street and roamed around for some time and then went to the Casino at treasure Island.
The Bus started from Los Angeles at 7:20 AM on Saturday. We reached right on time but to the wrong address! We walked all the way for 15 minutes to reach the correct address. We boarded the bus and it took us to one of the branch offices of the tourism from where we had to catch another bus to the main office. Was wondering whether they will take us to vegas or just show it on poster [Everybody will think the same when such a trip comes for so cheap deal :-) ]
Atlast we boarded the main bus and the journey started at around 9:30 AM. As we were going, the temp slowly started rising. We reached the London bridge around 12:00 Noon. The temperature outside was just 110 degrees. Arizona was literally getting baked in the sun. It did not bother me too much, i was just remembering the good old days in the college during the month of May when the whole campus heats up.
The London bridge, as per the guide was the oldest antique in the US. It was having the typical British looks.
London bridge was the only item on the menu for the day. From there, we went to a place called kinsman. The night stay was scheduled at this city.
Next day morning, the tour was scheduled to start at 5:15 in the morning, we boarded the bus as usually at 5:15 Indian Stretchable Time!
We reached canyon at 9:00 in the morning. The place was too good. I was just recollecting the scenes from Jeans, Everything was the same except that i was there with my friends, not Aishwarya rai Hmmmmm:-)
We spent around an hour and half at the canyon view point. We then left to the iMAX complex to watch a 30 minute IMAX movie on canyon, finished our lunch and headed towards the vegas.
We boarded the Reviera hotel at vegas by 6:00 PM, dropped the luggage and started for the night tour at 6:30PM. The night tour began with the Ceasar's Palace. We saw the Light&Water show with robots playing roles and headed towards the Rio casino where we saw a live dance show.
From there, we headed towards the Volcano eruption show at the Treasure Island.
After the volcano show, we headed towards the Fremont street show. The speciality of the show is the speakers. The set is designed to give an output of 140000 watts. We have to just stand below the roof where the speaker is set and it will be pretty much audible. It went on for 5 minutes and once it got over, we went to the final show of the day, "The water dancing" show at Bellagio.
All the shows that we were taken to were free shows. We were left at our hotel by 10:00 at night. We went out to the strip street and roamed around for some time and then went to the Casino at treasure Island.
I lost around $20 and stopped at that point. We came back to the hotel, had a sub for dinner and had a nice sleep.
Next day, we started at around 8:30 AM, went to the strip street and roamed around few popular casinos like MGM & NY-NY.
We left the vegas at around 10:30, came to Barstow at around 12:30, had our lunch and went to a factory outlet. I purchased few t-shirts over there.
We reached LA by 6:30 PM and the trip ended pretty smooth. But it was real tiring. Thus went the long weekend and am now back to work.
Next day, we started at around 8:30 AM, went to the strip street and roamed around few popular casinos like MGM & NY-NY.
We left the vegas at around 10:30, came to Barstow at around 12:30, had our lunch and went to a factory outlet. I purchased few t-shirts over there.
We reached LA by 6:30 PM and the trip ended pretty smooth. But it was real tiring. Thus went the long weekend and am now back to work.
Saturday, June 10, 2006
BBC News Hour
BurBankCalifornia - News Hour
Headlines
Blogging at 12:20 AM midnight on a friday. My goodness, weekend at last. Hope i get some sleep.
Local News
The work has been real hectic. Just setting myself back on track of software development project.
Gone are the days when i used to be at home by 5:30PM sharp and go to tennis court stress out for a couple of hours, be back and have a nice good sleep. For a peaceful life, always go for a maintenance project.
But, one good thing is, i like this way of hectic life. Challenges are the real way of life after all !
For the past few weeks its been just so mechanical that i have become a robot, not having much time for any personal work.
"The
Praveen's comment - "Thank god, i did not get any tickets! I thought rule are there to be broken uuuuuhhhhh US sucks in this aspect and people here are real RULES RAMANUJAMs. "
Kollywood affairs at LA
This weeks reviews Jerry & Pudhupettai.
I would probably watch kadala kadala instead of jerry. Crazy's have picked all the jokes from their dramas and have made a film out of it. The pity thing is that i have heard all their drama series and i was guessing the jokes at each point in the film.
CRAZY --> LAZY
JERRY --> SORRY
Pudupettai, its real local chennai movie, specially made for the B & C centers. Sneha has taken a bold step and her performance is real good. Danush is transforming into a real porikki. Sonia agarwal was given a role only due to the fact that selvaraghavan is the diro of the movie.Too much of violence and bloodshed
PUDUPETTAI --> RATHA VETTAI
Catch u with another set of movies next week.
Oh my god, when did i become a critic of movies. Nothing much i have to discuss other that telling about these things and the PL/SQLs i am learning and working on at my work place! Discussing about the latter? its not my purpose on this blog anyways :-)
sports section
Did i tell that i got a new Tennis bat for myself and sucessfully not inaugurated it yet!. I was playing tennis a lot before i had a bat of my own and once i got a bat now, i have not yet played a single game. Its all Murphy's law working around you, just have to learn to realize it!!!!
Hopefully, the summer cricket season starts tomorrow at LA county and Mr.Praveen might be joining iGators club. Will soon be back in the blogspot with my cricket experiences.
Alright guys, need to take a good nap. More news soon....
Bye for now.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Welcome to the West Coast
Hello all,
Just when our contract was coming to an end with GE Aviation, got a call from the GE-NBC for a development project. It all happened in a day or two and by the weekend i was all set to fly to LA. Saturday morning i bid adieu to Sin(Cinatti) ! I will surely miss the tennis, saturday night parties and the kerala food at my uncle's place :-( But changes are a part of life, with that in mind i flew to LA.
Landed on 6th May, i knew no one around and was wondering what i am going to do ! within 2 days, i got a friend request in orkut, it was my school friend living in LA. I really thought how true the sanskrit proverb is ["Deivam Manushya Rupena"]. He took me around to the indian stores, the Malibu temple. We went to the temple in our traditional dhoti and chanted vedam. A real relaxation after a long time! Check out the photo. The temple is real good and it was as if going to a real south indian temple.
We have lot more to cover in the west coast. Oh By the way, HAIL ORKUT.
The work environment - Wow, working in Universal studios is real good experience. I thought i could roam around the universal city when i find free time. Thats right "WHEN I FIND FREE TIME ". Its a development project and i am back on track slogging late hours in the office. Now its only the analysis phase and i am starting early from the office at 7:30 PM itself.
I spent the last few weekend searching for accomodations around the place. Its real costly life in LA. Atlast i found one apartment, where the rent is just double the amount i payed in Green Bay and that too for a single BR apt.[In Green Bay it was a double BR !].
I am still living in the hotel, planning to move into one apartment by the weekend. If everything goes well, by next week, my accomodation will be all set.
The weather is too cool, as far as i heard, there is not concept of winter or summer, its always cool and warm around here. Donno how true it is.
Will reach you all with more experiences soon.
Happy Memorial Day.
Monday, April 24, 2006
Happy Vishu & Tamil New Year
This year again, the d day came and went. I am again far off from my home sweet home, missing all the good celebrations and good food. But this year, i made sure, i enjoy it. Thursday evening, after the usual tennis session [Now don't ask when this tennis session became "usual", i have just started learning and try to make sure that the ball is out there in the opponent's court!], i went to the supermarket, got all fresh fruits and a mirror. That's the saasthram [tradition] you see.
Thursdar night, after calling all the relatives in india and wishing them happy vishu, i arranged up the fruits etc before the god. You can see the arrangement on the photo.
Next day early morning, my mom woke me up, by calling to my mobile, got up, saw the vishu kani and started the day. Morning session at the office was pretty cool, no one was at work, it was good friday and most of our clients had taken off.
The day was pretty cool with no stressful work. In the evening, had a nice ride till the airport for dropping my roommate and then from there went straight to my uncle's house.
"Kadhal" movie had already started in sun tv, we all were glued to it for some time and then we all saw vishu kani at my uncle's house. Got the vishu kani nettam in Dollars for the first time !
After sometime, we all went to the war field [I meant the dinner table], vishu sadhi was all set, started with pal payasam and had all the kerala items to full.
Came back home at 10:30 in the night, saw a movie and thus ended my this year's vishu. Sorry people, its already 15 days now after the event and am publishing this very late.
Sunday, March 12, 2006
Vengaya sambarum Chepankazhangu fryum...
Does the title look yummy. Decided to go for it today morning. Woke up and was chatting back home when i thought of this menu. The kerala style sambar & curry are pretty special and once you taste it, you would love it for sure.
My school days were the days of fun with variety of dishes prepared by my mom. Nevertheless, i should accept that my mom and dad are equal competitors and both of them try to do items more delicious than the other. My self and my sis are the judges for tasting the items and voting the winner. Nice work for the judges! Isn't it. I know.
Come festival, the menu would be palada pradaman, olan, kalan, mathan sambar, urla kazhangu kara curry, aviyal, thakkali rasam, mangai pachadi, chow chow kootu.... the list goes on. But for me, i was too picky on the vegetable those days and will not eat most of the items.
Thanks to my college hostel food, it was so worst that i started eating all items which are vegetarian. After my college days, i have not stayed with my parents due to my profession, but i will make sure that i don't miss festivals[ob, for gobbling the big list of items] I make sure i eat all the items and taste them.
Now to today's menu. Started with the rice and dal. Started at 10:30 AM and finished the whole cooking process by 11:30 [Bachelor cooking takes more time buddy, believe me!] But when i tasted the sambar, i could sense some taste [It was not as perfect as my mom's] and had a nice lunch.
Sunday afternoon that too after a heavy lunch will be 100 % complete with a nap...hmmmm just got up and blogging in with a coffee in my hand..
There comes Monotonous Monday, waiting for me ahead! Oh my god, the weekend is over. See you all soon. Byeeeeeeee
My school days were the days of fun with variety of dishes prepared by my mom. Nevertheless, i should accept that my mom and dad are equal competitors and both of them try to do items more delicious than the other. My self and my sis are the judges for tasting the items and voting the winner. Nice work for the judges! Isn't it. I know.
Come festival, the menu would be palada pradaman, olan, kalan, mathan sambar, urla kazhangu kara curry, aviyal, thakkali rasam, mangai pachadi, chow chow kootu.... the list goes on. But for me, i was too picky on the vegetable those days and will not eat most of the items.
Thanks to my college hostel food, it was so worst that i started eating all items which are vegetarian. After my college days, i have not stayed with my parents due to my profession, but i will make sure that i don't miss festivals[ob, for gobbling the big list of items] I make sure i eat all the items and taste them.
Now to today's menu. Started with the rice and dal. Started at 10:30 AM and finished the whole cooking process by 11:30 [Bachelor cooking takes more time buddy, believe me!] But when i tasted the sambar, i could sense some taste [It was not as perfect as my mom's] and had a nice lunch.
Sunday afternoon that too after a heavy lunch will be 100 % complete with a nap...hmmmm just got up and blogging in with a coffee in my hand..
There comes Monotonous Monday, waiting for me ahead! Oh my god, the weekend is over. See you all soon. Byeeeeeeee
Thursday, March 09, 2006
Cincinnati Cincinnati....
One of the best places to live in and also featured in "Top 10 cities to Live in", this place is serene and wonderful. I have not been to the downtown of cinci, but wherever i live, it gives me somewhat a holistic picture about the place. The community around cuddles you and makes you feel at home. I landed here during the month of November. Its already spring now and the rains are kissing the roads quite often. The weather is one critical deciding factor for a city, i would say. Hey, have not experienced the summer at this place, but i am sure that it would be very pleasant compared to the Hyderabadi summer where my body was pinched by the hot sun.
There are plenty of indian restaurants around and more than half of the restaurants are mexicans. One good discovery after Subway was Chipotle, a mexican restaurant. I believe and follow one thing - "Veggie food very good" and for people like me, cooking is the first best option for survival over here, and next in the line are restaurants like subway & chipotle. The veggie burito bowl from chipotle makes my mouth water as soon as i think of it. Go to subway and you have veggie delight for your part.
Weekends are full of activities in the malls around. You go in and for sure you can spend 3-4 hours just looking at the various shops around.
The cincinnati bengals are the leaders here with respect to the football game. And summer season is full of tennis tournaments.
Welcome to cincinnati........
There are plenty of indian restaurants around and more than half of the restaurants are mexicans. One good discovery after Subway was Chipotle, a mexican restaurant. I believe and follow one thing - "Veggie food very good" and for people like me, cooking is the first best option for survival over here, and next in the line are restaurants like subway & chipotle. The veggie burito bowl from chipotle makes my mouth water as soon as i think of it. Go to subway and you have veggie delight for your part.
Weekends are full of activities in the malls around. You go in and for sure you can spend 3-4 hours just looking at the various shops around.
The cincinnati bengals are the leaders here with respect to the football game. And summer season is full of tennis tournaments.
Welcome to cincinnati........
Back with a bang in 2006
Sorry, Long time since i blogged! Happy new year. The new year this time was pretty different for me as i was all alone without a single human being around. The only entertainment was the numtv channels. Long live numtv. That day i decided that i should get a driving license soon. Without a car you are an orphan in US of A. Its not like my home country where, if i want to go somewhere, i just rush to the bus stop. Within 10-15 minutes i will be heading towards the destination in the big Pallavan transport service. Hail PTC.
So where did i leave?, yes the license. I joined the driving class and successfully got my license in feb. Too busy these days even to blog.
Will soon be releasing a new version with lotsa info.
Bye for now.
So where did i leave?, yes the license. I joined the driving class and successfully got my license in feb. Too busy these days even to blog.
Will soon be releasing a new version with lotsa info.
Bye for now.
Friday, December 30, 2005
Hi buddies,
Wish you a happy new year 2006. Life has always been a challenging and this aspect makes it a very interesting one. This is my perspective of life. After my 12th std schooling, i left to college. From college, i landed directly in Hyderabad and started my career over there. After around 1.5 years, i shifted to chennai. Stayed with my parents for around a year and then again the travel started. Though i thought it would be a short travel after which i would join my parents at chennai. But the whole world turned 180 degrees. I changed my job and now i am wondering when i would be able to meet them. Hmmm Change change change, life is full of changes.
Change has brought lot of new things in my life. During my schooling days especially when i was doing my 10th, i did not imagine that i would get admit in a good college etc etc. Its becoz, i was like that till my 10th. I enjoyed my life to the full extent of it during my school days. I don't know what happened, suddenly everything changed. I joined a state board school [A very special school, to tell about it, i will surely have a separate blog] and started to be very dedicated and studious! wow, praveen i did not think i could ever be dedicated like this. The exam scores were really good and my hard work paid. ["Hard work!" - i seriously din't know its meaning till i joined this school].
Now i am waiting to sail on the change that has happened, getting used to the new work, new environment, new people, everything here is new. Hope i will come through this in good colors with god's grace.
Happy New Year.....
Wish you a happy new year 2006. Life has always been a challenging and this aspect makes it a very interesting one. This is my perspective of life. After my 12th std schooling, i left to college. From college, i landed directly in Hyderabad and started my career over there. After around 1.5 years, i shifted to chennai. Stayed with my parents for around a year and then again the travel started. Though i thought it would be a short travel after which i would join my parents at chennai. But the whole world turned 180 degrees. I changed my job and now i am wondering when i would be able to meet them. Hmmm Change change change, life is full of changes.
Change has brought lot of new things in my life. During my schooling days especially when i was doing my 10th, i did not imagine that i would get admit in a good college etc etc. Its becoz, i was like that till my 10th. I enjoyed my life to the full extent of it during my school days. I don't know what happened, suddenly everything changed. I joined a state board school [A very special school, to tell about it, i will surely have a separate blog] and started to be very dedicated and studious! wow, praveen i did not think i could ever be dedicated like this. The exam scores were really good and my hard work paid. ["Hard work!" - i seriously din't know its meaning till i joined this school].
Now i am waiting to sail on the change that has happened, getting used to the new work, new environment, new people, everything here is new. Hope i will come through this in good colors with god's grace.
Happy New Year.....
Saturday, October 22, 2005
To encourage myself, i have started the posting of my next blog the very same day when i completed and published my first blog. Life runs like that right? [You need to make your surrounding interesting, whether it is work or personal life, only then you can live your life.]
Swamiye saranam Ayyappa. From the day i was born, i have been hearing this holy words. It has now become a part of me. A staunch devotee of lord ayyappa, my father has been traveling to Sabarimala for the past x years [I don't want to give a rough number, as far as i know, its more than 38 years now.]
I went to sabarimala for the first time during my 5th standard. That was with my grand mother and my cousin. During those days, the trip to sabarimala was during the month of april. Vishu, a kerala festival comes during the month of April and it is very auspicious to visit the temple during that time period.
The trip was a memorable one. I was literally enjoying it. It was through the short route. There are two type f routes to reach sabarimala. One is a short route where you have to climb only 1 mala [Neeli malai] to reach sannidanam. The other one is a long route wherein you have to climb up and down of three hills [Azhutha, Kari & Neeli hills]. The long route is very arduous and will take around 2~3 days.
We started to climb the Neeli hill at around 4:30pm. It is considered as one of the steepest hills. But i did not realize that during my first trip. It was very simple for me. On the way i visited the Saram Kuthi, where i pierced the saram. All first timers to sabarimala has to pierce a saram at this place. [It is believed that the Maligapurathamman(Mahishi when killed and relieved of the curese became maligapurathamman and wanted to marry the lord) will come every year to saram kuthi and check if there are any sarams. Lord has promised her that he will marry her when there is no saram during a year. Till date every year, maligapurathamman has returned back with grief.]
People say that, Lord Ayyappa, also known as Manikandan was a very small boy and he likes children a lot. And children will not feel the pain of climbing the hills to see the lord. In other words, the lord will make the trip smooth for the children so that they don't get tired.
May be, the above told reason made my trip very simple. We reached the sannidanam at around 6:30Pm, had a good dharshan of the lord and returned back. It was a 3 day trip.
That was my first trip to sabarimala. After that i traveled through short routes and long routes every year. [I missed it during my 8th standard as my grandpa passed away and during my 12th, i had to study!].
The trips have been of great experience to me. Every trip was a memorable one. To see him was the only motto.
Long route trips usually take 10 days. During those days, our group visits many other temples en route and returning from sabarimala. But during recent years, it has been reduced to a 1 week trip. One of those memorable trips were when i went with my chithappa. This was a long route trip.
The irumudi was on a sunday evening. There were around 45 ayyappas. The irumudi got over on sunday night, we stayed at the chathram and started early morning by a bus. The bus went through palani [The abode of Lord muruga] to reach erumeli. At every rest area, we cooked our food. We were taking all the necessary vessels and food items for cooking.
At Erumeli, we visited the vavar nada and Erumeli dharmasastha and started our walk. On the first day evening, we walked to around 3 hours to reach kalakatti vanam. We stayed in a viri. Viri is a rest area, don't expect big facilities, its just a place, covered on top with plastic sheets to protect from rain. for that night.
The next day we started to walk early in the morning at around 5:00AM. We reached Azhutha river, had bath, i had to take a stone from the river which is a ritual for first timers [That was my first time in long route and so i also took it] and started climbing the Azhutha hill. We reached Kallidam kundru, where i had to throw the stone. The belief is to throw the stone here and suppress the Mahishi's [asura killed by ayyappan] body.
And then, we again continued the climb to reach azhutha hill top. Wow, hill top is the best place to get fresh air and breeze. That too after a strenuous climb, it was very refreshing. We rested for a while and continued to climb down the hill . Down hill is simpler but risky. If you slip, you are gone.
Climbing down the hill we reached Mukkuzhi. We halted there for some time. Then we started our walk againa. This time it was on plains. From Azhutha hill to Kari hill. It was complete plains. We reached the bottom on Kari hill in the evening. We halted in viri, there was a bhajan and we had dinner. The next day we got up at 4:30 AM and started climbing the kari hill.
There is a popular rhyme "Kari malai etram kadinam kadinam" [The meaning is, "Climbing Kari hill is difficult, very difficult"]. I experienced it live for the first time. But while climbing, we were telling Ayyappa's name and the journey was not that stressful. We reached the kari malai top, took some rest and started to climb down the hill. Climbing down the steepest of hills is a very difficult and challenging one. Each step you take, you need to make sure you got a strong grip and then move forward. The time taken for climbing down the kari malai was the longest of all.
Climbing down the hill, we reached Valiyaanai vattam. A place near the holy pamba river.
We rested in viri, kept all our irumudis, went to the river pamba, took bath. Had our lunch and at arounf 4:00 in the evening, started towards Neeli mala.
Climbing neeli mala this time was very difficult for me. ooooh it was tiresome. How did i make it so easily during my first visit? This question is still awaiting an answer!!!!!
On the way to the hill top, we visited the Appachi medu. From the hill top, we walked and reached Sabari peetam. There was a long queue from here to sannidanam. Thats when i saw he real huge rush. Sabari peetam is around 3 kms from the sannidanam. We waited in the queue which moved very slowly. On the way we visited saram kuthi and reached sannidanam in the evening at around 6:30 PM. We climbed the holy 18 steps and had our darshan.
The next day morning, we did Ghee Abhishekam. On that day was Makara sankaraanthi. On makara sankaranthi, every year, the lord will show his presence to the world in the form on Makara Jyothi [A bright glowing light]. I was very lucky that time. K.J.Yesudas, a popular singer had visited the sabarimala at the same time. We had a chance to see him. We had a small chat with him and i went with him to see the makara jyothi.
That was the first time for me to experience the makara jyothi. The Jyothi appears on Kaandha malai. It appears for three times. No one knows how this happens. This very event has made me a staunch believer of the lord. And from that day, till date, i firmly believe that he is always with me. He has proved it at various parts in my life.
It is not your wish that will take you to Sabarimala and get his darshan. If he thinks, you should be visiting him and getting his darshan, he will make you come to him. Hope i get his calls throughout my life !
My only prayer would be to always have his thinking in my mind.
More to come........
Swamiye saranam Ayyappa.
Swamiye saranam Ayyappa. From the day i was born, i have been hearing this holy words. It has now become a part of me. A staunch devotee of lord ayyappa, my father has been traveling to Sabarimala for the past x years [I don't want to give a rough number, as far as i know, its more than 38 years now.]
I went to sabarimala for the first time during my 5th standard. That was with my grand mother and my cousin. During those days, the trip to sabarimala was during the month of april. Vishu, a kerala festival comes during the month of April and it is very auspicious to visit the temple during that time period.
The trip was a memorable one. I was literally enjoying it. It was through the short route. There are two type f routes to reach sabarimala. One is a short route where you have to climb only 1 mala [Neeli malai] to reach sannidanam. The other one is a long route wherein you have to climb up and down of three hills [Azhutha, Kari & Neeli hills]. The long route is very arduous and will take around 2~3 days.
We started to climb the Neeli hill at around 4:30pm. It is considered as one of the steepest hills. But i did not realize that during my first trip. It was very simple for me. On the way i visited the Saram Kuthi, where i pierced the saram. All first timers to sabarimala has to pierce a saram at this place. [It is believed that the Maligapurathamman(Mahishi when killed and relieved of the curese became maligapurathamman and wanted to marry the lord) will come every year to saram kuthi and check if there are any sarams. Lord has promised her that he will marry her when there is no saram during a year. Till date every year, maligapurathamman has returned back with grief.]
People say that, Lord Ayyappa, also known as Manikandan was a very small boy and he likes children a lot. And children will not feel the pain of climbing the hills to see the lord. In other words, the lord will make the trip smooth for the children so that they don't get tired.
May be, the above told reason made my trip very simple. We reached the sannidanam at around 6:30Pm, had a good dharshan of the lord and returned back. It was a 3 day trip.
That was my first trip to sabarimala. After that i traveled through short routes and long routes every year. [I missed it during my 8th standard as my grandpa passed away and during my 12th, i had to study!].
The trips have been of great experience to me. Every trip was a memorable one. To see him was the only motto.
Long route trips usually take 10 days. During those days, our group visits many other temples en route and returning from sabarimala. But during recent years, it has been reduced to a 1 week trip. One of those memorable trips were when i went with my chithappa. This was a long route trip.
The irumudi was on a sunday evening. There were around 45 ayyappas. The irumudi got over on sunday night, we stayed at the chathram and started early morning by a bus. The bus went through palani [The abode of Lord muruga] to reach erumeli. At every rest area, we cooked our food. We were taking all the necessary vessels and food items for cooking.
At Erumeli, we visited the vavar nada and Erumeli dharmasastha and started our walk. On the first day evening, we walked to around 3 hours to reach kalakatti vanam. We stayed in a viri. Viri is a rest area, don't expect big facilities, its just a place, covered on top with plastic sheets to protect from rain. for that night.
The next day we started to walk early in the morning at around 5:00AM. We reached Azhutha river, had bath, i had to take a stone from the river which is a ritual for first timers [That was my first time in long route and so i also took it] and started climbing the Azhutha hill. We reached Kallidam kundru, where i had to throw the stone. The belief is to throw the stone here and suppress the Mahishi's [asura killed by ayyappan] body.
And then, we again continued the climb to reach azhutha hill top. Wow, hill top is the best place to get fresh air and breeze. That too after a strenuous climb, it was very refreshing. We rested for a while and continued to climb down the hill . Down hill is simpler but risky. If you slip, you are gone.
Climbing down the hill we reached Mukkuzhi. We halted there for some time. Then we started our walk againa. This time it was on plains. From Azhutha hill to Kari hill. It was complete plains. We reached the bottom on Kari hill in the evening. We halted in viri, there was a bhajan and we had dinner. The next day we got up at 4:30 AM and started climbing the kari hill.
There is a popular rhyme "Kari malai etram kadinam kadinam" [The meaning is, "Climbing Kari hill is difficult, very difficult"]. I experienced it live for the first time. But while climbing, we were telling Ayyappa's name and the journey was not that stressful. We reached the kari malai top, took some rest and started to climb down the hill. Climbing down the steepest of hills is a very difficult and challenging one. Each step you take, you need to make sure you got a strong grip and then move forward. The time taken for climbing down the kari malai was the longest of all.
Climbing down the hill, we reached Valiyaanai vattam. A place near the holy pamba river.
We rested in viri, kept all our irumudis, went to the river pamba, took bath. Had our lunch and at arounf 4:00 in the evening, started towards Neeli mala.
Climbing neeli mala this time was very difficult for me. ooooh it was tiresome. How did i make it so easily during my first visit? This question is still awaiting an answer!!!!!
On the way to the hill top, we visited the Appachi medu. From the hill top, we walked and reached Sabari peetam. There was a long queue from here to sannidanam. Thats when i saw he real huge rush. Sabari peetam is around 3 kms from the sannidanam. We waited in the queue which moved very slowly. On the way we visited saram kuthi and reached sannidanam in the evening at around 6:30 PM. We climbed the holy 18 steps and had our darshan.
The next day morning, we did Ghee Abhishekam. On that day was Makara sankaraanthi. On makara sankaranthi, every year, the lord will show his presence to the world in the form on Makara Jyothi [A bright glowing light]. I was very lucky that time. K.J.Yesudas, a popular singer had visited the sabarimala at the same time. We had a chance to see him. We had a small chat with him and i went with him to see the makara jyothi.
That was the first time for me to experience the makara jyothi. The Jyothi appears on Kaandha malai. It appears for three times. No one knows how this happens. This very event has made me a staunch believer of the lord. And from that day, till date, i firmly believe that he is always with me. He has proved it at various parts in my life.
It is not your wish that will take you to Sabarimala and get his darshan. If he thinks, you should be visiting him and getting his darshan, he will make you come to him. Hope i get his calls throughout my life !
My only prayer would be to always have his thinking in my mind.
More to come........
Swamiye saranam Ayyappa.
Monday, October 10, 2005
Let me (try to) start my first blog writing.
Hi All,
This is my first try, but let me see how it comes out to be. This is one of my braveheart experience i had after i came out of my college. After the 4 years of college and hostel life, i had realized that i have developed the habit to be independent and i had a confidence that in the race for the survival of the fittest, i would "survive".
But, when i boarded the train to hyderabad to join my first assignment, i thought for a while. I did not know anyone in hyd and i have only the company address and the address where i can stay for a week. So i need to find out where to stay, etc.. and get settled within a week! Now thats what i call a challenge. More than me, my father was so confident that i have learnt all that is needed to survive and that might be the reason for him to accompany me till the railway station. He was going on his religious trip to meet his friend "Lord Ayyappa", the same day.
I boarded the train with lotsa challenges. Thank god and my aunt for making me learn hindi. The first thing in the station was to escape from all the regular autowalas.
Although the city was new to me, i had the guts to and ask one autowala the route for the bus stand to catch bus to my destination, and to my surprise, he told me the correct route [Please do not expect such courteous replies from chennai autokarans]. Am i boasting yes i am.
Thats how my hyderabad life started, it was great fun which i will explain in the forthcoming blogs.
Thanks for patiently reading thru my first blog! do give me ur expert suggestions for areas of improvement....... Will continue to blog.
This is my first try, but let me see how it comes out to be. This is one of my braveheart experience i had after i came out of my college. After the 4 years of college and hostel life, i had realized that i have developed the habit to be independent and i had a confidence that in the race for the survival of the fittest, i would "survive".
But, when i boarded the train to hyderabad to join my first assignment, i thought for a while. I did not know anyone in hyd and i have only the company address and the address where i can stay for a week. So i need to find out where to stay, etc.. and get settled within a week! Now thats what i call a challenge. More than me, my father was so confident that i have learnt all that is needed to survive and that might be the reason for him to accompany me till the railway station. He was going on his religious trip to meet his friend "Lord Ayyappa", the same day.
I boarded the train with lotsa challenges. Thank god and my aunt for making me learn hindi. The first thing in the station was to escape from all the regular autowalas.
Although the city was new to me, i had the guts to and ask one autowala the route for the bus stand to catch bus to my destination, and to my surprise, he told me the correct route [Please do not expect such courteous replies from chennai autokarans]. Am i boasting yes i am.
Thats how my hyderabad life started, it was great fun which i will explain in the forthcoming blogs.
Thanks for patiently reading thru my first blog! do give me ur expert suggestions for areas of improvement....... Will continue to blog.
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