Wayanad.

We had a trip to Wayanad two weeks ago. We (classmates of B.E), eventually arrange trips to outstations. It was a four-day trip. I would say this trip was quite different from others. Started from Chennai central on Friday night (1st Oct). Reached Bangalore on the next day morning (2nd Oct)…. Bullshit, I hate this way of writing traditional travel blogs. So, will simply give some highlights in bullet points.

• We went to Kamat Lok Ruchi, a kannadiga hotel located on Bangalore – Mysore highway. I visited the same hotel, one month back (on 7th Sept. For more, refer the post: ). On that day, I told my friend that I may never have a chance to come back to this nice hotel in future. Great to my surprise, I visited the hotel back within short span of time. (looks like a chaos theory or some crap theory, isn’t ? :) )
• We went to a wild life sanctuary in Wayanad (TholPatti Wild Life Sanctuary is the name, I guess). Damn it, I won’t even believe my eyes, the circumference of the sanctuary was 24 km. We took a safari ride. It was really cool. It was a dense forest. We could see only elephants and spotted deers. We couldn’t see tigers, but we were told tigers would be spotted eventually. I asked one of the guards whether they allow any trespassers in to the forest. He said there was a trekking program which allows a group (five people in a group) to trek through the forest. A guide and a gun man are sent along with the trekker group. And the trekking costs 800 R.s. Listen, it is not yet over. Before starting the trekking, all five persons in group have to sign in a paper that the sanctuary is not responsible for bringing them back safely.  Anyway, I am very eager to go, let me know if any four of you are willing to join me :)
• A fabulous but dangerous water falls was MeenMutti. We had to invade through steep rocks and dense forest. Need to walk for almost 3 to 4 km, down the hill and take a return path then!. The water falls was so tall and nice. I took bath and tasted the water. It was so fresh and clean. I felt so exciting when the water was pouring right top on head.
• Kerala cuisine. Mallus eat a lot of fishes. I too like fishes than any other non-veg dishes. Their ghee rice was too good. I liked their life style. (FYI, Ravi! You missed it all!)
• Last but not least – we could easily figure out in the trip that our excitement and interest had degraded little bit. Because, we all turned almost 24.5 years old, and seems getting aged gradually. But I tell you what, you always need to keep your life engaged in same way. Otherwise, you will see it decaying in front of your eyes! I recall this poem quite often: (better readable in Internet Explorer)
  "ஏதேனும் ஒன்றை சார்ந்திரு.
  கவித்துவம்
  தத்துவம், காதல்
  இங்கிதம், சங்கீதம் - இப்படி
  எதையேனும் ஒன்றை சார்ந்திரு.
  இல்லையேல் இந்த உலகம் காணாமல் போய்விடும்"
  

Mysore trip

I was so eager to visit the legacy temples in Sri-Rangapatna, near Mysore. I had a chance to go there by bike. From Bangalore, it is 3 hours drive to reach Sri-Rangapatna. (120+ K.M). With my friend, I started at early morning 06:30. We reached 'Kamat Loka Ruchi', a fantastic Karnataka cuisine hotel located on the BangaloreMysore highway. It was very much traditional. We had our break-fast there. They serve special idlies - 'Kaadu Idly' which is wrapped by banana skin. Never miss to stop by the hotel, just in case if you drive on Bangalore-Mysore highway. You'll love it when you are there.

We reached Mysore by 10:30 a.m. One of my classmates, who works in Infosys- Mysore, took us into the beautiful Infy campus. Awesome! You may miss the Mysore palace, but do not miss Infy campus!

Then we parked in front of Mysore palace, and I purchased some show-case goods for my new house. We came back to Sri-Rangapatna by 04:00 P.M. The city resembled as if it was a capital of some kings few centuries ago! Who knows, it might have been too. There is a Ranganathar temple, which is pretty old. I saw the Ranganatha Perumal statue in lying-on-bed-of-snakes position. I had the same feel as Rangarajan Nambi had in Dasavatharam.

We visited some other places too in Sri-Rangapatna. Dippu sultan's grave and Triveni Sangam. The former is a kind of palace cum grave of Dippy, and the later is a joint of three famous rivers in karnataka including kaveri. I had come to the same place during my third-year-days in college. I was here with lot of friends, that time! Now I am alone! thats life!

We rode back to Bangalore. We stopped by 'Kamat Loka Ruchi'. Then left the hotel by 07:00 P.M. We had been talking a lot while riding ... starting right from child-hood to the last day in Oracle! May be that might be the last time, I was there in those places, who knows when I'll get another chance to come here ....

We reached Bangalore by 08:00 P.M in the evening. Thats all the end of my days in Bangalore and the state of Karnataka!


(So, I forgot.. I did not search my wife/house in mysore...! I would have done it!)




Train-bridge - nice view (click on the image to enlarge the view)



Infosys Campus (click on the image to enlarge the view)


Dippu's grave- (click on the image to enlarge the view)



Triveni Sangam -(click on the image to enlarge the view)

On the highway (click on the image to enlarge the view)

Fastest Ride on road, ever!

I was so excited to ride my bike towards home. I had planned to take my bike to home. So, I loaded the bike into a Volvo. I got down from Volvo, 80 k.m away form home. Decided to ride. I think it was NH-45, if I am not wrong.

I revved up the engine, and picked up high speed on the road. Here goes all the fun!
It was very morning 7:15 AM. I started from Dindigal bye-pass road. I was very sure about the route. There is a junction, just after Dindigal town. It separates NHes. So, I was riding so fast to reach the junction. Seems, people were working on repairing the roads. So, they kept lots of ‘Take Diversion’ boards. I was going so fast, so, I took quick cuts, as soon I saw the boards. After passing ahead some kilometers, I had a slight doubt whether I was going in right direction. Because, I did not have seen the junction that far! One stranger on the road, made it sure that I was going in wrong route! I asked that guy why I didn’t reach the junction even after riding about 5 km. He said that the ‘Take Diversion’ boards should have misguided me! (There is a joke in tamil movie: Vivek is searching for his interview venue, but he is misrouted to Tirupati!, because of ‘Take Diversion’ boards). At least in my case, I went only for 5 km in wrong direction. (At least, I am lucky that I was not misrouted to Kanyakumari!)

The road was so neat and wide that anyone would drive mad. I am too not an exempt, but not a mad. In my childhood, I traveled many times on the roads by corporation buses. But, they were slow sometimes. I was wondering why not they could be fast on free NH roads.

But, now I am doing it. I was overtaking any vehicle running in front of me. I remember I was driving at 80kmph continuously for 15 minutes, and crossed about 20 km within 15 minutes.
Averaging the speed at 70 to 75 kmph, I passed ahead of 75 km within 1 hour 10 minutes. Our corporation buses take 2 to 2 and half hours to cross the same distance.

I should say, I got so excited at this ride. The white bars on the road were going back so faster; the trees were going back; I felt like I was, kind of flying alone; I realized every tree, plant, on the road was happy! I wanted to still ride, even after reaching home.

Facts behind the ride:

• It is the fastest journey on earth in my life. (Volvos, Sadapdhi express couldn’t win! :-))
• It took 1 hour and 7 minutes to cross 77 Km (Including break). Most of the time hitting 80+ kmph, and averaging at the speed at 75 kmph.
• I overtook all the vehicles hit at my eye-sight. No other vehicle overtook me! 
• I was listening to the music, while driving for the whole 75 km. (I had to take care of vehicles coming/going in the front only. No need to look back! Because, I am sure, no body is going to come closer to me in that speed)
• I have not set my front mirrors, during the ride. – (reason is same as above)
• I was trying to take a right-cut at full speed, the bike was about to skid, I controlled it (just like it happens always!)
• By reading this post, do not conclude that I am a mad driver. I am very careful at driving, you won’t believe that! :)

Chennai - 4th trip.

I went to chennai last week. No purpose; just to meet friends. Went to all the places, I usually like to go. This is my 4th trip to chennai, in this year. A last moment decision.

Some places remind me some people; I can't forget the 1.5 years, I stayed in chennai. Good moments, and lots of bad moments crushed my eyes. I dont have any job left over there, but I often wish to go to chennai - again, 'No purpose'.

Some snaps, taken using my mobile:

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Brindavan Express - On the way.
Ragavendra Math - T.Ngagar
Ramakrishna Math - Mylapoer

Ramakrishna Math - Mylapore



Ramakrishna Math - Mylapore


From Photo gallery @ Vivekanandar Illam (Ice-House) - taken at Chicago Conference.



Vivekanandar Illam (Ice-House) - Marina Beach



Marina - Beach Road


Marina Beach

Ramakrishna Mission Math, Bangalore

Vivekanandar – an outstanding spiritual word from my childhood. When I was studying 6h std, I used to read his life and legacy. One of the greatest personality, luring me till date. He is not like other monks or sages – to advise people for chanting god’s mantras.

He pointed out people’s weakness and advised to be strong and very bold always. He redefined the meaning ‘god’. His guts and peaceful face attract me whenever I look at his pose. Like wise, there are hundred and more things I like about him. As of I know/read/researched, he was the one to keep ‘Brammacharyam’ life long.

When I was in Chennai, I used to visit Ramakrishna mission math, which was/is in Mylapore. After coming to Bangalore, I often thought of visiting it – then it never happened. Gladly, I happen to know about Ramakrishna Mission Math in Bangalore.



This Sunday evening I went to Ramakrishna Mission Math, which is in Ulsoor, Bangalore.
An unknown peace is lasting in heart, after long time.



Not because, I am visiting temples, or the kinds its because, sitting in a place and reminiscing a great spirit!



He is a brave, bold, but peaceful soul, I ever like to worship.

Ooty trip

I was not sure, whether I would go and be there.. Mood was keep on changing in jiffies. In one midnight, at last, I’ve decided to go and attend my friend’s bro’s marriage reception in Ooty.

It was a big break from regular work. The climate was so cool and going worse further. I was bit shivering, and looking for a coffee shop in every small interval. AccuWeather.com was forecasting the temperature to swing between 10 to 15 degree.

Many times, I have been to here: Botanical Garden, Pykara, Dodabetta. So, this time, we all (my friends) have decided to go to somewhere lonely – a landscape, where you cant really see humans around you.

Cab driver suggested an idea. That’s a trip from Ooty to Kerala border – on the mountain way, covering around 60 Kms. He said that it should be a quite different journey, as we wished – visiting human less landscape!

We all agreed and journey started. All the way around the road, we were seeing only Tea estates. It was really different, really. Density of people was decreasing, at some point, no body hit at eye sight – I realized we had gone unreachable!

On the way, there was a view point. It was so terrific than suicide point view in Kodaikanal. I was just looking down and searching for the foot hill. It was deep, very deep, indeed. Midst was playing around – it was just crossing us, covering us, hiding us, showering at us!

There were few people, used to live on the roadway. I don’t think they all were well educated and have exposure to dangerous things like computer and internet. I am pretty sure, they still don’t know about java and its history – they were looking happy, frankly happy. My mind went on comparing my life with theirs and both were like South and North Pole. I often think this computer life is just a virtual life. If somebody can ask me how I make my livings, then I will have to answer: “Java” and yet ‘J2EE’. But, both don’t exist in the world really. People could have seen God or Ghost, but no body have seen Java! That’s virtual! Something that doesn’t exist physically, but, lots of things happen because of that! Virtual life, Ice cream life, that I live.

It was evening 6’o clock when we returned.

The next day, I went alone to Botanical garden. It was an evening. Two years back, we were here -- all my classmates. We were sitting in the same grass land, playing an unknown game. I was standing alone and reminiscing everything. I don’t know exactly where every one is now. Now, it is just a history.

Ooty to Kerala -- hill way

Tea Estate -- on the way

Colorful Tea estate..

Small stream...

Botanical Garden

Coffee, everywhere, anytime..


Two years ago memories -- now history!

Kodaikanal: A meet, A trip.

Kodaikanal

A meet

Yes, this hill resort is best viewable from my house’s terrace. But, I’ve never been to.
Btw, I got a chance to meet few of my schoolmates together at these holidays. We decided to plan a trip to somewhere – where we can sit comfortably and chat.

A trip

It was 22nd Oct 2006, Sun 06:00 AM. We hired a call taxi, and flagged off the trip. We were six in numbers. Usually, I do watch the routes while traveling to places. I was making thousands of routing calculations to reach the place. But, the driver was smart enough to break my mathematics and proved his experience! He showed me lots of short cuts which would help in reaching the place very faster.

Dum Dum Rock

His words were true. It was 06:35 AM while our car hit the foot hill. The first spot, we stopped at, is ‘Dum Dum rock’ – a view point. It was an exciting sight; there was a water-fall in distance, which should be more than 500 feet tall! It was like a white light in greenish Western Ghat Mountains – For me, telling someone how the sight excited me was like telling them how a song should make them feel! :-)

Silver Falls

The car sped off on the hill-way. Next stop point was ‘Silver falls’. The name matches with the place’s beauty! It was wonderful to see the waterfall in the bright morning. We took lots of snaps there and around.

The top

I couldn’t resist myself from controlling an unwanted fear while topping the hills J I wondered to realize that I was standing on 2000 feet! Chillness spread over me in and out.

The lake view

The lake view was not that much attractive. Usually, I don’t like greenish water, since it is impure! :)

Pillar Rock

Then, Pillar Rock. Again a falls. My friend told me to notice a ‘cross’ symbol/statute on the very top of the falls. I asked my friends and some of the tourists what was it and who placed it on the heights. But, I didn’t receive any reasonable answers from anyone. (Yes, I didn’t ask Mr. Google yet!)

Guna Cave

They had made a fence around the cave. I’ve heard lots of stories about it already. I just glanced the cave from distance, with a little fear. One tourist guide was explaining to his tourists, “This cave is formed as gap between mountains and it is a 900+ feet hole. If anybody falls into this, usually the rescuers take a day or two to locate the person!” Oops, let’s leave this place! J

Suicide Point

I’ve never seen such a hollow space in my life before. I saw some mountains and falls below my feet! One of the tourists threw a plastic plate, but it was pumped up to 1 mtr towards sky and then went down deep! :D

In few minutes, the clouds and white midst rouse up and hide the place form view. It was white to look at anywhere down.

Something stoke at mind and it was, “The Sky is falling” :)

Park

It was around 5:30 PM while we entered in. The places were completely arrested by light midst. My hands were so chill and my mouth was smoking without cigarettes! J We took lots of snaps to washout the battery charge. And it turned dark.

We came back to home and it was 7:50 PM. Still the chillness stays with me.

(I’ll post the snaps after sometimes)

Ooty: Trip to "Queen of Hill Stations"

Last friday, I had 2 day trip to Ooty. It is going to be (b)logged as spice in memory. Still I remember the same trip 2 yrs back, with the same friends to there. But it was very short, not even this much colorful.
But, I feel this time it is fabulous, out of all.
I surprised to remember that I was on 2.2 Km hieght!!. When, we were on
Doddabetta, had a chance to look down..from the peak point....How come all
these?
I saw there a cafe. I took a cup of coffee and came out of the crowd..and sat
alone ...I just glanced at the valley...which gone down deep.....(My mind now forgets computer, google and etc). I felt like, I was born again.
"There is no substitute for the peace by nature. I see here the mass..the energy....and the other facet of this universe....my dear livings...plz come here and shout ...I am a tiny dust before this universe ...incomparable with this nature..." so goes my mind.

Then, went to pykara falls..it seemed like dry. We went boating next. Thrilling
moments..Without knowing the break...steering ..we made the fun in all possible ways.

Next, experience is at Shooting spot. I just left my feet slept..took me deep
to the foothill again.....(am I having that much stamina to come up again?, hug!)

Other enjoyable moments with Paramesh...where we guys sat round of him..he
used to do mimicry of all the staffs, whose lectures we had in the past 4 yrs.

The mind is now free from toxins.... I realize "There are many universes ...behind this CPU"!!.