HOME VISIT - SUJAY/SHUBHA UDUPA

Saturday, 29th Feb. 2020
Nagarabhavi, Bengaluru.

It was just a casual visit to Sujay and Shubha Udupa to their house at NagaraBhavi, on our way back from Kengeri.

Sujay's little daughter, 3 year old, was active and was enthusiastic to show her performance done at school.

"Thonde Kai, Bende Kai thotadallide" was the song learnt.

Spent some time and drove back home.

Posted Sunday, 1st March 2020

SATSANG - BHAJANE

Sunday, 23rd Feb.2020
Ramesh / Arundathi Aithal's house, BhavaneshwariNagara. Bengaluru.

Harmonium was played by me after a long time at a Bhajan group.

Ramesh-Arundhathi "SATSANG"  group had assembled at their house and Bhajans were sung for an hour by some ladies and also by me while playing harmonium.

It was a pleasant rendition and time spent.

Later, Vishnu Sasranama and Lalitha Sahasranama were chanted by all.

Nice dinner was arranged.

Posted Wednesday, 26th Feb 2020

HOME GET-TOGETHER

Sunday, 23rd February 2020
BirthiMane, Bengaluru

A trip to Thiruvannamali was planned for the family and also get-together of Mom's sisters and brother Sathisha and his family.

Sisters Vijaya and Sujatha came from Udupi, brother Sathisha, wife Malathi, son Adithya came from Hunsur. Vijaya's daughter Supriya, married to Premkumar, living and working in Pheonix, USA were on visit to India.

Supriya's brother Santosh also was there.

Friday's trip to Thiruvannamalai, Vellore and Sripuram was very nice on hired TT (13 seater)

Mom had all the excitement to prepare delicacies. Saturday night PremKumar also joined and left after nice breakfast of puri-saagu and kesaribath (shira)

Mom and sisters went to Cubbon park with Seena,the beagle and Rishi, enjoyed.

It was a happy get -together for all.

posted Wednesday, 26th Feb.2020

THIRUVANNAMALAI, VELLORE, SRIPURAM - VISIT

Friday, 21st Feb.2020

Visit to Temple at Thiruvannamalai, Vellore, Sripuram (TamilNadu)

It was a casual trip to some temples as Nalini's sisters Vijaya and her family, Sujatha, Brother Satisha and family as Supriya (Vijaya's daughter), living and working in Phoneix, USA had come on a visit.

Temple visit was on the agenda, a 13-seater TempoTraveller was booked and the journey started in the morning at 4 am. First was to Thiruvannamalai, (Arunachalam) distance of 220 km

There were 11 adults, 1 boy and the driver.

(Me and Nalini) , (Vijaya, RamachandraBhat, Supriya, Santosh), (Sathisha, Mala, Aditya). (Karanth and his wife) and Sujatha.

1. Sri Arunachaleshwara Temple, Thiruvannamalai.

First was breakfast at 8 am at AnandaBhavan, KrishnaGiri on the way from there we proceeded to Thiruvannamalai, and visit to Sri Aruchaleshwara. We had spend about an hour in the queue for darshana of the deity.

It was time for lunch, had it at a local hotel, went round Arunachala Hills in the vehicle and proceeded to Vellore, a distance of 80 km. Reached there at 5 pm.

2. Sri Jalagandeshwarar Temple, Vellore.

 spent about an hour in the huge temple complex. Again the main deity is Ishwara, called Fort Jalakandeshawarar. The temple complex is in a fort, surrounded by water to protect the it built during the Vijayanagara Empire in 1550, during the rule of King Sadashiva Mahadevaraya (1540 - 1572)

The temple is classic example of architecture of Vijayanagara empire, exquisite carvings on its gopurum (Tower), richly carved stone pillars, large wooden gates and stunning monoliths and scriptures.

After the Muslim invasion, the temple was mutilated and vacant for 400 years. In 1981, government took the initiative to restore the temple complex to its original glory.

3. Sri Laxmi Narayani Golden Temple, Sripuram.

The Golden Temple complex at Sripuram is spiritual park, situated at the foot of small range of green hills , Thirumalakodi. It is located in 100 acre land and is constructed by Narayani Peedam.The temple is headed by the spiritual leader (Self made Godman) Shri Shakthi Amma (Amma Narayani) It is believed that more than 1500 kg of gold is used in the construction of the temple. It is said that it is twice the tonnage of gold used in the Amritsar Golden Temple.

Mobile are cameras are prohibited in the temple complex, hence no photos were taken. Wheelchair facility is available for Rs 50.00 including the escort, and special entry darshan is Rs.100.

We left from Sripuram at 9 pm and reached home at 2 am, next morning after having tiffin on the way.

That was a good trip with fun, songs, laughter during the bus journey. It was 652 km round trip.

posted Sunday, 23rd Feb. 2020

GARADI MANE - SRI DURGAPARAMESHWARI TEMPLE

Tuesday, 18th Feb. 2020
Garadi Mane, Near Brahmavara, Udupi Dist.

Deity Sri DurgaParameshwari Devi

PaduGaradi Temple, with Sri DurgaParameshwari Devi as Deity, is a community place,in Varambally Village, managed by Varambally family.

Ramananda Varambally and Vijendra Varambally are main people who are running the affairs of the temple. Nine days of Navratri Festival, Anantha Chaturdashi, Chandika Homa and DHAKKE BALI are celebrated every year with the support of sponsors of the family from all over.

I was there at the temple for Chadika Homa Pooja, Maha Mangalarathi to Devi and grand lunch (Feast),

I did not stay back DakkeBali, as I was booked to travel in the night to Bengaluru.

Posted Thursday, 20/02/2020

SALEKERI HABBA (FESTIVAL)

Monday, 17th Feb.2020
Salekeri, Near Brahmavara, Udupi Dist.

Salekeri Habba is traditional local festival, which reminds of my childhood days, when my father Venkatramana Somayaji was main archak (Priest) at the temple for more than 50 years.

MAIN DEITY

Shri BrahmaLinga VeeraBhadra Durgaparameshwari  is the main deity at the temple and it is mostly managed by Shettigar community who are basically weavers. At home they used to have hand working weaving device and prepare towels, sarees and other items.

As the younger generation moved out of village Salekeri, looking for better prospectus and jobs, weaving at home had dwindled to minimum, that is one or two families here and there.

Those days, I used enjoy breaking coconuts at the temple during Festival, given by the devotees and present it to the deity and get blessings.

STALLS

However, times have changed, temple has massive renovation and modern amenities, more people come to temple to get the blessings and there procession of the deity in Teru (Ratha) called rathotsava.

It is almost a week of festival tradition with lot of procedures everyday.

PROCESSION

I had attended one days's function when there was Chandika Homa and oota (Feast) at the temple.

Posted Thursday, 20th Feb.2020