Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam - Soul every one connects with !

Date 03/08/2015 

So much thoughts flown around my mind to write about a person, having to write about someone who is more than a person, leader, an inspiration to many, face of India to the world and more than anything a humble human being. I lack words to describe something about this person every India will connect with utmost respect. 

Although holding the highest honor in India, he was clearly in terms of exercising his duties with most humbleness you can ever see, anyone holding that chair for that matter. Time and again he showed Indians how humility can still survive albeit with such great responsibility and highest possible honor. Soon connecting to millions of us, not only he was scientist, he turned out to be people's man. Possibly being awarded with every award, he maintained his simple life and continued to spread profound knowledge through his talks, seminar and of-course the books. 

Although not met him, which I wish profusely, but I recall the time I was in Dhanushkodi. First thing I told my friend, we are at a place where Sir APJ Abdul Kalam was born, although the place was washed away by Tsunami, but what me cheerful and happy was to see a school in the middle of nowhere. 

@Dhanushkodi, my friend waving to the school children

Moment I read the tweet that he collapsed during a lecture, I was wishing him a speed recovery and was hoping all good. To my dismay, what followed up later was disheartening, there was sense of personal loss, which millions of Indians associate with. Deep silence crept for a moment, trying to sense it really happened. 

You will be remembered Sir for the generations to come. 

Signing off with quote -

"Look at the sky. We are not alone. The whole universe is friendly to us and conspires only to give the best to those who dream and work."

RIP Dr. APJ ABDUL KALAM SIR .. .. ..

Snake boat race - Allepey Kerala !

Nehru Boat Race

My liking to Kerala all started with a show on Doordarshan called ‘the great Indian roads’ a 10 min travel show screened every Sunday at 2. I followed the show consecutively for 3-4 weeks, just to see the host driving through different places around Kerala. I remember seeing Kappad beach where Vasco Da Gama first landed in India, Allapuzha, master of all fights Kalaripiat on the beaches [I don’t remember the beach though], different food mostly non-vegetarian & off-course the traditional oil massage. It grew in me to visit Kerala over the time but it just happened to be just a plan without action.

Eventually I made my first visit to Kerala on bike expedition to South India covering parts of Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puduchery. I visited many places in Kerala most parts of Malabar, Travancore region starting with Kasargod, Kunnur, Kappad Beach, Guruvayor, Kochi, Munnar.

Kerala welcomed me for another visit, this time for Nehru Boat Race held at Allepey [or Alapuzha] & this time not on bike but by veins of Indian transport railways.

Nehru Boat Race is popularly known as Snake boat race since the boats used for this race are snake boats also called Chundan locally. This is early event to mark the start of biggest festival in Kerala Onam and is held 2nd Saturday of August every year. Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister of Independent India visited Kerala in 1952. He was given a roaring reception by the people of Alleppey, escorted by the huge snake-boats. Having gone through the tremendous excitement of sailing in a snake-boat Jawaharlal Nehru donated a rolling trophy to be awarded to the winner of the race. The trophy is a replica of a snake-boat in silver, placed on wooden abacus on which the following words are inscribed. [source - wikipedia]

Snake boat Race conducted in Punnamada Lake and is very crowded event and you have to be ready to expect some challenges to watch it closely. There are different categories of races and event runs through the day, while winner is declared at the end of the day in each of the categories. Women also participate in the race which is worth a watch too. If your planning is right, you could book a boat stay and enjoy the race all through the day at your comforts, the best view you can get of the race.

Official site: http://www.nehrutrophy.nic.in/

Few pics from my visit to the event

count 1, 2, 3

Shows before the event

Entrance to the event

First of the 3 pics 1/3

2/3

3/3

Keep travelling, explore more of India !

Movember - Brotherhood for a common cause !

I heard about Movember last year, was surprised with the idea which was for Men’s health. This seed of this idea was put in a normal conversation between two men, which eventually took it shape over the years. Each person part of this foundation are called Mo Bros. From 30 Mo Bros in Melbourne, Australia in 2003 to 4 million Mo's by 2013, Movember, through the power of the moustache, has become a truly global movement that is changing the face of men's health. For complete history of Movember refer below. 

[https://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/mens-health/magazine/a/8052716/movember-history/]

I happened to read about Movember in October last year and decided to grow my moustaches. Initially didn’t go well on my face but as few days passed by, it looked better. At the end of the month, it was actually looking good, off-course I got some good compliments too. I even carried it for a month more. This is how I looked with moustaches.

copyrighted

Movember foundation is an organization which aims at working towards men who suffer from Prostate cancer, Testicular cancer and also mental health. More information on this can be viewed here [http://ex.movember.com/]. One can actively participate and spread the awareness, be a fundraiser and be part of this brotherhood. 

India however has a long standing culture of growing moustaches and it doesn’t come by surprise men having moustaches and are grown throughout year. Why not make this culture take some course where it can also be the cause for something good. Right now, I don’t see Movember is popular in India but I do see newspapers and TV shows have articles and shows about this. Hope to see it grow bigger in this part of the world. However I do see Facebook page for Movember India and its active [https://www.facebook.com/movemberindia?fref=ts].

Rules are very simple, here it is.. 

So, this time too I am signing up for the Movember and follow it for the month. I will try to get more information on Prostate cancer, Testicular cancer and spread whatever knowledge I gain through social media and through my blogs. 

Sample moustache style, well you can find many other styles around you or you can create your unique style.

Welcome to Movember. One day to go..

Mo Bro !!

Kambala - Cultures of Karnataka !!

Karnataka has been one of the distinctive states in India which offers different cultural aspects of people and places. Along with this it provides age old custom of arts, sports, religious fervours which are part of this region till date. I have noted few things in my blog 50 things to do in Karnataka, as I mentioned in the blog these are just few things I have come across, but Karnataka offers much more then this. Kambala is one of the few ancient sport in India which is actively carried in present times basically being a village sport. I followed this sport and visited two Kambala events in last two years. 

Few extracts from wikipedia - "Kambala (ಕಂಬಳ) is an annual Buffalo Race held traditionally under the auspices local land lords and households (Aramane,Beedu,Guthu/Mane, Dodmane) or Patel of village, in coastal Karnataka,India. Kambala is traditionally a simple sport which provides much needed entertainment to the rural people.The 'track' used for Kambala is a paddy field filled with slush and mud. The contest generally takes place between two pairs of buffaloes, each pair raced in wet rice fields, controlled by a whip-lashing farmer.In olden days, the winning pair of buffaloes was rewarded with coconuts and a bunch of plantains and nowadays, gold coins, silver coins are given; in some competitions, cash award is also in vogue. Some organising committes award eight gram gold coin as first prize.However, Kambala today has become an organised rural sport, with elobarate planning and timetable for Kambala at different places. The "Kambala Committee" is formed and it usually arranges Kambala in several categories like Kane Halage, Hagga Hiriya, Hagga Kiriya, Halage, Adda Halage etc. People place massive bets on the buffaloes to win and one can witness more than 20,000 spectators in a well-organised Kambala, egging on and cheering the buffaloes to complete the race."

My first visit was to Puttur Kambala. After landing a day early with actual race starting next day, I gave a visit few places around Puttur. Next day I was at the venue early and saw the track up close. Few buffalo owner had already arrived with their crew. I visited one of the tents put up by a participant. Soon I began a chat with him to understand the sport better. He explained me about the game being played in  different categories based on the age groups of the buffalo and different form of game itself. Length of the track is little more then 100 meters and in their terms its called 'kolu' and full track is 100 kolu which is around 110 meters, marked each at 25 kolu. Buffaloes are well fed and trained throughout the year and made ready for these event which starts in early November and extends little March following year. A pair of buffaloes usually run around 5-6 race in a calender year. During the race days, they are decorated and made to look at their best for the event. Around 20 events are held in different regions of Dakshin Kannada region and parts of Kerala too. Among these few widely popular include Kadri, Puttur, Mulki Kambala.

As the day progressed more number of participants came with their buffaloes and pitched their tents around the main track. Event kick started and I witnessed the rage and fervour towards the game. Buffaloes are not the easily controllable animals, it would take 15 mins to 20 mins just to get the buffaloes to the starting line, with lots of whip lashing on its body. Once the flag off, buffaloes and person holding them, run at such a speed, they reach finish line at a blink of eye. On an average, it takes around 13-14 secs to finish a race, that is real quick. Both men and buffaloes are trained hard for these event. Winning the race is matter of pride for the owners, they hire the best men and buy the best buffaloes for the race and practise all around the year. For some its a time they can make some money by betting. Race is played throughout the night and extends till the next day, with closing ceremony at the end of the day. I left the same night with a thought to witness the night race next time. During March this year, I visited Uppinangady Kambala during night and it was wonderful with races happening under light, the whole pictures presented is beautiful but at the cost of your sleep. People are very much into the race throughout night too.

Recently there has been outrage over the use of buffaloes in such races because they get the severe beating and get injured during the race. But to my opinion, these traditional kambala races represent our culture and should be understood clearly. Not only these buffaloes are cared and nurtured, they are treated with utmost love by the owner. I have seen even the minor injuries are handled carefully, sometimes owner call off the race due to this.

I strongly recommend to visit this magnificent event and enjoy the beauty of this sport which is connected to the roots of Karnataka's culture.

Keep travelling and exploring.. !

Temples in Karnataka

Karnataka has always been praised for its rich cultural diversities and religious fervour. Right from the time of Shri Adi Sharakara choose Shringeri to build one of the four mathas for spreading Hindu religion, with Jainism flourishing, different kingdoms who ruled Karnataka [then Mysore Empire] embarked their religious and cultural footprints and to the very later stages Buddhist monastery have spread across the state.

Being very rich in religious and cultural aspects, Karnataka is blessed with different temples across its length and breath. Temples are spread across the Western ghats to different regions of Karnataka. I am trying to put together temples, basadi and monasteries across Karnataka which are worth visiting in your lifetime. Many of the readers may have already visited most of the listed temples.

1. Shri Dharmasthala Manjunath Swamy Temple, Dharmasthala

                        

Shree Kshetra Dharmasthala, Holy Land, is renowned hindu religious shrine having 700 years of of history. Lord Shiva (Supreme) worshipped as Lord Manjunatheshwara. Padmashri Shree shree Dr. Veerendra Heggade is a present Dharmadhikari of Shree Kshetra Dharmasthala.

Dharmasthala, a sacred place, as the name suggests is a place of Truth, Faith, Communal harmony, Cultural Tolerance and spiritual experience in the Holy Land. Here, everyone enjoys the generous hospitality without any distinction of caste, creed or class whatsoever. Dharmasthala pilgrim center situated on the banks of river Nethravathi in Beltangady Taluk of Dakshina Kannada (South Canara) District.

Dharmasthala offers you place to stay at a very nominal place, however during the festive times, you may not find one. Temple serves lunch and dinner to the devotees all around the year.

2. Kukke Subrahmanya Temple, Kukke

Kukke Subrahmanya Kshetra lies in the luxurious abundance of the beauty of the nature nature with rivers, forests and mountains in Sullia Taluk of Dakshina Kannada (South Canara) District. Kukke Subrahmanya Temple is regarded as one of the seven Mukti stala pilgrimage sites of Karnataka. (Kollur, Udupi, Kumbasi, Kodeshwara, Sankaranarayana and Gokarna are other Mukti places).

Kukke Subrahmanya is about 105 Km from Mangalore, the head quarters of Dakshina Kannada District. Kukke Subrahmanya is situated on the banks of river Dhara, which originates in the Kumara Parvatha (mountain) and proceeds towards western sea. It is also called as 'Kumaradhara River'.

The Subrahmanya temple is situated in the heart of this village. Kukke Subrahmanya temple is dedicated to lord Subrahmanya, who had manifested with Vasuki (the king of serpents). Lodging facility is provided by the temple management, you need to check for the availability once you reach temple. Temple also offers food to the devotees. Plan your visit to during the hours of prasad usually between 12 to 3 pm  and between 8 to 10 pm every day.

3. Kollur Mookambika Temple, Kollur

Kollur Mookambika Temple, an important seat of Shakti worship is located in very picturesque surroundings at the foot of the Western Ghats in Kundapur taluk of Udupi district. This sacred place is situated on the banks of river sauparnika and surrounded by thickly wooded hills and has a natural formation resembling the Sri Chakra. Kollur is one of the seven mukti places which were created by Parashurama. It is believed that rishis have performed penance on this holy place.

4. Shri Chamundeshwari Temple, Mysore

The Chamundeshwari Temple (ಶ್ರೀ ಚಾಮುಂಡೇಶ್ವರಿ ದೇವಸ್ಥಾನ) is located on the top of Chamundi Hills about 13 km from the palace city of Mysore in the state of Karnataka in India.The temple was named after Chamundeshwari or Durga, the fierce form of Shakti, a tutelary deity held in reverence for centuries by Mysore Maharajas.

Weekend must be good option to visit this place for darshan and get out to nearby places. 

5. Marikamba Temple, Sirsi

Sri Marikamba Temple of Sirsi is a famous Devi shrine situated in northern part of the state of Karnataka. The temple is highly regarded by the devotees spread not just all over Karnataka but also in the neighbouring states of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Every alternate year millions of devotees from remote parts of the country gather at Sirsi to participate in the famous Shri Marikamba Fair. Darshana of Devi is considered to be extremely auspicious during the time of the fair. 

Sri Marikamba Temple houses a huge idol of Devi - about seven feet tall. The temple is said to have been built in the year 1689. It is in fact considered to be the biggest idol and temple dedicated to Marikamba in the state of Karnataka. People of Uttara (northern) Kannada and Dakshina (southern) Kannada districts regard Goddess Marikamba as their chief goddess of worship and a family deity. They believe that Devi dispels evil forces and protect them from natural calamities. 

6. Gomatheswara, Chandragiri Hill, Shravanabelagola

The gigantic statue of Bahubali, which is considered a Siddha (one who has attained salvation), is carved out of a single block of granite and stands majestically on top of a hill. For centuries, Shravanabelagola has remained a great pilgrimage center and thousands of pilgrims flock to see the magnificent, gigantic statue. It is 17 m. (55 ft) high and is visible from a distance of 30 km.

7. Sri Krishna Matha, Udapi 

Udupi Sri Krishna Matha (ಉಡುಪಿ ಶ್ರೀ ಕೃಷ್ಣ ಮಠ) is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to god Krishna located in the town of Udupi in Karnataka.

The matha area resembles a living ashram, a holy place for daily devotion and living. Surrounding the Sri Krishna Matha are several temples, the most ancient being made of basic wood and stone of 1,500 years origin 

8. Mahatobar Shri Siddi Vinayaka Temple, Idagunji 

Idagunji Ganapathi temple is an ancient temple with a history of more than 1500 years.The idol of Lord Ganesha is little different here compared to other places. Here Ganesha idol is in standing posture with 2 hands and short legs.One hand he is holding Padma(lotus) and the other Modhaka.

9. Shri Mangaladevi Temple, Mangalore

Sri Mangaladevi Temple dedicated to Goddess Parvathi situated in the Bolar town near Hampankatta, in the heart of the city of Mangalore. Mangalore is named after this deity. This temple originated in the ninth century is very famous even to this day. Many devotees throng to the temple seeking the Mothers blessings

10. Shri Annapoorneshwari Temple,Horanadu

“Sri kshetra Horanadu " is situated on the banks of river Bhadra in a remote corner of chikamaglur dist., Karnataka, surrounded by the natural vegetation, forest, green lands, and natural beauty of the western Ghats

Temple offers stay at a very nominal fee and provides the devotees daily prasad, lunch and dinner.

11. Shri Durga Parameshwari Temple, Kateelu

Sri Durga Parameshwari temple is situated on an islet in the middle of the sacred river Nandini amidst panoramic scenes and fascinating greenery. Thousands of devotees visit Kateel every day to seek blessings from goddess Durga Parameshwari.

12. Kudala Sangama, Bagalkot

Kudalasangama (also written as Kudala Sangama) (ಕೂಡಲ ಸಂಗಮ) in India is an important center of pilgrimage for people of the Lingayat faith. The Aikya Mantapa or the holy Samādhi ofBasavanna, the founder of the Lingayat faith along with Linga, which is believed to be self-born (Swayambhu), is here.

13. Mahabaleshwar Temple, Gokarna

The Mahabaleshwar Temple, Gokarna is a Hindu temple located in Gokarna, a Hindu religious pilgrimage centre in Uttara Kannada district in Karnataka. A Pranalinga (Pranalinga is defined as “the reality of God which can be apprehended by the mind.”) also known as Atmalinga or Shiva Linga is deified in the temple, which is facing the city beach of the Arabian Sea in Gokarna. The Shiva Linga has a hoary legend. It is said to bestow immense blessings to devotees who even glimpse it. The temple is considered as pious as the Shiva temple at Varanasi or Kashi in North India on the banks of the Ganges River and hence is known as the Dakshin Kasi (South Kasi).

14. Murudeshwara Temple, Murudeshwara

Murudeshwara Temple is built on the Kanduka Hill which is surrounded on three sides by the waters of the Arabian Sea. It is dedicated to the Lord Shiva, and a 20-storied Gopura is constructed at the temple. Two life-size elephants in concrete stand guard at the steps leading to it.

15. Sidharudha Math, Hubli

Sidharudha Math in Hubli is built by the followers of Sadguru Siddharudha Maharaj. People visit to the math in numbers from the nearby cities and yearly procession of the chariot is a must watched and visited events across North of Karnataka.

16. Banashankari Amma Temple, Badami

Banashankari Amma Temple or Banashankari temple is a Hindu shrine located atCholachagudd near Badami, in Bagalkot district, Karnataka, India. The temple is popularly called Banashankari or Vanashankarisince it is located in the Tilakaaranya forest. The temple deity is also called the Shakambhari , an incarnation of the goddess Parvati.

The temple attracts devotees from Karnataka as well as the neighbouring state of Maharashtra. The original temple was built by the 7th century Kalyani Chalukya kings, who worshipped goddess Banashankari as their tutelary deity. The current 18th century structure was built by a Maratha chieftain. The temple celebrates its annual festival called Banashankari jatre, in the months of January or February. The festival comprises cultural programmes, boat festival as well as a Rath yatra, when the temple goddess is paraded around the city in a chariot.

17. Renuka Yallamma Temple, Saundatti

The temple of Goddess Yellamma or Sri Renukadevi is a popular pilgrimage site for Shakti devotees. Every day, hundreds of pilgrims visit the temple with great devotion. The congregation is especially large, crossing the ten lakh mark on two auspicious days Banada Hunime andBharathi Hunime. The century-old temple of Yellamma is situated atop Yellamagudda, amidst picturesque Ramalinga Hills about 5 km from Savadatti. Between Savadatti and the temple is the magnificent fort of Parashghad, dating back to the 10th century.

18. Shri Mahalingeshwara Temple, Puttur

Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple: This is an ancient temple of said to be built in 11-12th Century, Lord Shiva (popularly known as Puttur Mahalingeshwara) is main deity of this temple. You will find the photo/idle of this deity in most of the houses/shops in the entire puttur taluk as the deity is believed to be the protector of Puttur Taluk. In the premises of this temple we find unique pond on the western side. It is said that in olden days pearls were found to be growing in the pond. In the local dialect muttu means pearls, which brought the name Mutthur to this place later called as Puttur. 

Famous Puttur Kambala is organised in front of the temple premises during the month of November.

Ancient Temples of archaeological importance 

19. Badami cave temples

The Badami cave temples are a complex of temples located at Badami, a town in the Bagalkot District in the north part of Karnataka. They are considered an example of Indian rock-cut architecture, especially Badami Chalukya Architecture. Badami, the capital of the Early Chalukyas, who ruled much of Karnataka in the 6th to 8th centuries, lies at the mouth of a ravine with rocky hills on either side and a town tank in which water from the ravine flows. The town is known for its ancient cave temples carved out of the sandstone hills above Cave 1 (Shiva), Cave 2 (Vishnu as Trivikrama or Vamana, Varaha and Krishna), Cave 3 (Vishnu as Narasimha, Varaha, Harihara and Trivikrama.) and Cave 4 (Jain Tirthankara Parsvanatha)

20. Temples of Pattadakal

The group of 8th century monuments in Pattadakal are the culmination of the earliest experiments in the vesara style of Hindu temple architecture. The town displays both Dravidian (Southern) and the Nagara (Northern, Indo-Aryan) styles of temple architecture. Group of temples include Virupaksha Temple, Sangameshvara Temple, Mallikarjuna Temple, Kashivisvanatha Temple, Kadasiddhesvara and Jambulingeswara temples, Galganatha temple, Jain Temple

21. Aihole Temple Complex

Aihoḷe (ಐಹೊಳೆ) is a temple complex in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka, India. It is a very popular tourist spot in north Karnataka. It lies to the east of Pattadakal, along the Malaprabha River, while Badami is to the west of both. Aihoḷe was known as Ayyavoḷe and Aryapura in its inscriptions. It was a prominent city of the Chalukya Dynasty. A place known by the name Morera Angadigalu near the Meguti hillocks has a large number of cists of pre-historic period. The place was an agraharam. The village has 125 temples divided into 22 groups by the archaeological department. Aihoḷe has been described as one of the cradles of temple architecture. Of late some brick structures of pre-Chalukyan times have also been excavated. It must have been a great ancient city, a commercial centre as well, with the federation of trade guilds having its headquarters here.

22. Chennakeshava Temple, Belur

Chennakeshava temple complex contains the Chennakesava Temple (dedicated to Chennakeshava, meaning handsome Vishnu) as the centre piece, surrounded by the Kappe Chennigraya temple built by Shantaladevi, queen of king Vishnuvardhana. The temple is one of the finest examples of Hoysala architecture. It was built by king Vishnuvardhana in commemoration of his victory over the Cholas.

23. Halebidu

The temple complex comprises two Hindu temples, the Hoysaleshawara and Kedareshwara temples and two Jain basadi. 

24. Somanathapura Temple, Mysore

Somanathapura is famous for the Chennakesava Temple (also called Kesava or Keshava temple) built by Soma, a Dandanayaka (commander) in 1268 CE under Hoysala Empire King Narasimha III, when the Hoysalas were the major power in South India. The Keshava temple is one of the finest and most complete examples of Hoysala architecture and is in a very well preserved condition. The temple is in the care of the Archaeological Survey of India is a protected heritage site. 

25. Virupaksha Temple, Hampi

Virupaksha Temple is located in Hampi. It is part of the Group of Monuments at Hampi, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Virupaksha is a form of Shiva and has other temples dedicated to him, notably at the Group of Monuments at Pattadakal, another World Heritage Site.

Please See:

• I have tried to put up the list, travel information needs to be explored by the reader. This is purely my list of temples in Karnataka, reader can comment on places which are missed. I will try to include in the same blog. 
• Content gives the brief information and is picked from wikipedia and few other sites. 
• Pictures courtesy from google pics, although I have visited most of the places and clicked the pictures, recent hard disk crash left me void of pictures. I will soon replace these one with picture captured by me.

Keep travelling and exploring.. !