Office trip to Yercaud : Aug'11

Sterling Holidays Rock Perch
Post Box No. 11, Lady’s seat
Yercaud -636601
Salem Dist. Tel: +91 4281-222700,222706,222708

Chennai/Salem Train
Salem/Yercaud one hour by road

Not much sightseeing places in Yercaud when compared to Ooty or Kodaikanal – there are the usual lake with boating facilities and view points. But one place which is worth the visit is Kiliyur water falls – need to walk for almost a kilometer to reach the falls.

Had a good time with the whole gang in Yercaud.

True to its name, Sterling Resort looks as if it is perched on a rock – wonderful views from the resort.
I have decided to go once again to Yercaud just to spend time in the resort & relax.

Travel to Yercaud from Chennai is also easy with convenient trains from Chennai to Salem & just an hour’s drive from Salem to Yercaud.

Puttaparthi & Bangalore : Trip for peace & pleasure - May'11

6th May Chennai/Puttaparthi - Train
Puttaparthi railway station/Prashanti Nilayam – Auto Rs.100/-
9th May Puttaparthi/Bangalore – KSRTC Volvo Bus
14th May Bangalore/Chennai - Train

Train 2691 Chennai 2330 hrs / Puttaparthi 1020 hrs -only Fridays
Train 2692 Puttaparthi 1910 hrs / Chennai 0515 hrs - only Sundays

In the month of March itself, we (Anand, Pavithra & myself) had booked our tickets to Puttaparthi for travel in May’11. Little did we know then that we would be able to have only Swami’s Samadhi darshan (however, we had made a sudden car trip to Puttaparthi in April to have Swami’s final darshan of HIS physical body).

Left from Chennai on 6th May. As usual the next morning, Anand got down in Bangalore station and bought our breakfast since Pantry not attached in this train (train halts for 45 minutes in Bangalore). Reached Puttaparthi by 10.15AM.
Before leaving for Puttaparthi, I was thinking that it would be nice if we get accommodation in one of the Round Houses (despite having stayed in the Ashram premises during our numerous visits over the years, we had never got accommodation in Round Houses). On reaching Prashanti Nilayam and after submitting the room request form in the Accommodation Office, Anand comes with the key R-5 i.e., key to room in Round House 5 ! what a pleasant surprise. Swami always takes care of us.

The crowd is less now when compared to how it used to be earlier. There is no rush to get up early to be first in the long queue or be in the first row to have Swami’s close darshan, no waiting for hours, no need to stretch our neck towards the gate to see if Swami is coming – nothing, nothing of all these. It is easy now – be in the hall at 8AM for Vedam/Rudram chanting, finish Bhajan by 9.30 AM, have darshan of the Samadhi & out by around 10.15 AM. Similarly, in the evening, be in by 4.30 PM & out by 6.30 PM – you have all the time to visit the Book Shop or the Shopping complex within the Ashram – Oh, but Swami how much we miss that super elated feeling after your Divine Darshan – how the agony of the wait & the body pain used to vanish by your Darshan – words cannot describe that joy – We love you and miss you dear Swami.
But of course, we would still like to continue our visits to Puttaparthi because this is where we are truly at peace even now.

Met Anitha & Ashwin who were also in Puttaparthi for Ashwin’s entrance exam – he has been selected for his further course in Music & is all set to go back to his College in Puttaparthi.

Also got to do seva (serve food) in the Western Canteen. I must mention about our room in R-5. Though it was an old small room, we really liked this room – the room was cool and we did not feel the heat of summer inside the room. Also, right in front of the room there was a big Nagalingam tree spreading sweet fragrance around.

Left for Bangalore on 9th noon by KSRTC Airawat Volvo – very comfortable journey.

12th May: Started from home by around 7.45 AM to Srirangapatna. Visited Mr.Halagappa’s house/Mandir/Orphanage where nectar oozes from the ring given by Swami to Mr.Halagappa and Vibhuti appears on Swami’s photo. Mr.Halagappa’s house is called Sai Kripa and is situated on the banks of Cauvery outside Srirangapatna just after the small bridge (while proceeding to Mysore, Saikripa is situated on the right of the bridge). We were given the amrita and vibhuti. Also met Mr.Halagappa.
After a quick round of the Mysore Zoo and visit to Nimishamba temple near Srirangapatna on the banks of Cauvery, reached home in the night. We didn't feel the tiredness of travel till we reached the outskirts of Bangalore. Travel within Bangalore is maddening !

As usual shopped in Bangalore - trip to Bangalore is not complete without shopping.

Our train to Chennai on 14th May was at 4.25 PM. The car booked to go the station did not turn up at 2.15 PM & when we called the agency, they said they have cancelled the booking !!! (b’coz of the Meru transport problem, they took more lucrative bookings & cancelled the rest). My sister’s maid rushed out to bring an autorickshaw for us. After waiting for the auto, we decided to walk up to the main road with our luggage – 3 of us had to carry 6 luggage – had bought lots of books in Puttaparthi and clothes in Bangalore. Finally got into the auto at 3 PM. Inspite of telling the driver about the situation, he was not in a hurry – did not know whether there was a problem with the auto or the driver and to add to that the famous traffic jam of Bangalore. Reached the station by around 4.18 PM. Our train was to depart from Platform 7 at 4.25 PM which means we had to get down the stairs & again go up to reach Platform 7. While we were running with the luggage, there was some train announcement made and I told Anand & Pavithra (who were ahead of me) to come back and climb up to go to Platform 6. On reaching Platform 6, we could not find any train & I realized my mistake – rushed down & up again to Platform 7. I just could not run with the luggage and requested a boy to help – he quietly took both my bags & left it at platform 7 & proceeded to wherever he had to go. Finally at 4.23 PM we reached the platform & got into the train – what a relief & now it was Anand & Pavithra's turn to yell at me (Platform 6 !). During this mad rush, I was thinking why was I not able to match steps with Anand & Pavithra and will I be able to travel in the rough terrain of many of my dream destinations – Sikkim, Ladakh & other Himalayan regions. I have decided to get up early & do some yoga to keep myself fit (have been telling this for the past many months !!!)

April 2011 : Chennai to Puttaparthi - Teary farewell to Swami

Car:
Chennai-Chittoor-Madanapallee-Kadri-Puttaparthi

24th Apr Started from OMR, Chennai at 1.30PM & reached Puttaparthi by 11 PM (2 breaks of 1 hour each)
26th Apr Started from Puttaparthi at 10.45 AM & reached Chennai by 7.30 PM
Train:
Train 2691 Chennai 2330 hrs / Puttaparthi 1020 hrs -only Fridays
Train 2692 Puttaparthi 1910 hrs / Chennai 0515 hrs - only Sundays

On seeing the news about Swami’s (Sathya Sai Baba) leaving HIS physical body, Anand, Pavithra & myself planned to go to Puttaparthi. Quickly booked a car and left home in the afternoon. I was very confident that our Swami would come back and hence was not terribly upset – but was definitely anxious and worried.

There are 2 routes to Puttaparthi from Kadri – one was the longer route of around 90 kms and the shorter one was about 45 kms. We obviously took the shorter route – the whole stretch is in totally bad shape – really horrible. On the return, the driver wanted to take the shorter route and just as our car headed in that direction, 2 men came speeding in their bike, asked if we are going to Kadri, & guided us to take another route (totally around 50 kms to Kadri – I don’t remember the name of the place where we took the deviation to the better road) – this road was good and the drive was smooth - the extra 5 kms really does not matter considering the good road condition.

In Puttaparthi, the arrangements by the Trust/Seva Dal/Police is worth mentioning – all arrangements were well organized - be it vehicle parking, entry and exit for darshan, all 3 canteens in the Ashram was functional and service was at its best. The Seva Dal really did good service – there was no dearth of food and water. Swami always takes care of all of us.
We were aksed to park our car ½ km before the Ashram – Prashanti Nilayam. Booked 2 rooms in Hotel Sai Maa for Anitha’s family & us (2 minutes walk from the Ashram). Immediately went for darshan of Swami. All arrangements were perfectly organized. At that time of the night, there were devotees (Seva Dal) providing drinking water and food to the people despite their sorrow. Had darshan of Swami twice in half hour. Felt uneasy and very very sad to see Swami in that state – still had a hope ! Anitha’s family came to the hotel (after darshan) by around 4.45 AM on 25th April – they were late because of an accident & had to go to Super Speciality Hospital in Puttaparthi – they were unhurt due to Swami’s grace though the car was damaged.

We had good darshan of Swami (totally 5 darshans) – but Swami, we were waiting for more than a year to have your Divine Darshin & finally this…….this is not what we wanted. We know that Swami is immortal and will guide us as ever but having been used to His physical presence, we mortals are not able to accept His bodily absence ……. a sort of orphaned feeling.

Our tickets to Puttaparthi for 6th May were booked in March itself and we are going ahead with our travel.
We love you Swami.

The US of A

29th Jan Chennai/Doha/Washington
5th Feb Washington/New Jersey
11th Feb New Jersey/Washington/Doha
12th Feb Doha/Chennai
Stay: Arlington Court Suites in Washington

Anand, Pavithra and me had a lovely time in the US.
Though the weather was very very cold, we really enjoyed because we don’t get to experience this type of weather in Chennai nor get to wear some of those stylish winter clothing.

Pavithra was surprised by the noiseless surrounding – she was saying that students of just her class section are enough to make the whole of US noisy.
In Washington, during the day while Anand was busy attending the training program, Pavithra and me used to go around in the Metro or walk around the neighborhood, have lunch in our favourite Jerry’s – I just love their overstuffed subs while Pavithra likes their pizzas. Evenings, the 3 of us used to visit Macy’s, Ballston Mall, Pentagon City Mall (somehow we were not able to visit Potomac & Tysons Corner). Also visited most of the important tourist places in Washington in the hop-on-hop-off bus.
Really impressed with the metro trains, the precise arrival /departure, cleanliness, passenger friendly announcements/indicators/route maps inside the train.

Also had wonderful time in New Jersey in Ramesh & Chitra’s house – great hosts that they are.
Visited New York on 7th & 8th Feb - the skyride in Empire State Building was a waste - quite expensive - neither thrilling nor worth the money. We however liked going to the top floor of this building. I somehow didn’t like New York much – may be because of the severe cold there or because it was crowded unlike Washington & New Jersey. However, we had a great time in Madame Tussauds posing for photos with those famous wax statues.

On the whole, had a great time – 2 weeks of far away from home/work & stress free holidays – WOW !
Nonetheless, felt good coming back home. Our dear Sparky (pet dog) was so exited & wanted to be with all the 3 of us at the same time. The following week end, when we had to give our suitcase for repair, Sparky’s face drooped down thinking that we are off on a holiday again !

Ho Ho Ho Hogenakkal

This is a pictorial blog with some much required details:
TTDC Hogenakkal, Tel: +91 (0) 4342256447,256400
Non AC Double room Rs.600/-
AC Double Room Rs.900/- , Family Room (6 beds) Rs.1000/-

Chennai/Hogenakkal : Around 350 kms
TTDC Sales Office, Chennai, Tel: +91 (0) 44 2538 3333 / 4444 / 9857
After much deliberations, we zeroed in on Hogenakkal (due to the availability of rooms and TTDC Bus) for our office picnic. Bookings for the rooms and bus were done in the Chennai Sales Office of TTDC.
25th Dec’10 – Left Chennai(T.Nagar) by around 6.45 AM. Packed breakfast in the bus.
Reached Hogenakkal by around 2 PM with two breaks in between : Tea/Coffee break & Ambur Biriyani break and traffic snarl near Hogenakkal.
26th Dec’10 - Left Hogenakkal by around 11 AM. After Lunch break in TTDC Krishnagiri and tea/coffee break, reached T.Nagar by around 8 PM.
TTDC rooms were …..Ok …..little above average. Bus: Comfortable.