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.

Sirsi & surrounding wonders

Approximate distance
9th Oct Bangalore – Sirsi – 425 kms
10th Oct Sirsi-Yana – 35 kms / Yana-Gokarna – 35 kms / Gokarna-Sirsi – 70 kms
11th Oct Sirsi-Sahasralinga – 17 kms
12th Oct Sirsi-Jog Falls - 60 kms / Jog Falls – Bangalore – 375 kms
Sirsi Hotels:Hotel Panchavati , Phone Number: 08384-236755.
Tariff: Dbl occupancy Rs. 350/- (w/o TV) & Rs.450 (with TV)

Hotel Shivani, Phone Number: 08384-237797, 70.

Hotel Madhuvana ,Phone Number: 08384-237799, 237759.

Samrat Guest House, Phone Number: 08384-236278.
Panchavati, Madhuvana & Samrat have only veg restaurants. Not sure about Shivani.

For many many years, I had been wanting to take Anand & Pavithra to Sirsi – North Karnataka (where I did my schooling up to 
class 6).

After exchange of few emails between me & my sister, the itinerary was finalized & my brother-in-law Ganeshanna booked the bus from Bangalore for our group of 16. But we were in for a shock when rooms were not available in Hotel Shivani, Madhuvana & Samrat. Quickly booked rooms at Panchavati & sent an advance payment of Rs.1,500/- to the hotel for reconfirming the booking.

Pavithra, Anand & me started from Chennai for Bangalore on the 8th Oct. We had decided to alight at K.R.Puram on 9th morning. Since the TT had told us that the train will reach KR Puram at 4.30 AM, we set the mobile alarm at 4.15 AM. But the train reached the station in advance. Not realizing this, Anand suddenly woke up to go to the loo and when he noticed that the train had stopped at KR Puram, he rushed back and rudely woke us. We quickly pulled out our luggage (5 bags !), and jumped out of the train holding our shoes in the hand and by then …..the alarm was on! I was only hoping that we had brought with us the right suitcase & not someone else’s in a hurry. What a great start that was for the trip ahead !

9th Oct'10: Reached Rekha’s (sister) home quite early – Ginger, their pet dog, woke every one up before we could ring the bell. Took rest for some time and after that it was hectic – 10 of us had to get ready. The colourful mini bus picked up Kala akka & Nirmala akka’s family & then picked us up.

Bangalore-Sirsi route taken is via Tumkur/Tiptur/Shimoga (because of our plan to visit Jog Falls enroute Sirsi) – road was generally not bad except in a few places. Alternate route is via Davangere (a better route as per Kiran).
Getting out of Bangalore, as usual, is not easy what with the traffic snarls. The CD that I had brought with good dance numbers didn’t work. But that was not a problem, we had so much to talk & laugh – we were all getting together after nearly a year.

With people like me (who loves to munch) & Muralianna (who loves to have tea regularly), how can we travel for long without any break? And our first break was at Agarwal Bhavan, Bangalore – delicious food, neat restaurant & clean toilets. From here, our travel continued & on & on it went – with lunch break in Arsikere– average food in a very average restaurant. By now we realized that it will be late to reach Jog Falls. We were also toying with the idea of going to Chaudeshwari temple – somewhere beyond Shimoga. This also didn’t work out because of time constraint. The bus was going in a very average speed & we decided to drive to Sirsi & visit Jog Falls on the return.

Having lived in Shimoga for around 5 years, we were trying to figure out some familiar places. We were excited to see our School – Mary Immaculate.

Since we didn’t have good lunch & snacks during tea break, we were already thinking of having good dinner. Dad called up Hotel Panchavati in Sirsi to check if dinner will be available by 11 PM – got a negative answer. We decided to have dinner in a hotel in Sagar – all of us had good dinner (though service was not quick). Finally reached Hotel Panchavati, Sirsi, by around 11 PM. Though it was a long journey, we were neither bored nor tired – pleasant weather throughout. Hotel Panchavati – good rooms considering the small town that Sirsi is. However, their restaurant didn’t have much choice of food & was open only from 8 AM. 

10th Oct’10: After breakfast, proceeded to Yana. The ideal vehicle for trips in and around Sirsi is Jeep – though I had read about this in many blogs, I didn’t realize the importance till we reached Yana. We had to stop our bus around 3 kms before the Yana Rock Temple – which means 6 kms of walk up & down ! Jeep/Car/small van can stop the vehicle just half a kilometer before the temple.

Going to the temple was exciting – greenery around, Vibhuti river – where we spent some refreshing time & then after walking for some more time, we could see these gigantic rocks – awesome ! Before going to the rock temple, all of us quenched our thirst – I recommend the Cocum juice sold in the entrance with the gingery flavor – yum. The priest in the temple narrated the history of the temple & after the pooja/rituals, asked us to go around the temple for pradakshina/circumambulating, which according to him took 15-20 minutes. Fortunately Mom & Dad didn’t join us. It was adventurous as well as arduous. The rocks & stones were sharp & walking barefoot was painful. We hadn’t imagined the 15-20 minutes of Pradakshina to be so strenuous, nonetheless exciting.

Had another round of thirst quenchers & started on our way back to the bus. Now it was becoming very difficult to walk with the road ascending & descending. We were puffing and panting & lo, it started raining – the afternoon looked as if it was late evening – cool and dark & so very nice to walk in the rain in that nice surrounding. Finally, we reached our bus. Too much of a walk for us city dwellers - We all burnt lots of calories & shed some blood !!! – this place Yana is infested with leeches.

Vibhuti Falls is very close to Yana but after travelling a little we realized that it is not possible to go up to the Falls by bus – very narrow path. Some of us jumped out of the bus to walk up 1.5 km to the Falls. The more and more we walked, we could only hear the gurgling sound of the water – all we could see was dense forest around. Here too, it was not an easy walk but the sudden sight of the beautiful Vibhuti Falls made us forget our tiredness. Spent some time in the falls & returned to the bus for onward journey to Gokarna. We didn’t carry with us any eatables and were hungry – it was well past lunch time. Had lunch in a place near Hoskambi – very small hotel & we were told that they had only 4 meals available & some snacks.

Proceeded to Gokarna after the so called lunch break early in the evening. Gokarna is a bustling small town. Anand & I liked the temples and the mansions. Visited the temples in Gokarna after which some of them went to the beach while the rest of us proceeded for shopping. Since it was dark, we were not allowed to go too close to the beach – the children were highly disappointed. Had dinner & proceeded to Sirsi. Great sleep after the grueling day.

11th Oct’10: Visited Marikamba Temple this morning – nice big temple. The deity looked beautiful. Also visited Gopalakrishna temple nearby – this temple was visited by Sathya Sai Baba in the year 1968 (or 1967?). The priest who was then a youngster narrated to us the details of Swami’s visit. From here we headed to Sahasralinga – had a good time in the water & some fun moments posing for photo. We had lunch in Hotel Madhuvan – better choice & tasty food. The day ended with lots of saree shopping in Gajanan Stores, passed by Dr.Kala Bhat’s clinic where Kiran was born, visit to Chowkimath Road (where we had stayed for some years), St.Anthony’s School (our first school), Zoo (funny memories of my childhood) – we were visiting Sirsi after 30 years. Showed hubby Anand, the house where we had stayed, friends’ houses and our play area where we played Lagori, kabbadi, gilli dand, marbles. Got to meet one of our friends Mallika – a pleasant surprise for her & us (though she is settled in Hubli, she had come to her mother’s place just then).

12th being Dad’s birthday, all of us wished him at 12 AM followed by cake cutting after which there was some impromptu entertainment from Muralianna and Ganeshanna which was HILARIOUS.
After breakfast, started on our return trip to Bangalore. Visited Jog Falls – seeing the falls from far without much water was not exciting. Lunch in Hotel Jewel Rock, Shimoga, - good hotel & good food (good service though we reached at the close of lunch time). Reached Bangalore very late in the night.
After so many years of talking about travelling to Sirsi, finally we visited Sirsi.
Now I am dreaming of travelling to Sikkim while Anand wants to travel to Ladakh first – we are squabbling on this & the argument continues……