Deevaalayaalu

108 Divya Desams.

Chozha Naattu Thiruppathikal

1. Thiru Arangam (Srirangam)

2. Thiru Koozhi(Urayur - Nachiyar Koil)

3. Thirukarambanur (Uttamar Koil)

4. Thiruvellarai

5. Thiru Anbil

6. Thirupper Nagar

7. Thiru Kandiyur

8. Tirukkoodaloor (Aaduthurai Perumal Koil)

9.Thirukkavithalam (Kapistalam)

10. Thirupullamboothangudi

11. Thiru Aadhanur

12. Thirukkudanthai (Kumbakonam)

13. Thiruvinnagar (Opiliyappan Kovil)

14. Tirunaraiyur (Naachiyaar Koyil)

15. Thirucherai

16. Tirukkannamangai (Krishna Mangala Kshetram)

17. Thirukkannapuram

18. Thirukkannangudi

19. Thirunagai (Nagappattinam)

20. Thiru Thanjai Mamani Kovil

21. Thirunandhipuravinnakaram

22. Thiruvelliyangudi

23. Thiruvazhundur (Therazhandur)

24. Thiruchirupuliyur

25. Thiruthalai Sanga Naanmathiyam (Thalachankadu)

26. Thiru Indhalur

27. Thirukavalampaadi (Thirunangur)

28. Thirukkazhichiramavinnakaram (Seerkazhi)

29. Thiru Arimeya Vinnagaram

30. Thiruvanpurutothaman (Thiru Naangur)

31. Tiruchemponsei Kovil

32. Thirumanimada Kovil

33. Thiruvaikhuntha Vinnagaram

34. Thiruvaliyum Thirunagariyum

35. Thiruthevanarthogai

36. Thiruthetriambalam

37. Thirumanikkudam

38. Thiruvellakkulam

39. Thiru Parthanpalli

40. Tiruchitrakootam(Chithambaram)

Paandiya Naattu Thiruppathikal (18)

41. Thiru Maliruncholai

42. Thiru Kottiyur

43. Thiru Meyyam

44. Thiru pullani

45. Thiru Thanaga

46. Thirumogur

47. Thirukoodal (Madurai)

48. Srivilliputhur

49. Thiru Kurugur (Aazhvaar Thirunagari)

50. Thiru Tholai Villi Mangalam

51. Thiru Siri Vara Mangai

52. Thirupulingudi

53. Thirupperai

54. Thiru Vaikundam (Srivaikuntam)

55. Thiru Varaguna mangai

56. Thiru Kulandhai (Perunkulam)

57. Thiru Kurungudi

58. Thiru Kolur

Malai Naattu Thiruppathikal (13)

59. Thiruvananthapuram

60. Thiru Van Parisaram

61. Thiru Katkarai

62. Thiru Muzhikkalam

63. Thirupuliyur (Kutta Nadu)

64. Thiru Chengannur

65. Thiru Navai

66. Thiru Vallavazh (ThiruValla)

67. Thiru Vanvandoor (Thiruvamundoor)

68. Thiru vattaru

69. Thiru Vithuvakodu

70. Thiru Kadithanam

71. Thiru Varan Vilai (Aarammula)

Nadu Naattu Thiruppathikal

72. Thiru vaheendrapuram

73. Thiru Kovalur

Thondai Naattu Thiruppathigal

74. Thiru Kacchi - Atthigiri (Kanchipuram)

75. Thiru Ashtapujagaram (Kanchipuram)

76. Thiru Thankal (Thuppul - Kanchipuram)

77. Thiru Velukkai (Kanchipuram)

78. Thiru Paadagam (Kanchipuram)

79. Thiruneeragam (Kanchipuram)

80. Thiru Nilathingal Thundam (Kanchipuram)

81. Thiru Ooragam (Kanchipuram)

82. Thiruvekka (Kanchipuram)

83. Thirukkaragam (Kanchipuram)

84. Thirukkarvaanam (Kanchipuram)

85. Thiru Kellvanur (Kanchipuram)

86. Thirupavalavannam (Kanchipuram)

87. Thiruparameshvara Vinnagaram (Kanchipuram)

88. Thiru Putkuzhi

89. Thiru Nindravur (Thinnanur)

90. Thiru Evvul (Thiruvallur)

91. Thiru Neermalai

92. Thiruvidendhai

93. Thiru Kadalmallai(Mahabalipuram)

94. Thiruvallikkeni

95. Thirukkadigai (Sholingapuram)

Vada Naattu Thiruppathikal (All locations outside Tamil Nadu & Kerala)

96. Thiruvenkadam (Tirupathi - A.P.)

97. Singavezhkunram(Ahobilam - A.P.)

98. Thiru Ayoddhi (Ayodhya - U.P.)

99. Thiru Naimisaranyam (U.P.)

100. Thiru Salagramam (Nepal)

101. Thiru Badrikasramam (Badrinath - Uttaranchal)

102. Kandam Kadi Nagar(Deva Prayagai - Uttaranchal)

103. Thiru Pirithi (Nand Prayag/Joshi Math - Uttaranchal)

104. Thiru Dwarakai (Dwaraka - Gujarat)

105. Thiru Vadamadura (Mathura - U.P.)

106. Thiru Aaipadi (Gokulam - U.P.)

Celestial abodes

107. Thiruppar Kadal

108. Thiru Paramapadham

Kashi Yatra with Brahmasri Chaganti Koteshwara Rao garu Nov'10

Upodgaatham

It is said that "One who dies in Kashi will be liberated from the cycle of birth and death. It is also said that "Who lives in Kashi for 9days and 9 nights constantly remembering Lord Shiva will attain liberation". With the holy resolution of Mataji of Bhilai, Brahmasri Chaganti koteswara Rao garu was invited to give discourses on "Kashi Vaibhavam" in Kashi for 9 days. Guruvugaru generously proposed to accommodate 350 devotees for the yatra. Plans were made 5 months ago. A team went to Kashi to make all arrangements. Tickets were booked 3months before the trip. The yatra started with Puja and breakfast at Ayyappa Swamy temple in Kakinada. We embarked Prasanthi express to Bhuvaneshwar. Food packets were distributed on board to the devotees holding ID cards, thanks to the volunteers, home-made food was delicious and nutritious. At Bhuvaneshwar, we got into Purushottam express during the early hours of the following day. We reached MughalSarai by 8:30pm. Buses were arranged to take us to Kashi. All arrangements for accommodations were made at Kanchi, Sringeri and two other Mutts.

Day-1 (Sapthami). 7am- went to Kanchi Mutt, attended Puja and Parayana, had breakfast and went to Bilai Mataji's rented premises. Mataji is direct disciple of Sri Kavyakanta Ganapathi Mahamuni (he was called naayana by Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi). Mahamuni was born by Dundi ganapathi's grace. Parama saastrokthanga goopuja, baalapuja matrusri aadvaryam lo jarigaayi. We returned to Sringeri Mutt. Prathee Rooju, vandina padaarthalanu gangammaku , sringeri mutt lo vunna hanumanthudiki nivedana chesevaru. Andaruu panktilo kurchuni padaarthalu vaddistundagaa eekakantam tho annapurnaastakam patinchi aa taruvathee anna prasaddanni sevinchevallam. Bhojanaarambha kaalee hari naama smaraneee govindaa govindaaa ani modatlo, Bhojana madhya kaale hari naama smaranee govindaa govindaaa ani madhyalo, tinadam purtayyaka kuda govinda namam cheppi leche vallam, okkosaari namah parvathi pathayeh hara hara mahadev anee vallam. Kaashi lo annam vaddinche sthree lo annapurnamma aavahistundani antaaru. Prathiroju 4-6 Sringeri matamlo (memunna choota) guruvugari pravachanam vundedi. pimmata falahaaram tini nidurinchevallam.

Day-2 (Astami) 4:30am Ganga vadilo Hara Hara Sankara Jaya Jaya Shankara ... Shankara Bhagavathpadula meeda saamuuhika bhajana sankeerthana. Sankalpam(desa kaalamulu cheppi dharmaardha kaama moksha chaturvidha fala purushaardham ganga snaanam karishyee) ani cheppukuni panchatho muudusarlu ganga lo munigi ganga ki namaskarinchitini. dampathulaithe okarikokaru abhimukhamga nilabadi chetulu pattukuni muudusarlu munagaali. podibattalu maarchukunnaaka gangastavam cheyincharu guruvugaru. aa taruvatha andaritho praarthana cheyincharu. " Gangamma, ippudela nee mundu nunchuni preethitho ninnu chusthu eeswarudini smaristunnano naa chivari oopiri teestunnappudu kuda ee drusyame naaku kanapadi preethitho eeswarudini smaristuu aakari swaasa vadalaali, ala maaku varamivvu talli".

Kedarghat lo ganga snanam taruvatha gangajalam tho kedareswarudini darshinchi ganga jalam tho abhishekam chesaamu. ikkada sivalingam pedda raayi swarupam lo vuntundi. Pimmata dundiganapathi, vishwanathalayam, visalakshi aalayam(idhi sakthi peetam, ikkada swayambhuvu aina ammavari vigraham, pratistinchina vigraham renduu vuntayi, ikkada srichakram meeda kunkumarchana chesukunnaru amma nanna) modalagu aalayalu darsimchaamu. taruvatha annapurnamma darshanam chesukoni sringeri matham vellipoyamu. Aaroju pravachanam lo manikarnika kund visisthatha teliyachesaru. Kashinagaram aavirbavinchaaka srishti maintenance ela cheyyali ani sivaparvathulu alochisthu okarinokaru anuraagam tho chusukunnarata, appudu vishnuvu putttadata. aayana taruvatha okasari sivudini chudalanipinchi, sudarshana chakramtho tavvadam modalupettadu appudu aayana vantinundi kaarina chamata oka gundam laa eerpadindi, Sivudu pratyakshamayinappudu aayana cheviki vunna mani ee kundam lo padindi anduke manikarnikha kund ani perochindi, ikkada madhyannam 12 ki snanam chesthe vache falitham cheppadaniki sadhyapadadani sankaracharyulu chepparu. alaage yamudu okasari 108 naamamulu chepparu(mix of shiva and vishnu names) ivi evaru patisthaaro valla joliki yamabhatulu raaruta. avi maatho cheppincharu guruvugaru.

Day3 (navami) Manikarnika ghat lo madhyanna snaanam chesi Sankarulu rachinchina manikarnika stavam cheyincharu guruvugaru.

Day4 (Dashami) Viswanathuni darshanam, annapurnamma, vishalakshi ammavari darshanam taruvatha vaaraahi devi darshanaaniki vellamu. ikkada ammavaru underground lo vuntaaru, ground level lo rendu square shaped vents vuntayi, oka vent lonchi kindiki chusthe niluchuni vunna ammavari tala pai bhagam kanipistundi, inko vent lonchi chusthe paadalu kanipistayi. moham kanipinchadu. idhi tappaka darsinchavalasina devalayam. Saayantram padavallo aavali teeraaniki velli ganga saikatam meeda kurchuni guruvugaru gangaaavataranam pravachanam cheptuntee, gangamma nee goppatanam idhi kadamma ani pongipothu ganganu chuustu santhoshinchaamu, sagarudi nunchi bhageerathudi daaka katha vini paravasinchipoyamu. Gangamma muudulokalalo(swarga lokam, bhulokam, paataala lokam) pravahinchadam valla tripadhaga ani pilavabadutondi. Bhageerathudi tapassu falinchi aakasa gangani bhumi meedaku rammanteee aa pravaahanni pattadaaniki sivudu angeekaristhaadu, kaani gangamma ahankaristundi. sivudu gamaninchi jathajutham lo oka samvatsara kaalam bandistaadu gangani. okka chukka kuda kindaku raaladu. malli bhagheerathudu praartisthe anugrahinchaadu mukkanti. okkasari aakasa ganga pedda goshatho, tumparlathoo, nuragatho, mosallu timingalalu modalagu jalacharamulatho paatu 7 paayaluga pravahinchindi. oka paaya bhageeratudini anusarinchindi. aakasa ganga bhumi meedakochindantroi ani devatalu yakshulu gandarvulu kinneralu kimpurushulandaru vachi snanam chesaarata aa roju. aakasa ganga brahmadevuni kamandalam lo vuntundanta, aayana vishnuvu paadalu aa gangatho kadigaruta, sivudi jatajutham nunchi aayana sareerannni sparsistu kindiki vachindita. parama paavani ganga mana paapalanni kadigeyyataniki pravahistondita. Himavantuni kumarthe, umaku akka, bhishmudi talli. ikkada kashi lo prasanthanga chinnapillalu aadukunentha veelu ga pravahistundata. Jahnu maharshi mingesi chevula dwara vadilaaru kabatti jaahnavi ayindi. Bhaageerathi sagarula basma raasulapai pravahinchi vaariki santhi kaliginchindita. Alaa cheppukunnaka pongipothu ganga ki namaskarinchi deepam gangalo vadilaamu. Kashiki oka pakka varuna inko pakka 'asi' anee paayalu vuntayi kabatti varanasi ani perochindita. taruvatha padavalalo asi nunchi varuna ki madhya vunna ghats anni chuusaamu. alaage prathi roju nirvahinchee ganga arati chusamu. idhi tappaka chudavalasina aarati. kannulaku pandugeee. mottam 80 ghats vunnayita. harischandra ghat, manikarnika ghats lo anthyakriyalu chestu vuntaru, deehalanu agni lo dahisthaaru. jeevudu punaraa vritti rahitha saasvatha siva saayudhyanni ponduthadu. kaashi lo marana bheethi vundadanta endukante maranisthee mukthi labistundi kabatti. scindia ghat, dashaaswamedh ghat(nearest to vishwanath mandir), hanuman ghat, panch ganga ghat...

Day 5 Ekaadashi. Ganga snanam chesi Mathaji ashramaniki vellam, hadavidi lekunda prasanthanga 3.5 hours paatu saastroktanga satyanaarayana swamy vratam chesukunnamu. ee roju pravachanam lo parvathi kalyanam yokka muudu rojula pravachanalu aarambinchaaru. daksha yagna dwamsam meeda pravachanam chepparu.

Day 6 Dwaadashi Surya Bhagavanudu (Adityudu) kashi lo loolarka kundam lo vuntadu. ee kundam lo erra pushpalatho erra chandanamtho 70 surya naamalu chepthu puja chesina vaariki sandhyavandanam arhatha lekapoyinapattiki gayathri cheyyadam valla kalige falitam kalugutundi, aarogyam suryudu istaadu kabatti abhyunnati pondutamu ani guruvugari cheppi puja cheyincharu. akkadiki daggaralo Durgamma devalayam chusamu. Inkaa sankata mochana hanuman devalayamu (ikkadee tulasidaasu garu ramayanam raastu pravachinchevaaranta hanuma vachi vinevaaranta, okasari ashokavanam lo puvvulu tellaga vuntayani tulasidasu garu chepithe, hanuma erraga vuntayannarauta, tulasidasu garu oppukoledata, appudu hanuma chusi vachindi nenu kadaa, erragane vunnayani vaadincharata, raamulavaarini pilisthe aayana kuda tellaga vuntayi annarata, hanuma oppukoledanta. appudu raamudu clarify chesaru, hanuma kopam valla kallu errabaddayi anduvalle puvvulu erraga kanabaddayi ani). akkadanunchi kalabhairavudi aalayaniki vellamu, eeyana kshetrapaalakudu. kashini sarvavelala kaapala kaastuntaadu. eeyana permission lekunda evvaru kashiloki enter avvaleruta. 5krosala kashi nagaraniki eeyane home minister. aayanaki palu marlu krutagnatha cheppukuni kalabhairavaastakam chaduvukuni mataaniki tirigi vellam, sayantram pravachanam taruvatha hanuman mandiram chuttu kartika deepalu veliginchaamu.

Day7 (trayodashi) ivaala mataashri ashramam lo lakshmi puja, kunkuma puujalu tallullu chesaaru, nenu naannagaru vishwanatha mandiranni darshinchi annapurnammanu darshinchukuni 9:30ki modallayye annadanam (aalaya bhojana saalalo) karyakramam lo palgonnamu. annapurnaastakam chadivi anna prasadam tini visalakshi devalayam chusukuni atununchi mangala gowri devalayamu , trilinga swamy mutt(eeyana 300 samvatsaralu jeevincharu, kashi kshetramlo chaala samvatsaralu vunnaru, ramakrishna paramahamsa, vivekanandula charitralalo eeyana gurinchi cheppabadindi). atununchi bindu madhava devalayam darsinchamu (ilanti madhavula devalayu bharatha desam lo 5 vunnayita. agni bindu maharshiki nepal lo nadhilo saalagramamulatho ee madhavudi vigraham dorikindata). pitapuram lo okati vundi. taruvatha kalabhairavudini rendo sari darshanam chesukunnamu(ikkada oka cheepiri laanti daanitho nadumu meeda kodataru) kaalabhairavudi anugraham kosam. daggaralo dandapaani devalayam, navagraheshwarudi aalayam darsinchamu(navagrahalu sivalingam la vundatam chaala arudata). Saayantram rangaranga vaibhavamga parvathi kalyanam taniviteera chusamu. Sivudi gotram cheppamannapudi ghattam aasaktikaramga vuntundi. "Nirvikalpa niranjana.....". himavantudu, menaka kanyadhaanam chesetappudu eeswarudiki chestunnamu ane bhavana tho chesthe moksham vachestundani, alaa vachesthe rushulaku tapassu chesukodaaniki himalayas vundavani, kontha shankha(anumaanam) vundipoyela chestaduta shivudu.

Day8 (Chaturdashi). Saayantram pravachanam lo kaalabhairavudu, durgamma, bindumadhavudi yokka visistatha teliyachesaru. taruvaatha vishwanathuni mandiraaniki vellamu, akkada aarathi pimmata pavalimpuseva adbutanga chesaru. sivalinganni chakkaga alankarinchi, okka bed decorate chesi garbagudilo pedataru. peeedda damarukalu moogistaaru, vayidhyalu vaayistaru, gantalu moogistaaru, adbuthanga vuntundi. sivalingam paina godugu pedataru. janma dhanyamayindi.

Day9(Karteeka pournami) 5 lakshalamandi kashi vacharani samacharam andindi. Memu tellarugatle bayaluderi vishwanathudi darshananiki vellamu auto chaala mundare aapesadu. roadlantha janasandoham tho kalakalalaadayi. veerantha ippudipudde kashi lo adugupettinavaaru. queue kuda peddagane vundi. elagaithene darshanam baaga jarigindi. Pimmata annapurna ammavari samaksham lo kunkuma puja chesukunnaru amma nanna. Pimmata manmandir ghat lo ganga snanam ( karthika pournami naadu ganga snaanam cheyyadam goppa visesham. purvajanma punya falam). Taruvatha Kanchi matam pakkana kamakoteeswaralayaniki vellamu. ee gudi nadiche devudiga peru gaanchina chandrasekhara paramacharya swamy gari aadvaryam lo kattabadindi. Pancha devatha mandiramulunnayi. Vividha shaivamurthulu chekkabaddayi. gopuram meeda dakshinamurthy kanipistaru. alaage stambala meeda sankarula jeevitham chekkabadindi. aalayam paigodala meeda parvathi kalyana ghattalu chitralu ga geeyabaddayi. daggaralone tilabandeswaruni aalayaniki vellamu, ikkada oka room-sized sivalingam vundi, sivakoti stuupam vundi. life-size saneeswarudi vigraham vundi. aa pedda sivalingam prathi samvatsaram oka nuvvuginjantha perugutundata. saayantram kalabhairavudi gudi vadda mrityinjayaalayam, krittivaaseeswaralayam kuda darsinchaamu. ikkade gajasuridini shivudi samharinchaduta.

Upasamhaaram:

Guruvugari pravachanaalalo nitya jeevitham lo anustimpavalasina konni sutralu(in my understanding) .

(a) Naaluka (Think before you utter a word or chat(for s/w eng))

(b) Naaluka (Think before you eat/drink. Eeswara nivedhana chesina taruvatha eedaina tinaali leka taagali) ee renditi jayisthe sagam jayinchinatte.

(c) koopaniki vasamavvataaniki , techipettukodaaniki theda gamaninchaali. koopaniki vashamaina vaadu matladee maataki ardham vundadu, eedo preeluthadu. koopam techi pettukuni maatlade vaadi maatalo prathi padaaniki ardham vuntundi. avatali vaadi abhyunnatini koratadu. vaadu alochinchukuni prepare ayyi text raasukuni kuda koppadachu.

(d) Kaashi lo okasari naamam chesthe kotisarlu naamam cheppinattu. alaage okasari tappu chesthi (kamakrodalaku vasudaithe, ahankarinchi itarula manasu noppisthe) koti tappulu chesinattu. Kshetralaku velinappudu tasmaath jagrata jagratta.

Manam tinee food teeth namilithe naalika lopaliki teesukuntundi, so okasari teeth ni varam koruko ani naaluka adigithe. " ammaa talli nuvvu maatlade mundu alochinchi maatladu. nuvvedo ahankarinchi peelithee avatali vaadu akkada nunchi nee pallu raalagodatanu antaaru, maaku leniponi upadravam munchukostundi " annayata teeth. Kashilo ekkada chusina aavulee(pavitrathaku chihnam), vishwanaatha sivalingam chaala peddadi. oka straight line lo mandapaalu vuntayi, modati mandapam lo dandapaani devalayam, daaniki eduruga oka sivalingam, daaniki eduruga garbagudilo oka corner ki viswanathuni jyothirlingam vuntundi. idhe straight line lo vere rendu peddamandapalalo sivalingalu vuntayi. mukthimandapam vuntundi. Inka annapurnamma murthy, parvathi matha, ganapathi, puvvulatho alankarinchabadina lakshmidevi sametha satyanarayana swamy vuntaaru, nandeeswarudu aneeka sivalingalu vuntayi. Annapurnadevi devalayam lo hanuma, vigneshwarudu vuntaru, venakaala bhojanasala(uchita annadanam). annapurnamma 2 feet idol vuntundi chetito annam biksha pedutunnatuga vuntundi. oka puja lo pratyekamga shivudu biksha teesukunnatuga arrange chestaru. Kashi lo mottam koti sivalingalu vuntaayata. Gangamma vadduna kurchuni Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara Siva Siva Sankara , Kailasa Sankara, Kaaladi Sankara, Kamakshi Sankara, Kaamakoti Sankara, Jai Ganga Jai Jai Ganga ani nooru novvanga keerthinche adrustanni eeswarudu kataakshinchaadu. Gangammani amma ani pilisthe pommma ani mukthi kadaku pampistundata. Kaasikapuraadhinatha kalabhairavam bhajee. aa kaashi vishwanathudu, annapurnamma, vishalaakshamma, gangamma, dundi ganapathi, aa kaalabhairavudu.. missing kashi.. Punardarshana Praapthirasthu...

Ohm Namah Sivaaya

- Oka kinkarudu

Pai viseshaalalo eevaina doshaluntee avi naa understanding and memory lo dooshalu ga bhavinchi nenu manninchebadedanu gaaka.

Paradeesayaaanam

Feb 20th-> Packed up everything to go to US. We reached Mumbai aiport around 12:00am in a tavera. After the formalities waited for the flight to Frankfurt. It was fun watching all sorts of people in all sorts of apparels with strange baggages. After a long wait, we entered the flight with greetings from the hostesses. The snacks served in the flight were yummy. The television showed speeds upto 1000kmph and temperatures upto -58 degree Fahrenhiet. I had all sorts of scientific questions revolving in my mind like how are the clouds formed, how do flights fly, how do the forces balance, how do birds manage to fly and so on. I promised myself to check for these on the internet. After 9 hours we reached Frankfurt in Germany. As the airlines was Lufthansa (German), everything was explained in two languages German and English. It snowed heavily in Frankfurt. The flight revolved around the airport for a few minutes and finally landed. The airport at Frankfurt was pretty large. We walked for 15 to 20 minutes appreciating the airport facility and reached terminal A. You find moving walkways here. We refreshed at the rest rooms over there. In western countries, you donot have a tap in the toilets. you have to manage with tissue papers or carry a bottle of water along. We could see snow falling outside the airport. The wierd thing at the airport is that the house-keeping for the gents toilet is also handled by a lady. After We were thoroughly checked twice, We took the flight to Boston. The snacks course in the flight had beef and all other meat stuff. I took veggie course, watched movies on the little movable screen. The hostess gave 2 forms viz immigration form and customs form. We reached Boston after 9 hours. There were queues and televisions demonstrating the process involved at the immigration counters. The guy at the counter asked questions like purpose of the visit, duration and other general questions. I was requested to give my fingerprints . A photograph was taken. "Is this the first time you are coming to US?". He said "Welcome to the United states" and attached a departure note to a page in the passport. We collected the checked-in baggage and waited in the queue for customs clearance. The guy at the counter asked me if I had anything edible in my baggage. I said "No". He sent me to another counter where my baggage was scanned. I was requested to open the baggage. I had rice,noodles,dal,pulses,tamarind, peanuts etc. She asked me " What made you say you did not have anything edible". I said I thought by edible she meant ready-to-eat stuff. Then she said food covers all these. She said peanuts are not allowed into US and She could have fined me 300$. But as it is my first time she let me go. I set my foot on the land of the United States. My cousin and his better-half were awaiting my arrival. We started freezing and trembling as the cold wind blew on and on outside the airport. It is not the temperature that troubles but

the cold wave/wind that makes you shiver.

We met Tom, the conventional cab driver for sybase who drove us from the airport to the hotel Element in Lexington. The drive was pleasant. No speedbreakers/tampered roads/autoes/cycles/rickshaws/bikes/buses. It was cars and cars on different lanes. The cars have global positiioning system which guides you through the roads. Tall buildings/flyovers it was like another world. The hotel was very luxurious. It has a gym and a pool.

Breakfast is complimentary. Evening snacks are compilmentary thrice a week. The room has a king-size heavenly bed, seperate sitting area, a fully equipped kitchen featuring a fridge,microwave, dish-washer, two-burner cooktop and utensils. It has a spa-like bathroom. My cousin brought vegetables to the hotel. I settled in an hour or so. We went to the nearest stop n shop to get a gallon of milk and eggs.

Feb 22nd 2010(Monday). Andy met us at the hotel. He rode us to office. He showed us the buildings and introduced to everyone there. There are 6 buildings for Sybase in Concord farms. There is a small aiport nearby. We met Lilly,Dave, Kent,George, Dean,Rolland, Mary Chapman, Rosemary, Tamilla, Naga, Aparna, Guy, and Neil. Andy, Kent, Hanu and myself went for lunch in the security building. We reached the hotel pretty late in the night. I slept at 10pm but wokeup at 4am possibly because of jet lag.

Feb 23rd 2010(Tuesday) We had a delicious complimentary breakfast and went to office in a shuttle provided by the hotel. This was 'the' day of jet lag as we felt sleepy in the office. Andy went to gym to exercise while we had lunch with Kent. We left to the hotel early.

Feb 24th 2010(Wednesday) We had a snow fall last night. Cars in the parking were covered by snow all over. Our body cylces got used to the US timezone. Joe hu gave a ride to burlington mall. The mall was huge. we roamed around. Some shops had expensive products.

Feb 25th 2010(thursday) Lilly took us to costco, a wholesale shop. Only members can buy merchandise here. After some window shopping, Lilly gave us a ride to the hotel back.

Feb 26th 2010(friday) Kurt's wife gave birth to a baby boy. He took parental leave for 2 weeks. My cousin took us to Mohegan sun casino in Connecticut. There are three general categories of casino games: table games, electronic gaming machines(slots), and random number ticket games such as Jackpot. Slot is a gambling machine with three or more reels which spin when a button is pushed. It is usually played by one player. It has a currency detector that validates the coin or money inserted to play. The machine pays off based on patterns of symbols visible on the front of the machine when it stops. Slot machines are the most popular gambling devices in casinos

and constitute about 70 percent of the average casino's income. Random number games like jackpot are based upon the selection of random numbers, either from a computerized random number generator or from other gaming equipment. In Roulette, players choose to place bets on a number or a range of numbers, the colors red or black, or whether the number is odd or even. To determine the winning number and color, a croupier spins a wheel in one direction, The ball eventually loses momentum and falls on to the wheel and into one of the numbered pockets on the wheel. then spins a ball in the opposite direction around a tilted circular track running around the circumference of the Table games like bacarrat and blackjack(21) are played on a table and operated by one or more live dealers. We reached Mansfield by 1am.

Feb 27th 2010(saturday) We went to walmart, staples, market basket, BJ, shop n stop, to get some vegetables and groceries in the morning. In the evening we went to a mall near mansfield. It was windy. We browsed around to look for shoes,watches, kitchen ware,and t-shirts. Costco and BJ are wholesale shops where you can buy only if you have membership. They sell merchandize in bulk amounts at inexpensive rates. They send discount coupons every month to

all members which can be availed on selected products. My cousin's car has a GPS system which helps in moving from any source to any destination. The roads are generally pretty good. Some roads do have patches that will be repaired after winter by closing corresponding lanes. The lane system is cool. Generally speed limits are 65mph. At some places it could be still higher. Cops wouldn't mind you driving upto 75mph in general. The leftmost lane is overtaking lane.

You have to give way to any cars speeding up behind you if you are in this lane. Cars are cheaper when compared to ones in Australia. My cousin's car is Acura. It gives a mileage of 17miles per gallon. The gas stations are self-help types. You swipe the card and pump gas on your own. My cousin showed me a retirement colony where old people live in independent houses if their pension is decent. Others live in a place with common dining and eat paid meals. They are

pretty happy here and do not wish to depend on their children. They exhibit self-dignity.

Feb 28th 2010(sunday) My cousin took me to Alewife station which is a subway train station. There are 5lines red, green,blue, orange and silver which reach various places in and around boston downtown. The charges are 10$ for a day pass and 1.7$ per ride. With the ride ticket, you

can actually do multiple rides but without going out of any of the subway stations into the streets. It is all electronic self-help system. Parking at alewife station costs you 8$. We took the subway train till Harvard square. We visited Harvard university, the science centre,

library and memorial hall. We went to MIT in train. We found ISKON american folks dancing energetically chanting Hare Rama Hare Krishna. We visited Public Library, Apple store and Prudential, the 52-storey building in Boylston street. We lunched mexican food. we took skywalk tickets(10$) to get a hawk-eye view from the 50th floor of Prudential. Boston downtown looked beautiful. We could see the airport, MIT, Hancock place(tallest in Boston), Harvard in Cambridge, baseball ground, symphony hall, sCharles river, roads, flyovers, houses and tall buildings. We saw a video of the history of boston. We visited public gardens and took the subway train to haymarket station. This one is like american version of rhythu bazaar where farmers sell their products directly to customers. We then went back to Park station

to get into the red line to go back to Alewife. When I saw the courteous poilte way in which Americans greeted me at the hotel and office, I assumed that it is so everywhere, but I was wrong. This polite behavior is visible only at less-populated communes. In malls, shopping complexes, it is more or less like India, but they tend not to be rude, give you way most of

the times, respect you etc. But they dont say 'hai' to strangers deliberately as was the case at my hotel. In big malls, you also have an option of self checkout where you dont need assistance of staff to bill the products. My cousin dropped me at the hotel by 6pm I had a hot spa-bath and finished writing this blog for the 1st week.

Arunachala Siva Arunachala Siva Aruna sivaa

15th October 2009 - 26th October 2009

Day1 : Took CSTM Chennai Express at 6:10pm

Day2 : Reached Chennai Central at 5pm, crossed main road to reach Park town station,took a local train towards Velchary, and got down at Kasturbhai Nagar. Sriram picked me up around 6:30pm. Spent the night at Sriram's flat. Parents and G.Mom took circar express to Chennai at 3:40pm.

Day3 : Parents and G.Mom got down at Gummidipundi(50km from Chennai) around 5am, took local train to Anupambattu(30km from Chennai), spent the whole day at Meher baba Spiritual Centre.

I took a local train from Kasturbai Nagar at 11am to Central and from there took a train towards GummudiPundi and reached Meher Baba centre to meet my family waiting for me at Anupambattu by 1pm. We had lunch at the Ashram, and spent Deepawali with Baba lovers who assembled there to celebrate the festival of lights. We were given accomodation at a nearby house.

Day4 : We woke up at 4am and accompanied by Mr Kanaka Raju who is incharge of the Ashram, went to the railway station, took a train to Chennai. Sriram arranged a driver who would drop us along with the car at Tiruvannamalai(180km from Chennai). On the way we visited AdiParasakthi temple at MelMaruvattur(90km from Chennai). We reached Arunachalam by 1:30pm. To reserve accomodation at Ramanashramam, the procedure is to send an email to ashram@sriramanamaharshi.org or call +91- 4175- 237200, +91 - 9244937292 fifteen days in advance. The accomodation provided to us was a 2-bedroom(with attached bathrooms and 4 beds on 4 cots). It also had a broom for cleaning the rooms. It was more like home. At Ramanashramam, accomodation and wholesome food is free of cost. We visited the Ashram and had a delicious dinner at 7:30pm.

Day5 : We woke up at 4:30am and visited Arunachaleshwara temple. The lingam here is Agni lingam(represents Gnanaagni). Shiva abides here as Sri Annamalaiyar. Ambha is called Unnamulai

amman.http://tiruvannamalai.yogiramsuratkumar.net/Arunachala_Temple.htmlWe had darshan and visited pathalalingam where Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi did penance. We also visited a hall with pictures of postures of Nataraja swamy, Kartikeya temple, Koneru and other lingams. We took lunch at Ramanashram around 11:30am. took some rest and started for girivalam.The circumambulation of Arunachala (Giripradakshina) has been prescribed as a panacea for all the ills of life. The Maharshi encouraged all of his devotees to make the nine-mile circuit, even those who were infirm, knowing for certain that the spiritual benefits of giripradakshina far outweighed any physical hardships. He said, “The greatness of this giripradakshina has been described at length in Arunachala Puranam. Lord Nandikesa asked Sadasiva about its greatness and Sadasiva narrated

as follows: “To go round this hill is good. The word ‘pradakshina’ has a typical meaning. The letter ‘Pra’ stands for the removal of all kinds of sin; ‘da’ stands for the fulfillment of desires; ‘kshi’ stands for freedom from future births; ‘na’ stands for the granting of deliverance through jnana. One should go round

either in mouna (silence) or dhyana (meditation) or japa (repetition of Lord’s name) or bhajan (singing praises) and thereby think of God all the time. One should walk slowly like a woman who is in the ninth month of pregnancy.”

Mom,dad and myself started Girivalam at 4pm and completed by 10pm.

Day6 : We woke up at 5am and visited Ramanashramam at 6:30am. Attended various programs at the Ashram and spent the whole day at the ashram. On entering the ashram, we find a 400 year old Iluppai tree. The New hall has a life-sized statue of Maharshi on a couch. The Matrubhuteswara temple contains a sacred Siva Linga and a Sri Chakra Meru sanctified by Sri Maharshi’s own touch. Adjacent to this is a large, marble-floored meditation hall that encloses a shrine built over Sri Maharshi's tomb. A lotus of white marble adorns the center of the mantap and over it is installed a sacred Siva Linga. A large, marble-floored meditation hall encloses this shrine. The Old Hall remains a favorite place for meditation of visitors and inmates alike. The dining hall accommodated with a large kitchen can accomodate nearly 800 people. Nirvana Room is the room in which the Maharshi spent his last days. A shrine is erected over the samadhi of Sri Niranjananda swami(the Maharshi's younger brother). Shrines are also erected over samadhis of cow Lakshmi, deer Valli, dog Jackie and the blessed crow. Skandashramam and Virupaksha Guha are on the path to the Sikhara from Ramanashramam.

Daily Schedule of the Ashram

6:30 a.m. Chanting and Milk offering to Sri Bhagavan in the Samadhi Hall

7:00 a.m. Breakfast

8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Chanting of the Vedas in front of Sri Bhagavan's Shrine

8:30 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. Puja at the Shrine of Sri Bhagavan followed by Puja at the Shrine of Mother

11:30 a.m. Lunch

4:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m Tea or hot milk served in the dining hall

4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Reading in Tamil and English in the Samadhi Hall

5:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Chanting of the Vedas in front of Sri Bhagavan's Shrine

5:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. Puja at the Shine of Sri Bhagavan, followed by Puja at the Shrine of Mother

6:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m Tamil Parayana on Monday through Saturday

7:30 p.m. Dinner

Day 7 : We wokeup at 5am went to the Ashram. After lunch we hired a driver and started towards SreePuram(Narayani Peetam) golden temple of Lakshmi Goddess which is carved in the shape of a SriChakra in 7 years. The golden temple of Sripuram is a Spiritual park situated at the foot of a small range of green hills in a place known as "Malaikodi" in the city of Vellore in Tamil Nadu, India(75 km from Chennai).

The temple is located on 100 acres of land and has been constructed by Vellore-based Sri Narayani Peetam, headed by spiritual leader Sri Sakthi Amma also known as Narayani Amma. The temple, covering 55,000 sq ft (5,100 m2), has intricate carvings and sculptures in gold. The lighting is arranged in such a way that the temple glitters even during night. The temple construction was completed on August 24th, 2007.

We also visited the 1000year old Jalakanteshwara temple at Vellore.We reached Kanchipuram by 8pm took accomodation at a TTD cottage.

Day 8 : We visited ekambareshwara temple(shiva kanchi). Here, Mother Kamakshi did tapas under a mango tree and married ekambareshwara. We visited Kamakshi temple, Vamana temple, Varadarajaswamy temple

(vishnu kanchi), narasimhaswamy temple, kumarakottam, sree kanchi kamakoti peetam (which has brindavanam of Sri Chandrasekhara Paramacharya Swamigal). We shopped some Kanchipuram sarees and reached Sriram's home in Chennai(75km from Kanchipuram) by 8pm,

Day 9 : We took rest till afternoon. We started around 4pm at Sriram's home at Kasturbai Nagar to Astalakshmi temple and spent around 3 hours at the beach, did some shopping.

Day 10 : Mom,dad and GMom embarked circar express at 5pm. I waited for Chennai Express at Chennai Central. from 6pm.

It was scheduled at 10:50pm but was rescheduled at 03:30am. Had to spend the whole night at chennai central alone trying hard not to sleep.

Day 11 : Reached pune at 02:20am. Back to office work after a refreshening tour to Arunachalam.

Ongole-Srisailam-July'09

Day 1(24th) : Embarked Konark express at 7pm.

Day 2(25th): Konark express reached Vijayawada at 2:20pm. Embarked JanSatabdi express at 2:30pm. Reached Ongole at 5:30pm(1 hour delay). Vadhuvu (deepu)ki mehendi(gorintaku) pedutunaru, freshup ayyi ramu tho kalisi santh nagar saibaba gudiki vellamu. Chaala pedda sai baba gudi idhi. aa timelo Babaki pallaki seva jarugutondi. Sai baba gudilo nageshwari ammavari gudi vundi. gudi paina "Ammaluganna yamma mugurammala muulaputamma chaala peddamma suraarulamma kadupaaradi buchina yamma tannu loona nammina velputammala manambuna vundedi yamma durga maa yamma kripartamichutta mahatva kavitva patuthwa sampadal" ani raasundi. aa pakkane sivalayam vundi. aa pakkanee veenkateswaralayam vunnadi. aa pakkane sai baba mandiramu vunnadi. atupakka goshala vunnadi. 10rs dakshina isthe govulaku metha pettadaniki oka gaddi muuta ivvabadunu. saibaba mandiraaniki daggaralo venkayya ane guruvu yokka gudi vunnadi. Akkada hall lo endaro mahanubhavula photoes vunnavi. Ongole velithe tappaka ee venkayyagari gudiki vellavalisindadhee. Ongole lo saibaba bhaktulu baaga ekkuvemo ani naakanipinchindi. endhuchetanante hotel rooms lo kuda saibaba photolu ekkuvaga vunnavi. Darshanam ayyyaka vadhuvu intiki velli bojanam chesi hotel rooms ki velli visraminchamu.

Day 3(26th): Ee roju vadhuvuni pellikuturiga alankaristharu, gowri puja chestharu. Ee kutumbam shivudini aradhistaru. Sannayi melam vachindi, vaayidyalatho maamidaakulu gummalaku kattaru, arati kommalatho entrance lo kattaru. varudi vididhi gruham mundu kuda Arati(banana tree) thoranalu kattaru. Banthi pulatho gummalu goodalu alankarincharu. gulabi pulatho vadhuvu kurchune chota alankarincharu. vadhuvuni kurchopettaru. peddalu aaseervadincharu. pimmata vadhuvuki nalugu snanam cheyinchi gowri puja cheyincharu. lalitha sahasranama parayana chesaru. 1pm ku purnachander vachadu. iddaram bojanam chesaka ala room kelli refresh ayyi ongole daggara kondameeda vunna venkateswara swamy devalayaniki vellamu. tirumala laagane vunnadi akkada. eduruga subrahmanyeswara devalayamu vunnadi andulo anantha padmanabha swami modalagu devalayalu vunnavi. adhi darshinchina taruvatha lawyer pet saibaba temple ki vellamu. akkada ammavaru, ayyavaru, dattatreya swami, shiridi saibaba koluvai vunnaru. pakkane chavadi, sri master(bharadwaja ) gari brundavanam vunnadi. Ammavari temple lo saamuhika lalitha sahasranam parayana, Ayyavari gudi lo saamuhika vishnu sahasranama parayana jarugutunnavi. pimmata ayyapa swamy devalayamunaku, gayathrimatha devalayamunaku veli darshinchitimi. atu pimmata vadhuvu intiki vellamu. appatiki pradhanam karyakramam purthayindi. tirigi hotel ku velli bhanu vachina pimmata nidrinchitimi.

Day 4(27th): Udayamu 9 gantalakalla kalyana mandapamunaku vachitimi. alpaaharamu sweekarinchina pimmata kalyana vedika vaddaku vellitimi. Pantulu garu chakkaga matrapurvakamga kratuvu nirvahistunnaru. oka baalapanditudu kuda mantralu chaduvutu vunnadu. vaidikanga "lakshmi narayana saavadhaaanamm..." modalagu mantralatho Jeelakarra bellam muhurta samayam lo pettinchi taruvatha saptha padi, agnihotruniki puja, talambrala vutsavam, arundathi darshanam, photo session jarigayi. pelli bojanam tinna taruvatha 3pm ki srisailam bus ekkitini. Srisaial ragada chadivithini bus lo(pallelu puramulu pattanambulu peetalu daatithi adavulu kondalu daatithi ....). 8:30pm ki srisailam cherithini. Eekanta seva(120rs) ticket kosam tapatrayapadithini kaani avi aipoyayi. bus stand nunchi gudikelle dari lo vasavi satram kanapadindi. accomodation kosam adigithe adhi kevalam vaishyulaku maatramee ani pampivesithiri. Srisailam mallanna andariki tandri kadaa andhukee dhuuli darshanam kuda isthaadu. Kaani chaala kulasatramulu velisayi srisailam lo. duradrushtakaram. dhuli darshanani ki vellanu. kastha dhuram nunchi tandri mallikarjuna swami darshanam ayyindi. ika tirigi accomodation anveshana chestu oka satram lo visraminchitini 10:30pmki. Poddune suprabatha seva chesukovalanipinchi kanukuntee 10 tickets ee istaru, ticket 250rs annaru.

Day 5 (28th) : sare ani 2:30am ki lechi talasnanam chesi 3:15am kalla ticket counter daggara wait chesthe 4:30ki ticket issue chesaru, suprabatha seva 10 tickets ee istaru, taruvatha mangalahaarathiki 50 tickets istaru(100rs). swami vari mandapamlo ninchunnamu. pandithulu srisaila suprabadtham chadavasaagaru.

"Praatasmaraami gananathamanathabandhum sindhurapura parisobhitha gandayugmam uddanda vigna parikandana chandadanda maakandalaadhi suranaayaka brundavandhyam.Kalabhyam choodalankrutha sasi kalabhyam nija thapa Phalabhyam bhaktheshu prakatitha phalabhyam bhavathu me Shivabham sthoka thri bhuvana shivabhyam hridhi punar Bhavaabhyam ananda sphura dhanubhavabhyam natheeriyam .... srimallikarjuna vibho tava suprabatham ..."

Suprabhatam aina pimmata. nandeeswarudi(vrushabam)ki gajjalu katti bhaaja bhajantrilatho venaka nadichamu, addala mandapam daggara pujaa saamagri, chaamaram icharu, swami vari vutsava vigraham pallakilo pradakshinaga velthu vundi pallakini muttukune avakasam swami anugrahinchadu, pimmata manohara gundam vadda aagindi. akkada gopuja chesaru. Govuki namaskarinchi , pradikshina chesina pimmata aalayam lopalikelli kurchunnamu. puja kratuvu continue cehsaru. Pimmata mahaa mangala harathi paramavaibhavamga bhaaja bhajantrilatho meela thaalalatho icharu. Pimmata swamivari darshananiki q lo ninchunnam garbagudiloki pravesinchadaniki mundu ratnagarbha ganapathi swamy vunnaru aayana darshanam chesukunna pimmata garbagudiloki pravesinchamu. edama vaipu padmasanam lo ammavaru , kudi vaipu swamivaaru kumara swamyni pattukuni vunna vigrahamu aa pakkanee ammavaru padmasana dhari ayi navvulu chilkistu vunna murthy vunnadi. garbhagudi lo aruupa-ruupi ayyi mallikarjuna
swamy jyothrilinga rupam lo vunnaru, aayanaku tala taatinchi namaskarinchi santhosam ga bayatku vachi kali matha vigrahaniki veerabadhrunaku pranamilli bayata teertamu teesukuni satagoppam pettinchukuni malli ticket counter ki vellanu. swamivari abhishekaniki ticket(600rs) teesukuni ammavari mundunna srichakraniki kunkuma puja tkt(350rs) kuda teesukunna. Akkada nunchi malli abhishekam line lo nilabadhithe lopala mandapam lo kurcho mannaru, serial number prakaram pilicharu. chokka vippesi aalayam vaarichina uttareeyam darinchi naa turn kosam wait chesa. samayam raane vachindi, mokkala meeda kurchomannaru sivalinganiki mundu abhishekam rendu nimishallo ayindi. Swami ni palu marlu abhisheka kratuvu kinda thaake bhaagyam kaligindi. Pimmata bayataku vachi kunkuma puja gurinchi kanukkunte vallu malli vere line chupincharu kaani adhi spcl darshanam line ani taruvatha ardhamaindi. Sare swami krupa anukuni muudosari garbagudilokelli darshanam chesukuni tala taatinchi brahamaramba ammavari gudivaipu vellanu. ammavaari naamalu chaduvuthu puujari kunkuma puja srichakraniki cheyincharu. Pimmata ammavari darshanam chesukuni puja kunkuma teesukuni ashaadasha sakthipeetala murthulanu aalaya pranganam lo praakarala meeda chusi atu konni pujalu chese mandapanni chusi gudiki kudivaipuna chandihomam chese stalanni chusi bayitikochesi malli mallikarjuna swami temple lo ki velli parivara devatala darshanam chesukuntini. Garbagudiki edama pakkana nityanna danamuku daari vunnadi adhi daataka nitya kalyana vedikaku daari, nandikeswarudu modalagu siva lingamulu vunnavi, venaka vaipu Brahamarambika maatha temple ki daari vunnadi, aa taruvatha veda patanam cheyyadaniki arugulu vunnavi. akkada agni, vaayuvu, jala, pridhvi ,aakasa, soma, surya modalaguvaaru pratistinchina lingaalu vunnayi adhi daatina taruvatha. naagula guttalaku velle dwaram vunnadi aa taruvatha umaa maheswarula murthulu vunna aalayam, aa taruvatha addhaala mandapam raja rajeswhwara, raja rajeshwari aalayalu aa taruvatha gudi vaipuki velthe, triphalam chettu (3 chetlu kalisi vuntayi) aa pakkane vrudda mallikarjunudi temple lo madatalu padi vunna pedda
sivalingam, daanikedurugua homam chese mandiramu. raamudu/seeta devi pratistinchina sahasrasivalingalatho vunna sivalingam inkonchum mundukelthe gundam lo neetilo sikhara darshanam chesukovachu, inka munduku velthe pandavulu pratisthinchina sivalingalu (sivalinganiki vuna 5 mukhalaku corresponding ga 5 sivalingalu) vunnavi. Dwaja stambam nunchi straight ga oka pedda nandi inkaa lopaliki velthe nataraja swamy, china nandi vuntayi garbalayaniki eduruga. visheshameemitante nenu mundu roju rathri vachinappatinunchi srisailam vadili velle varaku kuda ohm namah sivaya panchakshari mantra bhajana harmonium modalaina vaaidhyala sahaayamtho nirvignanga repeat avuthunee vundiiii 24 gantaluuunuuu

ika gudi bayataku vasthe edama pakka kanchi kamakoti vari ashramamu, andulo chandrasekhara paramacharya swamigal vigrahamu, srivalli deevasena sametha sree subhramanyeswara swamy vigrahamu, book store, goshala, vuchita veeda paatasala vunnavi. avvani chusukuni bayati kochesariki naa cheppulu pettina stanam lo avi levu sare ani busstand kelli evo cheppulu konukunni 12pm ki bus ekkesanu. 7pm ki hyd cheranu, sudhakar ni kalisi 8:40ki hyd express ekkanu.

Day 6(29th) : Reached pune around 9am.

Ujjainyam Mahakalomkare Mammaleshwaram- 1st May'09

It began on a summer morning. Sriram started his day around 4am, reached Pune airport from chennai and met me at nagar road by 7am. We boarded a semi-sleeper bus to Nagar(to be specific Daund Chowk). We were happy at the speed of the bus but were disappointed when it stopped for half-an-hour at a hotel. Sriram tasted coffee but had to repent for ordering it. We got down at Daund chowk around 9:30am, took an auto to Meherabad. We spent half-an-hour near the serene samadhi tomb of Avatar Meher baba at Meherabad and returned to Nagar by 10:45 am.

We got into a Karnataka RTC bus at 11am and reached shiridi at 1:30pm. Exhaustion, extreme thirst and dehydration were our constant companions throughout the trip. We enquired about buses to Indore/Omkareshwar. Each travel agency told us the same old story about the fares and the seat availability and opined that it is the only choice we had. We rented a room for Rs300 (we committed to vacate in 5 hours). We were surprised as the room alloted was in 4th floor. We relaxed for a while, went downstairs and paid the advance (300 + 10(service charge)). We hired an auto for Rs90 to take us to sakori and leave us at shiridi. At sakori, we offered pranams to samadhis of sadguru sri upasini maharaj and sri Godavari maatha, kanyakumari matha, ganesha, eeka mukha dattatreya and returned to shiridi.

We savored juice to drench a part of our thirst. We managed to get only one sleeper ticket (one can sit one can sleep). We were eager to attend Sandhya aarthi but shiridi was crowdy on eve of summer holidays, and we could only have a glimpse of the samadhi of Sadguru sri shiridi sai baba. We dined at punnami restaurant and boarded sleeper bus to Indore around 8:15 pm. It started around 9:15pm. The conductor of the bus kept picking up more and more passengers all the way to Indore who were sitting/sleeping/standing across the corridor of the bus. Believe me, It is really tough for 2 persons to adjust in a single sleeper bed for 10 hours. We took turns in sitting and sleeping resulting in body pains, lack of sleep and exhaustion. Around 6am, we were on a Ghat road 70km from Indore. I took some nice pictures through the window. We reached Sarvathe bus station in Indore around 8am.

We boarded a private bus to Omkareshwar at 8:30am. The conductor of this bus kept overloading the bus much to the annoyance of the driver. The journey to omkareshwar includes travel through two ghat roads on vindhyachalam hills and takes 2 hours. Our seat was beside the engine facing the driver. The driver's expression was always like "Oh my God!!! why on earth am I driving this bus". He was constantly frowning, impatient and annoyed with the conductor, the traffic and his occupation. Towards the end of the journey, he became sleepy further scaring us. We reached Omkareshwar by 10:30 am, took a room near the temple, had bath and started for the temple.

Omkareshwara is one of the 12 jyothirlingas. It is located on the shores of narmada river on Vindhyachal hills in MadhyaPradesh. It is 77km from Indore. Once upon a time, when Saint Narada visited Vindhyachal(who was full of pride), Narada tells him that navagrahas revolve around meru hill. Vindhyachal becomes jealous of Meru hill. Narada suggests Vindhyachal to do tapas for Lord Shiva who has navagrahas as his kavacham around his waist. Vindhyachal does tapas and Shiva is impressed by his tapas and asks him to leave pride and blesses him by appearing as 2 swayambu sivalingas viz omkareshwara(pranavaakaara parameshwarudu) and amaleswarudu[one who does not have malam(impurity) We all have 3 malams viz Anava, Karma and Maya] along with Ambhaa.

Astadasa Shakthi Peetalu

Lankayam Shankari devi, Kamakshi Kanchika pure /
Pradyumne Shrinkhala devi, Chamunda Krouncha pattane //

Alampure Jogulamba, Sri shaile Bhramarambika /
Kolha pure Maha lakshmi, Mahurye Ekaveerika //

Ujjainyam Maha kali, Peethikayam Puruhutika /
Odhyane Girija devi, Manikya Daksha vatike //

Hari kshetre Kama rupi, Prayage Madhaveshwari /
Jwalayam Vishnavi devi, Gaya Mangalya gourika //

Varanasyam Vishalakshi, Kashmire tu Saraswati /
Ashtadasha Shakti peethani, Yoginamapi durlabham //

Sayamkale pathennityam, Sarva shatri vinashanam /
Sarva roga haram divyam, Sarva sampatkaram shubham //

Bhramaramba /Srisailam (Andhra pradesh)
Jogulamba /Alampur (Andhra pradesh)
Manikyamba (Andhra pradesh)
Puruhutika /Pithapuram (Andhra pradesh)
Kama rupini /Gauhati (Assam)
Mangala gauri /Gaya (Bihar)
Vaishnavi /Jwalamukhi (Himachal pradesh)
Saraswati /Sarika /Srinagar (Jammu&Kashmir)
Chamundeswari /Mysore (Karnataka)
Mahakali /Ujjain (Madhya pradesh)
Ekaveera /Mahur (Maharashtra)
Maha lakshmi /Kolhapur (Maharashtra)
Girija /Biraja (Orissa)
Sankari (Sri lanka)
Kamakshi /Kanchi(Tamil nadu)
Shrinkhala(West bengal)
Madhaveswari /Lalitha /Prayaga /Allahabad (Uttar pradesh)
Visalakshi /Kasi /Varanasi (Uttar pradesh)