Drive-thru Himalaya

It is Indeed Himalayan task to attempt to write about Himalaya.

I am still making note of very little glimpse I had of this amazing landscape for my own sake.

After visiting places in Hrishikesh we join the masses for evening Aarti of Gangaa ji in Haridwar. We Indian love to waste water on one hand. we never settle for tissue for any cleaning and poor water pipes and leakages but we know that Water is life. Our body and our earth is 75% water and we respect that. People simply sit on steps and watch river flow. All the bells are ringing and massive Diya arrangement reflect in water as pujari pray river. we also get our bowl made from leaf with lots of flowers and lamp. with help of people already standing in waters we let it float to ocean. Gangaa ji, I am letting all my clutter go with flowers. Purify me and Grant refreshing start in clutter-free life.



From 9 in the morning that I started from Hrishikesh till 5 in the evening reaching Guarikund, I was trying to chase river Ganga in opposite direction non-stop and still its origin not in site. Eventually I spend night in Gaurikund.

First, verse that comes to my heart is 'Aum (eternity), Bhu (this land), Swah (up above/Higher self/divine) and Bhuva (everything in between this and that). No where on earth you find everything rolled in one frame. River that flows on ground, cloud that float in sky/heaven and everything in between that invokes your spiritual side. Hyper ness of any kind simply melts. Every breath brings cocktail of herb infused aroma in your system, everywhere I look there is water and more water pouring out from all directions.

Gauri (name of Parvati and Kund meaning water tank ). As the legend associated with this place goes....

Once Lord Shiva (Parvati's husband) goes away from home for his wordly duty of ridding this world of clutter and returns after long time. In his absence Parvathi gives birth to Lord Ganesh and in absence of her husband she indulges in long spa rituals in hot springs having so much time at her hand. One day Shiva returns to find toddler playing in his courtyard and refuses entry in their living quarters as his mother is busy bathing. Furious Shiva not recognizing his own son chops of his head. Upon realizing his mistakes when horrified Parvati explains he sticks elephant head to his son's body. This is the only place and his birth place where Lord Ganesh has image with his original face.

So we plunge in this same age old hot pool for early morning bath before remembering all my relatives during puja. and on board the horse. 4 hours ride each way we reach Kedarnath temple. Along the way we hardly exchange single sound, we are soaking in breathtaking view all around us. This temple has Shivling with integrated Parvati and Ganesh in. Temple has been build by Pandav and around main temple there are 7 Murti of Pandav plus their mother Kunti and her nephew Lord Krishna and ofcourse Parvathi and Nandi (shiva;s vehicle). Pujari asks me to take in the beauty of Goddess and whisper in Nandi's ear anything I want. Looking at Goddess something spontaneous happened, tears started to flow. (I would name it Bhaav-(emotion rich) Gangaa). I was not prepared for this boon so I did not have anything particular to ask. And I also feel if there is really Mother Goddess looking after me than I am sure she knows what would be best for me. Outside temple there are hill walks to see 2 different reservoir and one source known as Madhu (nector/ honey) Gangaa or Dudh (milk) gangaa flows in to Mandakini river. Mandakini river from merging 5 main streams each with relevant names. Flows toward what becomes Gangaa when meets other sources. Pujari brings Brahm-kamal a flower that grows out of rocks on high altitude. and we are back on backs of our horses. Guest house in Gaurikund is basic with a window with a view. Through out the night the rumbling sound of river flowing over my head. Whatever the reason the eyes open long before dusk in Himalaya. We say bye to Kedarnath, an ancient place where 3000 years BC worshipping has been passed on through Dwaper yug. As story goes about creation of life on earth. They had to bring rivers on earth but such massive water body as Gangaa ji would have destroyed life if flooded so Shiv ji held her and from Panch Kedar ( 5 diff. places of shiv ji) she was released little by little so humanity thrives. Story further describes how Sat-yug Rishi saw images of Shiva's head, shoulders, torso before allowing Gangaa ji to flow in moderation.

Now we are on way to Badrinath. From the time of Skunda -puarana, recommended route from Kedar Nath to Badri nath is through Ookhi muth and Tung nath. This beauty of the forest can not be described in words. Roads are without any roadside support and often they get blocks due to rock falls and fallen trees for days. My driver decides to drive through this only. Clouds and rivers are holding hands and touching each other. Variety of vegetation. patches of forest, mountain farming etc. and dripping leaves on roadside rocks and cliffs.... paradise for sure.

We reach Badri nath before dusk following Alaknanda to its mouth (another major source in Gangaa) Alaknanada is made from main nine major streams. We did evening Aarti and next morning went to Manna village the last on Indian-Tibet border. There are 2 cave/temples to visit. Vedvyas and Ganesh. Higher cave is where After recieveing orders from Brahma ji that his creation on earth would need some manual to handle life and its problems and complication, Ved Vyas wrote 4 volumes of veda and MahaBharat and finally ending with Bhagavat. He decteted everything to Ganesh. During dectetion vivacious river saraswati making too much noise generates anger in him while he is doing such mammoth task of authoring scriptures!! so he cuses her to go under ground for miles. Today where Alak nanda meets Sararwati and then its disappears and appears all the way near Allahbad. We take a guide to walk up to Vasundhara fall more than 5 km walk. There nothing that compares with being in lap of mountain. I feel the mist bubbles bursting on my cheeks. They say if you are sinner the water from the fall will not sprinkle on you. Thankfully I wash my face there.

The guide shows where 15 days track will allow me to walk on the same path where pandavaa's dropped their bodies and went to heaven. when found grieving uncle dhritarastra left hastinapur in himalaya with vidur, Yudhisthir being righteous man leaves kingdom in hands of Parikshit and walks up in Himalaya. one by one they all die each has interesting question and situation attached to it and finally being so truthful Yudhisthir walks in heaven with his own body.

Next morning we decide to be part of First morning prayer at 4 am. The statue of Lord Krshna here is Swayambhu (something that is found and not carved by anyone). It is in the form of yogi purush, his full form. Priest describes absolutely everything. and they remove previous days coat of sandalwood and saffron covering the black stone statue. one by one they adorn the idol with garlands of tulsi and flowers and silk fabric. In between there is chanting from accompanying devotees temple trust. They ask us all to mention our Gotra. Original Rishi's lineage from where we come. Being part of such age old tradition was amazing especially when I myself dont do any ritual at home. Here also we sprinkle water from adjacent hot-pool. In fact its so so hot I had to stir the water before sprinkling few drops.

On way we wiz pass Govind ghaat a gateway to Valley of Flower but last minute I felt jittery about managing in 2 days so Himalaya, I am coming back with my Shiva.

Through out five days Gangaa ji was continuously flowing on side of my path. so much of water I have never seen before. Where ever I looked in the mountain the drizzling water coming out from rocks, woods. Taste of water at some places is mettalic. so much mineral rich water coming out from rocks. No wonder India is where Ayurveda established itself. Medicinal vegetation all over spontaneously growing. One I want to mention is curry leaves - tree. Its everywhere coming out from rocks. Makes me re-think about value of curry leaves. Naturopath say Add Tulsi, Mint- curry leaves and roasted whole chana with skin when you want to go on diet but would want to add nutrient to strenthen the body. They say paste from curry leaves gives mettaic glow to your hair. This plant feeds itself on mineral rich rocks and such water terrain no wonder its so good for us.

All the way from Haridwar, I see saffron colored Kawadia (person who hangs 2 pots on both shoulders and walk to pilgrimage ) to Delhi on plains and Neel kunth 9one of the peaks in Himalaya) some without footwear when blisters hurt touch of uncomforting bad designed foot wear. some roads were made only pedestrian zones. Each Kawad has diff. designs and all the way there were parking for their kawad when they rest at night.

On way also I see non-stop saffron color sikh bikers going to hemkund and govind ghaat.

On way We stop at Dilli. Kids take me for Chaat Hopping, trying various sweets including Paan pethaa. we take ride in bicycle rickshaw and enjoy light and sound show at Puarana-killa. the language of narration was hard to digest. very sweet though. made from 6 diff. dialects including avadhi, bhojapuri, urdu etc etc.

Himalaya, I just got to see you, I am coming back for more...

though positive about my fortune and freedom and previledges, as I started horse ride in Kedarnath my heart fills with regret I feel gutted not thinking about this trip earlier for my mother when she was stronger. I felt so good for making these foreign trips for parent when I lived abraod. It was mainly for my own needs. I would say to my NRI friends instead of making them do long haul journeys sponsor their trips to this divine place before they lose health to handle even comforting car journeys with fragile bones and weak lungs. That is if you cant take them yourself.

Om Bhur Bhuva Swah....

I found beautiful ground beneath me, I could touch the clouds, I could see everything between the two and feel Aum in my heart. This is special place resonating divinty.

Get high on Consciousness

Receiving times:

Sometimes we go through phase when we are on 'giving' spree. We give gifts, give good time in parties, contribute skills, give affection, inspiration and all that is good and glorious. And sometimes you are down, out and hurt and you are only receiving and receiving from everyone you come across. People who are not used to receiving get too uptight as if someone is approaching with massive injection of morphine and how soon they can get it out of their system by reciprocal gift! That is also denial that you too can be helpless, needy, vulnerable and spread pallu to higher sources to look at you.

As my reiki master told me, see others as just another wave in the ocean carrying the same energy you have in you only different shape and size and that too constantly changing. Just receive with an open heart and mind accepting that others, just like you, are also channels of universal life source energy and are able to transfer some to you.

In the recent years, I have been on the receiving side of others goodwill, guidance, selfless care, gifts and grace when I felt helpless and clueless. I have been blessed to have found people from all walks of life, lawyer, educationalist, yoga masters, companion on journey of spiritual experiments, teachers, neighbors, family, friends, doctor colleagues, random aquintences, encounters with mobile beauticians and many more such generous souls who had no interest other than helping us to become centered within us.

The priceless gift of my Indian adventure is to have found a Holistic Healing Temple.

We all have five bodies, and there are impressions upon impressions in our minds based on past experiences and future anticipations. To add to these, there are layers upon layers of emotions stored for as long as our memory stretches and beyond. Also we are made of five elements just like any other living being and our five elements need to be in sync with outer elements of nature. Going even further, like summer brings monsoon followed by winter, our bodies have seasonal re-programming or tuning need to suit outside climate, mental and physical.

When the physical body is not in good shape, medicine isn't the answer. Infact, there are so many other things we can do before even considering external resources.

Taking the example of a simple headache, without addressing the root cause of the problem, taking paracetamol will only mask the problem. So how do we get rid of the tendency to get headaches altogether? The main thing is to deal with all those built up emotions. It could be due to imbalance in the cocktail of your moisture, ether, fire element in your body. It can be countered by balancing out the energy flow in your body.

There is a need to declutter the heart and mind, bringing the elements in the body in harmony and freeing the blocks of energy.

A soothing and comforting touch can heal the tired and overworked body. A hunger for social recognition, drive for achievements, greed for money and much more takes up a lot of energy. Take a break, do some soulful activity, pamper your body in a fulfilling simple way at home instead of running to spa!

Removing layers:

So how does this temple help me get rid of my accumulated layers?!

The first layers come off when I am sitting in the open air waiting area, I don't feel like I am in a queue. Breath in openness!! In fact for some this is mini retreat from busy schedule that they want to sit a bit more in gueue and let others go before them! Some toddlers come for a walk and chat every evening and get little bit of touch therapy show their coloring books and go. The few plants that are used for treatment are visually comforting and makes you feel closer to nature.

Awaiting people are from all walks of life, educated, high flying CEO, to conservative middle aged people to young IT professionals, everyone communicates in different language and instantly they find interpreter if need be. So second layer comes off when CEO starts sharing his back troubles with burkha clad lady!! You learn to come out of your comfort zone and mingle with people you would never look at if bumped in the market.

Third layer comes off when you put your religious identity on one side and become one struggling body just like another visitor! I see other practitioner come and give quick demo of how to breath with rhythmic AUM without inhibition to non-hindus. Everyone knows, its a hub where one and all are comforted and cured.

Yet another layer comes off when you sit on that stool. Wonder how we feel sitting in revolving office chair? would it affect your attitude? when you drop your baggages out and sit empty handed on seat without back and foot rest face to face with healer, the focus shifts to your communication and eyes and ill part.

And this is followed by consultation that is in presence of few other strange human beings!! It is the first step in healing when actually you drop your guard to cover your vulnerability and be honest about what you are struggling with. The healer offers only minimum words to reassure worrying and winging mind. Magic touch (sparsh chikitasa) to pull out impurity, clutter from your body in form of unhealthy or abnormal energy or electro-magnetic field and having few pressure points to carry the treatment home in various forms. Consultation will last no more than 10 minutes. sometimes I am more fortunate when I hear in his serene and affectionate voice stories from scriptures that is indirect answers to my puzzling mind even without asking. Sometimes the consultation turns into forum when other visitors who are taking all words delivered for you in their system and starts to share their views, experiences and thoughts that would be relevant to you. Highlight of consultation is reassurance, hope, positivity with simplified explanation of infirmness rather than investigation.

Cases:

I saw so many things that people can do to improve their health by minor changes in lifestyle, house hold suppliments, correcting your energy fields in blink of an eye getting better or cured completely.

Most common ones I observed were back problems amongst many bike riders and IT/Outsourcing service sector. Many had their 'Naabhi' (belly button) misplaced. Apparantly its garvity point for many energy fields and for various reasons it gets displaced from its physical umbilical point. Some trapped nerves can be restored effectively.

Some complicated and failed allopathic cases I saw where person has lost an eye sight after an eye surgery or laser treatment and their cornia came back to life after regular treatments. In fact one eye surgeon regulaly sends some failed or complicated cases where allopathy has its limits to him. One lady nearly amputed a foot and slowly but surely retained her healthy foot!

Many cases of muscular disorder.

Many cases of skin disorders.

Severe cases of depression made better by simple re-programming the mind and person comes off sleeping pills and anti depressants!! Talking about sleeping pills, he can program the mindset so person with insomnia fall asleep at certain time and gets up at certain time!!

Girls, get them all... bullying bosses, discriminating institutes, angry neighbors and get their brain re-wired, or may be just you go and get immunity from everything that you find unpleasant!!

How does it work?

Like skies when go through movements in active monsoon time, shows lightening before we hear the rumbling sound, all happenings show their signs to people who have been able to reach their higher consciousness.

He possesses tremendous power and connection to higher consciousness. He can see person's aura and impure elements around and can nullify them. He can enter in subconscious mind and re-wire tangled or ruffled circuits! Once again this special person is also just like us. One does not have to have beard, saffron cloths to"feel spiritual and direct people in their confusing times. He could be 'guy next door' in jeans and T.

I now understand what 'Guru' means. What awesome feeling it is to have 'Guru Bhaav'. He enlightens your mind, blossoms your heart and shows you path in detached manner. He showers you with affection and cares for you in holistic manner. He wont just say eat well, he serves food lovingly and sees that you cultivate good routine to beat the blue. He makes most monstrous problem seem tiny and insignificant. He does not teach or preach but generates curiosity and quenches thirst for knowledge and understanding. Guru is someone who makes beauty and bounty come looking for you.

OK. Now I need a hat fitted with a fan so that my Aura keeps on getting disturbed and he does not figure out I have ego, jealousy radiating out of my system!! I am scared how to hide my real emotions from him!! Its only after more than a year I found through others, he can levitate, like a true 'Sidhha-Purush'. May be I could ask him only to design this 'aura-hiding' gadget as he is former engineer from Indian air force and left all that ( post kargil ), to follow his passion and public demand.

Even after six months of observation day after day and roughly 2 years of personal experience I feel totally baffled to witness the reactions of people who get better at this centre!

wow, amazing land of Bharat! Amazing revered science from Rishis.

My own Lineage!!

Its only now I recollect my own great-great Grand mother (nanima's nanima), known as Maaji-ba lived in Bhuj and has shrine to mark respect to her sidhhis. She could levitate, foresee and heal. I dedicate my this passage to her. I will have to start Indiana jones odysssey to find if I inherited any of her gene?!! But that has to wait, let me travel through more of Bharat before I start long journey to find for similar gene in me and settle down to awaken my third eye!

Strange coming this from doctor's wife, huh? Its only after observing the ways of Intellectually sharp, verbally smart, political aware and vaastav-vaadi people surrounding me that there is something beyond the scope of science, logic. Super souls are ones who are connected with their own true Self, and rare and supreme ones with ability to make difference in other's life for better.


Mantras:

Every 'body' knows exactly how to heal itself.
The body is not a part of problem, its part of solution.
There is no disease that has no potential to be cured.
Illness is mere message from universe that redirect, restore and recollect your life.
First and most powerful medicine is your own mind and thought. Believe with overflowing faith that you can help yourself.
There is no other cure like nature.

------------------Sir Ki Jai Ho---------------------------------

and healing continues....................
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Money-mantra

I wish I was busy domestic Goddess like my sisters (cousins included), and can hold luxurious fabric to embroidery the most precisely geometrical 'Bavalia stich', or slow moving satin and chain stitch on sarees to give away as gift, or knitting or sewing. While they are busy working , they are sharing gems of life science and everything under the sun in enriching Gujarati, not stepping out for months without purpose. I am betraying my sister (my staunch supporter yet ruthless critic) who just instructed me to stay in quiet corner for some time from my relentless journey in to unknown, inner and outer world.

Sorry, Sis, My chakra's have gone haywire and creative spirit has been pushed out to make way for wonderlust. While I am working on bringing them back to its original state, I decide to take de-tour and visit corners that are not explored in me or stayed dormant!! Let me tune it to different frequency that brings abundance!

My generous friend called me to invite me for a workshop called 'Money Mantra'. Curious by the label I am drawn to it not knowing whether I am getting investment tips or ancient methods of invoking wealth in your life. It was delivered by a National and International Life-coach from Calcutta. She travels places with her workshop on many aspect of life amongst them one is also 1 day workshop on 'art of dying'. Unless you understand what you want to feel in your last moments, you will never buckle up to master the 'art of living'. Other one is SufI Dance therapy, Angel therapy. OMG, So many things to experience and so little time but I am glad I have coach to help me die completing all I need to do before my departure!!

I am lost in observing other participants: one gentleman provides aura photography, other counsillors, affluant entrpreneur wives, airline staff who practices tarrot card reading (good time pass on long haul flight, dont you think?). My maze and gaze is disturbed by my friend 'come, let me introduce you, go for hug with this course leader, her hug is very special'. (I walk toward her confused... wait a second, I am aspiring healer myself and i am suppose to be giving hug and not receiving one, I dont know how to hug her, I hope there is no power struggle between my and her energies to give more)

.... For now I have to live, travel, wear luxurious fabrics, spend on ingredients from timbaktu for exotic reciepe, give gifts, letting go of change back from rickshawala and fruitwala, give bakshish to security and porters.

...And I need 'MONEY'.

What we are initiated is process of 'prosperity consciousness'. First get clarity of the word 'prosper' and what it means to you. Money is but miniscule part of prosperity. Money is mere energy. (Oh so is she going to preach us how to be content from not having wealth and live in bliss of nothingness?? thats not what I went for!!!) She goes on to helping us understand the tendancies of fixated mindset and how to break out of it and feel abundance. lots of excercises to understand our own behaviour. Work on honest earning, Intelligent handling (uhm) and wise spending (uhm uhm uhm).


Oh now comes the best part 'ways to enhance your wealth'. And I get 36 tips to make changes in how I handle, keep and exchange money. I knew other Indian are much better than me, even laariwala always refused to take money given from my left hand. They give blank look, this gray hair Indian lady and dont even know basic practices!!' But this list is just overhaul of how I keep my money. So we learn so many things, placement of moneybox in the home, what colour to line with, what to stck outside, what else should be always be inside it. How to arrange your wallet, what colour, what has to be permanenetly there, and what must not keep in your wallet. What days to pay salary, bills, how to count the bunch.

Then there are rituals... prosperity prayers, affirmations, chakara invokation purely to enhance income, some shlokas. What I learnt from one participant is when you write affirmations if you write with your left hand then it goes in your right brain that works on your subconscious mind. all you continue without break for 21 days affirming and 40 sadhana for preparing to recieve abundance. This tonic last for 3 to 4 years of prosperity!

Why 21 day? because when you repeat something for 21 days you bring changes at neuron level in mind
and when you practice for 42 days you bring about change at cellular level in body.

so from 'doing' you become 'being'.

We do guided meditation for abundance, play games and other fun. I am called what I want for the day and I chose the name 'Kalp-Taru'. My random select affirmation came uncannily as 'Money helps me help others'. What a co-incidence. Most people got affirming lines for the day to match their names.

I am watching this multi faceted ladies who are working on spiritual upliftment and self aware at the same time quietly, confidently and invisibly aquiring wealth or think and be prepared for their abundance!! Its good we have Lakshmi ji to worship as it makes even most material minded people religious if not spiritual!!

Dont tell anyone I went for this course, I am scared my ancestors would be displeased and devastated I was thinking about money, Dont tell my guru z. They have been queing up to put me in meditative sleep and find total detachment from worldly pursuit. But like a active baby in a crib I keep on swinging my palms to world outside. I keep peeking out. They would be horrified that I unlearnt everything about spiritual side of me by earth shattering need to find wealth and abundance using same tools with which I would find ultimate bliss and happiness of reaching higher consciousness. Dont tell Keyur, he will stop transferring my spending money thinking I must any minute start rolling in abundance.

I will happily share all those golden ideas with you for befitting price-tag, ok? Except for one mantra that you can chant loud enough and send vibrations in universe...

"YOU as in Kunjal, Kalp-Taru (wish granting tree), will be showered wealth, prosperity and abundance so much that you will have Kuber to lookafter your accounts and Kamdhenu (wish granting cow) in your courtyard and you will be Lakshmi personified yourself"

Whats in it for you? Generous and charitable gesture from you will bring good Karmic rewards for you and when my seat on gold-coin mountain grows higher and higher you all come and fill up pallus and pockets from overflowing abundance.

Till then watch this space....
from a 'simply' abundant India......

Pondi-Puduchery

As my promsing travel companion wakes up on sunday I have proposal ready, 'Fancy some french delicacies today?' People have hard time disassociating with french connection and say 'NO' to backery! (like he says in Movie the GodFather, put a offer that they cant refuse!)

So we start for Pondicherry. As kid I saw my father had admiration for Sri Arbindo and I recognised the face of that seer in his old age. (Kaka, why you never told me this Arbindo was cambridge student, poet, writer, painter, advisor in princely state of Baroda, Freedom activist and one who translated works of kavi kalidas? Most importantly had I known he was fit, smart and handsome young man with aura, I would have taken trouble to read the literature you brought at tender age of 10)

That says lot about our Bong-Bondhu. They are different race altogether, Ravindranath, bipin chandra, vivekanand, vidyasagar and many more were multi multi talented. And also it defeats the claim by brain scientist about right and left brian and being able to master either this or that!

So we arrive in 'zis' Asharam campus. Now Arvind had spiritual companion known as Mother. She said I will bring my french architecture (O Be my guest), To match it properly we will name the streets in french RUE too (thats fine by us too). I will bring backing dishes ( we have sweet tooth anyway), I will bring the bicycle for ladies to ride across 'zis' cute ashram township (thats great too, we Indians like them anyway as patrol has been always expensive here). Even canal runs in middle just like Rhine.


So Arvind, lived in ManCHEster (really? me too), he lived in London near sheferds Bush ( Dont believe this, Me too), He lived in Aberdeen ( yes, me stayed there too), 3 brothers studies at manchester grammer school for Boys ( Is that right? I drove passed this school 4 times in a day every day). See, Yesterday I hardly knew Arvind and today I have great affiinity for him. He too got cricling the round-abouts of Britain. Came to India and experimented with spirituality ( me too!! fascinating), I must be his 'follower' in very sense of the word!

This place has a very different charm and grace for sure.

We first end our journey on promenade and sit on those big black shiny cubes of rocks. Once again, without plunging to be able to enjoy the sea is what Indians have taught me. People come single or in groups, all ages and sit without any huf and puf and gaze in the distance. I had to sit and close my eyes for 7 minutes. At that time, the sky changes its look every second and when you open your eyes after closing for few minutes at dusk, everything looks transformed. I feel completely enveloped by ocean with his sound and waves and rumbling waters. Without a splash we feel refreshed.

We visit the samadhi and on sunday evening there is mass meditation in playground, so we go for it. people in masses gather and sit on sandy playground. All the lights are switched off and you see open stary / moon lit sky. Organ plays there is short speech by mother. Todays topic: Stay away from any type of politics, its a waste. ( whats new there? My mother always told me this!!) And then 20 minutes of meditation. They keep empty chair for mother in backdrop of akhand bharat map. School kids also possess something special about them.

For staying there are plenty of guest house ranging from 150-600 ruppees. We chose one facing the sea. East facing open gallary on bay of bangal. I am waiting for sunrise now! rooms have focal point from works of sri arbindo. The garden between the building and the sea is also decorated on theme from his work, to suit meditation poins, some architectual work, or gardening craftmanship or collection of natural beautyful objects. Canteen served basic and tasty food with literature. I absolutely loved my guest house.

Next day, we visit Auroville. My guide/ friend insisted I must visit Matri Mandir in auroville. It needs advance booking to spend few minutes inside but friends who have gone places for meditation say that its the best place. dom covered with gold discs reflects heat and inside in complete marble. only one ray enters from the top passes through massive crystal and enrgizes the entire medtation space. I had to let go of this chance. Incompleteness is good, it makes you want to go back again. I get some red-chanothi ornament from eco-friendly auroville and on way we pick up some really good lemon cake. I collect some patented agarbatti from auroshikha.

At least four hours we travel cross country after leaving the motorway. For 2.5 hours the roadsides are covered with Mango trees. On way back we stopped to tresspass in some of very inviting grooves and collected some. Travelling on road is really a treat to eyes, laari full of jasmin buds, truck after truck continuosly carrying sugarcane, taadee. heaps of grapes, heaps of mangos, coconut. In and around Ashram 3 laari full of lotuses. Neighbouring Vinayak temple they were insisting we get offering from them. one fully bloomed white and one pink with coconut will cost 25 ruppees. I let go of temptation to own this divine flower.

more later...

Grace-Gratitude-Goodwill

I want to thank many many individuals for countless gestures of goodwill. Lot to feel good about. It is natural to thank when people offer support in difficult times but when going gets smoother, I feel even more weighed down with gratitude for all that I have received collectively over the period of time.

First and foremost to my mother for showering me with affection, faith in me and inspiration and strength. Father for showing me that love does not have to be loud and can be expressed in so many other ways.

I am fortunate for sister who remained protective of me and never tried to compete, compare or claim more of my parents, Infact I had habit of finding space between my mother and sister!

I am lucky all my cousins for making my babyhood pampered and giving me this name.

I have previledged in company of my neighbours from pre school to my daughter's school days for giving me effortless feelgood and casual company

I am thankful to Manchester group for giving me weekly dose of Indian culture, taught me how to party and providing inspiration for funfilled holidays.

I am thanking Bangalore group - family and friends for welcoming me and helping me settle here. This is one place where I landed empty handed and have never put any effort to bring fun or comfort to anyone and yet they helped me every time I needed them.

God Grant me chances to do something for everyone who brought comfort -care - company and support.

I might end my prolonged holiday in India once more. Did I accomplish anything I envisaged when landed? Not a single! But I received in abundance from unexpected places. Ahmedabad or not India remains my warm embracing mother land and will make me come again and again.

Dhimahi

Everything I came across as I pass through various situation has just come to me. I have pretty much moved like a river- rolling-stone. Nothing I have learnt was planned or I set out to seek. What I have allowed though is ruthless honesty about how I felt on particular day, situation or inevitable moments without any pretense. I was never afraid of showing vulnerability in front of my maid and got spontaneous hugs, I allowed tears to roll out silently when beauticians came and they offered me more than superficial facials. People are there with lots of ideas and remedies to sort you out without knowing whats bothering you and they believe with conviction in their methods and reassure you with full faith that if tried it will bring results.

Last year, same time I expressed to my yoga instructor that doing just physical yogaasnaa is not helping me. I feel emptiness in me and the black cloud hovering over me. It has no face or feet. I cant hold this cloud by the feet and smash it on floor. I cant define it as I cant recognize its face. But it keeps slapping me left, right and centre. Everything I dream gets shattered, everything I desired gets snatched, Everything I love bounces as hostility. I cant cook, if I summon strength to cook I cant eat! Staying in does not comfort me, going out does not bring relief. What to do? what to do? I feel helpless, weak in me for myself and my loved ones.

This young chap, a fresher from residential yoga school makes me sit and shares words of wisdom. He tells me to try excercising simple Havan at home.

Havan??? I dont know how to do it? I have never done it. I am not sure how much to believe if it works?

I must admit, I am not a daily-puja and bhajan type person, though accept the supreme power that is beyond me guides me. I do feel spiritual most times though. He tells me the essence of doing Homa. It purifies the atmosphere by releasing photons brings positvity in the air. Even if we feel troubled or confused, it keeps that pleasant aura in your living space. He says just keep small copper koond and do it the way it comes to you. 11 times, 51 times, 108 times and chant anything mantra/ thought or prayer that suits you.

Oh now this reminds me, my mother's great grandfather used to keep firey coal next to his dinner plate and drop few grains before starting meals. Its a gesture of gratitude to nature and provider, isn't it? I guess when living was not so structured, Rishis must be throwing 10% of what they have available for consumption back in soil so it brings new sustainable cycle of growth for grains, fruits and vegetables for us to consume again in next season!! The idea is to give back positivity in universe and it keeps changing its form and comes back to you again to nourish you.

Well, life is a laboratory and let me try the atomic changes by this DIY yugna. I got my havan kit with small copper bowl from local market, now a days lot of varieties available including painted ceramic electric ones. I do it for 2 months every dusk time and left it, I leave that place and instructor who introduced this to me. Even in my new place I have not performed any house warming puja yet. Though once again I come across chance to start where I left my Havan experience. This time with group of intellectually sound ladies.

They have joined in this no-frills, no-priest of doing environmentally friendly havan. Every month they gather, and ladies only perform havan on Gayatri and sit in its vibrations for 7 minutes. When so many chant together your own voice disappears gets merged with other reverberating sounds. you feel oneness in mass. The activity is defined as Dhimahi. The broader meaning is 'empower me to behold your gift', 'make me deserving'. One explanation is that by doing havan, all the energy gets coverted in vapour/ air particles and gets consumed back again in our system by breaths. And operator of our life and organs who is sitting inside gets his share. That is also broadly speaking giving back to universe. We and the universe are made of five elements only and fire is one of the most powerful of all. By this gesture you invoke supreme fire power of Sun. Its giver of light, creator of universe, enlightenment, direction, remover of darkness, sorrow and pain and bestower of happiness. When you chant mantra you internalize its effect but when you do havan it affects the atmosphere in part and when its multiplied by number of people doing together it send out vibrations far and wide for fallow living beings get benefit from.

This reminds me of the all the books written on mind power. Abraham Hicks and many others have written about power of positive thoughts. Reiki tells about power of positive thoughts and what you throw in universe comes back to you, Scientific prayers talk about wording your prayer lines with only positives. Secret and the power two best seller talk only about positive thoughts, Robin sharma talks about positive thoughts. NLP talk about positive affirmations. If you send out fears in universe, you will get scary encounters. regardless of what happens keep sending positivity out in openness.

This is on same concept of havan, isn't it? Havan of thoughts, Havan of words and gestures in your surrounding attracts positivity to you. Tuning in to frequency that brings beauty, joy and love. One lady made beautiful booklet on their patented style of Dhimahi. And it was inaugerated in style by others in the group.

Immediate effect? well I went back to my last blog and took out negative observations and lines. Humans are just humans without bondage of talents, religions and achievements when they help you in difficult times.

This Dhimahi group has rota. Every month they create this vibrations in different homes and will come to us for celebration of special day. My turn has yet to come. Life is beautiful already but I am being greedy! want something even more beautiful to knock at my door before I host!! Selfish girl!, eh?


Experimenting with myself continues...
rediscovering myself continues..
Understanding my own ancestors continues..
Learning continues as long there is life...

i-wise

Oh No No. Don't misunderstand the title. I am not talking about me being wise, I am not even talking about new version from apple after ipod, ipad.

This was my class of ladies seeking inner wisdom...

This month they focused on eyes. In upanishads there one whole chapter/book on Chakshopanishad. What would our eyes be without the jyoti inside? Who is the revered care taker of this vision inside this organ? Sun God, ofcourse. we invoke this energy of sun by chanting 9 times (in case Sun is too busy to hear the first time if he himself busy with his ipod) to establish power of vision in my eyes, to protect me, to cure me and reveal sun'd golden fiery energy inside my both eyes.

Getting list of care for my eyes...

every morning mouth full of water and continue baloon in and out cheeks (this is not to cleanse the mouth but for eye mustle and ducts). while you do that sprinckle water over both eyes.

soak trifalaa and keep filtered water in the fridge just like other juices and dip eyes in eyecup filled with this and blink.

everytime eyes feel tired dip cotton in rose water and give it relaxation.

avoid wearing rubber slippers

walk in morning grass covered with dew drops for few min.

rub your palms in between use of tv/ computer and cover your closed eyes with warmth of palms and imagine complete black and then either greens or blues.

and last but effective one is scalp massage.

In yog sat karma, 6 cleansing techniques are recommended, Trataka is one of those six. We did in 2 ways. first, Jatru tratak where you follow eyes to tip of the thumb from middle to sides. and Secondly, Jyoti Tratak, where you do candle gazing in steps, effortless gazing, intese dharanaa, defocussing or expansion gazing, and silence to take it all in. Let the water drip out of those duct, its great at physical level for cleansing. At higher level it opens gates for third eye or your intuitive abilities.

other benefits of trataka are.. improves stamina of eyes, makes eyes clear and radient, cleanses tear gland, refraction gets corrected, nervous system gets balanced and helps in insomnia, anxiety and depression.

Dont practice is u are stressed, headache or brain illness or glycoma etc.

Lot of people coming forward with how this helped them with after 40 blurry vision, strong numbers etc. Mantra is generally practiced first thing in the morning just before sun rises while sky is changing.

Hmmm, teacher ji, will this allow me read menu in restaurant and my sms without those glasses, please? Can I figure out what my child is texting away while gazing at my face?! This young generation is really master at multi tasking, they stare at you ans rest of the body still while their fingers can type away scripture!

Road Trip

We headed southern tip last week,waited very long time for this moment...
To feel the heart of any place road trips are the best suited.

Rameshwarum via Madurei.

Start at dawn to reach Meenakshi Mandir just in time before it closes at 1:00 pm. This is the most colourful temple created for Parvathi. There are 64 images to illustrate all the 64 miracles performed by shiv. Though original temple that had reference in 7 th century notes, was competely destroyed and in 13 century built and brought back to the glory. Temple gates and towers are a bit like stadium. tiered seats for various deities, their vehicles with maximum seats at bottom and reducing the number as you reach the tip of the shikhar. You may sit and spend hours observing the each row, time permitting. But we are ready for lunch and enjoyed the best tamil lunch in local market restaurant. For tables without AC 50 ruppes and inside AC hall, you pay 70 ruppees, this concludes with digestive pan and 1 small banana. My highlight? Dazzling nose ring of idol that can be seen from so far.

On the road to Rameishwarum. Final approach road reminds of the road heading towards key west, FL, only its not commercialized. you see organic fishing boat settlemets, picturesque. Ocean is so blue, clean and serene here. This place is only for Pilgrimage, so small souvenior shops, hotels and food joints situated on road leading to the temple. Most hotels are like walk-in and out from hotel to temple gates barefoot. Its is one of the Shiva's jyotirlingum. But the story kept on confusing me whether its Rama's temple or Shiva's! Temple illustrations reminds you about Sita-Rama's coming back from Lanka. Humble Rama wanted purify his act of destroying Egoistic and arrogant Ravan for he was also devout shiv bhakta and high achieving king in his own right! Upon arriving back to Indian shores after his victory, he decides to do puja for his action of choosing the war and not peace. Now where to find Shiv-ling from? So hasty sitamata makes ling from seaside sand (this is the main jyotirling) without waiting for Hanumanji on route to kailash to bring crystal ling for puja! (She was in a hurry to get it over with and reach home, perhapes!) When Hanuman ji returns with not one but 2 shivlings, he goes in a twist for making monkey do 'dog's work' and then not using it. Rama comes to pacify them both. asks Hanumaji to move the ling made by sita ji, (he could not) and then placing 2 of the others he got from Himalaya on the either sides. Wait! not 3, there are 108 other shivalinga and you may chant Aum Shivay Numuh in high energy corridors with each passing lingum.

What was our highlight?

22 shower of spring well from the compound. I was advised not to miss this chance and I was wondering dipping in merky water pool with my sweaty cloths after the travel and masking my smell by others' dirt! But no. It ended up being the overwhelming experience. An appointed guide takes us first to take plunge in ocean, good idea to remove the travel dirt first! Then we are wisked through one after the other well. The guide tells story as he pulls the medium size bucket out of the well and pours over us. Before performing the puja, Rama had to cleanse himself after war so using arrow he dug up these wells. Each well is associated symbolizes different source. To amazement water from each well also taste different.

Kanya-Kumari.

We then drive to southern most tip. As I went to primary school and learning Map and geography of India, I knew only that its point where all three oceans meet and you see 3 distinctly different colors. And Swami Vivekanand swam to the rock few yards away from the shore to meditate. Its is true but what I found is not what I envisaged!!

I admire western countries for restricting imposing structures around national heritage site such as big M of mcDonald has to drop that yellow arch in 'listed places'.

Giving it miss to sunset darshan at the point, we head to Kerala. Hindside I regret not staying there a night for sunset and rise. May be next time.

Kerala Back waters.

Entire terrain from Kanyakumari into Kerala is beautiful firey red color earth. All the mud walking trails in the woods are red carpet rolled out for wildlife!! We arrive very late at our resort 'coconut lagoon'. This is accessible only by boat. Even at that time the feel of the nature under near holi full moon I know I am in for a treat for my eyes and soul and eagerly waiting to wake up to take it all in the next day.

Take a deep breath! never seen such a beautiful place straight out of paradise! Without going in the waters you feel the contentment and 'Bhinaash' in you.

Its amazing how respectfully Indians treat water-bodies as source of 'giving element'.

Even in Rameshwarum taking samudra snan, is only as mark of respect. Generally people dont get in their 2 pieces no soosner they see sun, sand and sea in contrast to what we find normally in any resort promoted by westerners. We dont see ocean as something to be consumed for pleasure, its to be worshipped, it deserves respect for its depth and powers.

Back to back-waters...

Resort is around network of water allies created by the lake Vambanrd. This lake is massive and so serene. Half the years the flowing rivers pours fresh water in the lake and other half of the year arabian sea comes in with salty water. its hardly 10 metres deep max. we took sunset cruise and bird watching cruise. After many years I saw so many beautiful variety of birds in wilderness. There are bird watching excursions and they supplied binoculars. (I wonder why I have not invested in high tech binocular so far?!, it is must ). some birds can stay for more than 15 minutes under waters trying to catch the fish. Kerala living is inherently organic. The boats are made from tree products, even palatial house boats are also made from nature produce. Lucky boats! to make their black colour shiny and water proof, in addition to fish oil, they are also rubbed with cashew oil!! I should not feel guilty poring almond oil on my face then?! (as they say in Loreal advert, I' I am worth it'). We took a boat ride in water gullies and stopped to get eye-full of rice peddy field. acres of land covered with rice planatation. on the sides of the water allies, vibrantly colourful row of houses each complete with one coconut, mango and banana tree and a boat that can glide with pushing the pole. That sight is so theraputic to see fisherman gliding over the waters without a single sound or causing lot of ripples. How beautiful is that? seamlessly being part of nature without making your presence felt. May be thats way so many birds bloom and blossom here.

The resort offered talks on ayurveda and treatment if pocket permits. definition of colour green has changed in my mind. Fresh, silky, moist greens you find everwhere. Resort had so many spice plants from almond, cashew, parijat, cinnemon etc. My cottage had canopy of mango trees laden with fresh mangos of the seasons at plucking heights. The coconut trees had atleat one hollow coconut stuffed with charcoal tied to it with orchid plants. That look so decorative. apparantly orchids are cultivated very successfully like this.

Bathrooms were like open varandaa. Reminded me of my grandma's home with courtyard in Gondal. How fortunate they were! not to be surrounded by highrise building and can bathe under natural sun-light and breeze.

Took couple of dips in the pool. In general, whether Rameshwarum, Kanya-kumari or back waters, the waters of Indian ocean is the best temperature wise. you feel gentle masaage with warm water. Luxury for locals! India is blessed. Cant think of taking plunge in atlantic or pacific without at least first few breaths away with chill.

And what do I say about people, small built,so soft spoken and eternally smiling. From Silk I have entered soft kairali cotton zone. All ladies and gents of all background and age wear gold rim white muslin ever so gracefully. Recollecting my first moment as I landed at Dilli airport few weeks back only. Surrounded by WHSmith and other global chains I hear over hear the words ' mere ko kya paagul kootte ne kataa hai kya?!' from one of those posh looking shops. But on flipside of this quality has made northerns resilient in the city endlessly under foreign rule, religion and invasion.

Taking to road to reach

Guruvayur

Wow on way I see rivers, ponds, puddles covered with many shades of water lilies. No wonder they call this state 'God's own'. We reach Guruvayur temple in the late evening. The special aarti performed by elephants.

Oh what a sight!! Temple mast, the doorway frame glittering with pure Gold. Its open plan kerala distict temple architecture. on one side number of elephants have their 'sits'. At Aarti time they are adorned with gold ornaments. Straight after bath, young brahmin boys come to these elephants, four boys per elephant. Elephant beautifully, graefully, playfully helps them all climb on board for savaari. these boys hold peacock fans, chaamar and umbrella for the image of the lord Krishna. (there is lot of history and story of how this image was brought from dwarika ) Once they do Pradakshina's 3 rounds with deity himself and then 3 rounds with special image. All inside the temple premises.

You can tell its Krsna temple by the mood of the street. so cheerful, colourful and playful. After all Lord Krsna is symbol of sundarta, madhurta, chaturta, romance, fun and games. Temple rule allows man only in kerali style 2 piece dhoti and women in either sari or slawar. Keyur in white dhoti with gold rim and kamya in pitaamber lose kurta looked very good.

On Mandir approach road there are plenty of aushadh-shala. 'O I want to have this and I want that'. I have fascination for fabric, stationary and now jadi-butii fresh from forest!! They had answer to all ailments.

Back toward home, driving through mountain range. Not an inch is without dense vegetation. deep in vally i see coconut grooves and no habitat / settelment seen near by! deers come in way as speed breakers. there is this herbal fresh fragrance in the air.

Back to bangalore.

closing my eyes and what do i conjure up in mind after so many images? water lilies and plenty of waters. Attached image is Monet's impression of lotus pond. I wonder from where he got inspiration?!
till next time....

su-joking

Remembering times when my mother used to rub hot hing paste on my stomach to get rid of access gas rumbling in my tummy as a kid, or applying fatacadi on mouth ulsers, or jethimadh for my voice (that one herb was defeated in my case!!), or rubbing grated onion to reduce sunstroke.

Nature has everything we need to keep the whole system in balance considering we are merely one bundle of energy like other living beings. If not cure, we can find everything for prevention of dis-ease from nature itself and minor changes in life style.

Mighty oak grows from tiny acorn. Seeds are full of energy. Each seed has its own specific kind of energy. When seeds are embedded in soil, its energy comes out in form of sprout. When seeds are attached to body it transfers its energy into body. To prove the point further, if you try to plant the same seed after sujok treatment, it will never sprout. Going even further, its accepted by ayurveda that each seed comes with its property, but sujok says even shapes of these seeds used for treatment are similar to organ in the body its suited to treat. Also in addition to transfering energy these seeds double as accupressure on reflected organs.

This was researched for 30 years from 53-83 by a korean doctor and his paper he finally published in medical body to be accepted as an alternative therapy. He is alive and heals people.

Its very easy to find ouch point in own palm for condition suffered. Simple techniques to either clockwise probing on 'ouch' point on palm to increase or anti-clock to decrease the access supply. break those clots in the palm and tie seed and press intermittently for 2 hours or so. generally un-easiness goes within 3 to 5 minutes. For cough, cold, runny nose use of black pepper is very effective, Digestion related treatments, to ease the spine-methi, treat lever with grape seeds, low/high bp with 7 energy points and many more complains like period pain, migraine, headache. for skin disorders clearing the kidney etc.

for stress, anxiety, also its used.
Not joking!!

Khajurotica

Lets talk about Taj. Who put the name for symbol of love and national symbol for love as Taj mahal on world tourist map? I am sure Taj has unparallel beauty (I have yet to visit this place as an adult) but to me its only one man's display of affection for his wife. Lot of men love their wives even more but have not enough resources to buy even designer bag!. If I understand correctly, the designer who came with most impressive plan for Taj mahal, had his hands chopped off from his wrist so that he cant produce similar looking monument ever again!! I am not even going to mention the word 'Tejo Mahalaya'.

In contrast, story of Khajuraho starts in 9 th century. They built not 1 but 85 most beautiful temples, only 25 remains today. Trains arrives at quiet little railway station. There is nothing other than station around. and plenty of quiet little hotels all the way to town. Roadsides are sporadically covered with real settlements rather than slums. We have lot to thank Britishers for rediscovering national heritages. Ibn Batuta also mentioned in his travelogue about mutilated temples statues in Kajarra. Even today its sanctity felt in the air.

Temples wonderful product of Precise mathematical work, art work, sculpture, construction. without the guide you cant really understand the full glory. After every victory the kings of Chandella dynasty came to this place of their ancestors and build one temple everytime as thanks giving to God and civilians. Everytime these spiritually enlightened Kings generously gave gifts to artists for their hardwork, workmanship, skills and devotion.

One theory also suggest that during the times of Budhha and Mahavir Swami, people started to give up worldly pursuit. So to bring the social balance in order these temples were built. Whatever the reason, they celebrate all four aspect of life on earth. Dharma, Arth, Kaam and Moksha.

All 3 raws use differnt stone colours to classify the category, yellow, sand, red. The lowest generally depicts wild creature with 2 human bodies. one riding on animal to show that creature represents wild mind and one who rides on top is timid person getting caried away with mind. one slightly bigger figure struggles with creature showing your spiritual self trying to tame the mind-best of ours.

second raw, showing daily activities, life is celebration, dress up, wear ornaments, play with ball and other games, do yogasana like lom anuloma and power yoga! All the tiny statues next to standard size represent servant, assistant etc. Latest Gucci bag designs are seen in hands of this assistants. Proportions of all statues are so precise and beautiful. There was true feminism, ladies being worriers, going to vidyalaya with boys giving guradakshina and wearing 20 types of hairstyles!! Group shows artist, musicians, hunters

And then there always Divine couples like shiv-parvati, vishnu-lakshmi, ram-sita-hanumanji etc.
Carving and stone used is so similar that across 3 centuries they gradually built these shrines yet they appear to be from one sandalwood by same designer!

And of course the statues celebrating marital bliss. One must pay pilgrimage to this place celebrating love of entire humanity.
Best and most touching was the light and sound show at night. Amitabh Bachan narrates spirit of shilpi from lost era. When we think of kingdoms we only think of ayaashi of kings during late mughul and british times but this reminds you of how people lived on this land before foreign rule changed the spirit of liberal, intelligent, artistic, scientific and versatile society.

Like any other ruins more foreigners on bikes to see dotted temples in few kilometres. Though locals celebrate shivratri and festivals. Young and old all come for darshan ( Its not a functioning shrine ) and Guides also show with lot of respect and SAHAJ devotion.

Net morning we visit Panna forest. It is trully unspoilt nature reserve. If you are lucky you can see tiger but I was spared. One coccasian lady who was on mountain top kept on doing namaste namaste to all visitors. Apparantly she has built a school and come twice yearly to this mystical place. Married or not one must visit at least once this place.

On way to Pandav fall... this is were pandava stayed in agyat vaas while in exile. extremely tranquil place.
everyplace is looked after by MP tourism. with guides everywhere.

Abhi aur Kahaa train mein chale?? Trains are so much fun, takka tak, takka tak. Romanchuk ride across India.

Dil.li

Another time and another place...

This time its Delhi. We land at this new Delhi airport to be greeted by giant bharat natyam mudras and many other motifs. Absolutely butter smooth roads all the way home. I was visiting close family, piyar-vaat version:3!!

First getting taste of metro. One of the most civilized metro I have travelled. No push-pull and very clean, convenient and runs non-stop on time. Every time I use public transport I tend to enjoy my journey for than the destination. According to some, public is full of themselves, proud, self assured, well dressed, and fairer. Even servant ladies come with bright red/ pink lipsticks. I did feel awkward first I felt half backed british when I arrived here! Next I felt less religious surrounded by all beautifully carved face featured public of bangalore with at least 3 bindi of sandalwood, turmur, kumkum etc. Now i am in north and still unfit amongst these thhassadaar panjabi ladies!!

Next stop is Akshardham: Wow what a creation. For me the best was first display of 'you are your own shilpi', rest all the shows were enjoyable (enjoyable is shallow word but cant think of better). Best was this indus valley civilization river ride. Displays of charak, sushrut, aryabhat, raman, chanalya, patanjali etc. We spent leisurely time reading each of the elephant tales that surrounds the temple platform. Never saw elephant like this before. Best about Shri swaminarayan is they make every one of us proud of our motherland and heritage. Lastly musical fountain to describe the circle of aatma.

Next stop: visits to 3 places, mall after mall after mall! They are also great to cater to demands of many! fun walking through market stalls on terrace of city select mall. both the ambience malls, DLP promenade, Dilli haat, Khan bajar with very chick veg market and small cafes, Cannaught place, palika bajar, janpath and greater kailash. I had pleasure of window shopping in most places, for little more satisfaction picking and changing mind at counter and leaving it all behind for next opportunist! Honestly choices in printed silk is much better here. fabric is much lighter and paper thin compare to south silk. Me and my kitten make good team, when she needs breather from museum we go to mall and when I need breather we visit monument!!

Next stop gallaries: Saw Modern art gallary: lot of good collection, when i was younger I felt modern art is for art losers but now I see with fresh perspective, its an emotional expression for anyone, derive your own interpretation. This gallery displays works of Rabindranath Tagore, his brotherm father, nandlal bose, amrita shergil and many more names from British India to current bollywood posters. Museum shop sells some popular prints from 30 to 80 ruppees each. Next to Indira Gandhi museum. They celebrated entire month as Mahabharat Utsav. they brought artists from all the places were Kaurava and pandav lived and did something like 'ram-lila' - a street fest inside this massive museum compound. Though we missed it, there was permanent exhibit in mitti ghar. displaying pictures of all places like laksha gruh, kurukshetra, hastinapur and where they are situated currently.

Jantar-mantar: After seeing astronomers in akshardham temple river ride it was app evidence to see jantar mantar. there was no jyotish in his arcade to tell me my future. India gate was nice walk too.

Mogul Garden at Rastrapatibhavan: Yes, for few days only they keep this garden fest open. Strictly nothing you can carry inside. lot of rest areas, free drinking water and very well organised. saw plenty of ayurvedic herbs, 6 types of mints. anyone with stammering? plese use gurmur from geernar! lots of variety of roses, wildflowers make me want to go to valley of flower once!, gigantic dahlias, read stone water and rock pools with fountains and its really well laid out garden. Akaber came from desert land so no wonder he was facinated by fertile land of India and took it has hobby to beautify it further. Some really rare trees such as kadamb, sandalwood, bodhi-bruksh etc. we saw. Pleasing to eyes! And ears too! they play patriotic songs with fountains. O Pratibha ji, zaraa ghumataa oothaa ke dekhaa ki nahi??!! your own backyard?

In between we took train outside Dilli to Khajuraho, Thanks to my sweet bubbles nephew and his fresh-bud wife.

'Train'ing continues....

Attakkalari

As I open the full spread whats on guide for the weekend, I am overwhelmed!

Bangalore this weekend surpassed London in the variety of 'whats ON' around the town.

Trully a global performances with Indian platform or twist. Wow I must not miss this chance.

First visit, for Amdavadi born is Alliance Francaise. Entry is free and there are 4 performances.

1. called 'Dont be dotty', played by 2 girls on mundane activities of everyday life based on concept of round/sphere/circle. Both performed dressed half in Bharat natyum accessory with swimming costumes.

2. called 'Couching tigers'. OH I thought it must have something to do with 'save the tigers'. No no its all about 3 junkie boys fighting for remote control. these hunky, portrayed as junky youth performed some really clever acts of street dance/ rythemic wrestling.

3. called 'In the stillness, find me'. It can only be described as visual poetry. with backdrop of only winter tree stumps with merging lines of his body in balck leotard. Dancer from singapore had only word to join this sureal music from TS Eliot and words from bhagavat Geeta to symbolize nothingness.

4. Called 'Ravens'. Performed by shrilankan artists. As they announce names I feel 'Haash! at least 16 dancers will perform feast for my eyes, if I dont like 1 I can look at other. But whats this only 8 on stage? Oh yes, now I know Shrilankans have long names and each name is combination of 2 words, so misleading, naa? Anyaway, 8 for gandfanalie is good enough for me.They dance on life of crow. can you believe 30 minute dancing on percieved bad balckbird? Amazing choreography.

Infact choregraphers were from all over the place, trained in one place, career in other and working on creative project in third/fourth country!! trully, internation performances by floating artists. But these open ended brief and such totally creative is hard for someone who has missed changing art scene of India and I suggest you keep 4 of your people in audience and they start clapping so newcomers like me know that the ACT has ended and we clapp too!!

Second visit, another day..behind the golfcousre. Entire street 1.5 km. covered by mature trees and allowing glorious sunshine to pavement covered with artists from all over. It can be matched if not put above that paris' painter's plazaa for sure. For the first time I saw only Indian absolutely subjects/objects rather than copycat of renesance artform. It had everyday ppl displaying their works staring from folk arts of India to some 3d form to fusion techniques. Once one of my artist friend told me to visit gallaries and observe the styles of valued artists of the day. and look for the same style by upcoming or unknown artists and buy same style. thatway when value of that style goes up, value of art you own goes up too, even though its not massively expensive (3 to 4 lakh costs basuki). But I am only enjoying the atmosphere and seeing wonerful collection. vishwmitra 'handling' menaka' would cost me by ammeture artist 50000 ruppess and 'hanumanji reaching for the moon' costs 20000 in very modern style to suit contemporary decor. Hampi is favourite for artists and in every medium, style and form you find hampi's ruins. My favourite? endless strais of rock planks from hampi. very abstract in water colour. but I give a miss. dont feel like leaving signature on everything I own, dont feel like having ownership of anything. dont even feel like 'oh i can produce this myself, let me go home and do it'. I think the class of nothingness has affected me a bit more for my liking....

Place was covered with middle India, discussing pieces they saw, families appeared to be from authentic Bangalore like Mallweswarum and Jaynagar. so many foreigners and ofocurse groups of youth everywhere.

festival continues for many different art form and many venues across bangalore....including yogic singer Jasraj in coming days and screening of european movies.

Last Laugh

and comes another gathering...

A group activity called exploring inner wisdom! And I am invited to join in. I am certainly going to outnumber Dattatray in finding tutors being pupil for life for study of life.

So this yet another tutor is lady over the hill in age. I am amazed and inspired by this age group. Their kids have flew away from home in top notch universities and husbands are still active in money making and they have all the time in the world. I am sure it is not as easy as it sounds. We all talk about girl child being born again and yet again when she gets married and then when she gives birth. I see another birth when everyone leaves home and you are left with little bit of you left in your hand and little bit used/invested for your loved ones. You have to find your own calling once again. recollect the strength and rediscover what you do with you time to fill the vaccuum. Hats off!! So this tutor is social live-wire, travels here and there across India and in her spare time plays golf!! Routinely she conducts yoga classes for young proffesionals at home and serves as alternative therapist.

So I arrive at her place with my pencil and notepad as second grader in the class of wisdom. wow plush apartment to fit 20 ladies for yoga! I feel I am entering temple, beautifully kept her signature artifects, fragrances and music. This pair of ladies complimeting each other but talking about essentially same thing started combined talk on the mic.

Senior speaker supposedly covering spiritual aspect of well being starts off the talk with explaining molecules...

(Umm teacher ji, Are you sure I am in spiritual awakening class sounds like a science lesson to me??)

So she explains about vibrations first, how everything visible or non-visible vibrates. How vibrations have different effect on our systems. Different type of excercises such as trademill walk, tai chi, marshal art, yoga, rhythmic breathing, aerobic, kick boxing all make differnt vibrations with different effect on our body. Same way vibrations created by different ragas have different impacts such as Bhairvi to hansadhwani to durga.

To produce positive vibrations for different purpose, rishi s have created combination of seedling of sounds called Beej-mantra with certain intonation. So to kick start out health and wellbeing session utters Maha Mrityunjay mahamantra and insists everone gets correct pronounciation. We repeated 11 times visualizing its meaning everytime and feeling the vibrations. After 11 rounds we sat in vaccuum silence charged with this vibratons for 6 minutes. They says this vibration enhances quality of life as opposed to longevity.

Wake everyone Tea break now!!

Maid comes and arranges watery Lemon tea on table in beautiful china! What is this? Gathering in India people spoilt by servants and no samosas??? Back in UK not a single gathering completed without samosas.

Break ke baad.. the main host starts her talk and she explains in 2 lines how laughter yoga has picked up pace all over the world started by Dr. Madan Kataria. She tells us to follow the leader ( herself). First round is clapping rythemic with 'ha ha ho ho ho'. (whats this santa is coming or what?) then it picks up..

First polite laughter, then comes electric laughter and comes political laughter and lion laughter. Once its triggered its hard to stop. everyone keeps on laughing without any sign of coming to halt. session ends with guided relaxation and angel card game.

As I understood laughter gets rid of carbon from the body faster and facelifts your mustle and makes lungs stronger and pulls stomach bag in. I come home to be greeted with the word 'your face is looking rosy today? what have you done?'

Why do we watch sitcoms? go to parties? comedies? and ofcourse u-tubes? for one-minute-long laugh?
What happens after that?
why not induce laughter ourselves and rip the benefit?

So I have no need to have 'last laugh' when I can go laughing all the way to my last moment!!!

.....And laughing continues....

Sahaj

Sahaj: meaning something that happens without effort, unfold on its own. Most Natural. I found one such sahaj friend here. My pup and her cub are same age and same school and although I have come across as horrible mother I felt like showing my face that I have no horns! It was monsoon time and it was raining and pouring outside and also inside me. I must not pretend that life is always bed of roses and I was falling flat on my own choices. I had wishlist when I drifted like a hollow wood to Indian shores and nothing seem to have happened so far that I visualized. And duration of dead line I set was coming closer.

So I walk in my neighbourhood for casual chat, unaware of what I was about to be gifted.

Extremely serene this lady greets me and reassures me that 'All z well and gonna b better'. But in the meantime how to deal with my own self. She invites me in for sittings. When you are sure you are not clever enough to control anything, best to surrender to those who hold faith and show you path. Before I know I was in her solitary room sitting in front of her with my eyes closed.

She uttered 2 words in one hour. First, 'start meditation' and second after one hour 'thats all'.

See when you are emotionally charged its easy to play dance, do bhastrika, go for jog, go on swing, kick boxing and all physical outlets but hardest is to sit still for one hour and coming to terms with what is bugging you. You have to be one with even unplesant thoughts, dissolve them and wait till they disappear and peace resides in you.

Later, she introduces me to Sahaj Marg. They are prefects for Abhyasis (practising this dhyan yoga are known as Abhyasi). So next day I m ready for second sitting. I had problem though. I just could not go past her beauty! She lives in American style Villa and walls are adorned with Ravi Verma's paintings. As they say 'you become what you meditate upon' and she seem to be reflecting the ladies straight out of this paintings. Elegantly radiating glow she is ideal person to be painted by Verma. She sincerely explains many things but I hardly take anything in, time to time I get stuck in her hanging curly locks!

Basically what I learnt is that focus on my heart. and see the light there.

Why heart?

Its seat of life. secondly, it distributes purified blood throughout the body. Thirdly, its seat of love and abode for divine. love alone is most powerful tool to beat blues.

If translated in chakras, Heart centre is meeting point for matter and spirit, as lower 3 chakras are for physical self and upper are for mental then heart is ideally placed to maintain equilibrium between our 2 bodies. When Heart is balanced, it takes care of all other chakras.

So main objective of Sahaj marg is to provide sanctury for pure heart and tame your mind. You have to keep bringing your mind to self by focusing on heart centre.

Let me try then...i am seeing light....light...ummm what were they talking about? those 2 ladies?

Wondering first time:: Replaying talk with 2 trendy ladies about their recent trip to Mallikaarjun-one of the dwadash jyotirling. These 2 D&G diamond studded glasses wearing, gucci bag carrying, ladies telling me how there is trend in India of group of ladies who go for 'designer spirituality'. They range from 35-75 years of age and travel in style. Their recent trip was micro managed in a way that no one had to open their purse even once, In the flight they are given work sheet to enhance their relavent knowledge of the trip. Only one person to plan finance and deal at counters. Whats more they are carrying rare recipes that are appreciated by only female taste buds like goond ki chiki and what not. Half way there are treated with cold coffee and what not? four iinnova filled in vogue ladies playing fun and game and ofcourse meditating on way come back from fulfilling time. Only strict rule was not to gossip or pass negative comment. she ends with the words

'Aur husband kay kapade bhi toh nahi nikalane padate na!! ( from bag ofcourse, when they travel together ) They only have themselves to take care of.

Now these two ladies with wondering minds of their own compare the 4 weddings each they visited in Goa and bangkok.

stop, stop. stop. Mind, mind your busines! come back to me!!

See, How my wondering mind wonders away with them??

Wondering secondtime: ok back to me. O so many regrets!! losing job, losing house, losing babies, losing family, losing possesions, losing face, loss of grace, losing freinds, losing identity, losing health, loss of wealth, loss of passion, loss of compassion. Enough of loss. OK then Iet resentment take over!! resent this... and resent that...

Shhh, Shhh, Shhhh

O mind back to heart please.

Wondering third time: Oh no! my Car is going to use up this month's saving!! so much expense on phone bills!!

Bus, bus, bus.

feel the light. Feel the lightweightness. allow shoulders to drop, hands to fall, neck to lean. Only light.

Thoughts have no power of their own, and depend on the power of attention we give them. Ignore them and they will fall. Our mind is pure and thoughts as they walk past leaves impressions. Our mind accumulates such impressions and we carry the burden and get lost in them.

so 2 excercise in a day mainly

1. focus on heart and train my mind to keep coming back to my heart. it stops fueling impressions.

2. At end of the day perform clearing. Imagine sweeping your inner self with vapour. It clears out daily impressions. good or bad.

Weekly, my prefect gives individual sittings. Whatever they do it makes you feel ligher. they act as catalyst to spiritual growth. Power can be transmitted, thoughts can be transmitted, speech can be transmitted then so can spirituality. These sittings revive our true self.

What they say is have 'Dettached attachement'. This gives strengh in all areas. you dont expect love, you dont loathe hate. you just walk and even when you are on edge and find courage to take that step, mother earth ends up extending for you.

Peripheral Practitioner

How many of us actually question doctor when we go with virus or pain if those antibiotics will work, where it will attack in body and how it will reduce your disease! But generally when we think about alternative practices, holistic healing we are too sceptical whether it will work and even if it does its going to takes years!

Wrong!

My spiritual guide is introducing me to many ways to rust off and dust off clutter from within. I better give little more picture of my guru/guide/spiritual agent before you conjure up her image! She is my mothers age, has boy cut, wears jeans, has kids and grand kids, throws kareoke parties for her lady pupils and designs crash courses to suit my short attention span and absence mindedness.

So one of the technique she taught me was about chakras! Its a hot word in fashion in the west but I never bothered to find out more about it. Main 2 nadee carrying enormous energy supply cris cross seven times in the body and their meeting place creates whirlpool of energy. Even vehicles need to have shock absorbers and what have you, what happens when we become puzzled, startled, scared, excited, exhilirated? These vortexes strores this emotional, psychic and spiritual body of ours. Each chakra has specific role and is home to certain emotions. When there is imbalance of this energy or blockage or short supply, we feel unease and in acute cases even disease.

Meditating upon these chakras like course of antibiotic shows desired result. Some chakra are treated for certain age group like childhood, adolesence, youth related issues, Ambition, self esteem, confidence, ego, anxiety, compassion, discretion and many actual physical illness. There are yogasans to suit each one also.

Ladies, some chakra gives you irrestible glow and magnetic attractiveness (so they claim)! Its nothing spiritual, we can encash it within speedy time frame!

Practice given technique for 7 / 21 or 40 days. These can be complimented by essential oils and colours and hot stone therapy too.

So now my this 'self awareness' group goes places and we visit a place called antar-manas or cosmic centre. In outskirts of Bangalore the place is dveloped on concept of Sapt-rishi. There are meditional halls with murthi of all 7. There are individual little manmade cave style seats for meditation in the garden. There are shantiniketan style huts for 7 chakras. One room for one chakra. There is kundalini meditation room and Room for Egyptian great Ra Meditation room in pyramid style. This place known as Taponagar follows the principles of Shambala (lost city of shyam bala).

7 simple principles to follow. Main objective is to get connected with 7 rishis and bring their energies using meditation. Its true saptarshi wrote and gave upanishads but cut the crap of books from middle and find short cut to them by invoking their energy and qualities in us!

7 is magic number isn't it? 7 colours of rainbow, 7 sur, 7 days in a week, Sapt-padi. The monk who sold ferrari also had 7 keys for life strategy!!

On way, I observe in contranst the relationship of indians with their chappals as opposed to Westerner. In Britain on carpeted floors people can walk with thier shoes they have worn in public toilets too and recline on bed in them too let alone in kitchen. Where as in India getting rid of them is sign of feeling 'at home'. No sooner my affluent lady friend settle in car she brings her pedicured feet out.

Let me make 7 layer barrito and go to my sleeping beauty as 7 dwarfs are eager to wake her up!

Join us in Hampi

Are we not facinated by ancient Egyptian pyramids and Greek Mosiac, and how many times we have heard praises of stone henge and machu pichu? Even since I came here I wanted to visit this place. Most foreigners account says that they found this place more enchanting than pyramids. However, In India people prefer go for functioning shrine than ruins, it could be also because brocken images are deiti are not pujya. And also India is happening place, people's eyes lit up when there is scope of prasaad and blessings. I asked around but not many takers of my offer finally this sunday morning I thought...

'Thats it, no more waiting, planning or wishful thinking!' I call rent-A-car. and declared to my loyal companion, 'We are going on road trip. Get ready in 2 hours'. To my delight the words I hear with a smile 'Mummy, I respect your wish'. looks like sankranthi sets smooth time rolling!!

We are aboard Xylo. First few hours we go past groooves after groves of coconut. So many shapes and colours and sizes with changing species of this wonderful icotonic fruit. There are tempting vendors on the road selling coconut products but we give it miss. Then there is patch of plains and we reach Chitradurg. Chiradurg is surrounded by windmill farms on the hills. It is also developing hotspot as I gather with some IT companies wanting to invest here inspite of scarce water. Anyway, our driver says its very good historic fort and we could take a break.

So we are now climbing the fort with a guide. Its called Chitradurg because this rocky mountains have many rocks resembling animals; rabbit, elephant, frog, turtle. they spent 200 years to slowly build this 7 layer fort. Its done in snakeshape so every entry is faced with wall so canon attacks will only hit the wall and not the actual gates. my guide tell me 3 times Haider ali attcked this fort and 'third time thoda lufda ho gaya'. I asked 'Lufda meaning what? he successfully captured or not?' No he could not capture, one braveheart lady Onamma did some clever move and kingdom remained with Raja. Actual palace is made of clay only to prove 'appearance can be deceptive'. no invader will pay attantion to mud huts. There is mountain climer who climbs walls and rocks with empty hands only. All he has in his pouch is choona powder.

OK, back to road...

at night we reach Hospet, nearest stop to hampi. Stay in 'International Hotel'. It costs me 700 ruppes for the twin room with lounge and big bathroom with ac and room service. on motorway I spend about 150 rupees for 2 meals in Kamat ( motorway chain restaurants). So one night is sorted in just over 1000 ruppess! not bad eh?! Had I reached earlier, could have seen light and sound show at Toongbhadra dam. But never mind...

So we wake up comfortably and reach humpi. I really did not know what to expect. I have little knowledge of Raja krishnadev raya other than the fact that He had very witty advisor in his court called Tenali rama and just like birbal his sories are read in chitrakatha. Coincidentally like Akbar was appreciative of Hindu talents and had many gems in his court, Raja Krishnadev raya also was inclusive of persian talents, he also welcomed chinese and portugese traders. We are talking about 16 century here.

But my sight seeing tour starts with Virupaksha temple of shiva. There is Swaymbhu sivlingum. This is the place where Sri Rama worshiped lord shiva before setting off to Lanka. There is also pinhole camera technique used in those days so see the reverse image of shikhar inside the garbhgrih. Surrounding this shrine is rocky mountains called Matang parvat, rushi parvat and others. All five pravat mentioned in ramayan are standing here. Our guide shows Kishkindha paravat where Anjaneya swami (hanumanji) was born. Infact Humpi is ancient Kishkindha. Both the parvat where vali and sugreev individually lived are also standing tall. Many kilometres of this rocky greenland is dotted with historic sites. Pumpa sarovar and place where shabri offered Lord rama her berries are also here. Place where Rama and RamaDuta Hanumaji exchange chudamani and ring when he sets off to see sita ji in Lanka. Government has now gained 300 acres more for excavation of this rich orcheological site and proposed for 400 acre more.

So Sri Rama did not have such bad and scary place to live when in Arnayavaas!!

'O King Dashratha, Have positive perception na! why say that your might and righteous son was victim of timid manthra's manipulation? just say that he was pampered son of weathy man and after schooling needed bit of expedition for well rounded develeopement.' In 21 century you would be seen as role model for parents and your son as ideal leader for setting trends for trekking, river rafting and what not for youth of our generation who need to stay in jungle without towers away from ipod and internet for grounding!

It is really a garden fit for gods and kings and prince. No scary animals, lots of vegetation of banana and coconut and surrounded by massive pictursque sheela (Sheela??? guys its not THAT rocking sheela you have been singing about!! It is a big Hard Rock (not again! not THAT hard rock, its simply big BOULDER)

Raja Krishnadev raya 's dynasty happened to rule here and there is temple of parvathi called hampamma. so like Britishers nickname chatherine cathy and elizabeth as becky when they cant co op with big names they turned humpaama into humpi as loving address to parvathi, I guess!! I must say that britishers are very appreciative of our heritage and they have tried to restore some crumbling roofs by iron beams. Yes, in those days they use iron beams as answers to many of their needs.

So Raja had miles long bazzar where they traded diamond, silver, spices, silk, flowers, fruits and gold. VIP traders from china, persia and portugal were welcomes in dharmshala inside courtyards. There is music mandap where big columns are surrounded by small ones in certain scientic way. when tapped with wooden sticks they replicate the sound of instruments. Percusion, drom, damaroo, mrudungum etc. There are some very clever specimen of shilpkala. One carving depicted 6 animals in one from different angle and still it did look complete. there are lady soldiers who look after queens and fight as warriers in pictures, there are impressive water management system, no water tank is complate without the tank to mix up water with colours for holi. There are rest area for queen where continuous water sprinklers are in action to keep her cool.

The stone ruins are there but glorious wooden carved palaces are burnt by bahami invedors. I just dont get it. I understand the hunger for power, authority and possesing others belonging but I cant fathom the need for these invedors to destroy such beautiful work of arts. On one hand islamic invedors have promoted garden landscaping and architectural wonders then why did they ruined this heritage?!

so now this empire that covered Oriya to Maharastra entire lower trinangle of Indian mainland is frozen in time. It took us back in different time. coincidentally sikri was ruined around the same time and never came back to life that way.

No trip is complete without its share of rough ride. we got more thrill than bargained for. From Chitradurg the road gives pleasure of sailing in the boat in choppy seas or water rafting. The pot holes are so huge that you feel you are riding on river bed. SUV s would shy away from going there. More than one hour of bumpi-jumpi ride. But to distract post monsoon landscape is so pretty and clear skies. Kya Kahene! See we drive in dense fog and feel we are in english channel, we drive in snow storm,, huurcane and terrential rain. India as to find its share of driving sensation where skies are always suppotive. As for the vehicles, trucks are intimidating especially at night. Some have zero bulb for headlights, some throw beams and some have elaborate dancing festive roshni to keep them and other road users awake. hazard triagles we use for emergency breakdown are permanent feature on some trucks to be doubly sure that if their lights fails, other vehicle will still see them with reflecting triagle. 'National Permit' certificate is painting in so many colourful way and description of break system has 100 ways to spell 'Break'!!

On way back we see farmers seperating crop on the road. I ask my driver why on roadside or on the road? He goes 'madam, aur koi jagah nahi hai na!' 'What are you saying I see only fields after fields' May be they use road like steel plate to avoid grain going back to soil. endlessly this cow-carts and clusters of people seperating husk makes we want to pich mustard, ajmo and fresh jeera in my fist and bring home. Now I am never going to forget that Samkranthi is festival associated with harvest.

and journey will continue...