September 27, 2017

Tumhara naam kya hai, Basanti?

Few friends met up for a casual dinner. 
One of them bought along his cousin, who had just shifted to the city. 
Quickly the introductions took place. His epic reply  stunned everyone, eventually dissolving into peals of laughter!

" hello everyone, my name is avinash dutta. Mom and dad had named me after consulting my horoscope letter but they keep calling me beta or Sonu. 

My friends call me avi. Teachers refer to me as dutta.  My girlfriend calls me by tons of name depending on her mood. I go from mera baby, jaanu,honey, jaan till kutte. Maid and society watchmen address me as bhaiyya. Kids call out to me as uncle.I sometimes feel am avu, simple and sweet.  Hence please feel to call me whatever you wish!" 


His reply perfectly summarises what name means to various people in different contexts. 

Our brain cells guide us in selecting a name for a newborn. Many algorithms, such as the name should have a good meaning, it's short form shouldn't change the intrinsic meaning, the letter as per the
horoscope/birth chart has to be used; determines it finally. 



Indian parents love rhyming names for their children. Example : my name is anushree and my sister is addressed as tanushree! Talk about being lazy, rather than smart!


These are good for the official paperworks and Ids. Half of the time, you are called anything, but your real name! 





Nick names are called by our family and friends,lovingly. They can either be short form of the real name or something very different! 


Friends have a uncanny knack of bestowing the creepiest,funniest and whackiest of names.


Your character traits, your physical traits, social traits, sometimes no reason whatsoever etc help them to name you! 

Example : My best buddies call me teddy bear, chudail and moti murgi! 

Best ones are when little kids call you. Its like they have internal antennas to gauge you and your age. 

Looking young and smart? then its Bhaiyya! 
Having a bad day? its Uncle time! 

Its creeped me out when after my wedding, i met few kids ( the following week of wedding mind you! ) i was instantly addressed as AUNTY! 

did they see my ek chutki sindoor? I was remembering Ekta Kapoor & Hum Paanch serial. Aunty mat kaho na!! 

Household staff, waiters, parlour staff, support personnel etc always address you as bhaiyya or didi! Some enthu cutlets over do it by adding ji to the bhaiyya and bhabhiji to his wife! 


"Madam/Sir" -- Doesn't this give the feeling of sophistication? Thank your office staff and luxury hotel personnel for the sudden elevated feeling :) 


Embarrassing names are reserved for your special someone. 


Imagine, your spouse loudly yells, jaaaanuuuu where are you? in a busy mall.! 


sniggers, here and there, i tell you! 


yes! 


Jaanu, honey, munchkins, cupcake,jaaneman, puppy,shona, mera baby, mera babu etc are common lover names. 


Wait a minute, Awwwwww..... That is cho chweet! :) 



Am sure, you have heard all of the above, sometime during your yatra of life! :) 



This post is inspired by indispire on Indiblogger









September 24, 2017

Aarambh of Blogging ..

Once upon a time, an astrologer, who coupled up as a face reader,  visited us at home. She was warmly received by   my Matashri, who has a affinity towards consultations. 

Only genuine and trust worthy people make it to my mother's list. This is a side view info :) 

After the chai-paani nashta scenario, Matashri paraded me happily in front of her as the new guinea pig of experiments. 
Source: Google


The lady took my right palm in her hands, turning it left- right and finally zooming on the criss-crossing fate lines.

She prophesied about my many hidden talents, hitherto undiscovered after snippets of what is in store for me. 


I was guffawing to myself about the whole absurdity.

 Let me tell you, this was my first brush with a soothsayer and my jawani ka josh was at its boiling peak, pursuing my graduation year. 

Special advisory, apart from wearing a cat's eye stone, was to pen down anything everyday. A page of writing connected words. 

Bemused, I nodded affirmation and thought of giving it a shot. 

Mind you, this was merely to kill little time while humouring my matashri.

Circa 2008-09, armed with my Sony Vaio,  hostel's wifi connection and newly discovered word, " #blogging ".
Google informed me, it means writing personals journals or anything worthwhile on the World Wide Web. 

Enabling its upcoming application, "Blogspot",I set sail on this journey. I didn't wish to write about my plan of the day!
 So my enlisted crew members, my friends, hoisted lot of topics to write about, aboard. Again, world was round, so my duvidha came to square one. Kya likhu? 


Source: Google
Vishesh tippani - when you study in a Co-Ed college, few harami type friends are bound cross your pathway. 

One of the charlies suggested me to talk about what happens within a girl's hostel. 

Curiosity always charms the cat before it kills it !! 

Done done done...Juicy details of talking under blankets, the conditions of washrooms etc, wormed its way in my post. 

 The first post was so excitedly received that the feedback was given unabashedly over cups of chai and sutta. 

Such a good feeling to get appreciated! 

This was the start of my journey of #blogging

Over the years, topics became little varied. 

Wrote about various kinds of Alcohols, to educate my girlfriends... 
Typed about current mood swings, like why being fat makes people around you judgmental and so on.... That was purely rant blogging. 

Wait a minute,  people still loved it. 

Not bad, at all !! 


Selection of Topics - Kya aur Kyu?


Someone asked me, why do you review movies on Facebook? Answer is simple : I love watching movies. If i can save someone's hard-earned money and time (metropolitan city crowd) by writing unbiasedly, why not?

For a change,  I wrote movie reviews on my blog. Statistics showed me great views scores. My faithful followers from Facebook indeed took the effort of checking my links! 


Did i mention, I am a avid luxury spoilt traveller

Travelling all over India and the World has made me see different cultures and customs with more respect. It truly widens your horizons. 

I aint your backpacker type of traveller, but a guilt free luxury seeking person, who loves good hotels and ambience! 


Reading bug crawls all over my body.. I itch to read any romantic stuff and Indian fiction i can lay my hands on! So... it also gets featured on my blog! 


My husband,Ranbir, has been a monumental encouraging force and has resurrected my writing. He feels my writing can help people with their travel plans, books and movie selection. 

Source: Google

Never have felt so Happy !! 

Imagine the power of communicating your views, ideas and experience with your friends and connecting with new friends, thanks to Indiblogger. 

Making them visualise things, just by your descriptive sentences and helping them embark on their own sojourns. 

Reading their encouraging feedback, makes you pat your back,Well done girl! 


This post is inspired by Indispire topic on Indiblogger. #blogging

September 22, 2017

Hampi - The Land of Boulders, Ruins, History and Mythology!


Ramayana identifies this area as Kishkindha, home to King Sugreeva, his vanar sena (monkey army) and birth place of Lord Hanuman. 

The mammoth boulders ( huge rocks/stones) stand testimony to the vagaries of time in a gravity defying stance.
 They pile on each other in a beautiful symmetry, making you wonder, why don't they slide down?

History tells us the existence of a wealthy, glorious and powerful dynasty, The Vijayanagara Empire.
 The dynasty was founded by 2 brothers, Harihara and Bukka.
The legacy was splendidly carried forward by his descendants, amongst which King Krishnadevarya has inked his place in the annals of history with flourish. 

UNESCO has declared the city - or rather city of ruins - as a World Heritage Site. It will be protected as per international norms due to its historical significance.

This is the land of architecture, worship and sculptures.

The pious land of followers of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.

The land of ruins.

The Land protected by boulders on 3 sides and by the mighty Tungabhadra river on one side.

The land which has withstood the invasions of the Bahmani kingdom and survived to tell the 600+year old history.

This is HAMPI.


Aimlessly, I watched the changing scenery from my car’s window. The car was moving at a decent speed of 100 km/hr, owing to smooth (albeit single road at some stretches) roads. 

As we approached Hampi, the land turned into vastness of rice cultivation. Clumps of rice plant stalk were neatly arranged in symmetrical rows, in standing water. It looked ethereal. 

To complement the greenery, brown boulders  surrounded the area. It was almost as if they are protecting the land in a defensive stance. Apt setting for photo opportunities during sunset. If you are a budding photographer, it will be delightful to capture this. 



Villagers help you with the directions with a smile, since google maps might not receive the EDGE signals here. To think about it, the 3G connectivity wont be great. 

Our sight seeing tour enriched our historical knowledge and tested our agility while walking on the hills and attractions.

 Jaws dropped while admiring the finesse of the rock carvings and the engineering/architectural skills of our ancestors. 

Granite is the main stone used in making temples and sculptures. 

A common temple structure would be 4 slabs standing straight, supported on top by a huge plinth in a horizontal manner. More information regarding the ruins follows...



Places of Interest :


Ruins are spread over a considerable area. Having personal transportation is a must, for effective usage of time. 

Although Hampi has more than 50 places to visit as per ASI and UNESCO, the main ones are worth visiting. 

They are divided into 2 parts as per convenience and proximity to each other.

It is advisable to cover one stretch of ruins together and then proceed to the other.
 It is important to hire a local guide who will be able to explain entire details. Charges will be maximum Rs.2500 for 6 hours,completing everything worthwhile.

The first trail starts from Hemkuta hills, comprising of Sasivekalu (mustard seed) Ganesha, Kadalekalu (bengal gram) Ganesha, Krishna Temple, Hemkuta hills and ending at Virupaksha Temple. Ugra Narsimha and Shivlinga are nearby.

Sasivekalu (mustard seed) Ganesha — Lord Ganesha is beautifully sculpted out of big chunk of granite, on the foothills of the Hemkuta. 
The name was kept to mislead the people into expecting a smaller version of the Lord instead of a massive one. 
It lies in the open air,with just a roof above. 

The masterstroke of the sculptor is the back of the statue. It resembles a woman’s behind, indicating that Goddess Parvati has seated Lord Ganesha on her lap. A snake is wrapped around the Lord’s tummy. 

Simply Brilliant! 





Temples on the Hemkuta — Many temples dot the surface of the hills,albeit without any deity. 

Archaeological finds suggest that these temples were dedicated to Lord Shiva. The structures are kinda similar in nature. Some are just 4 pillars supported by a roof, typical to this era. Hampi bazaar stores also look the same type.


Kadalekalu Ganesha - 

It is named as  bengal gram, kadalekalu in kannada, because of its appearance. Lord’s tummy is perfectly rotund. However, some part of it has been broken over time! 

The monolithic idol nests comfortably within the sanctum sanctorum of its dedicated temple. You would be surprised to see the enormous idol, since you wont be expecting something big inside. 

You should sit outside, near the carved pillars and view the surroundings! Ah, Peace! 
Each pillar has various avatars/demigods/idols carved intricately. A guide will explain you everything in detail. 



Virupaksha Temple - The gopuram, traditional doorway of a south indian temple, has mesmerised everyone by casting an inverted shadow. This is due to the pinhole effect of a camera. A small hole which acts as a catalyst, makes this phenomenon possible. It occurs during a specific time of the day. Its unbelievable, our ancestors possessed these kinds of engineering skills!

Lord Shiva is the main deity of the temple, which is functional even today. The view from hemkuta hills, enables you to see all the 3 gopurams in entirety. 

Hampi Bazaar - Situated outside the temple, its an ancient bazaar which featured rows of shops at 2 levels. UNESCO has forbidden any commercial establishment on the vicinity, including vehicle parking. Auto Rickshaws can be hired for Rs.20/- per head till the parking lot. Either ways, you can walk the minimal distance as well. 

Ugra Narsimha Statue — 

This massive structure is carved on a stone pedestal from a single block of stone! Goddess Lakshmi, which is believed to be seated on his lap is no longer attached with the main statue.  
He is called Ugra Narsimha because he appears to be angry. One of the icons of Hampi ruins.

Shivalinga — At the cost of sounding repetitive, i would again say, massive statue of Lord shiva, worshipped in the form of shivalinga. 
It stands adjacent to the narsimha and was constructed by a poor woman,ode to her devotion. The floor of the shivalinga is full of water, rendering it impossible to go and touch it.




The next trail comprises of the Royal Enclosure and Vithhala Temple complex.  

Vitthala Temple Complex - 

The temple features the iconic stone chariot, musical pillars and kalyanamantapa. One half of the temple was constructed by King devaraya and taken forward by his successor king krishnadevaraya. 

Stone chariot now adorns the INR rupee note and is the most popular icon of hampi. The statue of garuda, vehicle of Lord Vishnu is installed within it. The wheels are now stationary but the wear and tear indicates it's usage in early times. 


Home to Lord vitthala, the sanctum sanctorum now stand empty. The idol was shifted to maharashtra apparently by priests when they feared Muslim invaders, long time ago.

Architectural marvel are the musical pillars. Also known as saregama pillars. They emit sounds when tapped. Currently due to undergoing renovation and preservation of the pillars, tapping isn't permitted. 
The musicians used to create melodious sounds for the king's entertainment using them. 

A tourist needs to purchase ticket at the entrance to enter. This ticket gives you entry to royal enclosure as well. Make sure you keep them handy.  

Journey from the parking spot till the temple complex is about 1-1.5 kms.
 You can walk, if you feel up for it otherwise Govt. runs electric buggy services, for nominal fee of Rs.20/- to and fro. Keep your ticket safe for return journey. 









Royal Enclosure -- 

Living quarters of the royalty and public buildings comprise the royal enclosure. 

Queen' s bath -- The King's two wives had access to the bath which features a brilliant drainage system for inflow and outflow for the waters of the Tungabhadra! 

Maybe you will feel let's just check it off the list and visit, that's when it will blow your mind off with the layout. 
The swimming pool area is spacious and in depth. Historians tell us that the surrounding chambers were for the handmaidens to hold the Queen’s clothes instead of keeping them down. 
This acted as their spa treatment centre! 


Lotus Mahal- The stone part of a royal zenana quarter which was primarily constructed out of wood. The rest of it has been burnt away centuries ago. Named as the Lotus Mahal due to its resemblance to the flower, is a confluence of Indo-Muslim architecture. 

One can also see the aqueducts and granary nearby. 

Dasara Dibba — A high stone pedestal which allowed the King to preside over the Dasara celebrations. Intricate carvings are found on the platform. Durbar halls are situated nearby. 

Elephant Stables — The King had more 4000 elephants at his service, out of which only 12 were deemed as Royal Elephants. These stables are located amongst perfectly manicured lawns. If you didn't know they are stables, then you would assume it is one of the royal buildings. 
The mahouts (caretakers) have a special opening inside the stables which makes them walk through the individual spaces. 

Relax and enjoy the atmosphere in these lawns. 


Virupapura Gadde

Termed as “Hippie Island” owing to the high influx of foreigner tourists during favourable season. The place offers cheaper accommodation and quirky cafes. 
If you prefer to drive, it is almost 40 min away from main city. Ferry ( mostly coracles and speed boat) will transfer you in 5-10 minutes, last service being at 5 pm. 

Lord Hanuman’s birthplace is marked with a temple on a steep hill, with approx 200+ steps. 



Shopping in Hampi 

Be prepared to bargain with the shopkeepers, since the charges get higher even for an Indian tourist. Dont even ask the foreigner rates, thou shall faint! 

Bookworms can head to akash art and gallery, situated near virupaksha temple to buy novels and other literatures. Amazing hand made soaps and essential oils are also available. Would highly recommend sandalwood soap for Rs.85/-.

The adjoining street shops sell T shirts, handicrafts, metal statues and junk jewellery. Half of them look rusted and not worth buying. 


Accommodation 

  • Trip Advisor lists many guesthouses at nominal rates. They are either in virupapura gadde or nearby virupaksha temple. They seem convenient for budget happy travellers. The village of kamalapur and nearby areas have decent hotels which are apt for family travels. They look much cleaner and value for money. 


  • I would recommend clarks inn and heritage resort. 


  • Clarks inn is in kamalapur village whereas heritage is 6 kms away from it. 


Heritage Resort
  • Heritage is a quaint, picture-perfect resort with amazing food, staff and rooms. Nominal rates as well. They have their own organic garden and pool villas. Drivers are provided free accommodation and food. 








  • Orange County resorts, now renamed as Evolve Back resorts lies 5-6 further than the village. Stay here for relaxation and enjoying the money’s value. 
    Jal Mahal
    This is luxury redefined. Styled in form of Vijaynagara palace, you feel like royalty, thanks to exemplary service, well anointed rooms and attentive staff.. I can simply write on and on about these resorts, maybe another specific post for it. If money isn't a constraint, book Jalmahal ( Rs.60k for one night)! 


  • Hospet is the nearest town wherein many options are available for every budget. 12-13 kms away. 


  • Alternatively, Hyatt Place is a new hotel within vicinity of Jindal steel plant in toranagallu, 45 min drive away.



How to Reach 


  • Nearest Airport is Bengaluru, 6 hours away. 


  • Good news.. Toranagallu airport starts weekly flights soon. Hyd-Hampi will just be over an hour’s flying time. Further it will be 40 min drive to hampi. 


  • Driving from Gulbarga to Hampi took us almost 7 hours on its smooth roads. Route being Glb-jewargi-shahpur-lingsugur-gangavathi-hampi


  • Driving to Hyderabad will take 7-8 hours. The 4 lane highway connects after you cross mahbubnagar/jadcherla. The route: Hampi- gangavathi-raichur rd-mahbubnagar/jadcherla-shamshabad-Hyd.



Tips 


  • The ideal time to spend in Hampi, according to me, would be 3 days. One day of travelling and rest at night. Next day, visit one section of the ruins and the remaining on the day after. 
  • However if you are on a tight schedule, then you can cover everything in one day also. would take you maximum 6 hours (that’s what my guide suggested initially)!  


  • Its best to start your sight seeing early i.e. before noon, since the Sun is at its best glory and rewards you with litres of sweat and irritation. 


  • Wearing comfortable clothes is highly recommended. Sunscreen is very important to avoid tanning. Sunglasses and hats are optional.


  • Walking shoes/comfortable flat footwear is a must. 


  • Carry your water bottles while sightseeing. The reason being, the commercial shops are far from the places due to the UNESCO heritage tag. Many shopping areas were apparently demolished because of the proximity to the ruins. However, things will be available, just not conveniently. 
  • Hire a guide. 


  • Opt for your own personal transport. 


  • Visit during Oct-Feb, the favourable season.


Heartful thanks to Google for providing me with few pictures,which i couldn't click from my Samsung C9 Pro! 

Thank you for reading!! 

Ping me for any questions/assistance!