Isha Foundation - Coimbatore

Isha Foundation. 21-23 Dec 2018

Coimbatore. TN

Some pictures; https://www.flickr.com/photos/drprithviraval/albums

My friend Ganesh and I made a quick trip to Coimbatore, to visit the Adiyogi statue at the located at the Isha Foundation. We left at 6.30 am (21) went via Kollegal and reached Coimbatore by 3.30 pm.   On the recommendation of another friend Srinivas Babu, we stopped at Kollegal-‘Thippaiah Setty Hotel’, passing though narrow roads in Kollegal.  But with BMW and other bikers there gave us the hope that we were at the right place.  “Motor Dosa” was the special, enjoyed with butter. Friendly people, neat and clean.

The Dhingam Ghats which are a part of the Western Ghats are beautiful, with steep, acute bends. The trucks take away a lot of space on the narrow road.

We stayed at the RS Puram club which was getting ready for the New Year 2019. It was full. Next day we visited the Isha foundation, and there is a lot of writing on the Wiki for information.  It is a huge echo-friendly place using natural resources, with courteous volunteers. A bullock cart ride to the Lingha’s ‘behind the statue’ had its own ambience. Peaceful, and quite, in this much talkative world !

We also took a nostalgic picture in front of Ganesh ancestral house when I learnt later that he and his wife Jayalakshmi studied and grew up at Coimbatore.   We had dinner at Ganesh’s friend’s hotel, “Annalaksmi’ which was authentic, exquisite and special.  On 23^rd morning, we left for Bangalore at 6.30 am came via the Erode -Salem route.  We were back home by 2.15 PM.

My Odo showed 780 Kms

Shirdi Motorcycle Trip

Diwali Time

6^th Nov to 10^th Nov 2018                                

Very few pictures captured, at:   

https://www.flickr.com/photos/drprithviraval/albums/72157673430402047

 Taking the advantage of Deepavali holidays I left on Naraka Chathrudasi, November 6^th morning at 6.30 am. to Shirdi (Maharashtra). It was almost 15 years since I had been there.  My motorcycle trip was overdue !  This is 100^th anniversary of Baba’s death.  I took a total of 4 days I did about 2114 Kms as per the GPS. I have marked the overnight stays.  My odometer says: 2118 km.  The Sunset before Vijayapura on the river Krishna was very good. The 3 Kms Korthi – Kohalar bridge was vibrating as trucks passed by when I took the picture.

Shirdi was less crowded because of Diwali; I was able to get in a couple of times.  I was mentally reminded of Sai Baba’s statement “Sabka Malik EkHai”.  I wish this is something we could follow instead of dividing people.  On Friday 9^th Nov I was in Kolhapur, and went to see the old temple of “Mahalaksmi’, built first in the 7th century.

I avoided going thru’ Pune due to excessive traffic and finding the route could be been tough. Came via Temburni to a Satara & Karad.  The rural roads are tough and many times single lane.  But you can see abundance of Sugarcane crop all around. I came across “PitStop’ a pure veg restaurant, run by the local Sardarji family of farmers.  The food was delicious and well presented at a much needed pit stop.

* = overnight halt

Sl. No	Start	Arrive	Distance - Kms
1	Bangalore	Hubli	408
2	Hubli	Vijayapura  *	196
3	Vijayapura	Sholapur	99
4	Solapur	Ahmednagar	231
5	Ahmednagar	Shirdi         *	86  =   (1020)
6	Shirdi	Ahmednagar	86
7	Ahmednagar	Temburni	142
8	Temburni	Karad         *	172
8	Karad	Kolhapur	75
9	Kolhapur	Hubli          *	207
10	Hubli	Bangalore	412  = (1094)
			2114 Kms.  Total

41 Km / litre: Mileage 220 Bajaj Avenger 

Gudimallam Trip, AP

25 – 26 Jan 2018

Some pictures at

https://www.flickr.com/photos/drprithviraval/albums/72157691950434294

Two IFMR Jackets were seen riding to an archaeological temple town, about 20 Kms South East of Tirupati.  It is the first Shivalay in India and referred to as ‘Sri Parusuramaeswara Swamy Devasthanam” (temple). Ganesh Swaminathan and myself had a great time.

The temple in Gudimallam is a 2600 year old world renowned an­cient temple located on the banks of River Swarna Mukhi. The temple ornate the elegance in single-stone (Eka-Sila) statue which portrays " Thri-Murthies" -'Lord Brahma' in Yaksha Roopam, 'Lord Vishnu' in Parasurama Avataram And 'Lord Shiva' in Purusha Linga akaaram This not common.

The magnificence of the temple lies in the struc­ture of Sanctum Sanctorum and the Gopuram, built in the shapes of 'Shiva Lingam' and 'Gaja Pushti' respec­tively. The Main Deity of the Temple is located 6.0" be­low the ground level, as such the village is termed as 'Gudipallam' and later on, by passage of time, it be­came 'Gudimallam'.  The Nandi is at the height of Shiva, rest of the 'vigrahas' is below the ground level.

It is believed that once in 60-years the waters of River Swarnamukhi touches the Main Deity. Innumer­able pilgrims witnessed the happening, in the re­cent past, on 4th of December, 2005.

The Most Incredible occurrence in the Temple is that the Sun takes the blessings of the Main Deity by focusing his rays on Lord's feet during the transition from Northerly-path (Utharayanam) to Southerly­ path (Dakshinayanam).  The premise of the Temple is fortified with Sri AndavalI (Parvathi Matha), Sri Valli Devasena­Subramnay Swamy, Lord Surya Bhagawan Temples.

The Temple is believed famous for fulfilling the healthful wishes of the innumerable devotees are visiting the temple and privileged with the blessings of the Lord, Parasurameswara Swamy.

(Except for health, I had nothing to wish for !!)

Directions:

Google map will help. It is (via) Papanaidupeta, Yerpedu Mandalam, Chittoor Dist. - 517 526, A.P. Tirupati to Gudimallam - 20 Kms

Total Odo on my bike = 560 Kms

Fuel                                 =  39.8 / Km litre

Time taken each way   = 6 hours, with breaks

Srisailam visit on Janmastmi Day

Srisailam: 12-15 Aug 2017

Some pictures at https://www.flickr.com/photos/drprithviraval/albums/72157685208314920

‘Indira - the rain god’ was with me on this trip to Srisailam, AP.  When it poured everywhere including Bangalore, I did not face a drizzle on this Janmashtmi - Independence day trip !

(As per my prayer!!)

Left Bangalore on Saturday 12th morning by 9 am after breakfast and was at Kurnool by 3 pm (371 KM). Saw the Konda Reddy Fort, Baba Mandir and walked around town. Next day left to Srisailam. The Ghat road is lovely going through the forests. Took me 4 and half hours for the 185 KM trip.

Srisailam was full of people, to the brim and there is no other private accommodation available there.  I was lucky to get a dormitory, which was a nice experience. Had not slept in one, since the YMCA school days!  Could see the Krishna River from a distance.  People at the temple town were really enjoying themselves. The Srisailam temple is the abode of one of the 12 Jyothirlinga’s.

Janmashtmi evening was at Puttaparthi. Young college girl students did a play on ‘Meera Bai’ which was exceptional. Left on Tue 15^th morning by 11 am and was home by 2 pm.

In the evening it rained like hell !

Total distance 1125 KMs:

Bangalore > Kurnool > Srisailam > (556 Kms)

Kurnool > Ananthapur > Dharmavaram > Puttaparthi  > Bangalore (569 Kms)

Avenger motorcycle about 39 Kms / litre.  Underlined = Overnight stay

History Srisailam:

The earliest known historical mention of the Hill-Srisailam can be traced in Pulumavi’s Nasik inscription of 2nd Century A.D. Malla Satakarani, an early member of he Satavahanas got his name after ‘Mallanna’ the deity on this sacred hill.

The Vishnukundis (AD 375-612) were the devotees of God Sriparvatha Swamy who was none other than Mallikarjuna Swamy, the presiding deity of Srisaila Kshetram. The Telagunda inscription of Kadamba Santi Varma proves that the Srisailam region was originally included in the Pallava Kingdom (AD 248-575) and subsequently formed the first independent principality of Kadambas (AD 340-450).

The period of Reddi Kings (AD 1325-1448) is the Golden Age of Srisailam that almost all rulers of this dynasty did celebrated service for the temple. Prolaya Vema Reddy, the Reddi King constructedstepped path way to Srisailam and also Pathalaganga.

In the year 1674 AD Chatrapathi Sivaji the great Maratha King visited Srisailam, restored the festivals of the temple under protection of his officers and taken up some renovations. According to tradition the north gopuram of the temple was caused by him.
Later the Moghal Emperors conqured this region and this place was given as Jagir to Nawabs of Kurnool. After the fall of Moghal Emperors this place came under the control of Nizam of Hyderabad. When the Nizam cede the Kurnool District to the British East India Company in 1800 AD, Major Manro took procession of the District and entrusted the management to the authorities of the District Court.
In 1929 a committee was constituted by the British Government for the management of the temple.  In 1949 the temple came under the control of Endowments Department and attained its past glory after it was opened by the road during the year 1956.