Visit Andhra Pradesh

No post would be idealistic to begin on Travel India, than my birthplace. Having born in a town called Eluru in Andhra Pradesh, I always feel that my country has got a lot more to explore and enjoy. Today, as we Indians enjoy the universe as world travellers, we fail to recognise the warmth and beauty of our homeland. This sequence of Travel India, is an additional endeavour to map the charm and beauty of my mother land.
Ma Telugu Talliki Malleypu dhanda
Ma Kanna Talliki Mangalarathulu
I have grown listening to this dedicated song to Telugu goddess. Andhra is a land of chivalry and pageantry, destined with heritage that speaks of immense wealth and wisdom. Temples that speak volumes of the cultural significance of our land. The artistic beauty in the walls of the temple and fortresses, and rhythm of the lyrics of Ramadas, Annamaya and Thyagaraya kirtanas that unwind us from ourselves to a divine happiness.
Tirumala, the abode of Lord Venkateswara that captures the faith of millions across the globe and the ultimate destination of Hinduism. Srikalahasti Vayu lingam, Srisailam Jyothirlingam, Bhadhrachalam Ramalayam, Dwarakatirumala, Thousand pillar temple in Hanumakonda, 2000 year old Jain temple in Kolanpuka, Pancharma, Dharmapuri, stone carvings of Ramappa temple, Vijayawada kannakadurga.... these temples speak about centuries old heritage and rich culture and traditions of Andhra Pradesh. They stand tall as specimens of old Hindu religion. Mecca masjid of Hyderabad is a centre of Muslim culture, which in fact is thronged by many Hindus as well, showing the unity of people and secularist beliefs of the state
Andhra Pradesh called as the food bowl of India, for its rich agricultural products, and diverse landscape, coastal line, wide variety of wild life and natural beauty. Andhra is also world famous for its spicy food habits and is called as Annapoorna which means, the godess of food. Andhra Pradesh is well known for its beautiful language Telugu regarded as the sweetest Indian language, rich literature and vibrant Kuchipudi dance form. Ruins, Palaces, Museums and Ports that speak about the ancient history of Andhra. India's best pelican refuge at Kolleru lake is regarded as the haven for the migrating birds and one of the famous tourist destinations.
Godavari and Krishna are the two major rivers that flow through the heart of Andhra Pradesh, and glad that I was born in the belt where these two rivers tow into a lake called Tamileru. Tungabadra is one another tributary of Krishna that flows in Andhra. Ancient history mentions Andhra as Dakshina Padh and has reference to more than 100 decades old. Gupta dynasty, Maurya, Challukyas, Kakatiyas and the famous Vijayanagar empire ruled ancient Andhra.
The modern Andhrapradesh produces techies and today every household in Andhra has at least one person working abroad. Education and employment opportunities have welcomes people from all other states in Andhra and other parts of the world and merge with ease and understanding. Buddists, Muslim breatheren and hindu traditions co-exist in peace and harmony in the state capital Hyderabad, which is also the destination for the best of software industry in India. Hyderabad with its changed infrastructure and increased facilities had become a most desired destination for world class companies. Sriharikota stands tall with hosting the nuclear sciences of the Nation and also parenting the strength of a nation's security.
For those who want, to have a holiday in peace, the villages of Andhrapradesh are a must see. Sitting at the banks of river krishna, one can see the happiness as the life flows with its rhyme and rythm, transforming you with a magic spell of nature. That's Andhra for me!

Happy Diwali

Diwali is the time of celebration of victory over evil, joy of enjoying the oneness of a country, that raises beyond religions and faiths to celebrate the festival of lights. Diwali is an occasion to unite families and bring in friends together to cherish the happiness of celebrations together.
To me, Diwali reminds me of a nostalgic era that brought with it wonderful memories. The memories of happiness, the memories of having crackers a month ahead, new dresses, lots and lots of sweets and savories, lot of visitors and pujas in the temples. There used to be a competitions on who burst the maximum crackers. The most colourful neighbourhood with Thoranas, rangolies and beautiful girls in half-sarees and young boys trying their first vesties. The charm used to be sharing sweets- most of them home made and the hot and spicy vada and adursam, the one sweet my mom used to make at home...... slowly years went by, changes came in, and city life limited its celebrations to one or two days...Home made sweets replaced the packages came in from Krishna Sweets or Adyar Ananda bhavan- with the same home made taste and the puja ingrediants as well- along with a music cd...the time spent with friends and families slowly started to get replaced by people getting hooked to the special programmes on the TVs..new movies released, the celebrity interviews, and also some programs reminding you of the Diwali purpose and meaning.....when people started to move across the globe, this started becoming an universal festival- White house celebrating Diwali a day ahead...lot of bhajans and puja's organised in the local Hindu temples.. where for that day, people get to be there together in the Indian attire, sings songs together and have food in the communal kitchen, some children tasting Indian sweets first time. The spirit of Diwali do not change, only the way of celebration does.
Wishing all my friends and family a very happy and colourful diwali..let the lights bring in peace, happiness, joy and prosperity. Happy Deepavali!!!