One Day trek to Gudiyam Caves and Poondi Reservoir

Rock shelters of South India and known for pre-historic stone tools and culture. Trek with Rootwalkers. This ancient site situated in Thiruvallur district near Poondi reservoir. It is 60 kilometers away from Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

Gudiyam Caves Chennai transports you literally to a bygone era...

Looking for a day's trip out of Chennai and a journey into wilderness? Well then, Gudiyam Caves (about 60 km from the city) located in Thiruvallur District is a great bet. A place that's said to be used by Paleolithic man, just getting to the caves is an experience to savour.

There are several reasons why this is a must-visit if you're from Chennai. One, it gives you a chance to catch a flavour of rural life, combined with all of nature's beautiful elements. The trek to reach the caves, about five kilometres from the Gudiyam village, is an exciting one that will leave you wanting for more. If you're lucky, you'll be able to spot some rare birds on the picturesque route to this place.

The trek can be quite exhausting, thanks to the rugged road, but it can also be exciting due to the overgrowth of plant life in the side of the path. At some places, the plant life is so overgrown that you might have to crawl under it and at some other places, they form a neat canopy over your head, offering you some much-needed shade.

Once you reach the caves, savour the hugeness of the structure and the several bee-hives in the vicinity. For those who wish to catch a glimpse of the local tradition, a visit to the small temple (more like a sannadhi) situated at the caves is a must.

The trip to Gudiyam and back can be quite interesting otherwise as well; for you'll pass through Poondi reservoir on the way. This place is quite a sight to behold, especially in the evenings when the sun is about to set.


How to get there
- If you're going by car or private bus (the best option), start early in the morning and take the road to Poonamallee. Have your breakfast and pack some stuff to eat/drink there, for after that, shops are quite sparse in number.
- From there, head to Poondi reservoir.
- Equire with locals about the route to Gudiyam village and get set for an adventurous and picturesque countryside. At the end of the Gudiyam village, you'll spot a tall watch tower. Do inform the guard on duty there about your trek before you embark on it as the route could be unsafe at times. To be on the safer side, you could also check with the local authorities/achaeological department a few days in advance and inform them about your plans.

What to carry
- Loads and loads of water and anything that'll quench your thirst. While it's true that summer is the best time to go for this trek, (for, if you get caught in the rain during the trek, there's no respite) it's also that time of the year when the sun beats down mercilessly.
- A variety of eatables, as post Poondi, there're very little food options available.
- Spare footwear. Avoid shoes as there could be puddles on the way, but ensure you choose some sturdy footwear.

#ClickArtMuseum Chennai - A Fun Trick visit in Chennai -celebrate the child in you

It was a lazy Saturday afternoon, when my daughter and I wanted a day out for ourselves and then we gathered another set of mother and sons and drove down on the ECR Road, in Chennai towards VGP Golden beach.

Adjacent to the Golden beach is the VGP Snow Kingdom and inside this snow kingdom is India's first Trick Art Museum ...and the admission fee is Rs 150 per head.   It is worth for the amazing art and the way the whole museum is displayed though it is small in size and lacks air conditioning.   what matters once you reach there is the amazing work of art and the way you can start clicking pictures playing like a child wanting to pose more and more with each work of art.

Weekends usually get crowded and especially works well with teens who come in big groups.   So make it on a weekday for a free time to take all pictures of your choice and then if you want, you can spend time and money in the snow world as well.   This particular museum has limited art pieces but amazing one's and carry a good camera will add to your advantage with good friends to pose with you.   Here are the few pictures, we have taken.

A Visit to Prathyangira Devi Temple, Shollinganallur

Sri Maha Prathyangira Devi Temple is located in the area of Sholinganallur, Chennai, India, adjacent to the beach of Bay of Bengal. The Temple sits on the banks of the Buckingham Canal. This is a magnificent temple built for Goddess Prathyangira, in her incarnation of Shri Maha Prathyangira Devi. She is considered to be a powerful repellent of the influences generated by witchcraft, and is said to have the power to punish Adharma. This is one of the few temples of Prathyangira and the only temple for Shri Maha Prathyangira Devi, the Shanta form.   Sri Prathyangira Devi is also associated with Sri Chakra. In Sri Chakra worship, she protects the devotees against all odds and guides him/her along the righteous path.

Location:
The temple is located close to the junction and halfway down the link road of East Coast Road and Old Mahabalipuram Road.

Few glimpses of the beautiful temple and its abode of Gods & Goddesses.

Few Mantras

 “Sarabeshan Rekkaiyaal Vandhavale Potri, Seeriya Simha mugam etravale Potri, Narasimhan Ugiram Thaniththavale Potri, Engal Annai Sri Prathyangira Potri”.
“Val Vinaigal Yaavaiyume Theerpavale Potri, Engal Annai Sri Prathyangira Potri”
Bhairavar Manam Niraindhai Potri
Ashta Nagam Konda Kali Thirisuli

Mantram chanted in Sri Maha Prathyangira Homam:

Om Ksham Krishna Vasase, Simha Vadhane, Maha Vadhane,
Maha Bhairavi, Sarva Shatru Karma Vidhdwamsini,
Paramanthra Chetini, Sarva Bhootha Dhamani,
Sarva Bhoothaam Pandha Pandha, Sarva Vignyaan Sindhi Sindhi,
Sarva Vyadhir Nikrindha Nikrindha, Sarva Dhushtaan Paksha Paksha,
Jwala Jihwe, Karaala Vakhtre, Karaala Dhamshtrey,
Prathyangire Hreem Swaaha.

Slokam – 1

Aparaajithaayaicha Vidhmahe
Shatru Nishoodhinyaicha Theemahi
Thanno Prathyangirayai Prachodhayaath :

Slokam – 2

Ugram Veeram Maha Shakthim
Jwalantham Sarvathomukham
Prathyangira Bheeshanam Pathram
Mrityum Mrithyum Namaamyaham

Slokam – 3

Amma Prathyangira, Devi Prathyangira
Sathyam Prathyangira, Sarvam Prathyangira
Shozinganalluril Vaazhum Prathyangira
Valvinaigal Theerkum Annaiye Prathyangira

Sri Prathyangira Gayatri Mantra:

Om Aparajeethaya Vidhmahey
Pratyangiraya Dheemahi
Thano Ugra Prachodhayaath…
Om Pratayangiraya Vidhmahey
Sathrunisoothiniya Dheemahi
Thano Devi Prajothayaath

For those who find this difficult, just chant “Jay Prathyangira, Jaya Jaya Prathyangira” as much as you can,   May the goddess shower her blessings on all of you and bring in peace, prosperity, happiness and good health and healing to your homes.  

 

This or that...what ever it is !!!

Chains that bound us

need not be stronger or tighter

they are just too mental

than being any where physical

we are made what we think

perceptions matter a lot

we are glad if we could smile

even in painful slot

but take it in stride in mile

Days are longer

and nights much shorter

sleep is what we crave for

hunger prangs nowhere near

mind is mixed with a blur

unknown hidden simple fear

time to wake up the strength within

letting the ghosts fade away

time to stand up again 

nothing to hold you upon

body is becoming frail and weak

yet, the mind to enrich and awake

making my head think unthinkable

capturing the unseen enemy within

the fear of failure

the fear of frustration 

the fear of being forgotten

the fear of being unfriended

Believe in yourself

to feel a bit better than yesterday

waking up with a smile

to take that one extra simple mile

Trust tomorrow is better

than today and past

This or That, what ever it is 

The Hope is what makes life better

The faith is what it takes forward

The dawn to dusk effort

The sincere thought from heart

one  soul, one mind

one heart, one body

sync for the better you

Just the way it need to be

A New You! Just You!

Arise, awake and shine

Think Positive to be fine!

 

 

Tribute to Thangatalavi J. Jayalalithaa..

A grieve stricken, despondent, mournful, downcast morning as we mourn, bemoan ,lament the untimely demise of most revered, respected Chief Minister of our Tamil Nadu , Madam Jayalalitha!

TN Chief Minister Selvi J Jayalalithaa 1948-2016

 Friends as the proverbial saying goes ' beauty & brains do not always go together! ' Definitely untrue in Ms Jayalalitha' s case! Ms Jayalaltha was a beautiful woman, a charming smart actress with a great fan following even as an actress AND she was also a highly cultured, educated ,efficient woman, a quick learner with good grasp of men and matters, she was a leader among leaders , a dynamic ,articulate ,charismatic personality who toiled hard , strained every nerve to make Tamil Nadu progress with growth in all spheres ,especially she worked hard for the welfare of the poor and the downtrodden like her mentor MGR !

A linguist proficient in all south Indian languages apart from English and Hindi! As CM, Her string of populist welfare initiatives like Amma Canteen, Amma Salt, Amma water , Amma laptops, Amma Cycles , ,cradle welfare scheme, All women police stations, rain water harvesting,houses ,goats, grinders,new Veeranam scheme etc that have been very successful and hailed by all bear testimony to her success, real concern for the poorest of the poor and others!

As Chief Minister and as head of her party AIADMK, she ruled with an iron hand ! A strong disciplinarian , a level headed leader! Throughout her tenure as super numero uno of her party there was never a voice of dissent in her party ! Party cadres and leaders alike worshipped her, she was their Goddess, God sent messenger to alleviate, nurture better their standard of living! She was the Messiah of the masses ! She held the party together commanding total loyalty , respect, of the cadre even when not in power! A strong willed , fire brand leader who never took failures as set backs! always fought back with resilience,fortitude and self belief and ascended the CM throne 5 times! Amazing, for Ms Jayalalitha Jayaram, a Brahmin that too a woman and a firm believer in God to become and be a Chief Minister of passionate state like Tamil Nadu with deep rooted Dravidian cultural background is no mean achievement, it is just remarkable! She did it with tenacity. her fiery brand of politics unhindered ,unperturbed throughout her chequered career marked with very highs and few lows too !

 She strode like a colossus! she was unmindful of her rare failures, snubbed, kept her adversaries under leash, never allowing them to raise their head ! Dynamic Revolutionary leader Jayalalitha hogged the limelight ,occupied centre stage ,was the cynosure of all eyes whether in power or not! Her rigid stance, no nonsense attitude, tough nature, clarity of thought, decisive actions, firm rule, welfare measures endeared the mass to her! If MGR was the God, his protege Madam Jayalalitha was the Goddess ,the Shakthi, the Rajmatha more popularly ,fondly addressed,called as " Amma "!

Mother' s love is always pristine ,pure ,most unselfish , endearing of all our attachments ,human bondages ,is not it? She was the eternal "_Amma" the doting, caring,the benevolent mother for all! Amazing woman of substance, a quick learner, a voracious reader, a self taught scholar, a statesman par excellent, in personal life , a spinster , a loner whose family is people of Tamil Nadu as she proudly, poignantly used to declare time and again! Leaders may come,leaders may go! Very few make lasting ,salutary impact ! needless to say Jayalaltha was one among them! Ms Jayalalitha was held in awe, commanded greatest respect !

A disciplinarian , a true and most successful AIADMK leader who increased the mass support, mass base of her party manifold after MGR ! She was the pupil who surpassed her teacher MGR , in due course, as she emerged spectacularly from the shadows of her Master MGR whom she hero- worshipped ! she held an iconic identity , a strong connect with the mass especially womenfolk! Her death has left a big vacuum! A void , a breach which can't be cemented that easily! She was an embodiment of women's empowerment! Friends , we all are mortals! Very few like புரட்சித் தலைவி அம்மா ,attain immortality! "The life given us by nature is short, but the memory of well spent life is eternal!- Marcus Cicero, no doubt our people's CM leaves behind glorious memories ! with eyes shut, hands folded and prayers in my lips. i join you all and multitude of our Tamilians in paying homage to her noble soul! God bless you all...In words of Artist doyen Ramesh Krishnamoorthy.

Arise every time I fall....

Things around me are all good

some evil, some troublesome, some odds

Is it not the routine of life

to have its tantrums of ups and downs?

Despite the sluggish pull backs

and the monsters of the thoughts

we try to hug to the pillows 

and try to get the best of sleep

Awaking the next day

facing the sunshine and its warmth

we decide nothing, but to move on

from the frightful nightmares

letting the shadows of life fall behind

Never to give up and never to surrender

Just wishing to rise against the odds

Yes,

It is the vibe of life that makes us go

forward towards the happy days again

what ever may be the troubles on our way

close your eyes and whisper that all will be well

take a deep breath and calm down a while

Just like the autumn leaves that fall

they will melt along the snow

after every fall and every calm fears

there is a sunshine waiting by your window

All you need is to feel the good

think that good things come back

stay strong both inwards and outside

and smile at yourself in the mirror and say

Yes,

I am back to be happy ever again

No matter what the trouble my life gives

I have all reasons to raise with sun shine

brighten up not just my life 

but of those around!

I will smile, to make people smile back

I will run, the small steps I can

I will walk, those miles of life

may it be for good health, good life

all for the people who are looking for hope

for those who are far less privileged

for those who forget that life is to live!

Yes,

Arise every time I fall

There is no stopping wall

I will walk ahead 

roar in laughter and cry in despair

But I will learn to move on

for life has more to give

I know to rejoice and forgive

I will let life give its fullest

Only Hope not to forget!

 

 

How my life changed since I started writing/blogging?

I write because I love to scribble.   I used to scribble tiny things of life in the form that was close to my heart.  Lyrics.   I never knew they were lyrics unless once friend recognized the rhythm in the lines.  When I felt I can share my anger with no one, I knew where to go...to the back pages of my school books...that's where I first started to write.  When ever I was happy, I used to write lines that expressed my joy and happiness in the form of small jingles and poems.   Sooner this became a habit.  My solace.  My destination when I want to shut myself from the outside world.   Later, what started as a practice to rejoice within, became a passion to share with everyone.   Sooner, this practice became from no where to everywhere.

When my first few articles got published in the school magazine, especially the one that gave me the first adrenaline in life when I wrote an essay in school where I won a prize and placeholder in school magazine, my happiness knew no bounds.  That popularity was so gratifying that the gravity of those appreciations stuck my chords of writing for ever.   I wrote several poems, many of them not worthy publishing for they are my inner murmurings.  I wrote several short stories, few found readers among my friends, many of them lost over the time.   Thankfully, the habit of diary writing preserved many of my tiny poems that I used to write.   Finally I found an online portal where I can preserve them digitally and for reference going forward.  But the conversion from traditional to digital was an experience in itself.  I felt so tempted to correct them and many to write again.  But I did not want to buy in for the temptation for I wanted them to remain raw and real.  The way they were written.  It is like a kid in a bucket in the bathroom snaps where each one of us find it amusing and at the same time want to hide it from everyone as we grow old.    Not many of us would love to share such musings of life.   Despite of this consciousness, I left them remain open.  The way they were written.  In its original purest form. 

Over the years, I must have improved in the way I wrote things.  From the mere jottings in the diaries to the form of simple amateur poems, I started to things twice before I wrote.   From Poetry.com to Poem hunter, and the subsequent recognition I started getting for what I wrote personally made me become a conscious writer for some years.  But that did not remain constant.  My urge to be what I am overtook the way I wrote for the outside world.  I write for myself and others as well. But what I write for myself is more meaningful, real and its a 'me' thing.    Whenever I forced myself to write for someone and put in my conscious efforts, I struggled to give the best piece of work.  But when I enjoy writing what is close to my heart, I didn't care of the outcomes and what mattered to me the most is the joy of writing.    During the award ceremony in 2005 when I got the 'Star in Focus' award in ABN AMRO, that people asked me about my blog.   Till that day, I did not have a thought about having one.  My diaries meant the writing world to me.   It was in 2008, I started my  blog.  For couple of days,  I kept thinking about the name for my blog.  Later, I decided I am going to write on my own name.   It is not about who will like it.  It is about how close I feel my relationship with my blog.  

Today after 8 years, when I look back at my blog, I find it is interesting, multi-focused, and to my own happiness.   I got thousands of readers and hundreds of posts and poems written in my blog.  I crossed 500 posts and several thousands of readers and 48 wonderful followers.   The statistics just make it meaningful in its own way.   I am recognized as a writer, a poet and a blogger.   That recognition is no less wonderful than to the one I received in the school nearly 30 years ago.   The spirit of blogging keeps me going.  I made friends and fans on the way.  I also received wonderful worst criticisms as comments and I accepted both in good faith.   If I don't appreciate my critics, I am not going in the right direction.   I want both positive and negative feedback to understand my shortcomings and success as a writer or a blogger.   

My blog opened me up largely to the outer world.  My friends appreciated and few closed one's warned me to stop being a open book.  But as long as my life inspires someone, I don't have an issue.   As long as I don't hurt someone close in life, don't write anything insulting or hurting anyone's sentiments and as long as I keep touching lives of people around, I will write.  I wrote my dreams, I expressed my anger,  I shared my fears,  I shared my happiness and successes,  overcome failures, and my blog became my destination to unwind myself.    It helped me understand myself and my own world.   My small world, my family and my life.   Blogging became my solace, my happiness and my destination when I want to fret and make a hue and cry.   I will not be able to quit this sooner or later, for this is a strong addiction.   A cool addiction.  A Happy One.   Thank you for reading this!

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This blog post is written as an entry for the 'The Chennai Bloggers Club'  Anniversary contest partner with www.sweek.com   #Sweek.com  #Chennaibloggersclub #CBCContests  #UmasreeRaghunath