Our visit to Rashtrapati Nilayam, Bolarum, Secunderabad.

Though it is five years since Rashtrapati Nilayam is open to public for a week, immediately after the sojourn of the President, we could go there only today, Saturday, 18th July 2015. We heard and read about it many times before and today we could witness it in its entire splendor and enjoyed our trip as you can see in the above video.

The President normally visits this residence in winter and conducts official business from here. But this year he has come in July. This is his Southern sojourn, a 98 acre estate, with well furnished rooms and buildings, beautiful landscaping, ornamental lawns, floral gardens, fountains, plenty of wild and fruit bearing trees, a herbal garden and now a Nakshatra Vatika. In the main single storeyed President’s Wing, where the President resides there is a grand  Darbar Hall, Morning room, Cinema Hall, Dining room, Dining Hall and another seven living rooms/suites, all connected by a grand corridor which you can see in the above video. The adjacent buildings are the Family Wing and the ADC Wing. The dining hall in the President’s wing is connected to a distantly located Kitchen through an underground tunnel!

These buildings and the estate was constructed by Nizam Nazir-ud-Dowla, the ruler of Hyderabad in 1860 for his recreation. It was later, on the request of the British Army handed over to the British Resident and began to be called as Residency House. After the annexation of Hyderabad State in 1948 by the Indian Government, this estate was bought by the Central Government and it began to serve as the President’s annual retreat in the South.

It is definitely a place to see, more as a lovely, huge and interesting garden and of course as it is a residence of our President. Tomorrow is the last day for visiting, if you cannot make it this time, watch out and don’t miss the next time it is open.

Godavari Pushkaralu – 2015.

River Godavari Pushkaralu, a great river festival started on 14th July 2015 and will end after 12 days on 25th July. This celebration which occurs once every 12 years is of greater significance this time as it happens to be Maha Pushkaralu or Maha Kumbhamela of Godavari which occurs only once in 144 years. During Pushkaralu countless people will be taking holy dips and bathing in River Godavari, worship the River, offer rituals to their departed family members to express gratitude and seek their blessings. This 12 days event is being organized by the Telangana State Government in an elaborate and grand scale all along the course of River Godavari in the State, especially along the banks of Temple towns like Basara, Dharmapuri, Kaleshwaram and Bhadrachalam. Though there is a strong desire in me to attend Pushkaralu at Bhadrachalam, I am yet to firm up my travel plans.

Now for those of you who do not know of this age old tradition and celebration of Pushkaralu, here are the details:

Pushkara means Lotus, Sanctified water, Swan, Sword and Sky. In Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam we find a reference to the word Pushkara where Lord Maha Vishnu is referred to as Pushkaraakshah meaning the one who has Lotus like eyes, the one who provides nourishment to the entire Universe and the one who is always present in sacred Theerthas – Holy Rivers. The name Pushkara is related to Rivers. In Sanskrit Pushti means nourishment and Kara means one who does it and hence Pushkara means the energy that nourishes. And with reference to the sacred Rivers, Pushkara means the one who energizes the Rivers and provides spiritual purification. The water ponds/tanks at Temples are called Pushkarini.

The legend behind Pushkaralu is based on Pushkara the son of Lord Varuna - the Rain God and presiding deity of all the Rivers. It is said that Pushkara prayed Lord Brahma and asked him for a boon to reside in the sacred waters of his Kamandalam (an oblong water pot with handle)…in the sanctified water in it, that has emerged out from the foot of Lord Sri Maha Vishnu, and the boon was granted and he began to live there. And then Pushkara performed penance to Lord Shiva and acquired the boon of Jala Tattva Siddhi. And by virtue of these two boons from Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva, Pushkara became the King of all Theerathas – Holy Rivers and was regarded as Theerthapalaka.

Pushkara also indicates the 12 years time factor in Vedic terms. Pushkara or Pushkaram is a festival of a particular River celebrated once in twelve years based on the transit of Jupiter (Brihaspathi) in the Zodiac. At the time when Pushkara acquired the boons, Brihaspathi the Devaguru also performed penance and pleased Lord Brahma. Looking at the perpetual sacredness of Pushkara, Brihaspathi wanted Lord Brahma to spare Pushkara to be with him permanently. But Pushkara was not prepared to go along with Brihaspathi. Then Lord Brahma resolved the situation by asking Pushkara to be associated with Brihaspathi for 12 days in the beginning and 12 days at the end of his sojourn in a particular Raasi (house) in the Zodiac, the transit of which generally happens once in a year. Accordingly, Twelve Sacred Rivers have been identified in which Pushkara enters each River once in twelve years coinciding with the transit period of Jupiter in twelve Zodiac signs.

Astrologically Brihaspathi the Devaguru is the most benevolent planet symbolizing wealth, fortune, learning, knowledge, divinity, progeny, domestic peace, auspiciousness and above all the reason (Karaka) for the occurrence of Pushkaram. Entry of Pushkara into a particular River signifies the Pushkara festival when all the Brahmaadhi Devatas, all the Sages, all the Pitru Devathas, all the Theerthas in this Bhoomandala (our planet) including Ganga enters into that particular River along with Brihaspathi and Pushkara. This period of their entry into a particular River is considered as highly sacred and celestial that has the power to diminish the ghastly and dreadful sins committed by people. Having Darshanam, taking bath, touching Pushkara waters, drinking the sacred waters of Pushkara is considered to be highly meritorious and soul cleansing. It is considered to be the most sacred time to perform rites to departed parents and forefathers on the banks of Pushkara River that will help them to attain salvation.

Pushkara schedule starts with River Ganga when Brihaspathi enters into Mesha Raasi which is the first sign in the Zodiac. Pushkara schedule for a particular river will be for one year, however the first twelve days known as Aadhi Pushkara and the last twelve days known as Anthya Pushkara are held to be highly sacred. At the top of this article you can see the list of the 12 Holy Rivers and the order in which their Pushkaralu are observed.

Our ancient seers have prescribed certain rituals to be observed during Pushkaralu, known as Pushkara Vidhi. Most important of these rituals are Pushkara Snanam (Taking bath in the River), Pushkara Vaasa (staying by the river), Pushkara Darshanam (worshipping the River), Siro Mundana (tonsure), Pushkara Pithru Karma – a ritual to be performed on the banks of the River for the departed parents, forefathers and other family members. This is to express our gratitude to them and seek their blessings. And finally Pushakara Dhaanam, that is offering of food, money and charity in any form, to Brahmins and the poor.

Travel in comfort…live the life that people write novels about.

Official traveling however comfortable the journey and the stay may be are rather stressful due to the demands of work and desired end results. But traveling with the family on a relaxation or sightseeing vacation or a pilgrimage is an opportunity to be with the family all the time and enjoy, and to be disconnected from our regular job oriented life. We get to forget our routine chores, jobs and problems for the entire period of the vacation. When we come back, we feel invigorated and we are happy to be back in our day to day routine.

New knowledge and new experiences by visiting beautiful places and historical sites and tasting local and exotic foods would be exciting. With proper planning, the entire vacation can be made very comfortable, enjoyable and memorable, as beautiful as descriptions in travel stories and novels. Our vacation photos and videos would assist us even after several years in reliving those happy moments and sharing our happy experiences with family and friends. And for me as a blogger I reach out to my dear ones, my followers and the interested world audience with my travel related posts. In this context I present here a video on peaceful and comfortable train travel: 

I Wish ‘Telanganaku Harithahaaram Program’ All Success.

Today – 3/July/2015, our Telangana State launched a massive program to plant 230 Crore saplings, statewide over the next three years. The program was launched by the State Chief Minister at the Temple Town of Chilukuru, close to Hyderabad, at 3 pm today. The goal is to plant 40 thousand saplings in every village and 40 Lakh saplings in every assembly constituency per year. This is to increase the Tree Cover in the State from 24 percent to 33 percent of its geographical area.

The Government shall supply saplings and seeds to farmers and individuals to grow trees along their farms and houses. And through various departments of the Government it would monitor and plant saplings and rejuvenate forests, grow trees in wastelands and along roads, ponds and so on. It is also taking every measure to nurture and protect these plantations.

This program is called ‘Telanganaku Harithahaaram’ which means ‘Green Garland to Telangana’. I wish this ongoing program will be a big success and bring about all the benefits that the marvelous trees are capable of.

Some of the many slogans the Government is bringing forward to educate the common men about this program are as follows:

Come…Let’s plant and protect trees. Let us make our Telangana a beautiful Green State.

Let’s participate in the Green Movement.

From the day of birth to the final departure, the only link that is inseparable is the bond with trees and nature.

Growing trees is imperative for preserving our environment and to maintain ecological balance.

Let us plant trees in our surroundings and wherever there is open space.

More Forests – More Rainfall.

Telangana State Harithahaaram Program Complete Details - as per Government Info:

National Forest Policy envisages having a minimum of 33% of the total geographical area under forest / tree cover to maintain environmental stability and ecological balance which are vital for sustenance of all life-forms, human, animal and plants.

In Telangana State, forest area is 24 percent of the total geographical area.

The State Government has initiated a flagship program, “Telanganaku Harithahaaram” for taking massive afforestation activities to increase the green cover of the state to the desired level of 33% of the total geographical area.

The goal of 33% tree cover is sought to be achieved by protecting and rejuvenating the existing forests, taking massive plantation programs outside forest areas under Social Forestry and Peoples’ Movement

initiatives in Forest Areas.

The major thrust in forest areas will be given to:

Forest Protection – against smuggling, fire, encroachment, grazing, poaching etc.

Afforestation – Raising plantation in blank and open forests.

Rejuvenating degraded forests by coppicing, singling and other silviculture interventions.

Taking large scale Soil and Moisture Conservation works.

Encouraging plantation activities in RoFR areas (Recognition of Forest Rights areas).

Initiatives Outside Forest Areas.

The major thrust outside forest areas will be for raising:

Avenue plantation – Preferably in multiple rows – along the National and State Highways apart from Rural roads.

Institutional plantations – All government and private institutions to be covered.

Barren Hill afforestation.

Tank foreshore plantations.

River bank and rivulets plantations.

Homestead & Industrial areas.

Agro forestry – farmers should be encouraged to adopt various models of agro forestry for increased income levels and economic security.

Creation of Smrithi vanams.

Planting in Urban Residential colonies.

Action Plan:

For three years (Rs. 800 Crs/yr)

Target : 230 Crore plants

Forest Areas : 100 Crore Plants

Non Forest Areas: 120 Crore Plants

HMDA : 10 Crore Plants

(40 lakh Seedlings per Assembly Consitutency)

A detailed exercise for identification of nurseries and the sites available for raising plantations have been undertaken.

3300 number of nurseries for raising 41.00 Crore (approx.) seedlings for 2015 planting has been identified in the state.

Nurseries will be raised by various agencies involved, Forest Department, DWMA, Agriculture, Horticulture, Tribal Welfare etc.

Further, action is being taken by the implementing agencies for procurement of polythene bags and seeds for grounding the nurseries.

Concerned about the celebrations in Hyderabad, as Cash-for-Vote accused are released on bail.

HYDERABAD TODAY:

Great News from Hyderabad!

Efforts in full-swing to end corruption and punish criminals!

Three cheers for our Wisest Systems!

And what should I say to those bursting crackers and dancing on this issue?

May be just; GOD SAVE OUR COUNTRY!

Thanks to our Wisest Systems!

Some wise men of Hyderabad!

Are dancing with banners in hands!

As criminally charged are released!

Though temporarily; How Great!

Truly, will all this make our Country Great!!

This reminds me of my School days! And it may rekindle your School memories!!

It is forty-six years since I finished School. Yet some memories of my School days and the then functions spring back into mind from time to time, especially when I am at a School seeing so many students, listening to their chatter, listening to speeches of teachers and guests, the School prayers, the sound of School band and watching cultural programs…Until some years ago these emotional experiences were at the School of my two sons, Srikanth and Srinath – St. Patrick's High School, and today it was at my granddaughter, Sudhiksha’s School – Gitanjali Devashray. Today’s event was Investiture Ceremony, Foundation Day and Proficiency Awards Presentation Day at Gitanjali Devashray School where my granddaughter was awarded All-round Proficiency Memento Shield for her outstanding performance during last academic year in her IV Class. I made a short video of this occasion for all of us and Sudhiksha to remember this happy event. This video also reminds me of my School days and I am sure it would rekindle your pleasant School memories too! I hope you will enjoy watching it!

Missing the annual rendezvous with Arudra Purugu!

Since childhood and till recently, after the first few rains after summer I always got a chance of coming across Arudra Purugulu that is Red Velvet Mites. They pop up from the soil around this time, with the onset of monsoon. During childhood I used to play a lot with them. I used to pick them up and put them in boxes with some soil and grass, enjoy watching their movements for some time and then let them go. I loved holding them on my palm and tenderly stroking their soft velvety bodies and feeling their crawling on my palm and hand. They appear just for few days after the initial rains and then vanish. But now they seem to have permanently vanished from our small garden and the areas around our house in Secunderabad. I hope they still do come out in large numbers in open and unpolluted lands outside our city.  Many years ago I used to see countless of them in the large front and backyard gardens of our house at Kothagudem and also all around the house. It is a beautiful memory that will live with me forever.

For those of you, who do not know about this awesome creation, please see the attached pictures and video intently. They are called Arudra Purugulu because they surface around an auspicious day called Arudra Karthi in Aashada Masam of Telugu Calendar and Purugulu means insects. These Arudra Purugulu / Red Velvet Mites / Rain Bugs, are very tiny as you can see in the above pictures, bright red in color with a body covered with velvety coating of red color hair which sometimes act as feelers, two tiny eyes and four pairs of legs. They are harmless to humans and that is why children are allowed to hold, play and snuggle-wuggle with these cuddly-wuddly tiny teddy bears!

A LOVELY VIDEO: