Our Pilgrimage to Godavari Maha Pushkaram.

Finally we have been able to make the pilgrimage today to the holy River Godavari - Maha Pushkaram, which occurs once in 144 years! Today is the penultimate day of the twelve day Pushkaralu. We waited so long hoping that the unprecedented crowds thronging the bathing Ghats all along River Godavari, creating delays and chaos on roads and at river banks would ease off. Amidst continued reports of such rush we came to know of few Pushkar Ghats near Sriram Sagar Project (Pochampadu Project) where the rush of pilgrims was comparatively less and the water level of the River good for bathing. And we choose a bathing Ghat at a place called Savel in Nizamabad District. This is along the downstream of Sriram Sagar Dam, on the right bank of River Godavari and it is 208 Kms. from our house. We started from our house today, at 6:00 AM and reached Savel by 9:30 AM and we are back at home by 5:30 PM. All along the route during our to and fro journeys there was heavy traffic but without any holdups and we were able to park our huge 12-Seater Tempo Traveller that you can see in the attached pictures close to the bathing Ghat. I am making a special mention of this convenience because at many Ghats Vehicles are being stopped several kilometers away and pilgrims are made to walk all the way to the Ghats.

On reaching the Savel Ghat at 9:30 AM, I and my brother-in-law, took bath in the River and carried out the ritual of Pushkara Pithru Karma/Pinda Pradhanam – a ceremony for all our departed elders and family members, to express our gratitude to them and seek their blessings.  And after this ceremony we both and the rest of our eight family members took holy bath in the river which is called Pushkara Darshanam – worshipping the River and Pushkara Snanam – holy bath to purify us. This was followed by Pushkara Dhanam – Dakshina in the form of clothing and money to the Brahmins by individual family members. And then we went to the Temple close to the River bank and  had darshan of Sri Anjaneya Swamy.

Please click on the link below to read my exhaustive article on Pushkaralu wherein I have explained the facts behind this festival and about all the above rituals…Pushkara Snanam, Pinda Pradhanam and Pushkara Dhaanam:

CLICK HERE to know all about PUSHKARALU

We are all very happy that we could accomplish this important pilgrimage. We are feeling very blessed. And we are also happy as the journey went off very well. We carried a variety of food for our breakfast, lunch and snacks. We had our breakfast in our moving vehicle and lunch at my friend’s Mango grove and Rice Mill near Masaipet.

Tomorrow is the last day of Godavari Maha Pushkaralu. Those of you, who are still in two minds of going on this pilgrimage, please do make up your mind in favour of making it, it will certainly add to your peace and well-being.

P.S. Thanks to Telangana State Government, especially the State Police and the Government Servants engaged in Pushkar duties  for the amazing arrangements they have made along the roads leading to Pushkar Ghats, for orderly vehicle parking supervision and most importantly for very thoughtful and extraordinary conveniences at the bathing Ghats.  

Happy 10th Anniversary “Google Earth”.

At the outset, Happy 10th Anniversary Google Earth. Google Earth was launched on 28th June 2005 and it has just completed 10 years.

I got the news of Google Earth completing 10 years of yeoman and awesome free service to countless users, about three weeks late. This happened today morning as I was searching through Google Earth; the entire course of River Godavari for a convenient and suitable Pushkar Ghat, for a holy bath. It helped me in choosing Soan Pushkar Ghat, the closest to Sriram Sagar Project/Dam (Pochampad Dam), where River Godavari is clean and in full stream. And we are going there next Friday. As users of Google Earth we are familiar with the messages, “Thank you for downloading Google Earth” and “Thank you for using Google Earth”. So in return it is an apt occasion for me to say – “Thank you Google Earth for providing the entire and minutest visuals and information of our planet right in front of my eyes every time I approached you”. Apart from the vast information I have gained from Google Earth, I have used Google Earth images of various places in my blog to present a better understanding of my articles to my readers. And then without any hurdles I can view amazing images of the streets and houses where my son and nephew live in distant Birmingham –U.K. and New Zealand.

Below this article you may see a few instances of how I have used Google Earth images in my blog.

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!!