2010 New Years Party Snaps!!!! Srivardhan

For Snaps click on below link

Srivardhan

Sketch of Rahul, Esha and Hi Baby!

Worli Sea Face and Bandra Worli Sea Link

Worli Sea Face is one of my favourite places to hang out in evening or night.

Snap taken at 1:30 am . Bandra Worli Sea Link can be seen in the backdrop

My Car

Sangeetha, "Sh" Rehansh (Esha pronounces it as Shrehansh) and Vijay

Audi, Sangeetha and Samir

Peaceful Place: Rameshwar Vaibhav (One Day Picnic Spot)

Presently Rameshwar Vaibhav appeared haunted to me, however the road leading to Rameshwar Vaibhav was beautiful. I would say it is nice little picnic spot for mumbaites during the Rainy Season. Due to request from a few I have changed the title from Haunted place to a Peaceful place.
The Rameshwar Vaibhav Development Co. Pvt. Ltd had developed this 1,600 foot high hill as hill station.

How to reach there?

It is on the way to Pali (Ashtvinayak Temple)
Take the Mumbai-Pune expressway.
Then take the Khopoli Exit immediately after the Toll Naka.
Then take the road towards Pali.
Around 20 kms or so after taking the exit there is a right turn for Rameshwar Vaibhav. From here the road to Rameshwar Vaibhav is really beautiful during the Rainy Season.
There is a huge waterfall in 'Padsare' which is only a few kms from Rameshwar Vaibhav.

I also found the below excellent information on Rameshwar Vaibhav from Milind Gunaji's "Offbeat tracks in Maharastra"
The road leading up the hill is a pleasure to traverse during the rainy season and is of special delight to birwatchers who can spot Golden Aureoles, Paradise Flycatchers and Bulbuls flitting between trees. The forest abound with hares, foxes and wild boar. At the foot hill is Kawela Dam, which adds to the beautiful surroundings.
The Rameshwar temple is on the eastern side of the hill. From the path leading to the temple, the forts of Sudhagad and Sarasgad on the Sahyadri ranges can be easily spotted. To the west of the hill is a small village, a short climb from here takes you to Sunset Point. From this point, the Meers hill range near Pen appears to be very close. During the monsoon, a short climb down will take you to a marvellous waterfall.


Evening shot at Rameshwar Vaibhav

Evening shot at Rameshwar Vaibhav

Few kms away is a place called 'Padsare' which has a huge waterfall.

Crab

Flowers

Mushrooms


At Rameshwar Vaibhav (Bunglows to right are deserted)


Hotel Shangrila at Rameshwar Vaibhav. (There are a few occupants during the weekend)


All the remaining snaps are taken while on the way to Rameshwar Vaibhav.

River just as you take the right from the Pali Khopoli Road

Snap of the Year!!!

Recliner

Rahul

Sangeetha, Vijay


Mommy

Samir, Mummy
Finally I got myself a Recliner!!!! (June 09)

Why this blog?

Treasurethoughts hmm.... now isn't that a good name? Initially I hunted for a good name in sanskrit, but sadly could not find any.Why this blog?I believe that I have lost precious (treasure - u see why the name now?) thoughts over a period of time. I often wonder how I used to think about issues several years back. What all thoughts have I been through? The debates my mind has had with itself. How has my understanding of issues changed? How has my perception of other people's thoughts changed? How my thoughts have transformed?Let me now try to jot down things from time to time. And then let's see if I really do justice to the name of the blog.I also hope this blog gets the best of my writing skills.While talking to a friend of mine I expressed how strongly i feel about writing but just never started it. And lately just thought about it. The friend just dropped in a nice line "unless u spread ur wings n fly u will never know how high u can soar"

Shiva's Marriage

some snaps

The Unplanned Trip - Madurai and Rameswaram

As decided earlier, I set out on my lone trip on Saturday Evening. My earlier plan was that my trip should be an unplanned one. But somehow I lil bit of planning creeped in. The items I purchased were a
* digitial camera
* notepad
* pencils
* shaving kit
* deo, shampoo sachets, liquid soap
* new clothes etc.
I was also gifted a book "Lonely Planet" by my friends.
Inspite of not getting bus ticket for Saturday and with just waitlisted train ticket, I was determined to travel somehow.After an hour of carefully packing similar to the one which Melvin does in 'As good as it gets' -- everything he's taking neatly stacked on the bed waiting to be packed, I left for the railway station.
From around 2 weeks before my unplanned trip was slightly getting planned.
* 1st Plan: Madurai - Kanyakumari and back
* 2nd Plan: Madurai - Kanyakmari - the unplanned part was to visit some wild like sanctuary on the way back(Periyar Wild life or Bandipur or Mudumalai Sanctuary)
* 3rd Plan: Madurai - Rameswaram - Kanyakmari - the unplanned return thru wild life sanctuaries.
Unfortunately my days for travel were restricted since I managed to get off only till Wednesday (Ganesh Chaturthi). These were the last days in my current company and, had I been relieved a week before I could have continued with my travel for a bit longer.
At the raliway station, I was a bit scared looking at the crowd. However, I managed to get a berth by shelling out extra 200 bucks. Btw, the train ticket from Bangalore to Madurai was Rs. 212。 The train was very comfortable and I had a good sleep. I took my first picture as soon as I woke up.
31st August 6:22 am

I checked into a Hotel Padmam which is almost midway between the Railway Station and Meenakshi Temple.
Details of Hotel Padmam
Tel: 0452-2340702
Address: No. 1, Perumal Tank West Street, Town Hall Road, Madurai - 625
Email: hotel_padmam@hotmail.com
Rooms are all A/C and starts with Rs.900 (excluding taxes).

I took a bath and had an English breakfast. From the roof top I saw my first glimpses of Meenakshi Temple.
31st August 9:34 am

A walk towards the Meenakshi Temple.
31st August 10:09 am

आधा अधुरा स्केत्च

My Sketch and the original. I would say around 70% sketch work is still remaining. Whatever lil work has been done on this sketch was almost year back in August 2007.

More close up

Bangalore Heavy Rains @Night

(26th August,2008)

Independence Day Special: Trip to Sangam

(Vande Mataram)
(Snap taken on our way back from Sangam)

Again I am writing about the 15th August trip after a week. Wish I could have captured my thoughts a lil bit earlier.
On thursday we were deliberating about our Independence Day trip. The destinations which cropped up were Mullaingiri(Thurs afternoon), Nagarhole (Thurs night), Bheemeshwari, Antargange (Friday morning).
As usual I was the first person to be ready for the trip at 6:30 a.m. We got delayed a lot and had to set out for the trip at almost 9 a.m. after our breakfast.
The culprit is on the right hand side of the below snap.



Earlier during our mail discussions, Divya seemed to be the most eager to go on trip and escape the usual kitpit. And sampath, the rotlu in "our" team had his own rona dhona...."I have to stay back.. Have work :( and also lots of pending personal >> work.. RC book.. Passport.. Car repair :(" - Pasted from Sampy's mail.

Eventually we did manage to go out on this trip but not quite escape the kitpit... Suzie, Arvind's car, gave us intermittent doses of her kitpitkitpitkitpitkitpit reverse horn..

We started deciding our trip destination after we set out towards Kanakpura Road. Madhavi's friend suggested this place called as Sangam which is a meeting point for Kaveri and Arkavathi rivers. He also suggested that we take a right turn at Sangama to find really good picnic spots.

Incidentally, Vara mahalakshmi which is one of the most important festivals celebrated in Karnataka was on 15th Aug.

Vara Mahalakshmi (Source: http://www.karnataka.com/festivals/vara-mahalakshmi.html)
Mahalakshmi is the goddess of wealth, auspiciousness and prosperity. She is worshipped for healthy progeny, as well as the health and long life of the husband. Vratha is observed on a Friday that falls before the full Moon day of the month of Shravanamasa (August - September).
The Vratha is as follows. Early in the morning women after taking bath, make a rangoli on the place where the kalasha is placed. They draw a lotus with 8 petals. The sacred Kalasha (brass/copper/silver) filled with rice and topped with fresh mango leaves, a coconut and cloth are placed on the mandala and Lakshmi is invoked. Goddess is invoked by decorating the Kalasa with flowers, jewellery, vastra (new clothes – saree) fruits, dry fruits, fresh grains, sweets and savouries. Some place coins, or rupee notes or make a garland of notes. The Vratha is performed with the beginning of Puja to Lord Ganesha. Then the main worship of Varalakshmi begins. The raksha is worshipped for a second time and tied to the right hand of the woman. Articles are given as charity to sumangalis (married woman).In South India, savouries like obattu, kosumbari, puliyogare, huli anna, hesaru bele payasa are made on this festival. In the evening women visit other houses and exchange sweets and offerings.

Lord Narayana/Vishnu/Hari husband of Lakshmi, an embodiment of Shuddha Sattwa, is the preserver of the world. He is also called the Ashta Lakshmi Padhi. Lakshmi has 8 avthars (incarnation):

• Adi (Protector) Lakshmi,
• Dhana (Wealth)Lakshmi ,
• Dhanya ( Food and Grains) Lakshmi,
• Vijaya (Victory) Lakshmi,
• Vidhya (Knowledge) Lakshmi,
• Santana (Offsprings) Lakshmi,
• Dhairya (Bravery and Strength) Lakshmi,
• Soubhagya (Sumangali- Long life of husband) Lakshmi.

All becomes the embodiment of a ideal woman.
The importance or significance of the Varalakshmi Vrata was narrated by Lord Shiva to Goddess Parvathi in Skanda purana. Those who perform this Vratam will be blessed wtih Dhana(food), Dhanya(food), Aayu(Long life), Aarogya(health), Aishwarya(wealth), Santanana(progeny) and Soubhagya(long life of husband).
According to the legend, once a lady named Charumath lived in the Maratha kingdom. Pious lady, she indulged in whole hearthed worship of the Goddess and took good care of her family- respectful to her in-laws, loving and caring her husband and children. One day she dreamt about Goddess Lakshmi telling her to perform the puja . She, with the consent of her family performed this Vratam and informs other ladies too. With the blessings of the Goddess she, her family and friends will be bestowed with success and wealth. Hence forth they shared their luck many more people.
With the blessing of both Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi one can find peace and prosperity in ones life.

We picked up some south indian stuff on the way for lunch.

The below map greets us at Sangam.

At Sangam we took a coracle ride and crossed the river. On the other side buses were exclusively waiting to fill up passengers and go to Mekedatu.

Mekedatu (Source: http://www.nirvanaholidays.org/River%20retreat.html)

Mekedatu is a beautiful picnic spot where the rivers Cauvery and Arkavathi after their confluence at the Sangam, squeeze though a narrow gorge. Gushing waters, imposing landscapes, and untouched picnic spots is what Mekedatu is all about.

However, we had crossed the river just for the Coracle ride and therefore returned back soon.

Snap taken from Coracle.



We were pretty hungry and our "ideal picnic" spot was not found as of yet. As starters we had omlette and tea at the local shop. Sampath and I also gobbled 3 fish in no time.





Wait your turn?



At Sangama we took a right turn and travelled for 2 kms to Anandadhama.


Road to Anandadhama


Ants


@Anadadhama


Entrance of Anandadhama






Angry?


Siesta


Tents at Anandadhama



Thanks Giving!!!



Independence Day Parade



Ahead of Anandadhama, we found Vanaprastashram.

The four stages recommended in Hindu philosophy for a man’s life(Source :http://www.43things.com/comments/thread/2429215?show_cheers=1)
Brahmacharyam, is the first stage in which the man abstains from luxury and carnal pleasure to pursue education.
Grihastashram, is the second stage in which the man marries, raises a family and fulfills his responsibilities as bread winner and care-giver
Vanaprastashram, is the third stage in which the man and wife embark on a religious pilgrimage, leaving responsibilities to his grown children
Sanyasashram or sanyas, is the fourth stage in which the man renounces worldliness and seeks salvation.



Our "Ideal"Picnic Spot



A Walk in the nature


Celebrating Independence With Suzie

This insect looks like a helicopter when it flies.



Picture of Kingfisher sitting peacefully on a branch


On our way back we stopped by a typical indian farm land. Notice how the small sheep in the below picture is following the farmer. It reminds you of the dog in Hutch advertisement.



Wonder why they tie the mouth of these animals.

A serene surrounding and a pleasing atmosphere away from the din and bustle of the city

Zanda Ooncha Rahe Hamara

ere