Nimmishta

Narasimha Parvatha - trekker''s paradise!''s paradise!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 27 May 2015 17:00:00 +0000

Oh little flying friend!You look tired,
As if the world took you for a ride
You stopped flapping those fragile wings
I thought you may have died.

Is nature so unfair to let someone die as pretty as you?
I feel you need to fight, rise up, for the life that is due!
Forget what happened, move on and see what is new.
Fly your way, Live again like you never knew!

I'm with you, take a leap of faith
I'll get you to a place that you feel alright
Now I see you like it as you no longer tied
WOW! you flew, you are out of my sight!

I miss you my friend, stay good wherever you go
Here I realize that the nature is not cruel and sour
I was meant to help you as I felt proud to do
I guess it is time to know, I'm Nature too!

___________________________________________________________________________________

I was sitting in front of comp, and working on something, my mom started calling for me to show something. I did not want to be disturbed but her voice become repetitive and louder. I got up an went to see what on earth made her call me so urgently. And immediately I realized I was not disappointed.

It was a wonderful brightly colored butterfly. A quick guess and also google search, I identified it as Common Lime Butterfly Papilio Demoleus. It just stud still... not flapping, not moving.. for the first look, I thought it is dead. Then I went closer and gave a gentle blow... IT MOVED! alas... Suddenly I felt I cant die like this. Since it was not moving much, I thought I will take some snaps and leave it outside on some plant.

I smoothly shifted it to my black bag without harming it. I wanted to get a better composition and frames. Used a flash light and paper filter to get soft lighting. with my simple Point and Shoot camera [Nikon L22-Macro mode] I took few photos.

By then it was trying to make an effort to fly. I realized I should take it outside NOW. I placed it on a plant in my small garden, Initially it did not move much... But after sometime It Just flew! within seconds It was nowhere nearby.
I copied the photos to comp and to my surprise.. I did not have to edit it! I felt good. (Take a look, hope you like them too!)

My mom looked at the photos and sighed! "It flew away but it will stay in your computer forever!"

Narasimha Parvatha - trekker''s paradise!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 22 Sep 2014 16:52:00 +0000

Narasimha Parvatha Trek trail, Kuduremukha National Park.

This was a pending plan from many months ever since the monsoon started. However, finally we

found the right team in good number to attempt with right spirit.

Akshay and Mohan had taken care of travel and other arrangements and we scheduled the dates to be 20th and 21st of September. The plan in mind was something like this; Leave Bengalore by 10:30pm on 19th night and reach Sringeri, Climb up from Kigga side, Stay at the peak, cook maggi, have a campfire, and get down to Malandur on the next day, reach Agumbe by lunchtime and head back to Bengalore by night.

But no matter how much we are ready to face any discomforts, mother nature has her own plans to make us think twice before stepping in.

With all the waiting, picking up all the fellow trekkers, at last, finally, we left Bengalore by 12:30am. almost two hours behind schedule. After a long overnight journey of 400km, we reached Agumbe - Ajjimane by 8:30 am. Since there were more guests we were unlucky not to have breakfast there. Nevertheless we were offered "Kashaya" - health drink with 28 different ingredients. As our trek guide Thimmappa was waiting from 7:00 am, we hurried up and had breakfast at Agumbe bus stand. Goodness!! The idlies were unexpectedly amazing. Do try if you go there, but only when you don't get food at Ajji mane! :P

Ajji mane/Doddmane - Agumbe,

Post breakfast we are all set for the trek, and our Guide Thimmappa led us from front. We started the trek from Malandur side instead of Kigga. We were dropped to Barakhana Falls trail by 9:45. We got our gears and backpacks, food and tents hoping that we will camp on the peak.

Pack wolves, all set for the chase the monsoon clouds.

The trail started off with flat grasslands and as we moved further the path got elevated with thick woods and canopies blocking sunlight. To be really frank, this trek trail is very confusing and that what makes it difficult as well. We crossed many water streams which are obviously non-perennial, Thimmappa made us walk with very few short breaks and showed both heaven and hell at the same time! :D

It reminded me the fact "All great things are achieved only when one works hard towards it."

Walking 11 km at a stretch is really tiring with a load of 5kgs on back, plus the terrain and elevations, not to mention the "Leeches". I think each one of us donated 200ml blood on an average. [I'm typing this in one hand, as my other hand busy scratching the itchy leech bites!]

The flat grassland

The thick woods

One of the many magical streams.

Found a lady bird

I enjoyed every single moment, and let myself lost in nature as it unfolded. To put a cherry on cake, Thimmappa led us to the mouth edge of Barakhana falls, It was 12:30 by then. The very sight gives you goosebumps when you stand at the edge and look down the valley.

Barakhana falls

Panoramic view from the edge of Barakhana falls.

We spent a good one hour time that also help us relax our muscles. We got back to the trail to reach the peak at the earliest. So did Thimappa insisted. We marched, neglecting the heavy rains that poured and soaked us and our bags. A very thrilling experience indeed. Meanwhile I was having a converse with Guide Thimmappa and learnt that he is 56 years old, his children are in Bengalore having a Photo Studio. Later on he explained his life story. He has been guide in Agumbe ghats from past 20 years, he had also been jailed on an account of helping naxalites and showing them hide outs. He proved himself to be naive and was got bailed out it seems. he smiled and said "how can I know who is Naxalite and who isn't?"

By 3:45 we dragged ourselves to peak, and took shelter at the house. We are also in a dilemma on whether to stay on peak or to get down to Kigga before dark. Considering the rain we all thought it would be better if we reach Sringeri to hault. Since getting down towards Kigga is an easy single path with no tricky deviations, we all agreed to descend the same day. But before that.. Wern't we hungry?? DIG IN... Every single person hogged on everything that was opened. Biscuits, chips, mixtures, Rice-pops and so on.

Thimmappa was supposed to reach back Agumbe, he showed us the Kigga route and told us it wouldn't take more than 2 hours. We thanked and sent him off with gratitude. and again got back to hogging business. Sunil had brought homemade mango-chapathi, it was a delight.

Selfie at the hilltop broken house.

Descending from peak

Once we are done with filling out stomachs, we started descending towards Kigga. By then rain had also stopped, and Misty view made the mountain range look even more beautiful.

Kuduremukha range

We quickly descended, as everyone got used to leech bites. 7 km covered within 2 hours, we reached the road, touched Kigga temple. Our bus came to pick us up and drop to Sringeri. Vyshak had arranged rooms at Yathri Nivas. A quite decent place and inexpensive too. I took a nap, and when I opened eyes, we had reached.

Since we had brought lots of vegetables, Cooking utensils, ingredients, and countless Chapathis, we dint want to throw away or waste them. We Cooked our Trademarked Copyrighted "Trek-Masala".

Shishir and Venkat chopped onions and tomatoes, I took the ladle and sat in front of stove to stir. Akshay added his secret ingredient to enhance the flavors, pulverizing nerve cells through the aroma of it, as it blended with chopped veggies. The "tomato -onion" masala was ready within few min.

I'm sure all loved it! With a satisfied belly, we all slept, recalling the day's experience.

Trek tips:

Forest permission is required for trekking
Approaching the pick from Malandur side is difficult and if you are first timer, Kigga side climb is recommended.
Best time to climb is between October - February, [You can minimize Leech bits]

Next day, we got ready and thought of covering Maghebalu falls and Sirimane falls. Since we delayed our departure we could vist only Maghenbaliu falls. The falls is located in hidden ridges of Kuduremukha natinal park, perhaps reaching there is not a big task. From Sringeri Kigga 14km, from Kigga 4km towards Sirimane falls, near SinDodi School, a deviation is there to reach Maghebailu falls. A small hike of 2-3km we get you to this place.

After having a great time playing water and taking photos, we headed back to Sringeri, to pay visit Shardamba Temple and seek holy blessings.

Sringeri is not just a religious place welcoming thousands of devotees, but also a place of great historical and mythological importance.

It is said to be believed that on the banks of River Thunga a snake raised its hood to protect a frog from sunlight, as the frog was about to lay eggs. this unusual phenomenon impressed Sri Adishankaracharya. (788c AD-820c AD) He stayed here for 12 years teaching his disciples, and established a Mata (Spiritual institution). During 14th centuray Vidyaranya developed the temple structure patronizing Vijayanagara empire.

Today the Temple complex consists Sharadamba temple, Vidyashankara temple, Ganapthi temple, well maintained on the river bed. A tall Gopuram -temple tower has also been constructed recently.

Sringeri Sharada Peetha, offers meals to visitors and devotees.

We too had our lunch and left to Bengalore with loads of memories of the trip. The journey to Bengalore was also totally fun, with many PJ's hilarious stories from past, left everybody with laughter of lifetime.

All in all it was an unforgettable and unparalleled time.

Why are we like this?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 18:58:00 +0000

Last couple of days I have seen few things which elevated my mind and some that made me realize, why cant we stay in that state all the time. there were fluctuation of feelings, emotions driven actions, advise others and get advised as well...

When I look at small kids, they are playful, always in joy, even if they cry its momentary, because they expect less, gain more, regret less and forget more. So were we, when we were kids! But now, most of the time juggling between good times and bad times, pressure and relief, happiness and sorrows, lost and found! Ever given a thought why we are like this?

Answer is simple. We grow in growing world! From being a kid, who has no worries about future and no memories from past, to elder who has all responsibilities of future life with a broken platform of past. this is because as we grow, our thinking capabilities gets broadened and also complicated. A proper nurture to our thoughts helps us to see less problems, or even No Problems at all!

Watch your thoughts, they become your words
Watch your words, they become your actions
Watch your actions, they become your habits
Watch your habits, they become your CHARACTER!

adding to that..

Watch your character, because it defines YOU...

So everything starts with what we think? Generally it is said that, a depression or an unhappy state of mind is due to too much thoughts that are related to either the Past or the Future and too less (=Zero... most of the time) about the Present tense!

"Oh My god What have I done? Wish it never happened! Oh I'm so screwed now"
this might be a common way of thinking about situations. That is normal, but if this thought pertains you like forever, you are just re-living a situation in your head that should have gotten resolved long back if you had acted right!

This often reminds me the epic situation faced by Arjuna during the battle of Kurukshetra, which I believe is the root cause for the birth of "BHAGAVADGEETHA", where Lord Krishna counsels him to upraise him to his feet and face that very situation.
As i have said, thoughts are generated by our mind. A healthy mind generates constructive thoughts. But how do we keep our mind happy, how do we know whether it is happy or not? Mind's activity is uncontrollable, unpredictable and unnoticeable process of perception and reflection of thought projections. If you are thinking it is impossible, you just do not know the word "meditation". Of course there are a thousand methods of it, but important thing is to do it! In Bhagavadgeetha, Krishna advises Arjuna to practice YOGA in 3 forms, Karma (yoga of performing services), Jnyana (yoga of gaining knowledge) and Bhakthi (yoga of spirituality).

By serving others, you feel proud, you are happy, your mind is happy.
By gaining knowledge of interest, you feel satisfied, you are happy, your mind is happy.
By practicing spirituality, you feel delighted, you are happy, your mind is happy.

The great Sage Patanjali says "Yoga chitta Vrithi Nirodaha" which means "Yoga is the cessation of fluctuation of the mind" the inner meaning of this phrase is not that it.

Yoga not only helps us to control our conscious thoughts but also helps to cease unwanted subconscious ideas involving our existence in past and future, that grow up and impact on our conscious deeds.

The most incalculable advantage by meditation is concentration of mind or you can say "No distractions!"
You must know the scene from "Kung Fu Panda 1", where Master Oogway speaks to Master Shifu and says "Our Mind is like this water my friend, when it is agitated, it is difficult to see, but if you allow it to settle." answer becomes clear"

That is what required by everybody today. Instead of over thinking about "what have i done?" or "what will I do??" if you allow your mind to be at present and calm, answer becomes clear.

Mardaani - A much needed version of Woman in today's India.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 16:27:00 +0000

Director: Pradeep Sarkar

Production company: Yash Raj Films

Produced by: Adithya Chopra

Cast: Rani Mukerji, Jisshu Sengupta, Priyanka Sharma, Tahir Bhasin, Sanjay Taneja

Music composed by: Shantanu Moitra, Karthik Raja

Genres: Crime Fiction, Thriller, Drama, Action Film

It was last Wednesday 21st, me and my cousin were thinking of going to a movie and ended up not going anywhere, but we both thought we should go to "MARDAANI" the next day.

On the day, late in the noon, he texts me asking whats the movie about. As I had done little web search on the movie, I said " Kidnapping, Human Trafficking, Drugs - and Culprit-Police chase" in simple words and as agreed we went to the evening show. Mardaani did more than what I expected.

Though it said Movie is inspired by the real events I felt it more inspired by Hollywood Hit "Taken" of 2008.

The story is not new and pretty simple as you would obviously expect the 'Good' win over the 'Bad',
Here too, a teenage girl is kidnapped by Sex trafficking gang, and how an inspiring Cop solves the mysterious case is the whole plot. Well, good job by Pradeep Shaker while making the story line adoptable to current events, localized consequences, almost authentic looking characters and making the movie much interesting with the twists and turns as it proceeds.

Rani Mukerji as Shivani Shivaji Roy - A fearless crime branch Police officer has done her job superbly and taken the highlight. Tahir Bhasin as Karan Rastogi - Young chap who plays behind the whole crime story, involving drug dealing, sex trafficking, contract killings, has tremendously performed and justified the negative role.

The interesting part comes when the situation of the "War gets more personal". Shivani a well respected police known for her anticipation of events and quick wits to tackle them almost makes you sit on the edge of your seats. The extremes that Karan's character pushes the Criminal mind to a greater levels, perhaps the clever Cop Shivani understands his freakish mind and traps him for the shock of his life.

The discrimination and dominance of Male community on women is well posted by sequences, dialogues just as the reality and Shivani's role and Feminism theory puts rightful fight towards the end.
When a woman showcases her "Mardaani" She can do the impossibles and that is the message it gives for all the young girls, women to fight for their rights and anything that is anti-feminist.

The movie being very close to reality, with frequent usage of "Chu****, Mada* ****" makes it "Adults only"
The music is satisfactory, the ending song has line that says "we live in a country where words like 'Maa - Behen' are more used as profanity" That indeed makes you think.

The statistics that scrolls in the end is really horrifying and the movie delivers a great message as an eye opener towards the issue.

I give 7.5/10!

Who you are!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 08:07:00 +0000

Be who you are, for knowing better this world around.
But first know yourself, and everything that is bound.
Make no mistake, for there is no second chance!
That is what they teach you about competition to be crowned.

Mind brain and soul are not you, but a different entity.
Be not the hostage, but be the master of clarity.
No I do not mean you should control them.
perhaps knowing the very difference is good for serenity.

One thoughtless step can lead you miles away.
Name fame and you became the celebrity, in your own way.
Think twice while choosing the path, is that what you need after all
for there is no good, no return ticket that makes you whole!

This is the time you realize your mistake,
Is it too late to gain what you lost?
Though you thought you knew who you are,
you gave yourself to mindless brain and aimless soul!

People whom you trusted, they betrayed you to laugh,
and now you hope for help but they are long gone.
Life catches fire to cease your last breath
yet you say it is unfair and undone.

You believe you are right to your conscience
And for the world being so cruel lacking patience.
But be who you are, progressive but unchanged
Bounce back for the good, for better, to be the best!

As you like it

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 08 Jul 2014 20:23:00 +0000

Why do i think of you?

I see a long Queue!

My offerings are very few

Still i wish to reach you!!

I have no regrets of being less than par

But I put my efforts full and for all

Though I'm not the one you are looking for

Its worth making you know who am I at all

World might have put us together

And I know it is virtual and uncertain

I do not want a flipping coin to decide

I just say "let it rain..."

I quote this from one of my old writings may be a couple of years old, to begin this Blog, as I am on a journey questioning every possibilities and impossibilities of life. I tend to connect with one thing in common for all, a search! A search for door keys, pen drives, matching garments and accessories, a good movie, a book, a friend, a satisfying job, a miracle, a smile, an outing, an adventure, a LIFE!
After many unsuccessful attempts on penning down my thoughts, here again I found the solution. Previously it was not really clear about what to write upon and where to focus. It was very difficult for a person like me with weird set of interests. A blog should define the writer's personality and vice versa, It became a challenge as I tried to limit my writings to one particular subject.

It is now that I understand, "WHY NOT write everything that I DO, LEARN, THINK OF, EXPERIENCE and so on?" That troubleshoots!

As my Life unfolds, hope this blogs tells you a lot about the journey. I do not expect 100% out of everything, however I try to give 100% and I enjoy as it goes... so I just say "Let it rain..."

Remember.. everything you see here need not be AS YOU LIKE IT! :P so Nimmishta...

Green Route Trek - Mission YDK

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 30 Dec 2013 15:04:00 +0000

It was November end Srinandan had asked me, if I could arrange a trek to Yedakumari, But I was not very sure how safe it is and did not bother much about its possibility.

24-12-13

I was in Pune last week and suddenly he called up stressing how madly he wants to do it. I said "YES, Lets do it then" I started looking up blogs and info. Found one of the oldest documented trek dating back to 1988. Then it got me inclined towards it. By then Suraj had also said ok for the trek. As soon as I came back to Bangalore, did more research on it, and asked Suraj to get everybody on group chat for a quick discussion about the plan. Kiran and Chandan joined for it.

I explained what we need to do, who will bring what, where to start and end and so on. everybody gave their inputs and accordingly we agreed and jotted out a plan, called it "Mission YDK"

26-12-13

So day came, as decided, Me and Kiran got on to train from Bangalore [SBC - 20:45 ]. It was almost like Touch and go for Kiran. Suraj boarded the bus late night. Srinandan and Chandan joined us in train from Mysore [MYS - 23:50]. With all the PJ filled chit chats, we disturbed the whole coach, and reached Sakaleshpura [SKLR - 003:00, 27-12-13]

27-12-13

There we waited for Suraj to come. Took nap, and finally he arrived at 04:00.Immediately we started to walk towards Highway, hoping to get any vehicle to drop us to Donigal, our starting point for the trek. As we were walking we thought how about visiting Manjarabad Fort?? Damn, why not, it is on the way. we stopped at tea stop, and took a nap again! :D we all had a steamy hot coffee, which boosted our morning. some of us did have twice!! :D From there we marched towards Manjarabad Fort. witnessed a mystical and beautiful sunrise, and finally reached our 1st point. We took a lot of photo, spent a good amount of time. Wondered about how people of that era whould have lived there. After walking 6.23km, we were very hungry. Srinandan had got Chapathis and an amazing "GOJJU", it was truly out of the world, we finished our breakfast and realised we are losing time, and headed off to reach Donigal [DOGL]. Not very far did we go [4.2km], Kiran and Chandan used their talents to stop a 4x4 min truck, and the driver offered a lift to next convenient point to start our trek [7.6km-drive]. He rolled a bummpy road and dropped us at a point [10:00] few km prior to Kadagaravalli [KGVL]. We thanked him, and started our long trek on the railway track. We slowly walk passed tunnels and bridges, it was a thrilling experience every time and should we not capture those moments! The light from the end of a tunnel, or the depth of the bridges, or the ever green mountain ranges of Kagenari State Forest, just made us very very lucky to have been there.

As we were walking on the track, a engine, a Petroleum Goods train, and passenger train Zoomed themselves at frequent intervals.Fortunately no trains came when we'er crossing the long bridges and tunnels.We hogged on food items we had brought every now and then. We stopped often, to take rest and continue with a standard pace.

We met local people who encouraged our journey and also updated about the distance we had to cover. And finally we reached Yadakumari [YDK 17:10] after covering 19.9km, 16 tunnels, and over 20+ bridges.

It was hard for me to digest the fact that we walked almost 30km on a same day!! :D Never in my life had completed a trek within one day!

By the time we reached, A goods train carrying Coal arrived at Yadakumari station. We were tired and exhausted and we decided to get on to the goods train and reach sakaleshpura. We pleaded the station master and the engine driver to allow us on the train, initially they declined our request but later allowed. A couple of trains crossed, and we left KGVL at 20:15 and reached SKLR by 21:20. How that one hour passed nobody has clue as we dozed off in the train. We sneaked out of Railway station and reached Bus stand, finished filling dinner. Boarded bus to our respective places, ending the adventure with lots of cherishing memories and experience.This was more like a farewell for 2013.