Sridharan's Travelogue..!

Chakra Theertham - Thirupathi

2012-06-02T05:58:00.001+05:30

Been somewhat hectic last couple of months..! Finally I could manage a post..! Continuing on my Tirupathi trip..Hope you like it..!

Chakra Teertham is one among the seventeen sacred lakes or Tirthas near Tirupati Balaji Temple. It is believed that water from these seventeen lakes merge in the Swami Pushkarini Lake. Legend has it that a devotee of Venkateswara named Padmanabha worshipped the Lord here for 12 years.
For more details click here.

Bearing the burden..!

Tirupathi Rock Garden

2012-03-30T19:46:00.003+05:30

Rare geological rock arch is atop the seven hills. This is the only one of its kind in the whole of Asia. Only two other arches are known to exist in the world..Interesting story & details can be found in wikipedia.
Nothing much to see in this place other than this rock arch.. A few pictures of it is for you to enjoy...!

Behind the grils it was quite challenging to get a decent focus.. moreover the peacok was wandering here and there..

There was a small garden beside the arch.. But the entry was closed.. Clicked a few pictures from the outerside of the fence..

Tirupathi - ISKCON Temple

2012-03-16T19:48:00.002+05:30

Hi All , Nice to be able to get back with my first post of 2012..! But it still will be of my visit last year...Dec 2011 to be precise..I have been a little too tied up with my work and found time only to read most of , if not all, your beautiful posts and did not find enough time to post any of my own.I do not regret, for it was a blessing in disguise as I could just sit and read your posts and enjoy them without the burden of posting..!(lol).

But it really feels great to share something with all.. This post , rather a small series of posts will be about my trip to Tirupathi.
You will encounter ,humpteen posts and tons of data if you type the word Tirupathi and google it.
Just a short intro can be found in wikipedia here, if you want.

Now for some photos of in-and-around Tirupathi.

Many have not been able to visit ISKCON tirupathi. May be out of lack of knowledge or time.. I strongly urge you to make a visit next time you visit Tirupathi... Till then take a photo tour of this marvellous structure below.. I am sure, you will like it

You might find this site giving interesting facts about ISKCON Tirupathi.

Did I tell you , the temple is downhills..!

They are happy to have done some shopping without me...! My wife , Son and his cousin sister

He is definitely not camera shy...!

These are some beautiful wood work.. arrtistic and delightful..!

I loved thse delecious sweets.. and was happy to have feasted on them liberally..!

Thirupathi is famous for these Laddus .. Isn't it?

WOW.. These were really delicius..! Why don't you pick a few..?

Oh.. I forgot to tell you that the temple has a great restaurant inside the campus..
Good food at reasonable cost.. I enjoyed the good food as well amidst the picturesque setting of Lord Krishna's wonderful pictures..!

Well, I did not realize that these carvings in the shops are not allowed to be captured in a camera..and shot a few before I read the board and stopped clicking..! These are really wonderful art work..!

I promised someone earlier that I would not post more than 25 snaps in a post.. I seemed to have exceeded the limit already...I am sorry once again...and am sure to apologise many a times in future too..(lol)!

Click here for the full set of photos..!

Let's meet at another location in Tirupathi... Soon...!

Amarnath recap

2011-12-28T07:11:00.000+05:30

Well..Its about time to end this series which had taken too long for me to conclude..The links below each collage takes you to the corresponding blog post.. Hope you enjoyed this series and this wrap up as well..!

Thanks all for taking time to follow this series and encourage me with kindest of comments.....

Bye for now..!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

The trek to Amarnath

Baltal base camp

Lungers

Sonmarg

Chinthpurni

Jwalamukhi

Vajreshvari

Chamunda

Trilokinath

Vaishnodevi

Srinagar Dal lake & Sri Adhi ankara Temple

Srinagar Moghul Gardens

Jammu

Himalayas

Amarnath on the way

Kandelval Gujarath Guest house

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Gujarajthi Guest House - Kandelval - New Delhi

2011-12-24T05:53:00.001+05:30

This is where we stayed from morning till 2PM on our return journey before catching the return train. Interesting place to stay for large groups. Quite near the New Delhi railway station makes it very convenient.
There is a beautiful temple in this complex and thought photos of which will not be out of place here..!

PHOTO Tiles

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Amarnath on the way

2011-12-20T15:48:00.001+05:30

These are some casual shots on the way and during the trip..Hope you enjoy these..!

Click here to view as image tiles in Google +
&
here to view as image tiles in Google +

Something useful while waiting for a burst Tyre to be replaced....!

11 Vans getting ready to start the second leg of the journey

Kashmir is famous for cricket bats too..

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PHOTO STORY

PHOTOS

VIDEOS

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Enchanting Himalayas

2011-11-25T04:50:00.000+05:30

Any amount of reading and viewing of pictures,videos of the great mountain range is not likely to satisfy your craving for this greatest spectacle of nature on earth..!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Himalayas

These pictures are from the running bus.. So might be blurry.. Still, sharing them , because, thought they bring back home the ambiance and memories..!

PHOTO STORY (slideshow with music)

PHOTOS (Full set)

VIDEOS
Note : Multiple videos are available. Press the rectangular box at the base of the player to reveal thumbnails

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Jammu

2011-10-22T22:26:00.002+05:30

On our way back , we spent a few hours going around Jammu. Here are the snaps of Jammu market area.
Jammu and Kashmir consists of three regions: Jammu, the Kashmir valley and Ladakh. Srinagar is the summer capital, and Jammu is the winter capital. While the Kashmir valley is famous for its beautiful mountainous landscape, Jammu's numerous shrines attract tens of thousands of Hindu pilgrims every year. Ladakh, also known as "Little Tibet", is renowned for its remote mountain beauty and Buddhistculture.

Read more from Wikipedia here.
We visited the Raghunath(Rama) Temple at Jammu. Read more from wikipedia here.

Camera is not allowed inside this beautiful temple for security reasons, a pity indeed. This famous temple houses a gorgeous Spatika Lingam.

When we were at this temple, a unique tamil festival of body piercing was being celebrated. This is often seen in temples of Lord Muruga during Thaipusam celebrations and Amman (Goddess Parvathi) in Tamil Nadu.

Many fanatical devotees go to such extent as to torture their bodies to appease the Lord. So, a major feature of Thaipusam celebrations is body piercing with hooks, skewers and small lances called 'vel'. Many of these devotees even pull chariots and heavy objects with hooks attached to their bodies. Many others pierce their tongue and cheek to impede speech and thereby attain full concentration on the Lord. Most devotees enter into a trance during such piercing due to the incessant drumming and chanting of "vel vel shakti vel."

Read more here regarding Thaipusam and body piercing.

Photos and Videos of people pulling cars and carts with the hooks pierced into their body (back) can be seen below.

A walk down the main market

Pity they don't allow cameras inside the temple premises..Radgunath temple seen from the road.

Kashmir is famous for woolen goods

All sorts of nuts will make you go nuts..!

It is not all silks and nuts..!

I can't say, I enjoyed watching these..but these are unique and I wondered at the power of human belief..!

Goddess on the chariot..!

PHOTO STORY (with some music..!)

Full Set of PHOTOS

VIDEOS

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Srinagar - Mughal Gardens

2011-10-06T19:30:00.002+05:30

Been kinda busy for a few days now. Been struggling to keep pace with reading all the blogs even. Finally pulled myself to write this post.

The Mughal Gardens With terraced lawns, cascading fountains, paint-box-bright flowerbeds with the panorama of the Dal in front of them - the three Mughal Gardens of Chesmashahi, Nishat and Shalimar are the Mughal Emperors' concept of paradise and are today very popular places for picnics and excursions. The beauty of these gardens is at their best during spring but the Mughal structure of these gardens lends them a unique sense of beauty even when the flowers are not blossoming.

More details on Mughal gardens can be found here and and details on the one at Srinagar can be found here.

It was quite a relaxing walk down this garden. We are slowly loosing public gardens & parks in the metros and I realize what we have lost because of it..!

I loved the hill backdrop

Ram loves any opportunity to catch me in his camera in spite of my poor photogenic face..!

We were really relaxing.. didn't we?

Well..he can't relax though..!

Colorful Kashmiri dress available for rent

You also get your photograph in this dress in half an hour..!

PHOTO STORY
** See the full set of photos with some soothing music ..!

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Srinagar - Dal Lake, Sri Shankara Temple

2011-09-13T08:28:00.000+05:30

Srinagar needs no introduction. We visited Dal Lake, Sri Adhi Shankara Temple (Camera not allowed inside) and Mughal Garden.

This wikipedia link gives more information.

Sri Adhi Shankara Temple

Shankaracharya Temple, assumed to be built by Jaluka, the son of Emperor Ashoka around 200 BC, is an ancient shrine located on the mount Shankaracharya Hill (Takht-e-Suleiman) in Srinagar. This site, situated at a height of about 1100 feet above the city,on a hill, is believed to be a sacred one and offers splendid view of the down valley and the snowy mountains of the Pir Panjal range. Local folks tell a story that saint Shankaracharya spent some of his time at this site during his visit to Kashmir to revitalize Sanatan Dharma.

There is a cave where Adhi Shankara meditated.
For security reason camera is not allowed here. I took a few snaps enroute.

For more interesting details on this temple click on the wikipedia link here.

Adhi Shankara temple on the hill from the entrance of the Hotel..

This is as far as I could zoom in..

This hill also has a small military watch tower and is highly gaurded..We had a Tamilian Jawan who posed with us..!

Some Bhel puri after return..

Dal Lake

The lake covers an area of 18 square kilometres (6.9 sq mi) and is part of a natural wetland which covers 21.1 square kilometres (8.1 sq mi), including its floating gardens. ...
...... More on this huge lake here..

Seeing this , We also embarked on a boat ride..But went to choose a peaceful corner..! There are many boating corners along the shore of the lake..!

You thought only Ships float on water... You are wrong..Shops too do..!

PHOTO STORY

PHOTOS

VIDEOS

DAL LAKE

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Vaishno Devi Temple

2011-09-04T12:38:00.002+05:30

Vaishno Devi Mandir is one of the holy Hindu temples dedicated to Shakti, located in the hills of Vaishno Devi, Jammu and Kashmir, India. In Hinduism, Vaishno Devi, also known as Mata Rani and Vaishnavi, is a manifestation of the Mother Goddess.

The temple is near the town of Katra, in the Reasi district in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is one of the most revered places of worship in India. The shrine is at an altitude of 5200 feet and a distance of approximately 14 kilometres (8.4 miles) from Katra. Approximately 8 million pilgrims (yatris) visit the temple every year and it is the second most visited religious shrine in India, after Tirumala Venkateswara Temple. The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board maintains the shrine. A rail link from Udhampur to Katrais being built to facilitate pilgrimage. The nearest airport is Jammu Airport which has very high flight frequency. All leading domestic airlines have their services to Jammu Airport.

More details can be read from wikipedia link here and from the Vishno devi Shrine Board website : http://maavaishnodevi.org/

Helicopter service is available to reach the top of the hills upto 7PM. More details on this can be had from the web page here.

Excellent accommodation is available in this place. We stayed at Trikut Bhavan of Shrine Board. See the video of the rooms at the Videos section.

Well it is a pity that cameras are not allowed beyond the entrance at the foothills and hence the trekking path could not be shot..!

Though the road to Vaishno devi is not all that great, the scenery on either side is quite the opposite..!

This is trikut Bhavan - Our accommodation

The Vaishno devi mountain makes a perfect backdrop for the hotel

My room had a perfect view from the balcony..!

Can you see the pathway..Zoomed in from the balcony of my room..

The accommodation at Trikut Bhavan is excellent. The small temple at the centre and the open to the sky terrace is really enchanting..!

From the balcony of my room.. The white dots are the lighting on the path way..

We have never been far away from the south Indian food..Thanks to enterprising Rammohan..!

Well, no trip ends without shopping.. Does it?

The shopping is never a quick activity in the case of womenfolks.. Ram wondering when the female folks were going to return ?..

In the meanwhile , Let's take a stroll on the streets ..!

I wish they allowed cameras while trekking up..! Sigh..!

It is time to pack for our next destination..!

PHOTOSTORY

PHOTOS

VIDEOS

View of the Vaishno devi at night

Accommodation at Trikut Bhavan of Shrine Board

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Trilokpur Trilokinath temple

2011-08-23T06:59:00.002+05:30

On the highway to Pathankot, 41 km from Dharamsala, a natural cave temple at Trilokpur dedicated to Lord Shiva, has stalactite , stalagmite formations.

It is situated 41 kms. from Dharamshala and can be approached by road the natural cave temple of Trilokpur contains a stalactite and stalagamite is dedicated to Shiva. High on the ridge of the cave are ruins of a palace and baradari (audience hall) of Lehna Singh Majitha, Governor of Kangra hills during the Sikh rule.

Pleasing greens as seen from the van..

PHOTO STORY

PHOTOS

VIDEOS

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Chamunda

2011-08-12T22:33:00.000+05:30

This is one of the most popular Chamundi devi temples and is located in Kangra district in Himachal Pradesh.
More details can be found in the wikipedia link here.

The speciality of this temple is that it is situated bank of Baner Khad (Banganga), a tributary of Beas river.
The river is actually at the back yard of this temple and gives a picturesque backdrop to this temple which is otherwise beautiful too..!
I would urge you to visit the videos section to view the beauty of this river..There are about 5 video clips that in all will be about 3 mins duration.

A serious blogger..perhaps..!

Devi Chamundesvari..

Enchanting river at the back of the temple

When will we have our chance...!

Well... No chance today..Let's go..!

Well knit family..

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PHOTO STORY

PHOTOS

VIDEOS

Vajreshvari Temple

2011-08-09T07:02:00.002+05:30

The temple of Vajreshvari is located in the town of Nagarkot, Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh, India and is 11 km away from the nearest railway station of Kangra. The Kangra Fort is situated nearby. Its location on a mountain near Chamunda Devi temple, is 16 km from Nagarkot.

More details of this temple originally believed to have been built by Pandavas during Mahabharatha time can be read from the wikipedia link here.

Please bear with the excessive number of photos...they are needed to give the true ambiance of the place..!

But , haven't I spared you the trouble of reading excessive text? (lol)!

People think leaving the foot print in the temple is not good..and hence ...

Wish fulfilling tree..

Colorful roof top from within..!

Some shops on my way back..!

Made of dried coconut pulp..!

To counter the scorching hot sun, we helped ourselves with some traditional ice cones..!

So Hungry we were that we started our lunch in the reverse order...Some deserts & Sweet followed by the snacks..!

Enough of snacks... time to rush for a proper lunch...!

PHOTO STORY

PHOTOS

VIDEOS

None

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Jwalamukhi

2011-08-07T06:56:00.004+05:30

Jwalamukhi is a famous temple to the goddess Jwalamukhi, the deity of flaming mouth, built over some natural jets of combustible gas, believed to be the manifestation of the Goddess. Raja Bhumi Chand Katoch of Kangra, a great devotee of goddess Durga, dreamt of the sacred place and the Raja set people to find out the whereabouts of the site. The site was traced and the Raja built a temple at that location. The building is modern with a gilt dome and pinnacles, and possesses a beautiful folding door of silver plates. Under the gaze of theDhauladhar range and set amidst the undulating hills that character sub-Himalayan Himachal Sati's tongue is believed to have fallen at Jwalamukhi and the goddess is manifest as tiny flames that burn a flawless blue through fissures in the age old rock..... Source & more from wikipedia here.

Shops selling Pooja articles all the way..!

Full of wishes...Wish fulfilling tree..!

He performed on seeing me photograph.. a small video clip in video section would interest you..!

While waiting for the van to arrive from the parking, turned around to find these colorful appetizers in a shop nearby..!

PHOTO STORY

PHOTOS (Full Set)

VIDEOS

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Chinthpurni

2011-08-03T22:33:00.003+05:30

One of the Shakthi Peets, Chintpurni is a very popular pilgrim center in Himachal. For more details please visit this Wikipedia link.

I can't forget the delicious breakfast that Mr Rammohan arranged (Cooked rather..!) in record time for 100+ people..!

Interesting shops all the way lead up to the temple..!

We are inside the temple now...!

These folks belonged to our group...Believe me .. looks are deceptive..they are far from being as calm as this elsewhere ..!

Ram was caring enough to capture me ..!

This delicious milk sweet caught my attention on my way up the temple..(did I say that the remple is on a hillock)...People buy this and offer to the Goddess and then distribute to devotees...I remembered to stop by at a shop to have some on my way back from the temple...Really good it tasted..!

PHOTO STORY

PHOTOS

VIDEOS

None

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Sonmarg

2011-08-02T08:46:00.002+05:30

Sonmarg is a major town just ahead of Baltal. It is buzzing with activity of tourists and Hotels. The beauty of Himalayas starts showing up right from Sonmarg. It is about 80kms from Srinagar at an altitude of 2740 ft. It is one of the popular hill stations in Himachal. More details of Sonmarg-the gateway to Ladak- here.

Wonderful,serene resort that I would love to stay in for a few days!

Yes..the white patch is ice...!

Ice river makes it Silver Marg in the day and Son(Golden)marg in the evening!

PHOTO STORY

PHOTOS

VIDEOS

None

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Lungers

2011-07-30T22:29:00.000+05:30

Lungers at Amarnath and all the way from Srinagar provide exceedingly tasty food. One does not have to worry about food when visiting Amarnath. See for yourself below!. More so , if you are part of this group. Mr Rammohan has ensured great food wherever lungers are not available. Timely and tasty south Indian food in the midst of the North India is something that I did not expect ...Thanks to Rammohan..!

There were about 20+ lungers at the Baltal base camp. Each one sporting its own USP..Dance,Music apart from variety of food items.
See the video clips for some dance and music!

There is some music & dance as well to go with the food!

Now the lungers at Baltal .!

I did show him this picture..But he only smiled after I bought a bottle of water from him..!

Yogasan demo in one of the lungers..!

PHOTO STORY

PHOTOS

VIDEOS

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Baltal Base Camp

2011-07-27T07:19:00.002+05:30

Baltal and Pehalham are the two base locations from where the trek to Amarnath can start. Baltal is short (14kms), but harder while Pehalham is longer(45kms) and takes longer.

We took the Baltal route. For more details follow this link.

There are numerous tented accommodation to choose from. We stayed overnight in one of the tents before commencing our Amarnath trek the next morning. We also stayed overnight here after the trek before commencing our return journey back to Srinagar.

Chopper service is available from Baltal till Sangam (3kms from Amarnath). I understand a few years back the choppers use to take pilgrims right near the Amarnath Cave. Due to environmental factors causing Ice Lingam to melt, they have stopped Choppers well below the cave. The irony is that the last 3km trek is the most difficult!

I managed some decent shots and video of the chopper.

WIth my friend Ramaswamy

Warm enough to pose for me.!

Ice cold outside.. But the warmth of the co-tourists keeps them out!

There seem to be more vehicles than are men here?

I definitely got his attention..didn't I?

Crystal water is too cold to take a dip..!

PHOTO STORY

PHOTOS

Baltal Base camp

Helicopter

VIDEOS

Baltal Base camp

Note : Contain multiple videos. Click on the play button and on the rectangular box at the base of the player to reveal them

Helicopter

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Amarnath Trek

2011-07-23T22:47:00.003+05:30

Upanishads talk of God as attribute-less - Nirguna Brahmam..! We, mortals, can neither conceive nor comprehend the attribute-less God. So, we start with worshiping the God with attributes-Saguna Brahmam.

Amarnath Ice Lingam connotes God's manifestation as Saguna Brahmam from Nirguna Brahmam.- To One with attributes from the One without attributes..! Lord Shiva manifests as Saguna Brahmam - Ice Lingam from attribute-less nothingness- Nirguna Brahmam..!

A rare phenomena that yogis spend thousands of lives in meditation to perceive..! In Kali Yuga, Lord Shiva with his boundless Grace gives us the opportunity to see him with our physical eyes..!

Amarnath cave is also the place chosen by the Lord - the Paramatma to teach us the Jeevathma, the secret of immortality. Amarnath , the Paramathma, chose this place to teach the secret of Amarathvam-Immortality to Parvathy, the Jeevathma..!

The legend has that two doves have listened to the secret of Amarathwam and live there for ever immortal. Why doves ...and why not any other creature?. Doves symbolizes freedom- Do Lord Amarnath tell us - we too can become immortal by being free of material desires ... as free as these doves and attain immortality, the goal of our life.?

Baltal and Pehalham are the two base locations from where the trek to Amarnath can start. Baltal is short (14kms), but harder while Pehalham is longer(45kms) and takes longer.

We took the trek from Baltal base camp.

The following links give good amount of details on Amarnath Yatra

http://www.amarnathyatra.org/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amarnath_Temple

It took us around 7 Hours to reach the top by Pony of which about 1 hour would have been spent on waiting for security check and traffic Jam. We reached top @ about 10 and finished Darshan of Ice lingam at 12:30. Started the return trek down @2:30pm to return to the Baltal base camp @8:30pm.

The return journey was more arduous as it rained for an hour at 2:30pm and the path turned slippery. Even the Pony struggled. There were a few patches where I had to get down from the horse and walk. It turned out to be one of the nightmarish experiences to trek the slippery trail..!

We were lucky to have returned the same day, as the Yatra was stopped for two days from the next day because of the rains and landslide..! If it had rained in the morning, we would have been struck on top of the mountain for two days under not-so- very-pleasant climatic conditions and facilities.! Lord Amarnath was kind on us..!

I did not remember, I carried a camera on my return journey..I was too scared to remove my hands from the saddle grip..! These limited photos were taken during the climb up and during the rest for 10 minutes at the half way mark..the light conditions were challenging too for photography!

Let's begin the the steep and arduous climb up to the Amarnath Cave..! Cameras are not allowed in the cave..!

Waiting for the security check at the base at 3 am..!

I trusted them for my life..!

My Friend Ram

It is me..!

Rest at the half-way mark..!

White lines are the ice rivers

Isn't it scary?

The steep climb is tough & scary

With the horseman and helper of my return trip

Photo Story

Photos

Videos

None

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Itinerary of Amarnath Yatra 2011

2011-07-23T22:25:00.000+05:30

We (100+ people) departed from Chennai on 8th Jul 11 10pm by Tamil Nadu express and returned on 19th Jul 8:30pm by Garib Rath. The detailed plan is as follows:

08-Jul 10:30pm START of the Yatra

Departure from Chennai to Delhi by Tamilnadu express

10-Jul 07:30am Arrival at New Delhi.

Refresh at Kandelval Gujarathi guest house quite near the Railway station

11:30am Departure to Jullunder by Paschim Epress

05:30pm Arrival at Jullender & Depart by Tempo traveller Vans (8 nos)

09:00pm Arrival at Chinthpurni and check-in to the Hotel Samrat

Dinner at Hotel Samrat specially arranged for us by Rammohan

11-Jul 05:00am Visit Chinthpurni Devi temple

Breakfast

08:00am Depart from Chinthpurni

Visit Jwalamukhi, Vajreshvari (Kangra) and have lunch at Hangra

04:00pm Visit Chamunda

07:00pm Visit Triloki Nath Temple

10:00pm Arrive at Pathankot and check-in to hotel Staywell for overnight halt.

12-Jul 08:00am Departure to Srinagar

via Jammu-Kud-Udhampur-Ramban-Ramsoo-Nehru Tunnel-Ananth Nag

13-Jul 01:00am Check-in to the Green Mount Hotel at Srinagar

07:00am Breakfast (Upma)

08:00am Departure to Baltal base camp via Sonmarg (12 noon)

02:00pm Arrival at Baltal

14-Jul 03:00am Departure to Amarnath Gufa by Pony

10:00am Arrive at Amarnath

12:30pm Amarnath Ice Lingam Darshan

01:45pm Departure back to Baltal base camp

08:00pm Arrival at Baltal base camp

15-Jul 08:00am Departure to Srinagar

12:15pm Arrive at Srinagar Green Mount Hotel

03:30pm Srinagar Sight Seeing Adhi Shankara Temple, Mughal Garden

Boating at Dal Lake

08:00pm Back to hotel Green Mount for dinner (Pongal, Gotsu & Ice cream)

16-Jul 07:00am Departure from Srinagar to Katra - Vaishno Devi Shrine

07:30pm Arrive at Katra Vaishno Devi Shrine &

Check-in to Trikut Bhavan accommodation

09:00pm Depart for Vaishno Devi Darshan

17-Jul 05:00am Return after Vaishno Devi Darshan to Trikut Bhavan

01:00pm Lunch (South Indian - Sambar Rasam, Curry & Butter milk)

02:00pm Depart from Katra to Jammu

04:00pm Arrive at Jammu

04:00 to 6:00pm Sight seeing - Jammu Raghunath Temple and Shopping

06:30pm Arrive at Jammu Railway Station

08:40pm Depart to New Delhi from Jammu by Uttar Sampath Kranthi Exp

18-Jul 06:30am Arrive at new Delhi

07:00am Check-in to Kandelval Gujarathi Guest House

12:30pm Lunch with Vada Payasam

02:00pm Depart to Hazrat Nizamudin Railway station by taxi

04:00pm Departure back to Chennai by Garib Rath

Dinner on 18th and Breakfast, Lunch on 19th packed from Delhi

Dinner on 19th arranged at Gudur

19-Jul 08:00pm Arrive at Chennai

19-Jul 08:00pm END of the Yatra

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Amarnath Yatra

2011-07-23T22:23:00.020+05:30

AUM Namashivaya...!

My Amarnath Yatra & the Key People

My Amarnath Yatra could materialize because of these two Rams without whom, I would not have had the greatest opportunity of my life....Having Dharshan of Amarnath..! I should be thanking Ramaswamy and Rammohan for my life for leading me to the divine presence..! Thanking them is too trivial and inadequate for the service they have rendered to me and to hundreds of their friends...! Whenever I remember Amarnath , my hands fold of my reverence to Lord Shiva - and of my fond memories of these Rams to offer my Namaskarams..!

Ramaswamy, one of my neighbours and best friends, has the distinction of having visited Amarnath a number of times, is an integral part of the team that manages the Amarnath trip and plays a key role. Each time he would visit, I used to tell him I would join him the next time...Finally he booked my tickets this year and I could make it because of his patient perseverance with me..!.

Rammohan has been coordinating the Amarnath trip for years now and his knowledge on Amarnath is vast.His tour management ability is impeccable and second to none. He has meticulously planned all aspects of the tour that we did not feel the stress of the long and arduous journey even for a minute..! He has planned and been carrying all ingredients needed for south indian delicacies so carefully that we felt as if we were eating every meal at home...! He has been playing the role of mother Annapurani so well that we were provided dinner in the train on our return..! By the way ,tourism is not his profession- Rammohan has been coordinating the Amarnath Yatra for years as a service without any expectation in return- in fact, I am sure, he spends from his pocket during the tour..!

May God bless them with long life and prosperity...!

Ramaswamy & Rammohan

The Yatra

Enormous amount of information is present on the internet. So I don't intend repeating the same in this blog.

I find this link giving some interesting details about Amarnath Yatra.

The purpose of this series of blog posts is to share the photos and videos of this trip, JuL 8 - Jul 19.

Each of the links below will open up a new page/post that contains Photos and videos. These links will be activated as I make a corresponding post progressively in the next few days.

Enjoy the virtual tour and do drop a line to me as to what you feel about them.!

Click here to view our tour itinerary.

Amarnath recap

Thiruneermalai - Part 2 - Neervanna Perumal Temple

2011-05-22T20:48:00.001+05:30

Continued from Thiruneermalai Part 1 - Ranganathar temple........

Sri Neervannaperumal Temple is situated at the base of Thiruneer malai.

In this Sthalam, the Perumal is found is various positions as Nindraan, Irunthaan, Kidanthaan and Nadanthaan Thirukkolam.

Thirumangai alwar is said to have waited for six months here for water surrounding the hill to drain before he had darshan of Sri Ranganathaswami.

The glass chamber in this temple houses the Utsavar and is a sight to behold..!

Thiruneermalai - Part 1- Ranganathar Temple

2011-05-18T18:17:00.002+05:30

Thiruneermalai is one of the 108 Divya Desams and located near Pallavaram ( 4kms from there), chennai.

There are two temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu. One temple is on the base and another on top of a hill. Long ago, this hill was surrounded by water when Thirumangai Azhwar visited the shrine. Hence it is called Thiruneermalai. (Neer in tamil means water and malai means mountain) . About 200 steps to climb will be woth the effort..!

Currently, the temple is being renovated.

Work in progress..!

View of the tank from the hill top..

Lord Vishnu with his consort..

Needs repainting.. I was told it will be re painted..!

Being very near my place of residence, I visit this beautiful , little temple quite frequently. This is how it looked in 2006..!

Not much of changes in the temple..that can't be said of me though..!

Neervanna Perumal temple at the base of the hill...

Full Set of PHOTOS

A few VIDEOS will not be out of place here..!

Will see the base temple Neervanna Perumal in the next post..here!

Delhi - Lotus Temple

2011-05-15T11:55:00.001+05:30

The Bahá'í House of Worship in Delhi, India, popularly known as the Lotus Temple due to its flowerlike shape, is a Bahá'í House of Worship and also a prominent attraction in Delhi. It was completed in 1986 and serves as the Mother Temple of the Indian subcontinent. It has won numerous architectural awards and been featured in hundreds of newspaper and magazine articles....more from Wikipedia..here...!

They don't allow cameras inside..!

At last I found someone who cared to snap me...!

Full Set of PHOTOS