Visit famous Shiva temple at Tiruvannamalai and surroundings

How to reach TiruvannamalaiTiruvannamalai is on Katpadi-Vellore-Villupuram railway line, 68 km west of Villupuram and 83 km south of Vellore. Tirupati- Villupuram Passanger train leaving Katpadi at 6-40, reaches Tiruvannamalai at 9-30. Katpadi-Trichy Passanger leaving at 16-50 arrives at Tiruvannamalai at 19-25 via Vellore and then departs for Villupuram. The Passanger train that leaves Tiruvannamalai at 6-40 reaches Villupuram at 8-45 and then goes upto Pondicherry at 10-30. Buses take passengers from Tiruvannamalai to Jinji in 1 hour, Chennai in 5 hours and Pondicherry in 3 ½ hours. Tourists for Pondicherry are advised to go straight there by train or from Villupuram by a bus journey of 38 km. Railway station and bus stand at Tiruvannamalai is between 500 meters. To 100 km south of Kanchi, on the northern side of Shovaroi hill and around Arunchaleswar Temple Tiruvannamalai, a holy place dedicated to Lord Shiva. At the foothills 1.5 km from rail and bus stands, Tejalingam complex of over 100 temples has come up on 25 acre of land. This is towering temple, the largest in South India, built with the patronization of the Vijayanagar kings of the 16- 17th century.  What legend says about TiruvannamalaiLord Shiva emerges here as Agni Linga or one of the five sources of life in the midst of Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu who clashed for supremacy. Lord Vishnu taking the form of a boar failed to bore the earth to determine the character of the Linga. Similarly, Lord Brahma in the form of a swan failed to scale the peak of the Lingam to do the same. Both accepted the superiority of Lord Shiva at Tiruvannamalai hill. The temple said to have taken 1000 years to built and Lord Shiva is worshipped here as Arunchaleswar. Other deities like Parvati, Subrahmanya (Kartik), Ganesh, Lakshmi, Venugopal are there in the temple.  The 66 meters high 13 storey Mandapam or Gopuram is a beautiful piece of art works. Carvings are simply marvellous. One will find after entering it on the east gate at the first courtyard the beautiful 1000 pillar Mandap built by the Vijayanagar  kings. To the north of the temple is a tree, a cross between Neem and Bodhi (Banyan). The holy tree is a symbol of peace, happiness and prosperity. Newly married women come and pray to the holy tree for happy married lives. In November-December on the occasion of Kartik full moon a grand Kartikai Deepam festival is organized. Lord Shiva travels around the town on a chariot alongwith Parvati, Kartik and Ganesh. People from far off places come here to take part in the 10-days festival. One has to make 14 km tour trek up the Tiruvannamalai hill to see the Shiva Lingam. Other attractions of Tiruvannamalai: Maharshi Raman's Ashram is another attraction. He died in 1950, cremated 2 km on the South West of the town. Further west is the

1100 meter high Shovaroi hill on the right side of the road and 300 meter high Kalrayan hill on the left side. Opposite the temple to the North West side is the holy hill with its Virupaksha cave. Further up Skandasraman cave. Places to visit surrounding Tiruvannamalai: 35 km west of Tiruvannamalai, in the Reserved Forest is Sathanur Dam (built in 1957) on the Ponnyar river which emerged out of North Bangalore. The lake created out of the dam has got a swimming pool and a crocodile project has also been taken up here. The park adjacent to the lake has a good ambience. Further south is Kuddalore. East India Company set up a commercial house here in 1684. Fort St David was also their creation. However, the French destroyed the fort in 1758. Tourists may visit by bus to sculpturally beautiful Krishna Temple 43 km west of Villupuram. South: Travel India, Image: https://upload.wikimedia.org

Read More........→November 20, 2015

The Musical Benefits Of Ayurveda

Music is a universal language. It influences all levels of human existence. It is a medium for communication, which can be both a pleasant and healing experience. Modern science and medicine are now rediscovering the healing powers of music. And music therapy -- the specialized use of music in treating persons with special needs in mental and physical health, rehabilitation and special education -- is gaining ground. In the West it is now an accepted form of treatment even within orthodox medical practice. Music is an age-old part of Ayurveda, the holistic science which promotes a happy and healthy lifestyle. From time immemorial, music has been a part of Indian culture. In the Vedas too, music

has an important place. The 'Samveda' is full of music. The doshas like Vata, Pitta and Kapha can be controlled effectively by Music Therapy. Great composers of Indian classical music have attempted music therapy down the years. Legend has it that classical music maestro Thyagaraja brought a dead person back to life with his composition. It is believed that music stimulates the pituitary gland, whose secretions affect the nervous system and the flow of blood. It is believed that for healing with music, it is necessary to vibrate the cells of the body, for it is through these vibrations that the diseased person's consciousness can be changed effectively to promote health. The right kind of music helps one relax and refresh. Even during the course of working, light music improves efficiency. Listening to music helps control negativeaspects of our personalities like worry,  bias and anger. In addition, it can help cure headache, abdominal pain and tension. Music therapy is one of the most effective ways of controlling emotions, blood pressure and restoring the functioning of the liver. The Raga Research Centre in Chennai,India. is currently making a comprehensive study of Indian ragas and evaluating their therapeutic potential with the help of musicians, doctors and psychiatrists. It is believed that classical Indian ragas can benefit a whole host of conditions ranging from insomnia, high and low blood pressure to schizophrenia and epilepsy. It isbelieved that there are other ragas that can help fight ageing and pain, too. Music is capable of improving happiness, peace, health and concentration. It is however important to know the method and duration for which Music Therapy is to be administered. This knowledge can be obtained through regular experiments and experience. The first step towards this is the correct diagnosis of the disease and then the selection of the precise raga that will be helpful. Procedure, discipline and a systematic method will help achieve this goal.Source Photobucket: Image1, Image2 Image3, Source: Music in musical therapy

Read More........→May 25, 2013

Great Ways to Start Your Day

The way you spend your morning can add a certain flavor to the rest of your day. Here are  some  

healthy lifestyle habits to incorporate into your morning routine that can leave you better able to handle the stress you .experience. Try one or several, and experiment until you find what suites you for a healthy lifestyle. Morning walk has so many health benefits, the stress management benefits are just gravy! A morning walk can get yo ready for a refreshing and energetic day, helps you sleep better at night, keeps a check on weight and reduces the risk of numerous other health conditions Eating a balanced breakfast can balance your blood sugar levels and give you the sustenance needed to handle day to day mental and physical stress. Be sure to have plenty  of  protein  and

fruit, not just caffeine and empty calories! Remember, breakfast is the most important meal of the day without which one can be more resilient both mentally and physically! Therefore, do not skip! Stretch in the shower! The hot water loosens up the muscles and makes it easier to get a good stretch. The act of stretching will help to release stored tension and enable you to start the day feeling more relaxed, at peace, and ready to handle what comes your way! Sipping a warm cup of Green tea is a soothing activity that will help you prepare for the day ahead and feel nurtured. Green tea is loaded with antioxidants, that keeps up the immune system and maintains healthy weight and helps to cope up with stress and anxiety. Put on some music and start your day! Music therapy has been shown to reduce stress and have a positive effect on health and mood! Listening to music as you get ready and start your day will create a sense of peace and well being. Music can
 

compliment other healthy lifestyle habits, adding rhythm to your brisk walk, peace to your yoga workouts, leisure to your showers and stimulates your mindas you write! Drink plenty of water everyday! Drinking at least 3-4 liters of water daily keeps your body hydrated, puts a check on weight, keeps constipation at bay by improving body metabolism, and makes skin look younger and glowing!,  Source: HerbHealt, Image: flickr.com

Read More........→May 03, 2013

Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary - India's oldes bird sanctuary in Tamilnadu

This bird sanctuary, with a 30 hectre wide lake, is the oldest in India(1858). Migratory birds come down here after the monsoon to make nests. Among them are heron, ibis, pelican, spoonbill, stork, cormorant, egret, greeve and other birds from tropical zones. Best time to visit the sanctuary is in the morning and evening and during November to February. But to get maximum number of birds December-January is the best. It is a treat to watch the birds collecting their food before retiring to their nests. No firearms are allowed in the bird sanctuary nor any body can go near the nests. One can watch the birds from the rest
house on observation tower with the help of a telescope. Hence, tourists should come here with their binocular. How to reach Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary: On Chennai-Trichy-Kottayam NH 45,75 km south of Chennai and 1 km to the east of Mathuranthakam is situated Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary, a paradise for bird watchers. Frequent bus services and plenty of taxis make it a convenient place to visit. Kanchi is 61 Km , Viliupuram 91 Km and Trichy is 252 km from here. One can go there direct from Chennai Broadway Bus stand or via Mahabalipuram and Kanchi. From Egmore trains are going south wards to arrive at Chengalpattu (56 km) in one and half hrs. From Chengalpattu Old Bus Stand buses are available every hour to reach Vedanthangal Forest Rest House, 20 Km from there. Source: Travel India, Image: flickr.com

Read More........→January 27, 2013

President greets people on Durga Puja

New Delhi, Oct 22 (IANS) President Pranab Mukherjee greeted  people on Durga  Puja  Monday  &  asked them to pray to Goddess Durga for peace, happiness and prosperity. In a message of greetings to the people, Mukherjee said: "The festival of Durga Puja marks the victory of good over evil. It is the celebration of shakti (power) and bhakti (devotion) and symbolises our inner struggle to rise to higher levels of consciousness. This is a festival in which every household brims with worship and merriment." "Let us pray to mother Durga, who epitomises female dynamism, that she guides us in the path of righteousness and blesses our land with peace, happiness and prosperity," said Mukherjee. The message added: "May this festival strengthen bonds of brotherhood and may Goddess Durga shower her blessings on all our people for years to come." President Mukherjee is celebrating Durga Puja at his ancestral home in Mirati village in West Bengal. Source: News Track India, Durgapuja : Bengali's Favourite Festival: Durga Puja is performed during the autumn season every year. For the Hindus, it is the greatest festival. The puja is held for  the three consecutive days :  the Saptami, the Astami and the Navami and the fourth day, the Dashami, the image is immersed in the water of a tank or a river. Sindur khela(vermilion play) is a major event of Dashami. Married women apply vermilion to each other and greet each other with sweets. It is in the evening when the image of Goddess Durga is immersed in the water. Bengalis greet each other with Bijoya Greetings and men follow the customary 'Kola-Kuli' (embracing each other). Durga Puja is a festival that the Bengalis celebrate without religious inhibitions. It is more of a socio-cultural celebration that tends to renew kinship with friends and relatives. The image is worshipped along with those of other deities like Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesha and Kartikeya. The frame, on which the said images are installed, contains also the image of Asura (demon) and the lion, the vehicle of Goddess Durga. There is also a rat at the feet of Ganesha. There is a Chal-Chitra which is a circular canvas of mat containing paintings of heavenly scenes placed at the back of the idols. The entire frame of the Gods and Goddesses is placed on a raised platform of altar made of wooden plunks. The Mandap is decorated savilion with beautiful illumination. Every evening, the priest performs aarati or greets the Goddess by waiving lamps and incense in accompaniment of the beating of drums, while the puja (worship) is held. During this great festival, the Hindus buy new clothes for their near and dear ones. they  want to forget their past differences with their rivals or enemies. After the immersion, on the occasion of Vijaya Dashami, the Hindus embrace one another as a token of love and affection, and distribute sweets among all. Durga Puja is now-a-days more a festival than a religious rite. Sometimes the non-Hindus are also found to participate in the festival as a social gesture. Durga Puja is more popular in Bengal. It is performed with more pomp and grandeur there than in any other state of India. People from neighbouring states come to Kolkata during the time, in order to witness the attractive Puja pavilion. Durga Puja is also held at Delhi, Mumbai, chennai and other important cities and towns of India, and also the villages. Durga Puja was first performed in Bengal by a Zaminder (Landlord). Then it came to be popular with the introduction of the Sarvojanin pujas performed with the joint effort of about twelve Zaminders; and hence it is called Barwari (twelve years or friends). Now-a-days, Durga Puja is also held at London and New York, where the Indians perform the puja every year. Mother Goddess Durga is considered as the most powerful Goddess who is the bestower of strength, prosperity and all the best gifts in life. So the devotees pray to Her for various boons. She killed the demon king Mahishasura who had been troubling the Gods and Goddesses and occupied Indra's throne in heaven. So the Gods and Goddesses also worship the great Goddess Durga. She is also known as Mahisasuramardini. The legend is incorporated inSri Sri Chandi, a chapter in the Markandeya Purana composed by sage Markandeya. Source: BengalMedia, Image: flickr.com

Read More........→October 23, 2012

Are pubs the new culture hubs?

Intellectual discourse, avant garde art, evening music performances — pubs are slowly maturing into cultural exchange zones with youngsters looking for more than just an alcohol high. Stand-up acts, photo exhibitions, live music (that is experimental and not just Billy Joel-Piano Man type), art installations, plays, all mix well with alcohol it seems, contrary to what the right brigade will have us believe. Sabrina Price, a karaoke singer from Bengaluru, says, “Pubs are definitely becoming a place for cultural activities — they’ve got music, board games and performing artistes coming in.” Barriers are broken in more than one way, she says as, “In a pub, unlike a coffee shop, I could enjoy the show and also have a drink without having to be prim and proper as is required in typical culture spaces.” Bharatanatyam danseuse Anita Ratnam says, “This is similar to the legendary White Dog café in Philadelphia, where authors, stand-up comedians and campaigning politicians shared time and a platform to speak their mind. Gen-Y today is congregating at social centres where they meet and greet, have some food and drink, and can indulge in an eye-catching performance or art.” Does it place the artiste, who caters to a typical culturally vested crowd, in a tight spot? “Art like mine is not compatible with these new venues, but it is time for inventive, adaptable and creative artistes to recognise this valuable audience base and build appropriate culture capsules to catch their attention. The lines between high art and popular art are also blurring. It is all about eyeballs and how we can catch them,” says Anita. Ajay Krishnan, a theatre artiste who staged a series of plays in restaurants and pubs across Bengaluru recently, says, “Coffee shops haven’t lost their charm but are now a setting for people of a different generation.” In Chennai, too, the historical “sabha” culture is slowly changing. Book reading sessions and art walks are gaining popularity. At the Park’s New Fest curated by Prakriti Foundation, Ranvir Shah, the curator, showcased poetry entwined with music and dance. These capsules are all about culture meeting casual comfort. The ambience lends itself to being informal and inclusive, says Narendran Subramani-am, a drummer. “Unlike at sabhas or big auditoriums, people needn’t dress in pure silk saris or drip jasmine flowers in their hair to prove their appreciation of culture. True lovers of music and art can revel in it in a casual setting. This takes away the elitism in appreciation.” Deepali Narula, CEO, F Bar and Lounge, New Delhi, says, “There is a change in the mindsets of people now and more people are opening up to the idea of trying out various places in the city. When we started this place, our main focus was nightlife but we also encouraged the creative crowd to come in and showcase their talent. From photo-exhibitions to book launches and art exhibitions, a lot of cultural events happen here. In fact, we started the concept of a ‘celebrity’ in focus, where we have people showcasing their artworks, sculptures, fashion-related installations etc. These events witness an eclectic crowd.” In Kolkata, the scene is fast changing with chai addas turning into slick tea lounges and hookah bars, frequented by an intellectual gathering of poets, writers, musicians and painters. Dotting Kolkata’s Park Street stretch are pubs like Bar-b-q, Roxy, Someplace Else, Aqua, Shisha, et al. From live-band gigs to music album launches, movie promos, stand-up comedies and talk shows, the pubs have them all on their events list. “The Roxy bar at the Park hotel hosts comic acts and skits where reputed artistes like Neville Shah come in to enthrall audiences. And yes, book releases also happen quite a lot in pubs,” says ace stand-up comedian and screenwriter Anuvab Pal. Today’s exuberant lounge bars are designed elegantly, eye-catching through their infusion of warm, contemporary design and engineered interiors with easy flowing space. While singers like Bappi Lahiri and Babul Supriyo have entertained at Tantra on Park Street, new-age comedians like Vir Das and Cyrus Broacha frequent places like Incognito. Author Amit Chaudhuri, apart from unveiling his literary titles, has also unwrapped his electro-classical CDs and performed from playlists live at the scintillating Someplace Else in Kolkata. In recent times, the HHI pub has featured names like the Sufi rockband Wagah Road, Japanese guitarist-crooner Mc Chon, stand-up comedian Sorabh Pant, ambient acoustic band Ashmaan, singer-duo Mistie & Flavian, acoustic duo Crystal Glass, et al. Gathering together all the elements essential for a pleasant evening out, pubs today welcome the young crowd that can hold their drink and conversation well. It remains to be seen if pubs can take over from traditional cultural spaces that firmly hold a certain sensibility and sanctity, but they reaffirm the belief that art can be for everybody. Source: Deccan Chronicle, Image: flickr.com

Read More........→October 15, 2012

Switzerland–Heaven on Earth

Switzerland, which is known as a heart of Europe, is a dream destination for newly married couples. The day in the lap of nature becomes a memorable moment for the honeymoon couples. The mountains covered with the white snow, wonderful scenes of nature, lush greenery all around and calm lakes makes this land more romantic. You can enjoy the romance as well as adventure in the city. The country of Europe is enriched with beauty, culture, traditions and peaceful environment. This is the reason this place is the first choice for the tourists every year. From March to May, the Switzerland has a spring season and the beauty of nature in this season not give a cool feeling to eyes but to heart also. If you want to enjoy your summer vacations or you want some remarkable moments with your partner, you should not miss the opportunity to visit this country. The land is known as heaven on the earth. Switzerland is also known as the country of lakes. The reason for this because most of the big cities are developed near the bank of lake and many cities is named on the name of lakes. Not only for the beauty the Switzerland also famous for the chocolates and gold coins. Switzerland is the best for every facility. The transport facilities are the wonderful and convenient in the Switzerland. If you want to travel any city of the Switzerland, you can get easy transport mediums like rail, bus and flight. The public transport facility is so easy and friendly that you feel the luxury comfort in the public transport. The months of June to September are the best to visit in Switzerland, but if you want to avoid crowd then month of May is the best time to visit this country. The direct flights are available from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Goya and Pune. The currency rate in Switzerland is 1 Swiss Franck= 50.86122 rupees according to Indian currency. Relation with Bollywood: Due to its beauty and lush greenery, this destination is famous in the Bollywood industry. You can see the wonder of natural beauty of Switzerland in many of the Bollywood movies of Yashraj Banner. The showman Raj Kapoor was the first person who had launched the Switzerland in Bollywood in movie ‘Sangam’, after that Switzerland become part and parcel of Bollywood movies. Some of the movies who were shot in Switzerland are: ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’, ‘Hero No. 1’, ‘Chori Chori Chupke Chupke’, ‘Dhadkan’, ‘Biwi No. 1’, ‘Kabhi Kushi Kabhi Gham’ and ‘Mujh Se Dosti Karoge’. To give an honor to film maker Yash Chopra and to see his love for Switzerland, the Switzerland Railway has launched a train with the name of Yash Chopra. The train named ‘Yash Chopra Train’ was launched at Jungfrau railway station. This is the same stations where the songs ‘Tu mere samne’ for movie ‘Dar’ and ‘Zara Sa Zoom Loon Main’ for movie ‘Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge’ were shot. Yash Chopra has given an honor of ambassador for Interlaken. He is the first Indian who has got this honor. In Switzerland, there is one hotel, which is given a name of Yash Chopra. This is the great honor from the side of Switzerland to Bollywood and Yash Chopra.  Source: Medley News, Image: flickr.com

Read More........→September 12, 2012

Working women in urban India put career ahead of motherhood

New Delhi, Working women in urban areas give precedence to their career and professional ambitions over plans to start a family, a study said today. The survey was conducted on about 1,200 married, young working women and home makers in cities like Ahmedabad, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Pune. Over half of married women in the aforesaid centres said they have shelved plans to start a family as career advancement and higher-education is their priority and cannot sacrifice the same to raise kids. About 200 respondents from the working women category said they have put off their plans to have a baby as it would disfigure their physical appearance. "Ambitious working women in India are not willing to give up their career for the sake of family as they are apprehensive about dealing with stress," said Secretary General D S Rawat while releasing the study. Nearly 65 out of total 150 working women interviewed in Delhi said they are deliberately avoiding to begin a family. Though, 100 out of 150 working women in Mumbai and 80 in Bangalore said they are averse to having a baby for the time being as their respective career is primary for them. Off the 800 stay-at-home moms interviewed, about 25 per cent said they regret not being able to work as they are less educated. Of these about 80 said they regret motherhood as they have lost their social identity. Source: Indian Express

Read More........→June 25, 2012