Well, this is something which i remembered early morning while talking to a gal in bus and i started laughing like mad. I thought i will share it with the love of my life "MY Blog". ( Yes, i want to call it mine) :)
The girl was mentioning on how she came across an uncle who told her what is the right place for gals and how they should behave and all that. I remembered a train journey. There was an old couple sitting next to me. It was Rajdhani and i had descended from the upper berth after reading my novel and was waiting for my dinner. Suddenly, both of them ( who seemed to be thoroughly bored of looking out of window) started a conversation.
"Beta, kaha se aae ho aur kahaa ja rahe ho?" I told them about the journey. They started asking about my education, my work. Suddenly, uncle saw an english novel in my hand. He started, this english culture, these novels are not good. I said uncle its on Indian history, it is nice, i can tell you in short what it is all about. BUT, NO! He was all set to tell me that being a girl reading is not what i need to do. I was like, alright, go on, i have a hollow pipe between my two ears and i am in no mood to argue. Thankfully my dad did not think the way you did, else i have no clue what would have happened to my life.
Man! he was getting too much. So, do you know how to cook? AND i told myself, did i tell him that i am looking for a maid's job. Anyway, chill, just answer. I said i know whatever is needed to live, i am not dependent. Uncle ji, dont you know how to cook, wash etc etc? I said, this is the problem with hindi culture, people are so dependent, they will look at books and clothes when they dont even know how to cook their own food and wash their own clothes. (Now, i was ready to take it heads on, enough is enough ok ;)) BTW, do you know?
He said nahi beta aunty hai na tumhari. I looked at the poor lady who looked thoroughly disgusted with her husband. Suddenly all my anger was gone. Yeah, dinner was over and i was having the sweet dish which was an "ice cream". I started laughing like mads. Uncle said kya hua bete? I said uncle, after all the seva that aunty does, you gave aunty to a stranger? He said kaise? I said you never said she is my wife, you said tumhari(stranger's) aunty. I wonder whats wrong in atleast accepting that she is your wife and you love her because you only know how to eat and not how to cook what you eat. I just hope we learn to acknowledge the love and care if nothing else. I am not so sure that this is culture and if it is, it is biased and i for sure think that i am more than a cook for rest of my life, at the cost of being uncultured or whatever bull shit. And then maid servants are available for 5k, so why bring someone home(detach from ething that she is born with) and crib over a bottle of liquor for rest of your life, calling it a "mistake". Please dont ruin people's life for your self interest. If you are "cultured", be good and sensible.
But anyways, goodnight!! I got to read that dirty novel, its damn good. It opens up my mind and hence i sit and comtemplate on culture, so i understand it disturbs your comfort factor. Bbye! It was nice talking to you both. They start staring back to nowhere out of the window and i get back to reading my "dirty" book on Indian history.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Cruelty at its Best!
I happened to pick a dvd with three Afghani movies. I like to watch movies from different countries and languages. ( OK!! i dont understand language but they give good insight into culture.) The movie is about some barbaric rules in Afghanistan where in a woman is not allowed to walk out on street without a man.
The movie moves around a family of a lady, a little girl and an old grand mother. All men in their home have died in wars. They have no one to accompany them outside. If they dont go out then how do they earn for living? They decide to dress up their girl like a boy and follow her for work. There is one street urchin who knows that she is a girl, but he decides to keep quite.
One day, all young boys are caught to teach islamic learnings and she is also made to join the troop.
The movie revolves around her escapade and fears that she will be killed if its discovered that she is a girl disguised as a boy.
The barbarians find out that she is breaking "law". They decide to kill her. No one comes to save her. She is married off to a 60 year old man in the name of mercy.
Oops!! Do people have any sense left? Where do their rationality go? When they make laws, dont they know that women are also human, they need to eat and live too or does the religion consider them to be worse than animals? I was shocked. If they think woman are that bad, its better to kill them and survive in this world alone with their supremacy. In the end, its not men's world. Its a world where every entity has a unique place. Anything that has life and emotions has to be treated with human sense. But the issue is not just the men, its also the women who accept it.
The movie moves around a family of a lady, a little girl and an old grand mother. All men in their home have died in wars. They have no one to accompany them outside. If they dont go out then how do they earn for living? They decide to dress up their girl like a boy and follow her for work. There is one street urchin who knows that she is a girl, but he decides to keep quite.
One day, all young boys are caught to teach islamic learnings and she is also made to join the troop.
The movie revolves around her escapade and fears that she will be killed if its discovered that she is a girl disguised as a boy.
The barbarians find out that she is breaking "law". They decide to kill her. No one comes to save her. She is married off to a 60 year old man in the name of mercy.
Oops!! Do people have any sense left? Where do their rationality go? When they make laws, dont they know that women are also human, they need to eat and live too or does the religion consider them to be worse than animals? I was shocked. If they think woman are that bad, its better to kill them and survive in this world alone with their supremacy. In the end, its not men's world. Its a world where every entity has a unique place. Anything that has life and emotions has to be treated with human sense. But the issue is not just the men, its also the women who accept it.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Back Pack from Bangalore!! :)
This is about Bangalore. Its last 15 days in this city. I remember first time when i landed in Bangalore. I had never been to southern part of India, so it was my first tryst to a different state. Things were normal. Bangalore is a truly cosmopolitan city. Not even once in last 4 years did i feel that i was in a part of country which was not known to me.
Its been almost 4 years now. Now that i am wrapping up my things, i realize that i love this city. I have seen many colors of life here. A good set of friends, lots of work, nice weather, extreme emotions and one of the worst phases of my life. Its all over. I have evolved and survived everything to move on into a new phase of life. As i pack my stuff, i look at everything that is mine. Its about the curtains, the dvd, the microwave, the walls, the TV,books,clothes. Each one has a story to tell but then i know i have to give them away and move on. Thats what life is all about.
I dont know what am i heading towards, but what i leaving behind is equally good. This life was good, but then i am never satisfied and i wanted to do better in life. This had to come to an end, i was getting comfortable in this life.
As i sit down to settle my papers, i see some greetings, some visiting cards and some home delivery food palmphlets, and there is a curve on my lips. Yes, i love my friends. The way they would come to my home and demand food, watch TV as if it was their property, crack jokes, download music on net, go out for dinners, talk about ages and years( some of them are my childhood friends), stealing away my books and who is good fight between boys and gals, and yes, i have been irrational when things went wrong, but nothing changed in them. They were always the same, they never left me, not even for a moment, not even when i gave them all reasons to. And i know how lucky i am to have them. Its about the fights we had on chocolates, about the color black, about why they called me all india radio coz i talked a lot and about ice creams with a walk in night. We all are doing very well in life but i dont remember us discussing work often. If someone has an issue at work, we will go all the way to make things light and normal, but otherwise, we had millions of things to talk of.
I remember when i had a severe throat infection. I could not speak and even sleep. My friend used to stay over and make fun of my voice. We laughed, but then i also know that she woke up at midnight to tell me that she wanted to read a book, that was more to make me feel normal because i could not sleep. :)
Its all over? I dont know where will we all go. Suddenly i want to sit and cry, but then i will not. I am ruthlessly practical, i am not emotional anymore. I value everything, but nothing enough to hurt me. I will let it all go with a smile. But just to say friends, you all have been the best part of my life and you are as important to me as anything could ever get. I will be there for you, whenever and whereever you need me.
Here is a teddy that i got. I like it because i love it. Its soft and white and big with a cute smile. It wears a frock and has a bow. When i scored a 580 in my GMAT mock, i looked at my teddy and said read it as 700+ and nothing less and there are no second attempts in my life. It was smiling and i hugged it. And when i wrote my essays for ISB, i told my teddy, how much self boasting does it need, it smiled. And when i went for ISB interview, a day before i blurted out all my answers infront of teddy and asked was i good? It smiled. I got ISB sms, i said you think i should check out the sms? It could be a reject in which case we will cry and accept, in which case we will watch a dvd of FRIENDS. It smiled. So, i learned one big thing from teddy, keep a constant expression, things will come and go. BTW, its still smiling and i am not leaving this in Bangalore. This is going to go to my nephew because both of them smile irrespective of the seriousness of the issue at hand.
Yep, its all packed. Its just two weeks. I have learned to move on. I have learned to give everything my best shot and keep a constant expression irrespective of which direction things move. I dont have a balance sheet of life and i dont keep accounts of happy and sad moments, but i am sure they balance out, i come out happy. I am a survivor. Thanks to everyone who came and went in my life. Thanks to people for coming across my way and teaching me a thing or two, but we are crossing the same path too often. I need to go to a new path, i need to meet new strangers and learn. It was good here and it will be good out there. The point is, i have one life, i have to keep moving till i discover my goal. I am exploring life and each phase is full of surprises. I have packed my good memories and stored them safely. I am leaving bad memories as they are too much of weight and courier charges are sky rocketing. I am sorry, i dont have money for non sense as i am jobless for next one year, only good things can move on in my journey called "life".
Remember, i attach to all good things in life. Good people, good thoughts, good food, good clothes, good work, good movies, good books, good ice creams, good babies, good education, good good good. There is nothing bad in my life, i leave them all behind. :D
Its been almost 4 years now. Now that i am wrapping up my things, i realize that i love this city. I have seen many colors of life here. A good set of friends, lots of work, nice weather, extreme emotions and one of the worst phases of my life. Its all over. I have evolved and survived everything to move on into a new phase of life. As i pack my stuff, i look at everything that is mine. Its about the curtains, the dvd, the microwave, the walls, the TV,books,clothes. Each one has a story to tell but then i know i have to give them away and move on. Thats what life is all about.
I dont know what am i heading towards, but what i leaving behind is equally good. This life was good, but then i am never satisfied and i wanted to do better in life. This had to come to an end, i was getting comfortable in this life.
As i sit down to settle my papers, i see some greetings, some visiting cards and some home delivery food palmphlets, and there is a curve on my lips. Yes, i love my friends. The way they would come to my home and demand food, watch TV as if it was their property, crack jokes, download music on net, go out for dinners, talk about ages and years( some of them are my childhood friends), stealing away my books and who is good fight between boys and gals, and yes, i have been irrational when things went wrong, but nothing changed in them. They were always the same, they never left me, not even for a moment, not even when i gave them all reasons to. And i know how lucky i am to have them. Its about the fights we had on chocolates, about the color black, about why they called me all india radio coz i talked a lot and about ice creams with a walk in night. We all are doing very well in life but i dont remember us discussing work often. If someone has an issue at work, we will go all the way to make things light and normal, but otherwise, we had millions of things to talk of.
I remember when i had a severe throat infection. I could not speak and even sleep. My friend used to stay over and make fun of my voice. We laughed, but then i also know that she woke up at midnight to tell me that she wanted to read a book, that was more to make me feel normal because i could not sleep. :)
Its all over? I dont know where will we all go. Suddenly i want to sit and cry, but then i will not. I am ruthlessly practical, i am not emotional anymore. I value everything, but nothing enough to hurt me. I will let it all go with a smile. But just to say friends, you all have been the best part of my life and you are as important to me as anything could ever get. I will be there for you, whenever and whereever you need me.
Here is a teddy that i got. I like it because i love it. Its soft and white and big with a cute smile. It wears a frock and has a bow. When i scored a 580 in my GMAT mock, i looked at my teddy and said read it as 700+ and nothing less and there are no second attempts in my life. It was smiling and i hugged it. And when i wrote my essays for ISB, i told my teddy, how much self boasting does it need, it smiled. And when i went for ISB interview, a day before i blurted out all my answers infront of teddy and asked was i good? It smiled. I got ISB sms, i said you think i should check out the sms? It could be a reject in which case we will cry and accept, in which case we will watch a dvd of FRIENDS. It smiled. So, i learned one big thing from teddy, keep a constant expression, things will come and go. BTW, its still smiling and i am not leaving this in Bangalore. This is going to go to my nephew because both of them smile irrespective of the seriousness of the issue at hand.
Yep, its all packed. Its just two weeks. I have learned to move on. I have learned to give everything my best shot and keep a constant expression irrespective of which direction things move. I dont have a balance sheet of life and i dont keep accounts of happy and sad moments, but i am sure they balance out, i come out happy. I am a survivor. Thanks to everyone who came and went in my life. Thanks to people for coming across my way and teaching me a thing or two, but we are crossing the same path too often. I need to go to a new path, i need to meet new strangers and learn. It was good here and it will be good out there. The point is, i have one life, i have to keep moving till i discover my goal. I am exploring life and each phase is full of surprises. I have packed my good memories and stored them safely. I am leaving bad memories as they are too much of weight and courier charges are sky rocketing. I am sorry, i dont have money for non sense as i am jobless for next one year, only good things can move on in my journey called "life".
Remember, i attach to all good things in life. Good people, good thoughts, good food, good clothes, good work, good movies, good books, good ice creams, good babies, good education, good good good. There is nothing bad in my life, i leave them all behind. :D
Monday, February 25, 2008
And to the place i loved most.. Kanya Kumari!!
This is day 3. We start for Kanyakumari late night and reach the place at 3 AM in morning. God, i need to sleep. We land in a hotel room, the tour guide says, mam, i will be here at 5:45 AM, we have to see the sun rise from Bay of Bengal. Haan bhai! OK!! And i am telling to myself, i dont care whether sun rises or not, i dont think i am getting up. I NEED TO SLEEP!!
I enter into my room and open the window, i can see sea. I saw a huge rocky structure in dark, thats Vivekananda memorial. OK mum! sun rise will look good. I will get up. I set the alarm for 5 o clock and go for a quick sleep. It dsnt take long for that alarm to ring, but then i dont have a choice, sun will not wait for me. We get up and walk down to the sun rise point. I had never seen day shining on sea shore. It was beautiful experience. The sea waves were hitting the rocks. The day was brightening with every passing moment. I captured the stages. Suddenly the orange round rose up from behind the sea. It became bigger and bigger. There were boats of fisherman going out in sea. Expereince was amazing. The waves of water were running to hit the shores as sun made them brighter.
We headed to a point where Indian ocean, Bay of Bengal and Arabian sea meet. the color of water of these three seas is different and you can see the black, dark blue and greenish color stand out. I like the feeling of sea waves wiping off the land beneath my feet. I settled in knee deep water and waited for sea waves. Its amazing. There is water all around and soft land under your feet. The color was marvellous. We moved on to check out some temple of brahma, vishnu and mahesh 20 kms off kanya kumari. We took out some time for wax museum in kanya kumari. I liked the way guide described it, "One london, 5000 Rs, other wax museum India only 50 rs." :).
We came back to sea shores for Kanya Kumari temple, vivekananda rock and gandhi memorial. Now was time to explore Vivekananda rock which was off the land. We were seated in a huge boat, it took us to place where swami vivekananda prayed for knowledge. Nice site. Sea touching the rocks all around. There was water till my eyes could see on one side. Time to come back.
We reached back to hotel and started back for Bangalore. I wanted to stay in Kanyakumari for a day more because we had not seen the sun set. I told to myself, never mind, some other time. Mum seemed to be enjoying sea a lot. She did not crib of tiredness, no sleep or food or for that matter anything. Strong mum! when i asked her thrice, she said she wanted to sleep and i saw that our feet were swollen because of extensive travel in short time. Time to get back to home sweet home.
All in all, its tiring, tanning, sleep depriving, but travelling is always worth. Its fun to discover new places, meet new people, learn about new cultures. One life is not enough and i need to sleep before i go miles...... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.........
Location- Kanya Kumari
Travel- 250 kms from Kanyakumari
Food- Good
Cleanliness- Good
Places to visit- Sun rise, Vivekananda memorial, Kanya Kumari temple, i liked was museum, Sangam point, Gandhi memorial, brahma vishnu mahesh temple.
Caution- have fun@ beaches ( remember three oceans meet at this point, its a rare sight.)
I enter into my room and open the window, i can see sea. I saw a huge rocky structure in dark, thats Vivekananda memorial. OK mum! sun rise will look good. I will get up. I set the alarm for 5 o clock and go for a quick sleep. It dsnt take long for that alarm to ring, but then i dont have a choice, sun will not wait for me. We get up and walk down to the sun rise point. I had never seen day shining on sea shore. It was beautiful experience. The sea waves were hitting the rocks. The day was brightening with every passing moment. I captured the stages. Suddenly the orange round rose up from behind the sea. It became bigger and bigger. There were boats of fisherman going out in sea. Expereince was amazing. The waves of water were running to hit the shores as sun made them brighter.
We headed to a point where Indian ocean, Bay of Bengal and Arabian sea meet. the color of water of these three seas is different and you can see the black, dark blue and greenish color stand out. I like the feeling of sea waves wiping off the land beneath my feet. I settled in knee deep water and waited for sea waves. Its amazing. There is water all around and soft land under your feet. The color was marvellous. We moved on to check out some temple of brahma, vishnu and mahesh 20 kms off kanya kumari. We took out some time for wax museum in kanya kumari. I liked the way guide described it, "One london, 5000 Rs, other wax museum India only 50 rs." :).
We came back to sea shores for Kanya Kumari temple, vivekananda rock and gandhi memorial. Now was time to explore Vivekananda rock which was off the land. We were seated in a huge boat, it took us to place where swami vivekananda prayed for knowledge. Nice site. Sea touching the rocks all around. There was water till my eyes could see on one side. Time to come back.
We reached back to hotel and started back for Bangalore. I wanted to stay in Kanyakumari for a day more because we had not seen the sun set. I told to myself, never mind, some other time. Mum seemed to be enjoying sea a lot. She did not crib of tiredness, no sleep or food or for that matter anything. Strong mum! when i asked her thrice, she said she wanted to sleep and i saw that our feet were swollen because of extensive travel in short time. Time to get back to home sweet home.
All in all, its tiring, tanning, sleep depriving, but travelling is always worth. Its fun to discover new places, meet new people, learn about new cultures. One life is not enough and i need to sleep before i go miles...... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.........
Location- Kanya Kumari
Travel- 250 kms from Kanyakumari
Food- Good
Cleanliness- Good
Places to visit- Sun rise, Vivekananda memorial, Kanya Kumari temple, i liked was museum, Sangam point, Gandhi memorial, brahma vishnu mahesh temple.
Caution- have fun@ beaches ( remember three oceans meet at this point, its a rare sight.)
Journey Journey Part 2 with droopy eyes...
This is day 2. The day is supposed to be a trip to Rameshwaram, this is an island situated in gulf of mannar. I asked mum not to wake up very early as i knew that next three days were going to be extensive on journey. But, the day starts at 6:00 AM. I have difficulty opening my eyes, but then something tells me that you are going to check out the south eastern tip of India, c'mon. And i jump out of the bed. Ready to run at 7:00 AM. With bag on my shoulders, i enter into the bus to find some of the known faces. We all smile at each other. I take out my camera and share some of the pics with the gal, who is amazing photographer. She shows hers to me. We all settle for a 3 hours bus ride. I keep showing the farms to mum in the way. We finally smell something BAD, alright, this is fish and we are near sea. Mum was happy, she told that she loves the horizon and i realize that so do i. There seems to be a point where sea meets sky and there is no visible piece of land. And trust me, for a moment, everything looks like a beautiful painting to me.
We pass pamban bridge on the sea. Its a beautiful site. The bridge is constructed on sea and there is a parallel railway line which runs along. There is water all around.
We stopped to see a floating stone's temple. There are some stones which when thorwn in water, do not drown. It is said that the ones' touched by Nal and Neel from hanuman's army do not drown. This indeed is interesting. One temple was ruined by tsunami, but then they show the ruins.
We reached the main rameshwaram temple. There is a queue of people who are willing to sell you moksha for Rs 50/-. The package includes taking a plunge in sea, then they will throw water from 22 wells on you( which will make u holy), then if you pay 150, you will be given special prefernce over people who are standing in queue. Ok, i get that.
The whole temple is muddy and watery because people have to go through the 22 well bathing. Its supposed to purify ones soul, but you should take bath after being through 22 wells, your body is separate from soul. This was an interesting experience. Millions of people is all i remember. The temple is huge. Again an architectural marvel and yes indeed the water from 22 wells does not dry up even after millions of people take bath in it. It is said that water from each well tastes different and Lord Rama had to go through this before he sat down to pray to Lord Shiva.
We came out of temple soon. This was time to explore surroundings. I loved the sea though it was dirty at the shores. I sat down at a cleaner side and observed a ship pass by. It was a small, wooden boat. The person rowing it was a fisherman. He was heading in a huge sea with his fishing nets. He does not know about moksha, he knows that he has come on earth and he needs to earn to survive. He waves his hand and so do i. I know everyday he heads closer to moksha. I look at the temple in back ground, God is smiling again. He says, you all come to me and there are millions who earn from your coming, look at it positively. I set my eyes at the small fading boat again. I got my answer God, OK!! :)
Location- Rameshwaram
Distance- 200 kms from Madurai (3-4 hours journeys)
Food- Average ( You get all kind of Indian food)
Cleanliness- Its a holy place, so dont expect anything
Places to visit- See the south eastern most tip of India from pamban bridge, check out the sea, do go through 22 wells(they never dry), check out the temple architecture. Yes, you can see Abdul Kalam's house in Machalipatnam. Floating stone temple.
Caution- Be rational.
We pass pamban bridge on the sea. Its a beautiful site. The bridge is constructed on sea and there is a parallel railway line which runs along. There is water all around.
We stopped to see a floating stone's temple. There are some stones which when thorwn in water, do not drown. It is said that the ones' touched by Nal and Neel from hanuman's army do not drown. This indeed is interesting. One temple was ruined by tsunami, but then they show the ruins.
We reached the main rameshwaram temple. There is a queue of people who are willing to sell you moksha for Rs 50/-. The package includes taking a plunge in sea, then they will throw water from 22 wells on you( which will make u holy), then if you pay 150, you will be given special prefernce over people who are standing in queue. Ok, i get that.
The whole temple is muddy and watery because people have to go through the 22 well bathing. Its supposed to purify ones soul, but you should take bath after being through 22 wells, your body is separate from soul. This was an interesting experience. Millions of people is all i remember. The temple is huge. Again an architectural marvel and yes indeed the water from 22 wells does not dry up even after millions of people take bath in it. It is said that water from each well tastes different and Lord Rama had to go through this before he sat down to pray to Lord Shiva.
We came out of temple soon. This was time to explore surroundings. I loved the sea though it was dirty at the shores. I sat down at a cleaner side and observed a ship pass by. It was a small, wooden boat. The person rowing it was a fisherman. He was heading in a huge sea with his fishing nets. He does not know about moksha, he knows that he has come on earth and he needs to earn to survive. He waves his hand and so do i. I know everyday he heads closer to moksha. I look at the temple in back ground, God is smiling again. He says, you all come to me and there are millions who earn from your coming, look at it positively. I set my eyes at the small fading boat again. I got my answer God, OK!! :)
Location- Rameshwaram
Distance- 200 kms from Madurai (3-4 hours journeys)
Food- Average ( You get all kind of Indian food)
Cleanliness- Its a holy place, so dont expect anything
Places to visit- See the south eastern most tip of India from pamban bridge, check out the sea, do go through 22 wells(they never dry), check out the temple architecture. Yes, you can see Abdul Kalam's house in Machalipatnam. Floating stone temple.
Caution- Be rational.
A 3 day trip to holy south indian cities..Part-1
The journey started at 10:30 PM on 22nd feb. I wanted to sleep then and i want to sleep now as i am jotting down my experience. In morning the bus hit Madurai. I woke up my mum and told her that we were in temple city. Madurai looked like an old, dirty town. ( I have no clue why is tamil nadu dirty, but consistently i have observed that while its earning from tourism in immense, they don't learn that hygiene factor is important.) Here, a man walking on dirty streets without slippers, welcome to Madurai.
We got down and were taken to a nice hotel by our tour operator( Thankfully, had it been dirty too, he was in to get a good piece of mind for me.). We were told that we were near Meenakshi temple and we could visit the same and be ready for a trip around city by afternoon. We got ready and walked towards Meenakshi temple. The temple was huge. It has four huge doors and has magnificent stone carvings all around. There is a temple of Lord Shiva and Meenakshi. To me the temple looks mysterious because its too huge and dark. We boast of technology, but the funny part is we cant even maintain what people could make 1000 years back. The temple needs better maintenance. The temple was dark inside with some small openings through which sun descended its rays into the temple. And, lets not talk of pandits and their constant cry for money. I feel like asking God that why did he become so biased about his bhakts. What if i did not have 50 rupees, was i not supposed to see him then?
Afternoon was welcomed by a tour guide. We were taken to some palace which has been converted into a museum. The carvings were wonderful, BUT it cried out loud for maintenance as well. It was dirty, unkempt and full of people. It will not survive the century if not taken care of. From there, we headed for some big lake. There is a temple right in mid of that lake. The temple is empty year round. Once in year, god and goddess are brought to visit the same. So, we are shown the same from distance and i so badly want to go to the temple and see it. BUT, its something to be seen from distance, OK.
Next, we travel some 20 kms off Madurai to visit another mysterious temple between hills. There is an animal cut infront of a closed door every day in name of "bali".The door opens once in an year because that's how God likes it. We enter inside to see a whole new mysterious world. Its all a huge huge mansion carved out of greyish huge rocks. Its been told to me that it was constructed when cement did not exist. The cement was replaced with a mixture of jaggery, eggs and sand. Amazing if that is true. The building is huge. I have never seen such huge temples ever in life. They are huge stone pillars carved with millions of statues which i find difficult to interpret. Its huge and beautiful, but as i say, there is an element of mystery, it says you cant explore me, i am beyond you. The paths look difficult to interpret, its usually dark inside and the pillar trails ends nowhere. And then i realize that i am probably in 25% part of that mysterious place and will be too scared to go to other 75% alone, but i would want to.
We head back to reach to a relatively modern temple, huge beautiful idols, but then its not mysterious as Meenakshi and the other temple. There are stories around the coming up of each temple. How God prayed to make Goddess happy, who was kind of cross(atleast that's what i got out of the story). The one who prayed even got gold lotus from a pond which now has only pink natural lotus. But yes, Meenakshi temple is beautiful and huge. You must check out the four main doors which are 9 stories and have more than 1000 idols carved in it. The idols inside are huge and carved out of black stones. There is a 1000 pillar hall in Meenakshi temple which looks more like dancing hall to me. Its now converted into a museum with anything and everything that broke down in temple due to lack of maintenance.
So, after a long day, we came back to hotel. Tonight, we were supposed to sleep for next 3 days it was going to be BAD. I have no clue when did i fall asleep but i know that i was discovering the mysterious temples in my dreams and they were not dark. They were beautifully lit and i wondered how kings in olden times visited such huge temples. I was dreaming.
However, i would say that commercialization of temple looks bad to me. They are supposed to be places where people could go and sit in peace. There is nothing like that which remains in temples anymore. Poor stand in long queues, they are pushed out. Its the financial capacity based on which God's view is sold. I feel bad about this aspect. There were huge hoardings suggesting that only Hindus could enter in temple shrine. I have no clue. Does God or the temple management know whats my caste? When you are charging money to see God then why restrict it on other factors? God, do you see all this?
Anyway, i am dreaming and i realize that when king enters the temple, its only him and his family. Poor people get to see once in a while. God did not construct it, mind you, King constructed it. God did not set the rules, people set them. God seems to be tired himself working 20 hours a day and accepting offerings from millions when he is supposed to be the giver. Then i look at his idol, he is smiling. He says, i smile at all of you. I love you all, even after paying you cant see me. I am your faith, you search me in all easy places while i reside in you. Do good and be good. This is a historical heritage building, i happen to be sitting here because i thought king did a great job. Yes, he did. I got my answer, thank you God! :)
Location- Madurai
Food- Average
Cleanliness- Bad
Travel- 8-9 hours journey from bangalore
Place to Visit- Meenakshi temple (Such temples are not a common site. Architectural marvel)
We got down and were taken to a nice hotel by our tour operator( Thankfully, had it been dirty too, he was in to get a good piece of mind for me.). We were told that we were near Meenakshi temple and we could visit the same and be ready for a trip around city by afternoon. We got ready and walked towards Meenakshi temple. The temple was huge. It has four huge doors and has magnificent stone carvings all around. There is a temple of Lord Shiva and Meenakshi. To me the temple looks mysterious because its too huge and dark. We boast of technology, but the funny part is we cant even maintain what people could make 1000 years back. The temple needs better maintenance. The temple was dark inside with some small openings through which sun descended its rays into the temple. And, lets not talk of pandits and their constant cry for money. I feel like asking God that why did he become so biased about his bhakts. What if i did not have 50 rupees, was i not supposed to see him then?
Afternoon was welcomed by a tour guide. We were taken to some palace which has been converted into a museum. The carvings were wonderful, BUT it cried out loud for maintenance as well. It was dirty, unkempt and full of people. It will not survive the century if not taken care of. From there, we headed for some big lake. There is a temple right in mid of that lake. The temple is empty year round. Once in year, god and goddess are brought to visit the same. So, we are shown the same from distance and i so badly want to go to the temple and see it. BUT, its something to be seen from distance, OK.
Next, we travel some 20 kms off Madurai to visit another mysterious temple between hills. There is an animal cut infront of a closed door every day in name of "bali".The door opens once in an year because that's how God likes it. We enter inside to see a whole new mysterious world. Its all a huge huge mansion carved out of greyish huge rocks. Its been told to me that it was constructed when cement did not exist. The cement was replaced with a mixture of jaggery, eggs and sand. Amazing if that is true. The building is huge. I have never seen such huge temples ever in life. They are huge stone pillars carved with millions of statues which i find difficult to interpret. Its huge and beautiful, but as i say, there is an element of mystery, it says you cant explore me, i am beyond you. The paths look difficult to interpret, its usually dark inside and the pillar trails ends nowhere. And then i realize that i am probably in 25% part of that mysterious place and will be too scared to go to other 75% alone, but i would want to.
We head back to reach to a relatively modern temple, huge beautiful idols, but then its not mysterious as Meenakshi and the other temple. There are stories around the coming up of each temple. How God prayed to make Goddess happy, who was kind of cross(atleast that's what i got out of the story). The one who prayed even got gold lotus from a pond which now has only pink natural lotus. But yes, Meenakshi temple is beautiful and huge. You must check out the four main doors which are 9 stories and have more than 1000 idols carved in it. The idols inside are huge and carved out of black stones. There is a 1000 pillar hall in Meenakshi temple which looks more like dancing hall to me. Its now converted into a museum with anything and everything that broke down in temple due to lack of maintenance.
So, after a long day, we came back to hotel. Tonight, we were supposed to sleep for next 3 days it was going to be BAD. I have no clue when did i fall asleep but i know that i was discovering the mysterious temples in my dreams and they were not dark. They were beautifully lit and i wondered how kings in olden times visited such huge temples. I was dreaming.
However, i would say that commercialization of temple looks bad to me. They are supposed to be places where people could go and sit in peace. There is nothing like that which remains in temples anymore. Poor stand in long queues, they are pushed out. Its the financial capacity based on which God's view is sold. I feel bad about this aspect. There were huge hoardings suggesting that only Hindus could enter in temple shrine. I have no clue. Does God or the temple management know whats my caste? When you are charging money to see God then why restrict it on other factors? God, do you see all this?
Anyway, i am dreaming and i realize that when king enters the temple, its only him and his family. Poor people get to see once in a while. God did not construct it, mind you, King constructed it. God did not set the rules, people set them. God seems to be tired himself working 20 hours a day and accepting offerings from millions when he is supposed to be the giver. Then i look at his idol, he is smiling. He says, i smile at all of you. I love you all, even after paying you cant see me. I am your faith, you search me in all easy places while i reside in you. Do good and be good. This is a historical heritage building, i happen to be sitting here because i thought king did a great job. Yes, he did. I got my answer, thank you God! :)
Location- Madurai
Food- Average
Cleanliness- Bad
Travel- 8-9 hours journey from bangalore
Place to Visit- Meenakshi temple (Such temples are not a common site. Architectural marvel)
Thursday, February 21, 2008
"Value Vs Money"--The STOCK puzzle
Its about an interesting perspective i am kind of trying to discover. About the stock market and money. What is money? A measurement for value, its worth. What is Stock market? Market where value is traded ( Money is not traded in stock market, its the valuation and perception price.).
Then why do people incur losses? Because perception are wrong. Why is Warren Buffet so successful? Because his investments evolve out of valuation. What can impact valuation? Sudden change of management, market trends or a new innovation. Is stock market a gamble? NO, its a very very intelligent game in which 80% of people gamble and hence they loose.
Investment is a bigger and longer trade. One has to step into business man's shoes, know exactly what lies under the setup of an organization, discount for risk and move on to do a similar exercise for more and more organization whose business holder he wants to be. One has to patient for statistical fluctuations, observant of realistic risk factors and then trade. So, if one has mastered the art of analyzing business, identified the real risk factors for business, there is a fair possibility that his investments will not be doomed. BUT, one has to understand the industry, incase one has portfolio, he has to ensure that risks are mutually exclusive for set of stocks to be able to recover losses if one looses. Infact an inverse relationship in risk can pay higher value. ( Its difficult to find a stock portfolio with risk balancing done because risk factors have high dependency.)
Amazing, i always thought stock was gambling. But i think its an intelligent game. It needs a very analytical and balanced player. And its not as unpredictable as it seems. Market emotions settle down, finally what remains is "Value". WB is successful because he invests in value and he invests in industries whose business and risks, he can interpret. So, yes, there is more to this "value" market. Money is a measurement of value, if you caliberate the scale of measurement, the value does not change. Finally you win and loose against value.
Then why do people incur losses? Because perception are wrong. Why is Warren Buffet so successful? Because his investments evolve out of valuation. What can impact valuation? Sudden change of management, market trends or a new innovation. Is stock market a gamble? NO, its a very very intelligent game in which 80% of people gamble and hence they loose.
Investment is a bigger and longer trade. One has to step into business man's shoes, know exactly what lies under the setup of an organization, discount for risk and move on to do a similar exercise for more and more organization whose business holder he wants to be. One has to patient for statistical fluctuations, observant of realistic risk factors and then trade. So, if one has mastered the art of analyzing business, identified the real risk factors for business, there is a fair possibility that his investments will not be doomed. BUT, one has to understand the industry, incase one has portfolio, he has to ensure that risks are mutually exclusive for set of stocks to be able to recover losses if one looses. Infact an inverse relationship in risk can pay higher value. ( Its difficult to find a stock portfolio with risk balancing done because risk factors have high dependency.)
Amazing, i always thought stock was gambling. But i think its an intelligent game. It needs a very analytical and balanced player. And its not as unpredictable as it seems. Market emotions settle down, finally what remains is "Value". WB is successful because he invests in value and he invests in industries whose business and risks, he can interpret. So, yes, there is more to this "value" market. Money is a measurement of value, if you caliberate the scale of measurement, the value does not change. Finally you win and loose against value.
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