Into the dimming sunlight ...

... he looks up at the sky. And a voice says: My dear, everyone makes mistake. You're forgiven, but I can not force that forgiveness on you. It's your choice.

The warrior of light has learned that it is best to follow the light.

An idea ! What do you think?

There was an discussion on something with couple of friends and then this topic of creative ideas appeared in front of us. Santy was quick to point about one ad which he thinks a very creative idea. On similar track can be used to address a larger audience to convey a message about the product.

I didn’t react to his shout but quickly recalled a conversation about this ad with another friend … Later I asked santy, do we really need such an idea??

It’s not a difficult task for anybody to understand an ad, the sole purpose of it to sell a product and never an idea. They merely influence the real life but some people think they are smart enough to ply the emotional concept of advertising and gain the popularity. Needless mentioning, we hold the craze for celebs way too much ...

You see, now the focus is on something called a ‘Brand and that is known as Idea’ and never on some actual idea. Forget about the welfare of those old children and villages shown in the ads but to advertise the brand on their name. I wonder if they can ever spend a little amount of money to educate the poor children then simply paying it off on an ad, to a star who is already so rich.

Some people are carried away with such ads, what do you think what should be an idea to bring education to poorer and the poorest people? Now shifting the focus from product to people.

A blooming cactus

Life is sometimes so simple to go with and some other times really hard to realize … “I have learned the difference between a cactus and a caucus. On a cactus, the pricks are on the outside”.

Shiny Clouds !

It’s time for me to go through my archived photo albums and find a picture to publish it for Cuckoo’s Point & Shoot Photo Gallery for this month. Ah ! did I tell you some more reasons for participating there ...

• You get to know some like-minded people’s perspective on similar subjective pictures.
• You must not be a photographer to use all those jargons :). For me, till now like many others, photography means two terms ‘Focus’ and ‘Click’.
• Finally, if these two reasons don't drive you towards the competition, check this out ...

Now coming back to this month’s picture topic - Cloud. This topic is fairly simple but as most of us know that difficulty is closely bound with simplicity. For me, the difficult part was to zero in on one picture, so here it goes ...

The picture is clicked while I was sailing through the backwater of Allepey. It was a memorable trip for me, a much awaited break from routine things. A pinch that reminded me that - life moves on with every untold truths, unrealized thoughts and unswayed dreams. Maybe far away from the moments that somebody lived but yet so close …. Nobody can seize it from you for being an unknown to this world. It’s never an easy task to defeat the sea. On your way, you discover dark clouds but with effort and time passing by, you come across the shiny rays of triumph turning things for you and guiding you through to the shore. I found this fine quote to share here ...

The world's greatest lie: At a certain point in our lives we lose control of what's happening to us and our lives become controlled by fate.

Ulsoor Lake, Bangalore

I took some snaps in and around Ulsoor Lake just to remind myself that I had a wonderful walk early morning on a weekend. It was relaxing and I can say a perfect start of the day.

A quite and nice place at morning, need to start your day with right kind of freshness - Vivekananda Park. But hey don't dare to enter into this place in the evening time.

If you feel you don't want to walk in the overly crowded roads around and also you find there is not enough space then here is one place you need to think about ...

I am still wondering about it, a little place is more then enough to survive.

I wish this greenery will spread all over ...

Sailing through the world that somebody can imagine for thy self.

Chettinad Palace

Chettinadu Palace/Mansion is a heritage home located at Sivaganga district of southern Tamil Nadu state, India. It is situted 90 K.Ms from Trichy town and 5 kms before Karaikudi which is also known as the capital of Chettinad that includes Karaikudi and 74 other villages.

Chettinadu mansion was built in 1902 and it is now one among the spectacular palace in this reason.

Chettinad is also known as for its spicy and tasty food. Now that is one of the many reasons why people get to know Chettinad. The picture shown here is the kitchen inside the palace as told by our guide.

Here is some more information that I found maybe useful for people how are planning to visit this place anytime, I added this peace of note after cuckoo’s comment for asking some details about it. So here you go …

This palace is converted into a museum and considered as the heritage home. It is now under the care of Archaeological Survey of India (I suppose), there were no one to give us the actual information. I don’t have much of the history to share from this place but overall its a different experience visiting the interior part of Tamil Nadu. The palace is open for public all the 7 days though I am not pretty sure about the timings (probably 10 Am to 6 PM). The good thing you will find here is that there is no entry fee :) This place is quite clam and close to it you will find another Chettinad Mansion which is operated as a Hotel now, so you can plan for a stay if you wish. Just to highlight a thing about this part of the world is that the food is really amazing, typically southie, spicy and tasty. The best time to visit this place maybe in the winter time say from nov to feb, otherwise anytime will be fine as long as you have things to fight with the hot weather out there :)

Freedom Writers - A New Way of life

The blog is no way can be considered as a review of the movie. I wanted to blog about this movie because I liked it again watching it for the 5th time and every time I watch it I find it more meaningful than the last time.

Erin Gruwell’s passion to become a teacher is soon challenged by a group of Black, Latino, and Asian gang bangers who hate her even more than each other. When Erin begins to listen to them in a way no adult has ever done, she begins to understand that for these kids, getting through the day alive is enough they are not delinquents but teenagers fighting a war of the streets that began long before they were born. They were fighting for things without knowing why they are actually fighting for... Erin gives them something they never had from a teacher before - respect.

It's all about an ordinary woman who dreamed beyond the usual and who saw the possibilities where others saw nothing, nothing at all.

I can say, this movie is a step forward for the change the way we see things around us and the way we find answer(s) for many questions that otherwise will remain unsolved & unanswered. I can say a great movie to watch not the usual ones but it has messages to convey this world.

Pay the price!

I know, we have to pay the price for everything that we want to see as a change. It's little more than a year and still counting with a hope ...

Happy Ganesha Puja!

Today is the auspicious occasion of Ganesha Puja (or Ganesh Chaturthi or Vinayaka Chaturthi ), the Hindu festival is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Ganesha.

There are lots of things that somebody can only realize by actually participating in these kind of celebration when people extend their hands of togetherness which describe a single spiritual soul and you find the day like never been before ...

I clicked these pictures of Lord Ganesha while walking down CMH Road. This year I could spot there are more number of roadside temporary shops in and around Indiranagar who sell the Ganesha Idol for this festival season. It’s really amazing to see how these people put their effort preparing the idols.

Tonight there will be more processions and I am pretty much excited to visit all of the Pandals in and around my locality. I guess when the lights are ON, then its a different experience to see how beautifully these Pandals are decorated.

For now, you guys have a great time roaming around and treating yourself with whole lots of different sweets.

May god bless you!

Wish you all Happy Ganesha Chaturthi :)

Shri Krishna Matha, Udupi

I was on my way to somewhere aimlessly and all of a sudden I blessed with something that I realized later is nothing but miracle. It so happened with me again that I was landed in place where I could discover the meaning of peace and happiness together. I was left alone, with all unknown faces around me, completely clueless, no idea whatsoever to where to go and what to do but my journey was never so meaningful ever. As said - god had HIS own plans and after a travel of 6 hrs I reached Udupi, a place well known for its temples. I welcomed by one of the pleasantly weather that one can ever imagine in that region. It was a sunny and bright day outside with a breeze of relief. I jumped out of the bus quickly to take the walk and then searching for the destination that brought me here from so far ...

Now putting those memories in words here is something I really wanted for long time but it seems to be a not so easy task for me, whatever it maybe I made an effort not to show off it. Those are the moments or I can say the memories that drags you back and when you find that you are completely lost with it, again there is this thing known as miracle happened to you and put everything right on its place. Nevertheless, you see life is as beautiful as before and thank every single thing around you for making it so blissful for you.

Udupi Krishna Temple, otherwise know as Udupi Krishna Matha is a very popular Hindu temple in India. I have copied the information from Wikipedia that gives a good insight about the temple and the history associated with it.

The Krishna Mutt was founded by the Vaishnavite saint Shri Madhvacharya in the 13th century. He was the founder of the Dvaita school of Vedanta.

Legend has it that once Kanakadasa, a worshipper who was so pious and devoted to Lord Krishna, was not allowed entry into the temple. It didn't upset him, but instead made him pray with intense devotion. Lord Krishna was so pleased that he made the statue of himself turn around to allow the disciple to gaze upon his heavenly form through a small window at the back of the mutt (matha). Till today, devotees still worship Lord Krishna by praying through the same window that Kanakadasa was blessed with a view.

The daily sevas (offerings to god) and administration of the Krishna Mutt are managed by the Ashta Mathas (eight temples). Each of the Ashta Mathas performs temple management activities for two years in a cyclical order. These eight Mathas are Pejavara, Puttige, Palimaru, Adamaru, Sodhe, Kaniyooru, Shirur and Krishnapura.

Here you go with few of the pictures that I have taken in that short stay near the temple. Since cameras are strictly not allowed inside the temple I didn't miss any chance of clicking the pictures from the outside.

The main entrance to the temple.

The chariot used for the bi-yearly festival, I spotted it just outside the temple.

Walking around the temple was a different experience for me and exploring the shops near the temple brought me a renewed sense of a happy customer.