When Ganapati comes home!
Yes, Anuva our grand daughter dressed up as Ganesha गणेश or Ganapati गणपति this year. For all of us in the family this was God's real blessing-- like what happens during Janmasthami when young ones are dressed up as Lord Krishna. Thank you Prabs for this wonderful gift and candid picture.
Lord Ganesha is the God of all beginnings. All rituals, poojas, weddings and even the invitation cards begin with Shri Ganeshaya Namah श्री गणेशाय नमः meaning "Lord Ganesha, I pray to you" seeking His blessings. Ganesha is truly a multi-disciplinary expert. He is worshipped for multiple 'demands' from devotees such as:
Auspiciousness
Good luck
Wisdom
Health
Happiness
Prosperity
Problem solver
Remover of obstacles in life/business and so on.
Today, on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, we invoke the blessings of Lord Ganesha for peace and prosperity of all.
Two years ago, Ghumakkad gave a message of hope through a wildflower on Ganesh Chaturthi.
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- Harsh-the-Ghumakkad/ 25th Aug 2017
#GaneshChaturthi, #Ganesh, #Ganapati, #Ghumakkad, #IndiaTravels,
Scorching summer, sweltering heat. Only two options. Head to a hill station or hit a beach. When you have only four days to plan, you don't have much choice. We chose the second option.
Two cars, six people, three years to sixty-four years. One heading southeast from Hyderabad and the other moving north from Chennai.
RV?
Suryalanka also called Goa of the East. Nearest town Bapatla 10 kms north of Suryalanka-- has both rail and road connectivity. This is Ghumakkad's account of a short vacation in Suryalanka during Ugadi weekend 8th-10th April 2016.
The beach goers, youngest first:
Hyderabad-Nalgonda-Miryalguda-Narsaraopet-Bapatla-Suryalanka route of 350 kms takes 6 hrs with an additional 30 minute breakfast halt.
Road side eateries serve you piping hot idlis. Rural India has more wisdom as far as living with nature is concerned. Pictures:
The second car arrived with our son Ankush and family. It was a great reunion at Air Force Station Suryalanka. We stayed at Surya Kutir, the guest rooms of the Officer's Mess.
With her only grand daughter, Neeta-the-Granny was thrilled to the core.
The whole Ghumakkad family with their proud-to-be-Indian cars!
Evening was reserved for the beach. Suryalanka beach is special because it is exclusive (being an Air Force station), clean, litter free, not crowded, hawker-free, no blaring loudspeakers, no ponies and no prying eyes! You enjoy the surf, the breaking of the waves and an occasional bird call. Pictures.
Sunrise and Sunset at sea is always spectacular. Suryalanka gave us its fair share of glory.
We had posted a story on Sand-babbler Crabs during our last visit to Suryalanka in Dec 2014. This time we observed a different sand pattern made by the crabs. Look out for another story on the crabs.
Trust you enjoyed being at the beach. Our 'fauzi' friends can stay at the Air Force Station while civilian friends can use the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation's Haritha Resort at the beach. And while at Suryalanka, don't miss the sea food including fresh prawns!
We close with a quote from Mahatma Gandhi who said
"Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s needs, but not enough for every man’s greed." We human beings, should only leave foot prints behind and not a trail of destruction, deforestation and litter. A PQ- picturesque quote on foot prints for you.
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-Harsh-the-Ghumakkad/ Baisakhi, 13th April 2016
Postscript: On a suggestion from a reader who is Resident Editor of a leading national daily, am appending two pictures of the public beach at Suryalanka. It should dispel any doubts about the public beach being too dirty or over crowded. Thanks KN.
The tiny mud mounds in the picture are crab holes seen early mornings.
So pack your bags if you have not been to Suryalanka!
The heat wave in India doesn't seem to be abating.
Last week, we brought to you the story of the Death of a Bumble Bee due to heat stroke . Our feathered friends also are threatened by the intense heat. So, how can we help them?
Just keep some water in an earthen pitcher or flat pan in your garden or balcony for the birds to drink whenever they are thirsty. This way we may be able to save them from exhaustion and give them another life.
We did precisely that in our garden in Yapral, Secunderabad. And within no time, it became a 'water amusement park' for different birds.
The first to visit was Purple Rumped Sunbird. See the picture below. It is a female as compared to bright purple male Sunbird. This bird wanted to cool itself in the water pan by taking a dip.
Next came the drying up phase. Notice the wet part of the pot around the bird's feet. It then perched on the Tulsi तुलसी pot nearby to dry its feathers.
It was ready for another 'shower' in the bird-bathtub!
It then had a dip and cooled itself in the afternoon heat. See the water splash!
The bird was cautious like all of us before taking a dip.
As if asking itself 'Hope nobody is watching' कोई देख तोे नहीं रहा है ?
Here while taking a dip, she looked straight into the camera as if posing for us.
The cycle was repeated many times till other birds came in the queue.
Next, it was a female sparrow, which wanted to quench its thirst.
Bulbuls can't be left behind. See the video shot by another keen bird watcher Prabjoth, our daughter-in-law who was visiting us from Chennai. She positioned herself near the kitchen window for a clear view. Thanks Prabs for this candid video.
Last fortnight, while at Tadoba Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra, we observed a pair of Open-billed Storks which had kept their bills open to neutralise the heat. Even though the Storks were on a lake shore having enough water, yet the heat appeared to be intense. Hence open bills. Something like the dogs do when they keep their tougue out when thirsty or out of breath.
The picture was taken from 100 meters away. Observe closely please.
So, those folks facing the heat wave, take adequate precautions. Drink plenty of water. And share some water with birds around you. You may save a bird's life.
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- Harsh-the-Ghumakkad/ 27th May 2015
