Mesmerising Gokarna

While everyone was rushing to Goa to escape the heat, we decided to explore Gokarna beach in Karnataka about 80 km from Goa. We reached the main junction, Hubli (160 km from Gokarna) and took a cab to Gokarna which was more comfortable than a bus. People coming from places like Bangalore can just drive down (500 km from Bangalore).

We were amazed when we reached the town through the beautiful Ghats and valleys of the Sahyadri mountain range. Gokarna is a unique combination of hills, valleys and a beach that is rare to find. The Gangavali River flows through the town. And the best part is it is still not commercial and crowded unlike Goa. A few tourists including foreigners generally visit during November to February.

There are many hotels in the town where accommodation is easily available. But a stay on the hill top and valley facing resorts is undoubtedly a better option. And they are not very expensive. Plenty of cabs and autos are available for transport.

There are three beaches in the radius of five kms – Om Beach (named so for its Om shape), Town Beach (in the heart of the town and hence a little dirty) and Kudle Beach (the most exotic beach one can find).  The drive to the beaches is amidst the hills and valleys and the serene lush green, clean and calm beaches are heavenly. You can do boating, fishing, play in the water or simply relax and hear the waves or watch the sunrise and sunset. The small walk towards the Kudle beach was unforgettable through the rocky slopes of the hills as though you are heading towards a water fall. The coconut and mango trees all around the beach added to its beauty.  There are restaurants near the beaches that have some amazing sea food. 

Although not very popular in the glorified list of beaches, yet it is one of the best beaches of the country in terms of serenity, cleanliness and natural beauty. An ideal family holiday destination and a getaway from city stress.

There are some ancient temples like – the over 500 year old Mahabaleshwar Temple (one of the Jyoti Lingas of Lord Shiva where the Linga is underground), Parvati Temple, Bhadrakali Temple, and Ganesh temple, Bharat Temple, Rama Temple, a holy Kund, and Shiva Temple etc. The temples are beautiful and believed to be very sacred.

The town is very small but really interesting with small houses belonging to the colonial and pre-colonial construction that is worth having a look. People are very humble and helpful that makes the stay very comfortable. Food is good with a lot of options and quite economical. Not much of shopping to do except for some western clothes and shell jewellery. There are some nearby tourist spots like water falls, ancient temple etc. about 90 km from Gokarna. 

Birthday of Blue-eyed Buddha !

Did you know that before he became a spiritual leader on whose teachings ‘Buddhism’ was founded, Lord Buddha was originally called Siddhartha Gautama who was born to a Kshatriya King of the ‘Sakhya’ Kingdom? 

Did you know that Lord Buddha was a trained Military Warrior since birth?

Did you know that Lord Buddha was a very strong man who was said to have possessed the ‘32 Signs of a Great Man’?

Did you know that Lord Buddha was a blue-eyed handsome man with a very attractive face?

Well…..now you do.

But the most sacred Buddhist Festival – the 'Buddha Purnima' or the 'Buddha Jayanti' marks and celebrates the birth anniversary of Lord Buddha and his Spiritual achievements each year on May 6^th.

Buddha Purnima commemorates 4 significant events in the life of Lord Buddha:

1.    His birth in 623 BC at Lumbini.

2.    His Enlightment in 588 BC in Bodh Gaya.

3.    His attainment of ‘Nirvana’ at age 80 in Kushinagar.

4.    His very first sermon preached at Sarnath.

Each year, the followers of Buddhism – though not necessarily all Buddhists, embark upon ‘Buddha Pilgrimage’ spanning across Nepal and India.

The 4 places to visit on Buddha Purnima are:

1. Lumbini in Rupandehi District, Nepal.
2. Bodh Gaya in Gaya District, Bihar State, India.
3. Kushinagar in Kushinagar District, Uttar Pradesh State, India.
4. Sarnath near Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh State, India.

Typically, on Buddha Purnima, the Teachings of Lord Buddha on Peace, Compassion and Universal Brotherhood are preached at the various Buddhist Gompas; Stupas and Monasteries all over the world. Buddhists also engage in feeding and clothing the underprivileged on Buddha Purnima.

Other major places where Buddha Purnima is celebrated in a large scale in India are:

1.    Shey Buddhist Monastery in Leh, Jammu and Kashmir.

2.   Namgyal Monastery near Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh.

3.    Japanese Peace Pagoda in Darjeeling, West Bengal.

4.   Sanchi Stupa in Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh.

5.    The Great Stupa of Nalanda, Bihar.

You may not be a Buddhist but you certainly believe in Buddhism if you believe in the following quotes which were preached by Lord Buddha and date back to 588 BC.

·         We are shaped by our thoughts - we become what we think.

·         There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way, and not starting.

·         You will not be punished for your anger. You will be punished by your anger.

·         Do not dwell in the past; do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.

·         It is better to travel well than to arrive!

Cheers to that !!

Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi…

This was one my unforgettable journeys that I and two of my office colleagues has undertaken from Dehradun to Simla. Due to budget constraints we had to board the last bus from Dehradun to Simla as we got to know that Simla had experienced snow the previous day. It was Friday night 11.30 pm and with Saturday and Sundays off we thought it would be a fascinating idea to touch snow. We packed our bags and waited at the main bus stand near Dehradun station. We were told that this was the last bus and if we missed it…we miss snow!! So, anyway we said to each other that whoever gets a seat shall reserve it for the other. One of my colleagues (Sanjay) was thin enough to get into the bus from any window; I was ready to throw my haversack onto one of the seats as the bus arrived. To our shock the bus was already full with people hanging outside the entrance. Before I could ask my colleagues ‘Chadhey Ki Nahin’, they ran to get a grip on some part of the bus. I had no option but to hang on as I had all the cash with me to buy the tickets only if I happened to meet the conductor. The bus started and caught speed in no time. I shouted “Ajay, Ajay… (1^st colleague) can you hear me?” Ajay replied “Yes, I am in the bus somewhere holding on to somebody’s…feels like a dirty jacket.” I asked “What about Sanjay?” Ajay replied “Pata nahin…shaayad chadhha nahin hoga?” We tried shouting requesting the bus driver to “Roko roko” but he replied “Ab bus sirf Paonta Sahib mein rukegi”. The cold outside was freezing as I shouted to Ajay again to get down wherever the bus stopped or else Sanjay may find it hard to reach Simla alone. Somehow Ajay slipped inside the bus as he started searching for Sanjay all over as one of the passenger shouted “Yeh saamaan kiska hai bhai?” Ajay looked below the passenger’s seat to find Sanjay sleeping there. Ajay shouted to me confirming “Utarne ki zaroorat nahin hai saamaan mil gaya…Simla mein hi utarkar bichdon ka milaap hoga”.

Somehow we faced the cold journey and reached Simla ‘lataktey-lataktey’ the next morning at 6 am in one piece but all we could say was ‘Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi’ aur ‘Zindagi bhar nahin bhulegi woh Be-Busi ki raat’.

Easter brings Spring !

Spring is in the air as the change of season is evident in the burgeoning bright flowers and fruits with the Regal Tulip & the Royal Mango making an entrance this April.

Spring is associated with rebirth, renewal & regrowth.

And the words associated with Spring are resilience, fertility, rise and hope.

And the festival that put that bounce in spring is Easter.

The Resurrection of Lord Jesus Christ on Easter bears testimony of the Risen Lord from the dead. It is based on this faith that the Spring festivities have gained momentum from the time of the Pagan (Greco-Roman Polytheism) festivities of Easter from 323 BC. Cultural Historians see Easter as a convergence of Pagan, Hebrew and Christian traditions and Spring has been associated with Christ’s Resurrection from then on.

Easter marks the end of the 40-day Lent Season which starts with Ash Wednesday. During the Lent, fasting, prayer, penance and abstinence is observed by Christians worldwide. The Lent Season being 6 weeks in all, the last week is called the ‘Holy Week’ comprising:

1 April 2012 – Palm Sunday – commemorates the triumphal entry of Lord Jesus into Jerusalem. Churches in current times distribute palm leaves which are tied up in the form of a Cross to the worshippers.

5 April 2012 – Maundy Thursday – commemorates the Last Supper that Lord Jesus had with his 12 Apostles.

6 April 2012 – Good Friday – commemorates the day when Lord Jesus was Crucified on the Cross on Mount Calvary outside Jerusalem.

8 April 2012 – Easter – celebrates the rising of Lord Jesus from the dead.

On these days special services are held in Church with special renditions by the Church Choir. Christians attend Church every day of this Holy Week.

During Lent, Christians commit to fasting and forfeiting luxuries as a form of penitence. Some give up drinking liquor, some give up smoking, some – eating meat or sweets – or whatever is the main indulgence …..because…..abstinence strengthens you. The 40 days of fasting is directly in commemoration of the 40 days that Lord Jesus spent before He was Crucified on the Cross.

These 40 days are of paramount importance to Christians as they help in reinventing & redefining themselves by renouncing sin. Sin is defined as an ‘objectionable practice’ and the Bible clearly defines ‘Sin’ which is popularly known as the Seven Deadly Sins:

1. Wrath – uncontrolled feelings of hatred and anger.

2. Greed –.uncontrolled desire for excess of wealth, status, power and possessions.

3. Sloth – laziness & idleness

4. Pride – feeling superior over everybody else.

5. Lust – excessive thoughts of sexual nature.

6. Envy - feeling of discontentment over another person’s benefits or possessions.

7. Gluttony – excessive eating and drinking.

The Lent is the time of the year when Christians are reminded to take control over themselves, stop sinning and live life in moderation and follow this practice during the remainder of the year. So the Lent is a reminder of what one ought to be during the rest of the year.

Another thing practiced by Christians on Easter is charity known as ‘Tithe’ where Christians are urged to give 1/10^th of their total annual income to the needy. The needy need not be unknown people in a foreign country. They could be within your family or circuit of friends.

And as for the whole purpose of Lent – getting a grip on yourself and living well – how about you try 2 things this year – 1. You give up one sin that you are committing. 2. You give charity to the needy. Is this impossible for you?

4 AM on Easter Sunday (8 March) in any Church around you is where you should be if you want to feel the pulse & joy of Easter. And do not miss the special renditions of the Choir on Easter.