Marriage in Mumbai

Time: Dec 10 2010 - Dec 13 2010
Place: Mumbai
Company: Traveled with parents, wife and daughter. Met all spouse's relations in Mumbai
Highlights:

Day 1:
Chalukya Express from YPR at 0630 hrs to Kalyan 2AC Train. Left Jayanagar at 0400 hrs, picked up wife and daughter from Jalahalli, went to YPR station and parked the car there. The train was very comfortable. Realized that I liked 2AC as much as I like the Sleeper! Very luxurious - what with curtains and bedspreads and pillows. Sometimes stifling with no fresh air unlike the Sleeper (esp because of the good weather outside) but overall very spacious - a much needed factor for a two-month old baby.

Day 2:
Reached Kalyan exactly on time at 0455 hrs. Took an auto to Dombivli. Refreshed and rested at bride's neighbour's place. Off to choultry at 1000 hrs and there we stayed till it was time to head back to Bangalore! General time spend with all spouse relatives - everyone excited to hold Paavani and play with her. Festivities, Feast, Pooja, etc went on as per schedule and tradition. Had a bit of fun at night with some competitions between bride and groom, some singing sessions, some games, etc.

Day 3:
The Wedding day of my brother-in-law. Due to late night sleep the previous day, was feeling drowsy and slept most of the morning along with Paavani! The main ceremony being done, it was now just a matter of time. Sure enough, it was 2100 hrs and we were on our way back to Kalyan station to catch the same train (Chalukya Express) back to Bangalore. It arrived half hour late. Snuggled cosily into our own cabin. 2 AC once more.

Day 4:
Entire day in train. Bit of an experience at Birur. Since train was about 2 hrs late, the service for snacks and coffee/tea had kind of dried out. So at Birur, got down to get 2 cups of coffee. While I took the coffee, the train started moving. I paid cash, got the 2 cups in my hand and saw that the train had gained momentum. Fearing that I will not be able to get on the train with the cups of coffee, I kept the 2 cups on the platform and ran to the speeding train and got on 3 bogeys behind my 2 AC coach and made my way back sombrely through the vestibules. It was my first such failure! To make up for it, I got down in Arsikere way before the train had stopped and got 5 plates of idly, ran back to get the change and was safe in the train even before it started. Finally reached Bangalore about an hour late at 2300 hrs. Dropped wife and Paavani at wife's place and drove back home.

On the whole, it was a nice family gathering. Little bit hectic because of the 2 month old daughter but to be fair, Paavani was most accommodating. She didn't fuss about much. Just grateful that it went well and it was over and done with! The first time on a travel with my daughter Paavani - and the first travel for Paavani herself!

630

Time: Dec 2nd-4th 2010
Place: Srikalahasthi, Tiruchanoor and Tirumala
Company: Parents and Maternal Uncle
Highlights:
Day 1: Left Bangalore at 1215 hrs in Alto. Reached Srikalahasthi at 1915 hrs. Nice and easy drive. Halted in pilgrims' guest house.
Day 2: Pooja at Srikalahasthi temple. Since we were early, it got done early. Else we had to face the brunt of the queue. Tiruchanoor at 1315 hrs. Quick darshan. Then, headed to Tirumala. Upon reaching Tirumala, went for Rs 300 darshan and was back in 2 hrs. Dinner and rest.
Day 3: Bath at Swami Pushkarni at chilly 0630 hrs. Rs 50 darshan at 0830 hrs. After satisfactory darshan, was back by 1100 hrs. Left for Bangalore after checking out by 1145 hrs. Pretty quick drive. Lunch at Giri's near Chittoor outskirts. Nice. Also stopped at Mulbagal Sripadaraja Swamy Mutt. Home by 1915 hrs. 630 kms of drive.

TulasiMata

Time: July 25th 2010
Place: TulasiMata
Company: Relatives
Album: Click here
Highlights: Situated just half an hour from Bangalore South, this is a nice Raghavendra Swamy Mutt set amidst lush greenery and scenic road. Specialty is it is filled all around with Tulasi plant. It is spacious and airy. A Sunday well spent!

Chikmagalur

Time: July 9th – 11th 2010
Place: Chikmagalur, Belur, Halebid, Shravanabelagola
Company: Wife
Album: Click here
Highlights:

Day 1: Even at 10 am, had not decided where to spend the 2nd wedding anniversary! Finally did some googling and decided on Chikmagalur. Called up Naturecraft Homestay resort and made booking and left Bangalore at about 12 noon. Road is very good all the way to Chikmagalur and hence made good time. Reached Chikmagalur at 6 pm and the last stretch to resort was real dark and scary especially because there was no cell signal. The homestay was good. Had dinner, watched a movie on the laptop and retired at 1 am.

Day 2: Checked out of the resort after breakfast although had plans of staying till morrow. First scenic spot was Sitalayyanagiri. Seemed a simple ride till then. But the next 2 kms was a horror stretch. Road is nice but it is very steep and absolutely dangerous if there is an oncoming vehicle (which cannot be seen until the last minute because of the bends in the hill). Have not driven on such roads much and it was a nice scary experience*. Just when we thought we had reached the top of Mullayanagiri, we found ourselves in the parking lot! There was a hill to climb too! Climbed the hill too and enjoyed the exhilarating feeling*!

Then, climbed down the hill and climbed another hill – Bababudangiri. This was not as scary as the last but road was horrible. It was a mist filled drive as if we were on an airplane. But here too had to climb up and down a few steps* to view the Manikyadhaara Falls. Nothing great about it though.

Ditched plans of going to Kemmangundi, Kalhatti falls and instead headed back to Chikmagalur. Had lunch, then drove to Belur. After a quick visit, went to Halebid. Although I had been here, didn’t remember much. Seemed similar to Aihole. Reasonable road. Finally halted at Hassan at Suvarna Regency.

Day 3: Our second year wedding anniversary. Left at 9 to Shravanabelagola. Forgot last when I had visited so was shocked to see a hill and so many steps!! Still went ahead and started climbing* despite fellow pilgrims warning us not to. It was not that difficult though. Anyways, after paying respects, headed back to Bangalore. Was informed of the road via Magadi, and yes, its very good and skips most of Bangalore North.

All in all, it was nice trip. With a 5 month old pregnant wife, it didn’t seem worth the risk, but thankfully, it went well. Hence posting after birth!

*Definitely, hardly a thing to do with wife being 5 month pregnant!!

Mumbai

Time: July 3rd - 7th 2010
Place: Mumbai
Company: Relatives
Highlights:

Day 0: Udyan express at 8 pm. Last time I went in this train from Bangalore to Mumbai (then Bombay) was 20 years ago!

Day 1: Had a wonderful day long train journey. Not too hot a day nor rainy. Perfect weather conditions for a non AC coach, which is what both my wife and I prefer. Nothing like the whiff of fresh air while you gaze across the sweeping greenery of the country side! Also got to see the beautiful scenery after Lonavala station while the train swept through the mountains that make up Khandala such a sought-after place. What with the rain bearing clouds hovering over the mountain tops and the just-concluded rainfall adding gusto to the waterfalls, it was a sight to be never missed!

I have noticed that Udyan express never reaches late and so was the case this time too. It reached on time at 8 pm. Got off at Kalyan Junction. Immediately outside was the aftermath of a rain in Mumbai. Soggy roads, innumerous flies, bustling people. For once, I was afraid of H1N1. The autowallahs were not ready to come to Ambarnath. I was surprised that auto drivers recommended Govt. mode of commute (local train) when we told the destination. This showed how well connected Mumbai was, but at the same time how dependent one has become on one mode of transport.

Reached Navare Nagar in Ambarnath by about 8.45 pm. Had dinner and slept at wife's relative's place (on the 3rd floor!).

Day 2: Bharath Bundh. But wife's brother's engagement day too! About 21 relatives arrived at Ambarnath station with no auto or bus to get them to Navare Nagar. One auto guy conceded thankfully and made multiple trips to get all relatives home safely.

Prepared for the engagement formalities all day. Bustling house. Voice and noise everywhere! I took a walk around Navare Nagar. Noticed that apts in Mumbai tend to wither away very soon because of lack of maintenance. The swimming pool and jogging track were in tatters. All apts were similar in shape - 3 sided, like the sides of a square with the missing side acting as the gateway. Also understood why higher you go in an apt, it is cheaper in Mumbai whereas higher you go in an apt in Bangalore, it is costlier. In Mumbai, there is no elevator/life if building has 4 floors and most buildings are not more than 4 floors! My! These people would be extremely healthy, what with walking up and down 4 floors every day multiple times!

Had fixed one private cab for shifting people from house to engagement hall (2nd floor) in Dombivili and he screwed up big time. So there was some tense minutes while the clock ticked. Finally, could make it to the engagement hall later than expected. No major issues but noticed how bad Mumbai roads were. Did not feel it last time I was here, roaming around Mumbai's great places but this time around, went in by-lanes and rode amidst middle class society and noticed that the Municipality and Corporator were not as good as their Bangalore Counterparts.

Engagement formalities ensued and went off well. Dinner. A visit to the would-be bride's house. Another 4-storey climb up and climb down!

Day 3: A relaxed day. Rained all day. Noticed how one sweats even if it rains. If it rains in Bangalore, the whole place becomes cooler! Watched some local soaps (due to family) and watched a movie. Some small function at the end and finally, it was time to leave.

Went in Mumbai local train for first time in life. From Ambarnath to Kalyan. Got the Coimbatore Express at 11.30 pm.

Day 4: One more good-weather-day-for-non-ac-coach! Very pleasant, not too sunny nor rainy. Enjoyed the journey all through. Caught up on listening to a huge list of songs after a very long time, munched some junk yummy food on the train, read few chapters of a novel and had a nice time talking with mom and wife. Reached Bangalore on time and home at 10.30 pm.

All in all, had a good time off from hectic work. Noticed Mumbai in a very different light. Made some close connections with wife's relations. And had a good time!

Kalhalli

Time: Jun 13, 2010

Place: Kalhalli

Company: Wife, parents, grandparents

Highlights: Me and wife went on Scooty Streak (100 kms to and fro, for the first time drove on 2-wheeler so far!) while the others came in car. Was just in time before (lord Venkateshwara) temple closed for lunch. A nice weekend drive and getaway, esp because of nice cloudy weather.

Sonda

Time: May 8-9 2010

Place: Sonda

Company: Wife, Parents, Wife's mother

Highlights:

Day 1: 6 am Janshatabdi train to Hubli. Got down at Haveri. Lunch. 2.45 pm bus (wait of 30 mins) to Sirsi. Auto to Sonda. Reached by 7 pm. Just in time for last minute Pooja and dinner.

Day 2: Bath in the sacred pond. Pooja. Slight breakfast in a small hotel outside (very rude host). Private Omni to Sirsi at 9.30. Bus to Haveri at 11.15 (wait for 60 mins). Lunch. 3.30 pm Janshatabdi train back to Bangalore.

Pointers:

1. First time kept car overnight in railway station.

2. Truly enjoy the Janshatabdi train for some reason. Maybe because of the early morning timing. Maybe because of speed. Or perhaps its because of the wide variety of snacks :-)

3. Realised its easier to take Bangalore-Sonda-Bangalore bus than this 3-leg tour. Only issue is the bad road and the night (sleepless) journey. Cost-wise this route is better.

4. Spent more time in traveling than at Sonda. Hence kinda not very satisfied.

Chennai in Summer

Time: April 21 2010

Place: Chennai

Company: Wife

Highlights: Had been to US Consulate for spouse passport notary for US tax returns. Sweltering heat.

Adiga's marriage

Time: Feb 6-7 2010

Place: Kundapur, Basrur, Koteshwar, Udupi

Company: Guru (pal) and Gouri (wife)

Highlights:

Day 0: Left at 7 pm on 6th in KSRTC Bhatkal Rajahamsa bus via Kundapur. Extremely slow driving.

Day 1: Reached K at 8.30 am. Adiga's (friend) driver picked us up at bus stand and took us to Basrur (Adiga's ancestral home). Freshened up and then went to Marriage hall at Koteshwara. Breakfast, ceremony and lunch at the wedding hall.
Then went to Udupi at 4 pm - 1 hr bus journey. Visited Lord Krishna temple. Took rest for some time. Then went to Malpe beach. Saw sunset there. Returned and had dinner. Took the 8.20 pm Rajahamsa bus back to Bangalore.

Day 2: As usual, horrible road. Thankfully, bus dropped us off at Jayanagar 4th block.

555

Time: Jan 30-31 2010
Place: Tirumala
Company: Wife and parents
Highlights:

Prelude: Wife and self had booked darshan tickets for Rs 50 on 31st at 11 am. Parents had original plans of going to Mumbai on 31st to visit visiting bro! But Bro got busy, so parents' trip to mumbai got cancelled. So, tried getting darshan tickets at 11 am on 31st. But didnt. Instead got it at 4 pm for 30th which we shouldnt have taken for a host of reasons but we did.

Day 1: Due to unavoidable reasons, left home at 11.30 am. First 90 kms in 3 hrs thanks to Bangalore traffic and lunch stop at Woody's in Kolar. Road construction all the way. Made 160 in the next 3 hrs. Reached Tirumala at 6.30 pm. Didnt put on the CD even once. Spoke all along! Then, in Tirumala, wife and self went to Varaha temple, Raghavendra Mutt, Mahadwaram (where we saw AP CM) etc while parents went to queue. But alas, Rs 50 queue was closed till 9 pm. So they forfeited the 30th 4 pm tickets and took Rs 300 tickets. They came back at 10 after we finished dinner at Uttaradi Mutt.

Day 2: 7 am bath at Pushkarni. Wife and I entered Rs 50 queue whereas parents entered Rs 300 ticket queue (again) at 8.30 am. We were out at 10 am but they were out at 11 am. Packed up stuff. Lunch at UM at 12. Left at 12.30. Got a flat tyre at 3.30 pm. Delayed by 1 hr. It was a 'bad day at office' for driving. Made some wrong calls and had few close calls. Felt frustrated with my driving and wanted to reach home at the earliest. Got home at 8.30 pm.

2010 Annual Tirumala trip completed. Due to time constraints, could not go to any nearby place. Not even Tirupathi. 555 kms overall driven in 2 days. Reached a top speed of 115 km/hr. First time ever such high speed in India.

Chennai

Time: Jan 26-27 2010
Place: Chennai
Company: Wife
Highlights: Went in Volvo and back in Shatabdi. Bladder control for 4 hrs on the Volvo! [Really long time since I last went in KSRTC bus - more than 1.25 yrs] Going in local Chennai bus from Bus stand to Saidapet guest house was an adventure. Ended up getting down 2 stops before and hence ended up walking the distance! Stayed at the company guest house. Deja vu. This time, did not go to the beach as there was a threat of rain.

Mantralayam

Time: 22-24 Jan 2010
Place: Mantralayam
Company: Wife and parents
Highlights:

Day 0: Hampi link express at 10.30 pm. Was a long time (almost an year) since I went in an Indian train!

Day 1: Saw the flood ravaged city. Its almost back to normal but one can still see the debris and the level which the water had reached. The Mutt is back in business. Did hejje namaskar for the first time! Went to our relatives house. Saw videos of the massacre which the floods had caused in and around the city. Also heard about the sorrow tales. Could not go to Bichchale because of the washed out and unrepaired bridge. Took the Udyan back to Bangalore at 10.30 pm.

Day 2: Reached Bangalore at 9 am. For some strange reason, train started going backwards to Cantonment for about 5 mins when it was just few meters away from the Central station!

Paaparapatti

Time: Jan 3rd 2010
Place: Paaparapatti
Company: Wife and parents
Highlights: Raghavendra Swamy Mutt. Beautiful early morning drive on NH7 and SH17(?) Early darshan, enjoyed the calm atmosphere amidst a rural setting. Lunch at 9 am. Headed back home after lunch.

667

Time: Dec 23rd to 25th 2009

Place: Thiruvannamalai, Tirukoilur, Yercaud

Company: Wife and parents

Album: Click here

Highlights:

Day 1:

After thinking and rethinking, finally decided on the above mentioned places for the long weekend. Left at 9 am in Alto towards Thiruvannamalai. NH7 till Krishnagiri is good but after that, road was not all that good. Reached T at about 3 pm. Visited the massive temple of Arunachaleshwar after lunch at a local restaurant. There is Arunachaleshwar hill right in front of the temple which is somewhat very soothing and supposed to be one of healing too. Devotees are known to walk around the hill (14 kms) as Pradakshina.

Then headed towards Tirukoilur - beautiful road. It was just about an hour's drive - or less. Since there was no accomodation that day (painting in the rooms) in the Raghothama Swamy Mutt premises, had to go to town for lodging. [Had stayed in the Mutt room last time when I had come here with parents]. Found a decent lodge right in front of the Tirukoilur Trivikrama temple. Visited the Trivikrama temple, and then went for dinner.

Day 2:

Got up by 3.30 am to again visit the Trivikrama temple as we were told that the Lord Trivikrama will be dressed in 'Vishwaroopa' custom at about 5 am. But when we went to the temple at 5 am, the idol seemed to be in the same attire as the previous night! Speaking of the idol, this is a special idol with one leg raised, as if to conquer the Sky - as per the story of Vamana.

Then, at about 6, went to RS Mutt. It is the only Mutt with no shade. This Swamy specially asked for such a place. If and when the branch of a tree grows and tries to give shade, it will automatically wither away. It is beautifully located just beside a river, however there was hardly any water flow when we went. Atmosphere is very calming and soothing.

Had to forego lunch because of our further plans. So, left at about 8, had breakfast, checked out of the lodge and headed towards Salem and thence onto Yercaud. It was about 3-4 hours bumpy journey. Road is being widened and hence it is sloppy. Upon reaching Salem, directly headed to Yercaud, which is about 30-45 mins from Salem with high elevation gain and 20 hair pin bends.

Reached Yercaud and searched around for a lodge. Found Classic Cottage for a reasonable amount and checked in. Had lunch at Hotel Tamil Nadu and then went to Pagoda Point. It was all covered with mist and fog but yet pristine. Then went to Lady's Seat. A different view point and also beautiful. Remembered being here with Pavan, Preetham and Ashwin. Then sat around the lake for evening snacks. Retired.

Day 3:

Whole Yercaud was amidst clouds! We were walking, driving, breathing clouds! Kiliyur falls paraking lot was next destination but did not venture to the falls as it was too steep a trail. Took some snaps and then headed downhill to Salem and thence onto Bangalore. Reached Bangalore at about 4 pm. Beautiful road all the way.

Overall, had driven 667 kms and all inclusive expense came to Rs 5000 for all 4 of us. Mileage in Alto was about 20ish. Realized that this trip too was a religious+hill station trip like Rameshwar-Kodaikanal and Dwarka-Khandala. It was a nice outing and nice drive, although Thiruvannamalai was the only thing I had not seen before.