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Newasa - Encountering an unique form of Vishnu, and Sant Jnaneshwar

The year was 1290 . A crowd had gathered around a clearing, where broken down pillars marked the presence of an ancient temple, now long gone. A young boy, just 14 years old, leaned against one of those pillars, deep in thought. Then, he began speaking, and the crowd fell silent, listening to his every word. He spoke without any notes, translating the Bhagavat Gita, from Sanskrit, which only the pundits knew, to the language everyone in the village knew and spoke – a variety of Prakrit which developed into the Marathi language. Even as he spoke, one of the men in the audience realized how momentous this event was, and how important this composition would be. He began writing down the words the young boy spoke, and this composition was named by its author and composer, the Bhavartha Deepika – the enlightening meaning (of the Bhagavat Gita). Now, the ancient, holy text, was no longer restricted to the pundits, but accessible to all, understood easily by them, composed as it was, in their...
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Breaking the travel jinx

Cooped up at home for over 3 months, we were in dire need of a short break. Which is why, we made use of the Holi and Good Friday holidays to escape from the city. Our destination - one which has eluded us for years, which we have booked tickets to, twice, and had to cancel both times. We hoped to get, as they say, 'third time lucky', and we did, heading out to Coorg for a too-short vacation, just to break the jinx!




I have been back for two days, and the time has been spent recuperating from the trip - mountains of clothes to be washed, house to be cleaned, chores to be done...... and I haven't even been able to update my blog till now. Yet, amidst all this chaos is a peace which comes from the fact that I did manage to get out, for however short a trip.... This will probably last me for a few more days, till the travel pangs begin anew! Meanwhile, I am re-living the wonderful experiences we had.... of Samhith swimming in the Kaveri at Bhagamandala.....


Enjoying the thrill of adventure at Club Mahindra, Coorg....


Playing with the elephants at Dubare...



And, for me, the sheer beauty of the mountains, and the pleasure of seeing birds where least expected...


The trip was a short one, but I have loads to share.... Now, if only I could take a second break from the chores.... just to sit down and write! 

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Location: Madikeri, Karnataka 571201, India

Comments

  1. MridulaApril 3, 2013 at 9:37 AM

    I know so many things wait for you once you get back. But good to see that you and Samhaith enjoyed Coorg.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anuradha ShankarApril 3, 2013 at 1:44 PM

      Thanks Mridula! its only the thought of future trips that keeps us going!

      Delete
  2. R Niranjan DasApril 3, 2013 at 4:17 PM

    Nice images. Am sure your tales would flow out soon.

    http://rajniranjandas.blogspot.in/2013/04/ruralscapes-of-india.html

    ReplyDelete
  3. SoulSpaceApril 3, 2013 at 7:38 PM

    lovely snap there of S in the water...

    heres to more travel for you and soon:)

    ReplyDelete

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