visit to Gandi

By last Sunday we were almost recovered. As it was Karthika Pournami mom was  in a plan for Vana Bhojanalu with her colleagues. But as we were in home , she could not go. At the same time we got a call from my cousin who is mom's nephew for his baby boy's Naming ceremony. His wife's native is Vempally ,a village in kadapa district. So we started over there so that we can also cover Gandi a famous Anjaneya Swamy's temple.

Even though I lived in Kadapa for almost 20 years i had never been to neighboring places as i was always busy with my studies. So almost after 25 years I got a chance to visit the temple. First we reached Vemapally and attended the function. The boy was named as Tushar. Later we started to Gandi , its almost 10-15 minutes journey from there.

On the way we passed through Idupulapaya where our late CM YSR was buried .IIIT college was also located on the same way. 

                                                

Gandi is situated on the banks of Papgani river in serene atmosphere presenting a picturesque scene.. It is exactly the opposite side of the Tirumala hills. AP Govt is running Haritha restaurant here for people who come from distant places. The legend of how the temple of Lord Anjaneya had come to being here is very interesting.

During the Ramayana period Sri Vayudeva was on mediation here. Sri Rama had passed through this place while going southwards in search of Sri Sitadevi. While Sri Vayudeva wanted Sri Rama to stay here as his host, Sri Rama had told that he will accept his hospitality on his way back to Ayodhya from Lanka.

On hearing of Sri Rama's victory over Ravana in Lanka, Sri Vayudeva had prepared this place to welcome him and flung a wreath (festoon) of golden flowers across the ravine through which the conqueror should pass on his way northwards to Ayodhya. At the earnest request of Sri Vayudeva, Sri Rama halted here with his troops. Sri Anjaneya had then gone northwards for informing Sri Bharatha about return of Sri Rama. Sri Rama thinking about Sri Anjaneya, before leaving this place had impressed the mark of figure of Sri Anjaneya with his arrow on a rock. Before he could complete the figure Sri Rama had left for Ayodhya. The figure of Lord Anjaneya is complete in all respect except the little finger of lord's left hand. The figure of Sri Anjaneya drawn in a thin line by Sri Rama was sculptured by Sri Vyasaraja.He tried to complete the figure by sculpting the left over finger but the little finger broke and blood started oozing. He understood the true intention of Lord Rama and left the figure incomplete. Even now we can see the left over finger.

The golden flowers arranged in the thoranam form by Sri Vayudeva for welcoming Sri Rama could be visible between the two hills for those who had faith on the Lord.It is in record that Sir Thomas Manro the District Collector of Cuddapah was one of the blessed to have seen the golden festoon (Bangaru thoranam) during his last visit to "Gandi". It has been recorded in the Madras District Gazetter Cuddaph District Vol I - Chapter I - Page 3 & Chapter XV - Page 217 dated 01.10.1914. We can see Manro's picture in the temple.

I could not paste the photos as i forgot my cam in the house.But we enjoyed a very nice week end in Kadapa.

Karthika masam visit to Sri KalaHasti

Kartika masam is the holiest month for Hindus as it is favorite month for Lord Shiva and Vishnu. As I am in Kadapa mom planned to Sri Kalahasti which is considered as the Dakshin Kailash and one of the most famous Siva's temples in South India . As Sri did not visited the place we planned on last Friday.

        

Sri Kalahasti temple, situated 36 km away from Tirupati is famous for its Vayu deva temple, which is the only shrine for the God of Wind in India. It is also one among the Pancha Bhuta Lingams. It is situated on the banks of Suvaramukhi river. The temple is also associated with Rahu and Kethu Sarpa dosha nivarana pujas. There is a lamp inside the inner sanctum that is constantly flickering despite the lack of air movement inside. The air-linga can be observed to move even when the priests close off the entrance to the main deity room, which does not have any windows. One can see the flames on several ghee lamps flicker as if blown by moving air. The linga is white and is considered Swayambhu. 

Sri Kalahasti is named after the staunch devotees of Lord Shiva. They were the Spider (Sri), the Serpent (Kala) and the Elephant (Hasti). Appeased with their unflinching devotion, Lord Shiva gave them a boon that their names be merged with the Vayulinga and called as Sri Kalahasteeswara. 

                              

At Sri Kalahasti, Lord Shiva tested the unshakable devotion of Thinnadu later called as Baktha Kannappa.Kannappa, a devotee, was ready to offer both his eyes to cover blood flowing from the Siva linga before the Lord Siva stopped him and granted him mukti.

As last friday was Ekadashi  some special pujas were going on to Lord. We took the Deeparadhana ticket where limited number of devotees were allowed into the Garbha gudi and can see the various deeparadhanas performed to deities for almost 20 minutes. With good satisfaction of seeing the deities form very near we returned to kadapa the same day.

Visit to Hometown kadapa

After a small gap i am back today. On one fine Friday while coming from office Sri and me fell down from bike and were injured minor. My lunch box got struck in our two wheeler while taking 'U' turn before my(TCS) office in Madhapur and Sri lost control. Sri suffered from bruises and me suffered from pains. Thank god at that time no jumbo vehicle rushed on to the road. The thing which we felt bad was there were number of so called corporate employees but none gave their helping hand. A couple who were working as supporting staff immediately lifted the bike which was on Sri and the lady lifted me up and gathered my hand bag and lunch box.

As i could not manage things here we left to my hometown Kadapa to take rest. Mom's caring , her dishes and the water of my native made me recovered fast except some small pain on my right knee.

Kadapa formerly called as Cuddapah recently renamed as YSR district is one of the important district in Rayalseema Region. As many people dont know the city's name originated from the telugu word "Gadapa" meaning threshold or gate. The city is surrounded on three sides by the Nallamala and Palakonda hills. The city is named "Threshold" because it is the gateway from the north to the sacred hill-'Pagoda' of Shri Venkateswara  of Tirupati. All the people from Kadapa who wishes to visit Tirumala first visits Devuni Kadapa a temple of Lord Venkateswara which is located here. Even in our family we follow the same ritual.

Whenever people asks me about my native place and when i reply as Kadapa every one keeps their face some what feared and cracks jokes on me whether i carry any bombs in my hand bag. Of course Kadapa is famous for bombs but it has its own good history.

As I already mentioned in my previous post Vontimitta Kishkindakanda, one of the 7 kandas of the Ramayanam, is believed to have happened here. The famous Ameen Peer Dargah visited by AR Rahman, Bachan's family is also located in the town. Bramham Gari Matham, the birthplace of the Pothuluri VerraBramhendra Swamy who predicted many future events comes under Kadapa district.

The neighbourhood of Kadapa was the birthplace of several ancient and contemporary poets. The great Annamacharya (Andhra Pada Kavitha Pitamaha) well known as Annamayya was from Rajampet a taluk in Kadapa dist and birth place of my mom. Andhra Kavitha Pitamaha 'Allasani Peddana', the most prominet poet among 'Ashta Diggajams' hails from Kokatam village in Kamalapuram Mandal. Great Poet Bammera Pothana who wrote Andhra Maha Bhagavatham lived in Vontimitta. Vemana (Pedakomati Vema Reddy) who wrote the famous Vemana Sathakam also lived in this district. Vemana Sathakam is the first Telugu Literacy work which got printed and translated into French and English languages. Baddena who wrote Sumati Satakam also hails from Badvel area of Kadapa district. Last but not the least our beloved late CM YS Rajasekhar Reddy also hails from Kadapa district.

 

Operation Diya painting

It was long week end on the occasion of Diwali. We could not go to either mom's house or in laws house. It was very boring and i dont know how to pass the time. At that time Sri brought different varieties of plain earthern diyas and candles.



plain earthen diyas



Suddenly an idea flashed in my mind , why don't i paint the diyas and make them lovely. We visited Himalaya book shop to get the acrylic colors, brushes and started to work with all my creativity . Here are my creative colorful diyas.

Happy Diwali

I wish you and one all a happy and safe Diwali..

Quail Egg Deviled Eggs

Inspired by Raghu Sir's blog on quail eggs i thought of cooking them. When i said to Sri about the quail eggs he told that his granny used to cook quails in his childhood. But for me this is the first time to know about quails. When i said to my mom she told that my dad used to have them in hotels. Last friday when i went to Inorbit mall i bought a dozen of quail eggs.

Quail is a small bird .Quail eggs are considered a delicacy in many countries. They are used raw or cooked as tamago in sushi.Quail eggs are a wonderful alternative to chicken eggs. The shell is beautiful and so cuteeeee. The nutritional values are also very high and very delicious when compared to our chicken egg.

Chinese medical practitioners have used quail eggs for thousands of years to successfully combat allergies such as rhinitis, asthma, hay fever, spasmodic cough and skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.

Cooking quail eggs is a cakewalk as it takes 3 minutes to boil it but breaking them is a herculean task.

Stick the tip of your knife into the top of the quail egg, and then use your fingers to enlarge the opening. These shells are little harder to break open than chicken eggs.