Annavaram Sundial

I did not get to see the beauty of the way as it was in the dark that I reached there. But the sunlight opened alleys to such beautiful sight! Pleasant sceneries. The waters around…. It was a visual retreat. I had been there to the shrine.  It was more chaos for me to digest. Though the place was having an impact on me, I am sorry to mention, the pandit there, responsible for performing the sachinarayana vratam (believed to be a ritual to bless us with goodies) was irritated for some reason and started shouting at another pandit. The sacredness is lost. May be they are at work every day and so frustration at times ….. Just happens.

Once out of the temple that had nice architecture, I could see “goshala” (cow shed) this was good and peaceful to see. Well planned to get us thinking of Krishna. Its simple yet thoughtful. I am sorry, no good pictures of it but it had Lord Kishna’s idol with a flute. In the middle and a circular space for the cows. The idol was such that the feet of Krishna was at the height of the cows. They cleaned it regularly to minimize the odor.  And space to go around it. If there is a “Tulasi Van” (a garden of Basil) around this. It should have added more beauty. My affinity for tulasi van dates back to my childhood days when I mischievously got between tulasi plants bulky than me.  A feel of freshness or the fragrance … I don’t know what could buy it a frame in my mind. 

Just beside this there is a small space dedicated to Krishna again. This is not maintained now but my eyes could see it. Glimpse into the historically popular epics that I read and heard as a kid.

And finally I was at the sundial that would make sense to everyone irrespective of religious faith. Not that it’s a wonder but, it deserves Kudos. This is a concept we all studied. But to design one with accuracy is a great effort. The time is accurate to minutes. This sundial deserves popularity but I didn’t even know its existence till I had been there. Aghast! We miss so much beauty just because there is a religious curtain that we are lazy to look behind. Let’s try to push up the curtains such that it shall look beautiful and fence it with appreciation.

My Wish!

My wish list to tour! Firstly, I want to see around India and then around the world. This is a wild dream for me at this phase of life but nothing wrong in thinking incase.... or relish the couple of visits i had. The temples interest me. In India, we try to add religious touch to everything. But there is a lot beyond religion at places like temples. Architecture, scientific marvels, historic values all are around there.  Analyzing science I am awestruck! What an excellent Work? Understanding them not only adds to my knowledge but also I ponder how our immediate ancestor generations ignore such master pieces of excellence. They are all simple sciences but not easy to show a demonstration. May be they were all totally engrossed in the freedom struggle. This must have made them put everything else on the back burners. Alas! They got burnt away. And we lost the great knowledge we had.

I am not a traveler. Nor do I totally understand a place. I have not toured places with guides. All that I write is armature. I shall try to share the little I know or the little I gather.  I am not an atheist but not very religious. I was religious once and believed God shall be a savior but now believe “The world is a stage. God has already decided the role I need to play. The time shall work with my brain to roll out my role. Good, bad, evil, bravery or being a victim …. Are all roles to be played on this stage. You, me or someone else are all the same but the role we need to play varies. No point in Questioning WHY ME? Or WHY NOT ME?”

True Temples and Science

WHY VISIT TEMPLES ? (Scientific Reason)
There are thousands of temples all over India in different size, shape and locations but not all of them are considered to be built the Vedic way. Generally, a temple should be located at a place wher...e earth's magnetic wave path passes through densely. It can be in the outskirts of a town/village or city, or in middle of the dwelling place, or on a hilltop. The essence of visiting a temple is discussed here.

Now, these temples are located strategically at a place where the positive energy is abundantly available from the magnetic and electric wave distributions of north/south pole thrust. The main idol is placed in the core center of the temple, known as "*Garbhagriha*" or *Moolasthanam*. In fact, the temple structure is built after the idol has been placed. This *Moolasthanam* is where earth’s magnetic waves are found to be maximum. We know that there are some copper plates, inscribed with Vedic scripts, buried beneath the Main Idol. What are they really? No, they are not God’s / priests’ flash cards when they forget the *shlokas*. The copper plate absorbs earth’s magnetic waves and radiates it to the surroundings. Thus a person regularly visiting a temple and walking clockwise around the Main Idol receives the beamed magnetic waves and his body absorbs it. This is a very slow process and a regular visit will let him absorb more of this positive energy. Scientifically, it is the positive energy that we all require to have a healthy life.

Further, the Sanctum is closed on three sides. This increases the effect of all energies. The lamp that is lit radiates heat energy and also provides light inside the sanctum to the priests or *poojaris* performing the pooja. The ringing of the bells and the chanting of prayers takes a worshipper into trance, thus not letting his mind waver. When done in groups, this helps people forget personal problems for a while and relieve their stress. The fragrance from the flowers, the burning of camphor give out the chemical energy further aiding in a different good aura. The effect of all these energies is supplemented by the positive energy from the idol, the copper plates and utensils in the *Moolasthan*am / *Garbagraham*. *Theertham*, the “holy” water used during the pooja to wash the idol is not
plain water cleaning the dust off an idol. It is a concoction of Cardamom,*Karpura* (Benzoin), zaffron / saffron, *Tulsi* (Holy Basil), Clove, etc...Washing the idol is to charge the water with the magnetic radiations thus increasing its medicinal values. Three spoons of this holy water is distributed to devotees. Again, this water is mainly a source of magneto-therapy. Besides, the clove essence protects one from tooth decay, the saffron & *Tulsi* leafs protects one from common cold and cough, cardamom and *Pachha Karpuram* (benzoin), act as mouth fresheners. It is proved that *Theertham* is a very good blood purifier, as it is highly energized. Hence it is given as *prasadam* to the devotees. This way, one can claim to remain healthy by regularly visiting the Temples. This is why our elders used to suggest us to offer prayers at the temple so that you will be cured of many ailments. They were not always superstitious. Yes, in a few cases they did go overboard when due to ignorance they hoped many serious diseases could be cured at temples by deities. When people go to a temple for the *Deepaaraadhana*, and when the doors open up, the positive energy gushes out onto the persons who are there. The water that is sprinkled onto the assemblages passes on the energy to all. This also explains why men are not allowed to wear shirts at a few temples and women are requested to wear more ornaments during temple visits. It is through these jewels (metal) that positive energy is absorbed by the women. Also, it is a practice to leave newly purchased jewels at an idol’s feet and then wear them with the idol’s blessings. This act is now justified after reading this article. This act of “seeking divine blessings” before using any new article, like books or pens or automobiles may have stemmed from this through mere observation.

Most of our practices are NOT some hard and fast rules framed by 1 man and his followers or God’s words in somebody’s dreams. All the rituals, all the practices are, in reality, well researched, studied and scientifically backed thesis which form the ways of nature to lead a good healthy life.

The scientific and research part of the practices are well camouflaged as “elder’s instructions” or “granny’s teaching’s” which should be obeyed as a mark of respect so as to once again, avoid stress to the mediocre brains.

My Lord Shiva!

The time when I was 9 years old, I had no much exposure to religion or spirituality but had great faith in God. I do not want to specify any particular religion or race here as I believe in the only race “humanity” and only power beyond the reach of humanity called “God”. I don’t remember much but let me try to recollect …. For my school annual day, I was to perform a dance. A kindaa “shivatandavam”. It’s believed that Lord Shiva is a great dancer and the way he dances is called “Shivatandavam”. I was proud to be selected for Shivatandavam. Not because I had exceptional dancing skills but because there was my junior who was good at classical dance and she had to play the role of Parvathi.  My height and so-so dancing skills got me the opportunity to play the role of Shiva. Rigorous dance practices for me as I had to play it well. My dance teacher and my junior both had helped me pick up classical style. My school aaya who had seen me dance told me about lord Shiva when I was simply loitering around in free time. I don’t remember what she told me exactly but I wanted to know more about Shiva since then. I asked my mom and grand ma and very soon was inclined to Shiva. Watching TV serial “Om namah Shivaya” must have had an influence too. Since then he has been my best friend.  

When I was 17 years old, I had gone to river Godavari Pushkaralu and happened to listen partially to a song on Lord Shiva that I want to present here. Definitely not like a song but the meaning. Thinking more on Shiva, I knew this is the form of god I would like.

Context of the song: A poor farmer wakes up in the morning and wants to ask Shiva for something very much apt to improve his life style.

What a nice morning but see my rough bed.

The privileged get soft bed.

How good would it be for me to have a better bed! May be live in a place…

Let me ask Shiva to bless me with it.

I close my eyes to see….

Lord Shiva himself sleeps on ice or spends nights in the graveyard. He for sure has no blanket.

He has no palace or interiors done. He lives on the snow hills “Kailasam”.

Oh no I cant ask him for this.

He doesn’t have it and doesn’t make it though he can.

So even I shall not need it.

I looked at my clothes and feel

How good would it be if I had bright colored silk clothes?

Precious stone studded jewelry and footwear.

Let me ask Shiva to bless me with all this.

I close my eyes to see….

Lord Shiva himself wears only animal skin. His hair is not combed. He has no jewelry.

Oh no I cant ask him for accessories.

He doesn’t have it and doesn’t make it though he can.

So even I shall not need it.

I looked at myself in the mirror and feel

How good would it be had I had good looks.

Majestic build, lustrous skin and beauty. 

Let me ask Shiva to bless me with all this.

I close my eyes to see….

Look at what lord Shiva uses for his skin! Ashes from the graves!

He who is the most striking personality, takes “lingakara”. (shown in the picture)

His hair is not combed since long and he did not bother to keep the most venomous “halahalam”

In his throat and it turned his throat blue.

Oh no I cant ask him for this.

I am happy with the personality he has given and shall not bother how it withers away.

But!! What can I ask him for?

He is the happiest. See what he does.

AHhhh… just concentrates on …….

What does he want? What does he concentrate for?

And here I get the answers

If ultimate happiness is my goal,

There shall be nothing that can make me sad.

Only when I want something, shall something that keeps me away from it, hinder my happiness.

If I want nothing, what can you snatch from me to make me sad!!

I am a human. The life in me shall crave for food and water to sustain.

Life in me is given by you. I cant be cruel to it.

Only if I have enough to eat, drink , sleep and have the sound mind to keep desires under control,

That’s enough.

So Shiva, bless me with a mind that can ask for nothing yet be happy.

Best Relaxation!

The way I was handled first! My head in the palm of one who 100% cares for me. I enjoy this each time I put my head in my mom’s palm. It relieves me instantly and puts me to sleep. The most relaxing be it in an AC room or a non-AC car moving in hot summer. The magic of faith and trust…..
If you have not experienced this, do not just sleep in your mom's lap but put your head in her open palm to see the magic.

I used to believe my parents could rule the world and can resolve anything and everything ever. Such an innocent belief and the best belief ever. I used to hug my mom or dad and feel all the burdens just drop off. A magical feel that probably made me stand up strong. This worked till I enter “Ty” age. Realizing the real world. Wish I never had realized ….. Would my child get to enjoy this innocence in this fast age?