Annamalaiyar Temple and Viewpoint - Yercaud

Called as poor man’s Ooty (perhaps, because it’s a less expensive hill station), Yercaud has number of places to visit and among the many Annamalaiyar temple is quite away from tourist sight, even it was mentioned on the board of places of interest in Yercaud it doesn't drag anyone. No, the place isn't less attractive anyway and moreover it was my most favorite place in Yercaud. May be lack of directions could be a reason people could not visit the place and moreover road to this temple was narrow and steep.

The temple has nothing to do with this viewpoint but only adding an ingredient to its quiet, calm and scenic location with awesome views on the Shevaroys or Servarayan Hills. At the top of 1400 m, you get a panoramic view on the series of mountains from here and the wind was embracing to cool since it was drizzling during our visit. One of the prime attraction of this site apart enchanting weather and nature was, a temple (tower) like structure built on a slightly grass mound for lighting lamp capture our attention, just being brightly painted in red.

Named as Annamalaiyar Temple, for anyone it would remind Thiruvannamalai but it has no connection with the popular Siva temple out there which is renowned for the grand festival - Karthigai Deepam. Anyhow, perhaps, it seems to shares a custom of lighting lamp on the full moon day, similar to Thiruvannamalai Deepam that lit on the Annamalai Hill. Being a summer vacation, the children from the nearby villages were playing around the temple and some even take advantage of climbing the pyramid like lamp tower.

The temple is also a simple yet beautiful structure with one small and moderate towers decorated with idols and painted in various colors. There was also a pretty well on one corner of the viewpoint with great scenery at background; the courtyard of the temple has a nice lawn created by natural green. The way up to the temple or viewpoint (one of the best bviews in Yercaud), was enveloped by quite green coffee and cardamom estates and the road was also narrow to allow only a vehicle to pass at a time. But gladly, rarely vehicles take this road and we encounter with an auto. But don’t you know an auto could pass with even a cycle gap? Lol

Visitor info: Annamalaiyar Temple is about 8km from Yercaud Lake, in the village of Thalaisolai.  

மன வலி / Mental Pain

"செல்லாக்காசை பிச்சை  போட்டு என்ன பயன்?"

ஒரு வரி 

என்  ஆயிரம் கேள்விகளின்  பிரதிபளி 

வெளியே சொல்ல முடியாத வலி.

தெளிந்த நீரோடை
ஓர் கல் விழுந்து கலங்கியது போல் 

என் கனவுகள் 

ஒரு சொல்லில் கலைந்தது.

கண்கள்
கண்ணீர் சிந்தி சிவந்தது
காவிரியை போல் 

தண்ணிர் இன்றி வரண்டது.

மழை, வெயில்
மகிழ்ச்சியோடு தொடர்புடையது  

அதிகபடியான எதுவும் வேதனையே
வலி, மனவலிமை பொருத்தது. 

Non-Tamil readers, check the translation below… but I inquire myself does it convey quite.

“What benefits a beggar
by dropping invalid cash? “
A phase
reflects thousand questions
of my unspoken pain.

Like how a clear stream
shaken to a fall of stone
my dreams
shattered by a single word.

The Eyes
turned red to spill of tears
without water
it drought like Cauvery (river).

Rain or sunshine
associated with pleasure;
excess of anything is pain
plainly depends on mental vigor. 

PowerShot Sunday - Winding Ghat

This is a part of winding road that connects Kodaikanal (a popular hill station in India) and I shot this one while riding up the hills.  This is my second attempt on this particular part of winding ghat that last for long distance and short in curves. The beauty in these curves fascinates me quite and the environment of green and neat lane is another delight. 

At a (family) friend’s place

One mid-summer day in May we visited my dad’s best friend house in Red Hills (no, it isn't really a hill but a place on the outskirt of Chennai), and despite scorching afternoon heat, we had a cool ride in our a/c car along with cousins whose first day visit to our home due to vacation. We took the Chennai bypass road to reach red hills though Porur link road and it was first time for me to take this road after it built some years ago. My dad’s friend built a new home there few years back, but I only got to visit them now and he was very happy about my visit ahead his daughter’s marriage. We spent an hour and some at their home until dawn fall and it was fabulous sight to see sun rays falling beneath the clouds.

They stay very close and right opposite road to the red hill lake - which is one main drinking water resource of Chennai. During my early visit while they rented there, I checked the red hill lake and got amazing view on sunset. But this time due to heat and lack of time I couldn't repeat it, rather we had some other interesting to check with their house and surrounding. They installed a color changing ceiling lamp on their living room and it attracts every one with different hues while changing with remote. The collage above will explain the rest, how wonderful and delightful the exchange of colors.

The house opposite to theirs hold number of Turkeys and they were set freely to wander and climb on wherever they could.  One was standing on a bike and others on compound wall; it was cute to see chicks following the mother turkeys. Interestingly there were this two turkeys doing similar action side by side while feeding on ground, leave at surprise. I also brought home one of their feathers wonderfully formed in combo of black, white, grey and brown. I used to hear from my uncle early about this house, having number of dogs turning the entire area into horror, glad their desire turned towards turkeys which are quiet and colorful. I hope you all liked the photos here.

turkey chick

A turkey feather

Two square completed

A square has four sides and two squares? Yes, I completed eight years in blogging. I don’t feel too special about it but anyhow it is special and this journey had played a vital part in my life and track changing my chase. No doubt, I feel wonderful about blogging and I was never passionate about anything unlike blogging and it’s a real booster of my life. I’m also in other social networks like Facebook and Flickr but blogging deserves much attention and I feel quite sharing only here.

Blogging is nothing but a device to communicate in detail and bloggers are the wireless (but full of life) receivers and philosophers who teach us many lessons and by sharing we create a friendly and trust in words environment. I never doubt my bloggers because I am true to them and believe they are. I need to say blogging isn't much fun unlike before but I am improved a lot with serious interest and also longing for those cheerful days filled with laughter and teasing each other.

My blog isn't a planned one and actually I don’t know what blogging itself when began to write blog post eight year back. But I was looking for a website myself and accidentally caught into the weblog where many others were trapped and enjoying an overseas relationship with bloggers, and some turn into close friendship. I am still touch with some former bloggers who are friends now in Facebook and only few continue to blog occasionally, the enthusiasm doesn't get down even the way blogging leads disappoint, I feel more comfort writing now.

Thank you all for your constant support and inspiring posts. Hope you keep extend your support and if not sharing (through comments) blogging is nothing.