Sothuparai Dam - Periyakulam

Sothuparai Dam is 9km from Periyakulam on the foot of Kodaikanal hills or the Western Ghats of Palani Range; helps enrich the entire area of Periyakulam and beyond by run  as a perennial river Varaganathi. The catchment of the dam is a combine of rain and small streams of Kodaikanal hills and the release of water from Berijam Lake, Kodaikanal.

Grand vista of the dam and misty Kodaikanal hills at rear

The Dam at its full storage capacity of 2.831.m.cum might be a wonder and thriller to watch it overflow via the high spillway, but I could only image the scene since the monsoon got postponed that year of 2009, left the reservoir at its base.  The road to the dam is enchant by the groves of mango on both sides leaving mangoes hang out of fence, at a height of hand’s touching and could pluck even from the moving car.

Front view of the dam taken from floor bridge

We first reached the top of the dam by the road on the hill beside and got a refreshing view of vast green on the mango groves and a patch of concrete at a distance which is obviously the Periyakulam town. The road extends beyond the check post – near the gateway above the dam, and along the reservoir the road leads to a small hamlet on the hills called Agamalai, which is restricted for private vehicles to enter.

Rear view on the dam from a distance elevation

But the guard at the check post somewhat allowed us to drive on road along the reservoir, knowing our interest on forest and though we couldn’t find any animals as it was dry everywhere we got a great sight of the  dam rear and views beyond. The guard told us the road exists only for a few km on Ghats and after that it’s only on horseback one could reach the hamlets on the hills.

Close to bottom of the dam

The name Sothuparai is a combine to two Tamil words meaning ‘food and rock, and it is said to derive from the habit of people here who once used to take food on the rock boulders along the flow of river Varaganathi. The water released from the dam through an irrigation canal runs like a stream among the rocks and boulders during our visit since there isn’t enough water in dam… the water runs like a stream is distillated for drinking purpose of Periyakulam on its way.

Water flows from the dam via irrigation canal

Sothuparai is the second highest dam in Tamil Nadu, following the Sholayar  Dam of Valparai which comes first, and for more details on the dam check the photo below I captured on the board of information kept there. The dam has a small tunnel and irrigation canal and only during the heavy inflow the shutter seems to open large… and interestingly the care takers of the dam has left a  fishing hook above the canal to catch fish.

The dam is isolated from tourist or the general public; it has a small simple garden with beautiful lampposts and a floor bridge to cross the dam, to get a complete front view of the dam. The time we checked the dam, a log had took refrain on top of the spillway, which is supposed to be washed away during the flood and it decided to stay there. It may need another overflowing season to come down.

A small garden in front of the dam

I need you tonight

I need your tonight

I don’t know why
I would feel so glad
having u aside.

I need you tonight
holding your sight
dreaming together
to how to make it real.

I need you tonight
singing lullaby
at my bed side
as I asleep on your lap.

I need you tonight
lighting my heart
as I feel so scare
the day lights disappear.

I need you tonight
badly so,
baby on my bed
I lose grip my fear.

I need you tonight
at the end of twilight
making delight
revealing our secrets.

I need you tonight
holding tight
I cannot think parting you
even the day breaks apart!

I need you tonight
badly so,
baby on my bed
pls. forgive me if me wrong.

I really need you tonight!

Footnote: Inspired by the song of back street boys… it’s been sometime I listen to the songs from Millennium and the first line stroked me a lot today! Lol

Theertha Thotti – Periyakulam

Two km from the Periyakulam town, towards west on the road leads to Sothuparai Dam, comes a lonely place surrounds by gulmohar and neem trees and among them is a small mandapam and tank which is called Theertha Thotti. The tank is a natural spring and it told to be never went dry perhaps being on the south bank, close to the perennial river ‘Varaganathi’ it is considered as holy tank.

One of an evergreen song from the Tamil Film Pithamagan, Elankathu Visuthea… was captured at this location and the tank takes a special place in it. The tank has an inner mandapam or corridor and a staircase leading down.

We visited Periyakulam during the time monsoon was postponed so everywhere water was at least and dry and the Varaganathi River was too like a creek and stagnant. Our friend’s in Periyakulam was residing on the south bank of the river and only because of the couple we get to explore the places around and they take care of our need indeed!

Their home is on the Agraharam Street which is renowned for the community of Brahmins in each locality and I have seen couple of Agraharm in various places early which are very quiet and clean alike. What attracts or interest me was the home next to their, pretty and pleasing in green wall or vertical garden beautified the front.

நஞ்சு / Toxin

Image: Google

பாசம் என்பது
ஒரு வேஷம் ஆனது
பணத்தை பாத்ததும்
பிஞ்சி நெஞ்சும் நஞ்சு ஆனது!

Love means
happened to be a mask
looking at the penny
tender heart too becomes toxin!

Footnote: 

I no need to describe how toxic our world has become but except the chemical substance mixed in the environment, the mind of people and words they speak has become worse and there isn’t a heart to check either and feeling and everything has become money letting mind and respect demoted. I deeply hurt when I come across people ruthless at others and atrocious at words and behave like only they have a heart to get hurt and all others are made of solid… For some money has become their mass storage where no more space for emotion and heart for others.

Periyakulam – the mango city

Two years back I visited this picturesque municipal town in the Theni district of Tamil Nadu, India and at an elevation of 282 meter; the place offers a wonderful weather overall the year. Located at the foothills of Kodaikanal, the Western Ghats offer a splendid wall to the city and at night its a delightful sight to check the lights on Kodaikanal hills.

An unknown peak of Western Ghats captured from the room.

Periyakulam is also known as ‘Mango City’ and it’s a major supply of mangoes throughout the state and its greater support was the perennial river ‘Varaganathi’, which runs in east-west direction dividing the town into equal half namely Vadakarai and Thenkarai – north and south bank. The river start at the foot of the Kodaikanal hills and joints with the Vaigai River is known for its sweet water which flow from the Berijam Lake in Kodaikanal.

The Mango groves near Periyakulam

The name Periyakulam is referred to two Tamil words equivalent to Big Tank of this town. The former Chief Minister and present Finance Minster of Tamil Nadu, Mr. O. Paneerselvam hails from this town... which has 100 years of municipal history and its one of the oldest town in Tamil Nadu.

One of a Horse cart on the Periyakulam main road

It’s been sometime I want to write a post on Periyakulam and I spent two days visiting around its places and I share here few picture captured then and it is a town where still horse carts exists for transportation. There are few interesting and popular places around this town... and let see more on it further down in posts.

Celebration of Kiss

Image Courtesy: Google

Kiss Me... Close Your Eyes
Miss Me... Close Your Eyes
Kiss Me

I can read your lips
and your fingertips
and Happiness in your Eyes

Kiss Me... Close Your Eyes
Miss Me... Close Your Eyes

I think you no need a narrative about the lines above, since a number of lips could have whispered it watching the ad campaign of Cadbury Daily Milk Silk on television, if you are from India. It’s one of a sweetest ad campaign I adore esp. the music and lyrics fascinate me each time checking the ad and always puts at swing the way it singed, was cute. Check one of the ad's here.

Footnote: 

This ad comes to mind once I leaned today is an International Kissing Day or World Kiss Day ;) The idea behind the day is to remind people the simple pleasure associated with kissing for kissing’s sake, as opposed to kissing as mere social formality or prelude to other activities. Kissing can be an enjoyable experience in and of itself, is an expression and experience of intimacy.

An emblem of love

The gorgeous bud blooms

Flourishing the heart entice

An emblem of love

Connecting people at ardent.

Life is like a beautiful flower

The petals embrace each other

Like get-together,

Life becomes a beautiful flower.

Footnote:

The Latin Lady Red Rose or Love Rose bloomed in our house and I captured the beauty one evening after we brought the plant last month. I loved the bi-color of the rose and it so fascinated me while clicking!

Wildest dream

 I lay on bed dreaming of her
who stoke my heart with love;
embraced me tightly and warm
and kissed me passionately quite.

I dream of her so wild
who cuddle me like a blanket;
tickled till embarrassment enhanced
and touching her heart in attempt.

We kept drifting on the bed
dragging each other in entice;
an attempt to make real our fantasies
and fascinating foreplay.

Nothing leaves us beside
engrossed in gazing completion within;
leaving as much lip marks
as a symbol of love and ecstasy.

Footnote: 

I need to confess there’s no one behind my write up… and it’s quite a fraction of fantasy, fun and love!

Saguni

After planning for day after another to watch the Tamil flick Saguni in drive-in was happened only on Friday after gathering hope it won’t rain that evening, as it threatened with dark clouds like the first day and heavily showering on the consecutive day. The movie was an entertainment pack with politics as background and it is one of a decent commercial film released lately and gladly it doesn’t have any punch dialogues, one man army or gang war or skin shows!

The story wasn’t interesting but the way it leads at second half was good and moves enthusiastically for us to watch keeping away our basic sense!  Karthi plays the role of Saguni, who interact with political activities and leaders to achieve his goal being their reliable source and Santhanam helps him by losing everything and tried to make us laugh but we got only bored to his blunt jokes and almost seeing him in every film these days.

Pranitha as a heroin, doesn’t have a scene to express or act really and only used for couple of duets. In whichever way Karthi used to impresses her are fake and drawback to the movie and waste of reel. Nassar has been utilized well in the role of god man and he done his best making us laugh and think though his silence; Radhika has shown her face after long back into the big screen as a woman gangster come councilor and city mayor.

The editing and cinematography has made the movie picture clear and background score doesn’t make notice except two songs soothing and capturing the places of picturesque! Prakash Raj has done his job as usual good in role of villain and the credit goes to director who makes it fast on screenplay following the break just being an end to the boredom.

Bottom line:
Overall an entertainment… but no more cheerful to cherish and deliciously insipid!

Summer rain

Pic by Jeevan

Summer rain
showered again
dancing droplets
drizzled around;

Earth fragrance
breathing veins
stimulated nerves
stretched again;

Drenched leaves
pretty gleam
round pearls
pierced around

Shutter sound
thunder rain
flashes around
without cam!

Heart gets hurt

Deep in heart I get hurt

The reckless words shatter

And cut pierce my veins

Leaving me at impatient call

When insane people talk

Insensible and extremely intolerable; 

Money is a matter

Cut slice the heart layers

No matter how well and deep u loved

A minute exchange of phrases

Cuts off the ever lasting relationship

You believed lifelong.

In someone’s system of love

The gratitude and attitude is nothing

Once the program is completed;

People whose interaction is almost gadget

Applies the same technique in relationship

Which Sign-offs immediately.

Specs and Me

I just don’t know how, but specs change the image of self…

Giving an intelligent and smart look! lol

Self portrait with specs, through the mirro

Some says pink is for girls, but I don’t agree…

And pink is a pretty color for girls to get addict easily

And for that that there’s nothing like guys should not like it.

I didn’t go for this specific color of pink for specs, but it got my attention being simple and neat…

And actually it’s a dark pink but can't noticed while at look.

I don’t find nearly difference in my face worn to specs. But it feels so good :)

How sweet – Kiss

Image courtesy: google

The taste of honey

I sensed in your tongue;
the sweet of essence
I draw from your lips.

The fragrance of flower
felt from your sweet odor;
the nature of love
entice me to embrace you – eternally.

The warmth and comfort
emphasis me
while I embraced
and grasped you for a kiss.

Footnote: Just another fun and fantasy on Kiss! 'wink'

Eyes and Specs

The excess blinking of eyes for few days last week was tough indeed, sending me excess strain on eyes while reading, talking and looking at laptop and television, it was very difficult to notice anything by evening when lights are turned on. We thought it was because of weakness and vitamin deficiency which I believed too, but I wasn’t sure leaving it off and eyes left wet often while reading and staring at television want me to check with doctor.

The excess blinking last for nearly 4 days before coming down to least fraction, I still wanted to go to an ophthalmologist and on Monday we checked one of an eye specialist in our neighborhood waiting for nearly an hour. This is the first time I checked with an ophthalmologist in my life and she was very kind and since well know to my grandmother who check with her regularly it was easy to convey with her familiarly and she tested my eyes on the biomicroscope and asked to read the eyes chart.

I felt myself funny while reading eye chat and I was right on the letters even without used the test glasses, but she recommended spectacles for me for reading and viewing monitor  after testing 0.75 power on Distance Vision (DV). I never thought I would have to wear spectacles and don’t know how well it gonna change my look but I understand it’s need and glad I don’t need to wear it always except reading and watching monitor, the glasses has a anti-reflective coating to protect eyes from computer radiation.

The doctor didn’t get fees for me and she’s so humble checking everyone and inquiring at general. I wasn’t interested on selecting specks as I have no idea before getting one, but went for as usual simple and neatly framed and light coated in color. I think she recommends specs for everyone who visits her as I saw two third leaves ordering specs at the optical shop permanently placed within the clinic. I was advised to check yearly as I have diabetic, eyes are the first to get affected.

Wonder 7

It was wonderful years of seven in this blog sphere now and each year has been an added wonder in my life with new blog friends arriving into my world, making it more enchanting and ever youth and painted with colors of rainbow hues. Every dawn has been enlighten in my life by sharing thoughts, knowledge and sense across overseas, blogging has been a part of my life and influence a lot in my day to day activates apart reading, watching and listening that anything interest me.

Instead of planning on what to write (which would be running in head formerly), I left myself to the flow of thoughts and feeling regard to my heart and emotions and writing on my most passion, the traveling and photography, the another eye of this blog. Since seven years of blogging, the intense has been enhanced only more and even a lot has been changed on attitude towards handling the blog, the priority and vital has let me sustain here… and I hope it continues to support me along with all your rely.

Beyond everything that keeps me available here… it’s the support of my parents who make certain that no way my interest, enthusiasm and communication via internet interrupted. They know the important of blogging to me and they trust me that whatever I do is worth remarkable and special but they seldom showed interest or let knowing what I write about.

Whatever I say about is none when it comes to all your support and interest on reading… and it’s impossible without all your encouragement and observation, for me to shine here like a star, among you twinkling ones :) My sincere thanks to everyone and I hope u all continue as a part of my life!

Regards
Jeevan

Morning Sunrays

Picture by Jeevan

The blessing of sun

falls fabulously on earth
through the tree canopy;

The pretty sunbeam
glitter and gleam
radiating healthy vitamin D;

The warm sunrays
embrace and kiss
the dimple cheeks valley;

The spotlight of sun
would wound and cure
since it’s a healing resource;

The glorious sun
showers the rays, stunningly
hiding behind the gray clouds.

Footnote: The picture of morning rays was captured at the fabulous hill station, Kodaikanal.

Black Drongo – Bird Watching

A Black Drongo was hopping from tree to tree before taking refrain one of the tree’s branches, but preached far away from me which I was not sure of capturing off. But I thought of trying up and shoot at the bird using maximum zoom length, thanks to 14x optical zoom that make possible the pictures.

The Black Drongo is not a regular visitor to the open ground in front of my house and the prettiest feature and the simplest identity of the bird is the twin tail. I saw the bird couple of times lately preached to the same shrub until very badly the tree was uprooted two week back for a building construct.

I wonder if uprooting trees continue in neighborhood, the visibility of many birds perhaps would shrink. Lately I happen to watch and capture many unusual birds visiting the neighborhood and while traveling, I will bring them further in my posts.

Embarrassing moment

She came leaving me at embarrass

in a sultry outfit, that ready to lose grip;
she let me feel and caress her body
showing her back prone to bed.

My fingers like a fern feather
moved on her back, tickling;
while for her to embarrass now
grabbing a pillow for grip.

She leant her legs probably
feeling butterflies fluttering inside;
while I drew along her spine
barely open to bare back.

She seemed insensible
as respond to my love and ecstatic;
an embarrassment felt allover
while I kissed at her rear neck.

Footnote: Just another fantasy in feel of love and desire ;)

Bay Watch

It’s not a kind of Pamela Anderson run to rescue in red swimwear those struggles for lives drown in the water offshore! Lol. But it’s just a beautiful beach watch, facing the Bay of Bengal against the Danish Fort of Tranquebar in Tharangambadi, which I visited last March while heading to Point Calimere.  You might familiar with one of the fabulous ocean picture on my header with a blue yacht sailing across the sea…

A beautiful blue yacht,
beneath the blue sky
over the blue sea

It’s been some time I wish to check the place and what impresses me next to the still growing strong marvelous Danish Fort is, the Beach with impressive hues of green and blue. Situated 272km from Chennai on the ECR, the elevated courtyard of the fort from ground gives a stunning view on the sea with layers of blue green on surface. 

Beach boys

There were sights of yachts sailing across frequently and some boys playing on the gushing waves that reaches out the broken walls and rocks of prevention erosion, while they throw hook for fishes. Thanks to my Canon SX220 HS to giving me the opportunity to capture the pretty blue sky and the ocean, which retreats while the noon sun was striking hard beside the cool breeze caring off.

A Brahminy Kite or Red-backed Sea-eagle flight over the sea

More on the Fort and travel details soon…

Kiss

I miss you so much
the kiss you gave me
before leave me in dream.

At the end of evening
you kissed me
gently pressing your lips;
Leaving a mark at cheek
and wet in lips,
a  pleasure
replace only by another – kiss!

Footnote:  Just for fun! Lol
Happy Sunday

Random thoughts

Picture from my archives... taken long back.

Looking back isn’t difficult

Than life at progress;

Life is nothing perhaps lack past;

The future that be anything of

On the platform of early constructed

And surrender of something

That cost no more than humble;

Our past like a mirror

Reveal us the unknown self

Following like an eternal shadow

It kept forecasting our decisions

And nothing passes out without facing it.

The man as machine

The sense as added memory

Connected with wires

To feel virtually via touch pads

And reliance on word phrases

Texted on keypads!

A ladder needs a support

That no one can deny climbing up

Whereas leading down;

Wherever u go touching elevations

You can’t grow older than your parents.

Sunset, at neighborhood

A gorgeous sunset at gleam…

The mild maroon and purple hues

Leaves back a lovely scene.

.

The dark clouds hide the majestic;

But not the hues and rays of sun

That paints the sky with radiant colors.

Footnote: I captured this wonderful sunset last evening while visiting the beach in neighborhood, Thiruvanmiyur. I didn’t bring the came with me by chance, so managed to shot it with my 2mp mobile phone and it’s been here I used to check many splendid sunsets.

Power sharing – while there’s no power

The power has been a big problem these days and due to shortage in electricity, there is a constant power cut in the state of Tamil Nadu for more than a year or two now on hours basis and a day holiday for once in month. I guess there’s similar problems in many other states of India too, and the worst affected here are the industries and rural areas where power cut is double triple times than two hours in cities… in some places its unstable and total shutdown for a day.

Glad we live in city like Chennai to experience and suffer from lease power outage, and whereas for our comfort many experience the burned out of city limit which we don’t realize or think about easily! Electricity is common for everyone and basic essential of life, but how many of us truly realize the worth of electric and even thought it wasn’t there we certainly go for alternative than accepting the shortage and try to reduce its usage or change schedule  according to power outage.

Alternative is not at all bad but when it comes from the same resource like electricity which already suffers a lot will make the situation even worse than leaning hand. There is a talk for one such alternative at home for long time and the urge for inverter has increased lately among parents… but I kept concern of keep away the thought and interest of parents confessing that electric is common for everyone and when others suffer, we have to take part in it instead going for inverter as alternative which is a way of stealing power.

If we think of the 6 to 8 hours of power outage out of city, just 2 hours is nothing but least to bear and a small change in our routine will do better and make us concentrate at things we badly missed in presence of current. I take the time of outage to write blogs or work on Photoshop, since I own laptop I make certain there’s enough power for two hours and the only disadvantage was lack of internet connection and I also do book or paper reading and listen to Walkman.

There are many way to divert our attention than feeling for single most current that connects our electronic devices, but we need to accept most of our today’s activates are based on gadgets. Back to inverter, it’s a worth device and necessary if we are at constant basis of work or expose to frequent power outage and for a house usage, I don’t think it’s quite necessary when many others suffer a lot from outage, we alone going for a inverter what other can’t afford esp. the poor. Again I need to confess, electricity is common for everyone and it’s a basic vessel we all travel on and we all need to share the pressure to make sure balance float and enjoy the pleasure ride.

Sky Gazing

Image courtesy: Google

I just want to touch the sky

I just want to blow the wind

I just want to kiss the clouds

I just want to signal the stars

I just want to paint the moon

Using the colors of rainbow;

I just want to draw a rangoli

Using the dots of stars;

I just want to write a letter

Using the galaxy to my eternal love;

I just want to eliminate from the earth

To fetch the golden opportunity of stars

The silver jubilee of moon

Under the limelight of yellow sun.

Footnote: Just nothing to do last night while the power goes off…  I penned this poem using the mobile phone, inspired by sky gazing.

Out of stock

We had gone through water scarcity and Chennai was infamous for it once but I never remember we went through dryness of petrol bunks, where almost bunks in the city were out of stock for the last 6 days. The shortage of petrol and diesel had also spread to suburbs… where filling a bottle of petrol takes maximum an hour waiting on the queue… that too only after sought through lot of petrol bunks out of stock.

During the time of protest against the hike on petrol in India… the scarcity of petrol and diesel has brought into the light, the obvious truth that living without it has been tough even though the price of petrol has been on constant rise.  I wanna think the scarcity of petrol and diesel in Chennai is supposed to divert people from the hike on petrol by the petroleum companies or government. But till late night the situation was much favor to the petroleum companies since lack on gasoline, people had come down to buy no matter how much it cost!

I couldn’t stop thinking or thanking the petrol companies to come out of stock to make us realize the worth and important of gasoline… even though I agree and feel truly that running out of petrol causes lot of trouble. But it was interesting to read few columns on newspaper about how the petrol scarcity forced people to take few steps aback as saving petrol, for ex. those vroom on traffic signals have come down to switch off their engines or become patient till green signal falls!

See how much we could save in petrol and diesel, if we follow such methods through all our rides as much possible and rolling down the windows and switching off the A/Cs while free from pollution and heat could rejoice plenty of liters of petrol and diesel. A sustain on speed and driving at minimum speed control would save lot of petrol and also gives maximum comfort and guarantee to life… which  is precious and has a lot to achieve, love and sharing and celebrating many special occasions of this beautiful life.

Love you all!