Sunset @ Mamallapuram

During my last visit to Mamallapuram while coming back from Alambara ford in April, we got to capture some photos on a magnificent sunset. The sun rose down wonderfully across various foregrounds and one remarkable sight among them was the palm trees… which produced stunning silhouettes beside the golden reddish sky.

All these photos are shot from the backyard of the Mamallapuram town and across the Buckingham canal. I have captured sunset many a time off ECR while returning from Mamallapuram in evening, the beauty of round reddish sun never cease to amaze me and the way it play hide-and-seek with palm trees were enchanting.

You perhaps remember this Airplane; I posted sometime long back here which I find parked at Mamallapuram. It was confirmed that the Airplane is yet to convert as a flight restaurant and a prime hotel management has impounded this Boeing 737-200 near Five Rathas of Mamallapuram and opposite to Chariot Beach Resort gateway.  

Airplane enhanced in dramatic sunset and reddish hues

A drive up to Mamallapuram, Kokkilamedu Kuppam, Airplane & ECR

I had a drive up to Mamallapuram on Sunday evening after long time or past summer. I haven’t planned for a drive but decided to go out to beach in the evening and my cousin on his own plan of dropping his grandmother at her house in Mamallapuram enriched my idea of going out. I joined my cousin family, following their interest to accompany me during the ride and living adjacent to ECR (east coast road) that begins at Thiruvanmyuir Bus Depot; and touching the road after 3 month (due to femur fracture)  put me into lot of surprise the changes brought alongside the road. Number of showrooms had emerged either sides of the road, like mushrooms emerging after a brief rain; many villas have also take place on the ECR towards Mamallapuram.

(click images to enlarge)

Since fracture I couldn't take seat into our SUV due to its height, so we took our uncle’s car and made a pleasant drive into ECR… and I wasn't comfort with my camera to take pictures using this car but my cousin sis took few pictures for me. After dropping my cousin’s granny at her home, we took a brief drive around the Mamallapuram which we sometime used to do while visiting the town. We drew beyond the town and went up to the rear gate of Kalpakkam Atomic Power Station and checked a beach beside a fishing village. Kokkilamedu Kuppam (village) is one of tsunami affected area where NGOs had built number of identical house to the villagers residing very close to shore. A big wave is enough to touch or test their houses and there were number of boats resting on the shore after week-long fishing.

The coconut palms at the distance of waves kissing were pleasing to check and the cool breeze rushing from the sea makes cold embraces. The houses in the village were all built neatly with narrow lanes in-between   and each house is left with concrete benches, outside, to sit and relax in evening and there were also few benches facing the sea which I am sure will make it feel pleasure sitting and watching the beach. The village was also laid with concrete roads and interestingly there are three graveyards for this village which I guess must be distinguished regarding their caste and community. Nice the road leads up to seashore to make it possible getting close to it but the environment wasn't clean to spent there more time.

We also come across a big airplane near Five Rathas, which I still have no idea how it should have brought there and why... but each one has different ideas about it and some says there’s a hotel coming up inside the plane or at the premises the plane is parked. I think it must have brought there to support the marine heritage museum that going to exists there soon and a submarine is also on the way to lay there which right now stable at Karaikal port. I still can’t believe how they brought the plane there, because the roads weren't wide enough leading to this place and even if they depart the wings and tail, how comes the big body. But I am excited seeing a plane near!

Surprising there wasn't much crowd at Mamallapuram (a UNESCO World Heritage Site of sculptures) being a Sunday and the roads were also unusually less crowd of vehicles and perhaps, absence of many buses on that day could be a reason for the shortage of crowd. We find number of Great Egrets on the Muttukadu backwater, but we couldn't stop and take pictures unlike before since vehicles passing constantly. The day ends with bright sunset for us and the sun was too fast that day rising down to pinkish red without giving a chance to capture in-between trees and buildings. The ECR has become much accident pone there days and we see more than couple of accident that day and I think the barriers kept along the road to control speed were also in a manner of creating accidents. I think the police need to consider alternate source to this to reduce the accidents and the way buses crossing those barriers where threatening!

My first tourist destination

Being a Chennaitie, my first tourist destination outside Chennai is perhaps Mahabs.  But Mamallapuram being my ancestor’s town I could not consider it as a tourist destination first and I have been there countless time and many a visit to the town has sighted in any of the sculpture site. My most favorite place then at Mamallapuram was Venna Tharatna Kal (butter ball) and we frequent there esp. to have fun sliding on the rock slopes.

Krishna’s Butter Ball is a natural wonder, where a large rock boulder balance on the sliding rock surface is believed as a stone found on Krishna’s plate. The Pallava kings had tried to pull down the huge boulder with the help of their elephant force (thinking anytime the rock could roll down) but failed in their attempt. The lush green lawn in front of this rock (once an open ground for cattle to rest) take  one for pleasant calm and as a group to sit and chit chat.

I have been strolled behind the rock slopes and crossing the gaps between rocks and there was a well with green water, which was called Sita Kinaru (well) because it is believed that Sita bathed in that well. I have no pictures on them, but I still hold memories on those sight and there was also a path lead to our relative’s house then. I hope everything were blocked and fenced by ASI, doing wonderful job in protecting the sculptors and rocks. We never thought then these places will take such pleasant enhancement and flourish in green.

Another place I liked and which is close to butter ball was Arjunan Penance. It is a giant bas-relief filled with marvelous carvings of various human forms and animals; the most fascinating part overall for me personally then were the Elephants. The sculptor of elephant couple and cute calves carved on the bottom of the bas-relief could be a favorite sight for any child and the pit reveal the bottom part was something dragged me then to look what is inside.

Another pretty scene next to this site was a sculptor of monkey looking lice on another. As kids (me and my bro) we used to go and stand behind the sculptor and pose like looking lice on the monkey sculpture. Beneath the monkeys, there’s a small slide to play and a rock carved steps to climb on, but I don't like it much as the natural sliding near the butter ball. The slide was partially hid now after the earth rose because of the lawn making.

Footnote:

Just thought to write something for the World Tourism Day today and here’s a brief account on my first tourist destination out of Chennai.

PowerShot Sunday - Muttukadu Lake

This picture was shot two years back, before the construction of a small bridge across the backwater lake, adjacent to Muttukadu Bridge, to bear pipe’s carrying drinking water from the Seawater Desalination Plant in Nemmeli, to support water scarcity in Chennai. I have crossed the Muttukadu Lake number of times but ever got a picturesque moment or scene like this where the lake shares the sky blue.

I lightly touched the contrast to just highlight the blue tone and I was totally impressive with the outcome in image and alive as well then. I indeed disappointed with the look right now and after the construction of bridge, the sight was almost interrupted and water wasn't clean due to unclear soil and sand that block the inflow of sea.

Muttukadu is a famous tourist spot and boatyard on the ECR (east coast road) toward Kovalam or Mamallapuram. 

P.S. Btw. Goodbye to Google Reader… going to miss the wonderful and easiest tool that assist me following blogs, from the beginning. First time I shifted the blogs (to bloglovin) and there are many alternates but I don’t think anything could be comfort like reader. 

ECR, and the other day

The other day I had a brief drive on ECR (east coast road) across Kovalam along with my cousins for nothing but just time pass and lunch and I had some photo opportunity on roadside. That day I didn’t take my camera with me so took few shots with the 3.MP galaxy player.

The Toll Plaza in ECR was the first of its kind for us to experience a paid road when it was introduced in 2002; and the road extends till few km before to Pondicherry. The toll plaza remains one of the pretty hold by itself on this fun filled scenic beach road and is decorated by few artistic stones painted on birds, butterflies and animals dividing the lanes with green mounds and decorative plants.

The ECR is a drive pleasure road for anyone taking it around to reach the many entertainment spots alongside and beyond the sculptural hub Mamallapuram and reaching French colony Pondicherry; it really needs more post to look into detail. The road is a well laid and moreover maintained properly with no bumps or jumps and taking the lane thought night was once interesting watching the roadside barriers and road stud flashed to reflectors on them.

Touching the ECR with few meters from home, the road remains as one of the most frequently used and taking away the prior when a thought of getaway exists and also the way out of city easily. The road remains free of traffic once out of city limit and it also has its share of disadvantage being exposed to accident-prone and rash driving to endanger.

On way to Kovalam beach – the other day, we come across a bunch of pups on the roadside and only the one above came alone from the group waking along the road but it was too shy to give us pose and turning back as we moved further. Kovalam beach is one of a beautiful seafront shaped in curve and called as Fishermen Cove, the southern edge has a temple and during Sunday this place is packed with people visiting the temple and shore from far and near. 

Covalong Beach

A cargo goes aground

The Neelam Cyclone that stroke the Mamallapuram, a day before day, also produced an effect on the coast towards Chennai and beyond developing a number of tree falls and sand erosions on seashores. As I mentioned in my early post, the Marina Beach of Chennai – the second longest beach worldwide – is the gateway for any effort by sea or rain on Chennai and it stands at the first place for anyone to check the status of the city.

Pool ride by a biker in marina

I visited the Marina Beach yesterday evening to reveal the effects of Neelam cyclone and found the rain and seawater stagnant on the marina beach abundantly like ever and the inner road was flooded with water for more than 3 feet high. Even the SUV like cars find it difficult to cross the inner roads and we didn't take the venture into the water which was inviting for a swim but had fun watching boys playing in water and some bikes and autos splashing and creating great ripples. I really enjoy visiting marina beach after rain to check the stagnant water and joy of splashing without disturbing others!

Later we moved to check the cargo ship that went aground near Foreshore estate, the adjacent area of marina, where the Neelam cyclone dragged the ship that was standing somewhere off shore into go aground. The road leads from marina through Nochikuppam was blocked and we had to go around the Santhome to reach the foreshore estate and ship was standing very close to shore and waves were so ferocious, crashing on the ship to reach unusual high.

The ‘Prathibha Cauvery’ is a Mumbai based oil-tanker anchored near the Chennai Port with 37 crew members on board, among which 32 are rescued through helicopters but the five who clambered into a lifeboat as soon the ship goes aground were missing, after the boat capsized due to rough waves. (According to news in evening, 4 of them were found dead ashore today). I guess it was the ship that I saw couple of months back visiting the marina beach and I also captured in photo.

The ship which goes aground near Elliot Beach, was moved into the foreshore estate yesterday and the place had tuned into a new tourist spot now for people who keep on visiting the shore to see the ship. When the news of ship gone aground spread like the force of storm, there were many gathered at the seafront to see the ship even dismissing the meteorologic warning to stay inside the house till cyclone landfall completely.

My Canon SX220 does a great job capturing the ship, enduring the strong wind even at maximum zoom!

There wasn't much crowd at marina, but the foreshore estate is flooded with human heads and people were keep on arriving and leaving as families checking the ship. The time we visited, a helicopter of the coast guards were lifting the crews or officials who come to check the ship and dropping at the shore. People were so excited to see the operation that they don’t get to see easily except if a Navy show seldom take place at Marina beach and the last time I check a ship very close was during one of the shows. 

If u look carefully, a coast guard helicopter is lifting a crew on the  photo.

Cyclone Neelam stoke near Chennai

First time experienced a cyclone in my lifetime and I have seen and heard about its intense and rage through media many a time but this is the first time in last 2 decades that a cyclone stroke near Chennai. The wind was blowing at 40 km speed across the Chennai whereas in Mamallapuram where the Neelam Cyclone crossed ashore reaching 70-80 km speed and waves rose of 20 feet height and rushing 200 meters into the land.

The cyclone which formed near Andaman Island last week began to move north-west towards Tamil Nadu and its track had been predicted well by the IMD Chennai and warned heavy showering from Monday. We gained good rain on Tuesday night and the wind was blowing very strongly yesterday till midnight and during the time cyclone landfall the blowing was heaver and the tress were all dancing ferocious to the wild wind beats.

We had no power from the noon but there was enough power in the inverter which we installed for lights and fans and we also restricted the use of inverter power since it’s a 6 hours package and we had no idea when power will resume. The television blinks no signal when we try to check the status of the cyclone and after few hours the laptop also lost power, through which I was watching the live news on cyclone and later I turned the galaxy player for the updates.

Just 10 month later the Thane cyclone left a deep sad impact on the Cuddalore and Ponndicherry, the Neelam leaves a lighter memory without causing much damage to lives and property – which I believe. The cyclone also swish-swash the Marina beach which had become the gateway for any water calamities and it also pushed aground a cargo ship (Prathibha Cauvery) near Elliot Beach and 100 trees were uprooted in Chennai.

I captured a small video with my galaxy player below on the cyclone wind taken at my courtyard.

Dolphin City

‘An attempt on recollecting and restoring memories’

It was a feeling of enthusiastic when my uncle announced that we are going to Dolphin City in the evening and I was on my way to barbershop for hair cut when hearing it, but couldn’t resist dreaming on Dolphins actions on the Discovery Channel, sitting to the rolling chair while scissors trim the hair. It was the time we were residing on the upper portion of my maternal grandparent house in Thiruvanmyuir while we rebuilding our own in Adyar – both were neighboring areas of south Chennai – the barbershop was in the ground floor of my grandparent’s two storied building.

From the time I get to remember things, I’m cutting hair from the same salon and even today the barber from this salon comes home to get trim my hair and bread. The one who runs this shop for years had become our family friend in the latter run and who sincerely care for me and never took money to cut my hair but I’m not sure and haven’t asked my grandfather whether he balance the pay with the rent.

It was a Sunday evening, as usual, with close family members get together at grandparent’s house and since we sojourn from the same building, it was more cheerful for us to stay connected throughout the day with dear ones. In two cars we reached the Dolphin City in the early hours of evening, which is about 43km from Chennai and 10km before Mamallapuram on the ECR (east coast road), opposite to the then famous amusement park Little Folks, who initiated the first on its kind of fun filled water park in the country.

We parked the cars on either side of the ECR, adjacent to the walls of amusement park and with great excitement we entered the park where a disappointment waits for us to learn that Dolphin show was canceled due to illness of the species but Sea Lions show was available alternatively. After discussing sometime our elders take the right decision and gladly that was not to get back home but catch-up with the Sea Lions show.

With no idea of the lions I entered the venue, which is a two storied high gallery partially enclosed and arch in shape with a blue pool in the center looking cool at us; and after waiting few minutes the black two lions emerged skating through the doorsteps behind the stage and took hold the stand up like table. I remember they clapped first with their fore flippers, following many amusing activities like playing volleyball, pool basketball, catching rings, diving into water... are all awesome; and their playful behavior, sharing kiss and splashing water on the audience on the first row were looked fun and fascinating.

After a great amusement and lifetime experience disclosed by the pool stage, we head to the artificial lake hold within the City premises which also houses a boat jetty with small pedal boats and water cycles for a leisure and pleasure ride. But my bad chance couldn't agree for a ride unlike my parents and uncle family took around the small islands created amid the lake surrounded by tranquil and I had a spicy dinner with my uncle at the restaurant located aside the lake, where cool breeze wake up to the off shore and whisper of waves embraced.

I still remember, we had noodles and chicken 65 sitting on one of the tables under the thatched roof restaurant surrounded by trees and lake beside. We also had opportunity to visit the Little Folks on the other side of road and it was already late evening and time for closing the entry, but we managed to get tickets and like the name referred it was a very little amusement park left with a sliding pool and few small riders for kids. My bro and cousin tried the sliding pool and we can’t spent much time there while there’s nothing to do and the lights were turned off we forced to head out quickly.

Footnote:

We visited the Dolphin City in 1998, that was nearly 15 years ago but I just inspired to write on the experience now... after reading one of my friend’s blog post on cities. The Dolphin City and Little Folks stopped its operation at the latter years of last decade and the dolphins were also died very soon after our visit and they continued with sea lions shows for sometime and now only the building is remain.

Ganesha and My Childhood

Picture from my archives

During my childhood days, I used to wish visiting this Ganesha carved on the rock by a small mound in Mamallapuram – a town famous for rock cut sculptures and a UNESCO WHS near Chennai, while we visiting our relatives house there. The rock cut Ganesha is very close to the Karukathamman Temple – one of our families commonly worshiped temples, in the west of the town; so, many of our visit to Mamallapuram witnessed worshiping at the temple and for me to check the Ganesha climbing on the rocks  beside the temple.

More than the rock-cut Ganesha, the quiet and pleasant environment and a small adventure of climbing on the rocks and following path track are the main that attracts me to this place; and there are also two rock cut shrines on the mound belong to 7^th century, named as Pidari Ratham and Valiankuttai Ratham. (Ratham is a word means Chariot in Tamil). Other than these, we could find a trace of red on the rocks for which my grandma used to say, ‘that it was the bloodstain of an evil man who was killed and dragged though the rocks by the goddess for ill-treated the people of the town.’

This photo was taken by mom in 2006, during one of our visit to Mamallapuram and today no one is allowed on this mound or checking the Ganesha, since archeology department has put fence across the area to protect. I really love visiting this temple, not in devotion but just for the isolation and pleasantness provide by the pond side with trees for shadow and benches to sit relax and cherish.

Ganesh used to be my favorite god in childhood and my mom used to tell till date that my hands come closed wherever I see Ganesh then.  Today the totally perception is different and I have come to believe there no god exists but I don’t deny the fact that I had great faith on god once, unconsciously. In no way I interrupt others belief on god and I respect their faith and wishes from heart for their plea get answered in some ways!

Kaanum Pongal and Country side

I happen to reveal a stretch of country side on the outskirts of Chennai between Tiruporur and Echoor, an adjacent area to the west of OMR that met with Mamallapuram. We took this route esp. to avoid the Kaanum Pongal rush and also celebrating the closing day of the festival seasons of Pongal by going out with family which is a practice hold by many.

This stretch has villages that still breathing the fresh air of vast paddy fields and reserve forest with many Eucalyptus trees where the village cattle’s grazing and the spread of broken glasses and water packets prove it’s a haven for boozers. The notable and feel so good was the process of farming and the fragrance that lift in air from the paddy fields and small irrigational canals with clean water.

At some places the paddy crops has grown well into golden green colors and were suppose to harvest. When machines have entered at large in farming these days, it’s wonderful to see small scale farmers who can’t afford tractors plowing with oxen and this is a best way of farming I could say where both the man and animal survives. I really worry about cattle’s losing its footprints slowing from farming as machineries representing their places, I’m sure if this continues in progress instead of natural dung, only chemical and oil substance will remain in soil as well as spoiling out heath.

As it was the next day off Mattu Pongal, we could see horn painted bulls and at some villages youngsters were playing at the fields on behalf Pongal holidays, as it is a practice at many villages conducting games following Pongal. This is the time people who left the villages on work basis gather to play games and cherish the moment with friends and families. Kanum Pongal has been well preserved this time and there were rows of vehicles and some open top arrived to celebrate the last day of pongal with lot of noise but we went quiet across the countryside and felt so nice.

Back on track

It’s been sometime went out as family which includes my uncle’s family, with whom we lived as a single family once and still being oneness in mind except living at independent homes. The real plan was I alone going out with my uncle’s family but later my parents decided to join our undecided destination on my wish which was supposed to go out of city and have lunch at somewhere as a kind of picnic we usually do.

(Thiruporur temple tower and tank)

Being bored often taking the ECR (East Coast Road), we decided to go through OMR (Old Mamallapuram Road) and come via ECR to home in Thiruvanmiyur... but later our plan changed and instead of going simple this way, parents wished to go to Manapakkam Kanni Koil (Virgin temple) near Chengalpet, on the bank of River Palar. We had been to this temple more than a decade ago and the deity in this temple is 7 stones, and it is considered as a deity common amongst the traditional family deities (Kula Deivam).

(Temple tank, Thiruporur)

It was early noon and sun was scorching bright and there wasn’t a change on our track and instead we extended and took the Thiruporur – Chengalpet route to reach the temple, which is among my favorite routes passes through forest, little mounts, villages and paddy fields. It’s a single lane road from beginning and only now has took some widening process and it doesn’t look like affection the environment and nature for good and the gladder part was its unchanged for decades.

We took refrain under a banyan tree for lunch on our way and the cool breezy shadow under the tree gives space for fresh air and the village environment and paddy fields beside send me back in the essence of soil scent and memories. I have spent many of my summer holidays in villages and its experience is one among the bliss and the smell comes out from soil and along the cow dung and firewood smoke at early dawn and evening is unequal to anything lavish.

(young paddy field near my grandpa’s village on the way)

The Kanni Koil is 5-6km away from Chengalpet and since Sunday it was crowded and looked like a village festival and vehicles were parked lot and activates of cooking and head shaving function for kids where hold to end at each corners and could see newlyweds with garlands to come and worship their family deity. By the time we left the temple, the sun hides away leaving dusk behind and mild coldness in air and in little mounts and paddy field backdrop cherish the mood of hill stations.

The return journey was very pleasant and we took Thirukalukundram – Mamallapuram route to connect ECR which bears enough greenery and paddy fields and lakes being filled with mild foggy at visible distance and little coldness to sense. Mind was thinking about cuppa and dad asked me understanding my favor for having coffee at countryside or little town tea shop which I believe and tasted to be nice and shops here uses direct cow or buffalo milk for coffee or tea. But sometime its disappointment waits for me and this time to the roadside café where we drink coffee serve us a hot water kind of coffee and it seems they also use the mixed packet milk.

(Row of palmyrah trees on the way to Chengalpet from Thiruporur)

The usual Sunday busy bee kind of traffic waits for us after Mamallapuram, delayed more than 45 minutes to stand in queue to the slow motion snail creeping drag by vehicle after Mayajaal. It’s like on Sundays the city’s inner are easily accessible than driving from outside the city. This time cousin took control of the wheel and dad take refrain and caught up with his paper reading and guiding cousin on his minor mistakes and on my part kept alerting him on potholes and speed barkers since he’s in his early driving experience. It’s quite enchanting over chatting and spending quality time with family and sharing thoughts on behalf changes and wish for residing among quiet village’s en route!

Things happens beside (pongal)

This year’s Pongal was something very simple and somehow boring until cousins came home. The thought to celebrate the festival in a traditional way never comes home easily unless I force to make it rather like the former year where rice boils to firewood under sun light and sugarcanes to hold either on the terrace, we loud Pongalo Pongal as soon the milk boils over.

Every year I wish that Pongal happens in a village and this year we went further to plan a trip to join a Pongal celebration in a village but by chance we missed the opportunity for some reason in traveling and even though I’m happy that at least we gave such concern to plan and hope next year we visit villages on Pongal festival. The festival went off usually how Chennaities celebrate it in there cooking vessels in kitchen and later watch television programs and go out the last day to conclude the festival which is known as Kaanum Pongal.

This year’s Pongal was something disastrous because of the deadliest accident happened in Kerala where more than 100 Ayappan devotes were killed due to the rollover of a jeep and following stampede in a hilly terrain. It was terrible to hear such an incident before yet to go into a festival mood and even it doesn’t much bothered here, its causes are sorrow. Unlike the obvious one above, one of my dears got into an accident and happened to fracture his wrist and even he’s not relatively close, I grown up by cutting my hairs from his hands since I remember.

What truly bother me was that within minutes he left our home finishing my hair cut he was hit by a share auto. I never saw a person like him, who never changed in his attitude and care for our entire family and closely associate with us since we began to practice. What touched me a lot was even in this condition with a fractured arm, he was thinks about my next hair cut which has a month time and there’re many barbershops in our neighbor and he employs many in his shops to serve and still he care for me is simply astonishing and such people are rare in this society.

He’s not alone a barber; he’s a finest Nadaswaram artist who performs for any rituals and temple festivals and there isn’t a function happen in our family certainly without his concert and we are not even to invite him, he understands and comes to play without an invitation and money comes next to him before us and anyone. I couldn’t say anything in front of things happen and I thought that moment what all his plans got disturbed because of his fracture and for a barber and who plays Nadaswaram the hands are very important and source of life and what he going to do having festivals at phase.

Beside these the festival days went off peaceful even there isn’t much happiness to cheers and experience to share, the last day went out on a brief ride on ECR and it was fun going along with cousins in car and chatting and teasing either. Everywhere it was congested on Kaanum pongal which is usual and to believe it was unusual to see so many people crowded the ECR till Mamallapuram. Yearly the counting just increases in crowd and never seems to reduce and it’s enchanting to see people crowded for happiness and fun! And I’m happy in sharing with you all.

Vedanthangal bird sanctuary

Day: Feb 12, 09

Awaking early 4 in the morning is something tough when it comes to winter season especially. But when it was for traveling means something cool and charm if it was on the ECR (along seashore) to me. The purpose to get up such early or midnight (for me, who wakeup often by 8 or 9am) is nothing to wonder, because it was an event of my sister’s newly build home in Mamallapuram, we’re to attend. The sky remained dark and moist in surface caused me to raise windows, and roads less with people and vehicles, made easier the travel. It was about 6am we reached sis home and the customs where over enough, with least relative to receive. After spending triple of hours there, having our coffee and breakfast, we told and began our travel as per our plan to visit Vedanthangal bird sanctuary about 80km from Chennai.

We wasted sometime in mamallpuram searching for a binocular, after buying something like used by children for nothing, we came across Thirukalkundam and Chengalpet, after buying something for our lunch and reached Vedanthangal around none, which is 12km interior right before Mathuranthagam on the GST road. I wised to be there in morning to see more birds, where later they will fly away in search of grains and return only by evening. Even though we had to see more birds this time ever before and got to know, those are half the birds and by evening one could see only birds except trees! Gladly the tourism dept had build a ramp to climb easily on the lake bank and the pathway are also good to move around. The time we reached, there were preschool children visiting the park and having lunch on the pathway, so we waited sometime for them to finish and we’re no were to disturb them right! The kids were so sweet and nice, and adorn to have them around.

There were so many birds migrated from around the world, and most of all was the painted storks. They caught our eyes easily and except those, there were Darters moving on the lake, keeping its head and neck above the water for sometime and get inside the water. The Little Cormorants move far way in water, followed by its chicks. The common Egrets were not seen more, but on the other side of the lake – the farmer fields, I could find some of them around a solo buffalo! There was a telescope tower for a free of cost and my cousin bro and mom climbed on it to get some glimpse on pictures. Moving further on the pathway takes to a view point, where one could see a vastness of the lake with birds at distance.

After the lunch it was an entertainment moment from monkeys. There were 2 adult monkeys and its 3 cute kids. Soon they saw us having lunch; they came around near slowly and began to stare us. We dropped some food later on the pavement sitter and they began to load as much inside there mouth to look like each have two balls beside there mouth! After taking some pictures and videos of there playful activities, we left the sanctuary around 2pm. On the way dad wished to visit our relative house near Mathuranthagam and there was much time left for evening dark, so we went and spend sometime. It was a village house with separate place for cattle and backyard views of green fields. This is a place I could not forget easily, where I experienced my first and last ice cubes rain somewhere 14 years back! That too was on the same process I think, after visiting Vedanthangal! By 6.30pm we were near home. It was a smooth ride until Tambaram, from where the traffic snail began. First time coming across the newly build flyover at Kathipara Junction – a gate to Chennai, we missed the directing as noted by newspapers already and covered an extra distance to reach home.

The painted storks stretched wings

The troublesome egrets around a buffalo

A darter rise it neck’s

A part of the crowded birds

The pathway takes us along the lake bank

Children at there excursion, and having halfway lunch

For remaining pictures check my Flickr

Indian Dance Festival 2009

My sister invites us to witnessing the Indian dance festival happening from Dec 25-Jan25, 09 in mamallapuram, so as visiting her as celebrating Pongal. Being renowned tourist place, it attracts more visitors on festival days, so decided to get there uncertainly on Saturday. On the way joins my aunt’s family and it was more fun adding to this trip. The intention was to sight the dance festival in evening and getting to shore temple after noon, but still there was crowd left by festival season and time was less, there was another idea of fishing and hook’s were brought by cousin, though time was less because most of the time spent on to conversation and what can the expectation when families get together.

After cuppa we start to walk and me on wheels towards the cheese ball, what can be than fun when walking together and those shared movements. We reached the garden come cheese ball after 15mintues walk, receiving some relatives on our way, and spent sometime on garden, around sculptures. By 6pm everyone was drive outside the complex by whistled guard, I wonder what people may do if stayed after 6pm. There are times this place was uncared and unclean, wandered by lives across anytime and excrements left over, must really appreciate the archeological and tourism department to make this place such beautification and attractive surface with grass floors and fencing around in care those unique sculptures and rock. Being so nice, we moved before those guards force.

So we moved early to catch the dance festival on stage before the Arjuna’s Penance, in backdrop of renowned carved elephants. I unaware that days events, just went like that to view a strange performance by guys in crowned head and swords in hand, uttering some odd words, coming around the stage by striking the swords on floor. After sometime I get to know through someone in crowd, it was Arunachal Dance. I just Google to know it was Arpos Dance, played by Monpa tribe in Arunachal Pradesh, about 25 dancers, wearing helmets, carrying swords and look like ancient warriors, which describe the manner in ancestors tribe to defeat there enemies. It’s also the state dance of Arunachal Pradesh. To know, everyday there was some states traditional classic and folk dances are performed in festival.

Next was our classical dance Bharatanatyam, performed by the local school students and resident children around Mamallapuram. It’s tough time later, the relatives and parents of the students take place around the stage covering the performance visibility, because we were standing beside the stage closed by wooden protection and they were entered through the gaps and mislead the guards. Finally they covered completely invisible, so we moved and bored to see not much variation in performance. It was late evening, cold weather, and back to sister’s home, having our dinner and arrived home by 9.40pm. About the festival, it expounds the classical dances of Indian states, in backdrop of glorious rock cut sculptures belong to 7th centuries of Pallava period. It’s an annual Indian dance festival organized by Tamil Nadu Tourism Department near the season to Pongal. More pictures can be seen here at my Dance Festival set.

Feeling motion

It was something like back to future. I hardly missing those wonderful feeling and it was such pleasant after years. This post is a continuation of last post on travel. When decide to go around Mamallapuram, it was sis idea to go to shore and she knows how much I like seashores that too visible waves near. It was years I remember standing near the sea water and running to waves chasing, but in these years it seems a merry distance. It was a quite shore we visited Tuesday and must thank rain for drenching sand to make advance our Scorpio through this off-road beside GRT Temple Bay to reach nearby waves. I feel how minds changed from the disaster tsunami in 2004 and there is little scare about the sea and rising waves, even though wish extends my scarcity, thus I could not fill those little foot distance. It could be a wonderful experience, if hesitation doesn’t stop my desire to go ahead splashing the waves on wheels. Sometimes it may think foolish, but my dream is unique and there is no requiring of everyone similarity.

The spontaneous wave’s one upon another, foaming improperly caress the feet drench to sense the pressure of tugging. I have experienced very little in past and those moments are only existing throughout to remain forever in the inevitable life. The nature has created much and seas are one best to wonder through its occult suspense. After the strange tsunami it becomes an uncontrollable evident, got changed in its nature to threaten people. Getting out of sort, we come across a colony-village within town. It was not the one in natures path – country streets, and very little available of tiles and palm leaf house. I think when world is changing into development of modern concrete structures why I feel for those old and symbols to poverty.

There was a sudden odor in the breeze took away to the awesome feel, back to our days in village. When in winter or cold evening the people use to burn fire woods to cook and make smoke around to feel comfort and warmth. Villages being wet around, after sunset there could sense a cold and snowier chillness in atmosphere, when it combines with the smoke it gives pleasant. When I felt it suddenly that day, there it mesmerizes! I share with my sister how faint it was getting after long time to this sensation. The children playing beside and around the streets, rolling tires, along sharing space the hens and goats. This town of mamallapuram remains identical to my views, except much constructions and spreading of underground sewage system, even some suburbs not. The open canals and mosquitoes have been control by, and tourism gives way too many businesses and tradition own of carving sculptures is falling least by extend. The passenger buses through this stretch have been facilitated to international standard and privatization of the ECR makes people easily available.

In and around

Another travel lateral to OMR, it’s now ECR. Traveling on the east coast road is always fun and boost for smooth ride loving. This time with a purpose to ride our family to Mamallapuram, I get another traveling opportunity on my favorite lane with cousins and grandparent. It was merry go around with my bros and sisters. It was raining half our way and drizzling carried on breeze pleased. Our pet Maya was chilling in moving wind and so keeping her face outside window enjoying the weather. Even it was Bakrid, the mamallapuram doest fail to get attention by many visitors. After dropping our elders at great-mom’s place, I and cousins went around just like that or even to burn our times instead waiting for there conclusion and visit too two more relative place next to another.

I didn’t brought my wheels, so I can’t move specially anywhere than out looking. Many things have changed and improvements on progress. I wonder what really is not! In the beautification progress they have changed the genuine things around. Esp. the cheese ball has missed its amazing stance for and stories said behind this globe like structure standing on this slide, immovable for human and animals’ power. It was something back hard to climb on the sloppy rock to touch the cheese ball, but it was touched today easily in few steps. It has a slider narrow substance on the rock which we slide and play then and even now it receives same joy for little foot distance. It’s more than a decade back I climbed on this rock and many times we visit this rock yet it is near to our sis home.

Must say the tourism department is taking good steps to save the remaining structures and rock cut sculptures to maintain properly, even in cost of visitors. I really wish let that’s be a rumor what the entry fee is very different from country visitors to foreigners. Sure I must go around in my wheel soon before I lose insight memories of the places I visited back. It terms I am looking around from outside fencing. Even deriving the rain and cloudy weather staying before the cheese ball, we tasted ice-creams get by our sweet sister. It was fun looking Maya as we all having ice-crème and she was whining for and all along she was fellowship riding. Mamallapuram is home town to my sis and who was visiting our home in Chennai. After calling dad to know that it would take some more time to return, so we decide to go around the town, colonies and shore. Sure it was something I will continue at my next post.

To those unknown about Mamallapure, it is a very famous place for rock cut structures belong to 7th centuries, carved by Pallava Dynasty; which is just 45 km away from Chennai on ECR.