Dear Jenny, again it's been a long time. You know, people are not the same always, right? and time is like a season. There is good times and bad times. I really can't say what season do I have right now. If you ask me I would say I like the spring season the most. The season of rebirth, rejuvenation, and resurrection. The one that follows the winter. I really wish for spring season in my life soon. As I told you before I think I have the winter season of my life at the moment. The visibility is limited and I am really in a cold blooded state. But in this stagnant time too life is giving me hope like never. Yes, some good times in the stagnated life.
Ahh leave all that for now. Now I am here to talk about some happy moments I had with my family in the past few days. We went for a Spiritual Trip to one of the famous temples in South India, The Sri Mookambika Temple, which is situated in Udupi district of Karnataka. I should tell you this Jenny, this was in fact the best trip I ever had with my family. From the beginning till the end it was really a great experience. I don't know, usually what happens is we plan a lot and do nothing. But this time everything was fast. Amma put forward a suggestion of going to Mookambika since she has leave for a week from work. Achan accepted it without a second thought. ( Usually never happens :D ) I booked the tickets and everything at that instant before any new thoughts come to their mind and plans change :D
 |
| The First Flight with my cousin |
It was 11th of this month, we started from home early morning to catch the train at 7 am from Kollam Railway Station. We got down at Ernakulam South Station. From there we got into a cab to reach the Airport in time. Wow, I was really excited. This is going to be my first flight. I haven't even been near to an airport before eventhough Trivandrum Airport was very near to my house. Usually Achan comes from gulf without any notice. So I never got a chance to take him from airport to home. And when he leaves, he says he don't want to see our crying faces and good byes. So I never went to an airport. :/
So I was having butterflies in my stomach as I am gonna see Cochin International Airport and gonna board Jet Airways. Luckily everything was fine and the plane was on time. We boarded the flight. Just like I have seen in TV, Air-hostess was waiting at the entrance for greeting us and to show the seats. The best thing I liked is the Take Off. I've heard before that the aircraft uses maximum power during the take off and the speed will be around 250 km/h. Fish!! I was wondering how it gets that much speed in just 2 or 3 seconds. Ouggh. It's totally like a miracle for me. I would say it was the best moment I had through out the journey. :) May be because it was my first time. Ahh I am still curious about this. Gotta clear doubts with my aero buddies :)
So with gods grace we landed safely in the runway of Bangalore Kempegowda International Airport. I remember somebody telling this airport is the second largest in Asia. Ah don't know if it's true. :) The thing is I was just thinking about the next flight :D Bangalore to Mangalore in the next 1 hour. So my first flight and second flight was in the same day. :) We reached Mangalore in just one hour. From there a cab to Kollur where the Mookambika Temple is situated. We stayed the night at a rest house very near to the Temple hoping to get up early in the morning and see the Nirmalyam. The next day went as we planned. Total of 3 times visit to the temple. It was really a great experience Jenny, My mind was free from adverse thoughts. I felt vey much alive in that temple atmosphere. The same day we went to Murudeshwar (Shiva) Temple which was around 70 Kms from Kollur. Wow!! No words can describe that place. That temple is a magnificently built temple. There we can see the second largest Shiva statue in India. This temple is surrounded by sea. Out of all the gods of Hindu's, Shiva have that bizarre looks and has always had an influence on me even-though the god I call the most is Krishna coz of the Krishna Temple near to my house :) Shiva is called as the Destroyer or the Transformer but still an enchanter. :) I don't know much about spirituality and all. But I can say I am a believer of god. There is always a supreme power. The power above all. That power is what we call God. :)
 |
| The Murudeshwara Temple |
So Murudeshwara is one of the most delightful place I have ever been to. We came back to the rest house at the evening and spend the rest of the time sleeping and shopping. The next day early morning too we went to Mookambika. :) That day's plan is to go to Kudachadri, which is at the western ghats. There are many songs in our regional language about Kudachadri. The road to western ghats is very unfair and harsh. Its the combination of elevation,hairpin turns and extremely harsh roads. Yeah, offcourse we are climbing a mountain :D Only a jeep can go through such a condition. We were leaving Kollur the same day so we checked out of the hotel, rented a Jeep and started the journey to Kudachadri. Just 30 Kms but we need around 2 hours or more to reach there and out of that 45 mins travelling is through the most perplexed and harsh road I have ever seen in my entire life and I am damn sure I wont see this elsewhere.
 |
| Posing at the Sarvajna Peeda |
We reached Kudachadri in 2 hrs. A very small place in the top of mountain. There is a small temple which is resided by The Devi of Kudachadri. From Kudachadri there is nearly 2 Kms to The Sarvajna Peedam ( The seat of the all-knowing ). To get to sarvajna peedam literally we need to climb a mountain. The Peedam is at the top of a mountain. There is no way I could miss that. So I started climbing with my brother and cousin. It was really hard but it was worth it. The view from top is just amazing. The Sarvjna Peeda is the seat where Adi Shankara who is also known as the Shri Shankaracharya has meditated. Oh, he was a Keralite. A great Philosopher who merged the creed of Advaita Vendanta. Uff, am I boring you Jenny? Even I don't know much about this places and people. I am sharing all I got with you. :) I can tell you this Jenny, The Sarvajna Peeda is one place on earth where you will have absolute peace. The beauty of the place will just blow your mind. The sun was just above our head but we did not feel any heat due to the ever-blowing wind. :) Definitely it's a place you should never miss in your life.
 |
| The Sarvanjna Peeda - Western Ghats, Karnataka |
The next place we went was Udupi, to see the Udupi Sri Krishna Matha. The only temple in India where you will have the Darshana of the idol through a small window. There is a story behind that which I am not gonna tell now. :D You may go to Wikipedia and search. :P The temple is gigantic and ancient of around 1500 years of age :/
 |
| The Udupi Sri Krishna Matha Temple |
The same day we returned back to home from Mangalore by bus. Ough Jenny, I would say this was one amazing trip I had in my life. Many good experiences. Many new knowledges. Totally astounding. So I guess that's it for today. See you another day. :) Take care now, bye-bye then. :)