Old world charm of Pondicherry - Gandhi Square - Baker Street !

Pondicherry is the nearest beach which you can do a road trip to from Bangalore. About 5 to 6 hours of journey via thiruvanamalai or the ECR route from Bangalore is an ideal 3 day weekend trip one can take up.

There are several star hotels and resorts in the city of Pondicherry including the beach resorts. In this video you will see that I stayed at the Grand Serena Hotel and resort near Thindivanam road. Its a beautiful property With ample lawn space and car parking, swimming pool with a great ambience, a nice restaurant called Arrcadia serving delicious food which you will relish.

The places of interest include the Gandhi statue and the Promenede beach, Mantri mandir, Auroville, Aurobindo ashram, Paradise beach. 

You can enjoy some great seafood apart from the other South Indian delicacies at the popular hotels here. In this video you ll witness Baker Street which is a unique bakery concept. You will also see La Cafe which is a heritage cafe building at the Promenede beach. 

I simply love walking in this walking street at Promenede beach near the Gandhi statue.

I could sit for hours together in the evenings at the rocky shores of this beach.

Watch my vlog to take a time travel trip back to Dec 2017 to Pondicherry!!

Fun at Snow City Bangalore - sweet memories !

I had some fun time with the family visiting the Snow city Bangalore in 2018.

It is located in the same vicinity called Jayamahal where Water world and Fun city are located.

We had some quality fun times with the family at -5 degree celsius. There is a small cafeteria inside the theme park to sip a hot cup of coffee. There is ample car parking space & you get to spend a maximum of one hour in the theme park.

Do visit the place once the pandemic situation is over in Bangalore :)

Stay Indoors for now and stay safe !!

WHY TO VISIT TEMPLES ? (Scientific Reason)

Source: Facebook


WHY TO 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 where 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.

Energy lost in a day’s work is regained through a temple visit and one is refreshed slightly. The positive energy that is spread out in the entire temple and especially around where the main idol is placed, are simply absorbed by one's body and mind. Did you know, every Vaishnava(Vishnu devotees), “must” visit a Vishnu temple twice every day in their location. 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.

What does calculation of Interest on daily product basis mean ?

RBI has instructed on Payment of interest on Saving Bank Account on a Daily Product Basis with effect from 1st April 2010.

A quick info byte on the meaning of "Daily Product Basis Interest Calculation"

As we know that the interest is calculated based on the minimum balance held in the account from the 10th of each month to the last day of that month.

So, if a bank customer has Rs 1 lakh in his savings account one day and then Rs 100 another day, the minimum balance taken for calculation of interest in the period would be Rs 100. But, from April 1, 2010, the interest paid on the savings account will be based on the daily minimum balance. Now even the Rs 1 lakh balance in the savings account will earn the customer interest for the number of days it was in the Savings account. Based on this process your savings bank account may start earning more interest from 10th April 2010.

Endearing last day email quotes sent by one of our senior in office

1. Work as hard as you can to make yourself proud of your own accomplishments. In the end, what you think of yourself is what really matters.

2. Learn at least one new thing every day.

3. Donuts are good... but be careful not to eat too many or you may wake up one morning realizing that you look like one.

4. Do something during your career which you are not comfortable doing. You won't regret it.

5. Change is good. Do you really want every day of your life to be the same?

6. Yes you can decorate your cubicle with used auto parts.

7. Laughter and music are two wonders of being human. Don't be afraid to look at the lighter side of things. Stand up in your cube and sing a song. Get together in a conference room and jam.

8. If someone helps you with something, say thank you.

9. Certain e-mails should be written, saved in your draft folder and then deleted without anyone ever seeing them. See number 7 to see what to do before hitting the send key.

10. Don't try to explain to your kids what you do. Especially if you work on something called ****. They won't understand. Lie and tell them you are a Navy Seal.

Wise thoughts shared by a senior in our office

This excerpt reveals a university commencement address several years ago, Brian Dyson, CEO of Coca Cola Enterprises, who spoke of the relation of work to one's other commitments. Strive for balance in your life with work, family, health, friends and spirit.

Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling some five balls in the air. You name them - Work, Family, Health, Friends, and Spirit -and you're keeping all of these in the air. You will soon understand that Work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. But the other four balls - Family, Health, Friends, and Spirit - are made of glass. If you drop one of these, they will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, damaged, or even shattered. They will never be the same. You must understand that and strive for balance in your life.

How?

• Don't undermine your worth by comparing yourself to others. It is because we are different that each of us is special.

• Don't set your goals by what other people deem important. Only you know what is best for you.

• Don't take for granted the things closest to your heart. Cling to them as you would your life, for without them, life is meaningless.

• Don't let your life slip through your fingers by living in the past or for the future. By living your life one day at a time, you live ALL the days of your life.

• Don't give up when you still have something to give. Nothing is really over until the moment you stop trying.

• Don't be afraid to admit that you are less than perfect. It is this fragile thread that binds us to each other.

• Don't be afraid to encounter risks. It is by taking chances that we learn how to be brave.

• Don't shut love out of your life by saying it's impossible to find. The quickest way to receive love is to give; the fastest way to lose love is to hold it too tightly; and the best way to keep love is to give it wings.

• Don't run through life so fast that you forget, not only where you've been, but also where you are going. Don't forget that a person's greatest emotional need is to feel appreciated.

• Don't be afraid to learn. Knowledge is weightless, a treasure you always carry easily.

• Don't use time or words carelessly. Neither can be retrieved.

Life is not a race, but a journey to be savored each step of the way. Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery, and Today is a gift. That's why we call it The Present.

Some good articles on Time Management !

http://sbinfocanada.about.com/cs/timemanagement/a/timemgttips.htm
http://www.time-management-guide.com/time-management-tips.html
http://sbinfocanada.about.com/od/timemanagement/a/getmoretime.htm
http://www.timethoughts.com/time-management.htm

ManiRathnam's interpretation of Raamayan !

Raavan is Mani Rathnam’s interpretation of the Indian epic Raamayan. A thought provoking idea which has been narrated by Mani Rathnam, makes you think about the boundaries & the differences between what’s Good & what’s Evil.

As the story goes along, you start sympathizing with Raavan’s character, though he is initially shown as a symbol of the evil Demon Raavan. The grey shades of the so called Good Rama’s character starts to seem like the Evil one !This is realized through the character Aishwarya plays that of Sita.

Mani Rathnam has used his creative license to tell convey his thoughts in a radically out of the box plot line.

Good aspects of the film are its stunning scenic visuals shot by Santosh Sivan in Kerala, Ooty & some of the forest areas in India. They are definitely a treat to viewers eyes.

Aishwarya looks stunning as ever before & Abhishek renders a brilliant performance supported by the ensemble cast cvomprising of Vikram, Priyamani, Govinda, Ravi Kishen & Nikhil.

Music & background score by AR Rahman is the biggest asset of this Mani Rathnam film. I loved the song rendered by the almighty Rahman towards the rolling credits of the film. Sad that this song is not available on the Audio CD of the film.

Behne De, Beera & Ranjha Ranjha are some of the good numbers from Raavan’s album. I was disappointed that the song Ranjha Ranjha was not shown in the film completely & is used only in parts.

I am not sure if the plot line of the film will go down well or will even be well understood by the mass audience of India. But I am sure the Mani Rathnam’s all time fans like me will surely head towards the theatres to experience Mani Rathnam’s new film.

As I head back watching the film Raavan, & switched on the TV, reports were coming in that the film had not opened really well at many places. But its definitely worth a watch for the Mani Rathnam’s fans !

Here’s a peak at some of the best visuals from Raavan which I think is unfortunately edited out from the film

http://www.youtube.com/user/RaavanTheFilm#p/u/10/I1WIny6Z-Kc

Disappointing Mysore trip (Dec09)

I had been to Mysore this year end (Dec 09). I have been a regular visitor of Mysore every year end with family. Its a pleasure to drive on the 4 track highway from Bangalore to Mysore & vice versa.

Although the journey was pleasurable, this time I was utterly disappointed with the heavy crowd that had gathered already in Mysore. Looking at the Zoo, there was not even an ounce of space to keep your foot step near it... due to such heavy crowd gathering, most of which consisted of school kids in hoards coming in Vans/buses.

Thought of visiting the KRS dam, but the traffic jam was so dis-heartening that after traveling 10 kms with 4 kms remaining, I had to return back to Mysore from KRS due to heavy traffic situation.

Heavy crowd & traffic has really brought down the joy of spending time in Mysore city. It discouraged me from visiting any more nearby places in Mysore too like Nanjangud & Balmuri falls.

Visit to Chamundi hills was my only bet but there too I had to resort to pray only outside the temple again due to heavy crowd in Chamundi temple predominantly consisting of school kids.

The Dasara Exhibition, Planet X & Food street visits were the only saving grace of my trip including the joyful time that I spent there at home with my cousins & family.

On the whole it was a disappointiong trip to Mysore compared to my last few visits to this Heritage capital of Karnataka.

Check out some of the pics of my trip.

My fave Hollywood OST Videos

James Bond Collection

1. Die Another Day - Feat by Madonna

2. Tomorrow Never Dies - Sheryl Crow (Music Video)

Original Movie title song sequence

3. World is Not Enough - Feat by Garbage

4. Golden Eye - Tina Turner