Lalbagh Garden - Bangalore

Lalbagh garden in Bangalore is one of the largest botanical gardens in India housing more than 1500 species of tress and plants.  Most of the trees here are more than hundred years old.  This garden was initially planned and started by Hyder Ali the ruler of Mysore in the year 1760.  His son Tipu Sultan has developed it in 45 acres adding many species of plants brought from different countries.  In due course the green coverage here extended to 240 acres.  The glass house which hosts annual flower show was modeled on London’s Crystal Palace was built in the late 19^th century.  It will be a jolly good picnic spot to spend entire day walking through different specified areas of the garden enjoying the cool breeze and green shades and smiling flowers.

A trolley which carries people around the garden touching showing
specific regions.  It takes about 1/2 hr.  The charge is Rs.100/-
per head now.  The driver asks you to pay Rs.10/- per head for
showing spots of special importance.
The rock behind it is very old - 3,000 million years old.
On top of it is Kempegowda tower.

Pigeon House.  The pigeons which are used as messengers
were housed here!

The Fountain.  Glass house is seen behind it.

Glass house.  Horticultural department of Karnataka hold flower show
every year.

This is more than 350 years old and is supposed to be the oldest tree in
the garden.

This is the tallest tree in the garden - 150 M
It is decorated on Christmas

Police chowk.  On Independence day and Republic day
police play their traditional band here.

This is called Japanese Garden.  The bamboos of Japan
are black unlike Indian which are green.
The water is missing in this stream!

There is a lake in the Garden.  The waters are clear.

The plants are groomed into different shapes 

The first ever Lawn clock.  Maintained by HMT(?)

The typical branching appearing as elephant head.

This is another natural creation giving the appearance
of fetus.

Horticultural department of Karnataka.  The typical branches, the entwining shapes are natures art.

Bangalore Temples

The most common temple visited by tourists in Bangalore may be the ISKCon temple.  This temple has Shri Radha-Krishna, Krishna-Balarama, Nitai Gauranga in the main temple.  Before entering into main temple are the Prahlada Narasimha and Srinivasa Govinda Idols.  All the Idols in the temple are beautifully decorated in silks and flowers.  There is continuous chanting of “Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare, Hare and Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna, Krishna, Hare, Hare. The chantings by all the visitors gives spiritual consciousness. The scene on the top of the hill is beautiful.  Temple is maintained clean and neat. 

After darshan, while coming out there are stalls selling various pooja items, Krishna and other Gods’ photos, books on Krishna stories and  Srimadbhagvadgeeta is available in English and different Indian languages.  Eatables are sold.  Meals are also available for a price. The prasadam given is hot.  Better to carry a disposable spoon to eat it.  Photography is allowed outside the temple in the exit route. 

Visiting hours are in the early hours of the day.  Later during day strictly there is no entry from 1PM to 4PM.  If ever somebody reaches the temple during this period they have to wait on the road or go away to visit some other place.

Just about 2Km from this place, in Mahalaxmi puram is Sri Srinivasa Devasthanam and Shri Prasanna Veeranjaneyaswamy temple on a hillock.  The Hanuman temple has huge statue of Hanuman carrying Sanjeevani hill. The garden on the hill top near Hanuman temple is a lively place to rest. Adjacent to it is the Srinivasa Devasthanam.  There is also a six floor building here which has wonderful museum depicting various stories of Krishna and other Gods and sages in each floor.  There is ticketing for darshan.  The lift takes the visitors to the sixth floor.  Viewing the sculptures and pictures in each floor visitors have to come down to the ground floor again using steps.  The visit to the museum will be a memorable experience

The ISKCon temple may be the most commonly visited temple, but the atmosphere at Prasanna Veeranjaneya temple, Srinivasa Devasthanam, and Bull temple is holistic and serene. 

Bull Temple (back side)

Epic Museum at Srinivasa Temple

Gandharvas relieved from the curse

Krishna lifting Govardhanagiri on his little finger

Ardhanaareshwara

Shiridi Saibaba

Vasishta Rishi

Vishwamitra's penance disturbed by Rambha

Kamadheni (appears so realistic!)

Saagara Madhanam and the gifts from it

Shri Venkateshwara Swamy 

Shri Venkateshwara Kalyanam
Lighting was awesome

Garden at Shri Prasanna Veeraanjaneyaswamy

Bull Temple - Bengaluru

Basavanna Gudi or the Bull temple in Bengaluru is a peaceful place.  The temple is visited by few local people and tourists.  This is more than four hundred years old.  It comes under the protected monuments by archeologists. 

In this premises of Bull temple we also see Dodda Ganapathi (10’x15’ idol) temple and Shiva Temple .  

Dodda Ganapathi

There is also the idol of Valmiki, the poet who wrote Ramayana.  This is the first time I have ever seen Valmiki being adored.  On entering we find two huge horns curved of stones arching the steps leading to Bull temple.  On to the left is the Dodda Ganapathi temple.   For people who cannot climb steps can walk up straight for a few yards and find way leading to the Bull temple on the right side and left is the Shiva Temple.    

Bull temple can be visited any time during the day but Shiva and Dodda Ganapathi are closed between 1PM and 5PM.

The Bull or Nandi is the vehicle of Lord Shiva.  The Bull here is the largest in the world, measuring 15’x20’.  It is beautiful and appears to be with life.  The temple or pujari here is not yet commercialized.  Entering the inside of temple and circumambulation around the Bull is allowed.  The surroundings are beautiful and peaceful.  It is a place to sit and relax.  Calmness is simply felt there.  Bengaluru city tour can never be complete without visiting Basavanna Gudi.

Valmiki 

Chalo Assembly

“Chalo Assembly” is a grand success.  In spite of police creating terror in the people who want to participate in the event, it passed off successfully exposing the undemocratic dictatorial character of Andhra CM.  Braving the police repression and attack a large number of Telangaanites did reach the Assembly.  CM who stealthily entered the Assembly before the sunrise had to exit from there secretly.  This is what is going to happen in the next elections, the Andhra Rulers have to pack up and leave the place for good.

What is happening today is a blemish on democracy, violation of human rights.   Actions of police and paramilitary on the people don’t look like a preventive action.  It is more like attack, army attacking the enemies in the battle field.  People are unarmed, peaceful demonstrators, just shouting ‘Jai Telangaana’.  The actions of the law enforcing force are unlawful and inhuman.  They seem inclined to attack people as to injure and disable them or leave them almost dead.  The government which is said to be by the people, of the people, for the people, in Andhra Pradesh has become by the Andhras, of the Andhras and for Andhras.  Whenever there is a demonstration of the Telangaanites the main opposition party leader plans his outings.  The two eyed Babu has tubular vision.  He can only see the problems of Andhra and Andhraites.  He never ever raised his voice for the support of the people of Telangaana in the Assembly.  The police who arrests Telangaana leaders participating in “Chalo Assembly” does not think of arresting TDP leaders.  No other example is required to expose the conspiracy of Kiran-Naidu in stalling the statehood of Telangaana. 

The core committee of Congress is a bore committee.  Its action to deal with the situation in Telangaana is a knee jerk reaction.  It only reacts but never acts.  Whenever there is agitation it says problem can be solved in peaceful conditions.  When peace is prevailing it believes the Andhra CM’s reports that people have forgotten Telangaana.  People are losing faith in Congress and also in democracy.  If the government doesn’t respond to peaceful, democratic agitations and wants to suppress democratic expressions and wishes of people of a place where they have to go?   Many youth depressed with the attitude of the state and central government had committed suicide.  But instead of getting depressed if they take a different route, a violent path who will be responsible for that?  When there is attack of some leaders by Maoists the government loudly declares, “In democracy there is no place for violence”.  What is it that is happening in Hyderabad and other districts of Telangaana? 

Telangaana people have become sick of hearing, “Telangaana is a sentiment, we respect it”, “it is a sensitive issue”, “it cannot be solved in a day or two’, “we are for small states including Telangaana”, “we are not against Telangaana”.  Now it is time to stop all this and declare road map to Telangaana state.  People of Telangaana want Telangaana state with Hyderabad as its capital.  It is high time that the ruling party, the central government takes a decision.  Instead of trying to suppress the democratic right of Telangaana people with police, paramilitary, CRPF, or military, take action with the same forces who are threatening the centre against taking the decision on Telangaana statehood.

Jai Telangaana, Jayaho Telangaana.   

Off To School

Its past one week in June. Next week the schools reopen. The days ahead will hectic for

a month.  Now children and parents are busy buying books and new (school) dresses and accessories for their children.  A decade ago it was mostly buying books and dresses, but now children want to buy electronic gadgets and flaunt them.  To flaunt about their riches gadgets have become more important than education for some children, particularly those entering into colleges.

Use of electronic gadgets has become part of life.  At the same time its abuse and misuse may lead to more harm.  Parents should give freedom to children making them aware of their responsibility towards family and society.  Saying simply ‘No’ or giving away whatever they ask may have harmful effect on their psyche.  When a ‘no’ is said a proper reason should be given and when any new gadget is presented its proper use should be advocated. 

Parents should be friendly with children and spend and an hour or two with children everyday and know what is going on at their institute and in their class. This close rapport with children will help the parents to know about the general and educational activity of children.  It also helps to know the problems that are faced by the children in early stage and counsel them in dealing with the situation.

Allowing the children their space of freedom and everyday interaction will result in strong emotional bonding and the children going astray is rare. 

I wish all the students a successful academic year.