Tribals At Sammakka Jatara

Sammakka jatara, now called as Telangana ‘kumbha mela’ was held from 12 to 15^th February, this year.  I had the opportunity to visit Medaram.  Though people were visiting the site from last one month the number visited on 13^th and 14^th February is in lakhs.  The site was sea of people. 

Primarily it was a tribal fair.  But in due course all others started visiting to get blessings of the Tribal warrior goddess.  People who visit once will revisit for their wishes are fulfilled.  They come and present goddess with ‘gold’ (jaggery). 

Tribals who visit the jatara also have makeshift shops.  They sell different type of wares, generally different kind of beads and roots and herbs.  Some also give predictions about future when asked for.  Here are few pictures of beautiful tribals at Jatara.

Young mother with child in her lap.  Selling things to ward of
evil eye.  When will she have a comfortable life?

These cute girls were did not object to photograph.
The one in blue saree wanted to see her photo in
'paper'.  I said it will be in computer (net).

'Koya dora'.  Has some books and many roots and herbs.
He will read the futrue and also gives some roots to overcome
hurdles in life.

This woman is making bands with beads.  She is totally
engrossed in her work

These guys seem to be educated.  But they want to know
their future from this Koya dora.

Somehow tribal woman don't mind being photographed.
But they never look up straight at camera.

I liked this girls hair style and decoration.
young tribal girls adorn with simple jewellery and
colorful clothing.  They look so beautiful in their attire

When I wanted click the boy with peacock he looked at me
and gave a broad lively smile.

Govindaraja Swamy Temple

Kakatiya rulers were Shivaites and were great patrons of Shiva Temples.  We do not see other temples having many sculptures as Thousand pillars temple and Ramappa temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.  Govindaraja Swamy temple is a Vishnava temple on the hillock Govindarajula gutta.  This is within a kilometer of Warangal railway station and besides Devi talkies.  Fruit and vegetable markets are very near to it. 

The entry to the temple is opposite to Devi theatre.  This temple is visited by very few people.  There are 150 steps which lead to the temple on the rock.  This is under development.  The idol of Lord Govindaraja Swamy is in reclined position and having a vessel of treasures by his side.  His consorts, Sridevi, Bhudevi and Neeladevi are seen near the feet and at Naradamuni at head end.  This is placed in the narrow crevice between two huge rocks.  To have clear view of the Lord and want to worship one has to sit. 

A mythological story is attached to this temple.  Lord Govindaraja Swamy – Lord Srinivas at Thirupati was tired of granting wishes to his devotees and came to rest unseen in the cave.  He appeared in the dream of Rani Rudrama and revealed his presence on the hillock.  Rani Rudrama Devi had sent her men and they discovered the main idol of Shri Govindaraja Swamy and also of Lord Krishna. A temple was built and temple rituals followed.  

The temple is open in the morning from 6AM to 12.30PM and in evening between 5PM to 7PM.  On Sree Ramanavami Lord Rama’s celestial marriage is celebrated in the Mandap beside the temple.

The view of tricities and all the rocks and hillocks in Warangal is amazing from this hill top. 

Warangal Bus station and Railway Station

Cancer - Don't Fear

-Scientific knowledge and progress in medical sciences has increased lifespan of humans worldwide.  Knowledge helped us to eradicate small pox in the world and recently our country is declared polio free.  Healthy life style can prolong life considerably.  But if health principles are not followed aged life can get burdensome with disease.

World over cancer incidence is increasing as people are adopting risky life styles.  According to the statistics by International Agency for Research on Cancer 14 million new cancer cases were added and 8.2 million died of cancer in 2012, where as in 2008 the number was 12.7 million and 7.6 million respectively.  It is estimated that this will rise to 21.6 million new cases and 13 million cancer deaths per year by 2030.  The study also found that there is increase in cancer in woman. 

Most common cancers worldwide are

-Lung cancer

-Breast cancer

-Colorectal (large intestine) cancer.

The cancers causing highest deaths are lung, stomach and liver.

All cancers afflict world population, but certain cancers are more common in some countries due to environmental and socio-cultural practices.  Cervical cancer is high in Columbia and low in Japan.  Stomach cancer is very common in Japan and low incidence in US. 

Cancer is caused by multiple factors. 

Tobacco consumption in any form – smoking or chewing is related to cancer of mouth, throat, lungs, esophagus, and also of bladder, pancreas and kidneys.  91% of oral cancers are directly related to use of tobacco.

Alcohol – excess intake is associated with esophagus and liver cancer.  Alcohol and tobacco have a synergistic effect in causing cancer.

Infections, particularly certain viruses are found to be associated with certain cancers.

-HPV – in cancer cervix, HIV- lymphoma, EBV in lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma, CMV in Kaposi’s sarcoma, Hepatitis B and C associated with liver cancer.

Dietary factors like smoked fish is linked to stomach cancer and excessive consumption of red meat and beef is related to intestinal cancer and high fatty diet is associated with breast cancer. 

Certain environmental and occupational factors like pollution, exposure to asbestos, arsenic, cadmium etc, exposure to pesticides and radiation are recognised as cancer causative agents. 

Genetic factor is known in woman having breast cancer.  A certain gene BR Ca 1 and BR Ca 2 inherited from mother predisposes woman to breast cancer and ovarian cancer.

In India the number of women suffering from cancer is higher than men.  It is also found that the cancer cases diagnosed in women is a million more in 2013 compared to that in 2012.  The increase in breast cancer is 20% and deaths due to cancer 14%. 

In India cervix (part of uterus) and breast cancer accounts for 60% of all cancers afflicting women.  

Prevention:  Certain cancers which are known to be caused be viruses can be prevented by vaccination. 

-HPV vaccine to prevent cervical cancer and hepatitis vaccine to prevent liver cancer caused by the virus.

-Avoiding early teenage sexual activity and multiple sexual partners and taking reproductive health care will bring down cancer cervix in woman.  Also breast feeding and low fat diet removes environmental causes resulting in breast cancer in woman.

-Abstaining from tobacco and restricting the alcohol consumption decreases the incidence of cancer, particularly lung cancer in men which is the cause of highest cancer deaths.

Screening:  Screening all woman who are sexually active for cancer cervix will bring down the incidence and deaths due to cancer cervix.

Screening for oral cancers in tobacco users also reduces the incidence of oral cancer.

Early diagnosis: Present day with availability of medicines and technology early diagnosis of cancer will result in cure.  Any person having the following conditions should immediately consult appropriate specialist and undergo evaluation.

-Persistent fever

-Unexplained loss of weight

-Change in the voice – hoarseness of voice, persistent cough

-Change in bowel habits, constipation and diarrhea alternating

-Impaired appetite

-Change in a mole or wart

-Any lump anywhere or any ulcer that does not heal

-Spit or vomit having blood or passing blood in stools, blood in urine

-Irregular menstrual bleeding or increased white discharge or thin blood stained watery discharge and post coital bleeding in woman

- Lump or hardness in the breast or retraction of the nipple in woman.

Cancers incidence can be reduced by healthy life style and clean environment, getting vaccinated that are available.  Those cancers that cannot be prevented if diagnosed early can be cured and will be compatible with healthy long life.

Special Train

Did you ever travel by special train?  Special train is not a regularly scheduled train but arranged when there are more passengers who want to travel to a destination or in special circumstances to accommodate travelers to specific destinations on specific occasions.  These special trains though arranged for the benefit of passengers never reach the passengers to their destination at right time as scheduled.  These trains are signaled for forward journey only after all the scheduled trains pass off at their regular or delayed time.

 Once, I along with my husband traveled to Vizag by a special train.  The scheduled departure of the train from Warangal station was 12.10AM.  As we were unaware of the possible delay, reached the station by 11 AM, for later in the night we may not get auto rickshaw to the railway station.  At the enquiry counter the person was unable to give whether the train was at right time. He simply told to wait until announcement.  So we retired to the waiting room.  There were few people in the room.  One elderly couple waiting asked us which train we have to board.  When we told about our special train the lady smiled and said it will come at 3AM.  Another gentle man sitting there told “can’t say it may be delayed longer also”.

 This is the first time I had to wait in the railway station on a chilly night.  After a long day of working to sit and wait was beyond me.  So I simply lied down on the bench curled and covered myself with shawl and closed my eyes, my husband being my security.  Every time a train number is announced we were alert. One of my husband’s colleagues who were to travel by different train that night saw us and scared us by saying “Oh you are going by special train. They run very late even by a day also.  So be prepared”, he warned us.

 His train came within 20 minutes and he bid good bye to us.  We have no choice.  I just prayed God.  The night seemed so long and I came to know how many number of trains pass via Warangal between 11PM and 3.20AM.  The train arrived at 3.20AM and we boarded the train.

The journey which was supposed to be passed off in the night and reach our destination in early hours of day continued till midday.  But the journey was good.  The journey from Telangana to Andhra region will be pleasant watch during day time.  All along the way we see verdant fields, orchards and coconut trees.  When we pass along Telangana districts we rarely see vast area of fields or orchards.  We see mostly rocky dry terrain and here and there Palmyra palm trees.  I enjoyed the journey.  But I took oath never to travel by special train in future.