At Hotel Royal Palace, Bhadrachalam

 

This hotel is very near to Sri Sita Rama Chandra Swamy temple, just less than half a km. We went very late in the afternoon. Two hours before reaching Bhadrachalam I informed the hotel manager about my booking details and was surprised to learn that the hotel authorities do not honor the booking made through the travel agency I had chosen. However they told me that I could book rooms by paying the amount again. I made many phone calls to the travel agency to explain my plight, but received only a dry and indifferent response stating that the agent would contact me soon. As we were going through forest route we had no signals to communicate with the agent. At last the agent contacted me and assured me that my paid amount would be refunded soon. The receptionist at the hotel informed me that they had told the travel agency people many times not to book tourists and send them to their hotel. Still they go on their booking spree without caring about the troubles faced by the tourists. So it would be better to contact the hotel people before trusting these travel agencies who are too eager to book rooms and grab money just for their commissions. Better select a hotel where one can pay at the time of check-in.

The hotel rooms are o.k. with facilities like free wifi, ward robe, cable T.V. and hot water. But there is no phone facility. Though it is called a three-star hotel, except a piece of soap no other accessories were provided. It would be better if they provide a dental kit, shampoos and a coffee-heater. There is no in-house restaurant in this hotel. Of course there are many small restaurants in the vicinity. There is free parking space in the cellar. There are nearly 25 rooms spread over three floors with lift facility. Laundry and doctor-on call and twenty four hour front desk service are available here. As this is a popular pilgrimage center, it would be better if some pamphlets and photos are displayed in the hotel giving information about this temple. The check-in and check-out timings are from 12.00 noon to 12.00 noon. The nearby temples are Sri Krishna temple, Abhayanjaneya temple, and Ayyappa temple. The Godavari Ghat is also not so far.

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                 27th December, 2019                           Somaseshu Gutala

At Laven Hotels, Rajahmundry

Front view of the Laven Hotels

Reception Counter

Dining Area

Inner View of the Room

Banquet hall

This three-star hotel is conveniently located opposite APSRTC Complex on third and fourth floors of Murali Krishna Manor, Ayyappa Nagar. The railway station is five kms and the airport is 15kms from here. As it is in the center of the city one can get transport facility very easily. This hotel is just 4kms from Pushkar Ghat and ISKON temple. There is free car parking facility in the cellar. Of course there is paid airport shuttle service in the hotel. There are nearly twenty deluxe A.C. rooms in the hotel with facilities like lift, free wifi, T.V. attached bath room, wardrobe, telephone and room service facility. Laundry. Doctor-on-call and event hall are other facilities here.  The staff are quite courteous and attend to our needs promptly.

 The bath rooms are very small and the wash basin is also not so convenient to use. A big mirror with a wide washbasin will be better.  At the reception counter also the swiping machine did not function properly and so I had to pay the room tariff in cash. As it is a three-star hotel, at least one bottled water has to be provided in each room. There is a restaurant that provides Asian food. I did not avail the facility as I paid only for accommodation. The room tariff is reasonable and varies depending on the availability and demand. The normal check-in and check-out timings are from 12.00 noon to 11.00 a.m. For early check-in one has to inform the hotel authorities. Though not so spacious, this hotel is a nice place located conveniently in the center of the city.

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    23rd December, 2019                               Somaseshu Gutala

At Varam Residency, Srikakulam

                                                                             Room with twin beds

Classic Room

                                                             Banquet hall

 

This hotel is located on Palakonda Road near the bus stand. As it is on the main road all places are accessible such as shopping area and tourist places. Srikakulam is a small town with many shops and many hospitals. I saw many clinics, medical shops and dental hospitals on the side of the main road. This hotel has nearly forty rooms spread over four floors. The rooms are small with simple necessities. Though the hotel is a three-star hotel, only soap is given free, with towels and bed room coverings. The bath rooms are also not so well maintained. The T.V. has very few channels. The staff are quite courteous and helpful. When I have trouble with land phone they offered another room as an alternative, but I did not shift since I spent only one day there.

 The free breakfast is very good and tasty. They also give a newspaper and room service is also very prompt. This hotel has facilities like free cellar car parking, laundry and dry cleaning service, restaurant, free wifi , lift and concierge. It would be better if the bath rooms are well-maintained and accessories like dental kit and bottled water are supplied. As the climate is very hot, the hotel authorities should provide bed sheets along with blankets as some may feel discomfortable with thick blankets in the hot weather. Many pilgrimage centers like Arasavalli (4kms), Sri Kurmam(15kms) and Sri Mukha Lingeswara temple (50 kms) are nearby. The check-in and check-our timings are from 12.00 noon to 12.oo noon. The hotel rates are also quite affordable. This budget hotel is a suitable place for tourists as it is very close to bus stand and other tourist places.

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              19th December, 2019                             Somaseshu Gutala

My Visit to Talpagiri Ranganatha Swamy Temple, Nellore (A.P.)

        

                                          Ancient Gopuram on the way to the Penna River

Paintings on the wall

Statue of Sri Ramanujacharya outside the temple

Vaikunta Dwaram on the northern side

Main Idol Lord Ranganatha Swamy in the sanctum

Hall of Mirrors (Addala Mandapam)

                                     Painting of vatapatrasayi on the ceiling in Addala Mandapamu

Way to the riverside

     

Entrance to the temple

This temple is one of the ancient temples in Nellore built on the southern bank of the Penna river. This temple is located at a distance of 3.2 kms from Nellore. The area where this temple exists is called “Ranganayakula Peta.”According to Skanda Purana, sage Kasyapa performed a yagna here on Ekadasi day and Lord Vishnu appeared before him and stayed there. Adi Sesha, the divine serpent came here in the form of a hill, called “Talpa Giri’ as Adi sesha, the couch on which the Lord sleeps, exists here as a hill. In the “Aranya Kanda” of the epic Ramayana it is mentioned that Lord Rama visited this temple during his period of exile.

 This temple was built by Pallava kings during seventh and eighth centuries. The present main shrine and extensions were built by Chola kings in between 1178 and 1216 as per the stone inscriptions found in the temple premises. The 70-foot tall main tower (Gaali Gopuram) was built in 1781. The seven-tiered tower looks beautiful with many sculptures of gods and goddesses erected on the tower at different levels. The seven golden kalasams on the top of the temple tower were erected in 1949. In the sanctum the 10-foot long idol of Ranganatha is seen in reclining position (Pallikonda Perumal in Tamil) on the divine serpent Adisesha. Near His feet 26-inch long idols of Sri Devi and Bhu Devi are seen. The idol of Lord Brahma is seen seated on the lotus rising from Lord’s navel. The idol is facing west towards the river Penna.  The thousand holy names of the Lord are seen painted on the outer walls so that the devotee can recite them while going round the temple. The ancient gopuram built on the west side is visible on the way to the river from the temple. The present tall tower is seen on the east side.

 The shrine of Rajya Lakshmi (Ranga Nayaki) is seen on the southern side of the main temple. The shrine of Andal or Goda devi is on the northern side of the main shrine. The Northern doorway called Vaikunta dwaram is seen just beside Goda Devi’s shrine. On Vaikuinta Ekadashhi the Lord gives darshan to devotees from this side. The hall of mirrors called “Addala Mandapam” built in 1929 is seen on the southern side of the main temple. In this hall temple rituals and ceremonies are performed. The hall is decked with many painted frescoes depicting the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu, the episode of Gajendra Moksham (Lord Vishnu saving the elephant from the clutches of the crocodile) and the pictures of Alwars  done in Tanjavur style. The colorful fresco of Lord Krishna sleeping on a floating leaf called “Vatapatrasayi” is seen on the ceiling. The other sub-temples are the shrines of Alwaar Sannidhi, Lord Narasimha and Lord Venkateshwara. In the temple premises there is a tree called “Santana Vriksha’. Devotees tie a piece of cloth with offerings as swings to the branches of this tree as they believe that they will be blessed with progeny by doing so. Near this tree there is a tunnel once used by sages to reach this temple.

 In this temple poojas and other rituals are done as per Paancharatra Agama. Special poojas are done during Brahmostava (between March and April) and on Vaikunta Ekadashi. Every day Tirumanjanam, Sahasra Namarchana (worshipping the Lord with one thousand names), Asthottaranamarachana( worshipping the Lord with one hundred and eight names, Nitya Kalyanam are done. The temple timings are from 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon and from 2.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m. As this temple is located in the north side of Sri Rangam, this holy temple is regarded as the “Sri Rangam of the North”. Just on the way to river side there is a shrine for the great poet sitting Tikkana who was said to have translated the fifteen cantos of the epic Mahabharata in this temple. The view of the Penna River from the temple gives a panoramic view of the city. But the waters of the river are not so fresh and clean. The river near the temple should be maintained pure and clean. Many devotees are seen lighting oil lamps near the entrance. This practice should be stopped as it causes inconvenience to visitors entering the temple.

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  10th December, 2019                                          Somaseshu Gutala

My Visit to Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Kamakshi Tayi temple, Jonnawada (A.P.)

Jonnawada Kamakshi

Utsava Vigrahas of the deities

Idols of Nandi

Kala Bhairava

Sculpture of Shiva and Parvati

                                                                         Inside view of the temple

Addala Mandapa ( Hall with mirrors)

                                                                    View of the Penna River

This famous temple is in Jonnawada village at a distance of 13 kms from Nellore town in Andhra Pradesh. This temple was built in 1150 by Manumasiddhi on the northern bank of the Penna river. The temple tower has many tiers with various statues of gods and goddesses painted in various colors. There are five golden kalasams on the top of the tower. The Penna river is seen on the left side of Kamakshi’s temple. As soon as one enters the temple one can see a spacious yard with a Kalyana Mandapa where the ceremonial wedding of the Gods are performed.  On the right side of this mandapam is seen a Dwajasthamba with a platform called Bali Peetham. After that one can see one big Nandi statue along with a smaller one. After that one enters a hall called Artha mandapa with many pillars decked with many sculptures depicting the legend of the temple. After crossing the Artha Mandapa one can see the shrine of Lakshmi Ganapati.  In the inner sanctum Lord Mallikarjuna is seen. Beside that shrine Goddess Kamakshi is seen in standing posture with a goad (ankusha) and a noose (pasha) in the upper pair of hands and showing Abhaya and Varada Mudras with her lower pair of hands. The idol is tiny but is richly decorated with golden ornaments and jewels. Beside the shrine Sri Adi Sankaracarya is seen. He Installed Sri Chakra Yantra and made Her appear in benign form. In earlier times people used to offer animals as sacrificial offerings to Her. Outside the inner sanctum one can see the idols of Ganapati, Subrahmanaya with Valli and Devasena, Durga, ,Tarakeshwara, Annapoorneshwari, Surya, Lord Vishnu and Kala Bhairava. Beside the shrine of Durga Nava Grahas are seen on an elevated platform.

 According to the legend in Skanda Purana, Sage Kasyapa searched for a holy place to conduct yagna. He came here and performed yagna with three sacrificial kundas. Lord Mallikarjuna emergred from the sacrificial kundam in effulgent form. Godess Kamakshi (a combined manifestation of Kali and Matangi) also came there and graced the place beside the Lord. The idol of Kamakshi was found by the fishermen in Penna River at Penuballi Village. Later King Manumasiddhi built a temple and installed the idols in the temple. The place where the yagna was performed was called “Rajathagiri” or “Yagnavatika” in earlier times. Later it came to be called as “Jonnawada”. In past times people used to sacrifice animals before the idol. Sri Sankaracharya installed a Srichakra Yantra and with his penance pacified the Goddess to appear in benign form.

 Lord Indra worshipped Godess Kamakshi here and got back his lost kingdom of heaven. Aswadhhama worshipped the Goddess and bathed in Penna River to get rid of his skin disease. The river near the temple is called Kasyapa Theertha and whoever bathes here will be relieved of his sins and troubles. Devotees believe that sleeping in this temple premises will bestow good fortune and progeny. People also believe that by taking Prasad called Kodi Mudda (a dish prepared with rice and green gram) during Brahmostavam will bless them with prosperity and good progeny. Many poojas and ceremonies take place in this temple. Navavarana Pooja (from 9.00 a.m. to 10.30 a.m), Sahasranamarchana (7.00 a.m. to 9.00 a.m. and 10.30 to 12.30 p.m.) and Kalyanosthavam (10.30 to 12.00 noon) are some of the special poojas. Performing Sahasrarchana Pooja to Lord Shiva gives merit equal to that of the merit acquired from reading four Vedas.

 In 1996 Maha Kumbhabhishekam was done when Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Swamy Sri Chandrasekhara Saraswati attended the ceremony.  The temple is very much crowded during Fridays. Brahmosthsavam is celebrated every year from Vaisakha Bahula Shjashti to Vaisakha Bahula Amavasya. During Dasara Navaratri Celebrations, special poojas are performed here. Kalyonstavam is performed every day here. In the afternoon Annadanam (distribution of free meals) is done ; Many mandapas are seen all around the temple. The temple is open from 6.30 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. and from 5.00 to 9.00 p.m. in the evening. There are many other temples nearby such as Narasimha Konda, Sri Mulasthaneeswara swamy, Rajarajeshwari temple and Talpagiri Ranganadha Swamy temple.

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         3rd December, 2019                               Somaseshu Gutala

My Visit to Ambedkar Memorial Park, Lucknow

          

                                                Distant View of the Ambedkar Memorial Park

Rows of elephants

Inside view of the domed structure

                                            Dr. Ambedkar Samajik Parivartan Sangrahalay

                            Bronze statue of Dr. Ambedkar in Ambedkar Sthupa

            

Shri Jyoti Rao Phule

                    

Shri Birsa Munda

Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar

Mayavati

Buddha

Shri Kanshiram

Sant Kabir Das

Bronze Murals 

Lucknow has a rich cultural heritage with many historic monuments, gardens and famous parks. Everywhere one can see greenery with shady trees and spacious parks. nearly there are one hundred parks such as Gautam Buddha park, Dr.Ram Manohar Lohia Park, Janeshwar Mishra Park, Swarna Jayanti Smriti Vihar Park, Chandrasekhar Azad Park etc.  The Nawabs of Awadh beautified this city with many gardens, palaces and mosques. During my short stay there I had an opportunity of visiting the Ambedkar Memorial Park, a public park and memorial in Gomti Nagar. Ms. Mayavati, the former Chief Minister and leader of B.S.P. established this park with many monuments and pillars to represent the democratic ideals of social reformers and noble persons who worked for the upliftment of Dalit people. The foundation stone for this memorial park was laid in 1995. It was called Dr.Bhimrao Udyan. Construction and development work continued up to 2002 and the park was re-named as Dr.Bhimrao Ambedkar Memorial. In 2007 it was further renovated and developed. On April 14, 2008 the park was opened to the public. Finally in 2012 the park was re-named as Bhimrao Ambedkar Memorial. Red sandstone from Rajasthan was used for this megalithic construction. Nearly seven billion rupees were spent to build this lofty monument which has become the pride and glorious symbol of this city.

 Unlike other parks, here one does not find much greenery and gigantic trees. So we don’t find any shelter if it suddenly rains. It would be better if the authorities have set up some shelters for visitors to protect themselves from intense heat of summer and rainy showers. You will see a very spacious land of 107 acres with a broad stretch of road flanked by sixty-two stone elephants on either side at the main entrance. This spot is called “Pratibimb Sthal”. Priority is given to statues of elephants as the elephant is the election symbol of Mayavati’s Bahujan Samaj Party and also of  Ambedkar’s Republican Party. Nearly three thousand elephant figures are seen in this grand construction.  In the center of the park there is a massive musical fountain. It stands as a symbol of Dalit empowerment and dignity.

 On the left side of the park one can see a huge building called Ambedkar Sthupa located on a mound. Inside the Sthupa one can see a big bronze statue of Ambedkar seated in a chair. At the base of the statue a message in Hindi is engraved which means “My struggle of life is my only message.” Many statues are seen depicting the life of Ambedkar. In Ambedkar Samajik Parivartan Sangrahalay spread over 2.5 acres, one can see a monument with two domes. Under one building one can see the statues of eminent social reformers like Jyothi Rao Phule, Shri Narayana Guru, Dr.Ambedkar, Kanshi Ramji and Rajarshi Chatrapati Shahuji Maharaj . In the second building the marble statues of Gautam Buddha, Sant Kabir Das, Sant Ravi Das, Guru Ghasi Das and Sri Birsa Munda are seen. This monument is an objective representation of equality, humanity and social justice.

 In Drashya Sthal one can see an eighty- foot tall pyramid structure with water flowing from its top. From here one can have a panoramic view of the whole park with its monuments and pillars spread around. In Dr.Ambedkar Samajik Parivartan Gallery spread over four acres one can see many bronze murals. It would better serve the purpose of spreading the ideals and message of Ambedkar and other leaders if a gift shop is set up there where one can buy books, photos and souvenirs that contain the teachings and messages of these noble personalities. This park is open from 11.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m. on all days except on Monday. This park was under the supervision of the Lucknow Development Authority.

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     28th November, 2019                                Somaseshu Gutala