My Stay at “Hotel Golden View”, Shirdi, Maharashtra

Way to "The Golden View" hotel

                                       

Deluxe A.C. Room

View of the Goden Peak of Samadhi Mandir

Paintings hung on corridors walls

 

                                  

Restaurant Sai Nisarg

    

This hotel is very convenient for pilgrims as it is just 200 meters from Shirdi Sai Baba temple. As it is in the heart of the town, one can visit neighboring tourist spots like Sambhaji Park (350 meters), Sai Teerth Spiritual Theme Park (one km) and Sai Heritage Village(2kms) and Wet N Joy water Park (1.5 Kms). This hotel is nearly 3kms from Sainagar Shirdi Railway station, 500 meters from Shirdi Bus Depot and 15 kms from Shirdi airport. The golden peak of Saibaba’s Samadhi mandir can be clearly seen here from the lounge. That is why this hotel is named as “Golden View.” The reception room is quite spacious and beautiful paintings of Shirdi Sai baba and scenes from his life are kept on the walls of the corridors.

There are many restaurants nearby. This hotel was a three-star hotel built in 2017. It has two floors with fifty rooms of different sizes to suit the pilgrims like Standard A.C. Deluxe with double bed, Deluxe Trible bed and Deluxe family room with two double beds. It has got all modern facilities such as A.C. Lift, free wifi, T.V. free parking, safe deposit box, complimentary water bottle, laundry, and room service. There is also Taxi service provided by this hotel for visiting nearby famous places.

 In each room there is a desk and a sofa besides a double bed. The white thermal screening provided by the hotel to shield from bright sunlight though useful obstructs the front view from the room. At night the bright light from street lights is reflected through this screen and one cannot sleep in bright light. So the ambiance of dark night is not seen. So better provide curtains so that the front view is not obstructed and one can sleep without glare of bright light. In the toilet liquid soap is kept in containers. It would be better to supply solid soap. Though kettle, tea and milk powder are kept, some may prefer to drink coffee. So, it would be better to supply a few coffee sachets also. As many pilgrims get up early to go to the temple, coffee and tea should be supplied by 6.00 a.m. to avoid delay in visiting the temples. Room service should be prompt. There is more scope to improve the cleanliness of rooms and supply of fresh, clean bed sheets and towels. 

Just near it, there is Sai Nisarg restaurant which provides South Indian, North Indian and Chinese cuisine. The nearby hotels are: Hotel Sai Amruth, Hotel City Point, Haldi Ram Hotel and Sai Naivedyam. Besides these, there are many eateries providing varieties of food. The check-in and check-out timings are: 11.00 a.m to 1.30 p.m. and from 10.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. respectively. The room tariffs are reasonable and the pilgrims will find this hotel very convenient and safe to stay here.

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   22nd August, 2023                                        Somaseshu Gutala

The Flying Angel

  

         

     

              

        

  1.  She called us in with a welcoming smile.

       With a courteous bow, she let us in.

       She flitted to and from with gait agile.

       She flashed her pearly teeth with a friendly smile;     

       A fresh wave of fragrance wafted around.

       Our flight, like a swan, ready to leave the ground.

2.    She helped passengers their baggage to lift.

       She closed the bins above with movements deft.

       She cautioned people with gestures swift.

       She watched everything in proper order set.

       Our flight took off with roaring speed.

       She moved unperturbed to look after our needs.

3.    Like a Japanese doll with ceramic shine

       With her silky hair tied up in curious style

       Dressed in trim, red-colored uniform fine.

       She guided people with disarming smile.

       Her voice sounded soft and sweet like a song.

       In spite of many tasks, she looked unfazed and strong. 

 

4.  She pushed her cart with refreshments moving slow

     While children looked with anxious, hungry eyes.

     Colorful boxes and packets with tempting glow.

     The kids chose what they liked unmindful of the price;

     Compelling their parents to buy against their will.

     She served them smiling with consummate skill.

 

5.  Like a red rose she seemed fresh and bright

     Never she seemed tired with her routine.

     In serving others she found true delight.

     Like a denizen of heaven gliding through skies serene.  

     Like an angel flying with effortless ease

     With polite speech and manners, she doth please.

 

6.  Helping elders with timely help and aid

     She tackled angry ones with courage and restraint.

     She comforted ailing ones and doth guide.

     She attended to every need and complaint.

     When sudden jolts and jerks flustered us with fear

     She seemed to smile in face of death inspiring cheer.

            #################################

  17th August, 2023                      Somaseshu Gutala

               

    

    

     

 

 

 

THE INNER FLASH

                        

        

                               

                         

     

                                          

1.   On a long religious tour they wished to go

      They wished to see as many places as they could;

      They made a list of holy places with care;

      All expenses among themselves to share;

      Of their comforts and needs, they struck no compromise

      They studied every detail and thought themselves wise.

 

2.   They booked their tickets well in advance

       They used their clout to get a nearer view

       Of God in sanctum wherever they went

       On clothes and cosmetics, they lavishly spent.

       They had no patience to stand and pray at one place

       They rushed around the temple as if in a race.

 

3.   No time to view the splendid sculptures old

      No time to view the lofty, imposing towers;

      No time to view the pillars and corridors broad

      They quickly cast their look at shining God.

      No time they had to see the temple gate

      They rushed away to visit the next temple in haste.

4.    No time they had to read the temple lore

       No time to do time-consuming religious rites;

       No time to see grand processions or blessings seek

       No time to offer charity to hermits meek.

       No time to view the hills and temple gardens green

       No time to take a holy dip in lakes serene.

 

5.    So many temples they saw as per their plan

       Wasting not a moment of their valuable time;

       Confounded by their visits to many a place

       Which temple where they saw, they could not trace;

       As if in a dream with puzzling sights bizarre

       They felt much tired after touring so far.

 

6.    No sense of satisfaction, it seems, they had;

       No pervading sense of peace and serene mind;

       Ruffled like scattered leaves in a whirling storm

       They moved hither and thither without being calm;

        Except enjoying travel and staying in hotels grand;

        Nothing they felt in their pilgrimage they planned.

 

7.    A vague conglomeration of pictures, their minds;

       Except a few fancy items and gifts, they bought

       Except a few photos in their mobiles, they caught;

       Of local customs and culture, they never thought;

       Have they felt at least a spark of inner flash;

       The spirit of the place without excitement rash?

                       ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

      8th August, 2023                           Somaseshu Gutala

 

Note : The attitudes, manners and living ways of modern pilgrims are  indirectly juxtaposed with the older generation people who did not have so many transport facilities, accomodation and varieties of food duringtheir travel to holy temples. The prime deciding factor is sincere devotion, and decent and devout demeanour. 

 

 

 

      

     

       

 

 

     

 

 

 

MAN IN THE CAGE

         

 

                   

                    

 

1.     The vibrant strength of the tiger with bouncing speed

 Behind these iron bars, I never found;

 Where is the royal gait of the lion with roaring sound?

 Where is the staggering leap of the pard on the mead?

 Where is the grazing mule and the nimble striped steed?

 No merry cries of swinging baboons I hear

 No free winged creatures twitter with cheer.

 

2.     Where is the leaping joy in pretty deer’s eyes?

 Where is the defiant strength of tusker gone?

 No wild thickets and trees greet them in morn:

 Where is the zeal in wild fowl’s cries?

 No light of freedom in their tired looks shone;

 No dancing pea-cocks and no leaping fawn;

 No smell of wild blooms with fresh dew adorn.

 

3.     No more can they run swift, hunt and catch hold

Of the prey or roam free over vales and flowing rills

No more can they flex their muscles and hunt with thrill;

No more can they join their free roaming comrades bold;

They lost their vigor, strength and hunting skills;

They have to live like convicts in their narrow cells

They felt like angels pushed down into gloomy hell. 

 

  4.   The crocodiles in muddy pools in listless sleep       

         The parrots in cramped cages flutter and sadly cry;

         No more the eagle with his wide-spread wings can fly;

         The furry bears in made-up dark caves desolate peep;

         The coiled serpents in cramped spaces seem to sigh;

        The colourful winged creatures stay in dormant state

        The panthers with angry looks growl with hate.

 

5.     They live with no glint of hope in their eyes;

        Like waxen figures with no dynamic spirit;      

       They lost their natural ways of life and not fit

       To dwell in forests with their instincts wise;

       No more can they feel the tight grip and grit        

       The thrill of killing their prey with speed and might.

       Why should they live like captives for others’ delight? 

 

6.   Some puny human creature throws some chunks of meat

      Why should they be deprived of their rights?      

      Why should they suffer in narrow cages day and night?

      Why should they suffer in cages in sweltering heat;

      Is this the right way our fellow-creatures to treat?

      Nature’s intimate touch surely, they miss;

      What fault have they done to suffer like this?

 

7.    Why should we deprive them of their right to be free?

       Why should we deprive them of their sylvan domain? 

       Why should we cage them for our pleasure and gain?

       Why should we go on capturing and hunting spree?

        Why should we destroy the trees and grassy plain?

        Let man be safe-sheltered in his barred cage

        And from distance these wild creatures, gaze.

 

8.      In their natural habitat let us watch  

        The wild creatures running, leaping and flying free;

        Their god-gifted skills and movements let us catch

         In our cell-phones with no guilty feelings with glee;

         Without hurting them but admiring their ways;

         These lovely creations, let us protect always.

               ****************************

Note : This poem is written in Rhyme Royal stanzaic form 

 with a slight variation in rhyme scheme. This poetic form

 with seven lines was first used by Geoffrey Chaucer with

 the rhyme scheme (ABABBCC) in his long poem

 "Troilus and Criseyde” (1380) and later in Parlament of 

  Foules”(1381-1382). I have made a slight variation in

  rhyme scheme as:  ABBABCC. Chaucer derived this

  form from the French  Ballad. It was called Rhyme Royal

  because it was first   used by King James I of Scotland in

  the 15th century in  his poem,“King’s Quair.”

  William Shakespeare used this  poetic form in his poem:

 "The Rape of Lucrece” and  William Morris in his poem, 

 “Earthly Paradise.”

                         ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 17th July, 2023              Somaseshu Gutala

          

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On my visit to Vekkali Amman Temple at Woraiyur, Trichy Dist (Tamilnadu)

Statue of Vekkali Amman

Temple entrance

Idols on the entrance tower

Sculptures on the tower

Presiding Goddess in the sanctum

Vekkali Amman with golden covering

The golden chariot

The painting of Vekkali Amman on the wall

This Kali temple is in Woraiyur (Uraiyur)in Trichy Dist. just five kms away from Trichy railway station. Woraiyur as the ancient capital of early Chola Kings, was mentioned in Asokan inscriptions dating back to 300  B.C. It was described by Satavahanas in their inscriptions as "the citadel and centre of the Cholas." It was ruled by Karikala Cholan before the first century B.C. and the dynasty was revived by Vijayalaya Cholan in 850 A.D. 

 Vekkali Amman is regarded as the guardian deity of Woraiyur and was worshipped by early Chola kings before going on war campaign. This north-facing temple bestows victory. She is also regarded as a saviour in difficult times. The sanctum of the goddess is seen without a roof as many failed to construct the roof which is an indication that the goddess does not like to have a roof over her sanctum. 

Though the temple has a simple structure with an entrance hall and Garbha Griha, people regard this place as a very powerful and wish-fulfilling pilgrim spot. The Goddess is seen in sitting posture facing northwards. She holds an Akshaya Patra, a trident, a pasha (noose) and a damarukam(hand-drum) in her four hands. Unlike other forms of Shakti idols, Vekkali Amman is seen with her right foot over the demon. This posture indicates kindness, love and affection for her devotees. In this temple rituals are done six times a day and six annual festivals every year.

 Abhishekam is done at 5.30 a.m. every day. Annadanam is done to fifty people every day. During ten-day Chittarai festival (April-May), many devotees take part in worshipping the goddess. Special poojas are performed in Vaisakha month (May-June), Panguni month (March-April) and during Navarathri days (September -October).  Friday poojas are done during the months of Thai (Jan-Feb) and during Aadi (July-August).  

According local history, a devotee called Sarma Munivar, the Guru of Chola King, cultivated a flower-garden and used to worship the goddess with the flowers. The king Parantaka Chola forcefully took away the flowers from the garden defying his Guru’s request. Angered at this sinful act, Lord Shiva opened his third eye and burnt the king’s fort and the houses. Frightened by this fire-shower people ran away and took shelter in the open place where the Goddess Vekkali Amman is seen. The Goddess took pity on her suffering devotees and placated Shiva’s wrath by appearing as full-moon. She also saved the pregnant Chola queen who jumped into Kaveri to escape from the fire-showers. Since then, Cholas became ardent devotees of Vekkali Amman. This place was the former capital Chola kings who later shifted their capital to Tanjore. As the people of the region lost their homes in the fire-shower of Shiva’s third eye, the Goddess chose to dwell in a temple without a roof till everyone in the region has a shelter of their own.

 During the annual festival everyone having Vekkali Amman as their family deity come here and pray to the Goddess for their family welfare. The temple’s chariot was made of gold in 2010. It is of 9.75 ft. in height and was made of 10.5 kgs of gold and 25 kgs. Of silver. The devotees write their problems on a paper slip and tie it around a trident in temple premises believing that the Goddess will redress their grievances. The temple timings are from 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. in the morning and from 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. in the evening. 

The nearby temples are Nachiar Azhagiya Manavala temple in Woraiyur (One of the Vaishnavite Divya Desams), Jambukeswarar Temple (7.5 kms), Vayalur Murugan temple (10 kms) and Sri Ranganatha Swamy temple (9kms) nearly. People going to Trichy should not miss visiting this powerful Shakti Kshetra.

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            7th July, 2023                             Somaseshu Gutala

On my Visit to Brahmapureeswarar Temple, Thirupattur (Trichy Dist, Tamilnadu)

              

Temple Tower front view

Inside view of the temple

View of the Mukha mandapam

Lord Brahma in the sanctum

Brahmapureeswarar idol

Nandi statue

Brahma Theertham

Goddess Gajalakshmi

Lord Kalabhairava

Lord Umamaheshwara

Sculpture on the pillar

Shrine of Vinayaka

                                 

Patanjali Samadhi

                     

Temple tree

                           

One of twelve lingas in the garden

                                           

Statue of Brahma in temple premises

Temples for Brahma are vey rarely seen. This temple of Brahma is located very near to Srirangam at nearly 35kms. People believe that their destiny will become better by having darshan of Lord Brahma here. This temple is more than one thousand years old. 

According to legends, Lord Brahma thought Himself superior to Lord Shiva and felt very proud of His creative powers. Lord Shiva cut off Brahma’s fifth head and cursed him to lose His powers of creation. Brahma realized His mistake and went on a pilgrimage to various Shiva temples. He came to this temple worshipped and did penance, On Parvati’s request, Lord Shiva appeared and liberated Him from the curse. He also said that Brahma would have a separate shrine here and devotees would first take His darshan before worshipping Shiva.

 Since Brahma had His destiny re-written here, He should also re-write the destiny of devotees who visit His shrine. Hence Lord Shiva in this temple is called Brahmapureeswara and His consort is called Brahma Sampathnayaki as She has helped Lord Brahma in getting back His lost wealth and creative powers. Lord Brahmapureeswarar is a Swayambhu Lingam. The idol of Brahma is nearly six-feet tall and is seen seated in a meditative pose on a lotus. The idol of Brahma is coated with turmeric.  The shrine of Dakshinamurty  is seen next to that Lord Brahma.

 Adjacent to the temple, there is a garden with twelve lingams in separate shrines around a pond “Brahma Theertham”. Brahma installed these twelve lingams here. One can also see here the grave of sage Patanjali who attained Samadhi through Yogic meditation.  This temple has a five-tiered Rajagopuram on the east side. The Veda mandapam at the entrance has a dwajastahmbam and Nandi statue. The main enclosure of Brahmapureeswarar lingam in the sanctum is surrounded by seven gateways each representing a day of the week. Abhishekam to Lord Brahma is at 6.00 a.m. on Thursdays and at 8.00 a.m. on other days of the week. A ten-day festival is celebrated in the month Panguni. Full-moon days and on the day of Satabhisha (Sadayam) Nakshatra are auspicious days to worship Lord Brahma. Mondays and Thursdays are favorable days for visiting this temple. The temple timings are from 7.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m and from 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. Just one km from this place is the Kailasanathar temple where Sage Vyaghrapada attained Jeevasamadhi.

The eighth century saint Sundarar praised about this temple in his hymns. Chola kings constructed the oldest parts in the 9^th century. Later expansions were done by later kings like Nayak kings. People believe that a visit to this temple provides good health and bestows immense peace to their ancestors. Other deities in this temple complex are: seven Vinayak shrines, Lord Subrahmanya, Lord Dakshinamurti, Sapta Matrikas, Sri Gaja Lakshmi, Sri Chandikeswarar, Lord Brihaspati and Nava Grahas. Here The devotees are asked to stand in front of Brahma instead of on either side as it is believed that Brahma would bring changes in the fate of devotees.

 Sunlight falls on Brahmapureswarar Lingam for three days in a year on 15^th, 16^th and 17^th day of the Tamil month of Panguni(March-April). People visit this temple to seek good marriage alliance, or to solve their marital problems and have good progeny. 

The garden area and the pond look shabby and untidy. Improvements have to be made. The statue of Brahma also is slightly damaged and the paint id fading off. So proper maintenance of the temple is necessary. The temple history and labels may be written in English along with Tamil for the benefit of non-Tamil pilgrims. The importance of this unique temple may be given wide publicity through media and sale of devotional books.

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14th May, 2023.                                   Somaseshu Gutala