Leaving Deogarh (Jasidih) for Kolkata

Leaving Jasidih for Kolkata

It was on a Monday i decided to leave for Kolkata. The morning visit to temple was from rear side as the rush from the front door was beyond imagination. With a rush as heavy and that too a little before 6.50am the conclusion that one could draw was people had been lining up since four or perhaps earlier than that. On monday as i entered the Baidyanath dham temple, one occasion vis-a-vis three different occasions on Sunday, the attempt to reach near the jyotirlingam came with little effort with whoever who wishes to put an offering should duly put it in the box.

Govinda Govinda renting the air
As i handed picture of Lord Venkateshwara to some sitting near the jyotirlingam, chants of "Govinda Govinda" rented the air. It was one among these two days that while entering the temple i came across a gentleman hailing from Mahesana in Gujarat which has been known to dish out one of the finest teas from a railway station when there was no concrete structure. Though the station has become pucca the tea of tranqiuility can least be discovered. After coming out of temple as i wished to take the luggage from the reception desk, the man who had let me in the previous day had a different take on the time i checked out in the morning and the time he had recorded on a watch which was more than having a share of turning. The previous day when he opened the gates  to the lodge it seemed he hadn't had good sleep mirrored by his disposition that 24 hours is the check out time, one hour can be given as grace shine. Differences on when i checked out and when he recorded my check out from his cot led to an exchange and return of no change. Mind you in these circumstances one is advised to forego as you are in a different world with people willing to have surprises unfurl. For all little inconvenience of that morning the lodge was fairly good and the room had rejuvenating root. For the minor lapse of the manager who had never served in the rank of a major, his semi sleepy state stated he made efforts to gain sleep, if sleep did not come the entire night he had ways to showcase his right. Hope in future whoever comes to him, he would through his conduct win.

Leaving Deogarh
Leave Deogarh at 7.35 reach jasidih  at 8.10. On the way come across “by the way “, international food theatre. The road under which river flows has had repair of sorts. On the way there are billboards like "6 mahine mein sarkari naukari paye". Phone booth near the entrance  to the Jasidih station has personnel sonu. This phone booth is quite handy as people from far away places come to Deogarh. At the right side of the entrance there are a series of ticket windows with just one for computerised railway reservation.  Atm guard at jasidih railway station is B Das.

In Jasidih railway station the refreshment room on Platform One opens after 8.15. On pf 1 , waiting hall for first class (a boy on a laptop can be seen), waiting hall for sleeper class. The rush on PF 1 and PF 2 is huge. Before Danapur/Patna Howrah Jan Shatabdi comes, there is another train heading towards Howrah that comes and leaves. From PF 1 i have a series of tea glasses, some prepared and some prepared with a request to not put sugar. I come across one gentleman , who has to board a train to Howrah, the connecting train would take him to cuttack.

Leave Jasidih at 9.18am, Jamtara coming at 10.15, chittaranjan 10.30, salanpur, 10.40, asansol 11, Durgapur 11.35 and barddhaman (this is how it is spelled in station board) 12.20pm . With a seat number 94, i am between two men, one is heading to Durgapur pursuing B Tech from Engineering College and another a sort of trader with a trail of thoughts. Hailing from Patna, the boy studying in Engineering College in Durgapur gives a break up of education, mess and hostel fees. If i can recall correctly for each year it would work out to be Rs 1.25 lakh and for four years put together it would be 5 lakh rs and add another one lakh the entire outgo for four year course would be Rs 6 lakh. In the college campus they give tea in the morning but no milk is served the entire day and for all seven days. The non veg preparations are handed out at least five days a week.  During the conversation what he seem to suggest was his parents had taken no loan and as far as placement record is concerned it is more than promising.
One needs to hail such institutions for keeping the yearly fees low with a thought that if they could provide milk to the students enrolled there.

Jaugram station comes at 12.50, just  at 12.47 going past station with an engine with a number 27602, reach dakuni 1.30, bally halt 1.35, a little before 2 we are at Majestic Howrah. Mind you the Wheeler staff at Durgapur cooperative is helpful (best wishes to him), the wheeler staff at howrah indifferent, don’t stock all newspapers. The ride from Jasidih to Howrah was an experience of a different nature with vendors of different colours selling their stuff to keep themselves going. Jhalmudi seem to be the most popular lot with an equal bunch of those dishing out toast with veg cutlet. Here one needs to watch out for the amount of dust that gets settled on the face and arms and one should constantly wash their face. Keeping it partially covered could also be an option. The Jasidih-Howrah ride was enriching to the point that though clouds had come, the rains had rarely begun to come and run. The green cover that we talked about while approaching Kolkata Airport by flight could in a way be discovered and some transhipments/locations with blue coating could be revered. A ride that has less risks and more rewards.

Reaching Deogarh (Jasidih); stay for over 24 hours

Reaching Deogarh (Jasidih); stay for over 24 hours


Reach Jasidih at 3.40 am on a Sunday. Before i leave the train i tell the attendant that i can't trace the hand towel so i would pay the sum for the towel not sighted at that moment. That had to do with too much of movement in and around the seat i was in during night. As i deboard the coach, i take one final look at the list that still hangs next to the exit door so that on an another occasion with another set of guests who could be in dozen i could be extempore. The TTE with the name Surat who deboarded few stations before was exceptionally humble and has a fair share of friends who broach the subject of trains and reservations  at 2.40 at a halt that is about 30 to 40 kms before Jasidih. Here another TTE has had some arguments with some passengers probably an hour or two before and this TTE is weighing the pros and cons of future course. Perhaps a better understanding and that too in the middle of night could keep things on a smooth plane.

Baidyanath dham station
Take a local and reach baidyanath dham station at 4.25. Stay put in the waiting hall a little after five as it would give me the advantage of checking into a hotel that goes by 24 hour check out time. After a search lasting and not liberating, i settle for Data ashram, the room fairly clean with attached bath. Morning hours has rush in and around the temple with those willing to get inside and those willing to get out not to be dismissed as a game of bout. After morning rush and temple outing keeping most fresh, i try to search for a cyber cafe that would hand me a ticket for Kolkata or Puri. Reach meghna puri lane, about 1 km from lodge, for rail ticket.

Challenges come in the way of a power cut as all preparations have to be in place for ensuring 24 X 7 supply for the upcoming festival. In the cyber café before one begins to rant, there is a reasonable reading of the ensuing rent primarily photostat  rs1.50, voter card rs3, bijli na rehne par, photostat  rs2 voter card rs4. I am told that the rail ticket can be duly collected once power comes notwithstanding who has a series of generators or a series of gems. Following this assurance, i settle for food from tower chowk.  In bara bazaar, nimarish bhojanalaya sindh hotel plain dosa comes for 35 rs followed by soft drink small bottle coming for rs12. Hotel relax has magnolia rest’t  with one of the best teas in town. Two cups for 40rs i hope the tea from roadside carts and other caravans too could be little helpful in not taking recourse to dripping in sugar as across country the tea that is exceedingly sweet can never be recorded as a feat.

And in late evening, meals from Mamata outlet in tower chowk is equally satisfying. I can spot among others those in uniform trying soft drinks with vehicle and pedestrian movement as soft as ever. There is something in tower chowk and nearby that suggests those with soft skills and soft voice would be equally heard in a place where each and every entity has an equal fort.

Jharkhand tourism welcomes you is a board that hangs outside the baidyanath dham station detailing the places and distance that calls for perseverance.
Vasukinath – 27km
Masanjar dam – 136km
Shiv pahar mandir 85 km
Ranchi – 275km

From Bara bazar clock tower if one has to proceed towards Mandir Gate, it comes the following way:
Bara bazaar clock tower
New meena bazaar
Jalsar road
Vip road (mandir gali)
Mind you there are four gates to temple each recording a flow depending on the hour one wants to get inside.

Near clock tower some sightings in stores and nearby came as follows
- Yahan kate phate  note badle jate hai
- in a book store ssc English, ssc advance maths, railway bharti board pariksha, T. C/C.C./J.C., IBPS All India Grameen Bank, SSC Tier II (main)

At Baidyanath Dham Rlwy Station reaching pravesh dwar at 19.04 as i step inside there is information on rooms in Asansol and Durgapur. As for asansol:
Ac retiring room rs 300; Non ac retiring room 150
As for Durgapur:
 Ac retiring room rs 300; Non ac retiring room rs 150
Other sightings in Baidyanath Dham Rlwy Station
- Booking centre
- Computerized reservation centre
- Fare table baidyanath dham
- Second class waiting hall , toilet for men, women, there is chai, coffee, tea stall shoodh doodh . Amidst these observations i Spot 63166U bdme jasidih local.

Before reaching  Baidyanath Dham Rlwy Station in the evening i had collected rail ticket from cyber cafe who had to get the print out from a machine at a fair distance away.

The stay in Deogarh was free of hiccups with movements in and around town with no hassles. In the mornings, people running stores and lodges could be seen running their pump to get the requisite water; in some instances water overflowing and in others taking its time to fill the tank. Streets leading to temple and nearby locations are not wide enough and perhaps the two wheeler movement should be restricted during peak hours; something in operation in certain stretches.

A few of tea vendors who could get the tea of tranquility could be positioned in and around different streets. The search for a cap as i am supposed to take a Jan Shatabdi originating from Danapur/Patna and going all the way to Howarah was a necessity as 2S was the class with D2/ 94 the coach and the seat. The cap coming for a reasonable 50rs can be procured from a shop near Tower Chowk. Then there is one sweet shop with the name bhog and here the staff/owner have to develop accommodative spirit. Having huge sales with huge turnout of customers is ok but you have to look beyond that. The cyber cafe near Mamata eating joint was one which i could not try due to paucity of time and perhaps doing stories from this cyber cafe could be interesting.

On VIP road in Deogarh is a small post office which i come across on a Sunday while taking tea opposite the post office. As for bara bazaar road among other sightings, sale rs 85 fixed price shirts looks to be quite tempting and not to miss the  lakhan baba ka dil bahar lassi outlet and billboards  to the same at different points of the town. 

Writing from vicinity of Shyama Prasad Mukherjee road

Reaching Kolkata; visiting Dakshineswar

Writing from vicinity of Shyama Prasad Mukherjee road, the seat i am in and sense i can make gives enough opportunity to spew a tale on 30f and those willing to have veg puff. In all i could read 180 seats on flight 2E 203, with the one seated on 30d not averse to speak and search. All he could raise a tale was on a number and all one could say with certainty was he never tried hands to gain expertise of a plumber. Request came to him to switch off the cell he was trying to get in as the aircraft had a will to get out of the city. The first officer, 6ft tall, checks the wings and makes a wish.

Surface on which it runs has to be in the best frame of functioning
Sporting a catering vehicle which has branches in mumbai, delhi, chennai and Aurangabad, hope this catering concern has a smooth run with cautious entry/exit from terminal area. There are 21 gates in the domestic terminal of indira Gandhi international airport area. Corrosion on iron sheets above gates can be seen. Plane goes past apron, IAF tech area, the 40-sec run before taking off (3.35pm) turned thoughts on the surface and the weight it has to bear to make a smooth case. The surface on which landing and take off happens has to be in the best frame of functioning. After 75 sec i spot Qutub Minar and at 3.45 the expressway that runs from the outskirts of national capital region to Agra.

Green cover 9 to 7 mts before landing is truly moving  
A window seat with a winsome fare all i have to look at are the clouds and  innumerable agricultural fields down below that retains the authenticity of glow. Menu of flight  has veggie delights, meaty delights and beverages One Punjab de paranthe coming for 190 rs with very few passengers showing the tendency to sneeze.  Meeting turbulent weather on and off, the inhouse magazine has a story on apurva,  movement from cabin to cockpit coming in the past few years. The airline magazine has ads on different indulgences, with a wish stories could be on how they attempt to connect with commoners who have a wish to fly. Perhaps a draw of lot every month for 10 seats won't be asking for more. These 10 seats coming for no charge would be handed to those whose name appear in the draw of lots and would include those on the margins or dispossessed.  At 5 pm the announcement comes Kolkata 250 km away and would take half an hour to reach. Most interesting part the amount of green cover about seven minutes before landing in Kolkata can’t be seen in any other metro of the country. The green cover is truly moving. Reach Kolkata at 5.32.

As for the flight, most people use lavatory, the objective being to leave it with not enough battery. The one on 30d gets away from his seat quite often and what i can assume he moves to try loo kit.  As one goes past the aerobridge at Kolkata airport, the distance from aerobridge to collection of baggage is fairly long and this is under heavy airconditioning. This can be kept mild for checking costs. Similarly in aircrafts, less fuel would be burnt if ac is kept mild.

Going to Dakshineswar
Book a taxi inside and take another queue to get the taxi number. This can be sorted out by getting the taxi receipt and the number at the same place inside the airport counter. A list of readily available 50 taxis every half an hour/ one hour could be brought to the airport counter so that the passengers desiring to take taxi don't have to stand in queue on two different occasions. I, for one, jumped the second queue apologising to those ahead and behind as i had to leave for Dakshineswar followed by a train to Jasidih. Take taxi for 210rs Dakshineswar on a Saturday evening had a huge rush and i was lucky to gain a glimpse. Even if one does not get to get into the queue, the rear sighting of the Goddess is helpful. Chandra at Dakshineswar temple very helpful. He sits near the shiva temple which is on the right side of the road leading to Dakshineswar .


Shared auto to Bally Halt
From Dakshineswar take shared auto to Bally Halt. A 25 to 30 mts ride to Howrah station which is witness to a fight between two in the coach i am in. Some intervene to pacify them, but none are listening as they had their dose of rum.  Howrah station is fairly congested; foodplaza is alarmingly rented. Have veg fried b/w 55 and 60 rs. Come across one bimal das,  vendor selling soap strips. In Howrah station there are enough going to Muzaffarpur and other destinations in Bihar.

Boarding Jasidih train
As i board the Jasidih train, the train goes all the way to Kathgodam, the sighting of passengers and their sizeable purse makes one wonder whether they made enough savings to board the train with a constant ring to their cell. Here i spot two baraindias, they had seats numbers 49 and 50. But they found it fit to sit opposite me where they could not  get witty. Besides the one seated on left was headed towards Muzaffarpur. He had two to three rings on his fingers and looked to be reserved. Baraindias too were headed to M'pur.  There was another from CBI, who had come to divest one of his relations pursuing a four-year marine course in Pune. The marine boy was simple armed with two cells, probably going to Siwan. As i was making a mental note of passengers with their share of patience, i was in train a little after three, hoping against hope i won't be short of glee. As the train reaches Jasidih, gems are all across hoping they won't be in shadow of their temperamental boss.

Smart phones se kya sikha

Smart phones se kya sikha

According to reports appearing in a section of press, the mobile population(subscription) is expected to reach world population of 7.1 bn this coming September. The report which appeared in page 13 of july 8 2013, showed the prowess of the man to possess mobile and missile. What the figure the mobile subscription tends to reach is seen as a September breach, when the weather in most parts of the world would be by no means docile.

Revelation that is truly revealing
THe revelation that 80 per cent of the handsets would be smart phones by 2015, probably explains these instruments with no sense of innocence would be tried in plenty in places like canteen. That shows majority of handsets would be in hands of those who would wake up to the challenge to get smart failing which in homes and zoos they would exceedingly blurt. With smart phones in hand there would be smart application of mind and muscle, not shying away to lend their support to acts of tussle. Sighting of smart phones would make others declare them as smart entities,  once they step out of home they would display their phones and the inventory. Not one two or three, the smart phones they would possess, it could be in double digit with no remorse on the outgo as cess. They would dispense some of these smart-turning-to-snore phones to their friends-turning-to-foe-and-continuning-to-grow with an understanding that these cells are meant for distribution including to those who ever gave them tension tuition.

What they do and divulge
Knowing fully well that they have been indentified as smart, this tribe would see to it that all they do and divulge is no less than smart. Starting from the smart tea they would take in the morning, they would ensure the bath they take and the bread they break has all smart components, stepping out of homes to their offices and places where they roam they come across smart women and gents. So smart would be their application of mind to acts which are not kind, they would see the battery they recharge is done amidst people with clothes dipped in smart starch. Not only they would be smartly dressed including their vests and briefs which would get a fair degree of attention from their bosses and peers who have their own set of home fears. Smart would be their outlook and gaining ascendancy in affairs of extra maritial would be their own and distant cooks serving in offices and oceans.

Getting smart
Getting smart the launchpad for success, they would see to it the keys to their car and caravan is smart enough to initiate a series of jam. These smart creators would use fuel as long as they find it funny, once they are short of money they would turn to other available honey. As per their wishlist, they would seek smart weather and calendar, not spotting either of the two they would for reasons not known to mankind stop speaking to their vendors. As for travel apart from cars and crawl, in trains and planes, they would seek a seat next to an entity who does not radiate heat. During travels they would elaborate on their feats and furnishings, in the midst of this exercise they would hand out the other party some surprise. As smart phones would be handy enough to operate in different time zones, time would not be a limiting factor for those possessing them and temparament won't be in short supply for those in pursuit of new gems. As we have come to an age where smart phones have become the reigning rage, hail the phones, hail the tunes, we may not have enough resources to meet our basic needs still we pursue to have smart phones and the emanating heat. 

The ride from Delhi to Kolkata

The ride from Delhi

With a seat number 30F in a flight that is supposed to go to Kolkata, the procurement of ticket and preservation of the same had been done with clinical precision. The ticket had been procured from Airline counter with a suggestion coming from a boy manning the desk that getting online tickets are considerably much cheaper than what one gets to gain from the airline counter. The explanation appeared to be somewhat less convincing and as i stepped out of the ticketing lounge and headed towards the bus stand, the thoughts were on the true nature of observation and those mired in oscillation. Again i headed to the airline counter and the lady who had replaced the boy who had been dishing out ticket heavy, spoke in clarity about Kolkata flights and those headed to the city with a degree of creativity. Managed to procure the ticket between 4500 and 4800 rs, the ticket-pricing seem to be in order and more at ease it could be had it been secured a little over 15 days when there was enough breeze.

With the ticket taken and temperature of those willing to take and spread their tale recorded, thoughts went on two gentlemen, one hailing from northeast and another flying after a two day interval to the south to participate in a feast. Both were taking snacks when i broached the scale of admiration i have for these places and the people appearing striking fit with striking shoe laces. As i stepped out after paying the exact amount, not a rupee more, not a rupee less, i was more concerned about bus connectivity and its configuration. One of the DTC personnel gave directions on time the bus would come and the amount of time it would run. With Dhaula Kuan reached, it was time to ponder whether this spell of rain would bring fore the drainage leak. Soon after i took auto for S J Enclave, hoping against hope the next day travel would have something to unravel. The next day a little after 1.20 pm i set out for airport sighting none on the way who flashed their visiting card attached to their coat. The last day experience on Delhi's ring road had been painful to say the least so this time round i settled for outer ring road, perhaps they call it that way to see less of a traffic, with the temperatures of those caught in the snarl going up and down, making the entire exercise by no means therapeutic.
When i reached it was a little after 2pm breach, breathtaking was the sight of those who had come padded up with rose. As i made an attempt to step inside, the guard told me to show the real identity card, showing xerox is as if you have not taken your bath. Days when people may be short of identity card and carrying xerox which has a durable clarity, are we to expect they would be dismissed and debarred. As i showed the indentity with a guarantee, the gesture suggested i could step inside even if i never desired to be a company rep.

After the window seat was given, i knew the sole baggage had to be checked in as it carried savlon and no other gin. Soon i serached for landline and there were some who had been kind enough to keep the lines open for all these years and had been receiving the much-deired cheers. Post security i stepped in a lounge that had travellers split among those who had willed their wealth and those taking precautions to keep handy health. As for water for which you don't need to whisper, i tried from a tap placed probably near the loo and the way you could take it was somewhat difficult. I left the idea and came across two men , one hailing from Solan in Himachal and another from Ballia in UP who had dealing in handing out food stuff that came for a sizeable rupee. After meeting them and memorising others who could be potential gems, i took a seat and considering the air conditioning could be kept mild - it was mild by a degree- so that people and perspiration are seen two sides of the life file.

Announcements were being made for flights to Bangalore and Srinagar, some happy to note that they were under a roof with a sizeable cover. The thick attendance in the airport premises that was not to be seen had shown the economy had begun to lose sheen, howsoever hard you may try to get fdi there would be more intuitive tents coming from departments like hawa hawai. fdi aaj hai kal nahin, fdi ke bal par kaun si sena jawa rahi.  Some were talking about gas pricing and how farce it looked the entire exercise of getting into global racing.  As announcement came to board amidst no sighting of breeze, the airline bus had kept ac effectively high for long adding to the cost and taking away the crown. With 30f the seat and the entry from backside, i could see some cabin crew talking about chennai, a city with a four set of clue. Lucky enough to have a spare seat  next to me, gave an opportunity to speak to myself but i desisted as it was not a home turf.  Indian oil tanker getting the tank filled, one wonders when would barter system would emerge, we would give grains and in exchange take oil range. It was a Saturday with terminal One looking robust with a little less appeal, probably it would be to do with crawl zeal. As the flight took off, in 75 seconds i spot Qutub Minar and hope its retains ita aura and ascend.

Visiting Qutub Minar

Visiting Qutub Minar

If you have been living in Delhi for fairly long and wish to visit a monument with neat surroundings, Qutub Minar is the ideal choice. On a Monday a little after 9 in the morning i set out for Qutub Minar. A walk of nearly one and a half kms to the metro station brought the much-needed momentum to Qutub Minar discovery. Amidst morning office crowd the coaches had plenty of space to move and murmur. It would have taken 15 to 20 minutes to reach Qutub Minar station. As you step out of station, there are autos that take you to the monument. I decide to take a bus which one can access from the other side of the road. Before boarding perhaps 715 i was in a conversation with one Arvind Kumar where both agreed on the oil that we import and the number of vehicles that were going past us on either side of the road looked to be a picture of no justification. The bus stand where we were standing perhaps never existed in the late 70s when we used to go to Chhatarpur. The road of that period and the road of today looking a shade better had a similar ring of limited width. In the late 70s the traffic was next to nil and there was no mention of breathing space the road needed to be handed out.

There was another young lad at the stop who veered to the view that perhaps 715 goes to Qutub Minar. The bus taken and the crowd looking even, it took barely five minutes to reach Qutub Minar. Alighting from the bus i come across one or two vendors dealing with maps. The ticket counter is on the other side of the road, namely three counters, one for indians, other for foreigners and in middle of this a tourist guide counter. The entry ticket came for rs 10 and from the ticket counter the entry gate is barely 50 metres. As you enter the first sight is of a manicured garden on the left and on right is a book corner; the display boards have books on Qutub Minar and other monuments. From here you have to turn left, go straight and turn right. Once you come face to face with Qutub Minar, you look at the height and the aura that encircles it. Taking a round of the monument, the gate that led to stairs has been closed for the past 30 years. I can faintly remember an unfortunate incident happening in 1982, last year the papers were full with that story and the lapses. What i have been told is that the gate is opened and stairs cleaned right up to the top once in three four days.

In 1982 and before when one had the advantage to go to the top, one could see swathes of Delhi and sentiments of significance. I made two rounds of the monument and noticing among bricks one etched with 1.6.68 date. As you go further and turn right beyond noticeable chambers is a courtyard laden with two well spread trees. The grass in the entire space, one can sit and summon thoughts on how magnificent is Qutub Minar and how every effort should be made to keep it strong and soaring. There are other chambers that houses mausoleum. You look for a pillar where people used to meet both of their hands with a wish on their lips. That act has been debarred as railings have been put but the pillar looks to be little dilapidated.
In the entire area what looks mesmerising is not only Qutub Minar but a score of gardens maintained to perfection. Before departing i take one more look at the Minar and whatever good you could say about it is said with best confidence. Before stepping out i take a seat on a bench which is near Mughal Garden. A word or two with assembled people, i leave the place. I take a return ride to Qutub Minar station in an auto; the fare coming for 10rs.

According to a board noting, Qutab Minar is 14.32 m diameter at base, 22.75 is its diameter at top. Ht 72.5 m , 379 steps 238 ft ht is of Qutub Minar,  5ft taller is Taj Mahal at 243 ft. Lalkot was first among 7 legendary cities of Delhi. .
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The walk from Alipiri Gate to Tirumala

The walk from Alipiri Gate to Tirumala

On a Monday from Alipiri Gate i start at 10.25 and reach the temple complex at 10.35 from where i write the prayers. After having written the prayers, effectively i start from Alipiri Gate and its roundabout at 10.58. Past 300 steps at 11.04, 600 steps at 11.10, reach Golu Gopuram (little over 2000 steps) at 11.42. Mind you the first 2000 steps are too steep and whoever intends to do it should wish for a robust health.  After a brief halt including taking the Golu Gopuram ticket, which would enable me free darshan, as i proceed for the next 10 minutes it is a little steep. On the way i come across a large number of vendors, one young lady selling her wares whom i give a picture of the Lord. The expression on the face conveys probably she was waiting for me to hand her the picture of the Lord. Then there were a series of those with weighing machines with whom i exchange hopes and endurance.

Reach Hanuman statue at 12.30. There are a series of stalls having photographers and the one whom i access is a new one and here i find it difficult to stand for long in the Sun. Start from here at 12.48 and going past another Hanuman temple. Just before they put a stamp on your Golu Gopuram ticket, prasadam is being distributed. Skipping prasadam is a better option as i have a wish to complete the trek in three or little under three hours. As we near steps to descend and reach a winding road, there is another temple besides the road. About 500 to 700 metres from here you have more steps to ascend, as steep as the steps in the first hour. Past steps on the back of enduring strength i am in vicinity of gardens, the entry and exit point of Tirumala. Here a TTD water tanker can be seen parked. The place which i consider the final point of trek is opposite the Balaji bus stand and i am here at 1.58. Effectively three hours, with a noting i was in the best of health as i have been in 2010 and 2011 when i walked from Alipiri Gate to Tirumala on innumerable occasions. Skipping prasadam on offer as i have to watch out for time that i have at my disposal. Near the balaji bus stand i take a series of tea glasses; some effectively strong, some bordering on mild canvas.

The second day in Tirumala

The second day in Tirumala

The second day in Tirumala is meant to secure a railway ticket for journey to New Delhi. The railway reservation centre has to get an upgrade if it wishes to cater to the needs of passengers. Passengers who wish to board a train not only come from Andhra, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka, they hail from distant places like Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, Bengal and Delhi. I came across one instance where a gentleman hailing from Madhya Pradesh wished to check the seat availability. The staff as usual did not check the status on the terminal and just dismissed him by saying "no seats". There are two counters; there is an urgent need to have three counters. This can easily be done as there is enough space. In the morning one queue is for normal tickets and other queue for tatkal tickets. Second "trains at a glance" guide of the railways should have different sets (three to four copies) in such reservation centres so that people could know the trains and the connectivity. Tie the "trains at a glance" to a desk or wood board if you have apprehensions that somebody would take it. Because the display board only shows trains originating and passing through Tirupati. Third how to motivate the reservation staff is an issue that needs to be looked at.

Reservation centres in Tirumala, Nagar needs upgrade
Reservation staff is meant to serve passengers, if passengers come from distant places and are not able to get the requisite information on the basis of which they can purchase tickets then the railway counter is of little use. Same is the plight of reservation counter inside Samadhi Mandir in Ahmednagar. There is just one counter, two counters can be made by putting the terminal straight instead of putting it sideway and taking the whole space.  The window can be extended, it calls for a little reconstruction. And before the reservation staff puts the reservation slips dully filled by middlemen, he should look at the people who are standing in the line with no middle contacts. The more you encourage middlemen and their capacity to procure ticket at will, more you are hurting the common man and disobeying the simple and sensitive template the place has been brought up with. As an extreme step rotate reservation staff every three months if things don't improve. Passengers here at the reservation centre are in a discomfort and any query on seats and trains is brushed aside. This may not be true for all occasions but it happens quite often. You have a whole room selling the fabric, why not take some space and utilise for handing out railway tickets. One can say that the reservation counters would be idle by early afternoon; perhaps then one counter should be functional and another utilised for some other meaningful purpose.  If public is taken care of, then everything would have smile quotient. Dharamshalas are far away; by the time they reach prasadam centre people have sweated like anything. One won't say anything on shopping complex. A place that is short of water the entire year for its no fault has to face such dilemmas. The hospital needs upgraded version of medical equipments, make a provision for that. BSNL office ke bahar board par tasveer par dhool jam rahi hai ya cover karein yah wahan se tasveer hatake andar office mein lagaye. Sayad yeh board ab tak kahin aur laga hoga.


Coming to Tirumala, on a Sunday i took a 2AC tatkal ticket for Bangalore Rajdhani for the next day. Coming to Uttaradi Mutt, i was in two thoughts on whether i should change the ticket as it showed waiting list 1 or continue with the journey. I again went to the railway counter, sought the number of Andhra Pradesh Sampark Kranti and seeing a whole host of vacancies for Wednesday travel, took a normal ticket with no hassles of tatkal or no tatkal. While on the way i had three different glasses of horlicks, each glass coming for 13 rs. Earlier you could get these milk preparations for five rs, seeing a hike at regular intervals. Adjacent to railway reservation centre on the left is a round shaped structure which  serves milk, tea, coffee and horlicks, boost and bournvita. On occasions coffee is known to be of admirable taste. Rest of the second day went with the consolation that i have two more days of which one day could be utilised to walk from Alipiri Gate to Tirumala.

The first day in Tirumala by Puneet Rajhans

The first day in Tirumala

Having reached Tirumala on a Saturday, the bus on which we were in had its last stop at Balaji bus stand. From here one has to trek a little distance as the jeeps that you sight seek a high tariff on sighting one passenger. Finally had to settle for a jeep which already had more than two occupants leading to a fall in ferrying rate. Uttaradi Mutt was the place i moved facilitated by the fact that the previous day i had made a call from Thrissur station seeking a room with a reminder that i have had the opportunity to stay in the past. Among the list of those expected on that day i find my name giving a consolation that i would get a room. A room that comes with a shared bath is more than sufficient. Being a Saturday one can understand the import of getting a view of the reigning deity. By ten i am ready to join the queue not before taking the writing sheets from a shopping complex opposite Lepakshi.

Queue and enthusiasm
By the time i try to figure out where i am going to stand, it is a winding queue with enough turns and looking less trim. At half past 10 when i join scores of those already there, i give a rough estimate that by 3.30 i would be out. The movement of those in the queue is little and with liberty to converse at any given moment. On occasions more than one we step on stairs and descend mirrored with the sight of those who can't do without health drinks and eatables that are being dispensed by different vendors. Vendors look to be exhausted lot, hoping against hope the sales of the day would be sufficient enough to bring them smile when they return home in the evening. Vendors have only this opportunity to earn their share of bread.

As queue looks solid enough to test your patience, there are occasions when some try to get ahead of others and some playing second fiddle. Some including  me when confronted with pains in the legs try to seize opportunity to sit and save on their energy. Still milk and tea are being provided by TTD personnel, some devotees partaking the benefits; some showing no inclination. There are those who have come in a group, probably from Bangalore and definitely hailing from Bihar. This group of students and the conversation they stick to conveys they have had their date with a group discussion and probably looking to a winding career. There are instances of enough students hailing from Bihar and other States who go to the South for studies marked by inclination of some to maintain their studious template. By the time we reach a point where scanning and checking is done it is half past three. A ticket worth rs 300 is the sole option to get into the temple if one does not wish to join free darshan (sometime it is over in 3 to four hours; sometime stretching to 10 to 14 hours). THere is another option of Sudharshan token worth 50 rs which can be procured on the same day only from Tirupati. As for other places in the country, Sudharshan token is given in advance.

As the queue enters a series of waiting halls, the writing on a sheet can be accomplished with a level of comfort as there are enough benches. It is half past four and we are out of the waiting halls. Mind you those in plain outfits can easily be identified; the expression on their face enough to show their resentment on why they were made to undertake this assignment. Some of these plainoutfitwallahs try to play a role of having the authority to settle disputes when arguments break out among those in the queue. It is better to go past this spectacle than remain witness to their range of commands. Pata nahin queue mein plainoutfit kaun sa kartab dikheyenge.

Sanctum Sanctorum
A little after five i near the entrance point and the rush of people coming from opposite side is strong. Going past entrance gate some can be seen chanting "Govinda Govinda Govinda". Some of the lucky ones get a chance to pay obeisance to a tall pillar that comes before the sanctum sanctorum. I move from the left side and going past another gate i am in sanctum sanctorum. I try to sit for a while in a corner, lucky enough to say the least, letting the crowd ahead and behind to move. One gentleman, hailing from TTD, requests me to move and i dutifully oblige. Seeing the Lord from a distance and then getting to the point from where you have to turn left, this all happens in less than 40 seconds. Sighting for a few seconds is enough to make you understand the import of standing in the queue and getting to the Lord. During Laghu Darshan days, the devotees can go up to the final point; something the Thomala Seva and Archana ticket holders can do. In Break Darshan, which is in the morning and evening, the same advantage can be seen.

As i come out, opposite to sanctum sanctorum is a place where Balaji's Ma resides and one should come out early as the crowd behind you is growing by the minute. From hereon i make an attempt to take a round of sanctum sanctorum coupled with a point where people ascend some stairs to look at the gold plated sanctum sanctorum and a picture of Lord etched on it. There is a huge rush near the Hundi; if one does not find it comforting one can deposit the offerings in a donation box outside the Hundi. Since Sahasra Deepalankara Seva has got over, the murtis are being brought inside leading to a rush of those who want to gain a glimpse. Probably the prasadam comprises laddu or curd rice. It is past 6.45 when i reach the exit gate with one final attempt to chant "Govinda Govinda".

Once you have come out of sanctum sanctorum, one should reach the exit gate fast as the crowd behind you is huge. Second to be good to the devotees who haven't had a chance, let most make a vow to come out early as there are huge numbers waiting in different waiting halls. Finally the TTD should try to understand that giving rice preparation and tea when devotees have come for darshan should be tried on those occasions when waiting period is long ; something like seven to nine hours. Even when these preparations are given, people should be requested to wash their hands. Immediately after coming out i sought change of clothes and headed to Mathrusi Tharingonda Vengamamba Anna Prasada Centre. After taking the meals, i make a positive noting in the register and have an opportunity to meet Muni Rammiah, the Superintendent.
The Anna Prasada Centre is huge radiating a high level of confidence.

The ride from Guruvayoor to Tirumala

The ride from Guruvayoor to Tirumala

On a Friday i leave Guruvayoor around 3.40, reach thrissur at 4.22. On way a signboard shows same direction for thrissur, ernakulam and sabarimala road.

There is a little slide as you approach Thrissur railway station where platform 1 has upper class waiting hall. It is a fairly clean station with a series of vendors spelling their magic. Three platforms in all with  no tall structure in the vicinity and that perhaps explains the serenity to the surroundings. As goods are unloaded from a train from platform 3, all i have to cherish is the clean and not cluttered template. Perhaps two years ago visiting the same station in the month of June the passengers were witness to heavy rains. From Thrissur train leaves at 5.35pm, oatapalam coming at 6.15 (station fairly clean), palakkad 6.40, coimbatore 7.59. There is one gentleman, having boarded the train from ernakulam, is proceeding to Faridabad to meet a friend. With ear phone and no ear ring, he is oblivious to the poor water situation in Faridabad, something i broach, he seems little interested to ponder over in a coach.

Early morning reach Tirupati station; passengers can avail facilities by paying nominal charges
Early morning reach Tirupati station. With no idea of whether i should step out or wait, i try to reach outside only to come across a spectacle where the TTEs room on platform one adjacent to announcement centre has the room door getting partially closed with some passengers inside with a personnel. A little later i visit the upper class waiting hall where i make a due entry and take a seat to be followed by a gentleman offering a cash dole to a lady having the register marked for arrival/departure entry. The best way is even if you don't have upper class ticket, passengers can avail the facilities of bathroom by making a nominal payment by filling a form and taking a receipt. Nominal should be the charges for availing facilities at stations when the upper class ticket is not in hand. After waiting for an hour or so i step out take an auto and reach near Tirupati bus stand where there are a host of lodges.   I try to check in a lodge where i stayed in 95 and 96 only to be told that rooms are booked.

The next course is i try a bus for Tirumala. The bus stops at a checking point. All passengers have to deboard and put their luggage in a scanning machine. Here the amount of time the personnel has taken to scan my baggage and asking me to open it, i think a lot of improvement is required. First the personnel may be exhausted by the turn of load at the scanning centre. Second by the time you come out with your baggage the bus you came in is nowhere to be seen. The plight explained i am told to wait for another bus. Finally the one i get in and the seat i take there is another episode waiting to happen. In good faith i tell one passenger who has boarded after me to take a seat next . He is agitated and whispers  :"Get up" Perhaps part of my folly that the seat that he left to complete the task of scanning was the one i was sitting . But had he made some adjustment we could have all sit. A little later i take another seat and rue on why i missed my bus. It is better from Tirupati to come to Tirumala in a shared jeep/taxi than bus. The number of times you need to board /deboard a bus with your luggage  is not beneficial to your health. Finally a little after 6.30 i reach Tirumala, with the stay spread over four days.

When is the right time to take tea by Puneet Rajhans

When is the right time to take tea

When is the right time to take tea. Well, there is no direct evidence to suggest tea taken at a particular time of the day is beneficial vis-a-vis tea not taken the rest of the day. What is to be kept in mind is to avoid taking tea sprinkled with ginger late in the night as it leads to acidity and gas formation. And these twin challenges are felt the next morning and there is no easy way out. If you hadn't had good sleep, the urge to take tea may flow from a splitting headache or you may prefer to skip the tea altogether if the situation does not warrant the same. Some take tea high with tea leaves, little milk and no sugar; some do with moderate quantity of tea leaves, milk and sugar. And diehard milk aficionados take tea that calls for milk and milk alone and no water.   The decision to take tea is tantamount to a decision made to get active; skipping the same leads one to carry the tag of being inert and ineffective.

Morning hours
As for morning hours some take tea before walk, some post walk and post exercise. During walk and exercise they are exercised with the thought of what their tea would be, would they be served more than one cup and if so the quantity of milk and sweetener would be as alarming as the previous one. During exercise they exercise their mind on all such issues probably believing that a cup of tea would give them clues. When they start having tea they forget all that crossed their mind during exercise and now they are prise open to suggestion that tea the following hours would be of suitable size. Tea and tone of conversation have a lot in common; say some starting with subtle hint of anger and transporting to full blown anger has a lot to do with the tea they desired and not getting the same all those coming in the line of fire.

Visiting tourist locale
If you are visiting a tourist locale, the first sight that would greet you would be a tea vendor parked here or there,  the tea cart probability to appear now and then depending on the numbers of visitors who throng and take care. Around the tea carts who have gathered around them, the conversation veers to the town weather and the 24X7 whisper, setting the stage to let the cart owner come out in detail the places from where he procured milk, tea leaves and water. Tea cart owner makes it a point to sizeably display the glasses and cups to sizeably argue that he has been consistently meeting stiff targets and enamoured by the tea flavour some customers express desire to hand him a new cup/glass storing bucket. To boost tourism potential some are even taken to guided tea garden tours ; amidst tea gardens some plucking tea leaves and getting clicked and some disappearing on spotting tea wardens.

Tea breaks
As for those working in private or perennial sector, there are provisions for tea breaks. When working people enter offices in the morning, the office intentionally provides the morning cuppa to show solidarity that the tea at home was not up to their expectations. During lunch break they take meals that essentially make up of cake to set the stage later for a tea break. During tea break conversations veer around home rage and how most of them are on the same page leading to a least conventional debate on ensuring tranquility with a hike in wage. During working hours working people constantly look at the board that grandly declares "tea is served here, work fast to get in the right gear". The day the tea is not served, they get hurt and excessively blurt. Some even take tea break as an excuse to get out of office to try tea from nearby vendor with a clear desire that tea breaks alone can keep them away from getting tired. Officewallahs bring home the point that if ever the office desires to do away with tea break, the office files would be disposed in a lake.

Tea is here to stay howsoever fast you may grey. During debates/dissension tea can't be kept in suspended session. Quantum of tea being consumed has risen ever since the debate on who can take the top chair with no corrosion. Let the debate be on the quantum of sleep we get and quantum of heat we bet; the debate has to be on tea and those willing to provide for free.

Visit to Prasadam meal centre in Guruvayoor

Visit to Prasadam meal centre in Guruvayoor

Friday was second day of my stay in Guruvayoor coming amidst visits to Indian Coffee House, temple and the prasadam meal centre. By nine in the morning i had joined the temple queue with a rush that suggested the devotees had been queueing up since early morning. Coming out of sanctum sanctorum, i headed to the lodge with a surety that i would be joining the prasadam queue soon. When i left the temple for the lodge the queue spotted was thin and joining later it had grown by a fair margin. Perhaps the shade advantage that one gets by standing down helps to fight the heat. The point where tokens are issued and instructions for taking off the shirt handed this time round one gentleman was stopped from getting inside. His clothes were ordinary and looked to be tired. The objective should be to not stop anyone from taking the prasadam. As we ascended and stood waiting, some could be seen leaving the queue as they had trains to catch.

There are two big halls; and at that time one seem to be working. Between one and one thirty we got inside. Prasadam comprising rice and vegetables and the number of people being served at one point makes the entire exercise gigantic and soothing. This i followed with a visit to Payasam centre. Here you can purchase a token for the contribution you want to make towards the needy and same token has to be deposited to a box which are in good numbers. Apart from butter i sought payasam which is handed in a plastic box with a cover, the size of the box determined by the quantity you want to have. As i returned to the lodge took payasam hoping it would reduce the body pain and fever. This time round i was not present in the temple in the late afternoon when more than three to four elephants take a round of sanctum sanctorum and station themselves in vicinity of payasam centre. They are part of a ceremony which happens perhaps every day.
 Late afternoon i picked luggage from the lodge and headed to the West Nada bus stand. Places i could not visit this time were the beach and elephant sanctuary.


In Guruvayoor

Nishant The Bookshop

Internet cafe @ Harikrishna (for writing paper, no internet activity this time)

Kairali Lucky Centre

Indian Coffee House East Nada Guruvayoor

Krishna Collections (for dhoti previously also from this shop)

As you walk from west nada little after flower college house either side is a picture of tranquility
Vijaya Bank in guruvayur has appu as a guard, helpful and alert.

The split in Bihar

The split in Bihar

The split in Bihar came at a time when the two parties, forming part of the alliance, found it hard to continue when till the recent past on a host of subjects they had a same view. The split was engineered neither by a stiff rise in power/water tariff nor a sea of humanity turning outside the govt premises seeking a new set of arrangement. Voluble threats of pulling apart had begun to come for the past three to four months with a rider that this parting could be halted if one alliance partner could abstain from employing a tool to declare its chief campaigner. Well the poll committee and the declaration to the same was seen by another alliance partner as an attempt to tame. Well the reading could have been miscalculation of sorts, the parting hasn't meant they have ended in knots.

THe day the split came
The day the split came and the day the debates emerged to underscore the significance of a split was a day when the tv was made to function right after morning tea tray continuing well past midnight when the advisory is to sleep tight. In the debates there were dissenters and developers demanding to know why they had been called to tv theatres to debate on a split as this exercise they undertook at home which showcased their 24 hour writ. It was a Sunday, a day before moving-to-office Monday when the policy of the government is to let those working in the govt and garden to take a break and stay at home as for the rest six days they rant and roam. Roam to places that are not offices and rant on those who never proposed.

Preponing lunch; not attaining adulthood
So the two alliance partners of Bihar found it fit to call a split on a Sunday when most would be glued to tv monitors in rooms and bathrooms where on occasions they croon. As news began to trickle that by two in the afternoon a split would be formidable and not fickle, some decided to prepone their lunch and some deciding to skip away from acts done with authority in a lounge. Those not invited to debates and watching the same from outside were eager to find out on split and the reigning sentiment. Speakers during debates were out with stats on who stands to gain from a split in Bihar and if by chance the split was stopped, would the two parties with same alacrity serve and shop. Well, all were talking about 17-year alliance that could not attain adulthood, and if ever parting has to happen it should have a teen shine and ton.

Literature on split
Party which was eager to part went to raj Bhawan to suggest they have numbers in Vidhan Sabha and to keep the independent members who shine with independent outlook on their side they had some surprise. A list of those supporting and willing to support handed to occupant of raj bhawan, the formidable two came to a press conference, seated on those chairs that could signify the significance of a split and sense. They spoke and handed a literature on reasons behind the split with a wish that journos won't be split on why the two parties split and still willing to splurge. After this press conference came another around of sense for another party not that eager to part to formidably assert during another conference largely covered by gents that they had paid their side of rent and were equally hurt.  After the two parties had spoken on the split and sentiment, the party cadres were feeling light with a view that if ever alliance has to happen it should be between parties with same height.

Journos not turning grey
After the two conferences that took place in Bihar, it was turn of the third party in a state called Delhi with its share of intezaar, to hold a press meet despite the prevailing heat. Three press conferences by three parties on a single day showed the prowess of journos who had not turned grey. Debates were happening simultaneously on these press briefings, with the anchors dropping enough hints on their ability to get the requisite water tankers. On that day the tv theatres were filled with creators and carpenters, courting the all-weather logic "debate nahin kiya toh kya kiya". As for the parties who split with a cut, the two would not have realised that their parting and posturing  would lead to a series of debates and dates. After debates got over and anchors returned to their respective homes, they were upbeat on what they said and whom they led. Most hit the bed with sleeping pills, the next morning storing its share of thrills. As for those who had watched these debates and spoken to their room mates, they gave this ringside view that the best part was the state was two-and-a- half year away from polls by the time the railways would have enough inventory on bed rolls.

Parting was painful for two sides, hoping against hope they would have in their arsenal some surprise. 90s to 2005, the state of Bihar with its share of avishkar, had a bumpy ride and hope in the years ahead it would thrive with no stress and strife. Those who have been thrown to the fringe for their role in unleashing upheaval and cringe won't see a comeback if the state has a sound agenda to back.

As for debates and database of that day when the two parties parted with a confidence that they won't grey, the viewers and volunteers had a tough time.  Watching three pree meets followed by a series of strikes and shrieks, some viewers had a splitting headache to counter which they had to apply ointment and take tablet cake. A split leading to a splitting headache should be avoided at all cost beginning with not reading right under tubelights and still making an attempt to spot a horse. One should sport a fabric soon after taking a bath, the exposure to the body can lead to a headache start.  Headaches may happen once in a while like taking a ride from Manali to Leh you have not taken water despite knowing fully well you are amidst some who serve as tutor. In mid-90s while standing in Tirumala queue, the splitting headache was all i can remember of that evening. Intake of saridon got me beaming.