Until a few months back, I never realised food could be an obsession with people, always thinking about what the menu about the next day. For some the foremost occupation in life is thinking and living about food. Sunday mornings are spent making Sevai and that is a hobby  in itself .They don’t think about using that time for maybe some morning prayer ,meditation, pooja  or just  going to the temple.  Useless lives that people lead when  they have absolutely nothing to do .

1. Take the stairs (to climb up especially  ) and not the  lift.It is sad to see youngsters  taking the lift to go the first/second floor .     
2. Walking to  the nearby vegetable shop rather than taking the bike.
3. Sitting on the floor rather than a sofa or a chair . It takes more effort to get up from the floor which in turn exercises the leg muscles.
4. Use the Indian style toilet. Baba Ramdev advocates this as it exercises the knee joint .
5.  Cooking- Apparently  cooking helps to burn a few calories.
6. Some leisure time activity like gardening also help some keep fit by reconnecting one with nature.
7. Swapping and cleaning the floors is a very good exercise for the spinal cord.

It is a matter of  discipline and time that we get accustomed to such a way of life. This would  save us time and money and help one to lead a more healthy life. All those who swear saying that modern life is hectic to stick to all these are simply deceiving themselves.

Morning time at  office- and invariably it starts off like this

P1- Hey did you go to the gym??

P2- Oh .no . I was too busy and couldn’t make it

P1- what about  you ??

P2- yeah. I went and  I burnt so many calories (beaming— like an achievement in itself )

P1- oh. That coooooooooool J

P2- grinning wider

P1- what all did u do ?

P2- I ran 3 km on the treadmill and burnt so many calories…. And blah and blah  

Lunch- time

P1- U know what?? Yesterday I had chicken from KFC (all with a sad face)

P2- Oh- U broke your diet ??(mockingly)

P1- Mired in self –pity – Next  week  I am going to cut down  on my calories . Refrain from eating junk food, ice cream  and  chocolates

P2- Oh yes. You  should  add sprouts to your diet too.

All these drive me crazy. Why not exercise properly and then eat too. Some people simply starve get to the size zero (a k a Kareena ) . No wonder, every nook and corner ,  gyms have sprung up vying for space with the chai wala dukaan.

Health conscious fitness freaks go overboard in “trying to be healthy” and thanks to these people, I find the supermarkets flooded with Slim milk, ultra lite butter, slim dahi and what not.Personally. I feel being healthy is important than just being slim and trying to shed the extra calories.

            Last week, heard TM Krishna singing the ever green Shri Varalaksmi Namasthubhyam. Enjoyed the piece. The Raagam is such that it adds a grandeur to the Kritis in it. Be it, “Entharo Mahanubhavulu”, “Shri Varalakshmi” or “Shri Kamalambike “, the Raagam  abounds in its beauty.

                        Having had the chance to watch both the matches almost alongside, I could see a stark difference between the two.Borg and Mcenroe were so aggressive , literally making one another run all around the court. The way each one would come to volley immediately after serving was simply superb to watch. Both the players were so agile on court and seemed to be bubbling with energy.

                               The Fed match, on the other hand was a lackluster one vis a vis the 80’s match, with the players looking pretty exhausted and playing base line games. It simply lacked the energy and verve that the other displayed.The match was surely a dramatic one but Borg-Mcenroe match was one of a totally different genre

            Fed-Express seemed listless and dull initially, as Nadal effortrlessly cruised to win the first to sets. But Fed made an astounding comeback after that, to take the next 2 sets in a thrilling tie breaker.

            It was almost 1 in the night when the 5^th set was being played. I was so sleepy but still managed to remain awake just to witness this fantastic spectacle. I would have regretted missing this match , had I gone off to sleep.

            5^th set saw Fed serving those classic aces  and both of them couldn’t break each other’s serve. It was 7 all and then Nadal did it. In 5 minutes from then, the Emperor of the grass court was vanquished by the Clay court King. I felt depressed to see Fed lose after the 5 year consecutive winning streak. But I hate to admit that Fed was not at his best , with his inimitable aces eluding him in the first half of the match and the whopping unforced errors that he committed. And Nadal made the most of the opportunity by exploiting the weakness of the defending Champion.

            Both Nadal and Fed had a word of praise for each other amidst thundering applause. Fed quipped that Nadal wa the worst opponent in the best court and Nadal modestly admitted that Fed was the best.

                In all, one of the compelling performances by Tennis legends, which was an absolute treat to all lovers of Tennis

            What to do with the money?? A minimum amount satisfies your basic needs and beyond that money really doesn’t help!! Money can buy a car, house but money cant buy friends , affection ,love. I know people who work in the coveted I Banking jobs, slogging it out 12-20 hours a day , with absolutely no social life . Their bank account keeps swelling up but they miss out on the small joys of life. They might be millionaires by their early thirties, but when they look back , they would realize that have money and not people to share it with.

            I believe in a balanced life where money should be enough to satisfy my needs and  nothing beyond it. Money is not the motivation , enjoying life is !!

            Last week we made some Dal and kept the left over in the Fridge. After 4-5 days, it found no takers at home, so I decided that I will throw it off, thinking it was unfit for consumption. Anyway, I decided to ask my maid if she would take it. Surprisingly, she took even after knowing it was stale.

            Next day morning, she thanked me profusely for having given the Dal because they had enjoyed a delicious meal of chicken and Dal . I was just taken aback. A simple Dal curry was actually a luxury for such people. Though I generally don’t waste food, I made a firm resolve that I would never think about wasting food even occasionally

    Then I got to know from friends that Kerala has a bandh and it is Chutti for all people. It felt like rubbing salt on my wounds. My freinds there happily sat at home enjoying the rains. How I wish I was in Kerala- The Communist state of India where they follow one thing meticulosuly which is observing Bandhs and making the most of opportunities where you dont have to work.

The Bandh really hyped up my expectations . All this for looking forward for a day off from office

Like how the French open title  has been  eluding Federer, Sringeri has

eluded me for years. And luckily, I made a trip last weekend.

As usual landed in Majestic at 9 and took a direct bus (KSRTC) to Sringeri. Managed to sleep initially but after 4 in the morning, my sleep went for a toss as the bus started negotiating the hairpin bends. I pried my eyes open and was just spellbound by what I saw. Misty morning in the Western ghats, dew drops clinging on to the leaves , chill breeze, dampness everywhere and the dead silence occasionally broken by the crickets. Felt as though I was transported to a fairy land and immediately sat upright to admire nature’s beauty.

            Slowly, sunlight started gleaming through the dense forests and it was time for us to get down . The bus dropped us at the Mutt entrance and we got rooms in the Yatri Nivas for 75 bucks. They categorically  refuse to give rooms to single people apparently because a guy who had taken a room had committed suicide. An untoward incident but felt they weren’t justified in doing so.

            The rooms were well maintained , I got a  bucket of hot water and got   ready in 15 minutes.

            My stomach was already growling with my appetite whetted by the chilly weather Decided to have breakfast and went to a small Mami’s house. It was the typical Brhamin’s house where  they served food on tender  plaintain leaves.  The  fluffy idly’s with spicy chutney and steaming hot sambar made me hog. The food boosted my energy and weariness disappeared.

            Slowly trudged along the roads, enjoying the tranquility that the town offered. Small houses dotted the streets with intricate  kolams enhancing  their beauty. Entered the mutt and the façade of the Vidya Shankara temple loomed large.

Visited the Sharadamba temple and simply awestruck by the beauty of the Goddess. Sharadamba exuded such brilliance and shone brightly like a bunch of diamonds. The flower decorations was simply splendid and the whole atmosphere had a heavenly aura about it.

            Sat there for a while and then went to the Vidyshankara temple.This temple resembled the Belur  temple with the fascinating architecture.The architectural speacilty of the  Vidya Shankara shrine is that , there are 12 zodiac pillars, which are so constructed that the rays of the sun fall on the pillar corresponding to the month.We paid obeisance to the Lord and proceeded further.

We  stepped out and by that time that sun had come out.

            In front of me , I could see the Tunghabadra flowing with the majestic hills of the Western ghats forming the backdrop. The ripples in the river glowed with  such dalliance I stood there for a couple of minutes to enjoy the stunningly beautiful sight.

                        Then went down to the river, stood in the water for sometime and there I saw huge fish gobbling up the Pori that people were feeding them with. Was overcome by a sense of Déjà vu –  reminded  of the visit to Huma Duma.

Next was the Achary’a ashram  which was on  the other side of the river .         The whole place was immaculately maintained with landscaped gardens and proper paths to walk on. Gigantic trees all along the paths and small creepers and shrubs welcomed us.

                         Crossed a clearing and went to the meditation hall that had the samadhi’s of the previous Guru’s. Next to that was the residence of the Guru . Finally went to the Puja hall where everything was set for the morning Puja. Elaborate Pooja was done and I sat through it. Meanwhile, people started trickling in order to have Darshan of the Acharya.

                        Acharya came at around 11.30 and we joined the queue to have his Darshan. One can opt to do the Pada pooja  for which the Prasad would be given by the Acharya himself. By about 12.45 , he left and the crowd also dispersed.

                 I was told that the  Acharya deemed it important for Singeri temple, lying amidst forests, to be safeguarded against evil forces. Hence it  is guarded by 4 different deities on all the four directions viz. Kala Bhairav , Vanaduraga , Hanuman  and  Manyaka  . Kala Bhairav is at a walking distance from the Pooja mandap. The others lie outside the periphery of the Mutt and can be visited by taking an auto .

            Was hungry again and we headed to the Bhojanshala that provides free lunch. Had a  sumptous 3 course meal with Payasam and I was surprised  to find that the Kanndigas follow the tradition of serving Rasam first followed by Sambar.

Horanadu

                        Caught a bus to Horandau  from the Sringeri at about 2.30 . Numerous mini  buses keep plying between these places.The drive was through the winding Ghat roads and we sat quietly enjoying the sight of lush green forests and coffee plantations. On the way, the bus stops at Kalasa which is famous for the Kalaseshwara temple . Took a small nap and we reached Horanadu  by about 5 in the evening . Horandu , the abode of Goddess Annapoorneshwari is nestled amidst the Western ghats and devotees from all over throng this temple. . It is believed that people offering  Annam(rice) here  will have their wishes propitiated.

We had a good darshan and rested for a while ,sipping hot teaThis temple also serves free lunch and dinner to all the devotees . By 8 ,people started waiting in the queue for the free dinner  and so did we. Thanked Annapurna for the hearty dinner and hopped into the bus to Bangalore , back to the moribund life L

Travel tips

Sringeri

 All most all  tour operators have direct bus to Sringeri. Host of accomodation options available there. Mutt charges 75 bucks for a double bedroom. If you are single, you will not get accomodation there,however you will be allowed to avail their facilities  for bathing. Couple of lodges also available.

Free lunch (12.30 to 2) and dinner (7.30 to 9) are served.Acharya ususally gives darshan between 11 am- 12.30 p. and evening between 7.30p.m -8.30p.m

Sringeri is well connected to Udupi,Shimoga and Horanadu  as mini buses keep plying frequently.

Horanadu

Only KSRTC and Sugama travels have direct bus service to Horanadu.Overnight Bus from Bangalore reaches Horanadu at  5.30 in the morning and leaves  Bangalore at 9.30 p.m.There is a Yatri Nivas that provides free accomodation to the devotees. Mini bus services to other places like Udupi, Sringeri,Shimoga are available till 6 in the evening. .Free lunch and dinner served here.This place is famous for  Malnad coffee,tea and spices .