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Yesterday, I wrote about my hotel and arrival at Kovalam. When we were sitting on terrace and taking a cup of tea, my soul was jumping for swimming in waves of sea. After a tea, we all moved to beach, sea waves were very hard due to mansson and lifeguard said that sir, sea is very unsafe so please avoid to swim. But, my soul didn't accepted his order and I said that I am friendly with water and sea and entered in the water. Then my nephew Abhishek came with me in the water. My son UDI and wife Nisha was watching us with waves in the shore. So they started with waves in shore and then I took them inside the water. It was rainy and cloudy evening, but it's all created a different mood of excitement that you can feel in this video.

After this exciting moment, we returned back at room, but there was no electricity due to power failure. We were feeling hungry, so we inquired about some vegetarian restaurant. Left Side of our hotel there is a Buddha Restaurant, I thought that it should be a vegetarian but not 100%. I bought some chapatees,dal fry and fried rice. We took the meal for rest but soul was not happy with this taste. After dinner we went for sleep due to a long journey and swimming of waves.

JOURNEY OF BLESSING

Next day, it was saturday and we were going to pay our homage to lord Hanuman, so I didn't take my breakfast and rest did the same. Our driver mr. Manian came with full of smiles and proceeded to Shuchindrum. It is 85 Kms. from Kovalam on the way of Kanyakumari a day trip tour. Western tourist are not allowed in this temples that's why generally local drivers try to avoid to visit here. But for north indian or Indians, it is a pilgrimage centre. So that's why they take them for rituals.

Shuchindrum is a very old town and has many mythical stories of different time period.

Name of this place derives from Shuchi means cleansing and Indraum means Lord Indra.

Story starts with a beautiful lady Ahiliya, the wife of very famous sage Gautama rishi. When

Indra got the description of her beauty, he was fired with the arrows of love. But he didn't have power to touch that lady because she was a wife of rishi. So he invited lord moon to help him for this exercise. They followed the routine of this couple and then they decided a plan. Indra noticed that Gautama gets up in every morning early to sunrise on the call of a cock and comes late after all rituals. So it is the most suitable time for this event. He convinced to lord moon to take a shape of cock and make a very early call from sunrise and he dressed himself like Gautama. Next morning, moon made a call and Gautama got up for his rituals and went to riverside for his rituals. In that moment Indra entered in the hut of Gautama. Ahiliya complained for his early arrival but Indra convinced her for love. She was in dilemma but for the pleasure of her husband, she didn't interfere. 

When Gautama reached at river bank he found that things are not same and he started to examine the the things. The morning stars was not there and still cricketers were singing. So he meditated and found himself in a trouble and rushed his hermit. When he reached there he found someone is standing there in a shade. He shouted on moon and moon rushed from there with an alert call for Indra. Gautama threw his pot on the back of moon and caught red handed with his wife. Gautama was shouted with red face on his wife and gave her curse to became a stone and cursed Indra's body will covered with thousand female gentials(yoni).

So Indra came in this place and worshipped lord Shiva recovered his body.

But the main temple is known as Sthanumalayan Temple. Sthanumalaya is denoted three different names "Sthanu" means Shiva, "Mal" means Vishnu and "Aya" means Brahma.

Because once all these three gods were stayed here in the hermit of Atri and his wife Anusiya took care of them as kids.

It is also a very interesting story.

Once three goddesses Lakshami, Parvarti and Saraswati were praising their power and that moment Narada reached there. So all of them started teasing to Narada and asked that " O Narada, you travel every part of the world, do you know any lady better than us?". Narada took some time and then said, " Please beg me pardon, there is a lady in earth, who is famous for purity. Her name is Anusiya and she is the wife of great rishi Atri." Three goddesses felt insulted. So they provoked their husbands to examine the purity of Anusiya. The gods came on earth and prayed to Anusiya to feed us with open breast milk. Anusiya smiled and transformed them as a child with the power her penance and fed them. The gods had forgotten the world and playing in the court of Anusiya as kids. Even Narada came there but they didn't identified him. Narada rushed and told the whole story to goddesses. They came and accepted their guilt and said to retransformed their husband in their previous state.

So all three lived here as baby and local priest shows a branch of tree and tells that here the three enjoyed the swing.
It is a big temple complex, which was constructed in 17th century AD by Nambuduris of Tamilnadu.

The temple is made on Dravidian architecture. Close to temple complex, there is a water pond for temple rituals and for pilgrims.

The main Gopuram is 40 m tall and decorated with so many images gods. After gopuram there is a pillared hall, then after there is temple complex. Straight to entrance, there is a Vastu and Navagraha Pithika with Ganesh temple. On the ceiling, you can see navagraha and priest help the pilgrim to worship navagrahas.

In a corner, there is a huge figure of Nandi the bull, which made by lime and sea shells.

There is a musical hall, where you can listen different sounds from different columns.

There is a temple of Krishana, Rama and family, Ayappa swami and Sthanumalyan.

But I came here for very special magical Hanuman or Anjaney(son of Anjani, name of mother). It is 22 feet tall icon of god made in granite rock, standing with namste or Anjali mudra opposite ot Rama temple.

As  I wrote, I revisited in Kerala due to the blessing of this specific god. He blessed us a baby son ANIGODEV and it was timing to get blessing of Hanuman with my son. So we reached there at 11 AM and our driver introduced us with a local guide Vellam. As per rule all men should go with topless and he gave us a very logical reason. When, you are visiting to a temple, go with open heart and receive the rays and power of god in your open body. It will recover all diseases and sins. We bought a garland of betel leaves for offering and moved in different temples, we took darshan of every temple. But my heart and soul was searching that image of Hanuman, who proved his majestic power. I can't explain that period, when I was trying to find out that image in every corner of that temple. After the whole tour of temple, he took us at a small temple of Rama, where my son started Hanuman chalisa(40 verse of Hanuaman). The whole crowd was listening silently and he was reciting with any fear. After that we turned behind and he pointed out on a figure which was far from us and look at that huge figure of Hanuman, it was covered under the earth due to Islamic invasion of Tipu Sultan in 1740 and recovered again in 1930.

Then he told us we will offer our betel garland there and someone who's blessing are fulfilled they offer the BADA MALA ( a garland of snax that makes from dal and rice). Because our blessing was fulfilled that's why we bought another garland of Badas.

We saw that icon is white painted, so me and my wife both said in same sound it was black when we were here. Then guide said that still it is black but some people offers butter to god and that pasted on statue.

So we went there and bought some rose water, butter and malas.

The priest invited us and some started to offer water on the head of Hanuman and some are pasting butter on icon. We were singing Hanuman Chalisa. Then priest offered our garlands on god. We touched the feet of god and blessed again. But this time I didn't dare to examine the power of god and asked him to do as you wish for me and my family, we are in your security. 

Our guide took me to distribute the prasadam of bada mala for the pilgrims. It is an auspicious and rare moment for anyone, someone wish is fulfilled and he is distributing his wishes with others and I am feeling same. All people were taking prasad in many more time and I am giving them with full of joy and happiness. 

We completed our trip of this auspicious temple.

Then we proceeded to Kanya Kumari.

HOMAGE TO KERoLA

HOMAGE TO KERALA 

This special trip was fixed by the Lord of Suchindrum.When I was in Honeymoon trip of Kerala with my wife in 2007. Our driver Mr. Jeevan took us on Kanyakuamri drive. But when we were coming back, he stopped our car at a small temple town is called Suchindrum. It was Tuesday and timing was noon, so that all main temple were closed. But our guide took us to in front of famous Hanuman figure. I conducted a short ritual, but unconsciously I asked a baby son from him. I didn't tell anyone about this incident. In 2008, I blessed by God and my son UDI born. Then I told the whole story to my wife and family and decided to travel again for homage for Great Hanuman. 

Time was passing and we didn't have time to go there, even I booked my ticket on last summer but due to relatives we didn't get time and I cancelled my ticket. After this, I was saved by Lord Hanuman from Kedarnath Accident. I was planning to go there but on the way I stopped in Rshikesh for a training program, which was running by Anna Hazare. After this I fixed that in my mind, this year I will visit at Suchindrum. In a different circumstances, I booked my ticket and started our tour on 18th June 2014 from Chhatarpur to Jhansi

I booked my ticket in Kerala Express 12626 Newdelhi to Trivendrum. We transferred from Chhatarpur to Jhansi at 1200 Hrs. because train was at 1720 Hrs. when we started our journey the shower of rain changed the climate and we were caught by heavy rain at Jhansi station. Train came delayed due to rain. Our tour started from Jhansi to Trivendrum on the way we met with a Keralian family, who is living in Delhi. But they were going for some special pooja of their family. It was 48 hours journey, time was very tough in Maharastra, Andhra Pradesh and Tamilnadu. But when we were entered in Kerala the whole scene was changed. Dark Mountains covered with clouds, rain was showering and farmer were planting rice in their fields. Dense thick forest of Coconut and jack fruits,in every 10 minutes I was passing from a view of backwater or lush green village.. Trees were not in the village, the the huts were in the jungle of Coconut trees.

Most surprising thing was no bad smell, no dirt and filth in this rainy season. Stations were so clean and people were sitting on the chair. No loud,no shout of vendors in any stations.

ARRIVAL AT TRIVENDUM

After an hour delayed, we reached at Trivandrum Central Railway station and our driver Mr. Manian was waiting at railway platform with new Red coloured Verito car. When we came out of the station, my family was in cultural shocks. We stood more than 30 minutes for our car because it was park in opposite parking but not a single taxi driver disturbed us and not a single nonsense with anyone. Opposite to station new Bus terminal is under construction, but there was no dirt and not a chaos of traffic. No loud, no horn, no jam we said it is not a part of India.

Our destination was Kovalam, a beautiful beach of Kerala 45 Kms. or 45 minutes drive from Trivandrum city. I had fixed my hotel Orion Beach because in our previous trip we were stayed in this hotel and it's location is fantastic. It is on the bank of beach and close to light house. So it gives very nice feel.  There are three beaches, Samudra, Kovalam and light house beach.

Hotel Orion Beach 

It is not a big hotel and it is not a resort. But it is a hotel of care, when I visited in 2007 with my wife the hotel honour Mrs. Leela Amma and Geroge took care of us. It has two wings an old wing, which was constucted by the father of Mr. george in 1994 and new one is extend by Leela Amma.

This hotel is situated in very good sceneric environment. Light house in left side rocks and far to west there is another tower for lifeguards and beach is spread over around.

In a season, they run their restaurant and offers local tours. He has nice cars and trained staff.

Mr. George, Honour of Hotel Orion Kovalam Beach.

Room rent is very reasonable too.

After 7 years I stayed in same hotel, there was not another guest due to off season. But I feel safe and home away a home. Staff offered a glass of milk for my son and teas of us. We sat on terrace and enjoyed the ambience. Then we moved to beach and waves were harder but we enjoyed the game of waves.

  

VYAS BADAURA : HAMPY OF CENTRAL INDIA

VYAS BADAURA : HAMPY OF CENTRAL INDIA

Vyas Badaura is a forgotten village of Chandela the builder of great temple of Khajuraho. 

Once, I was searching some unknown sites of M.P. and find a website www.mptourism.com. It has a pdf file with many unknown destinations of different districts of M.P.

I saw a place with some ancient temple and I become mad with ruins and ancient temples. So I planned to visit in this village, which is completely unknown and unexplained by anyone.

We didn't have any idea about this village and don't know anything about direction and location. I had an idea about a village with same name Baduara, which is known in that area for a temple of goddess Kali called Bhadra Kali.

I started my first trip from Khajuraho, when we crossed Rajnagar we saw a sign board with the name of Vyas Badaura 48 Kms. So we got an assurance of name and direction of the village. We reached at Chandla and started to inquire about Vyas Badaura but no one know this village with this name. Someone told us there is a village called Bansiya Badaura. So we decided to take a look of Bansiya Badaura. We moved to Bansiya and on the way we got a right person, who told us about these temples as archaeological site and Chandeli temples.

We turned from Bansiay to Badaura, after 15 minutes I saw a glimpse of a ruined temple, which I saw on a photograph. I was excited with new monument. when we reached in this village it was a time of evening and many girls were standing and laughing on the water hand pump and us. I approached to them and asked for an approachable road for that temple.

I turned on left side and reached to temple, which was standing on the bank of local water reservoir inside a field. Many dices of martial was built by local people. 

This temple is constructed through local granite stone. It is north facing, It is 10 meter in height and length and width will be about 5 meter. l noticed all blocks are nicely shaped and placed in an order. It has a plinth of granite rocks then there are three layers of decorative elements of temple architecture.Every wall is divided in two equal portions by a dividing strip. It's top portion shikhar is fallen down. On the main gate, it has a broken platform. It had two beautiful decorated columns on sides of the door, which were decorated with kalash and diamond patterns.Now right side column is remained only. Door lintel and door jamb are very simple and plain. But the door sill has a decorated pattern with a pot in center.

There are proper steps  to reach inside the sanctum. Inner part of sanctum is very plain but there are more steps are on side walls. Which were used for coronation of main image. It gives an idea about the size of image. There should be some standing image of Hindu or Jain god.

After finishing these temple, we got the glimpse of main complex of temples in side the village. When i was reached there, I was lost to see this huge complex with so many temples spread over in 2 acre on the bank of a band. Main temples are placed on a huge granite rock and many are on different directions.

Decorated material is spread everywhere and all temples are in state of ignorance. Sometime some shepherds take rest here with their cattle. 

First approached to main temples, i took some photographs from a distance. But I was very eager to know

about divinity. I entered inside the temple from east side gate. I was surprised to see that these two temples are inter-connected with a passage and has common platform.

Again these temples are made by granite rocks but every inch of these temples are curved with architectural designs and motifs. These are Nagar style temple with shikhar style. In general, temples are remained east facing. But the main entrance of these temples are towards south with two entrances on east and west sides. 

These temples are dedicated to Vishnu and Shiva.

Both temples have entrance porch( Mukh Mandap), short hall (Mandap), Assembly hall (Maha Mandap) which has nice transepts or Kakshasana for siting. Both assembly halls are inter-connected with passage and in the ceiling there are brackets in the corners, which had many beautiful salabhanjikas(Damsels standing under a tree). Still two broken figures are remained in the brackets to show the art of that period.

At the end there is sanctum- sanctorum and in both temples there is no figure inside the sanctum.

On the door gate, the door lintel is decorated with trinity(Brhama-Vishnu and Shiva) and nine plants in human form. Door jambs have couples in two niches with goblins and river goddesses are placed on sides with their vehicles Crocodile for Ganga and Tortoise for Yamuna. There is depiction of Shiva and Vishnu door keepers on side.

Door sill is nicely curved with goddess earth sitting on lotus with dadhi kumars (gods riding on crocodile). In left side lord ganesh is sitting with his wife and Saraswati on right side at the end there is depiction of Kuber.

It has a special uncommon feature, first time there is depiction of Chandela King and Queen, who are offering garland to the god.

The wall of temples can be divided in three different portion. First, the plinth of the temple, which is nicely divided with different architectural decorations like, jadyakumbha, kalash, kumbhak, gagarak with kapotpali. Second the wall of the temple is divided in two labels. In the ordinal directions, it has two niches, which were placed with some figures of god and goddesses. The most attractive  feature of this temple is placing of crocodile faced drainage. There are two crocodile from two different temples and has common pot to clear the water.

The shikhar of these temples were dismantled and now restored by ASI by old remains of temples. 

As per the art of these temple, it is very similar with 13th century AD temples of Chandela rulers.

I didn't get any story and historical evidence from this village. So it is difficult to predict about the name of king. 

But this village is very close to Chandla town and the name of Chandela king Parmal was Chandla, so it can be developed by King Parmal in 12th cent. A.D.

Far from these two temples there are many ruins, one temple has more than 52 niches on wall. Which can be a temple of 64 yoginis.