Alagar Malai (Hill), Alagarkovil ( 26th Jun 2011)

Alagarkovil is one of the famous temple location in Tamilnadu and a famous picnic spot in Madurai Dist. Who born in Madurai dist (especially Madurai Rural dist) might be visited this temple in multiple occasions. This Alagar Malai has a tropical forest cover which extends from Alagar kovil in the south to Natham in the North. This Temple was constructed in the between 3rd and 4th century.


Noobura Gangai / Devi Theertham:
It is located in the top of hill and has natural spring. This place can be reached by walk or minibus from hill down. People belief that before start any new work and assignment, go to Noobura gangai and get bless from the theerthem and god. As well as if the drink this water, all kind of stomach and digest related problem get cured ( myslef, one of the witness ). There is a temple dedicated for Rakkayi amman. There is a Siddha research center near that place.


Pazhamudircholai:
From a KM down in Devi theertham , their temple for Lord Muruga. It is one of the six important ( arupadiveeedu) temple for Lord Murugan. Lord Murugan present with valli and deivayanai . It has Moderate size temple (compare the other murugan temples). It is rich in fruits.


Alagar Temple:
This temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu ( Kallalagar). The main event of this Festival is Kallalagar Crossing river function ( Vaigai River in Madurai ). People denotes/offers cattle, all the farm cultivated dry items (rice, Peddy, Ragi… ) to the temple. The Samba Dosa is one of the famous prasatham in Alagar temple .



Patinettam padi Karuppan:
The main and big Gopura ( Tower ) for Patinnetam padi karupu samy. Year once only , they open the door. Most of Parents ( sourrending dists ) bring the children in very little age ( less 2 years) put in front of god and pray.

I decided to visit this temple in the last month when I was in Chennai . So I went to my village after 7 months of Gap. I started from my village around 7:00 am with one of friend Mahendran. We reached temple within 30 minutes of time. We visited all above places and prayed God and clicked few snaps and safely returned to home by 10 am.

TCS Word 10K Bangalore (5th Jun 2011)

When I was completed my Maiden official long run in Sunfest World 10K Bangalore (May 2010). I decided that, I would continue to participate this same event at least next few years and make sure another one or two members from my side participate this event.
I could not fulfill first participant desire this year. But it became a big flop. Due to lack of practice and body weight gain, I was not able run less run 3 KMs also. So my participation was got failed.

I was very happy that, I could fulfill my second wish. I informed vinothkannan (He is from Madurai, lives in Bangalore, works in IT, Young and Dynamic Guy. But little lazy guy) about TCS World 10K event. He was not much interest that time. He both registered for this event in month April. I was frequently asked him about his preparations. He used to reply “I could not run 10KMs, at least walk and complete). This was the statement from him up to eve of the Marathon day.
We both went and collected our Bib no’s in National Sport Village in Koramangala . I did not tell him about my unfitness for this event.


In Event day, Prasad, Thenarasu, Vinoth and I reached the kanterva Stadium ( Last year we were two guys..karthi and myself). This year we were four. I became photographer cum audience.
We watched the Elite men and women events. We had seen lot of international runners and sports personalities.


We had taken lot of snaps. Vinoth kannan participant event (World open 10K) was started at 8:00 am. We moved to finishing line. In finishing line , I saw lot of my co-runners at endpoint ( at least 50 know people). But we were early waiting for vinoth kannan. He reached the point after a hour. We were very happy and wished him.






One Year Summary of marathon event participants:
1. Improved my thoughts and attitude
2. Health condition and body fitness is very very consistent.
3. Got, lot of friends from same set of mindset with different profession
4. Showed the another world about peoples/places/hobbies
5. Got a chance to visit Mumbai, Chennai and Pondicherry
6. Got More knowledge marathons and preparations
7. Now...Whenever somebody asks about me, I am proudly says, “I am a Marathon Runner”

Tirumala, Tirupathi (28th May 20111)

Sometimes I do visit Holy Places also, but it is not very often. I was thinking, which temple I can visit. I decided to go Tirumala. It is very close to Chennai. I collected enough information from office colleagues ( special thanks to arun ) and friends. This is my second visit to Tirumala.
Friday (27th May) evening I reached C.M.B.T Bus stand around 7:15 PM (don’t buy anything from CMBT always you have pay 50% extra money). I took TNSTC Bus to Tirupathi at 7:30 PM. Chennai to Tirupathi distance around 145 KMs (via Poonamalli, Tiruvallur, Tiruttani, Nagiri and Puttur).

I reached to Tirupathi around 11:30 PM and Immediately took bus to Tirumala ( 12 AM to 3 AM road remain closed ) reached the Tirumala by 12:45. I went to one the Waiting Hall and took locker (Refundable Deposit Rs 350). Then I went to KalayanKatta for tonsure. Lot of devotees is waited for tonsure. I waited in the Queue more than 3 hrs and I slept in the Road Platform. Finally I finished my tonsure after so long wait.



After refreshing myself, I reached the Temple complex around 8:30 AM. I enquired about Rs.300 ticket queue and rushed the queue. During my waiting time in the queue, I observed few things. In Temple, they provided enough facilities for devotees (Water, rest room and etc).

In Common point, the entire queues are merged (like free dharsan, Rs 50 ticket, Internet booking ticket and Rs 300 ticket). Around 9:45 AM, I had seen “ Lord Venkateshwara”. I thanked and prayed the god. They provided the Prashadam for all devotees . Then I moved Laddu ( an Indian sweet made from flour, sugar, and shortening) counter outside of the main temple complex . I collected my laddu (waiting period 30 minutes for extra laddu( Rs.100 for 4 laddu)).. Then I returned my locker and collected my things. I took bus to Tirupathi. I reached tirupathi around 12:15 PM and took bus to Bangalore by APSRTC. I reached my Bangalore room by 6 PM.

Bangalore / ಬ್ಯಾಂಗಲೋರ್

One of the early morning in weekend, I went to roadside for drink tea in Bangalore.. That time, I observed and clicked this photo from roadside news paper selling lady.


Bangalore is one of Cosmopolitan city in India, I feel this photo also proves that.. is it so ?

Followers ஆகி Follow up

பெங்களூர்-ல் ( IT ), வேலை செய்யும் தன் மகன்/ள் வேலை காரணமாக போன் பண்ண நேரமில்லை என்றார்கள் !

உடனே Twitter/facebook என்னும் சோசியல் நெட்வொர்க் சைட்- ல் அக்கௌன்ட் ஆரம்பிதது , தன் மகன்/ள் followers ஆகி Follow up பண்ண தொடங்கி வி ட்டரர்கள் - பெற்றோர் !!

Malliamman Durgha Trek , Erode Dist ( 26 & 27 Feb 2011)

I got a chance for trek to Malliamman Durgha village located in Erode District with office colleagues. It is very remote village with out Electrify and basic amenities.

We started the trek from Kadambur, it is base station to trek Malliamman Durgha.













More about Malliamman Durgha

Auroville Marathon, Pondicherry (13th Feb 2011)

After my Mumbai marathon participant, I planned with Mr.Patrick and participated Auroville marathon, Pondicherry in Feb 13 with my Bangalore runners…

Auroville Reception and BIB collection Marathon Route Map

Post Marathon

I finished my half marathon in 2 hours 16 minutes ( 3 mintues morethan my mumbai marathon ) . It was my first trail marathon..
Program commit provided the good refreshment (including pongal and vada ) and T-shirt. I had very good memories .

Thanks to Patrick for this Motivation.

Mumbai Marathon, Mumbai(16th Jan 2011)

A guy born in Madurai Rural District Tamilnadu, definitely he is big fan and follower of Jallikattu/ Manjuveratu( Bull Tampering )and this habit starts from his childhood (because of circumstances /life system of his Madurai dist villages). A Person born and brought in agriculture based family (Main source of income and/or Primary family job); definitely he/she celebrate and attend pongal festival in his/her village home. It is very common in my case also. I never missed any pongal and Jallikattu so far.
However, Hobby become marathon/long distance runner in India, definitely one of the dreams could be Participation in Mumbai Marathon.

Mumbai Marathon official logo

Last year Aug’2010, I applied for Mumbai Half Marathon ( 21 KMs) with my colleague Sudeer. We both were decided to participate in Mumbai marathon. After sending my Chennai Marathon timing certificate, I received confirmation mail about my participation through email/mail.
Sudeer told that we need to book the fight tickets for Mumbai. Marathon day was coincided with pongal festival. But still my mind was willing to participate. I told my marathon aspiration to my parents (basically asking permission).Initially I did not get any green signal. I explained that, marathon can run only in young age not after become old. After so many level of discussions (like S/w Organizations), I got approval/ green signal from my parents for book my flight tickets. Same day we booked flights tickets to Mumbai (BLR-MUM-BLR).
Meanwhile, I shifted from Bangalore to Chennai. So I did not do enough practice. I have done very few practices sessions with Patrick (Co-runner, Working in Leading Intenational Organization as Senior Position) and Nike runner club members. We booked the rooms in Dec 2010 at hotel Rangsarada, Bandra (Very close to Half Marathon starting point). Even without good (enough) practice, I used to tell about my friends and colleagues about my Mumbai marathon participant plans. However I had good confidence about myself. I got surprise news from Sudeer about his unavailability for marathon. I was little bit worried.
I never visited Mumbai. Only I studied about Mumbai in text books and news papers and seen Mumbai in news and movies. I collected enough navigation information for Mumbai from my colleague Sivaji , my classmate Sambath and my BLR House owner. My House owner guided me about must see places in Mumbai.
15 Jan 2011 (Thai 1)
I got up in early in the morning went Old airport Road bus stop took bus to Bangalore New Airport. When I was in bus, I was thinking “am I doing right or not?” I reached Airport and seen few Bangalore Nike Runners waiting to catch flight to Mumbai. Meantime Suruli reached airport. We took Jet airways flight and reached Mumbai around 10:30 am.

That day was Pongal. But I was away from my village around 2000KMs. My family members called me, Pongal festival went well. Pongal milk comes out from the east side of pot and lot of sugarcane was idle in home and nobody eating that... (Usually I eat lot of sugarcanes, home become dirty of sugarcane wastes). Near Gateway of India

We reached church gate railway station. In railway station I met a new person Mr. Rahul Banerjee (studied in IIM, Indore). He helped us to reach World Trade Center. We went and collected goodie bag. I went to “Runners for life” stall and Collected Nike coupon. I met around 15 to 20 Bangalore runners in WTC. We took few snaps. Ragul become a friend for me. He guided us near site seeing. We visited Gateway of India, Nariman Point and Marine Drive. After that, we went hotel. Evening, we went Bandra Band stand (Saru and Salmman area) , Linking Road and Hill Road areas. From hotel room, we had seen Bandra- Worli Sea Link and Lilavathi hospital

World Trade Centre

Marine Drive and Nariman Point

Goodie Bag

I received best wishes messages from my ex-colleagues (now friends), friends and family members. I was very happy about their wishes and encourages. It created a tremendous confidence.

Rajivi Gandhi Sea Link ( Bandra-Worli Sea Link)

Race Day (16 Jan 2011)
This Marathon was 8th edition. Starting point was very close to my room. Around 12000 People gathered near Bandra fire station for Half Marathon event. I had seen full of heads. I was able see all age group of people includes females. People wore different type accessories and gadgets. I had seen lot runners from Aboard, North India, south India as well as Mumbai People. Most of people gathered as group participant, but I was alone in the crowd.

Marathon exactly started in 6:15 am with gun shout (it was not the case in Chennai marathon, 25 minutes delay) and there was big digital display also. I prayed god for a while. I started my dream marathon with full confidences and hopes. When I was cross the starting point, time was around 6:25 am... Now you can imagine crowd of people (In my Bangalore ran, I crossed the line after 2 minutes). When I was running the Rajivi Gandhi Sea Link ( Bandra-Worli sea Link, 5 KMs length) sun started raising. Whole route had KM sign for every one kilometer as well as water station and Mobile toilet facility. I was just seeing the city and keep on running. During my run, I was able to see few Bangalore runners opposite side as well as my side. I was just seeing and enjoying city during my run. Everywhere stage performance, TV interviews, peoples offers (fruits, biscuit, water and chocolates). I did not take snacks and water this time. There was small up in route from 14 KM to 15 KM. I was little tired, but mentally I was strong enough.

Half Marathon Route Map

The marathon route was Bandra Fire station -> Rajivi Gandhi Sea Link -> INS Trata Circle -> Worli Dairy-> Nehru Centre ->Baulnath Temple -> C.S.T.

Participants

During my run, I had seen few international medalist, Business man, celebrates and friends. I completed my Mumbai marathon around 2:13 minutes (less than 10 minutes of previous marathon, waiting for exact chip timing) in Near C.S.T Terminal. I was very happy that moment.
Organization body provided the refreshments and medals in Azad Madian. Around 34,000 people participated in all events.

I called Suruli from stranger mobile. He did not come to marathon ending point (It was our plan; I did not carry any mobile, Camera and not a single rupee. But it was not surprise me about suruli). I felt little bad because I was not able take snaps in my new camera (I bought camera for my Mumbai marathon participant purpose). I met few Bangalore runners. Shrikant helped me for stretching. I got a tea offer from some stranger. Another lady offered Rs 10 for my train tickets.

I reached room; we check out room and roamed the Bandra market area. I bought few dress for my family members. Market area was busy. We took a Jet airways flight and back to Bangalore. In aircraft, around 5 to 10 known people (Bangalore runners). We were discussed about timings. We reached Bangalore around 6:30 pm.

Few strong points:

1)Parents should understand the children aspirations.
2)Friends should support and encourage their friends new endeavors /attempts
3)If you have confidence and Practice, you reach your goals.

Above all things I got this event, so I competed my dream Mumbai marathon.

Thank you very much to ex-colleagues (now friends), colleagues, friends and family members for support, encourage and guidance.

Chennai Book Fair, Chennai (12th Jan 2011)

I heard about Chennai Book Fair during my college days. But I never got a chance to visit Chennai Book Fair. I visited and bought number of good books in Bangalore Book Fair last couple of years including English and Tamil.

Few weeks before some of my friends and colleagues told about Chennai Book Fair. I decided to visit. Last week Wednesday I visited the Book Fair. I saw more than 500 stalls from Different publishers and sellers. I had seen lot of Tamil books from different publishers and few English publishers; but I did not see any other regional language publishers. (This was not a case in Bangalore Book Fair, I saw so many Tamil publishers in Bangalore Book Fair)

I saw lot of Tamil Books (Ancient & Modern literatures, poem, and stories) which I had not seen before. I bought few books. There were program about tamil language by Origination committee during book fair days. That day Meriven, Malluri and Sathya selan gave good and informative speach in different topics about Tamil. I seen Tamil language writers and poets Manushyaputhran , saru nivethitha and Palani bharathi.

That was Good.
Edition : 34
Date : from 04th jan-2011 to 17th Jan-2011
Organized by : Booksellers and Publishers Association of South India (BAPASI).

Aircel Chennai Open Tennis Quarterfinals, Chennai (7th Jan 2011)

As I remember, I follow up only Grand slams matches after Quarterfinals. When I was Bangalore, I heard about Chennai Open Tennis and it is usually happens on beginning of every year. It is one of the ATP 250 category.

Few weeks before when I was reading news paper, I saw the advertisement about Chennai Open Tennis 2011 and Ticket sales. I decided to watch the match in the Stadium.

Official Logo

Aircel 2011 Cup

Few days before I discussed with my colleague Jerald about Tennis match and he also interested to watch.We (Jerald, Karupusamy and myself) booked the tickets online (Low cost ticket Rs.200 Per person and valid for one day, East Side) and went to Nungambakkam Tennis stadium.

Security Check in the Entrance

After entering stadium, I started clicking Photos using my first digital camera ... (My friend Karthi was insisted me so many times to buy Digital Camera. But I never turned. Anyway finally I bought digital Camera after working in IT more than 6 years. I bought new Camera from US through friend Bala. Thanks Bala).

Stadium view from East Side

Sunset

First Match was between Tomas Berdych (CZE) Vs Blaz Kavcic in Main Court.
Tomas Berdych won in straight sets (6-3, 6-3)

Second Match was between Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi Vs Philipp Marx and Kne Skupski.
During Match, I had doubt about my tie-breaker, I decided to call Srini and Raghu, both are expert in the about Games. I called Raghu and asked about my doubt. He clarified.

The Two old Warhorses Paes and Bhupathi Showcased their doubles skills and comfortable won against Marx and Skupski in direct sets (6-4, 7-6(3)).

Third match, we did not see completely due urgency to catch my Bangalore Mail Train in Chennai Central Station. Karupusamy dropped in Central Station. I took Bangalore Mail train and went to Bangalore. I was nice movement watch match in Stadium.


More photos Click here.

National Level Volley Ball – Quarter Final - Karnataka Vs Tamilnadu, Nehru Indoor Stadium, Chennai ( 17th Dec 2010 )

During News Paper browsing, I came across news about National Level Volley Ball Match in Nehru stadium (Back side of Corporation Building, Chennai). I watched few league matches, all alone for few days after my office hours (except one match, Jerlad gave a company ) . I shared the same information with my Chennai friends and informed about KAR Vs TN Quarter Finals also. Few guys were interested and got motivated to watch the live match in stadium. Sambath, Karthi, Karupu and Mohan were confirmed there presences. I told them, come to stadium around 5 pm on Match day.

Quarter Final Day:
We were reached the stadium around 5 pm (except Mohan, last minute drop out). My friends were supported to Tamilnadu as usual. I was confused, which team should I support? Match was started approximately 5:30 pm. TN team had a good audience support.

First two sets were interesting... The Karnataka players No 3, 5, 8 and 11 and Tamilnadu players 9, 13 and 16 were played an excellent game.

The Tamil team won with direct sets. (25-20, 25-22, 25-20.) Mr. G.E. Sridharan Coach of TN Team congrated his boys.

We scattered from Nehru stadium after a match. I boarded in Bangalore Mail and went to Garden City.
I missed the finals. Sambath and Karupu watched the finals in stadium. Tamilnadu got a thrilling victory in the finals against Kerala .

Photo courtesy : Hindu News Paper

Vedanthangal Bird Centaury and Bullet Ride, Vedanthangal (5th Dec 2010)

I was doing casual chat with one of my friend Senthil in last week (He is Madras-IIT’an and working as Design Architecture in one of leading Organization). During Our chat, I came to know that he has bullet (Royal Enfield) and he goes every weekend to Mahabalipuram by bike (approx 100 kms up and down ) . Meanwhile I came across news of season started at Vedanthangal l and lot foreign and north India birds are start coming to centaury. I asked Senthil, shall we go for bike ride to Bird centaury? He replied instantaneously we will go on coming Sunday.

We started around 9 am. On the way, we met one of my friend who returned from US ( actually he bought new digital camera for me from US). The distance of Chennai Tambaram (South part of the Chennai city )to Vedanthangal around 55 KMs . We reached the place around 10:30 am.
During our trip, I recalled and I visited the same place with Feb 2006 with MSc Classmates.

I saw few visitors and some photography hobbies guys. We seen few birds and around 20 varieties of birds already reached centaury (this info provided by Forest department person who works in centaury).
We saw few birds through binocular (very aged one) also.
Because of drizzling we did not carry our cameras, so I did not take photo :-(

After half hours stay, we departed. We reached Chennai around 12:30 PM.

That day climate was awesome (No Sun rays at all). I enjoyed of Bullet ride (After a year, I went a bike trip. Before that I went Bangalore to Madurai with Marudhappan in Dec 2009).

I was happy and I am start engaging these days in Chennai also (actually I missed a trip with Bangalore friends in same day in Bangalore).