It happens once in a while..!

A news article in today's Sakshi (Telugu daily) intrigued me to scribble a few words about a man whom I got acquainted almost 44 years back and I was a ten years old kid then.He was a doctor in a small town hospital,perhaps,those could have been  earlier days in his career.Like it happened sometimes,his picture flashed in my memories almost 2 days before his demise somewhere in Hyderabad.

For  unknown reasons,his name and face registered in my sub conscious mind and no contact was maintained all these years.He was then a slim and handsome guy with pensive nose unlike being appeared in the news article.Amazed at seeing the magic of time,bludgeoned his younger version into the present one.

Come to the point,his name is Ithamraju Pandu Ranga Rao, a medical doctor and rose to the heights of rarity to introduce many noble programs in the state,all I could know about him through this article gave me a virtual journey into my childhood.And got me how a man could progress in course of time.Rest in peace doc. 

A Traiblazer

Once in a while, fun and frolic with a touch of meaningful engagement is the need of the hour amidst the endless daily routine.In the same spirit,Gandhi padham district convener Mr.Busureddy Sankar Reddy paved an innovative program in the form of Natyotsavam,with his enthusiastic team members.This has taken place in the premises of BSR gardens,Bhadrachalam.

Folk and patriotic concept  dance competition have drawn scores of children from far and wide.Last Sunday became a cynosure of these activities.As much as some tens of troops participated and music reverberated to the steps of youths.There were both junior and senior segments.

(Mr.Busireddy Sankar Reddy being addressed in the meeting)

(Children got ready for their turn)

Children came from various schools with their own arrangements regarding the performance.Refreshments and lunch provided by the organizers,troops were selected with no entry fee.This platform shall be the ideal for encouraging innate talents of children apart from education.In addition,Bhadrachalam is the confluence of traditional and tribal art forms and a justifying place for being the center for all of them.

( SNAM ZPSS Narsapuram  team)

Chandrugonda school students,GMR Polytechnic students and Narsapuram high school students highlighted in the event.With the cries of revelers and parents the day passed a bit different.All participants received certificates.ASP Mr. Suni Dutt graced as the chief guest.G Madhava Reddy,G.Bhupati Rao,S.Brahma Reddy,Chava Lakshminarayana, SK.Azeem,Tandra Narasimha Rao.Vasireddy Ajay Kumar and others participated.

Post SSC opportunities

Sudireddy Narayana Reddy and Adilakshamamma Memorial ZPS School at Narsapuram staged a crucial power point based counselling program for the students of  the class ten about post SSC opportunities  to widen their understanding in terms of academic and career building  prospects.The program executed its best to provide the details of concerned courses in the form of a handbook,it's in addition to instructional class.

Almost more than hundred youths who were at present undergoing SSC public exams in a few days participated in the program,and expressed their  content regarding the palpable information received from the instructors of Vidya helpline. Hope the pupil would get a shot in the arm.The stupendous session became successful with the supervision of academic staff.

Enlightenment programs like these let children grow in practical front apart from routine class experience,in the present high end technology days,both private and government sectors are providing new emerging careers in lieu of traditional ones and the gap of communication should be lowest minimum even to the rural students with possible workshops.

Devotional Music pours

Bhakta Ramadasa is the name not to be introduced when you are aware of Piligrim town Bhadrachalam, they had been fulfilled for centuries in evoking true devotion among the devotees. The abode of the Lord first built by Ramadasa and the story followed, is well known.Today is the 384th  Jayanthi of that great saint and which has been lighted up today with Music festival as a befitting tribute.This is a five day bound program.31 st January to 4 th February.All these days the Chitrakuta mantapam to be reverberated with the renditions of  connoisseurs coming from far and wide.Each day has its own planned programs.Happened to attend the vocal concert of Malladi Brothers,today.Violin by Shriram kumar,Mridangam by Mannargudi Eswaran and morsing by Shyam kumar.In fact,series of concerts started right from 9.30 A.M.

Tomorrow's highlights are as follows
                                         Smt.Anuradha,Hyderabad (Veena) ...9.50-10.10 A.M.
                                         Smt.Dr.Umadevi, (Vocal)              ....10.10-10.30 A.M.
                                         Smt.Himabindu Kodavatiganti (Vocal)10.30-11.00A.M.
                                         Smt.G.Aruna, Kakinada                     11.00-11.30A.M.
                                         Smt.Dhulipala Vasavi,Vijayawada       11.30-11.30A.M.
                                         Sri. Vigneswar Iswar,Chennai             12.00-1.00  P.M.

And the next session will be assumed from 2.30 P.M. And lasted upto 9.00 P.M.


Linked to ABC Wednesday

The 11 day - Festival Commenced

(Temple from outside)

Vaikuntha Ekadasi celebrations (Dec 30 - Jan 9,2017)  here came at Bhadrachalam and this eleven day bound Fete had been observing since time immemorial ,some say,these were initiated by Saint Tuumu Narasimha Dasu, however, with the advent of Ekadasi utsavalu,number of devotees keep visiting on the particular days without fail.These celebrations consist of three main happenings.First 10 days,celestial deity gives darshanam in the different avataram ,that means 10 avataram altogether.In addition,each day carries cultural programs like dancing,singing,dramas and other things.On the last day , resplendent event  not to skip off,Teppotsavam.

(Yesterday,Second day, in Koormavataaram)

Teppotsavam expansively attracts all ages of people, the presiding deity goes on a boat ride in the waters of the Godavari,shimmering evening light and breeze  lead the people to unknown worlds,mobs regale with hoary anecdotes of the deity.Crackers start to peel off the layers of the night with its dazzling booming.The archetype custom on the last day would always be welcomed with great joy to propitiate the Deity in open space.

The following day,early morning,Uttara dwara darshanam,That means the devotees can have the darshanam of Deity from the gate of North side which remain closed all other days except this day.There was an allegory that if anyone could see the lord from this gate,there would not be another birth for any human being.For the sake of a wacky idea,you might ask me if I tried it,frankly NO.Oh... Don't jump to a conclusion,I am not fortunate enough these days,except twice or thrice in my childhood, as there was a heavy rush all the time.And Am a busy bee with my travelling all around ..!

A Lethal Intruder

Some pictures trigger shock waves through our body and those were inevitable sometimes to initiate required steps in the days to come.Here, I am presenting some photos which will take you to another level of scaring.In fact,this terrific incident has taken place in the district of Kanked of Chattisgarh state.A boy was attacked and killed by a leopard,not only that it seems the lethal animal had pierced the poor one from the bottom as it had liked to get pieces.

How can one outplay a Cheeta when it confronted in the forest..? It's not a cinema to let it get pounced and kill at once.The reality is always a different story.You have to hide from its sight or you should be armed with a powerful rifle to face it,beyond it all,courage is the prerequisite.Or it's not so easy fighting a leopard or tiger as they have the capability of striking with a lightning speed.

Here, in this case that's what happened with the photograph and in other pictures,we could see the body of the Leopard, guessing  it was killed by the irate mob by using all possible tactics. That's not too easy,however the panic has been seen in the pics.The pictures actually belonged to our friend Mr.Anand of Andhra bhoomi journalist and displayed here for our blog readers.You could raise a question that how Chattisgarh state news should be placed in a Telugu daily.Yes,It always does happen every time as our temple town has the boarder with it.

Bastar,Kanked and other districts of Chattisgarh used to take its own share of news in our district editions due to its proximity.And the lion's share of news about the encounter of Naxalites or vice versa.In fact,the state should be cynosure of their handicrafts,pristine tourist destinations and unique cultural display, and what to do,people like stereotypes all the way.

Where Childhood beckons

November month, perhaps rightly be called as the season of  joy for children.Yesterday at Kothagudem, the three day  gigantic Celebration of Balotsav inaugurated and which has been much talked about as it is the 25 th year of the do.Children have come here from almost 5 to 6 states to participate in different competitions.In the line of it,several people got inspired to have their own programs to cheer up the kids' world.Rahul Vignan Vidlayam ,based at the village of Charla,came forward in the form of "Unnati".These competitions are confined to the children of four mandals only.This is to be the initial move from this place and response expected in a befitting way.

Entertainments like these would help the kids to showcase their innate talents.Events are umpteen,each one has his/her own choice to participate and of course,there will always be a teacher's or parent's coaching as well.Last time I have visited Kothagudem Balotsav and found it very busy with concerned activities.Judges were drawn from the circle of well known writers and children's activists.That massive event with the participation of some thousands of children should be described as an eye feasting one,indeed.

A Transfigured construction

The colorful and elegant structure being seen in the picture at present called as Annapurna Ramalingeswara temple.We should better name it as a conglomerate of several tiny temples along with the shopping complex outside.All brand new it looks as of now,in fact,the place was best known as "Saadhuvula Mandapam" or the abode for monks which usually gave sheltar to the sanyasins who visit the pilgrim place from far off places.It had been considered as a serene held place for over hundreds of years.And then the structure was completely different with more banyan and peepal trees around.With Trishulams around Homagundams,the entire place was of spiritual and mystic vibrations,no common people had audacity to come near the place.Transformation has been done in to present condition with additional structures.In brief, the scaring place of Tantric traditions got its change with times inevitable.

There is no air of bewilderment or breathtaking now as it keeps drawing people to the newly built temples around.Once a haunting like ambiance turned in to a serene landscape.Quite dissimilar when compared the past and present of the Iconic buildings.Hope you could recognize that there was no gopuram for the temple,because the very purpose of the structure was different.It was a place for Sadhus to stay once.And the present structure may be altered in course of time,who knows..?

Vinayaka Chaviti

Today   is the festival of Lord Ganapati,hope you all have completed 'puja' by this time as this post has flashed here a bit late instead of its actual time planned yesterday.Things went that way.Though today is considered as the festival itself,next nine days will be remained crucial filling with plethora of cultural activities in almost every street having the Idol for their own group.It's the most apt season for some people to display the muscle power in the matter of collecting donations and likes of it.

(Ganapati Idols for sales)

Pomp and gaiety abuzz all across the happening .Immersion of the Idols is a thing to send the traffic haywire as the vehicles of Idols get beeline in hundreds,mostly come from far off places as the river Godavari at Bhadrachalam considered as sacred with the presence of Lord Rama.Ever since the Idol worship of Ganapati had initiated by Tilak,each group is busy making their own precincts in line of their own whims.

(Different leaves,fruits and flowers for the puja)

Sri Daatla Seetarama Raju is remembered

Satyanarayana Puram, almost a nondescript village in the mandal of Charla, 40 k.m away from Bhadrachalam was emotional in bidding adieu its noble son called Sri Daatla Seetarama Raju (91).Why should we be obsessed about  him by writing a blog post ..? Yes, there is a reason.He came to this place from West Godavari in 1948 with his siblings,in search of green pastures.Remained as a backbone of development of the village in many walks of life.

His death ceremony  has taken place yesterday at Satyanarayana Puram.Let me cite here some of his contributions towards the area and a bit beyond it.He established a school here that provided education class 1 to class 10 with the amenities of all requirements like wonderful library,spacious playground and competent teachers.Adequate buildings and needed guest lectures.All this happened not now ,started about almost four decades back when no corporate giants had been entered the arena to make thriving profits.And all this for providing free education for all sections of people.

Illustrious giants like Venkatapati Raju (Cricket),China jeeyar swami (Spiritual teacher) and Avantsa Somasundar (Literature)  etc.visited the school and gave their discourses.The school ambiance itself a replica of the true Gurukula.His another achievement is  Taliperu project which has been provided water for almost 30,000 acres around this area and still yielding a great harvest .Although the village has 15000 population, there you can find a telephone exchange,A national bank branch,PACS,and above all a neat and planned village tinged with lush green fields.A real village model dreamt of Mahatma Gandhi.

MLAs' of Bhadrachalam and Kothagudem came all the way to pay their respects.Being a stalwart is not a smooth  sailing ,he had  had enough of  obstacles in realizing grandiose plans but his grit and perseverance remained legendary at last, that's what the life for,to fight and live for ever.Let his soul rest in peace.

"Antya Pushkaraalu " commences at the temple town

The river Godavari is gearing up for Antya pushkaraalu and the works are being done at the banks of the river,the picture above clicked yesterday.It is to be commenced today and would be lasted upto  11 th of August month.Ghats are filled with silt and mudslides due to recent occurrence of aghast floods.In fact, last year Godavari pushkaraalu event took place in the month of July and this time we can call it as a supplement event for that,those who did not participate last time could attend this round of happening.Simply the event is to pay reverential homage to our deceased family members by having holy dips and rituals i.e.Sraadha karma.

For the last year event,almost five million people came here and the number of visitors, this time, could be of less in comparison due to several reasons.As Godavari is still in flood water and the color of the flow is clearly seen along with the deposits of sand and silt.Anyway,it's preposterous to say so.Fencing is done to prevent  visitors  entering   the  risky zone of waters. There above the sky ,entre nous , with having a portrait of gleaming clouds made the ongoing works even more interesting to behold.

A Passionate Foodie

Vamsi is another name for showcasing the beauties of river Godavari and everyday life characters from typical Godavari areas in his movies.He has his own way of dealing in terms with making movies.Not only that, he kept writing about his visits, especially the small time hotels that sometimes deliver wonderful food with their own kind of  preparations.Maybe they seem small but offer surprisingly great items.Vamsi wrote about many of its kind earlier, in several papers along with FB posts.Thus they became well known overnight at shoestring budget,no,absolutely at no advertisement expenses.

Recently he visited a hotel called Sujata Mess located at Chintur, once which was in the part of Bhadrachalam division and now merged in Andhra as the part of the Polavaram project hit area. The hotel management was appreciated by him as they served their best items like Dal curry with mango mix,non-veg curry and other delicacies.He also uploaded some photos of the occasion and they have been reposted here for our blog readers.

Things like this are a great relief from drudgery of bustling routine. Having rounds to the obscurely known places in search of draped in fine cooks let the world know a word about the connoisseurs.There could be a knee-jerk response if the more follows the suit.   

A Quaint way for ready made curry

As you knew already as rice is the principal food in south India,curries are must to mix with it.Preparation at the home is different and it takes much of time.Students,loners and of course who wish to try a taste outside now would get variety of curries and chutnies at small time vendors.Owners of these ones are generally house wives and other unemployed people who prepare both veg and non-veg curries to sell off  at affordable price to all segments of buyers.Some vendors who could prepare with good taste have always good business and buyers would be seen queued up in front of the outlets.

Their business times are quite unique.11.30 am to 12.30 am and 6.30 pm to 9.00 pm, and rest of the hours these outlets seem unopened.Every day they change varieties of curries for customers.Some times lazy house wives also come here to have their choice of curries.Anyway quality is the buzzword in any field.One must agree that price fixed for the curries are not so exorbitant comparatively.Maybe the same phenomena is prevalent all over in different forms.

Submitted to ABC Wednesday

A Scintillating performance by Jaya Prakash Reddy

Noted Telugu film artiste Jaya Prakash Reddy entertained the audience of Bhadrachalam with his captivating performance.His specially chosen play "Alexander"  lasting 100 minutes with only one artiste it's none other than himself unveiled yesterday in the junior college grounds of the temple town.In one sense which can be called monologue,yet, the voices were heard from back ground supported him to carry on the play with gusto.All those voices were rendered by best known film artistes.So it  added further spice to his eye feasting performance.

It's no way connected to the Alexander of historical fame.The theme conveyed multiple messages brilliantly with the character of Army major (Rtd) Alexander who preferred to live on his own terms.He keeps helping needy people through  his phone counselling and indifferent to be in the house of his son.The entire show carried on without any boredom though there was only one character on the stage.Writer Pusala must be appreciated for the quality of dialogues and theme.

Stage decoration is simple but enough to prompt the mood of the concept.Jaya Prakash managed so well as a good samaritan major and his histrionics revealed perfection in invoking desired applause from the audience.It was said to be the performance wise 61 .Going over  theater to give performances although well settled with cinemas displayed his true love towards play craft.All segments of people enjoyed a lot the play as there was no ambiguity or verbosity in the telling.

He wanted to give 100 performances of this play although he is now at 69 age wise.Let his wish to be fulfilled and the medium of expression reached to its zenith as it has been dwindling with the advent of Tele serials and other hogwash pictures.Altogether we should put it a success of culminating varied techniques of mixing and voice overs meddled with brilliant acting skills of Jaya Prakash Reddy.Definitely J.P. 's name will be inscribed in the history of Telugu drama nonetheless of his cinema career for certain. 

Bodybuilding Competitions

It was yesterday late evening as scorching sun has trudged in to the horizon, college grounds filled with revelers  as there was an event of Bodybuilding competitions held and the participants arrived here from almost every district of the state.Perhaps this could have been first of its kind though there are gims in the town or might have well advertised this time.Staying fit is a buzzword everywhere and the health awareness is growing all over,the temple town is not lagging behind in the trend.

Youths along with veteran people nearing 60 years of age have also participated in the event.It was organised by a local gim with the co-operation of several philanthropists and enthusiasts.Certainly the events like these stimulate the spirit of the people towards health conscious and body care.Seniors provided tips and cues pertaining to the bodybuilding and advised the youth to retain concerned reservation when compete for government job as it included in the sports.

Celestial Wedding Performed at Bhadrachalam

Sri Rama Navami, the most awaited celebration of Divine couple's wedding performed today at the temple town of Bhadrachalam with great pomp and gaiety.Lord Rama and his consort Sita ,the divine couple illuminated on the auspicious day with the presence of large number of devotees and their chanting of the holy names all along the happening.Devotees attended not only from Telangana state but from Andhra,Chattisgarh,Odisha and other states also.Volunteer organisations extended their warmth by providing cool water,meals and other refreshments for free.All choultries and lodges filled with swarming attendance of devotees.

Parrot too attended

Chief Minister being brought stately honor 

NGO's Serving butter milk  to the devotees

Telengana Chief Minister Sri.K.Chandra Sekhara Rao brought "mutyala talambralu" and other offerings to the divine couple behalf of state government as it had been said to be the age old tradition right from the days of Tanisha nawab, the erstwhile Nizam  ruler of seventeenth century.The celebration has taken place in Mithila Stadium and the entire town decked with due arrangements on the occasion.Pundits performed the celestial wedding with utmost devotion and Sri.ELS Narasimhan,Hon'ble Governer of the state is slated to attend tomorrow for the Pattabhishekam celebration. 

It's all about quenching thirst

There are many ways to beat scorching heat in the season of summer.One such action unleashed in the form of water in clay pots,to supply the cool water those who baked under the sun and in urgent need of water for free.The outlet here we have clicked for you is in front of  Nikita hospitols, Charla road.Mercury levels in the temple town are so notorious as the summer ushered in .Usually the good samaritan orgs won't remain calm,they start outlets like these with having pots of cool water to provide it to the needy people.

People keep coming in not only from around places,but from far and wide to visit the temple though which is of heat waves filled particularly as it plodding on to midday. Then,these water pots come in to rescue to do their level best.There is always some person to give water for the needy people.Those who could afford cool drinks also try this service some times.Different junctions have been seen with likes of activities and the tradition has some years of background.

Toddy Fruits and benifits

Toddy fruits or munjalu (In Telugu) are quite a known phenomenon in summer.The nearby villages of Bhadrachalam blessed with hundreds of Toddy trees,in fact in abundance.With the advent of hottest summer the nature sends its solace in the form things like it.Almost everybody tend to taste the munjalu in the season for its qualities providing natural coolant for body.Great taste though it seems jelly like one.Toddy tree is also called as Asia's palmyra tree contains full of health benefits.

It contains Vitamin A,B Complex and C .Good for worm infestation.The sap also best to take and it tastes like coconut water if it was taken afresh.Otherwise it turned in to mild intoxication giving alcohol.Generally tribals do not adulterate it like other professional vendors.I have seen  some hundreds of trees in the fields of Dummagudem mandal and other villages of the division.

Usually toddy trees are spared from cut down like other trees because of its own values.Many vendors approached the owners of the trees to lease them to have business with the munjalu and kallu or the sap,it's confined to the particular season.Usually one dozen fruits cost 20 to 25 bucks,the sap differs with quality and availability ,one steel jug of half a liter costs nearly 10 rupees.The more it fresh ,the more you relish it.Try it if  possible.

Complying inspite of Scorching heat

Pandals welcoming the devotees

Mercury levels are souring high at the temple town of Bhadrachalam, as which is even in the last week of  March month,commuters feel what the real arduous days ahead in the future.Yesterday it was  41 degrees around and even today not subsided yet.Streets witness almost no people in the Midday and caps are indispensable for every out goer. 

Sri Rama Navami,the prime festival is fast approaching and things are getting ready to spruce up required amenities for the convenience of  visiting devotees.There are number of rooms available from the management of devasthanam,private players and houses turned lodges,along with a tourism department hotel.

All these are not to be sufficient particularly on the days of  important festivals.One must agree that tourists are visiting the place in large number during the weekends too.Apart from temple, Perantapalli river cruise is attracting the people.Most of the vegetation around Bhadrachalam has been vanished and that also causes a hot summer here.Once upon a time ,it was greatly acclaimed in the part of Dandakarnya,now nowhere to see the flora in abundance. 

Navami work under progress