The winter solstice is almost here. We are expecting longer and warmer days. But in India, the peak of winter is felt in the coming months i.e. January and February. It is expected to be severe and longer (extending till March) thanks to prolonged rainy season. Let's see how this winter season pans out.
Weather has been quirky over Bangalore. Back to back cyclone over the City is storming clouds all over the city rendering it dark for days. Constant whirls over the bay waters is resulting in annoying weather over the city. The gloomy weather is chilling the city and thus creating lousy environment. It feels frozen with temperature feel of 12c even though actual mercury is at 17c. With protracted absence of sun, cityzens were desperate to witness the sun god sooner. It was delight when sun shone brightly nearly after a week. Even though the cyclone did zero damage on city, the drizzle all through day was dreadful. The positive part of constant rains is improved AQI which was below 50. The worst part was during Cyclone Mandous timeframe when sun struggled to peep out through cloud barrier.
Nearly week after Mandous dissipated, the clear skies returned and winter mood is back in city. Today evening was a surprise again. This bizarre weather seems eternal. Even though the clouds were scattered, this setup foretells upcoming weather pattern. Something is brewing up over the bay to influence yet another wet weather over the region. Eventually, nature is the decider! We do not until last moment where the storm headed. Instead of pondering on uncontrolled patterns, lets enjoy what has nature given us today.
While walking around the promenade of Amruthahalli Lake, we witnessed crepuscular rays thanks to scattered clouds beneath Sun.
Soon the sky turned stylish thanks to fluffy clouds adorning the sky. The sparse clouds were illuminated by evening sun and thus painting the sky with dramatic colours.
The clouds are back and there is prediction of lousy weather making a comeback. Need to watch further. Nature is such vague entity and a unpredictable realm. Anyway, for now enjoy the stylish sky backed by golden light of Sun. Such scenes transform urban land to fairy land
Timelapse something I missed today. Gazing at the patterns in sky, I yearned for colourful timelapse atop the apartment terrace. Finally, I was contented to witness the saga of colourful clouds in pictures
Tree vs Concretree. Who will win the battle in city?
The trees are shivering to survive here in city with unscheduled date of beheading. The mute living beings are obliterated by intelligent humans. The nature is also not quiet. Nature comes back with befitting reply to balance the environment. May be it is unprecedented cyclones, changing weather, it slowly trying to auto-correct the mess of human civilization. However we fail to understand this behaviour of nature. Unless we realize and internalize the cause of this quirky patterns, the nature will constantly bombard us with surprising weather patterns!
While well marked low pressure was on rampage mode in TamilNadu, it created freezing weather in Bangalore with Sun barely making out. Consistent drizzles rendered city weather lousy. The city MET department measured 22C maximum which is kind of unusual nipping weather. The vagaries of weather is unpredictable. Our plan was to hike Kethanahalli falls near chikkaballapura today but the unusual weather threatened to thwart it. It is difficult to break the inertia during overwhelmingly chilly, gloomy and drizzly weather. However, we made our mind firm and decided go for it!
Kethanahalli falls has been recently in news by the explorers as one of the best weekend getaway near Bangalore. Perhaps unprecedented rains in Chikkaballapura region from past 3 years would have rejuvenated the waterfall. The vigorous monsoon spells would have given rebirth to this forgotten beauty. The name Kethanahalli falls is derived from the village nearby. The waterfall is also known as Vivekananda falls but the reason behind it is unknown. Perhaps the secluded, serene and divine location gives it name as our divine monk Swami Vivekananda. Being separated from civilization, lying in middle of dense forest, the place is also ideal for meditation. Let me give you a preview of this place!
We started drive around 10:40AM and sailed along the Hyderabad highway for an hour. From Hyderabad highway, we took deviation as indicated by maps. The roads were not in good condition. At some places, there were monster potholes and at some places, the concrete roads were not enough to negotiate opposing four wheelers. The village road just before deviation were under construction and perhaps stalled from long time. The ballast was strewed all along rendering the road skiddy. But there were positives as well! We cut to through grape and colourful flower plantations spread throughout the route. The gloomy weather was offset by nature all along route.
Finally, we reached the village around 12PM. There was confusion as which deviation to take (see route section for details). One of villager clearly guided us to take the deviation right after village which leads to parking lot. The mud road is narrow which means hardly two cars can pass simultaneously in opposite direction. At few places, its hard even for single way car drive. It was 1km of bumpy drive on mud road which led us to unofficial parking lot. One of the villager claiming to be owner of parking property collects Rs.50/- and we had to give inevitably shelled out without arguing. Here are some views from nearby.
It was mesmerizing to behold the beauty of nature surrounding the parking lot. The cloud kissed mighty hills, the lush green farm lands and cool breeze, what is more needed to welcome to nature's kingdom. That awesomeness of road cutting through the hills was stunning sight to behold! I was engrossed in nature gazing for a while before we embarked the trek. One can experience both countryside and hillside vibes together. Those infinitely woven mountains, farmland nestled between hills were treat to eyes.
Amidst the drizzle, we began our hike. The initial trail is flat but as hike progresses, the trail gets bit complicated. The trail later is sort of downhill and uphill. Magnitude of stress was thawed by plenitude of nature beauty. Some part of trail is collapsed owing to heavy rains in recent past!
The waterfall is clearly visible just few minutes from the outset of trail. That impression of beauty gravitates you to reach the finishing lane despite challenging trails at times. Do you see the white spot in picture? That is the waterfall! Note, this was just beginning, there is almost 1+ km to trek further!
But for now, its a distant dream which will manifest once trek pans out!
The final patch is steep downhill to reach waterfall. At many places, trail is collapsed and negotiating the path was turning difficult. Few trail will make your hair stand on the end. We walked slowly over the trail which seemed slippery or risky to handle. At places, the boulders need to be crossed which was challenge amidst rain. Fortunately, barring initial trouble, the rain gods did not bother us thereafter. It was incredible experience amidst the cloud kissed hills and overcast chilly weather. The chillness vanished after arduous hike. Couple of cascades which look like tiny waterfalls are refreshers amidst the hike to ward off fatigue and perspiration! Do watch video to feel the coolness of cascades!
The jungle is dense and perhaps may host wild animals like bear or leopard. So I suggest not too hike in small numbers. Better to group minimum 4 people and plan the visit. The trail is rugged at places and narrow at some. The uneven strewn rocks makes it difficult at times to hike. It may be risky to negotiate boulders when it rains. Lot of attention is needed so that you don't twist ankle.
The last part is upheaval uphill task. An abrupt steep mountain coupled with troublesome slippery path makes it difficult to balance unless you have good shoes. That last trail was damn steep (perhaps 60 degrees). One faulty move, would land you in trouble.
The trail later gets flat and the first close sight of waterfall greets you! What a wonderful nature. All our stress and confusion vanished.
The down-trek further for few meters led us to base of falls. That was energetic and soothing. Aha! We finally pulled it off and its time now to explore.
The waterfall is surrounded by dense jungles and vibrant hills. The plunge was relatively powerful. Enthusiastic swimmers were engaged in enjoying the energetic massage standing beneath the waterfall. The pond at the base of waterfall is not deep. Hence it is possible for non-swimmers too to try and get near the plunge point (Just my assumption. Discretion is needed). There is also second plunge following main waterfall. Not sure if this can be reached from primary. It seems to be risky. But one can view the second waterfall part of the primary cascade while hiking.
Before concluding, I hiked to top of waterfall and took few pictures. Even this viewpoint is worth the hike and scenes are breathtaking. It is possible to clearly view plunge from top. More clips in our video at the end. Do wa
Lets dive into few technical details of waterfall. This a cascade waterfall. There are tiny cascades atop waterfall which dives into the pool through primary plunge. Actually there is also a fork which is narrow one besides the primary plunge. The water from primary plunge flows into stream which again forks into secondary plunge. One of the secondary plunge is stronger but difficult to reach. The other fork is tiny and can be viewed after a brief walk over the rocky surface. We can distantly view second cascade from the trail.
After successful visit, the mind was calm and rebooted. That happiness was clearly seen on our return journey. We took only 40mins during return path and hardly felt exhausted.
Conclusion:
Despite the trudge and soggy weather, Kethanahalli Waterfall was worth visiting. Just few meters into the hike, the waterfall becomes clearly visible. The waterfall was palpable when we viewed it from distance. We almost felt as we made it. The sight of waterfall from distance can anyone lure to cross all the hurdles & pain to view it tangibly. Fortuitously, the weather barring initial light rains, did not bother throughout the trek & stay. We felt that weather positively joined hands with us to relish the natural beauty! Moreover, I always believe that the nature hikes are most rewarding regardless of minor hurdles. They unwind your soul and burn bad calories!
Route:
Here is map to reach the private parking arena: https://goo.gl/maps/1mPB8gfTSk3xGvcG9
The one shown by google maps was steep mud road from road level and we hesitated to take that path. Finally the decision was to seek help of villagers than guessing the right path.
We asked 3 villagers about the deviation to take. First villager said he is not aware of falls. "Illi yenadru falls idya sir. Nange gothirlilla!" (Is there any falls nearby Sir, even I was not aware!) he uttered in Kannada. I was startled for a moment if we reached right place. Then with further inquiry, I came to know that he is native of Chikkaballapura and not village. Sigh of relief!
One of bike group was also on the way to falls but they too were not aware of right path. We inquired second villager who clearly guided us to take deviation near crusher factory. Innocent guy was asking if are going to Jog Falls, that was humorous. Villagers term falls as Jog falls generally. So not be confused. On further drive, the person near crusher factory said to take nearby deviation. Unfortunately, on reaching deviation, we realized that it was only possible for two wheeler to drive through the road. Negotiating small road was not possible in four wheeler.
Inevitable, we decided to take the one shown by Google maps. Before that decided to ask final time with villagers. The tractor driver was the one who guided us to take deviation right after village nearby water-tank meant for cattle (perhaps). "Ooru aagida takshna ondu neerina thotti ide. Alle pakka iro road alli 1km hogi parking jaaga siguthe" (Just after village, there is a road beside water tank. Take that road to reach parking lot), he guided positively. This deviation is just before the one shown by google maps. I had seen that deviation initially which was right after village boundary. We reversed path again and drove through the mud road as indicated by 3rd villager. This was the right path eventually! While driving on this road, we frequently inquired villagers to ascertain that we were on right path. 1km drive, we reached parking area and thus clearing initial hurdle.
From main road, its around 1km drive along mud road. If you get lost, have below picture handy. There are couple of tanks (perhaps for cattle) as reference points.
I got information that the trail near crusher factory is the best. You need to park vehicle on roadside and later walk over the trail for 2km. This trail seems to be flat and not strenuous. If you are biker, then you can reduce the walk distance to perhaps 1-1.5km. But I am not sure if you can feel the trek vibes or even enjoy intermittent cascades. If you are OK with strenuous hike, then take the one I have mentioned above!
Few take away from our hike:
Start early. Do not wait till mid-day. The forest is relatively dense and hence plan to return by noon or max by 4PM
Unlike the waterfalls of Western Ghats (like Arashinagundi) which remains in twilight zone till you reach closer, this waterfall exposes shortly while strolling through trail. The trail is not flat but mix of downhill and uphill. The uphill at times is steep and slippery.
It is around 1.5kms trek (measured with smart watch). This is the path in google maps if you are planning by car.
Forest guards may enter surprisingly and warn or disallow you. They created confusion in our minds as well while return, but we clearly said that we had no idea. They say that the area is owned by forest department and parking lot is not owned by farmer. Ironically, farm land is situated near by parking area. How did reserve forest allow farming activities?
Wear a good pair of shoes including for children also. It helps in wet weather, slippery mud along trail and smooth rock surfaces near waterfall
Visit just after winter sets in. Avoid thunderstorm days when weather pattern is unpredictable. It can pour cats & dogs. Contrastingly, the waterfall may not have much glory if the region did not receive copious rains during monsoon season. You may end up in trouble in former case or disappointment in latter case. Watch MET news before travelling.
Couple of cascades en-route to waterfall are manageable. But the torrents may be unbearable if it rains heavily. Avoid days close to heavy rainfall. Again watch out for rainfall reports from MET department
Most importantly, do not litter please. This is a remote area and no administration would take responsibility to clean the area.
ಮಾಂಡಸ್ ಚಂಡಮಾರುತ ಪ್ರಭಾವ ಬಹಳ ಜೋರಾಗಿಯೇ ಇದೆ. ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ನಗರದಲ್ಲಿ ಆಗಲೇ ೪ ದಿನ ಆಗಿದೆ ಸರಿಯಾದ ಸೂರ್ಯ ಕಾಣಿಸದೆ! ಎಲ್ಲೆಲ್ಲೂ ಚಳಿ, ಜೊತೆಗೆ ಕತ್ತಲೆ. ದಿನವಿಡೀ ಜಿಟಿಜಿಟಿ ಮಳೆ. ವೀಕೆಂಡ್ ಮನೆಯಲ್ಲೇ ಕುಳಿತುಕೊಂಡು ಬಜ್ಜಿ, ಮಸಾಲೆಪುರಿ ತಿನ್ನುವಂತಾಗಿದೆ. ಅತ್ತ ಕರಾವಳಿಯಲ್ಲೂ ಅಕಾಲಿಕ ಮಳೆಯದ್ದೇ ಸುದ್ದಿ. ಮಳೆ, ಕತ್ತಲೆ ಜೊತೆಗೆ ಶೀತ ಜ್ವರದ ಕಗ್ಗತ್ತಲೆ. ಸ್ವೇಟರ್, ಪ್ಯಾಂಟ್ ಜೊತೆಗೆ ದಪ್ಪನೆಯ ಕಂಬಳಿ ಹಾಕಿಕೊಂಡರೂ ಚಳಿ ಇಳಿಯುತ್ತಿಲ್ಲ ಮಾರಾಯ್ರೇ. ೫ ದಿನ ಆಯಿತು ಸೂರ್ಯ ಕಾಣೆಯಾಗಿ. ಬಟ್ಟೆ ಕೂಡಾ ಒಣಗುತ್ತಿಲ್ಲ. ಒಗೆದ ಬಟ್ಟೆಗಿಂತ ಒಗೆಯದೇ ಇರುವ ಬಟ್ಟೆಗಳ ವಾಸನೆ ಕಡಿಮೆ ಇದೆ. fabric conditioner ಕೂಡಾ ಉಪಯೋಗಕ್ಕೆ ಬರುವ ಹಾಗೆ ಕಾಣುತ್ತಿಲ್ಲ. ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿಗರೆಲ್ಲರೂ ಸೂರ್ಯನ ಬರುವಿಕೆಗಾಗಿ ಕಾಯುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಬಹುಷಃ ಬೀದಿ ಬದಿ ವ್ಯಾಪಾರಿಗಳಿಗೆ ವಹಿವಾಟೇ ಇಲ್ಲ ಏಕೆಂದರೆ ಮನೆಯಿಂದ ಹೆಚ್ಚಿನವರು ಹೊರಬರುತ್ತಿಲ್ಲ. ಈ ಊಹಿಸಲಾಗದ ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ಹವಾಮಾನದಿಂದ ಮಕ್ಕಳಿಗೆ ಔಷಧಿ ಕೊಡುವುದೂ ನಿಂತಿಲ್ಲ. ಏನಾಗಿದೆಯೋ ವಾತಾವರಣಕ್ಕೆ? ಬಹುಶಃ ಮಾನವನ ದುರಾಸೆಯ ಪರಿಣಾಮ ಇದ್ದರೂ ಇರಬಹುದು!
ಇಂದಿಗೆ ಸೂರ್ಯ ದೇವರ ದರುಶನವಾಗಿದೆ. ಬಟ್ಟೆ ಒಗೆಯಲೂ ಸುಮಾರು ಇದೆ. ದಿನಪೂರ್ತಿ ಇರುವನೆಂಬ ಆಶೆ ಇದೆ. ಎರಡು ದಿನ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಸಮಯಕ್ಕೆ ಭೂಮಿ ಹೊಕ್ಕವನು ಮತ್ತೆ ಪತ್ತೆಯಾಗಲೇ ಇಲ್ಲ. ಆಶ್ಚರ್ಯದ ಸಂಗತಿಯೇನೆಂದರೆ ಇಷ್ಟು ಚಳಿ ಇದ್ದರೂ ಮಳೆ ಯಾಕೆ ಒಕ್ಕರಿಸುತ್ತಿದೆಯೋ? ಸಮುದ್ರ ಅಷ್ಟೊಂದು ಬಿಸಿಯಾಗಿದೆಯೇ?
ಯಾಕೆ ಮೂಕನಾದ್ಯೋ (ಮುನಿಸಿಕೊಂಡೆಯೋ ಅಥವಾ ಕಾಣೆಯಾದೀಯೋ) ಸೂರ್ಯದೇವನೇ?
ಯಾಕೆ ಮೂಕನಾದೆ?
ಯಾಕೆ ಮೂಕನಾದೆ ಲೋಕ ಬೆಳಗುವ ದಿನಕರ,
ಬೆಳಕು ಚೆಲ್ಲುವರಾರಯ್ಯ ಭಾಸ್ಕರ ಶುಭಕರ
ಮಕ್ಕಳ ಲಂಗ್ಸು, ನೆಗಡಿ ಜ್ವರದ ಬೀಡು
ಕೇಳುವವರಿಲ್ಲ ಒಗೆದ ಬಟ್ಟೆಗಳು ಪಾಡು
ಚಳಿಗೆ ದಿನಪೂರ್ತಿ ನಿದ್ರೆಯ ಮೂಡು (mood)
ದಿನವೆಲ್ಲಾ ಕತ್ತಲು ಕವಿದಿದೆ ನೋಡು
ಶೀಘ್ರದಲಿ ನಮಗೆ ದರುಶನ ನೀಡು
ನಾಲ್ಕು ದಿನದಿಂದ ಮೋಡದ ಪಾರುಪತ್ಯ. ಏನು ಮಾಡುವುದು ಅಂತ ಸುಮ್ಮನೆ ಒಂದು ಸಂಜೆ ಟೈಮ್-ಲಾಪ್ಸ್ ತೆಗೆದೆ. ಹೀಗೆ ಬಂತು ನೋಡಿ ಕೊನೆಗೆ. ಸೂರ್ಯ ಬರುವ ಸೂಚನೆಯೇ ಇರಲಿಲ್ಲ.
ಮಾಂಡಾಸ್ ಮಂಡೆಬಿಸಿಯ ರಗಳೆಯೊಂದಿಗೆ ಸೂರ್ಯ ರಜೆ ಹಾಕಿರುವಂತೆ ಭಾಸವಾಗುತ್ತಿತ್ತು. ಸೂರ್ಯನ ಅಸ್ತಿತ್ವವೇ ಹುಸಿ ಎನ್ನುವಷ್ಟು ರೋಸಿಹೋಗಿತ್ತು. ಇಂದು ಕೊನೆಗೂ ಸೂರ್ಯನ ದರ್ಶನವಾಯಿತು ನೋಡಿ. ಮಾಂಡಸ್ ಮಂಡೆಬಿಸಿ ಮುಗಿಯುತ್ತಿದ್ದಂತೆ ಮುಂದಿನ ವಾರ ಮತ್ತೆ ಕಗ್ಗತ್ತಲು ಒಕ್ಕರಿಸುತ್ತಂತೆ. ಬಂಗಾಳ ಕೊಲ್ಲಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಆಗಲೇ ಗುಸುಗುಸು ಶುರುವಾಗಿದೆ! ಅಲ್ಲಿ ತನಕ ಸೂರ್ಯನ ಕಿರಣಗಳನ್ನು ಆನಂದಿಸಿ.
ಎಲ್ಲರಿಗೂ ಅವರದ್ದೇ ಸ್ವಾರ್ಥ ನೋಡಿ. ಬೇಸಿಗೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಮಳೆ ಬೇಕು, ಚಳಿಗಾಲಕ್ಕೆ ಬಿಸಿಲು ಬೇಕು. ಒಟ್ಟಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರಕೃತಿಯನ್ನು ಕೇಳುವವರು ಯಾರೂ ಇಲ್ಲ. ಎಲ್ಲವು ಮಾನವನೇ ನಿರ್ಮಿಸಿದ ವಾತಾವರಣ. ಪ್ರಕೃತಿ ನಾಶ ಹೆಚ್ಚಾದಂತೆ ಹವಾಮಾನ ಕೂಡಾ ಅದನ್ನು ಸರಿದೂಗಿಸಲು ಶ್ರಮಿಸುತ್ತಿದೆ. ಅದು ನಮಗೆ ವಿಚಿತ್ರ ಆಟದಂತೆ ಕಾಣುವುದು. ನಮಗೆ ನಾವೇ ಹಾಕಿಕೊಂಡ ಬಲೆಯೇ ವಿನಹಾ ಪ್ರಕೃತಿಯ ವೈಚಿತ್ರ್ಯವಲ್ಲ. ಜೀವನವೂ ಹಾಗೆ ನೋಡಿ. ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ಸ್ವಾರ್ಥಿಗಳೇ! ಬಂಧುಗಳಾಗಲಿ, ರಕ್ತಸಂಬಂಧಿಗಳಾಗಳಿ ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ಅವರವರ ಬದುಕಲ್ಲೇ ಮಗ್ನರಾಗಿರುತ್ತಾರೆ. ನಮ್ಮವರು ಎಂಬ ಭ್ರಮೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ನಾವು ಬದುಕಿದರೆ ಕೊನೆಗೆ ಬಲೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ನಾವೇ ಸಿಕ್ಕಿಹಾಕಿಕೊಳ್ಳುತ್ತೇವೆ. ನಮ್ಮ ಜವಾಬ್ದಾರಿ ನಮಗೆ ಅಷ್ಟೇ! ಯಾರನ್ನೋ ನಂಬಿ ಜೀವನ ಮಾಡುವ ಕಾಲವಲ್ಲ ಈ ಕಲಿಯುಗ. ನಮ್ಮ ಕಾಲಲ್ಲಿ ನಾವು ನಿಲ್ಲದಿದ್ದರೆ, ಕಾಲ ಯಾವಾಗ ಕೈಕೊಡುವುದೋ ತಿಳಿಯದು. ಕಾಲ ಕೆಟ್ಟಾಗ ರಕ್ತ ಸಂಬಂಧಿಗಳೂ ಕೂಡಾ ರಕ್ತ ಹೀರುತ್ತಾರೆ.
ಇನ್ನೇನು ಸೂರ್ಯ ಬಂದೇಬಿಟ್ಟ ಅನ್ನುವಷ್ಟರಲ್ಲಿ ಸಂಜೆ ಮತ್ತೆ ಮೋಡದ ಹಿಂದೆ ಮರೆಯಾದ. ಹೀಗೆ ನೋಡಿ ಜೀವನ ಕೂಡಾ. ಅನ್ಯರನ್ನು ಅವಲಂಬಿಸಿದರೆ ಮತ್ತೆ ಕತ್ತಲೇ ಕಾಣುವುದು ನಿಶ್ಚಿತ. ನಮ್ಮ ಪ್ರಯತ್ನದಲ್ಲೇ ಮೇಲೆ ಬರಬೇಕು. ಆಗಲೇ ಭರವಸೆಯ ಎಂಬ ಆಶಾಕಿರಣ ಮೂಡುವುದು.
Today my Airtel SIM switched to 5G network when I was buying groceries near Bhuvaneshwari Nagara Park. Looks like telecom operators after 5G auction, have upgraded their network. Since the network can switch all the way from 2G to 5G and vice-versa, perhaps 3GPP option 3X is deployed. It might take some more years to switch to standalone 5G. Here is snapshot of speed from speedtest. It was whopping 250+Mbps at that time! Also notice the 5G label over signal strength indicator
ಊರಿಂದ ತೆಂಗು ತೆಗೆದುಕೊಂಡು ಬಂದು ಬಹಳ ದಿನಗಳಾಗಿವೆ. ಕೆಲವೊಂದರಲ್ಲಿ ನೀರು ಇದ್ದರೆ, ಕೆಲವಲ್ಲಿ ನೀರು ಆವಿಯಾಗಿದೆ. ಇನ್ನು ಕೆಲವು ಅತಿಯಾಗಿ ಬೆಳೆದು ಮರವಾಗಲು ಹೊರಟಿದೆ 😂. ಕೆಳಗೆ ನಮ್ಮ ಮನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಆದಂತೆ. ಮುಂಗು ಬಂದಿರುವ ತೆಂಗು ಹಲವರು ಉಪಯೋಗಿಸುವುದಿಲ್ಲ. ಅದನ್ನು ಹೆಚ್ಚಾಗಿ ಕೊಬ್ಬರಿ ಆಗಲು ಬಿಡುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಬಹುಶಃ ಅದರ ರುಚಿ ಕಡಿಮೆ ಇರುತ್ತೇನೋ? ಏಕೆಂದರೆ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ರುಚಿ ಮುಂಗಲ್ಲಿ ಹಂಚಿ ಹೋಗಿರುತ್ತದೆ. ಇರಲಿ, ಇಂದು ಕಂಡ ಅತಿ ಬೆಳೆದ ತೆಂಗು ಇಲ್ಲಿದೆ. ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ದಿನ ಬಿಟ್ಟರೆ ದೊಡ್ಡ ಗಿಡ ಆಗುತ್ತಿತ್ತೇನೋ?
ಹಾಗೆಯೇ ಬಹು ದೊಡ್ಡ ಮುಂಗು ಅದರಲ್ಲಿತ್ತು. ನಮ್ಮ ಮನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಮಡದಿಗೆ ಬಿಟ್ಟರೆ ಮುಂಗು ಎಲ್ಲರಿಗೂ ಇಷ್ಟ. ನಾನು ಆಗಲೇ ಅರ್ಧ ಖಾಲಿ ಮಾಡಿದೆ. ಇನ್ನರ್ಧ ಮಕ್ಕಳಿಗೆ ಇಟ್ಟಿದ್ದೇನೆ. ಸಕತ್ ಟೇಸ್ಟ್ ನೋಡಿ. ಒಂತರ ಬಿಂಜ್ ಈಟಿಂಗ್ ನಮ್ಮದು ಮುಂಗೆ ಇದ್ದರೆ. ಇಷ್ಟು ದೊಡ್ಡ ಮುಂಗು ಇದುವರೆಗೆ ಮನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ನೋಡಿಲ್ಲ. ಹಾಗಂತ ಮುಂಗೆ ದೊಡ್ಡದಾಗಲಿಂತ ನಾವು ತೆಂಗಿನಕಾಯಿ ಬೆಳೆಯಲು ಬಿಟ್ಟಿಲ್ಲ ಮಾರಾಯ್ರೇ :-). ಅದರ ಸಮಯ ಮೀರಿತು ಹಾಗೆ ಹೆಚ್ಚಾಗಿ ಬೆಳೆಯಿತು ಅಷ್ಟೇ! ಸಧ್ಯಕ್ಕೆ ಚಿತ್ರದಲ್ಲೇ ಆಸ್ವಾದಿಸಿ :-)
ಏನು ತೆಂಗಿನಕಾಯಿ ಮುಂಗನ್ನು ಅಷ್ಟೊಂದು ಕಡೆಗಣಿಸಬೇಡಿ! ಅದೊಂದು ವ್ಯಾಪಾರ ಮಾರಾಯ್ರೇ! ಇದನ್ನು ಕತ್ತರಿಸಿ ಜೊತೆಗೆ ಅದಕ್ಕೆ ಬೆಲ್ಲದ ಪುಡಿ ಸವರಿ ಕೊಡುತ್ತಾರೆ ವ್ಯಾಪಾರಸ್ಥರು. ನಂಗೂ ತಿಳಿದಿದ್ದು ಇತ್ತೀಚಿಗೆ!
ಏನು ತಲೆಬರಹ ನೋಡಿ ಬೆರಗಾದರೆ. ಇನ್ನು ಸ್ವಲ್ಪವೇ ಸಮಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಇದರ ಒಳ ಮರ್ಮ ತಿಳಿಯುವುದು. ಓದಲು ತಯಾರಾಗಿದ್ದೀರಾ? ಹಾಗಾದ್ರೆ ಶುರು ಹಚ್ಕೊಳೋಣ ಬನ್ನಿ 😀
ನಮ್ಮ ಹೋಮ್-ಮಿನಿಸ್ಟರ್ ಕಾರ್ ಕಲಿಯಲು ತುದಿಗಾಲಲ್ಲಿ ನಿಂತಿದ್ದಾಳೆ. ಹಾಗೆ ಕ್ಲಾಸ್ ಕೂಡಾ ಸೇರಿದಳು ನೋಡಿ. ಇರಲಿ ನನಗು ತುಂಬಾ ಡ್ರೈವ್ ಮಾಡಿ ಸುಸ್ತಾದಾಗ ಉಪಯೋಗವಾಗುತ್ತೆ ಅಂತ ನಾನು ಅಸ್ತು ಎಂದಿದ್ದೆ. ಕಲಿಸುವವನು ಮಂಡ್ಯದವನು. ಇನ್ನೂ ಮದುವೆ ಆಗಿಲ್ಲವಂತೆ. ಅವನು ಸುಮಾರು ಕಥೆ ಹೊಡೀತಾನೆ ಅಂತ ಹೇಳ್ತಿದ್ಲು ನಮ್ಮ ಗೃಹಿಣಿ. ಅದರಲ್ಲಿ ಕೆಳಗೆ ಗೀಚಿರುವುದು ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಕುತೂಹಲಕಾರಿಯಾಗಿತ್ತು. ಓದಿ ಆನಂದಿಸಿ!
ಕಾರು ಕಲಿಸುವವನಿಗೆ ಹಾಲನ್ನ ಮತ್ತು ಮೊಸರನ್ನ ಆಗಲ್ಲ ಅಂತೆ. ಸಣ್ಣವರಿರುವಾಗ ಖಾರ ತಿನ್ನಿಸಿ ತಿನ್ನಿಸಿ ಈಗ ಕೋಪ ಜಾಸ್ತಿ ಆಗಿದೆ ಅಂತ ಅವನ ತಾಯಿ ಪ್ರತಿ ಬಾರಿ ಮನೆಗೆ ಹೋದಾಗ ಮೊಸರನ್ನವನ್ನೇ ಹೆಚ್ಚಾಗಿ ಬಡಿಸುತ್ತಾರೆ ಅಂತೆ. ಇಷ್ಟ ಇರದಿದ್ದರೂ ಕಣ್ಣು ಮುಚ್ಚಿಕೊಂಡು ಎಂಜಾಯ್ ಮಾಡಿಕೊಂಡು ತಿಂತಾನೆ ಅನ್ನೋದು ಅವನ ಹೇಳಿಕೆ. "ಅಲ್ಲಾ ಮೇಡಂ ಸಣ್ಣವರಿರುವಾಗ ಖಾರ ತಿನ್ನಿಸಿ ತಿನ್ನಿಸಿ ಅದೇ ಅಭ್ಯಾಸವಾಗಿದೆ. ಈಗ ಒಂದೇ ಸಲ ಆಹಾರ ಪದ್ಧತಿ ಬದಲು ಮಾಡು ಅಂದ್ರೆ ಯಾರಿಗೆ ರುಚಿಯಾಗುತ್ತೆ ಹೇಳಿ" ಎನ್ನೋದು ಅವನ ವಾದ. "ಏನೋ ಕಣ್-ಮುಚ್ಕೊಂಡು ತಿಂದು ಎಂಜಾಯ್ ಮಾಡೋದು ಮೇಡಂ. ನೀವು ಹಾಗೆ, ಟ್ರಾಫಿಕ್ ಇದೆ ಅಂತಾ ಟೆನ್ಷನ್ ಆಗಬೇಡಿ. ಎಂಜಾಯ್ ಮಾಡಿ, ತಂತಾನೆ ಭಯ ಹೋಗಿ ಒಳ್ಳೆ ಡ್ರೈವರ್ ಆಗ್ತೀರಾ ನೋಡಿ" ಅಂತಾ ಹುರಿದುಂಬಿಸುತ್ತಾನೆ ಕೂಡಾ. ನಮ್ಮ ಮಡದಿಯೋ, ಸ್ಪಾಟ್ ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಒಳಒಳಗೆ ನಕ್ಕು ಸುಮ್ಮನಾಗುತ್ತಾಳೆ, ಮನೆಗೆ ಬಂದು ನನ್ನ ಬಳಿ ಎಲ್ಲಾ ಒದರಿ ಬಾಯಿ ತುಂಬಾ ನಗುತ್ತಾಳೆ 😂.
ಹಾಗೆಯೇ ಹಾಲನ್ನ ದ್ವೇಷದ ಬಗ್ಗೆಯೂ ಅವನು ಹೇಳಿದ್ದನಂತೆ! ೩-೪ ತರಗತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಓದುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾಗ ಅಪರೂಪಕ್ಕೆ ಅಮ್ಮ ಪುಲಾವ್ ಮಾಡಿದ್ದರಂತೆ. ಹಿಂದಿನ ಕಾಲದಲ್ಲಿ ಹಾಗೆ ಅಲ್ಲವೇ! ಇಡ್ಲಿ-ದೋಸೆ ಎಲ್ಲಾ ಅಪರೂಪಕ್ಕೆ ತಯಾರಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದರು. ದಿನಾ ತಿಂಡಿಗೆ ಇರುವುದು ಕುಚಲಕ್ಕಿ ಗಂಜಿ ಮಾತ್ರ. ಅವನಿಗೆ ಪುಲಾವ್ ಅಂದ್ರೆ ತುಂಬಾ ಇಷ್ಟ. ಇಷ್ಟ ಅಂತಾ ಮಧ್ಯಾಹ್ನಕ್ಕೆ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಜಾಸ್ತಿನೇ ಬುತ್ತಿ ಕಟ್ಟಿಕೊಂಡು ಹೋಗಿದ್ದನಂತೆ. ಮಧ್ಯಾಹ್ನ ಊಟ ಮಾಡುವ ಸಮಯ ಬಂದೆ ಬಿಟ್ಟಿತು. ಡಬ್ಬ ಕಳಚಿದ್ದೂ ಆಯಿತು. ಇನ್ನೇನು ತಿನ್ನಲಿಕ್ಕೆ ಹೋಗಬೇಕು ಅನ್ನುವಷ್ಟರಲ್ಲಿ , ತುಂಟಾಟದ ಮಧ್ಯೆ ಓಡಿ ಬಂದು ಸಹಪಾಠಿಯೊಬ್ಬ ಇವನ ಹಿಂದೆಯೇ ಜಾರಿ ಬಿದ್ದನಂತೆ. ಆವಾಗೆಲ್ಲ ಬಯಲಿನಲ್ಲೇ ಊಟ ಅಲ್ಲವೇ, ಸಹಪಾಠಿ ಜಾರಿ ಬಿದ್ದ ಪ್ರಭಾವಕ್ಕೆ ಇವನ ಪುಲಾವ್ ಪೂರ್ತಿ ಮಣ್ಣುಪಾಲಾಯಿತಂತೆ. ಇವನಿಗೋ ಸಿಟ್ಟು ನೆತ್ತಿಗೇರಿತ್ತು ಆದರೂ ಶಾಲೆ ಆದ್ದರಿಂದ ಸುಮ್ಮನಿರಬೇಕಾಯಿತು. ತರಗತಿಯ ಶಿಕ್ಷಕಿ ಸಹಪಾಠಿಗೆ ತಕ್ಕ ಶಿಕ್ಷೆ ಕೂಡಾ ನೀಡಿದ್ದರಂತೆ. ಅದೇನೆಂದರೆ ಸಹಪಾಠಿಯ ಊಟದ ಬುತ್ತಿ ನಮ್ಮ ಜೂನಿಯರ್-ಡ್ರೈವರ್ ಮಹಾಶಯನಿಗೆ ಸಿಕ್ಕಿತಂತೆ. ತೆರೆದು ನೋಡಿದರೆ ಅದರಲ್ಲಿ ಇದ್ದಿದ್ದು ಹಾಲನ್ನವಂತೆ 😂. ಮೊದಲೇ ಕುದಿಯುತ್ತಿದ್ದ ಬೆಂಕಿಗೆ, ಪೆಟ್ರೋಲ್ ಸುರಿದಂತಾಯಿತಂತು ಅವನಿಗೆ. "ಅಲ್ಲ ಮೇಡಂ ಅವ್ನಿಗೆ ಡೈರೆಕ್ಟ್ ಶಿಕ್ಷೆ, ನನಗೆ ಇಂಡೈರೆಕ್ಟ್ ಶಿಕ್ಷೆ ಅಷ್ಟೇ ಇದ್ದಿದ್ದು ವ್ಯತ್ಯಾಸ. ಟೀಚರ್ ಅವನಿಗೇನೋ ಶಿಕ್ಷೆ ಕೊಟ್ರು ಆದರೆ ನನಗೆ ಹಾಲನ್ನ ಅಲ್ಲಲ್ಲ ಹಾಳನ್ನ ತಿನ್ನೋ ಶಿಕ್ಷೆ. ಬೋಳಿ ಮಗನಿಗೆ ಬೇರೆ ಏನಾದ್ರೂ ತರಕ್ಕೆ ಆಗ್ಲಿಲ್ವಾ. ಹೋಗಿ ಹೋಗಿ ನನಗೆ ಗ್ರಹಚಾರ ಒಕ್ಕರಿಸಬೇಕಾ ನೋಡಿ. ಹಸಿವು ಬೇರೆ ಆಗಿತ್ತು. ಬೇರೆ ದಾರಿಯಿಲ್ಲದೆ ತಿಂದುಬಿಟ್ಟೆ. ಆವ್ತತಿಂದ ನಂಗೆ ಅವನ ಕಂಡರು ಆಗಲ್ಲ ಜೊತೆಗೆ ಹಾಲನ್ನ ಕೂಡಾ! ಈಗ ಎಲ್ಲಿದ್ದಾನೋ ಗೊತ್ತಿಲ್ಲ ಆದರೂ ಅವನ ಮೇಲಿರೋ ಕೋಪ ಇನ್ನು ತಗ್ಗಿಲ್ಲ ನೋಡಿ. ಮದುವೆ ಹೋಗಿ ಗಂಜಿ ಉಣ್ಕೊಂಡು ತರ ನನ್ ಪರಿಸ್ಥಿತಿ" ಎಂದು ಅಳಲು ತೋಡಿಕೊಂಡನಂತೆ 😂. ಸಹಪಾಠಿ ಮಾತ್ರ ಮತ್ತೆ ಏನು ತಿಂದಾ ಅನ್ನೋ ಕ್ಲಾರಿಟಿ ಇದುವರೆಗೆ ಸಿಕ್ಕಿಲ್ಲ ಬಹುಶಃ ನನ್ನ ಮಡದಿ ಅದನ್ನ ಮತ್ತೆ ಕೆದಕುವ ಸಾಧ್ಯತೆಯೂ ಶೂನ್ಯ.
"ಆವಾಗಿನ ಟೀಚರ್ ಎಲ್ಲ ಒಳ್ಳೆಯವರಿದ್ರು ಮೇಡಂ. ತಪ್ಪು ಮಾಡಿದವರಿಗೆ ಶಿಕ್ಷೆ ಜೊತೆಗೆ ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿ ಹೇಳಿಕೊಡ್ತಾ ಇದ್ರು. ನಾವು ಕಲಿಲಿಲ್ಲ ಅಷ್ಟೇ! ಅದಿಕ್ಕೆ ಈಗ ಒದ್ದಾಡಿಕೊಂಡು ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಲ್ಲಿ ಜೀವನ ನಡೆಸ್ತಾ ಇದೀವಿ. ಈಗಿನ ಟೀಚರ್-ಗಳು ಶಿಕ್ಷೆ ಕೊಡಕ್ಕೆ ಹೆದರ್ತಾರೆ ಅಂದ್ರೆ ನೋಡಿ ಕಾಲ ಹೇಗೆ ಬದಲಾಗಿದೆ ಅಂತಾ" ಎಂಬ ಬೇಸರದ ಮಾತುಗಳನ್ನೂ ಆಡಿದನಂತೆ.
ಎಷ್ಟು ನಿಜಾನೋ ಎಷ್ಟು ಸುಳ್ಳೋ ಗೊತ್ತಿಲ್ಲ. ಒಟ್ಟಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಬ್ಲಾಗ್ ಬರೆಯಲು ಒಳ್ಳೇ ಟಾಪಿಕ್ ಸಿಕ್ಕಿತು 😂.
This was quite unusual sight during monsoon season that beaches are turning calmer. The lethargic monsoon almost concluded during mid September which is 15 days earlier than actual withdrawal phase. We had sojourn at the beach as part our native visit. Nowadays even Kapu beach is not easy to visit. Visiting native nowadays has also become a rarity. Whenever opportunity knocks, its time to rejoice in ocean melody even if it is for few seconds! We hardly got time to enjoy in waters owing to winter weather. The Sun-down is faster and night creeps in early. Kids enjoyed in play area for a while before we put our foot on sea water. That was hardly 30 minutes spent.
Beaches in coastal Karnataka are ferocious during monsoon. It's impossible to venture into violent waters. The mighty sea easily gulps anyone who try to dare their tides. But there are times during monsoon when sea is calmer especially when monsoon takes a break. The beaches are far more inviting on those days. The seas roar vehemently during peak monsoon season but far calmer when things thaw. Same ideals apply to us as well. Be confident when things are going right. At the same time, show humility and remain calmer when things go awry. Like seas, we should be able to live with both sky-high and rock-bottom situations.
The waves and Twilight and colorful horizon is therapy for soul while the sea waters are cleanser for body. The sound of sea-tides repeatedly hitting shore is natural stress buster. It can heal stress quite effectively.
Here is a short video clip of rhythmic beach waves. Their sounds are true stress-busters after hectic week
