Trip to Hampi (25th-27th, July,2008)

It was a trip to the 'ruined city' "the forgotten empire", an unforgettable one. It was like travelling back in time, about 700 yrs ago. I felt as if I am in ancient India, roaming in my kingdom. Btw I played the Senapati during the whole trip which added to the fun. Stupendous sculptures, astonishing structures, awsome art with science beyond our times and kachcha roads surrounded by huge monlithic rocks adds to the royal and ancient looks of the whole place. A must visit destination in North Karnataka approx 350 Kms from Bangalore.

The trip started on 25th july, friday night (10:00 pm) with Hampi Express journey from Bangalore to Hospet(13 Kms from Hampi) (8:00 am). We had booked our rooms in Ksrtc hotel Mayuri Buvneshwari (kamlanagar)which turned out to be good value for money deal. As a bonus we encountered a beautiful 7 feel cobra and scorpio in the hotel premises.
We started with Royal encloure which consisted of queens bath, dabbi, lotus palace, elephant stables, janana enclosure, underground shiva temple, Hazara Rama temple. To add to all this were the two huge rocky hills to the left of janana enclosure, and I must admitt climbing them was one of the high point of the trip. Just unbelievable view from the top and best part is not many people try that, hence its a kind of an adventure and once u reach the top, their is enough privacy to try out divine acts (ofcourse need to have right company).
Then we visited krishna enclosure, ugranarsimha and a few ganesha temple on our way to hampi from kamalanagar. It was approx 5 kms ride on bikes which we hired(recommended). By then it was time for dinner,we tried the famous hampi joint (mango tree), though the ambience was great, river side, darkish, lamps, mango tree, but food was very ordinary.
Next day we headed for Tungabhadra dam which was 20 kms ride, nice place. Then we visted Vitthala temple the most recommended enclosure of hampi. Just incredible !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A kind of mini village, with completely royal feel to it. There one can find stoned chariot, musical pillars (scientifically mind blowing), sugriva caves and alot more.
In the last leg we visited monolithic bull, achutya raya temple.

In all it was one of the best trips i have ever experienced and very different in a way it takes u back in time. As this place was a ruined one not many things changed since then and ruined stuctures are there.
Guide and hired bikes are recommended for the trip................ We hired bikes through a person in the hotel itself (250 per bike per day).
Love to go back their again.........

Art of living

It has been almost 45 days of association with art of living. I have no doubt that it has brought about a positive change in my life. It has definitelty infused a breath of fresh air. Life looks a lot more beautiful, hence things become so easy. I have been smiling alot more , thanks to art of living and people I met there. I am yet to come accross a person who hasnt left smiling after attending any of living course. Specially going to the ashram is like being in a space with happiness all around. You see anybody and a connection is felt immediately because smiles are exchanged everytime. World looks heaven when i imagine such an environment, everywhere.
I have done YES+ and YES++ courses and found preachings so practical and simple.
I dont know how much even i myself can believe this, but things out of my hand are falling in place since then. Wanna go deeper into this !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!