Hey again,

As we live in very modern world, everything moving around us is so fast. why not our browser then?
Goodbye trackers, hello speed. Get faster private browsing for your Android and iOS with Firefox.

http://mzl.la/1MH0mRX

http://mzl.la/1OW7Fef

regards,
Sudhanvi.

Hey folks,
I want to start this post with an apology. Sorry for being inactive and thanks a lot for all your visits. Every single visit is very valuable.

I want to make a little announcement that we will continue this blog posting all about tourism. We can help you with our itineraries for India and all other destinations.

We both sisters are trying our best to introduce the most beautiful but unexplored locations all over India to you people. I wish our blog will have more hits sooner.

http://www.triphobo.com/tripplans/delhi/itinerary-from-gwalior-56506ac98a46cb9679001340
The above given link is a small itinerary for a comfortable 2 day visit in Delhi.

Thank you,
Sudhanvi.

"SHOCK"

The idiom which drags my attention towards cross-culture is “walk a mile in someone else’s shoes”, where it replicates our personality in other’s practice.  This topic was really amazing as I am from Andhra Pradesh (South India) staying almost 1500kms away from home in Gwalior for doing my Master’s, studying a subject like cross-culture management, being experiencing and trying to manage it everywhere it  makes me write a few of my amazing as well as disgusting experiences.

Being in India, knowing the script, passed out with 82/100 marks in national language (Hindi) at board exams, ends up not knowing how to speak and communicate, not even knowing difference in calling thin guys as PATHLI which makes everyone to laugh at me which in turn made mockery of mine and not the thin guys, was really embarrassing. Yet many sympathetically soothing words from friends, it’s ok suru, vellala, archita, sai, many nick names from fellow friends as my name is VELLALA SURARCHITA SAI.  

Nevertheless, feeling sick of eating roti’s, potato in every dish, samosa, paav baji and thinking of mouthwatering Dosa, Idly sambar, comes to mind a sought of realization of having a wonderful mother who cooks delicious as i always use to demand her to cook well.

As per the tradition even from childhood we south Indian girls used to put bindhi or tilak everyday which generally replicates a signature of Hinduism, but here in north India the girls used occasionally only for festivals, functions and even some put after marriage which gave me a cultural blow. And Now that I’ve got a good reason to not put bindhi and an excuse to tell my mother that’ mom, chill the environment where I am now is totally different, and I got synced in it.’

SURARCHITA SAI

Unknown facts - 1

It is really exciting for me to write about one of the most cruel personalities ever known, " ADOLF HITLER". He is well known as leader of Nazis. Though he was referred so cruel, he was well admired for his discipline and leadership qualities. It may be hard but one has to accept the fact that Hitler was one of the greatest leaders ever lived. 

Here I would like to disclose some interesting facts about Adolf Hitler.

• Hitler's name would have been "Adolf Schicklgruber". His name was changed to Hitler in 1877.
• He was born in Austria and was given German citizenship in 1932.
• He was saved by a priest from drowning when he was four.
• As a child, Hitler wanted to be a priest.
• As a child, Hitler's dream was to become a famous artist. He applied twice to the Vienna Academy of Art but was denied entrance both times.
  
  
  
  
  


• Hitler had a portrait of Henry Ford behind his desk regarding him as an inspiration.
• Hitler was a vegetarian. It is believed he gave up eating meat after witnessing an autopsy. He planned to reduce German society's meat consumption after the war ended.
• There was a Jewish-Austrian doctor who didn't charge Hitler's family due to their economic hardship.Hitler had him protected and called him Noble Jew.
• Hitler suffered from ailurophobia, the fear of cats.
• In 1913, Hitler, Stalin, Trotsky, Tito and Freudall lived within a few miles of each other in Vienna, with some of them being regulars at the same coffeehouses.
• Hitler never learned to drive. Yet, he spearheaded the development of the Volkswagen car.
  
• Hitler suffered chronic flatulence and took 28 different drugs to fight it.
• Hitler was an insomniac. He would work until 4 or 5 am and would typically get up around 11 am. It was believed that Hitler had Parkinson's Disease which can cause insomnia.
• Hitler led the first public anti-smoking campaign in modern history. He was a gentleman!

German's anti-smoking ad

• Hitler loved sweets. He was known to consume 2 pounds of chocolate a day.
• Its hard to believe but Hitler was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1939. 
• In 1938, Hitler was TIME Magazine's Man of the Year. OMG!
  
• Hitler's girlfriend Eva Braun tried to commit suicide twice before finally taking her life beside Hitler after marrying him. She was not remorseful of the monster she was involved with but attempted it twice to get more attention from him.
  
• This one is surely epic, Both Adolf Hitler and Osama Bin Laden were announced dead on May 1.

-Sudhanvi Vellala

Bengaluru dairies - 1

"Bengaluru - what a rocking city",  a dialogue by Dulquar Salman in the movie "Bangalore Days". Yes, it is true. Everyone who visits Bengaluru tells the same. Bengaluru is fourth largest metropolitan city in India. It is also known as "Silicon Valley of India" as it is one of the leading IT exporter. It is known for beautiful gardens and pleasant climate throughout the year.

I took a bus to Bengaluru from my hometown Kadapa. It was around 6.15 when the bus entered the Bengaluru city. It was a pleasant winter morning. I loved watching Bengaluru's high buildings and beautifully built shopping malls from my window. At 7 in the morning bus entered Majestic. Majestic is one of the most crowded places in Bengaluru. Then I boarded a BMTC bus from Majestic to Mekhri circle. On the way I had a glimpse of Palace Guttahalli and Palace grounds. Though it was 7.30 in the morning, traffic was really horrible. To travel 6 kms it took around 30 min. 

The purpose of my visit was to greet my Pinni (aunt) and her new born baby boy. On my very first day in Bengaluru I visited BBH ( Bengaluru Baptist Hospital) where my pinni was admitted. The feeling was really amazing when i took my lil cousin into my hands. He was joyful and cheerful, I kept playing with him for so long. After I came back from hospital, my two baby cousins Manu and Sindhu took me to "Mantri Square". It is one of the biggest malls in Bengaluru, we did some shopping there. After shopping we went to amoeba where we spent Rs. 200 and we won a doll worth Rs. 20 yeah that's a big achievement. The next notable thing is Scary house not so scary but children will enjoy it. Mantri square really has a big food court with around 35+ food and beverages outlets. Pizza Hut was our next target, we rushed into it and I had my favorite farm hut. Manu also had pizza with me and Sindhu had her Italian cheese pasta. 

Sindhu and I

Manu enjoying herself

We returned home, and started planning for the next day. My first day in Bengaluru successfully came to an end.

- Sudhanvi Vellala

Vaikunta Ekadasi

Lord Vishnu is considered as one of the three most supreme powers. Our sacred books described Lord Vishnu as "THE PROTECTOR". He is also known as NEELA MEGHA SHYAMA which means to have a dark complexion as clouds does. GARUDA, an eagle is said to be the mount of Lord Vishnu. Vishnu Sahasranama is said to be a collection of thousand Vishnu namas (names). Several festivals are celebrated in glory of Lord Vishnu all over the country.

Vaikunta Ekadasi

Vaikunta Ekadasi is observed in the name of Lord Vishnu, which falls on 11th day of telugu month Pushyamasam. It is one of the major religious festivals in South India and also called as Mukkoti Ekadasi. This month falls in the end of Dakshinayana (winter solstice) or beginning of Uttarayana (summer solstice). It is believed that, fasting on Mukkoti Ekadasi is equivalent to 23 ekadasi's in Hindu calender. Vaikunta Dwaram or The Gate to Lord's inner Sanctum is opened between 4 to 6 am.The sanctum’s northern gate is opened during this time (Bramha muhurtham).





No rice should be taken on Ekadashi days and this is very important. It is said that the sweat that fell down from the head of Brahma assumed the form of a demon and he asked the Lord to provide him an abode to dwell. Brahma said to the demon to go and dwell in the rice particles eaten by people on Ekadashi day and become worms in their stomach. For this reason rice is prohibited on Ekadashi. If one observes the Ekadashi fast regularly, Lord Vishnu is propitiated. All sins are destroyed and the mind is purified. Devotion gradually develops and love for God becomes intense. Orthodox people in South India observe complete fasting and vigil even on ordinary Ekadashi days.

A demon Mura, who harassed both devas and mortals, when devas approached Lord Shiva, who directed them to Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu agreed to help them and a battle began between the demon and Lord Vishnu. When lord Vishnu was taking rest inside a cave called ‘Himavati’ in Badrikashrama. Mura decided to slay the lord. But the female energy emerged from Vishnu’s body and vanquished Mura. Lord Vishnu was pleased by the maiden named her Ekadasi and granted her a boon. Ekadasi requested the lord that whoever observes a fast on this day should be redeemed of their sins. The Lord thus declared that people who observed a fast on that day and worshiped Ekadasi, would attain Vaikunta.





In North India Vaikunta Ekadasi is celebrated in the name of Putrada Ekadasi, means fasting on this day blesses childless couples with a child. King Suketu, who is the ruler of the city of Bhadravati. Shaivya is his wife. The couple are childless. Unhappy and sad with this, the couple decided to leave their kingdom and go into the forests. The royal couple hands over the affairs of the kingdom to a trusted minister and leaves to the forest. At one point of time, they even consider committing suicide but they withdraws back thinking it to be a cowardice act. One day, the couple hears vedic chants and moves towards the direction. They see few sages praying to Lord Vishnu on the bank of a lotus pond. After the recital, the couple gets to know about the Putrada Ekadashi fast and upon observing it with utmost devotion, they are blessed with a son.

In Tirupathi, Lord Venkateswara Temple this day is celebrated with pomp and devotees visit to see Lords divine blessings though entering Vaikunta Dwaram.Ekadasi is celebrated at Srirangam for 21 days. Ten Days before Ekadasi is called Pagal Patthu (festival day time) and Ten Days after are called Ira Patthu (festival in nights). On Vaikuntha Ekadasi day Lord Ranganatha Moolavar is clothed in armour of pearls and Tiruvaranga Utsavar wearing a diamond coat will be taken to 1000 pillar hall through northern gate. This gate is believed as gate to Vaikuntham and opens only on Vaikuntha Ekadasi. Lord Vishnu holds divine darbar along with all Alwars and Nalayaram Divya Prabandham is recited.





This year vaikunta ekadasi falls on Jan 1st, may Lord Vishnu shower his divine blessings on everyone.

-Sudhanvi Vellala

A Happy New Year

I feel a great pleasure and honor starting this blog. I wholeheartedly welcome everyone who further reads my blog. I Sudhanvi Vellala along with my elder sister Surarchita Vellala started this blog to share whatever information worth sharing.

NEW YEAR

Everything in this world is very fascinating and sometimes even mysterious. We follow principles set by unknowns centuries ago. We were given thousands of cultures and thousands of civilizations existed. Every special day in the calender has its own significance and history. We all celebrate New Year's eve very grandly, though there are 12 months why we celebrate January 1st as New Year ? why is new year celebrated on January 1st every year, shouldn't it change every year? In general, Christmas is considered as the most holiest day why don't it be celebrated as a new year? It usually falls halfway between Christmas and Epiphany, is there any connection? These are some general questions arise in our minds when we think of the history behind Jan 1st.

Before it was announced as a new year, Jan 1st was a Civil Event. At present New Year is celebrated according to Roman custom. The name January comes from Roman God for beginnings, gateways and departure Janus. The logic behind celebrating Jan 1st as New year is, Earth revolves in a very closest orbit to The Sun around this time. Scientifically this event was given a name perihelion. It was also said that, January month marks the beginning of long days after winter solstice in the northern hemisphere. However, people didn't always celebrate the new year on Jan 1st.

Roman god Janus

Iraqis (earlier Mesopotamian) were the first to celebrate new year in 2000 B.C. They celebrated new year around March during vernal equinox. Egyptians and Persians celebrated new year around September during autumnal equinox. Greeks celebrated new year around December during winter solstice. Around 16th century a movement was started to restore Jan 1st as new year, since then we are following the "New Style  or Gregorian calender" . 

Sydney has already welcomed 2015 with colorful fireworks. I hope this new year brings everyone joy and prosperity. May god bless us with all happiness in this year.

-Sudhanvi Vellala