Har har gange

Last weekend we had a very holy experience at the city of temples, Varanasi.
It was a refreshing journey making us touch base with the reality of the nation.
There were a lot of first timers in this vacation. My children got onto the flight for the first time. Our first trip to the North of India, etc.
The Hindi spoken brought out nostalgia from me.
Our first day was consumed by flight delays and destination arrival. On reaching our hotel room, which was fabulous, we quickly got ready for the darshan.
I was really saddened seeing the plight of the most important jyothirling. All attempts to keep the premises neat and clean went in vain. We got darshan very quickly since the temple was more or less empty. We also visited the Annapurna devi and visalakshi temples. The temples here are smaller compared to the ones in the South.
Next was Ganga  aarti prior to which we saw all the ghats from the boat. Ganga  aarti was also a new thing for everyone, although I have seen it in haridwar but this was definitely unique.
Next day we visited Allahabad. The dip in the holy triveni sangam was the next pit stop. The journey was prolonged due to kavariyaan special during the holy sravan maasam.
But the whole experience of getting into the water in between two boats was exhilarating. My kids enjoyed it, no matter how scared they were.
The last day was spent in another darsanam of lord Siva

Uppungule Godavari

Maha pushkaralu comes once in 144 years. Do not miss it. This is what is displayed in the advertisements put up by Telangana government. Amma also asked me if we were planning to come. I was hesitant, thinking of the kids. But since AMMA and Attayyagaru were also coming, both my husband and I decided to go. And I was not disappointed.

An amazing NH44 and greenery on both sides of the highway, it was a wonderful respite from our daily routine. An icing on the cake was the slight drizzle that quenched the thirst of the land and the humans.

Kudos to the government for the arrangements at the ghat and the banners giving the information. Full marks to the police force employed, and the volunteers who are always ready to help.

We visited the sri ram sagar dam in Pochampad. There were announcement of crocodile near by. My son was apprehensive of getting into water. But my daughter, not a chance. She thoroughly enjoyed her time, though limited, in water.

Surprisingly, even i had a great time in the holy river. All the tiredness of the journey vanished while I was in the water.

The roads were crowded, though. Lack of train and bus tickets, many families ventured the road way. Toll gates took a toll on time.

Barring pukes of my daughter, the journey was a wonderful one. Thanks to all who helped us!