Ennoda padam...

Hi Ppl...

Please find my photo psots @

www.photo.net/photos/karthik_r

http://www.digital-photo-forum.com/photos/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/96

Photography Competition

ISRO - NASA MOU - My Reflections

The annual turnover of the company Im working is around 580 Cr INR. This I feel must be the average turnover of any company (division) in the manufacturing sector. This is the state and level of our economy. But, the Chandarayan project is alone 386 crores. Well, I don’t expect any satellite launch to be less than this amount. My debate is on the purpose of this launch.

The purpose of space exploration is a topic of debate all thru the world. Whether the money expended for it is worth or not! Well it can be a topic of debate in country like USA. That money can do great things in India. For me it could lay one more channel of rail between Chennai and Coimbatore which could accommodate two more trains reducing the travel time and need not plan my travel months ahead. For ISRO its just a new trail and promotions to a few scientists. (My sincere apologies to all hard work by our scientists).

Technology developed and areas of research should be towards the welfare of the people and the country. I dint say that the works done by ISRO are all waste of money. The educational SAT and the satellites for military applications have taken our nation several leaps.

US by deploying M3 pay load get the benefit free transport and easy results on their table. Also it is a easy way to have a sneak preview of the Indian technology. We wont be able to have any tangible benefit by mapping the terrain and minerals on the moon’s surface.

Any technology developed should have direct impact on the people. Im not denying the need for “fundamental research”. But, we should see that the benefits should be tangible.

When you combine people and technology, you have a very powerful combination. Why don’t we think about that?

Chidambara Ragasiyam

On Saturday 22-Apr-06 I along with my roommates planed a trip to Chidambaram. It was my first visit to Chidambaram. The only thing I missed was my camera, without which I felt like a hand broken. My friend Prakash informed me that photography was not available in the temple premises. But I see a lot of photos being published in the web. Probably, next time I’ll try my luck… ok… lemme describe Chidambaram.

Chidambaram (Chid – Heart, ambaram – universe) is the heart of the universe, has the courtyard where the cosmic dance was once staged. Its is a aksha (space) sthalam. The cosmic dance is commonly refered to as “siva thandavam” and that particular abinaya is called “anandha thandavam”. It is my feeling that anyone who is dedicated siva bakhtha will get feeling of happiness after having the deva darshanam. Several kings who were siva bakthas have built and developed the temple across centuries. The temple is not symmetric unlike other big temples in tamilnadu.

The main temple covers a big area of around 30 acres and the whole township of Chidambaram has developed around this temple. The temple is surrounded huge walls on four sides with a gopuram on each side. These gopurams feature different abinayas of natiyam. The gopurams are lit with oil lamps in the night. The temple comprises of three prakarams and 5 sabha’s are distributed across them. They are Chitsabha, Kanakasabha, Nrityasabha, Devasabha and Rajasabha. Chitsabha is the sanctum sanctorum. Rajasabha is the famous mandappa having 1000 pillars. There is big theppakulam (tank) in the outermost prakram towards the north.

The whole temple beyond the outer prakaram is highly ornate. The courtyard is highly ornate. One should note that even the floor in the courtyard is laid with single granite slabs across the path. The courtyard leads to the sanctum by 5 silver steps which represent “Na Ma Si Va Ya” the universal I. There is a screen behind Natarajar which is supposed to hide the lingam. This is supposed to be called as the Chidmabara Ragasiyam. There are golden I leaves where I live in the night. I and I (gold) I are said to be adorned with golden plates on the roof.

Natarajar

Natarjar has a face with four shoulders, three eyes, to the left destructive fire (in the hand), moon and leaves on the head, hand stretching downwards, the raised foot pointing down, to the right swastika earring, Damarukam (drum), ganga (in the head), and protection posture, salutations to that God of ceaseless dance whose matted hair is flowing, standing on the unconscious body (hyapasmara deham.

The shrine of Govindharaja Perumal lies to the right of Natarajar. It is said that Vishnu has seen the cosmic dance of shiva when he came in the disguise of Pathanjali.

The sanctum of Sivakama Sundari lies to the left of Natarajar Sannidhi. It is said that Natarajar defeated Devi by dancing here. By this tradition the Natiyanjali (dance festival) is conducted here. The images of Ratnasabhapati (Nataraja of Ruby), the Spatika Lingam of Chandramauleeswara are in the Chitsabha. I felt a stream of energy flowing thru my veins at ponnambalam (golden hall). Lord shiva is said to dance thandavam in different situations like bliss, creation, destruction, protection etc. These actions represent the basic cosmic activities which happen from micro to macro level throughout this universe.

I was amazed at the paintings Subramania temple next to the Ambal temple. There is a painting with an elephant somewhere in the mid roof. The roof is curved. From either side (right/ left) the elephant appears to look at you.

One I understood was that our ancestors have left a wealth of information in these temples and scriptures. The sanctorum was closed during the pooja and we were waiting outside the courtyard for the shrine to be open. I was wondering “how do I know when they open the shrine?” But when the temple bell rung I along with others without any second thought ran towards the courtyard for darshan. Then I understood why a temple bell is rung during a pooja. Many others came a filled the courtyard. The day I went went to the temple was a on a Mahaabishekam day. It happens 6 times annually. Loads of milk, tender coconut water and honey were showered on the deity. On this day they move the deity slightly outside. I had good darshan and came out fulfilled.

Namshivaya vazlga
Nathan than thal vazlga