Crochet

I have lost my maternal Grannie recently. She was quite a lady. She married my Grandpa when she was just seven years old. She had to care for a huge joint family of In-laws, brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, cousins and other relatives of my Grandpa. Apart from this friends and other distant relatives used to drop by regularly

My Grandpa's family were and are still highly regarded in the literary and musical circles in this part. He had a good knowledge of Carnatic and Hindustani Music. So when ever there were any concert in the town, the music stalwarts,used to stay in their home. It was a huge palatial home with a big garden. My mother, my aunts and uncles are all well trained in Carnatic or Hindustani music, either vocal or instrumental.

Any way my Grannie had a lot to do day and night. But in spite of that she learnt music, both singing and playing Veena all through raising the family of seven children. She wrote many songs on her own and composed them. She also collected and learned many traditional and folk songs from Sadhus, beggars and Musicians. She also passed BA in those days and was very good in English. Till she died she used to very proudly recall her student days in Girls school run by Christian missionaries. There she learned sewing, embroidery, crochet and many other such handicrafts. She was a very great cook and made the finest of delicacies, snacks, pickles, be it for one or hundred. She was also very well versed in Ayurveda and knew how to make many of the medicines.

Her enthusiasm for learning something new all the time, interacting with people from various regions, cultures and back grounds, learning about their culture, their cuisines, customs, traditions, art and crafts was boundless. This was what she taught me as a child.

Even when she was in bed, whenever someone used to visit her irrespective of the age of the visitor, she used to interact with them, knowing about latest fashions in clothes, jewelery, politics, movie stars, recipes...she was very lively and enthusiastic.
Any way coming to the point, when I was spring cleaning some old trunks, I landed upon some Crochet items she made. They are nearly 50 years old. Can they be called antique?Alas they have that yellowish tinge now and also have some rust marks. I could not remove them despite the best of my efforts or whiten them.

She had made lots of table covers, tray covers, bags, torans (used for decorating door ways), door curtains and many more. Her door curtains I remember were very beautiful. My mom also used to make many items. But again the door curtains were the in thing in those days. They used to depict mythological figures of Rama, Hanuman carrying the Sanjeevani mountain, Radha Krishna, Goddess Lakshmi standing/sitting in lotus, Goddess Saraswathi, floral motives like roses, lotuses, etc, birds like peacocks, swans, parrots and many other motives like deers, elephants etc. Alas I have only very few of my Gran's articles with me now.

I want to share some of the crochet my Grannie, my mom and my sis have made. I am trying to unearth more of my Gran's and mom's creations. Let me try my luck.

This is a circular tray cover. Such covers are used to cover trays when sweets, snacks or condiments are sent to our neighbors, relatives or friends kept in circular silver trays.

The center part of the cover.

This is the design on the edge.

Another circular tray cover

My Grannie used to put her initials in all her creations.

These are collar for blouses-unfinished

This is a square shaped table/tray cover made by Grannie.

See my Grannie's initials. BSM.

Meant to be bag for carrying lunch to school by kids; made by my Grannie.

Another one, note the design. But such an ugly spot. I could not remove it. Any suggestions for removing the ugly spot? Please let me know. I would be very grateful.

Other side of the bag.

Another piece of circular cover.

This is the cover for feeding bottle made by my Grannie or my mom. Later on it was used to carry flask. This looks a bit freash since I washed it with some stain remover hot water.

The Toran or curtain for door ways.
This is yet again a circular tray cover. but made by my sister.

Center of the cover.

This one is made by my sister, with scraps of wool. She is much more proficient in crochet than me. I somehow don't have much interest in this art, though I can create some pieces myself.

This one is again made by my sis. But this is the one which made by using the nails on a frame and knotting the yarn. I don't know what this art is called. Can any one please tell me?

Hope you have enjoyed this. Please do let me know. Your comments and suggestions are welcome and I would be very much interested in knowing please.

Strength of a Man and Beauty of a Woman

I read this somewhere I dont remember but I loved it. So thought I would share it with you too

Strength of a Man

The strength of a man isn't seen in the width of his shoulders.
It is seen in the width of his arms that encircle you.
The strength of a man isn't in the deep tone of his voice.
It is in the gentle words he whispers.
The strength of a man isn't how many buddies he has.
It is how good a buddy he is with his kids.
The strength of a man isn't in how respected he is at work.
It is in how respected he is at home.
The strength of a man isn't in how hard he hits..
It is in how tender he touches.
The strength of a man isn't how many women he's Loved by.
It is in can he be true to one woman.
The strength of a man isn't in the weight he can lift.
It is in the burdens he can understand and overcome.

Beauty of a Woman

The beauty of a woman
Is not in the clothes she wears,
The figure she carries,
Or the way she combs her hair.
The beauty of a woman
Must be seen from her eyes,
Because that is the doorway to her heart,
The place where love resides.
The beauty of a woman
Is not in a facial mole,
But true beauty in a woman
Is reflected in her soul.
It is the caring that she lovingly gives,
The passion that she shows,
The beauty of a woman
With passing years-only grows.

Lucky is the man who is the first love of a woman,
but luckier is the woman who is the last love of a man

I am back

Hi Friends..

I am back after a long time. This looks like a kind of hide and seek with me. Isn't it? LOL!. Sorry but cant help it. I have been very busy with my work, touring from one place to another and not having much time to be at home. My house in chaos, with me neglecting it for the past three and half months or so.

Added to that we are having some repair work going on. The workers have turned my little garden upside down. All my potted plants have been just piled in various corners. Some of my plants have been uprooted and dumped in some bucket or a can waiting to be replanted. My entire garden and my pots are covered with the rough soil.

Just a few months back I had the top soil removed and red soil put in its place along with manure. My plants were just beginning to gain the strength after a long and tough summer we had. Though rains in this monsoon season were not as plenty as it should be, the few spells have revived my plants. Roses, Hibiscus, various varieties of Jasmines were blooming. I had even bought some plants-like Wood Apple, Gooseberry, Pines and Junipers for training them into Bonsais. But could not pot them.

Now I need to clean my garden off all the cement, stones and rough soil, get the top soil changed and add manure apart from cleaning all my potted plants and Bonsais. Its going to be quiet a back breaking work reconstructing my garden from the beginning. I just hope none my plants die. That's so unbearable. Some of them are quite old ones.

I think it may take me at least a month or two of regular work to set my garden right. But with the festivals of Dushera and Diwali coming along I doubt how much work can be put in.

Oh by the way, some my friends wanted me to post on some Indian embroidery techniques. It was long overdue. I promised them I would do some posts but could not keep my promise due to my hectic work schedule. Now I would like to.....

Since I am back- hope with a vengeance, thinking of posting regularly, I have unearthed all my unfinished hobby projects-needle works, quilts (traditional Indian type), painting projects, crafts and many more. I just want to finish them one by one and share them with you all as I finish them.

Oh I am also involved in making some squares for a quilt, which is for charity. I am new to this form of quilting. So I am so excited. Though I am only required to do the top square by 31st October. Thank you Joan for giving this opportunity to us.

I am also involved in one of the Fall challenges- hand embroidery. I would like to thank Melissa for giving this opportunity. Without such challenges people like me who want to pursue their hobbies but unable to do so due to various reasons cant do much. Such challenges provide an opportunity, motivating us not only to complete the project(LOL) but also to do our best, in the process learning from other members of the group who are all very well talented.

I am eagerly awaiting the entries by other participants to see and learn from their creativity.

So friends just watch out my blog for various techniques, crafts and tutorials in the coming fortnight or so.

Monsoon

Friends I am sorry I have been away for long due to some personal commitments. Its Monsoon time here in India. We are all eagerly awaiting rains after a very hot summer. But the amount of rainfall is not very encouraging so far. Our farmers are really worried as it is very late already for them to go in for their farming activities. I hope and pray that Monsoons really give the required amount of rainfall or else we will have no food at all.
But the climate now is very pleasant. Skies cloudy, drizzling slightly now and then. Ahh isn't it a blessing from the Heavens to the Mother Earth, parched after a long hot summer...
Mother Nature is slowly springing into life with beautiful lively green leaves and colourful flowers, bird calls..Hmmm I love this. I love Monsoons in India. They are celebration of life....

Mango-The King Of Fruits

King of Fruits-Golden Yellow

Mango no doubt is the King of fruits. Its is quite popular with everyone and I don't think there is any one who does not like this fruit.The word mango comes from the Malayalam word"Manga". However the origin of the -o ending word "Mango" in English is unclear. Its called as "Aam" in Hindi and "Mamidi" in Telugu.

Yummy yummy Yellows and Golden Greens

The mango is indigenous to the Indian Subcontinent. It is Cultivated in many tropical regions and distributed across the world, mango is one of the most extensively used fruits for food, juice, flavor, fragrance and color, making it a common ingredient in new functional foods often called super fruits.

The mango is believed to be originated in Southeast Asia where it has been grown for over 4,000 years. Over the years mango groves have spread to many parts of the tropical and sub-tropical world, where the climate allows the mango to grow its best.

Alphonso- costliest ones and Rows of Greens N Yellows

Mango trees are evergreens which will grow up to 60 feet tall. It will fruit 4 to 6 years after planting. It requires hot, dry periods to set and produce a good crop. I was amazed that there are over 1,000 different varieties of mangoes throughout the world.

And the smell of the flowers...hmmmm. I cant describe the smell. I just love it. I associate the smell with summertime warm and happy. The moment the mango tree starts to flower, we have the koel-a cuckoo like bird black in colour with crimson eyes but with sweet voice. In spring time we can hear the males calling for mates-ku-oo ...ku-oooo. When we answer them they keep on cooing and come in search of us. As a child it was one of my favorite past times to keep calling to the koels. I used to think at least I knew one of the birds language. Well any way it is believed that koels eat the young shoots or leaves of the mango and get such beautiful voice.

The green leaves are used to decorate doorways on auspicious functions and also used in religious functions. The green colour is symbol of prosperity and auspicious .

Raw mangoes are used for making various dishes like Pulihora (sour rice), chutneys, panna (juice) and of course pickles. My state of Andhra is very famous for pickles especially mango. In India they use a sour mango powder containing powdered dried up green mangoes called "Amchoor", both as a seasoning and as tenderising agent. But through out India mangoes are pickled which differ in taste and variety. Any way I will write on this separately.

Off season-fruits through out year and Me pickling raw mangoes

Dried raw mango pieces and powder

Talking about the fruits, they arrive by mid April. They are sweet smelling, very delicious, rich in vitamins like A and C minerals anti-oxidants and have medicinal properties. They also contain an enzyme with stomach soothing properties similar to papain found in papayas.

Reds n Yellows

The colour of the fruit can be greens, oranges yellows and reds and a combination of these. Its is really a feast for the eyes. I just love these various coloured mangoes. Sizes also differ, round, long, small, oval and also the smell. The most expensive is supposed to be the "Alfonso" variety.

Reds, Greens, Yellows and Oranges- Colours of Nature

Basically there are three varieties. One which are sweet and sour and crunchy and can be eaten as slices when semi ripened, one that can be served as cut fruit or used in salads and decorations when ripe and the one which is juicy when ripe.

The Bigger ones

The king sized ones

Smallest ones in the show

Mango fruit is eaten, as slices, used in ice creams, or juice is extracted and consumed directly or used in making squashes, jams and sweets . Eating a juicy mango fruit with out spilling a drop is an art itself.We eat fruit in the afternoons like a snack to beat the heat. In the night it is just rice with buttermilk and a mango. Sometimes, its a meal by itself.No feast served in marriages or other functions at this time is complete without mangoes. Its is very popular with young and old alike.

The juiciest ones

Squashes, jams pickles and other products made with mangoes

"Aam papad" in Hindi or "Mamidi Tandra" in Telugu or mango jelly is made out of juice of ripened mangoes. There are two varieties- one is the sweet and sour one of North India which is black in colour. It is eaten with black salt and cumin powder. The other is the golden yellow coloured which is sweet in taste. I still remember how my granny used to make this by mixing mango juice of over ripened fruits with sugar or jaggery and pouring it on bamboo mats as a layer. This is dried in sun and once it sets in it is smeared with a little ghee (clarified butter) and another layer is poured. This continues until the desired thickness is reached. This takes a long time till it dries completely. One more thing is the menace from the monkeys. We as children used to sit under the tress with sticks guarding the jelly from monkeys. But in the process steal and taste some it ourselves.

Mango jelly

I am sharing with you some of the pictures I took at the mango exhibition. Hope u enjoy them.

Noting down seriously Rows of Yellows n Greens

Packaging of fruits and Grafts with fruits

People visiting the stalls selling Mangoes n products made from Mangoes

I visited the exhibition on mangoes. I could only spend half an hour there as I had to rush back home. It was a cool evening just after a down pour, so very enjoyable. I saw a father who brought his children and educating them about each type and variety, senior citizens, youngsters, ladies, farmers - all viewing the exhibition and educating them selves from their own perspective. I felt nice to know that in this age of IT there are people like us who like to know about such things.

Quotes

HAVE CONFIDENCE, TRUST & HOPE
CONFIDENCE
Once, all village people decided to pray for rain.
On the day of prayer all people gathered and only one boy
came with an Umbrella,
that’s Confidence

TRUST
Trust should be like the feeling of a one year old baby
when you throw him in the air,he laughs
because he knows you will catch him;
that’s Trust

HOPE
Every night we go to bed,
we have no assurance to get up alive in the next morning
but still you have plans for the coming day ;
that’s Hope

HAVE CONFIDENCE, TRUST & HOPE

BEAUTIFUL QUOTES

One of my passions is reading. I keep on reading on various topics. I just have to read at least a few pages every day before I sleep. I love the smell of the pages of a new book. I love to have a book in my hand and read it rather than a soft copy.
I also have the habit of collecting and writing down quotations that are inspirational, motivating, beautiful and also that which one cannot forget after reading them. I write them down in a dairy and through them when I am down, to cheer me up, motivate me and inspire me. I want to share some of them with you when ever I can.

The chessboard is the world, the pieces are the phenomena of the universe, the rules of the game are what we call the laws of Nature, the players on the other side is hidden from us.-Thomas Henry Huxley.

Be content with what you have, for God has said,
"Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid."
- Hebrews 13:5,6

If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to your mountain, "MOVE!" and it WILL move... and NOTHING will be impossible for YOU!
- Matthew 17:20

My Travelogues_Ardhagiri

Ardhagiri Sri Veeranjaneya Swamy Temple

This temple which I visited recently is situated at a place called Arakonda(Chittoor District in Andhra Pradesh), around 10 Kms from the famous Kanipakam Temple near Tirupati. Arakonda or Ardhagiri as the place is known, means a piece or part of mountain.

Legend:

This famous temple that attracts devotees from far and wide has a legend.Ramayana is one of the famous epics of India. It is believed that Sita, wife of Lord Rama was abducted by the mighty Ravana, the Demon King, and kept as a prisoner at Lanka (now Srilanka), the island kingdom of Ravana. 


Rama with the help of monkeys,waged a war and killed Ravana to get back Sita. During the battle Lakshmana, younger brother of Rama was battling with Ravana's son Indrajeet or Meghanadh. Rama, Lakshmana and many monkeys became unconscious when Indrajeet used Bramha Astra (the most powerful weapon). 


Hanuman and Vibhishana(Ravana's brother who defected to Rama's camp as Dharma was on Rama's side)  searched for Jambavantha. Jambavantha knew Ayurveda and he told them that there are certain herbs which would help the unconscious and severely hurt monkeys as well as  Rama and Lakshmana. He named these herbs as

• Mrita Sanjivani (helps in restoring the dead to life), 
• Vishalyakarani (helps in extracting weapons and healing all wounds inflicted by weapons), 
• Suvarnakarani ( helps restoring the body to its original complexion) and 
• Sandhani, the great herb (helps in joining severed limbs or fractured bone). 

Jambavantha said that these herbs can be identified by their glow, grow on a mountain named Dronagiri situated in Himalayan ranges between mount Rishbha and mount Kailasha. These herbs were to be brought before sun rise.


Vibhishana asked Hanuman to bring Sushena a very skilful physician residing in Lanka for treating all those who were hurt and fell unconscious. So Hanuman went to Lanka and brought the Physician along with his house.

Himalayas were far away from the Lanka. Hanuman or the monkey God, who could fly long distances in no time and who had immense strength and intelligence was deputed to bring the herb, but before sunrise. Hanuman went to the Himalayas in no time. But he could not differentiate between the various herbs and plants available. It is also said that these herbs hide themselves when someone comes to pluck them. He was enraged by this. So He just plucked the entire mountain and carried back to the place where Lakshmana was lying unconscious. 

Hanuman carrying the Sanjeevani Mountain

During this journey, as He was flying with great velocity, it is believed that a piece of rock from the mountain containing all great herbs, fell into the tank. Since a piece of mountain fell here it got its name of Ardhagiri or Arakonda.

The Tank where the piece of rock fell

Statue of Lord Hanuman in meditative pose

It is believed that the tank never dries up and the water contains medicinal properties. The water when stored, stays fresh for a long time. Its true. Its more than a month since I have brought the water from the tank and it is still fresh. usually water when kept in a container for more than three or four days does not stay fresh.This water when consumed is believed to cure all diseases even acute cases.This has been proved in the cases of Psoriasis, initial stages of TB, asthma, cancer & joint pains. The experiences of the patients who were cured have been recorded and they stand as testimony to it.

This is where the water from the tank is filled. You can see the monkey.

Entrance to the Temple

Small Temple

The God here is Hanuman-the monkey God. He is in the form of Veera or the valorous. The temple is more than 300 years old. The striking feature of the deity is that it faces towards North , which is a rarity. The first says of the sun, fall on the feet of the Lord. As the day progresses, gradually the sun rays disappear after reaching the head of the lord. It is also believed that the ardent devotees and staunch believers can even hear the 'Omkara Nadam' (Chanting of Om) at midnight amidst silence.

The temple is open for public from 05.30 am to 1.30 pm and 01.30 pm to 9.00 pm. On a full moon day it is open till 11 pm.Full moon Day attracts thousands of pilgrims. It is said that prayers offered at night on a full moon day give immense power, peace and happiness. Garlands made of betel leaves, Marrigolds, and Tulasi(Indian Basil), and other flowers are offered to Lord.

Shops selling the flowers n other offerings including Joss Sticks n Camphor

I offered coconuts as is done usually in the temples. I fed these to the monkeys. You can usually find monkeys near the Hanuman temples, as people treat them as the descendants of Hanuman. So they are fed and pampered. But one has to be very careful as they snatch any eatables or spectacles and can be a menace sometimes.

We sat there for sometime as it was very peaceful and quite. Tough it was very hot and humid we felt at peace. We ate the Prasadam-Laddu and Vada -ie offerings made to Lord.

Indian Elections

It is 16th of April here.The first phase of elections in India start today. India is the largest Democracy with around 700 million voters. The world's biggest democratic polls begins today. 700 million voters, to vote in 5 phases stretching to 28 days across the country is really awesome.We are all excited to cast our votes as well as eager to know who will win and rule us for the next five years. A country so huge with so many diversities is a good example of unity in diversity. Lets wait and watch what happens.

Guests in my garden

Hello friends!


Its very hot here. Summer time is picking up. Time for enjoying watermelons, musk melons, cool cucumbers, tall frosty glasses of Sherbet or Lassi. I will write about sherbets and lassi some other time.

For children it is just pure fun. Schools are closed till mid June. So playtime for them. My four year old niece is visiting us and stays with us till evening. She is just not yet ready to leave her mom n dad at night.

Anyway just the other day, I had two guests in my garden-guess who? Monkeys, two of them. They roamed around in my garden and found the mango tree fully loaded with fruits. One sat at the foot of the tree and started feasting on the ones which were lying on the ground. The other one climbed the tree. After eating their fill they drank water from the tap, cleverly opening it. All the time I was watching them through the doorway. I just had camera handy and started clicking them.

You should forgive me for the poor quality of photographs-one I am not a good photographer even with a digital camera at best of times, tow my niece was literally standing on my toes for catching a glimpse of the monkeys and three the monkeys kept growling at me. So I was ready to take flight at the slightest sign of attack.

I just managed to click some pictures though. Here they are.

Having a feast

Drinking water

Growling at me

I just love animals and hate any cruelty towards them. 

You know Hanuman the monkey God is the most worshiped God in India. We Hindus thus worship birds, animals and trees and even rivers and mountains.

Coming back to the story,I felt so happy that they could enjoy fruits from my garden.

I remember my child hood. When I used to visit my paternal grandma. She used buy a basket full of cucumbers and keep them on the rack. There were no refrigerators at that time. A pack of monkeys would be on the prowl through out the day. One of the little ones used to sneak in through the bars of the window and drag the basket to the window. Then the older ones used to just pick all the contents in a jiffy just before our eyes and before we could even comprehend what was going on.

One more surprising fact was that when any women used to chase them they used to scare them or attack them. But when men used to chase them they used to run like anything. Why this gender bias? Any guesses.
Till next time then......

My Travelogues-Kanipakam

Friends recently I visited some temples in Tirupati area. I would like to share some of my travelogues with you. The main problem when we visit the temples is they don't allow cameras or cell phones inside the temple. So one has to deposit them at the counters before going in. There is always a long queue in front of these counters. So one is forced to keep them in car if we travel by car. Many a time this deters me from taking photographs as one has to walk a long distance to recover the camera and take photographs. Moreover one can only take pictures from outside. So I am afraid there are very few pictures. But I would like share what I have along with the legends associated with the Temples. The first part of the series is....

KANIPAKAM TEMPLE

Hindus worship God in various forms. One of them is Ganesha or Vinayaka-the God with an Elephant face. He is worshiped first before starting any venture or even before offering prayers and rituals to other Gods. Here is one temple of Ganesha:

Sri VaraSidhi Vinayaka Swami

The temple of Sri VaraSidhi Vinayaka Swamy is situated on the banks of River Bahuda in Kanipakam village, 12 kms from Chittoor and 70Kms from Tirupathi. The temple was constructed by King Kulothonga Chola I, belonging to the famous and powerful Chola Dynasty (which ruled South India during the later half of the 9th century till the beginning of the 13th centuries). The temple was later expanded by the Emperors of Vijayanagara in 1336.

This is the tank or Koneru where we wash our hands and feet
before entering the temple. Every temple has one

The Legend of the Temple

The place was originally known as KaniParkam."Kani" means wetland and "Parkam" means flow of water into wetland. According to the legend of the temple there were three brothers and each one had a handicap. Viz., Dumb, Deaf and Blind. They were farmers, cultivating a small piece of land. In olden days water was drawn from the well by way of 'Piccota System'. As one of them used to irrigate the field through the channels, the other two used to ply on the Piccota. During one such operation they found that the water in the well dried up. One of them climbed down into the well and started digging it up. He was taken aback to see the iron implement hitting a stone like formation. He was shocked to see blood oozing out from it. Within in a few seconds the entire water in the well, turned blood red in colour. Thus, startled by this divine sight, all the three became normal getting rid of their deformities.

The villagers came to know about this miracle and thronged to the well.They tried to deepen the well further. But their attempt proved futile because the 'swayambhu' (the self-manifested) idol of Lord Vinayaka emerged from the swirling waters. Lots of coconuts were offered and the milk from the coconuts covered the entire area. This led to the modification in the usage of the word 'Kaniparakam' and was later pronounced as 'Kanipakam'. Even today the idol is in the original well and the springs of the well are perennial and eternal. During the rainy season, the holy water from the well overflows.The holy water from the well is offered to the devotees as "Theertham".

This is the temple of Kanipkam

This is another view of the temple

Another striking and strange feature of the idol is that it is still growing in size. At present, we can see the knees and the abdomen of the idol. An ardent devotee had offered a 'Kavacham' (Armour) to the Lord, fifty years ago but today it is out of size and doesn't fit the idol.

The Swayambhu idol of Kanipakam known as Sri Varasiddhi Vinayaka is famous as up-holder of 'Truth'. Day to day disputes between people are resolved by taking a 'special oath'. The people in the dispute take a holy dip in the temple tank and swear before the lord. It is taken as gospel truth. There are instances when the person who committed that sin voluntarily agrees as soon as he had the dip and much before entering the temple itself. It seems the Lord lawns invisibly on the sinner and makes him repent & feel guilty for his sinful deeds.Many cases of disputes not solved by courts were stated to have been solved here. The glory of the Lord spread far and wide and the honorable courts uphold the 'special oath' in their judicial pronouncements. That is how he is known as "Pramanala Devudu " or God of Pledges.


The legend of Bahuda River

Long ago there lived two brothers Sankha and Likhita. They were on a pilgrimage to Kanipakam. As the journey was tiring, the younger brother Likhita felt hungry. Spotting a mango grove he plucked a mango in spite of objections from his elder brother not to steal. Sankha felt bad and reported this to the ruler of that area and pleaded for punishment for the sin committed during the pilgrimage. Likhita's both hands were chopped of as punishment.

Later they took bath in the river near Kanipakam temple. Lo Behold! The chopped arms were restored to Likhita as soon as he had a dip in the sacred waters of the river. Thus the river beside Kanipakam temple is now known as 'Bahuda' (Bahu means human arm).

This is the temple elephant used for carrying the Lord (Idol) -all decked up in the processions carried out on festivals and other occasions so that people can have a glimpse of Him. many of the pilgrims visiting the temple, especially children feel that being blessed by an elephant is good.

I had a very good darshan (view) of the God as there were not many people. We offered prayers, some flowers, a garland and the priests lighted some camphor known as Arati, as is done in our temples and offered to God. They blessed us all for good health wealth and happiness. I chated with them to know the legends associated with the temple which I have written above. My mother and brother came along with me.

I would like to have your suggestions and comments and also whether you want to know any thing else about this place. Please feel free to voice your thoughts and queries,