Dr. Kanwal Sibal about NRC

Dr. Kanwal Sibal about NRC

https://ramamohanraocheruku.blogspot.com/2020/01/dr-kanwal-sibal-about-nrc.html

Before I put before you the perception of a noted personality, I would like to give a small write-up with a view to introducing him to the readers.

I am speaking about Dr. Kanwal Sibal.

He was born on 18 November 1943 to noted Lawyer Hira Lall Sibal, Padma Bhushan awardee.

He graduated with an MA in English from Punjab University. Dr. Kanwal Sibal later graduated from the World Information Distributed University with the scientific degree of International Doctor of Philosophy and the scientific degree of Grand Doctor of Philosophy, in June 2006. Dr. Kanwal Sibal is the First Grand Doctor of Philosophy in India. He received the title of Full Professor from the European Academy of Informatization and the World Information Distributed University-WIDU.

 Though he held many acclaimed posts, I just mention the last two that he was Ambassador of India to France (March 1998 to June 2002) and Ambassador to Russia (2004 to 2007).

Indian National Congress politician and former Cabinet Minister Kapil Sibal is Kanwal's younger brother. Virender Sibal, Jitendar Sibal (both retired IAS officers) and Ms. Asha Nanda are his other siblings.

With this small introduction I present before you, his opinion as to why need NRC.

It was actually his reply to:

The Economist’s editorial “Intolerant India” is full of distortions, misrepresentations, half-baked analysis and unwarranted conclusions. It is not journalism but a diatribe against Modi and the BJP. … The government should think of expelling The Economist’s India correspondent as the paper has gone beyond journalism to playing oppositional politics in India.  – Kanwal Sibal

The Economist, in its latest issue (Jan. 25), has unabashedly joined the current campaign of opposition circles in India against Prime Minister Modi and the BJP. Western journalists stationed in Delhi, socially comfortable with India’s articulate English-speaking elites who scorn the RSS, become willing participants in relaying the anti-BJP opposition propaganda internationally because what they hear in the circles they mix in accords with their own preconceived notions about a “Hindu” India.

Why we need NRC:

When critics within India decry the rise of Hindu nationalism because any Hindu consolidation in India will durably alter the balance of political forces in the country to BJP’s advantage, they get the endorsement from the so-called liberal circles in the West who decry the rise of “nationalism” anywhere because of Europe’s historical experience.

Many expatriate Indian-origin writers and academics linked to kindred circles in India feed into the current negative narrative about BJP’s policies being majoritarian, anti-minority and socially divisive. How much they need to assert their liberal credentials in the society they live in search of more esteem, credibility and acceptance can be debated.

The Economist’s editorial “Intolerant India” is full of distortions, misrepresentations, half-baked analysis and unwarranted conclusions. It is not journalism but a diatribe against Modi and the BJP. It accuses India of changing the law to make it easier for all except Muslims to acquire citizenship.

This is an entirely misleading statement as the amendment to the law applies only to illegal migrants and is one time in the application, the cut-off date for quicker acquisition of citizenship by non-Muslim illegal migrants being December 31, 2014. After that, no religion is privileged in terms of acquiring citizenship under the Citizenship Act. To say that the BJP looks at the NRC “as a means to hunt down illegal immigrants” is a nasty misrepresentation. Yes, illegal migrants would get identified, but the purpose is larger. India, like its neighbours and others, must have a citizenship roll to cater for the future.

India has thousands of kilometres long undefined or porous borders with three of its neighbours, an open border with Nepal, and an extensive coast-line. It faces cross-border terrorism; the demography of its districts bordering Bangladesh has changed over the years. For improved governance, security, sovereignty reasons and proper targeting of social benefit schemes a national roll of citizens is essential.

Sweeping statement

To say that “many of the country’s 200m Muslims don’t have the papers to prove they are Indian, so they risk being made stateless” is absurd as many more of Hindus do not have the papers too, and by this logic, they will also be made stateless. Under what law will the BJP government make the Indian Muslims stateless and not the Hindus and others?

The magazine declares sweepingly that Modi is determined “to transform India from a tolerant, multi-religious place into a chauvinist Hindu state”. It does not explain how India will cease to be multi-religious. Will the Constitution be amended, fundamental rights abrogated, judicial independence ended and the media censored?

The Economist links the BJP’s rise to “a decades-long project of incitement”, beginning with the destruction of a mosque by “Hindu extremists” and a massacre of Muslims in Gujarat in 2002 under Modi’s watch which “made him a hero to Hindu nationalists around the country”. Is this journalism or distilled political aversion? “Alas, what has been electoral nectar for the BJP is political poison for India”, it says in a gush of animosity towards the ruling party and its leader. The Economist accuses Modi of constantly insinuating “that Muslims are dangerous fifth-columnists, always scheming to do Hindus down and sell out their country to Pakistan”. Will The Economist list these statements in the interest of honest reporting?

Distorted argument

Making the party look like a collection of dangerous political adventurers, the paper claims that the BJP is “hunting for a new grievance”—the citizenship issue now that the Supreme Court’s ruling has deprived it of its favourite Ram Temple cause. It is ridiculous for the paper to say that Modi’s policies “blatantly discriminate against his Muslim compatriots”. Can they give an example? How are illegal Bangladeshi migrants India’s “Muslim compatriots”?

That the UK wants to close its borders even to legal migrants from Europe, continues to tighten its immigration laws, and seeks to send back what it claims are 50,000 illegal Indian migrants in the UK, the hypocrisy of this establishment paper is amazing in demanding that India accept millions of illegal Muslim migrants without demur. It talks of the “deliberate and sustained persecution” of Muslims, without giving any proof, no doubt because it thinks that as the lingering voice of British imperialism it owes no explanation to anyone.

In a bid to stoke communal tensions in India, Modi is accused of “rabble-rousing”, of “perpetually firing up Hindus and infuriating Muslims” and thereby making “fresh bloodshed more likely”. India’s Supreme Court has been mocked for not showing spine. The government should think of expelling The Economist’s India correspondent as the paper has gone beyond journalism to playing oppositional politics in India. – Daily-O, 28 January 2020

› Kanwal Sibal is a distinguished career diplomat who has retired as Foreign Secretary to the Government of India.

This is what Thomas Paine Says

This is what Thomas Paine Says

 Whenever we read ... the cruel and tortuous executions, the unrelenting vindictiveness with which more than half the Bible is filled, it would be more consistent that we call it the word of a demon than the word of God. It is a history of wickedness that has served to corrupt and brutalize humankind. And, for my own part, I sincerely detest it, as I detest everything that is cruel. -- Thomas Paine (The Age of Reason)

Thomas Paine was an English-American political activist, philosopher, political theorist, and revolutionary. Wikipedia

TIPS FOR THOSE WHO ASPIRE BRIGHT and better FUTURE

TIPS FOR THOSE WHO ASPIRE 

BRIGHT and better  FUTURE

https://ramamohanraocheruku.blogspot.com/2020/01/tips-for-those-who-aspire-bright-and.html

Courage Confirms Confrontation and confrontation confirms consummation. But the desire should be ethical pure and scrupulous.

ధైర్య ఫలములెంత తీయగా నున్ననూ

ధైర్యమన్నదొక్క చేదు మొక్క

చూడబోకు మొక్క చూడుము ఫలితమ్ము

రామమోహనుక్తి రమ్య సూక్తి

To attain your goal all that you need is courage. But courage is a sour plant. Till it starts giving its delicious fruits you should develop your patience. If you lose one interview, think that you are getting a better job. That is the positive attitude you should develop.

Here are 50 useful questions along with the suggestions as to how they are to be tackled, I feel, for the benefit of the candidates who are preparing for their interviews to pave path for destination. Even the others also can go through if the feel relevant to advise the needy.

50 Common Interview Questions and Answers:

Review these typical interview questions and think about how you would answer them.

Read the questions listed; you will also find some strategy suggestions with it.

1. Tell me about yourself:

The most often asked question in interviews. You need to have a short statement prepared in your mind. Be careful that it does not sound rehearsed. Limit it to work-related items unless instructed otherwise. Talk about things you have done and jobs you have held that relate to the position you are interviewing for. Start with the item farthest back and work up to the present.

2. Why did you leave your last job?

Stay positive regardless of the circumstances. Never refer to a major problem with management and never speak ill of supervisors, co- workers or the organization. If you do, you will be the one looking bad. Keep smiling and talk about leaving for a positive reason such as an opportunity, a chance to do something special or other forward- looking reasons.

3. What experience do you have in this field?

Speak about specifics that relate to the position you are applying for. If you do not have specific experience, get as close as you can.

4. Do you consider yourself successful?

You should always answer yes and briefly explain why. A good explanation is that you have set goals, and you have met some and are on track to achieve the others.

5. What do co-workers say about you?

Be prepared with a quote or two from co-workers. Either a specific statement or a paraphrase will work. Jill Clark, a co-worker at Smith Company, always said I was the hardest workers she had ever known. It is as powerful as Jill having said it at the interview herself.

6. What do you know about this organization?

This question is one reason to do some research on the organization before the interview. Find out where they have been and where they are going. What are the current issues and who are the major players?

7. What have you done to improve your knowledge in the last year?

Try to include improvement activities that relate to the job. A wide variety of activities can be mentioned as positive self-improvement. Have some good ones handy to mention.

8. Are you applying for other jobs?

Be honest but do not spend a lot of time in this area. Keep the focus on this job and what you can do for this organization. Anything else is a distraction.

9. Why do you want to work for this organization?

This may take some thought and certainly, should be based on the research you have done on the organization. Sincerity is extremely important here and will easily be sensed. Relate it to your long-term career goals.

10. Do you know anyone who works for us?

Be aware of the policy on relatives working for the organization. This can affect your answer even though they asked about friends not relatives. Be careful to mention a friend only if they are well thought of.

11. What kind of salary do you need?

A loaded question. A nasty little game that you will probably lose if you answer first. So, do not answer it. Instead, say something like, that’s a tough question. Can you tell me the range for this position? In most cases, the interviewer, taken off guard, will tell you. If not, say that it can depend on the details of the job. Then give a wide range.

12. Are you a team player?

You are, of course, a team player. Be sure to have examples ready. Specifics that show you often perform for the good of the team rather than for yourself are good evidence of your team attitude. Do not brag, just say it in a matter-of-fact tone. This is a key point.

13. How long would you expect to work for us if hired?

Specifics here are not good. Something like this should work: I'd like it to be a long time. Or As long as we both feel I'm doing a good job.

14. Have you ever had to fire anyone? How did you feel about that?

This is serious. Do not make light of it or in any way seem like you like to fire people. At the same time, you will do it when it is the right thing to do. When it comes to the organization versus the individual who has created a harmful situation, you will protect the organization. Remember firing is not the same as layoff or reduction in force.

15. What is your philosophy towards work?

The interviewer is not looking for a long or flowery dissertation here. Do you have strong feelings that the job gets done? Yes. That's the type of answer that works best here. Short and positive, showing a benefit to the organization.

16. If you had enough money to retire right now, would you?

Answer yes if you would. But since you need to work, this is the type of work you prefer. Do not say yes if you do not mean it.

17. Have you ever been asked to leave a position?

If you have not, say no. If you have, be honest, brief and avoid saying negative things about the people or organization involved.

18. Explain how you would be an asset to this organization.

You should be anxious for this question. It gives you a chance to highlight your best points as they relate to the position being discussed. Give a little advance thought to this relationship.

19. Why should we hire you?

Point out how your assets meet what the organization needs. Do not mention any other candidates to make a comparison.

20. Tell me about a suggestion you have made.

Have a good one ready. Be sure and use a suggestion that was accepted and was then considered successful. One related to the type of work applied for is a real plus.

21. What irritates you about co-workers?

This is a trap question. Think real hard but fail to come up with anything that irritates you. A short statement that you seem to get along with folks is great.

22. What is your greatest strength?

Numerous answers are good, just stay positive. A few good examples: Your ability to prioritize, Your problem-solving skills, Your ability to work under pressure, Your ability to focus on projects, Your professional expertise, Your leadership skills, Your positive attitude

23. Tell me about your dream job.

Stay away from a specific job. You cannot win. If you say the job you are contending for is it, you strain credibility. If you say another job is it, you plant the suspicion that you will be dissatisfied with this position if hired. The best is to stay genetic and say something like: A job where I love the work, like the people, can contribute and can't wait to get to work.

24. Why do you think you would do well at this job?

Give several reasons and include skills, experience and interest.

25. What are you looking for in a job?

See answer # 23

26. What kind of person would you refuse to work with?

Do not be trivial. It would take disloyalty to the organization, violence or lawbreaking to get you to object. Minor objections will label you as a whiner.

27. What is more important to you: the money or the work?

Money is always important, but the work is the most important. There is no better answer.

28. What would your previous supervisor say your strongest point is?

There are numerous good possibilities:

Loyalty, Energy, Positive attitude, Leadership, Team player, Expertise, Initiative, Patience, Hard work, Creativity, Problem solver

29. Tell me about a problem you had with a supervisor.

Biggest trap of all. This is a test to see if you will speak ill of your boss. If you fall for it and tell about a problem with a former boss, you may well below the interview right there. Stay positive and develop a poor memory about any trouble with a supervisor.

30. What has disappointed you about a job?

Don't get trivial or negative. Safe areas are few but can include:

Not enough of a challenge. You were laid off in a reduction Company did not win a contract, which would have given you more responsibility.

31. Tell me about your ability to work under pressure.

You may say that you thrive under certain types of pressure. Give an example that relates to the type of position applied for.

32. Do your skills match this job or another job more closely?

Probably this one. Do not give fuel to the suspicion that you may want another job more than this one.

33. What motivates you to do your best on the job?

This is a personal trait that only you can say, but good examples are: Challenge, Achievement and Recognition.

34. Are you willing to work overtime? Nights? Weekends?

This is up to you. Be totally honest.

35. How would you know you were successful on this job?

Several ways are good measures:

You set high standards for yourself and meet them. Your outcomes are a success. Your boss tell you that you are successful.

36. Would you be willing to relocate if required?

You should be clear on this with your family prior to the interview if you think there is a chance it may come up. Do not say yes just to get the job if the real answer is no. This can create a lot of problems later on in your career. Be honest at this point and save yourself from avoidable grief.

37. Are you willing to put the interests of the organization ahead of your own?

This is a straight loyalty and dedication question. Do not worry about the deep ethical and philosophical implications. Just say yes.

38. Describe your management style.

Try to avoid labels. Some of the more common labels, like progressive, salesman or consensus, can have several meanings or descriptions depending on which management expert you listen to. The situational style is safe, because it says you will manage according to the situation, instead of one size fits all.

39. What have you learned from mistakes on the job?

Here you have to come up with something or you strain credibility. Make it small, well intentioned mistake with a positive lesson learned. An example would be working too far ahead of colleagues on a project and thus throwing coordination off.

40. Do you have any blind spots?

Trick question. If you know about blind spots, they are no longer blind spots. Do not reveal any personal areas of concern here. Let them do their own discovery on your bad points. Do not hand it to them.

41. If you were hiring a person for this job, what would you look for?

Be careful to mention traits that are needed and that you have.

42. Do you think you are overqualified for this position?

Regardless of your qualifications, state that you are very well qualified for the position.

43. How do you propose to compensate for your lack of experience?

First, if you have experience that the interviewer does not know about, bring that up: Then, point out (if true) that you are a hard working quick learner.

44. What qualities do you look for in a boss?

Be generic and positive. Safe qualities are knowledgeable, a sense of humor, fair, loyal to subordinates and holder of high standards. All bosses think they have these traits.

45. Tell me about a time when you helped resolve a dispute between others.

Pick a specific incident. Concentrate on your problem solving technique and not the dispute you settled.

46. What position do you prefer on a team working on a project?

Be honest. If you are comfortable in different roles, point that out.

47. Describe your work ethic.

Emphasize benefits to the organization. Things like, determination to get the job done and work hard but enjoy your work are good.

48. What has been your biggest professional disappointment?

Be sure that you refer to something that was beyond your control. Show acceptance and no negative feelings.

49. Tell me about the most fun you have had on the job.

Talk about having fun by accomplishing something for the organization.

50. Do you have any questions for me?

Always have some questions prepared. Questions prepared where you will be an asset to the organization are good. How soon will I be able to be productive, and what type of projects will I be able to assist on, are examples.

I wish all the aspirants of bright future ‘THE BEST’.

SWASTHI.

Rayapeddi Subramanya Prasad: Thanks sir. Really this questions plays vital role for a candidate to get selected.

Varasai Swamiji: VALUABLE

Ravi Sudhakar Musunuri: Very good questionnaire to the young & career oriented professionals to get success.


నాగ త్రినాథ్: Splendid Sir! Very much worthful!!

Chakratirth Baba

Chakratirth Baba

It is my experience that our Media are totally committed and dedicated to spread our Sanatanadharma on its dark side created by gullible Babas and Gurus and seldom tell about the two prominent religions whose commandments are par beyond logic. The pity is we the followers of this Dharma, blindly follow the scribes without any reason as sheep in the herd. Let us come to know about a great man who stuck at the behest of his Guru for 15 long years surviving with only a few wild herbs and touching no other food.

98 year old sadhu Brahma Chaitanya Das, who is known in Odisha as Chakratirtha Baba is a man of worth to know. Baba spent his entire life alone in the remote forests of Orissa doing sadhana as ordered by his guru.

One day his guru lit an akandha dhuni (sacred fire burning eternally) and told him to watch the fire as he went out. He told him he would be back in 15 days time.

This sadhu sat alone in the forest waiting for him to come back, with no food or possessions. At the time, this was one of the most remote places in India, deep in tiger infested forests of Odisha. Even today it is one of the largest tiger reserves in India.

He lived alone in this forest with no house, no food and no one else around to help him. He sustained himself by collecting wild roots in the forest, which he knew from his tribal background. He kept waiting for his guru to return, and finally one day his guru did return, but it was 15 years later.

He kept the sacred fire burning alone in this remote forest for 15 years without questioning why his guru had not returned on time.

There is a saying in Oria among sadhus, “bara varsha korile seva guru kohile kichi debha”. The meaning is that, “After performing service for 12 years, my guru said he will give me something.” This indicates that the guru first tests the disciple for twelve years to see if he is sincere. After passing all the tests of the guru, when the guru is convinced and pleased with the disciple, he gives him something that is the real guru diksha which leads to siddhi. Thus Chakratirtha Baba got what he wanted from Guru. He preaches the same to those who trust him.

His Guru before passing away permitted him to have Char Dham yatra viz. Puri, Dwaraka, Badrinath and Rameshwaram. He now at the age of 98 started to go round the shrines.

Swasti.

From Fiction to Fact

From Fiction to Fact

A team based in the UK spent the last four years seeking out cardiac arrest patients to analyse their experiences during their cardiac arrest, after they came back to life. The team's finding was: almost 40 per cent of the survivors recalled having some form of "awareness" during the time that they had been declared clinically dead. One man who had been clinically dead - then brought back to life - accurately described what had been happening in the room.

The popular notion among experts is that the brain shuts down within 20 to 30 seconds of the heart stopping beating – and that it is not possible to be aware of anything once that happens.

But scientists who participated in the new study, said they had found compelling evidence that patients experienced real events happening around them - for up to three minutes - after death happened – and could even recall them accurately once they had been resuscitated back to life.

Dr Sam Parnia, Assistant Professor at the State University of New York and former Research Fellow at the University of Southampton, who led the research, said he had previously held the belief that patients who described near-death experiences were only relating hallucinatory events.

However, based on evidence provided by the 57-year-old social worker from Southampton, Dr Parnia now admits: "We know the brain can’t function when the heart has stopped beating. But in this case, conscious awareness appears to have continued for up to three minutes."

The man had given a "very credible" account of what had been going on while doctors and nurses were trying to bring him back to life – and says that he felt he was observing his resuscitation from the corner of the room.

On being revived back to life, the man was able to describe everything that happened in the room in the intermittent period, but more importantly, he heard two bleeps from a machine that makes a noise at three-minute intervals. That was how doctors could time the experienced! Dr Parnia concludes, "He seemed very credible and everything that he said had happened to him, had actually happened."Dr Parnia’s study involved 2,060 patients from 15 hospitals in the UK, US and Austria. It has also been published in the "Resuscitation" journal.

About 46 per cent of those who survived had experienced a broad range of mental recollections, nine per cent had experiences that were compatible with traditional definitions of a near-death experience, and two per cent had exhibited full awareness with explicit recall of "seeing" and "hearing" events – or out-of-body experiences.

Dr Parnia said that the findings of the study as a whole had suggested that "the recalled experience surrounding death now merits further genuine investigation without prejudice."Dr Jerry Nolan, editor-in-chief of the journal which published the research, said: "The researchers are to be congratulated on the completion of a fascinating study that will open the door to more extensive research into what happens when we die."

As Sarah Knapton, Science Correspondent of The Telegraph, put it: Death is a depressingly inevitable consequence of life. But with scientists believing that they may have found some light at the end of the tunnel, also sheds light on a controversial subject which has, until recently, been treated with widespread skepticism. Although many patients could not recall specific details later, some common themes did emerge. One in five apparently recalled feeling an unusual sense of peace...Another one-third of the patients recalled having a sense of time slowing down or speeding up.

Yet others recalled seeing a bright light - like a golden flash - or the sun shining...

Others recounted drowning or being dragged through deep water...13 per cent said they felt a heightened sense of being...

The same 13 per cent of course, stated the obvious: that they had felt separated from their bodies...

Maha Nandi

Maha Nandi

https://ramamohanraocheruku.blogspot.com/2019/10/maha-nandi.html

Maha Nandi is the name of the place and the Temple there at is known as Mahanandiswara Temple. Maha Nandi is located in the east of Nallamala Hills near Nandyal town in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, positioned at the foot of the hills of Srisailam.

Theerthas and Kshetras are divine places which wash out our all sorts of ailments by a dip and by moving round in the place Kshethra respectively. The third one is the Murthy or the Deity (in English) by having just a glance all our ailments ll be destroyed. Concrete examples for all the three is 1. Prayaga 2. Gaya 3. Tirumala Ahobilam and all the three put together is Kasi and Shrisailam.

Maha Nandi is bestowed with kshetra Mahima. Even the Murthy is Swayambhu Murthy. Hence the deity is powerful. More over Mahanandi kolanulu (Gundams) get perennial water from sources unknown. Hence it satisfies all the three qualities stated above.The supervising deity here is Lord Shiva who is worshiped by the name of Mahanandiswara Swami which is in the form of a sanctified Shivalingam. The famous water source is also believed to have been evolved from beneath the self – manifested Shivalingam which is present in the sanctum sanctorum. The incredible trait of the temple is that the sanctified water gushing out of the sanctum assists in irrigating 2000 acres of fertile land around the village. According to Mahanandi Temple history, the 7th-century temple is devoted to Lord Shiva. Mahanandiswara is one of the ancient temples of India and it dates back over 1,500 years and the inscriptions of the 10th-century tablets portray the fact that this temple has been restored and rebuilt quite a lot of times. The initial structure of the temple was erected by the Chalukyas in the 7th century and, later on, numerous additions were made to the temple in the 10th and 15th centuries. 

A copper plate by Krishna Devaraya confirms that Mahanandi belongs to one of the most blessed places. Narasimha Devaraya, the king of the same Vijayanagara offered most precious gifts.

The kings of the area who were addressed as Nandas and they constructed a mammoth of temples and adored their ancestral deity, Nandishwara.

According to the legend of the temple, in the beginning of Kritayuga, once there lived a Rishi in the Nallamala forest named Silada.  He built a small cottage and lived in it with his wife.  He was always interested in Tapas.  He was eating Silas (stones) as his usual food.  So, he was named ‘Silada’.  He had no children.  So, his wife requested him for children.  He wanted to fulfil her request and so meditated on Sarveswara for a long time.

After a few years, Lord Shiva appeared before him and asked him what boon he wanted.  Silada forgetting his wife’s desire.  Requested Parama Siva to allow him to serve him forever.  But the Omniscient Lord knew that he had forgotten his wife’s desire. Lord Siva told him that he would fulfil the desires of both wife and husband. He blessed the Rishi and disappeared.

Immediately a male child appeared in the hole or cave.  Both of them felt extremely happy. They named him ‘Mahananda’.  Day by day the child was growing up and received a good education spiritual education from Gurus.  After upanayana, Mahananda asked his parents to allow him to do Tapas about Siva.  They felt very happy and blessed him.

In a short time Parameswara appeared before him. The boy did Pranams to Siva in joy and praised him in many hymns.  Parameswara was pleased and ready to give him boon.  The boy requested Lord to allow him to be his Vahana (Vehicle).  Parameswara agreed to it and fulfilled his desire.

Lord Siva told him. “My dear son! This place will soon be changed into a powerful and holy river which flows forever.  This holy place will become a sacred and famous Kshethra on your name (Mahanandi Kshethra).  It is true.”  Saying those words Parameswara transformed him as his Vahana (bull) and went to Kailasagiri.

After Many years, a Nanda King the son of Uttungabhoja of Pandava Race ruled this place residing at Nandyal town.  There was a village named Gopavaram (then named Gopitavaram, Gopana means Secret).  A Shepherd had a herd of cows.  The cows used to graze in the forest every day.

One of the cows in the cattle used to enter a bush and ooze (discharge slowly) the milk from her udder on the grass and return home with its empty udder every day.  The shepherd wanted to know the reason and followed the cow carefully on the next day.  The cow entered the bush as usual.  The shepherds were observing its movements hiding behind the bush.  The cow stood on the grass which covered the hole (ant hill).  A child came out of the hole and drank the milk of the cow.  The cow returned and came home with cattle.

The shepherds were talking about the event here and there.  The spies heard the matter and told the same to the king.  The king felt very happy and decided to see this in person.  The next day he went to the forest and followed the cattle of the cows observing the movements with special attention.  The cow entered the bush, stood on the hole and oozed (discharged-slowly) the milk from her udder.  The king wanted to see the same clearly and walked towards the cow slowly.  The cow was frightened and ran away.  Its hoof was sunk in the hole while running in a hurry.  The child was vanished.  The king went home with a great surprise.

In the night he felt a dream, Parameswara appeared before him and told him in the dream, “I myself drank the milk from the hole.  Construct a temple there, I would stay in the places called Navanandis (Navanandulu) within a circle of 80 Kms. Ganga Devi also would serve me with her brightness. Your glory will be eternal.”

On the next day the king went to the ant hill.  It was turned into Rock Linga.  He was very surprised and saw the Siva Linga deeply.  It was clear that the hoof of the cow was sunk in the hole.  The same can be seen even now.

The king constructed a temple there and dug a pond in its opposite direction.  Within a short time, it became the endless flow with clear water.  He named it Rudra Gunda (Kunda).

He also dug two ponds in both northern and eastern sides and named the ponds Brahma Gunda and Vishnu Gunda.

This is one of the most momentous features of the Mahananadi temple, the pure holy water of Pushkarani which flows throughout the year. The water is so gemstone clear that even a particle dropped in the water looks visible, which is key factor of magnetism for all the visitors. Vishwakarma Sthapathis designed the tanks such a way that water level remains at 5 ft.

The water is considered to come from five springs which are named ‘Srisailadhara,’ ‘Narasimhadhara,’ ‘Daivodhinidhara,’ ‘Nanditirtha’ and ‘Kailasatirtha’ respectively.

This water possesses healing properties. The water during the winter season will be very hot and vice versa during the summer. Water at Temple tanks will be warm at early hours of the days and water gets cooler as the day progress. Irrespective of the seasons, water here flows at a constant pace. Temple inscriptions state that this flow never stopped right from 6th Century.

Next to the central sanctum is a shrine devoted to the Goddess Kameshwari Devi, the companion of Mahanadeeshwara. The Srichkara in front of the deity is said to have been established by Adi Sankaracharya.

One of the world’s biggest man-made Nandi of 15 ft. x 27 ft is present near the Mahanandi temple.

Nine Nandi temples present in this Nallmala Hill Region are as follows. Mahanandi, Prathama Nandi, Naga Nandi, Soma Nandi, Surya Nandi, Krishna Nandi or Vishnu Nandi, Vinayaka Nandi, Shiva Nandi, Garuda Nandi. All these Nine Nandi’s are famous, but Mahanandi receives the highest fame among all of them.

The unique thing about this temple is, one can touch the water near the Shiva Linga. The devotees can offer prayers and touch the Shiva Linga. This is unusual, because traditionally at temples, the main deity is kept away from the touch of the devotees.

Recently added two big mandapas in front of the temple provides nice shade to the devotees.

Within the same complex of the temple, one can see an arched marble shrine of ‘Lord Kodanda Rama,’ the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu that was supplemented with the compound in 1953. Images of Sri Rama, Sita and Lakshmana are strikingly carved and the devotees find it complicated to progress away from them. There is a separate shrine for Hanuman in same complex. A giant granite Nandi has been installed in front of the temple which is costed 35 lacks and weighs 50 tons approximately. There are even 5 separate Shivalingas which are installed by Pandavas themselves while they were in exile period.

Maha Shivrathri is one of the most popular events where numerous devotees gather to pay homage and worship Lord Shiva. The festival is celebrated for seven long days initiating from ‘Magha Bahula Chaturdasi’ which is the 14th day after full moon in February- March.

Grand Ratha yatra celebrated in this temple attracts large number of devotees from several states.

Mahanandi is about 21 km from Nandyal. The nearest airport is at Hyderabad, which is about 215 km from Kurnool, and the nearest railway station is at Nandyal. There are 2 routes to reach Mahanandi from Nandyal town. One route via Thimmapuram and is the shortest, around 17 km from bus stand. Kurnool is connected by road and rails from all directions.

Swasti.

TRANSPARENCY (poem)

TRANSPARENCY

When I look in the mirror

To see myself there in

I found somebody heckling me

How can it be? I queried

My conscious replied

This is what you seem to me

It's what you look to the world

I can show what you appear to be

Said the mirror immediately

Concurring with the conscious

You are covered by egotism and pietism*

(* Stress on the emotional and personal aspects of religion.)

Several disguises round you

I can't penetrate them to show you

Tear the veils, come out with true colors

I'll expose you what you are as it is

This will make you to be the

Even when you are laid to rest

A window lets light shine through

And allows us to see what might

Otherwise be hidden this is what

Transparency is all about

Letting that real self to be seen