Mysore .. once again

Being in Bangalore got one advantage.. there are lot of places you can go for a short - weekend break. Though Mysore been one of our favoutire destination, we could visit the beautiful city just once in 2016. So finally in Feb 2021 it was time once more. Initially we decided to make it a day trip, with driving down from Bangalore early Sunday morning and then coming back by evening. As I was discussing the plan with a friend of mine (also a travel enthuast like me) he suggested go on Saturday stay overnight and come back next day. It was a good idea. So, looked up booking.com and zeroed on Royal Orchid Metropole, a heritage hotel. We started around 9:30 am on Saturday, took the NICE Ring Road. It was a 3 - 3.5 hr journey.

The first stop was Cafe Coffe Day, after Mandya for a refreshing break. Was supposed to stop for 15 min, but with Coffee and accoimpainments it got extended to a 45 min break.

We finally reached our hotel close to 2 pm. Mysore was quite hot. After a quick check in we quickly had our lunch and headed straight to Mysore Palance. It was refreshing visiting Mysore Palace once more. The Mysore Palace is the official residence of the Wadiyar dynasty and the seat of the Kingdom of Mysore. The palace is in the centre of Mysore, and faces the Chamundi Hills eastward. The land on which the palace now stands was originally known as puragiri (literally, citadel), and is now known as the Old Fort. Yaduraya built the first palace inside the Old Fort in the 14th century, which was demolished and constructed multiple times. The current structure was constructed between 1897 and 1912, after the Old Palace was burnt ablaze. The palace is the 2nd most tourist attraction after Taj Mahal, with about 6 million annual visitors across the world. Mysore is commonly described as the 'City of Palaces', and there are seven palaces. The palace is opened all days from 10 am to 5:30 pm and you need to buy tickets before getting in. You can buy tickets online or at the palace counter. For more information you can visit Mysore Palace website.

After soaking in history, we went back to our hotel. Royal Orchid Metropole has its own charm. Its a 101 year old building,originally built by the Wadiyar dynasty as a guest house for the Maharaja's elite British guests, the legacy property features 30 grand suites and luxurious rooms with private balconies, all of which exude glamour and nostalgia. Here are some hotel pictures.

Next day, morning we went to Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens popularly known as Mysore Zoo, one of India's oldest zoo. It rained overnight, so next day was quite pleasant. Mysore Zoo was created from the private menagerie of Maharaja Sri Chamaraja Wodeyar in 1892, on 10 acres of the summer palace. Over the next 10 years the zoo was expanded to 45 acres with spacious enclosures that are still in use. The Zoo's original founder, Sri Chamarajendra Wodeyar originally called the Palace Zoo, it was renamed "Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens" in 1909. Mr. A.C. Hughes, from South Wales, was the zoo's first superintendent. He served as the superintendent from 1892 to 1924. Hughes, Sir Mirza Ismail, and G.H. Krumbiegel worked towards refashioning the zoo and updating it with modern, natural enclosures. It now includes a bandstand and an artificial lake. It was given to the Department of Parks and Gardens of the Mysore State Government in 1948. The zoo was expanded first with another 50 acres, and then another 150 acres with the acquisition of the Karanji Tank (reservoir), in which an artificial island has been created as a sanctuary for birds. The zoo was handed over to the Forest Department in 1972, and was entrusted to Zoo Authority of Karnataka (the first autonomous organization in India to manage a zoo) in 1979. The zoo had completed 100 years in 1992. The centenary celebrations were held in 1990 and 91. During the centenary celebrations various developmental activities were initiated such as renovation and modification of the entrance gate, hospital building, Walk Through Reptiles, etc. The bust of Sri Chamarajendra Wadiyar, founder of Mysore Zoo, was unveiled. The logo of the zoo, centenary souvenir, publication of literature and leaflets, conducting various competitions, preparation of a documentary film were other highlights.

Post our Zoo visit, we came back to the hotel, had our lunch and checked out. It was a 3.5 hr drive back on same route. On the way we stopped at De Parathaaz Cafe for a quick nature and tea break.

Trip date: 20-21 Feb 

Travel Mode: Car 

Hotel: Royal Orchid Metropole, a heritage hotel

DAY TRIP TO KAILASHGIRI

On Feb 7, we planned out first trip of 2021 to Kailashgiri with our beast. Kailasagiri is 7 kms from Kaiwara which itself is around 80 kms from Bangalore in Chikballapur district. You can see the man made caves and have a nice view from the top. The Pandavas from Mahabharata are believed to have lived here during their exile. The hill is also called as the Bhima Bakasura betta where Bhima is believed to have slain Bakasura. We left home in the morning as it would get hotter in day time. Took the 70 km route via Hoskote - H Cross, then had a up-hill climb through the narrow lanes to Kailashgiri. Once at the rock base you have adequate parking for cars and bikes. Park your veichle and then walk through the ramp to the man made caves. Don't carry any food as there are lot of monkeys on the way. You need to take off your footware before entering the cave. There are connected caves where you can meditate and one other end there are temples and have darshan of Sri Vallaba Ganapati Swamy, Sri Chaturmukhalingeshwara Swmay and Goddess Sri Jagadambe inside the cave temple. Once you come out of the caves enjoy the scenic beauty of the place from the hilltop.

One our way back, we went to Kolar to have lunch and then drove back home.

Mutton Saagwala

For the first time blogging about a reciepe. Here's how you make Mutton Saagwala.


Ingredients for Mutton Saagwala are:

500 gms mutton
200 grams spinach , cleaned, washed, and chopped coarsely, stem and leaves, and pureed with little water
2 large tomato
1 large onion
Cumin powder - 2 spoon
Garlic Paste - 2 spoon
Ginger Paste - 2 spoon
Green chiili - 5 -6
Red chili powder - half spoon
Turmeric powder - 1 spoon
Garam masala - 1 spoon
Ghee - 4-5 spoon
Ginger
Salt


Start by making separate puree of Spinach, tomato and Green chilli.

Heat ghee in a kadai. Once it is really hot, add the onions and sauté till lightly browned. Add the meat. Add the green chili paste, cumin and garam masala powders to the meat and let it cook on low heat for few minutes. Then add the ginger paste and garlic paste, season with salt, mix, cover and Lcook for 3-4  minutes. Add the pureed spinach, red chili powder and turmeric to the meat and mix. let the pureed spinach bubble for few minutes. Once you have spinach starts bubbling, add the tomato puree and cook covered low heat. Add little water and cook till mutton is completely cooked.

Slice Ginger into very thin strips and garnish. 

"The Man Who Spit In Buddha’s Face "

A story which I found on net

The Buddha was sitting under a tree talking to his disciples when a man came and spat in his face.

He wiped it off, and he asked the man, “What next? What do you want to say next?” The man was a little puzzled because he himself never expected that when you spit on somebody’s face, he will ask, “What next?” He had no such experience in his past. He had insulted people and they had become angry and they had reacted. Or if they were cowards and weaklings, they had smiled, trying to bribe the man. But Buddha was like neither, he was not angry nor in any way offended, nor in any way cowardly. But just matter-of-factly he said, “What next?” There was no reaction on his part.

But Buddha’s disciples became angry, and they reacted. His closest disciple, Ananda, said, “This is too much. We cannot tolerate it. He has to be punished for it, otherwise everybody will start doing things like this!”

Buddha said, “You keep silent. He has not offended me, but you are offending me. He is new, a stranger. He must have heard from people something about me, that this man is an atheist, a dangerous man who is throwing people off their track, a revolutionary, a corrupter. And he may have formed some idea, a notion of me. He has not spit on me, he has spit on his notion. He has spit on his idea of me because he does not know me at all, so how can he spit on me?

“If you think on it deeply,” Buddha said, “he has spit on his own mind. I am not part of it, and I can see that this poor man must have something else to say because this is a way of saying something. Spitting is a way of saying something. There are moments when you feel that language is impotent: in deep love, in intense anger, in hate, in prayer. There are intense moments when language is impotent. Then you have to do something. When you are angry, intensely angry, you hit the person, you spit on him, you are saying something. I can understand him. He must have something more to say, that’s why I’m asking, “What next?”

The man was even more puzzled! And Buddha said to his disciples, “I am more offended by you because you know me, and you have lived for years with me, and still you react.”

Puzzled, confused, the man returned home. He could not sleep the whole night. When you see a Buddha, it is difficult, impossible to sleep anymore the way you used to sleep before. Again and again he was haunted by the experience. He could not explain it to himself, what had happened. He was trembling all over, sweating and soaking the sheets. He had never come across such a man; the Buddha had shattered his whole mind and his whole pattern, his whole past.

The next morning he went back. He threw himself at Buddha’s feet. Buddha asked him again, “What next? This, too, is a way of saying something that cannot be said in language. When you come and touch my feet, you are saying something that cannot be said ordinarily, for which all words are too narrow; it cannot be contained in them.” Buddha said, “Look, Ananda, this man is again here, he is saying something. This man is a man of deep emotions.”

The man looked at Buddha and said, “Forgive me for what I did yesterday.”

Buddha said, “Forgive? But I am not the same man to whom you did it. The Ganges goes on flowing, it is never the same Ganges again. Every man is a river. The man you spit upon is no longer here. I look just like him, but I am not the same, much has happened in these twenty-four hours! The river has flowed so much. So I cannot forgive you because I have no grudge against you.

“And you also are new. I can see you are not the same man who came yesterday because that man was angry and he spit, whereas you are bowing at my feet, touching my feet. How can you be the same man? You are not the same man, so let us forget about it. Those two people, the man who spit and the man on whom he spit, both are no more. Come closer. Let us talk of something else.”

Market, Assets & Bankruptcy

Once there was a little island country. The land of this country was the tiny island itself. The total money in circulation was 2 dollars as there were only two pieces of 1 dollar coins circulating around.

1. There were 3 citizens living on this island country.
   A owned the land.
   B and C each owned 1 dollar.
2. B decided to purchase the land from A for 1 dollar. So, now A and C own 1 dollar each while B owned a piece of land that is worth 1 dollar.
   1. The net asset of the country now = 3 dollars.
3. Now C thought that since there is only one piece of land in the country, and land is non producible asset, its value must definitely go up. So, he borrowed 1 dollar from A, and together with his own 1 dollar, he bought the land from B for 2 dollars.
4. A saw that the land he once owned has raised in value. He regretted having sold it. Luckily, he has a 1 dollar loan to C. He then borrowed 2 dollars from B and acquired the land back from C for 3 dollars. The payment is by 2 dollars cash (which he borrowed) and cancellation of the 1 dollar loan to C. As a result, A now owned a piece of land that is worth 3 dollars. But since he owed B 2 dollars, his net asset is 1 dollar.
5. 1. B loaned 2 dollars to A. So his net asset is 2 dollars.
   2. C now has the 2 coins. His net asset is also 2 dollars.
   3. The net asset of the country = 5 dollars. A bubble is building up.
6. B saw that the value of land kept rising. He also wanted to own the land. So he bought the land from A for 4 dollars. The payment is by borrowing 2 dollars from C, and cancellation of his 2 dollars loan to A. * As a result, A has got his debt cleared and he got the 2 coins. His net asset is 2 dollars.
   1. B owned a piece of land that is worth 4 dollars, but since he has a debt of 2 dollars with C, his net Asset is 2 dollars.
   2. C loaned 2 dollars to B, so his net asset is 2 dollars.
   3. The net asset of the country = 6 dollars; even though, the country has only one piece of land and 2 Dollars in circulation.
7. Everybody has made money and everybody felt happy and prosperous.
8. One day an evil wind blew, and an evil thought came to C's mind. 'Hey,what if the land price stop going up, how could B repay my loan. There is only 2 dollars in circulation, and, I think after all the land that B owns is worth at most only 1 dollar, and no more.'
9. A also thought the same way.
10. Nobody wanted to buy land anymore.
    1. So, in the end, A owns the 2 dollar coins, his net asset is 2 dollars.
    2. B owed C 2 dollars and the land he owned which he thought worth 4 dollars is now 1 dollar. So his net asset is only 1 dollar.
    3. C has a loan of 2 dollars to B. But it is a bad debt. Although his net asset is still 2 dollars, his Heart is palpitating.
    4. The net asset of the country = 3 dollars again.
11. So, who has stolen the 3 dollars from the country ? Of course, before the bubble burst B thought his land was worth 4 dollars. Actually, right before the collapse, the net asset of the country was 6 dollars on paper. B's net asset is still 2 dollars, his heart is palpitating.
12. B had no choice but to declare bankruptcy. C as to relinquish his 2 dollars bad debt to B, but in return he acquired the land which is worth 1 dollar now.
    1. A owns the 2 coins, his net asset is 2 dollars.
    2. B is bankrupt, his net asset is 0 dollar. ( he lost everything )
    3. C got no choice but end up with a land worth only 1 dollar
    4. The net asset of the country = 3 dollars.

 
End of the story; BUT, There is however a redistribution of wealth. A is the winner, B is the loser, C is lucky that he is spared. A few points worth noting:

1. When a bubble is building up, the debt of individuals to one another in a country is also building up.
2. This story of the island is a closed system whereby there is no other country and hence no foreign debt. The worth of the asset can only be calculated using the island's own currency. Hence, there is no net loss.
3. An over-damped system is assumed when the bubble burst, meaning the land's value did not go down to below 1 dollar.
4. When the bubble burst, the fellow with cash is the winner. The fellows having the land or extending loan to others are the losers. The asset could shrink or in worst case, they go bankrupt.
5. If there is another citizen D either holding a dollar or another piece of land but refrains from taking part in the game, he will neither win nor lose. But he will see the value of his money or land go up and down like a see saw.
6. When the bubble was in the growing phase, everybody made money.
7. If you are smart and know that you are living in a growing bubble, it is worthwhile to borrow money (like A ) and take part in the game. But you must know when you should change everything back to cash.
8. As in the case of land, the above phenomenon applies to stocks as well.
9. The actual worth of land or stocks depend largely on psychology.

Hyderabadi Lingo

Flipkart :: Is this the beginning of their fall?

I am very active into e-shopping. I buy regularly from Flipkart, Amazon, Snap Deal, Shop Clues, FirstCry and others. Among the Indian e-commerce I used to swear by Flipkart. Personally I used to buy from Flipkart from 2012 and have introduced the site to lot of friends, relatives. Things changed when I made a purchase last week.

I am a Flipkart first account holder, which means by default all my purchase will be In a day. Last Saturday when I added the items to cart, it showed delivery next day. Being confident with Flipkart I made the payment, and voila, after the payment was processed Flipkart screen said delivery within one week, and that too not via Flipkart but through Delhivery Courier Service. Confused, I called up Flipkart customer care, the guy replied Sir, no next day delivery in your area, and he said he wont be able to help.

My point is what happened to Flipkart? I knew them as an honest e-commerce company, it seems they have lost it. At least for me, I will think before shopping with them.

Update: I have again purchased few products on Flipkart, and this time I mentioned COD. The product was delivered by Ekart and within 24 hrs. So, conclusion, if you purchase on Flipkart ensure the product is sold by WSRetail and ask for COD. You will get the product faster.

Autohona - Hire an auto

Finally call auto service in Hyderabad. 

If you need to hire an Auto, Simply call 040-6723-2030. Avoid Useless bargaining tension with auto drivers and get auto services from your doorstep at government rates. The service is called Autohona.

For more details either check Autohona website or check out article on The New Indian Express.

Update: Called up Autohone last Sunday (21 Seput), the call center guy was courteous enough and patiently listened to my requirement and booked the auto. He said I will receive an SMS within 15 min confirming the booking. When I called them after 40 mins, they said no auto available so they wont be able to send any. When asked why they didn't bother to inform me, they replied the call didn't get through.

First experience was really bad, so no more Autohona for me. As start-up, expected to give better service. 

2014 – Can India give its mandate for development?

Being a middle aged Indian citizen and an Aam Aadmi, am looking for a new Government. A government who can really make my life better (am least bothered how much development we did on paper - excel sheet). It really makes me think, when the Central Government says we are 'growing', and I see despite earning more than what I used to earn before, my bank balance keeps on doing down. If India is growing then I should also grow, after all am very much part of India.

For me it doesn't matter which party forms the next government. What matters is which government can provide me better governance? Why can't we have a debate between the Prime-ministerial Candidates on how better then can help India to grow?

An aam aadmi  like me would like to look something on these lines from the next government.

Better India

• Real financial growth in India and all Indians.
• Removing corruption from netas to grassroot employees.
• Developing ‘real’ good institutes (from school to Universities). Focusing on ASK (Attitude – Skill – Knowledge).
• Emphasizing on manufacturing sector and agriculture. Increase production of both by at least 25%.
• Allowing FDI in every sector and ensuring Indian companies are good enough to compete with them. 
• Working towards ‘customer friendly’ business
• Working towards one India – not dividing the country based on religion, caste
• Using technology for better administration, monitoring
• Honoring true ‘freedom of speech’ for all the citizens of the country.
• Improving the internal security of the country.

Civic Sense

• Instating proper civic sense among Indian citizens.  When we go aboard we follow proper civic sense, back in our country we treat it as a dump yard.
• Ensuring dump bins are cleared regularly, Municipality / Corporation workers picking up garbage from home (without asking for bribe)
• Clean Roads

Road – City Traffic

• Good roads
• Indian drivers with better road traffic sense. (By not doing the following – wrong lane driving, rough driving, jumping working traffic signals, not respecting other drivers,  honking without reason)
• Drivers driving with passion not being inspired by the ruthless driving on movies
• Using indicators while changing lane, turning. Generally Indian drivers drive use indicators after taking a turn.
• Working traffic signals
• Proper road dividers
• Pedestrians having sense of understanding traffic rules
• Honest traffic police 
• Better public transport
• Auto with meters (which are used) and autowala with better customer service

Health Care

• Making health care (hospitals – medicine – medical treatment etc.) within reach of common people
• Improving working conditions of government run hospitals. It should be mandatory for all the doctors to practice at government run hospitals for at least 8 hrs a week
• Mandating patient first policy for the doctors. 

 Education

• Curriculum focused on student development, ensuring student growth in ASK method
• Abolishing 'private tuition'. This only shows how weak our education system is, students require tuition as school / institutes dose not go enough to fulfill the student requirement.
• Examination system should be developed to judge the knowledge of the student. Examination should not be a competition tool.
• Proper aided R&D system should be set up
• 'Brighter' students should be encouraged to go for R&D in India.

Note: this write up is in WIP mode. I will keep on updating the document till the next elections.

TataSky Cheap Tricks

I was using the TataSky SD Set-top box for past 7 years, and had subscribed to Annual Mega SD pack for past few years. Also I am quite happy with the services provided by them. Recently TataSky is advertising about upgrading to TataSky HD at Rs.1800. I spoke with their people about the upgrade. They said its quite easy and I would be able to view HD channels also. They also added that the first month is free (for HD) and henceforth I would need to pay Rs. 100 per month as HD access fee.

I liked the offer and went ahead with the upgrade. Now after the upgrade the TataSky gets back and says I wont be able to view HD channels unless I upgrade the pack to Annual Mega HD pack. This was fine with me, so I told them please go ahead with the upgrade on a pro-rata basis (my Annual Mega SD pack is up for renewal in October) and deduct the amount (about Rs. 300) for next three months. This is were the problem starts. TataSky says that's not possible. To upgrade I need to do annual renewal and pay about Rs. 4500.

My question to TataSky is:

1. When TataSky is offering HD with HD Access fee of Rs. 100 I don't understand why an Annual Mega SD pack customer pay the access fee and watch HD channels? Were as non annual pack subscriber can access the HD channels by paying HD Access fee. So TataSky to me shows very bad consumer service to a annual pack subscriber. 
2. It seems the TataSky ground staff are not trained (as I was never told about the issue when I spoke with them) with company norms and policy. 

Now I need to think if:

1. I should still continue with TataSky?
2. If I do continue, should I downgrade to some base pack and add HD channels?

Experience of buying Ertiga from ABT Maruti, Chennai

ABT Maruti - Guindy showroom is one of the terrible showroom. The sales guys are too good. They will promise the moon, and always say that the cars are in stock. I had a bitter experience with them. Even after paying them entire amount they started delaying in getting the car registered. The sales person Mr. Rajeev M Kumar, Senior Sales Officer (Mobile: 09677036623, 09500990141) who did my booking never bothered to follow up or call back. He keeps on lying on everything you ask him.

The Sales Manager in ABT, Mr. Venkatesh Kumar (Mobile: 9994492407), also plays an active part in taking the customer for a ride. Though he is the most well behaved sales guy among all the sales executive at ABT. Here is a walk through of my buying experience at ABT Maruti.

Walkin

After visiting Popular Maruti, and Khivraj Maruti - Besant Nagar (Khivraj guys was not even interested in selling the car) I had visited ABT Maruti on 5 May around 6 pm. By the time I walked to ABT Maruti I had decided to buy Ertiga VXI, Serene Blue color. So, for them I was a decided customer. Mr. Rajeev first tried selling me the disel version (even after I asked him about the model and color which I was looking for). Finally, he checked his stock and said the vehicle of my choice is available with them and he can get it within 7 days. His calculation of 7 days was 3 days for Bank loan and 3 days for registration, one day was buffer. He also made me meet the SBH Bank Manager, who took all the details required for processing the loan. I had agreed with his commitment and walked out of the showroom saying by next Wed, I would walk in and book the car, so that he can start the process. 

Documentation

When I inquired about the documents which is required to be submitted. The sales executive said I need to submit the following:

• Form - 16 (of last two AY)
• Address Proof (either of the following BSNL Landline bill, Govt. Undertaking Bank Passbook, Passport,Gas Bill)
• ID Proof (they insisted on PAN Card)
• 6 months bank statement (as i was going for finance)
• 2 photographs

The sales executive never bother to tell me the actual number of photographs he required. Finally, for

finance I had to submit 2 passport size photographs, for RTO registration 7 passport size photographs.

Booking

As promised I walked in to ABT (8th May) to book the car. Paid, Rs. 10,000 signed the required documents. I had asked for the details for RTO registration amount, which Mr. Rajeev promised to get back (but never did eventually). Also during the booking Mr. Rajeev promised to deliver the car on 15 May. I waled out of ABT smiling, and thinking wonderful service. Little did I know that time, that ABT is going to take me for a ride. 

Bank Loan

When the SBH bank manager didn't get back for the loan document, I called up Rajeev (from ABT) only to find out he passed on the documents to Kotak Mahindra Bank. He did all these even without asking for my permission. Finally, when I said that I will cancel the deal, he then handed over the documents to SBH. The SBH branch manager did an excellent job, and ensured the loan gets sanctioned as fast as possible. 

Final Payment

Finally next Tuesday I walked in to ABT (14 May) to get the Loan documents signed and handover rest of the payment which was pending from my end to ABT. 

After making all the payments when I asked for the date on which they will deliver the car, they said it will be next Wednesday, which meant 9 days. When enquired about the reason both Rajeev and Venkatesh gave me the following reason.

• Cheque to get realized. (Cheque got realized on 16 May. Didnt understand why local cheque gets so long to get encashed)
• After entire payment is received the dealer raises invoice (the invoice was raised on 17 May)
• The invoice is then sent to Maruti Suzuki Head Office for Insurance (17th May)
• Maruti Suzuki Call Center calls up the customer and verifies all details and asks which insurance company the customer would prefer (I didn't get any call)
• After the customer chooses the insurance company name, the car gets insured
• The insurance copy is then sent to the dealer
• The dealer then generates the Form 20 (required for Registration) (Generated on 18 May after 2 PM, despite telling Mr. Venkatesh that I would be out of Chennai at 2 PM. Finally when my trip got cancelled I called up ABT, they refused to come for signing the document as it was 5:00 PM, and next day was Sunday)
• The customer is then required to sign Form 20. (After making 3 phone calls Mr. Rajeev comes down to my office to sign the document on 20 May, at 1 PM. He also collects 7 photographs)
• Magistrate Affidivit is prepared (ABT charged me Rs. 1000 for preparing the document)
• The Form 20 is then sent to dealer's RTO department
• The dealer's RTO department checks if the computer generated form got any errors
• If no error, the department asks for the car to be bought to dealer's showroom 
• Then the car is sent to the RTO for registration. (My car was sent on 22nd May)
• Once Registration is completed, the dealer waits for Registration number
• After registration number arrives the dealer gets the number plate done

Once the above steps are completed the car is ready for delivery. Here's another catch, ABT delivers car to customer only on weekdays and that too after 5 pm (I got my car on 22nd May). What I don't understand is most of the documentation can be done in half a day, and when the customer pleads with the dealer to deliver the car at the earliest they ensure they delay the process. I have following questions for Maruti:

1. Why should the invoice get generated 6 days before the car is delivered to customer?
2. Why should I pay for the car insurance, if its going to be with the dealer for next 6 days?
3. Why Maruti Suzuki got no control over dealer behavior? In this case dealer charges saying RTO Registration taxes, also delayed the delivery.
4. Where is Maruti Suzuki's process, quality control?

ABT Maruti is taking the Maruti Suzuki brand for a ride. Each step they will apply their delay tactics. They will always ask for some document at the 11th hour, and ensure the delivery of the car gets delayed. On the day of booking one of my colleague visited ABT with me, he wanted to get more info on Kizashi. ABT came up with the funniest response, they said they are not able to locate the car keys. 

The reason of sharing this buying experience is not because I got anything personal against ABT or Maruti. For my love for Maruti Suzuki brand, I went to Ertiga (my 2nd Maruti Suzuki car). The experience was so pathetic (thanks to ABT), that I have decided not to go for a Maruti car ever. And also not to recommend a Maruti Suzuki car to anyone I know. Maruti's Ownership with Pride, gone down the drain. 

I don't know if anyone from Maruti Suzuki  would read this, or take any action against ABT ( I have emailed them my experience of purchasing the car). 

Birds

Birds, a photo by Anandarup on Flickr.

Ekambareshvara Temple, Kanchipuram

@ Ekambareshvara Temple, Kanchipuram, a photo by Anandarup on Flickr.

Ekambaranathar Temple or Ekambareswarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva, located in Kanchipuram in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is the largest temple in the town of Kanchipuram and is located in the northern part of the town. The temple gopuram (gateway tower) is 59m tall, which is one the tallest gopurams in India.

It is one of the five major Shiva temples or Pancha Bootha Sthalams (each representing a natural element) representing the element - Earth. The other four temples in this category are Thiruvanaikaval Jambukeswara (water), Chidambaram Natarajar (Sky), Thiruvannamalai Arunachaleswara (fire) and Kalahasti Nathar (wind). It is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams, where all of the four most revered Nayanars (Saivite Saints) have sung the glories of this temple.

Legend has it that once Parvati, the consort of Shiva was doing penance under the temple's ancient Mango tree near Vegavathi river.In order to test her devotion Shiva sent fire on her. Goddess Parvati prayed to her brother, Vishnu, for help. In order to save her, he took the Moon from Shiva's head and showed the rays which then cooled down the tree as well as Parvati. Shiva again sent the river Ganga (Ganges) to disrupt Parvati's penance. Parvati prayed to Ganga and convinced her that both of them were sisters and so should not harm her. Subsequently, Ganga did not disturb her penance and Parvati made a Shiva Linga out of sand to get united with Shiva. The God here came to be known as Ekambareswarar or "Lord of Mango Tree".

According to another legend, it is believed that Parvati worshipped Shiva in the form of a Prithivi Lingam (or a Lingam improvised out of sand), under a mango tree.Legend has it that the neighboring Vegavati river overflowed and threatened to engulf the Shiva Lingam and that Parvati or Kamakshi embraced the Lingam. Shiva touched by the gesture materialized in person and married her. In this context he is referred to as Tazhuva kuzhainthaar ("He who melted in Her embrace") in Tamil.

Tiurkuripputhonda Nayanar, one of the 63 saivite saints, called nayanars was a washer-man in near the temple and he washed the clothes of all the Saivities. He was divinely tricked by God Shiva appearing as an aged Brahmin and asked him to wash before dawn. At the same time Shiva made a cloudy evening. On observing the approach of the evening, the washer-man banged his head in a stone in disappointment. God appeared in his true form and graced his devotee.

Ekambareshvara Temple, Kanchipuram

@ Ekambareshvara Temple, Kanchipuram, a photo by Anandarup on Flickr.

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