Chitrakoot Falls: India’s answer to the USA’s Niagra Falls!!!

oday I will write about beautiful & mesmerizing Chitrakoot Falls, beauty of which was narrated by my mother who had visited Chitrakoot few years ago but memory was still fresh in her mind of that trip. Chitrakoot originated in our conversation from the Ram Mandir of Ayodhya’s issue, which was being discussed on many television channels.  My mother insisted that I must visit Chitrakoot sometime and sooner the better.

Before planning a visit there, I started researching on Chitrakoot Falls, like I always do. The research revealed many interesting points which many of us wouldn’t know. I thought of sharing that with you.

The Chitrakoot is a waterfall located near Jagdalpur, in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh. This river is a tributary of the Godavari River. Chitrakoot waterfall is the largest waterfall in India. The height of the falls is 100 feet. The breadth of the waterfall varies as the water level in the river changes drastically. However during a monsoon, the river flow touches both the banks of the river, and is filled with silt. During monsoon the waterfall turns wild and violent. In contrast, during summer the water carries no silt and looks different. The area around the falls is largely forested. Chitrakoot waterfall is best seen during and after the monsoon, between July and October.

People can spend hours just sitting here and enjoying the scenic beauty of the place. The loud noise during monsoon is breathtaking. During the rains, this waterfall widens upto 150 meters. During the rainy seasons, people don’t visit this waterfall, owing to its extreme form. But once, the winter season arrives, the water becomes lighter, and the atmosphere here is worth seeing.

The first time visitors are sure to fall in love with this place and they just can’t have enough in just one visit. If you want to enjoy the wildness of the waterfall then July to the month of October would be the best time, the waterfalls of Chitrakoot attain its best phase and widens up to 150 meter. But if you want to enjoy the calm white waterfall then best time to visit is during the winters which start from October to February.

Chitrakoot waterfalls, popularly known as Niagara falls of india,  this fall is situated in Vindhyachal Ranges, which are stretched between Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.

Historical & Geographical facts about Chitrakoot Falls:

• The Chitrakoot Falls is located on the Indravati River. The river originates in the kalahandi region of Odisha, in the Vindhya Range of hills, flows westward and then forms a fall at Chitrakoot, enters Andhra Pradesh and finally flows into the Godavari River, after traversing 240 miles (390 km) in the state, at Bhadrakali. The free drop of the falls is a sheer height of about 30 metres (98 ft). Because of its horseshoe shape, it is compared with the Niagara Falls and is given in the sobriquet ‘the Small Niagara Falls’. During the rainy season, from July and October, rainbows are created with sun rays reflecting on mist from the waterfall.
• On the left bank of the Chitakote Falls, a small Hindu shrine dedicated to the god Shiva and several naturally created grottos named “Parvati caves” (named after Shiva’s wife Parvati) are located. The weather in the area is generally pleasant except in the summer season when it is hot due to absence of vegetation in the area. The river flows sluggishly on the upstream side of the falls due to its meandering nature as it drains through the plains of Jagdalpur. This reach of the river valley has very little forest cover. Below the falls the river traverses the Bodhghat forested area and the river regime undergoes drastic change in its flow conditions. Aeration process and the forest in the downstream area filters the silt in the river.
• Chitakoot Falls is one of the two of the waterfalls located in the Kanger Valley National Park, the other is Tirathgarh falls.^[

How to reach Chitrakoot Waterfall

Jagdalpur is a popular city of Chhattisgarh and is very well connected to the rest of the state. Frequent bus services and taxis are available to reach Chitrakoot waterfall or you can also heir a private car.

 

KNOW YOUR RELATIONSHIPS – Through Positive Intentions by Shilpi J Chawla

POETRY ON RELATIONSHIPS

The above title comes from the author of wonderful self help books, The Book of Intents and its sequel Love Your Life, with the power of intention and Dancing the Dance, a book about power and grace of the Woman.  Shilpi feels that life is inherently supplying us subtle messages, stillness is inevitable if you want to tap into them and yet in the midst of all that is palpable and real, there is something very unreal about living a life without intention.

The book in question is starkly different from other books of the author and many other authors for that matter, as it deals with most complex subject on the planet, Relationships. All of us are entangled in the web of relationships, irrespective of our age, gender, social status, financial status, place of stay, single, married, working, non working, self-employed…whatever! Not just one or two but into multiple relationships, some of which add lot of value to our existence, whereas others are not so pleasant and some, which can just be despised, but we can’t.   Being in a relationship is 24 hours 365 days business; hence lot of issues related to relationships impact our lives.

Know your relationships is an interesting take on Relationships which takes you a wave forward one day at a time, one emotion at a time,  one letter at a time. Beautifully interpreted through 26 Alphabets of English Language, each letter presents a different shade, hue and colour of relationship. She has re-written A, B, C, D of relationships especially for those adults who are struggling with relationship to reach X, Y, Z of life.  The adults have been taught A B C D of relationships, like a child has been taught ABCD just when he starts understanding relationships. The book talks to that child in us in an empowering way, encouraging them to look at relationships in their life through the first 26 letters of English Language.

Ever considered A= Allow rather than Apple? Or B=Bliss rather than Ball? Asks Shilpi. The answer is clear no as we have been living with clichés around us. The complex relationships of the world are integrated through ABCs in the book. Ideal for young parents who can learn ABCD of relationships from “Know Your Relationships” which can be beautifully transcended to their young children or whosoever touches them during life’s journey. After reading this book, I am sure all of you would be able to find a new meaning to your relationships through the journey of life ahead. While putting all emotions surrounding human heart in perspective, finally you feel positive about all relationships around you, howsoever bitter or unpleasant these have been.

Without reading the tips on How to use this Book, it will be difficult to comprehend the book, and without proper comprehension, you will not be able to transcend its essence to your life’s relationships. The book not only guides you through various relationships, but through two most important relationships which is with SELF and POWER ABOVE.  If you are honest and meaningful here, you will catch the essence of the book. You will feel a sense of spaciousness within, almost leading to expansion of your heart.  Indeed you need to read between the lines, in fact I read the book twice, once to read the verses and second time to absorb the essence. The book is beautifully rendered through verses where your spirit is blessing you through out, through various renditions for ABCDs…

It is always a pleasure & treasure Shilpi’s books who pours her heart out to prove her point that every relationship is poignant and a blessing to cherish. The book has lot of space which is soothing for the eyes and attractive illustrations on left hand side of each chapter, which shows that author is not only creative in her thinking  & writing, but also in its rendition too. The cover is creatively illustrated too, which spells out many relationships surrounding us. Opening of the book as many meaningful credentials by illustrious people, which speaks volumes about the book.

I would like share some pearls from the book here to give you the glimpse of what this Jewel holds for you:

• May you only know bliss as your true identity
• Stay grounded in your highs
• Dust off the doubts
• For, you are always home in your heart
• You are a living miracle
• You came from Nothingness, and that’s your ultimate destination
• Give it rest when it needs

In the end, Shilpi has not forgotten to thank her readers, expressing:

Knowing that in me – is YOU!

 

 

 

#Colgate Magical Stories: Thrilling ride in space with Colgate!

Toothpaste matlab Colgate!

Colgate has been integral part of our growing up years when every day began with Colgate and concluded with Colgate and everything fell in between. Colgate has been a complete solution provider for Oral hygiene and I am sure, our generation only knew Colgate for toothpaste. It has been integral part of our morning chores – No wonder so many ladies trust Colgate for their children’s pearly whites – Colgate hai to bharosa hai!

 So when I came know about #ColgateMagical Stories by Colgate mailed to us by Blogadda, my mind just went back to my childhood when we use to indulge in such activities. Probably this is not the case with youngsters of today who have all the sophisticated gadgets to their disposal. I told Blogadda, that though I want to participate but I my child has outgrown to take part in this activity, to this Blogadda told me that you can do this activity with any children around you. This is how “My Story” began with #ColgateMagical Stories.

In a short span of time, I received packs in attractive packaging from Blogadda for which I had already chosen my cooperative and attractive colleague Reena Noronha, who is mother of two – Joshua (8) and Judith (5) – intelligent, inquisitive, creative & naughty to the core! For third story, I chose my young & exuberant colleague Bhagyashree Kanade’s Cute & Curious daughter, Abha (7).

I shared, the details with about the #ColgateMagicalStories with Reena, who reluctantly agreed to take part in the activity, but as I was confident her children were very excited to take part in the activity. Reena took lot of trouble in handling the kids who helped them with cutting, pasting and explaining them. The scene resembling nothing short from the comic strip – Denise the Menace. Excellent Manager that Reena is, she could take best out of the kids.

Children are at their creative best when they are given something colourful to look (painting), interesting to cut & paste (Craft) and weave a story (Story Telling) around it. Colgate with Magical Stories had just caught the pulse of the children with this activity where a child’s all creative faculties are at play.  Joshua & Judith were super-excited to be involved in the activity where they could cut & paste and weave a story around it. First and foremost – Joshua gave attractive names to the characters & Judith was no less, she also came up with attractive names, taking burden of naming ceremony from Reena’s shoulders.

First Pack: 1646636 SL: Joshua Noronha Narrates:

 I like all things about space and want to be in a space station. I think the Boy in space –suit is me, but not me, I will call him Capt. Shijin who wants to live in Space station and work in Earth’s orbit. Shijin is very happy in his space suit which weighs 127 kgs with 13 layers of material. The cute looking girl is Shijin’s sister, DORA who wants to go with his brother. Brother and Sister both are happy that will be in space.

Joshua plotting the story

Joshua ready with cuts

Joshua narrating story

Joshua excited

Joshua done

They tell their parents about the space, who get very scared but allow them. Excitedly, mom of Capt. Shijin and Purser Dora pack them with lot of stuff. Starting from Packs of Colgate to brush their teeth in the morning, eatables during the day and brush again in the night. Shijin also takes Chocolates and Cookies for her sister.  Always they had seen the Space Stations on TV and Movies, for the first time they were going there. They were very excited when Rocket zoomed with loud noise and placed them in station.  The ride was thrilling but scary, but Capt. Shijin and Dora loved it.  They were going be in the sky amidst stars.

Capt. Shijin asked Dora to write everything from space, so that they can tell them all about it in school, in return he gave Dora a chocolate. She was very very happy!

Second Pack: P1646636 AP : Ms.Judith Noronha Narrates:  

 I am Judy, I love to be in Space, as seen in movies. The girl on the Alien Planet is Me, Judy who is in her space suit and gun like thing. I love to hold guns, so I love holding this also. I am glad that space suits give Oxygen to breathe in outer space. I set out in cute train to reach the Satellite and I am very happy with the ride. I am more happy because I am carrying my Colgate with me so that I don’t miss brushing my teeth which makes my mom happy. On the way I see UFO which is very wonderful. I have not seen anything before like this.

Joshua joins Judith

As I am reaching space, I see Alien, who is very cute and looked and cuddly, I called him Jaadu, who was from some other planet. I told Jaadu, I want to visit your planet and want to know how aliens live, eat and sleep. Jaadu happily agreed to take along cute little Judy in his Rover, which easily moved around planet. Judy was very happy to visit another planet with Jaadu. When she returned from planet, Jaadu’s mom gave her many dresses, chocolates, cookies, comics, flowers…all things Judy loved.

Judy happily came back loaded with present which she happily shared with her brother Joshua. She told all stories to her friends in school who enjoyed it very much.

Third Pack: P1646636 : Ms. Abha Khedkar Narrates (7)

The cute little girl is Doreme as she resembles the famous cartoon character, Doreme who wants to go to Space, like me. I am making my friend Doreme ready for going to Space. I dress her up in Space Suit made for astronauts with Oxygen to breathe in outer space. I give her a gun also so that she is saved from attacks. As she starts her engine like space vehicle, Doreme shouts, UFO…

…UFO scares her and she takes out her gun to shoot. But it flies high and she missed her aim.

 

On her way, she sees an alien who has a gadget in hand. Doreme takes her gun out to shoot, but Alien shouts, “ I am your brother Doremon”. I will take you around in Space so that you enjoy your trip. I will call my other Alien friends who will love you and give you gifts.  Doreme did not believe him at once, but he came close, she liked him.  His eyes looked as if had two bulbs in them which were showing way in the dark. Doremon walks with heavy head and heavy feet. I smiled at him when he walked which made him angry. Doreme took out her gun to shoot but gun fire did not work on Doremon. He had thick shield on his body. Doreme said sorry to Doremon and brother sister moved for their space walk. When Doreme came back to earth, she had many gifts given by her brother and she loved them all. In return Doreme gave them packs of Magical Colgate toothpaste to all friends of Doremon who loved them a lot. How she wished she had brother like Doremon!

Colgate, Thanks you very much providing this opportunity of bringing out creativity in the children around me, who enjoyed the activity very much and their mothers Reena and Bhagyashree came to know about their story-telling skills. Their journey to the space was exciting through throw away pack of Colgate. Well Said: आम के आम गुठलियों के दाम! 

A big thank you to Blogadda team for hosting this activity for me.

“I’m blogging my #ColgateMagicalstories at BlogAdda in association with Colgate.

 

 

Open Eyed Meditations: Distillation of ancient wisdom for Modern Lives

TAG LINE: Practical Wisdom for Everyday Life

 

COME FROM: Author of the Bestselling Ramayana – The Game of Life Series

PUBLISHED BY: FINGERPRINT BELIEF

All of us supposedly know the term: Meditation but have we ever tried to explore the true rather deep meaning of the term? Not really! We are convinced all this is not for us, the lesser mortals of the land, but only for those who want to explore higher realms of life. We are happy the way we are. But are we? Not really, till I read: Open Eyed Meditations by famed author & motivational speaker Shubha Vilas.

Other terms to understand with open eyes when all our faculties are at their functional best subject to so much distraction from all quarters. So for all of us lesser mortals, there is Shubha Vilas, author of best-seller Ramayana: The Game of Life Series, who very effectively takes us through the process of Meditation with Open Eyes! Hence the title: Open Eyed Meditations.

The book is another Gem from the author which is very practical and functional in its approach. The interpretations are so apt that in many chapters that we would be  compelled to think that: This is ME, The Thought is MINE, the struggle is MINE, the example is MINE, the success is MINE, the failure is MINE, the dilemma is MINE…it completely immersed ME. There is so many take-aways from this rare gem that your JEWEL BOX would be full, but not your heart. For many books, in the end I have taken sigh of relief, thank God, it’s over but for Open Eyed Meditation, the feeling was: Oh! Got Over!! Yeh Dil Maange More!!!

The book has 64 chapters which run through 278 pages having attractive Cover Page and appropriate credentials on the Back Cover. Book is attractive to receive and engrossing to read. Every chapter is summarized in the end thus making each chapter more meaningful to the reader.  Many chapters just leave you mesmerized and you start self-questioning yourself: How would have I reacted in such a situation?  The answer is in the book.

I would like list few pearls of wisdom here:

• Is decision making a feeling based art, or a logic-based Science?
• Comparison is a systematic way of insulting your uniqueness and gifting yourself with misery.
• Dealing with negativity does not need good aptitude but good attitude.
• Your happiness quotient lies in how much joy you give others.
• Our mind, like the lion in a zoo, needs to be confined within the boundaries of discipline.
• Ravana exists not outside us but within. And he attacks in multiple ways
• The bug of discontent has spread like an epidemic to destroy the healthy mind.
• Greatness comes from dealing with imperfections
• While ordinary people complain of life’s harshness, extraordinary people are busy dealing with them as lifetime opportunities.
• Quantitative growth or qualitative growth, this marks the difference between good leaders and great ones.

In fact all of us must inculcate meditation to release stress from our daily lives, which is not happening though. But reading rather possessing this book would enable you to do meditation with open eyes where you can choose the chapter which suits your state of mind. The examples have been drawn from Epics Ramayana and Mahabharata which we have grown up reading, however I feel you will enjoy the book to the hilt if you know these epics and their characters well. The generation which has not been fed by these epics may not be able to draw inferences well. The book needs to be read not only with Open Eyes but with Open Minds, Hearts & Souls too, it will do wonders to your existence. You would be able to add so much more value to this invaluable life.

A beautiful journey through 64 chapters, the book is life a verse which you would like to recite in every stage of your life: Young, Old, Not-so-old, Career, Children, Marriage, Relationships, Solitude, Education, Interactions, Indecisions, Leaderships and Distractions…

…it effectively addresses your anxieties.

Ideally the book should be read at a stretch but it is difficult for its 278 pages and I read many pages twice to get the clear understanding of the ideology discussed. The book simply brings out the essence of deeper realms of life which we cannot explore with closed eyed meditations, what to say of open eyed meditation. The book is a self-help book which should be your prized possession for all your life.

Keep it and gift it to spread the AROMA!

This review is a part of the biggest Book Review Program for Indian Bloggers.