Banavasi Ratha

Most beautiful times spent in my early childhood days belong to April! It will be the case with most of the school children waiting for summer holidays.But surely it will be very special for those from my village 'Banavasi' becauase of "Banavasi Theru"(cart festival).It is usually celebrated 12 days after holi to symbolize the marriage ceremony of Lord Shiva(Madhukeshwara) and Parvati.The cart is more than 800years old. It is one of those huge monuments of royal Kadamba Dynasty. With six wheels, around 60 feet in height(after development during the ceremony)it symbolizes one of those great heritage, and architectural extravaganza of our culture!I just wonder how many such local wonders are there in India which go un noticed by the world!find the link below:http://picasaweb.google.com/chinmay.shastri/BanavasiRatha

My Friend B(ea)N

One sweet incident during my college days!Me and and Mr।Bean(his initial ends with BN...Just modified similar to famous cartoon character) had gone for shopping in Gandhi Bazar, Bangalore । Shopkeeper was conversing in Hindi। Even though we studied in central school, our exposure to Hindi speaking is limited only to movies....That too kind of Mumbai slang only(tapori istyle)!After a series of broken Hindi conversation we chose what we wanted and then conversation was like this:Shop Keeper:"Saat rupya dedo saab"।(Give 60Rs sir)we got confused। We both thought he is asking for 80 Rs and started bargaining।Mr। Bean (looked at me in confusion ): "oh more ho gaya। 'Seventy' Rs lelo। (that is more। take 70Rs)Shopkeeper fortunately not well versed in English॥SK: "Nahin ayega saab, Us se ek paisa bhi kam nahin loonga" (No sir, I wont take even one paisa less than that)By this time I was growing with confidence।Me: Ok , 'Seventy five' lelijiye(ok, take 75) :)As expected shopkeeper denied the offer। :)one more guy was had witnessed all these scenes। he suddenly came forward to help usStranger:" bhai saab, pachas panch par dedo॥bache log hai।(hello brother take fifty five, they all are kids)To our amazement shopkeeper promptly agreed!!!Till date we remember this when we hear any hindi no pronounced।