A window to my world ...

I just finished reading "A Prisoner of Birth" .I would highly recommend it to any Jeffrey Archer fan or somebody who likes reading fiction. Its an interesting plot,which'll keep you guessing,drags a l'll in the middle,but nevertheless ,holds your interest.Would place it in the league of Archer's previous "Not a penny less,not a penny more". I also read "The Kite Runner" : an emotional story set in Afghanistan,and which captures the pre-Taliban and the Taliban regime.Another must read . Another 5-hr read-and-forget novel is "The 3 mistakes of my life" by Chetan Bhagat,which was very disappointing after his previous "Five point someone" and "One night at a call centre".The author has tried to cash on the same formula.The medley of Gujarat riots ,cricket and romance did not gel well.The book will sell because of the popularity of his earlier two novels,but the reader would not look forward to any more after this book

Rites,rituals,religious conversion were some topics which kept haunting me all through.Spiritually this is the phase has helped me believe more strongly in my own religion/lifestyle and the fact that each religion is just another language you as a person communicate to God with.Each language(religion) has its grammar(customs/rules) ,but the end aim is the same,to convey your thoughts and your faith. So it should not matter to others . People lay so much emphasis on rituals and not on actual prayers,that the essence is lost . External form of worship is encouraged,which is good but its the mind which needs to be at peace and in sync with the soul within and all that is lost in the external show. I realized that i cherish tradition and hate rules. Dont make it a rule to pray in a particular manner and to worship in a particular way. I think all that should be left to individuals.I have never been an atheist/agnostic but keep imposing the rules and i'll turn into one for sure ...

  At Dhanush Koti : Living on the (l)edge On the way to Dhanush koti ... Kalyani Raya Gopura : The incomplete saga Guru Where : Melkote/Melukote Location : 150 kms from bangalore,35 kms from Mandya,3hrs to reach Route : Bangalore->Bidadi->Ramanagara->Mandya->Melkote When : 8th June 2008 Gang : Amit,Dakshina,Guru,Rani and Sudhi Places of interest : Yoganarasimha temple,Cheluvanarayana temple,Dhanush Koti Historic Significance : Very sacred place for Vaishnavites.It is said that Sri Ramanujacharya,the proponent of Vishishtadvaita, spent 14 yrs of his life here. Melukote is an ideal 1 day weekend getaway /picnic spot for bangalore dwellers. It has become famous after the song "Barso Re" from the film "Guru" was shot here. Thank you Rani for suggesting this place.Melukote is still a calm,quiet non crowded,unexplored place relatively.I hope it stays that way. Guru has mailed me the details and i am adding it here . Travel: ------- There are dire