Zigzag clouds on a September morning

These clouds were seen from Kyarkoppa Gudda on the dawn of September 2nd.

Sun on the verge of rising

cloud formation in the western sky

upper half of the cloud formation had zigzag bands 

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Ganesha Habba 2022

 Ganesha Habba celebrations were disrupted by COVID-19 in the past two years. Hence 2020 and 2021 there were no public celebrations. I, like thousands of people, missed seeing the creative themes. This year the spirit has revived slightly. Here are a few Ganesha around Dharwad seen during early morning bicycle rides. There were many more tents in my cycling route but the screens were drawn so I missed seeing them. Anyway, chant Ganesha Sloka and see this year's Ganesha.

ಶ್ರೀ ವಕ್ರತುಂಡ ಮಹಾಕಾಯ ಸೂರ್ಯಕೋಟಿ ಸಮಪ್ರಭ |

ನಿರ್ವಿಘ್ನಮ್ ಕುರು ಮೇ ದೇವಾ ಸರ್ವ ಕಾರ್ಯೇಷು ಸರ್ವದಾ ||

श्री वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय सूर्य कोटी समप्रभा |

निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्व-कार्येशु सर्वदा॥

Shree Vakratunda Mahakaya Suryakoti Samaprabha |

Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva Sarva-Kaaryeshu Sarvada ||

our home

Ashirwada Ganapati Gudi, Kelageri

Samudaya Bhavan Kelageri

Sadankeri

Bhagat Singh Road (Tikare road)

Sri Ram Mandir, Tikare road

Sangam Theatre

Karnataka College (KCD)

Karnataka University junction (KUD Circle)

Haliyal road - Saptapur road junction

Subhash road

Links to past years' collections of Ganesha...

Ganesha Habba 2019

Ganesha Habba 2016

Ganesha Habba 2015

Ganesha Habba 2014

Ganesha Habba 2013

Ganesha Habba 2012

Ganesha Habba 2011

Ganesha Habba 2010

Ganesh Chaturti 2009

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Teaching and Learning

Quoting a few lines on teaching & learning from the book "Buddha and Basava" by H. H. Poojya Mahatapasvi Kumaraswamiji of Navakalyanamath, Dharwad. These lines are from the chapter "Basava and his work."

The business of a university is to teach but teaching implies learning. The spirit of learning is much better than the spirit of teaching because the vanity of teaching often tempteth a man to forget that he is a blockhead. The most inspiring teachers are therefore the most enthusiastic learners.

Sri Kumaraswamiji is better known through his ashram Tapovan at Dharwad.

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an antique cruiser bicycle

Spotted this ancient beauty at the vegetable market. Apparently this bike is being used to transport vegetables by the vendor. Its a Phillips make, identifiable by the letters on the sprocket and letter 'P' on the light holder and on the fork as well. Going by the design of the seat, this bicycle could be 50s or 60s product. Looks like the owner's family- husband, wife and a kid -travelled on this bicycle during a period of its life. I hope this bicycle doesn't end up in a junkyard. This antique should be reconditioned & preserved in a museum.

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signs of a coming thunderstorm

Nature tells us what's coming next in its own subtle way. Animals and plants are well connected with Nature so a up next. However man, busy running a rat race, is disconnected and the acts of Nature are surprises. Often people are caught unawares by rains and thunderstorms. If people learn to read the signs, they could be better prepared.

Here are a few signs from my observations, there could be more. Some of these signs may not apply to certain geographical locations.

1. Early morning mist - heavy mist in the early morning is usually followed by a bright & hot day. And, it could rain in the next three days.
2. Humid and sultry weather - when humidity builds up it gets warm, people perspire in such a condition. Then the air becomes still, the level if discomfort goes up. This can happen over days and then one of the following days clouds build up and there's a downpour. 
3. Dragonflies - somehow magically dragonflies appear before rains. They come and go with mist and humid weather.
4. Dark clouds gathering in a particular direction - this observation is specific to Dharwad and its surroundings. If there's accumulation of dark clouds in the northeasterly direction, chances of raining at your location is high.
5. Cool wind from riverside - this too is specific to rural area north of Dharwad. River Malaprabha flows in the west-east direction about 30 km north of Dharwad. When a cool slow breeze blows from the river side, it is bound to rain within the next three days. The breeze is pleasant, there's a significant difference in its temperature - one needs to experience it a few times to get a hang of it.

Sign #4 and #5 were gained from farmers. A real farmer is truly connected with Nature and his bullocks i.e. Basavanna. Such a farmer can predict weather conditions precisely.

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