Visit to Australia in March 2015 )
Australia travelogue. March 5th -19th 2015
from the writers ’desk!
from the writers ’desk!
One of my dreams was to see the Great Barrier reef, and Tropical rain forest and planned our trip to visit Australia, in the first week of March.,
We had a great weekend going out together, Monday we went to see the city by ourselves. My niece dropped us at the Gordon station. After 11.00 A.M, we were all by ourselves till we returned home by 4-30 pm.
Taking the morning train we reached Sydney central Queen Victoria Building (QVB) that had many similarities with NY Penn station and Boston Central. So managed to find the bus terminal, to get into the Free shuttle service, that gives a ride for 40 Minutes and stops near the Quay ( Sydney Harbour).
Stopped by at three important land marks--
The Sydney Museum, New South Wales Central Library (with a walking tour for 45 Minutes) and the Royal Botanical Gardens. Good walk, sat at convenient resting places, thanks to good planning, we carried our lunch and returned home enjoying every bit, not realising how we had spent three days already and preparing for the week end visits.
We had a great weekend going out together, Monday we went to see the city by ourselves. My niece dropped us at the Gordon station. After 11.00 A.M, we were all by ourselves till we returned home by 4-30 pm.
Taking the morning train we reached Sydney central Queen Victoria Building (QVB) that had many similarities with NY Penn station and Boston Central. So managed to find the bus terminal, to get into the Free shuttle service, that gives a ride for 40 Minutes and stops near the Quay ( Sydney Harbour).
Stopped by at three important land marks--
The Sydney Museum, New South Wales Central Library (with a walking tour for 45 Minutes) and the Royal Botanical Gardens. Good walk, sat at convenient resting places, thanks to good planning, we carried our lunch and returned home enjoying every bit, not realising how we had spent three days already and preparing for the week end visits.
The week-end and temple visits:and few more places to be covered in sight seeing itinerary around Sydney:
Chinese and Hindu temples , driving a distance of 200+ miles round trip, and a first exposure to the city by train .
This helped us return home safely. Had a grand dinner by early evening, met few Indians. With jet lag setting we had to take leave for the day, only to wake up in the wee hours..
Watching the SriLanka- Australia match at Sydney was great, of course on T V .
This helped us return home safely. Had a grand dinner by early evening, met few Indians. With jet lag setting we had to take leave for the day, only to wake up in the wee hours..
Watching the SriLanka- Australia match at Sydney was great, of course on T V .
We went for the morning walk to the nearby garden trail along with few friends. They gave a pen picture of what is in store for our Cairns visit in the coming weeks.
Sydney Travelogue series continued:--
Visit to Hindu Temple in Sydney, Australia. On 7th March,2015.
Almighty exists every where, and binds people settled beyond the shores of India and "the Down Under" continent is no exception! .
Lord Venkateswara Temple in Helens Burgh, New South Wales, Sydney Australia. It is the only Temple in the Southern Hemisphere.
It is at a distance of 70 Kms from Sydney and stands at a height of400 ' above sea lea level, close to, the ocean, and built on virgin land surrounded by tropical forests .
As one drives closer to the temple, the Gopuram looks grand and inviting. We were told that the architecture for constructing the Gopuram was done by a chapati from India (one Mr Janakiraman from Kumbakonam, India Tamil Nadu).
The temple has four praharams (encircling Corridors ) where the devotees take pradakshinam after offering their prayers at each shrine. We heard that , the Foundation stone was laid in 1983 , with just a Ganesa idol , Lord Balaji and Mahalakshmi and Andal. Kumbabhishekam was performed with Vedic rituals in June 1985, and was attended by all Indians (Hindus) residing in the vicinity and close neighborhood.
My husband and myself visiting this Temple complex , (I had visited it almost 25 years ago) and were amazed, to notice the changes in the complex.
New idols were added --Murugan with Valli and Devasena , 63 Alwars, and 4 Nayanmars,and the Navagrahams .
The layout is well planned with lot of space to move about, a cultural Hall (Multi purpose) and a special enclosure , where in women volunteers gather on week ends to make garlands for the deities.
I would like to share an interesting anecdote told by my relation(my sisters daughter and son- in- law (Mallika and Ganesan), who live in Sydney.
"During one of his visit to Chennai, another devotee had been to Kanchipuram to seek the blessings of his Holiness paramacharyas. He requested Mr.Ganesan(my sister's son in law) to carry the granite bricks to be placed for making the Peetam for Balaji. Thus a beginning was made then and later other" sannidhis"(special sanctum santoriums) for each God /Goddess) came up.
At the Sydney airport, the customs officials made inquiries at the jute sack bag containing the granite blocks. Initially, they were concerned about such a bricks/ block being carried all the way by Air. . My son in law explained, that it was only granite stones being carried for placing the Balaji idol, in the proposed Hindu Temple that is coming up , and that it was brought with the blessings of Sage of Kanchi, to build the first temple in the Southern Hemisphere !.
Hearing to the hour long talk, the authorities after hours of consultation with their seniors, conceded totheir request, handing over the stones , removing it from the gunny bags, which had hay strands tied .
Visit to Hindu Temple in Sydney, Australia. On 7th March,2015.
Almighty exists every where, and binds people settled beyond the shores of India and "the Down Under" continent is no exception! .
Lord Venkateswara Temple in Helens Burgh, New South Wales, Sydney Australia. It is the only Temple in the Southern Hemisphere.
It is at a distance of 70 Kms from Sydney and stands at a height of400 ' above sea lea level, close to, the ocean, and built on virgin land surrounded by tropical forests .
As one drives closer to the temple, the Gopuram looks grand and inviting. We were told that the architecture for constructing the Gopuram was done by a chapati from India (one Mr Janakiraman from Kumbakonam, India Tamil Nadu).
The temple has four praharams (encircling Corridors ) where the devotees take pradakshinam after offering their prayers at each shrine. We heard that , the Foundation stone was laid in 1983 , with just a Ganesa idol , Lord Balaji and Mahalakshmi and Andal. Kumbabhishekam was performed with Vedic rituals in June 1985, and was attended by all Indians (Hindus) residing in the vicinity and close neighborhood.
My husband and myself visiting this Temple complex , (I had visited it almost 25 years ago) and were amazed, to notice the changes in the complex.
New idols were added --Murugan with Valli and Devasena , 63 Alwars, and 4 Nayanmars,and the Navagrahams .
The layout is well planned with lot of space to move about, a cultural Hall (Multi purpose) and a special enclosure , where in women volunteers gather on week ends to make garlands for the deities.
I would like to share an interesting anecdote told by my relation(my sisters daughter and son- in- law (Mallika and Ganesan), who live in Sydney.
"During one of his visit to Chennai, another devotee had been to Kanchipuram to seek the blessings of his Holiness paramacharyas. He requested Mr.Ganesan(my sister's son in law) to carry the granite bricks to be placed for making the Peetam for Balaji. Thus a beginning was made then and later other" sannidhis"(special sanctum santoriums) for each God /Goddess) came up.
At the Sydney airport, the customs officials made inquiries at the jute sack bag containing the granite blocks. Initially, they were concerned about such a bricks/ block being carried all the way by Air. . My son in law explained, that it was only granite stones being carried for placing the Balaji idol, in the proposed Hindu Temple that is coming up , and that it was brought with the blessings of Sage of Kanchi, to build the first temple in the Southern Hemisphere !.
Hearing to the hour long talk, the authorities after hours of consultation with their seniors, conceded totheir request, handing over the stones , removing it from the gunny bags, which had hay strands tied .
Seeing the stones without any cracks, full of grandeur, the priests performed the sacred ritual to place the Granite block .The local Hindu population gathered since morning to see their Lord come tosee the foundation stone for Lord Balaji , and prayed for the health and happiness of all".
Today the temple complex looks grand, having multitude of activities that include, encourage youngsters in participating in free Gita classes, sanskrit sloka classes and to listen to discourses by several learned Vedic pundits and scholars at regular intervals, on special occasions.
A canteen is run by volunteers especially during week ends and special days.
The priests are given accommodation within the. Complex, who devote their time and energy in the service of the temple.
The city of Helensburgh is blessed to have this temple and we were happy to have visited the temple.
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Visit to Sydney Cricket Stadium ---12thMarch 2015,
visit to SCC(Sydney Cricket club)
We had yet another lovely day to visit the Cricket stadium complex. Went around to see the practice session pitch
AFGHANISTAN DUE TO PLAY against England the next day.
We had yet another lovely day to visit the Cricket stadium complex. Went around to see the practice session pitch
AFGHANISTAN DUE TO PLAY against England the next day.
later walked into the stands and had a view of the magnificent stadium.
Could imagine how it would be when watching a match between India and the prospective semi- finalist.! Wish this happens this month-end.
(By the time we reached home (Mumbai) all hopes were shattered , kudos to the home team(Aussies) who played so well to move to the finals.
Shopping for the much-awaited precious stone OPAL
Australia is home to the semi-precious mined OPAL stones /boulders.
It's fascinating that this small continent holds the world's largest reserves of Opal. They are mined, made into precious jewelry, that every women wish to own a piece of this metal, valued more than that of diamonds.
Explaining the difference between open cut and man-made, we were shown different types, colors, shapes and sizes, comparing with the c’s of diamond selection. --Clarity, cut, cost and cents, Made our way to the much-awaited jewelry shop.
OPAL AND PINK PEARLS. The varieties were so many, price range, quality, design, color, man-made Vs open mine setting etc.were other criteria, the tussle between the design and cost was going on took several minutes to decide. Finally my husband decided in favor of quality and my liking. It was all packed in small gift boxes, that were sealed and could be opened only after custom cleared at Brisbane Intl airport terminal. However, we took pictures with our camera to share with all.
After performing the Karadayar Nonbu, we left for the much-awaited trip to Cairns ,Northern Queensland. The geographical marvel of two of the contrasting Ecosystems side by side, one on land and the other on the oceans.(The Great Barrier Reef and the Tropical Rain Forests)!
The cairns tour was enjoyed as a tourist paradise and is well preserved in this part of the world. Await the next series of the travelogue!
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