Solitude - Glorified Lonesomeness.

Lonesome..That is what came to my mind when I saw this house, (well to call it a house is a debatable query) at an elevation of 10,000 plus feet...I took this shot, when we were climbing down from Badrinath. I found it amidst a vast field, and there seemed to be no soul within a range of some few km!!..The first thought that came to my mind was, how the hell they got in there in the first place???..Soon I found the answer, a few meters away.. spotted a mud path that runs on the slope of the huge mountain, like a giant serpent. Think this house must be a shelter for the farmers during the season.The whole side of the mountain was under step farming and this was in the middle of a step.Whatever may be the purpose of this house/shelter, the people who may occupy this will suffer from loneliness I guess..or I may be wrong, for work by itself is a remedy for loneliness. Still, I couldnt support my argument on that for however much  engaged , one may get weary at the end of the day being lonely..But then, life is an awfully lonesome affair, for we were all born alone and die alone.What makes it lively is the bond we create and the love we exchange with the fellow loners!!! when we are living...
Wow..philosophical quotes just pours out just by looking at this lone house on a lonesome mountain..
Look what Friedrich Nietzsche says on lonesome...
We do not belong to those who only get their thought from books, or at the prompting of books, -- it is our custom to think in the open air, walking, leaping, climbing, or dancing on lonesome mountains by preference, or close to the sea, where even the paths become thoughtful.
Whatever said and done, I think the faceless ppl who may use that house are really unique. Making a living by living for others...for I am sure the crops raised here must be cash crops and exported.
Hey, are we all not lonesome in our own way, living in a community, in the middle of a crowded city, Lonesome together..:) 

At the land of Love.....

I was really surprised to see a beautiful countryside in less than 100 km from Chennai city. Last month end we visited a rural temple at Thennangur, for a wedding. the drive was close to two and a half an hr.Till Tambaram it was chaotic. Thanks to the metro rail project. Then when I was hoping for a comfortable drive, the traffic was thick, for that time of the day!!.What was more striking was, the vast lands on either side of the NH 45, neatly laid out and imaginary towns already formed in the form of plots. I guess these were agricultural lands. I cant visualize how anybody can build a house to live here, with no amenities, and public service available. I found no decent school, shops or hospitals in near vicinity of these layouts. But the price quoted was exorbitant. I bet these lands were procured from the poor farmers for peanuts, by these real estate sharks.
The temple complex at Thennangur is visible from the highway, as we approach the village. A very quite hamlet, highly spiritual and harmonious with the nature, Thennangur is a must visit for a city dweller. The temple itself is a magnificent feast to eyes. The blend of northern and southern architecture style makes it a unique one. Watching the Deity of Sri Panduranga and Rukhmayee inside is a bliss and has to be experienced in person. The temple has a tree which is a silent witness of the divine romance of The Lord Sri Krishna and Radha.It is believed that praying to the Lord here helps one to join with their beloved one. We can see many knots tied by the couples who has succeeded and also who wants to be united..

The cleanliness and highly organized admin of the temple is a delightful change from the clumsy and dirty environment of our religious centers in general. Since we were there for a wedding and stayed just for a day, we could not dedicate much time in exploring the temple. The paintings and wall murals are done aesthetically in the Tanjore style art. The fiberglass mandap is something unique and very gorgeous. The Lord along with the Devi Rukhmayee is spectacular and no words to explain the peace you attain just looking at that magnificent figure. It was a great experience, and I need to go there again, again, again....and again I think...

Sri Panduranga & Rukhmayee

The temple complex with the north & south entrance.