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The Open Book: A Story of Strength and Shadows -- Part II

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A Childhood That Grew Up Too Soon When she was in 9th standard, life was already far from ordinary. While most children her age were focused on school and friendships, she was quietly managing responsibilities far beyond her years—handling family matters, supporting her younger sister, and even speaking to workers about sensitive health situations at home. She had to do all this without revealing the truth, because the workers depended on their wages and would panic if they knew the reality. At the same time, tenants kept asking questions about her parents, who were in the hospital—not at home. In the middle of all this, her younger sister began to grow up too soon. Without informing anyone at home, she silently walked to a nearby telephone booth and contacted relatives to explain the situation. There was no guidance, no emotional support—just instinct and courage. In Indian and Hindu families, such situations are usually shared and faced together, surrounded by relatives and rituals. ...
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Walking with Faith – Part 2 - Spiritual Journey: Kanipakam → Vellore → Kanchipuram → Thiruvannamalai

Day 2: 17th February 2025 – Kanipakam & Vellore Morning: Kanipakam Temple Our day began early, around 6:00 AM , as we reached Kanipakam Temple . After freshening up, we joined the queue for darshan. To our surprise, it took barely 10 minutes. South Indian temples always leave me spellbound—their grand architecture and intricate sculptures remind us of the stories we learned in school and the tales our grandparents once narrated. Journey to Vellore After darshan, we headed to Vellore , arriving by 10:00 AM . We checked into Hotel JK Inn (a clean and comfortable stay I’d recommend!) and rested until the evening, recovering from two days of continuous travel. Evening: Vellore Fort & Golden Temple By 4:30 PM , we set out to explore. Our first stop was Vellore Fort . While the fort itself was modest, the Shivalayam Temple inside was magnificent and spiritually uplifting. But the real highlight awaited us—the Golden Temple of Vellore . We reached by 5:30 PM and joined the long qu...
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The Open Book: A Story of Strength and Shadows.

She grew up in a seemingly ordinary family—two loving parents, two daughters, a home filled with routine and innocence. School, tuition, and family ethics shaped their daily life, a cycle of normalcy. But beneath that fragile surface, darkness lurked, clawing at her innocence, waiting for the right moment to strike. Since childhood, her quiet nature made her an easy target. She never understood the dangers, the subtle traps disguised as warmth. At five, it was just another evening, laughter echoing through the house. A family relative played with her, a trusted figure, but his touch lingered too long, too wrong. She didn’t know what was right or wrong then—only that something felt off. Growing older, the pieces fell into place, and unease settled where childhood trust once lived. At seven, sleep should have been her escape—her shield. But even the night could not protect her. The workers who served her father, men she barely knew, approached when she was lost in dreams. Their hands car...
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An Unforgettable Road Trip: Hyderabad to Goa & Beyond

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The Beginning of an Exciting Journey It was the year 2017 when we planned an exciting road trip to Goa with a group of ten people. Our group included a 60-year-old lady—my friend’s mother—and a small 5-year-old child, making the journey even more special. We started from Hyderabad in two vehicles at around 9 PM on a Saturday night. My husband drove our car, while the other vehicle was driven by his friend. With immense excitement, we embarked on our journey, traveling through the night. By morning, we reached Belagavi, where we stopped for breakfast and freshened up. After a short break, we resumed our journey and arrived at our first destination, Amboli Waterfalls , by 5 PM. The sight was mesmerizing—crystal-clear water cascading down the rocks, creating a serene atmosphere. We climbed the rocks, played in the water, and soaked in the beauty of nature. A Spooky Arrival at Malvan Beach  As the evening approached, we continued our drive and reached Malvan Beach between 7 and 8 PM. ...
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Walking with Faith – The Eternal Significance of Temples

A Journey of Faith and Destiny Our experiences often teach us the significance of destiny—how events unfold beyond our expectations and plans, guided by time and fate. In February, I planned a solo trip to the Isha Foundation in Coimbatore as a volunteer. However, unexpectedly, my husband joined me on this journey. On February 16, 2025, we embarked on our pilgrimage to Tirumala by train, reaching our destination at around 3:00 PM. We hadn’t planned anything in advance—no darshan tickets, no accommodation allotment—just our bags and faith. For almost an hour, we searched for accommodation but couldn’t find any. Finally, we decided to rent a locker for our luggage and proceeded to "Mokkala Mettu," a sacred stairway in Tirumala where some devotees choose to walk on their knees as a mark of devotion and reverence. I was one among them. After completing the climb, we returned to collect our belongings, took a holy bath, and headed for Srivari Darshan . Without pre-booked tickets, ...
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