Nature study in school and in Life

16th June 2016.

Greetings

Nature study in school and in Life down memory lane- -----

WE used to have Nature Study classes in school till 6th Standard; then we called it " NATURE STUDY".

it was  mainly outdoors as we had sprawling acres of grounds in our school, all wooded and filled with trees, bushes and plants.We used to call it our Woods, Jungle etc  In school we joyfully collected different kinds of  Leaves, with great excitement ; then study it-draw it and preserving it in a book as it dried , softened and was smooth; used as a book mark sometimes-

Try with leaves, esp like Ashwattha, Bilwa, Ixxora, Pongam (Karanja),Scarlett Cordia and more.

then with the smaller delicate one..but larger thick leaves are easier in a book  --

Then nature study experiment  with a soft bean in a glass bottle with water and  lined with blotting paper done in class /home on  "GERMINATION" in 1956 Nature study class.

Watch the sprouting...was a delightful pastime and we learnt.That was 1955..

Even today many small children especially  like doing this.

Nearly 3 decades later in 1985  I wrote a paper on Raw Cashew shipment imports  from Africa  on moisture damage to cargo with sprouting (Germination) on long voyages on just a experimental basis wit the help of my Lab Chemist - and this set in motion many papers. The Raw Cashew claims review Paper was even accepted by the Insurance Cos, the trade &  Lloyds Agentys accepted it -

But today for me this nature watch is the greatest Relaxation.

Nature Appreciation & meditation recd a great boost from 4 Existential Labs-through Prasanna Trust Bangalore,  attended in early 90s and it was  great experience and  to get inspired.

All this helps more for Earth Day, Environment ,Green Peace.

Great quotes and thoughts on Nature

quotes

To find the universal elements enough; to find the air and the water exhilarating; to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter...to be thrilled by the stars at night; to be elated over a bird’s nest or a wildflower in spring—these are some of the rewards of the simple life. —John Burroughs

To see a world in a grain of sand,
And a heaven in a wild flower,
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
And eternity in an hour.
from-William Blake.

Thoughts-

" Look at the trees, look at the birds, look at the clouds, look at the stars... and if you have eyes you will be able to see that the whole existence is joyful.  Everything is simply happy.  Trees are happy for no reason; they are not going to become prime ministers or presidents and they are not going to become rich and they will never have any bank balance.  Look at the flowers - for no reason.  It is simply unbelievable how happy flowers are."~Osho

Nature is amazing and delightful  

Rgds,

TR 

Trees & Tanks at temples-part 2.

GREETINGS

Part 2--Temple Tanks -Trees & Tanks at temples --an integral part of the philosophy of Divinity in Nature

Teertha,Talaab,Kalyani, Pushkarini, Kunda, Sarovara,- Kolam etc. are all a part of the Hindu Temple Culture  The tanks or in some cases the Wells like at Rameswaram were  built for bathing before prayer.
Their waters have been  given a special sacrality and so a bath is always taken here. Sadly with a population explosion and poor management in the new phenomena called Pilgrimage Tourism these Tanks are sometimes not maintained properly and get soiled.But Faith remains and the large majority take a Dip and then only offer  prayers.

Temple Tanks also are a part of Water storage plans. They work  by the underground flow to connect rainfall in cities and helps to share the rain water received and avoid wastage by flow in drainage.Here again. much damage has been done as many tanks have been filled in and closed -or over tapped by bores in adjacent areas and are now dry.

On the West Coast -all along the Konkan coast, the SW Monsoon is from June-Sept. and   heavy - and copious rain falls to replenish these great temple tanks -

On the East Coast esp Tamilnadu rain is mostly from NE Monsoon which is less -So, Chennai and the surrounding areas are water starved and these tanks  often dry .Some efforts to recharge and save has been taken up in recent years.
We Pray that Water saving, storage and underground supply charging will gain focus in this new Govt era as much neglect was seen in the last few decades.
During the SC.Math-Prabhat Somnath Gujarat TeethYatra, we had the opportunity to see the most brilliant engineering marvels of India of the earlier time viz.the Stepp Wells  This is an extremely large deep well with brilliant masonry well .The steps going down to the water level in the well is shown ia pic taken by me during the Yatra . Such wells are called Bawlis in north India but as Vava in Gujarat; eg.Rani ke Vaav in Gujarat.They were built by Rajas and so were a special bathjing place for royalty then--later for the common man and woman.See Pic no 5 below.

Truly a great culture and scientific system that connects science and spirituality with nature.

Trees & Tanks at temples

dt 5th June 2014.
Trees & Tanks at temples;
an integral part of the philosophy of Divinity in Nature
Introduction:

Age and a slow down process in Life (and some health limitations) can some
times bring in some unexpected surprises and pursuits--in fact Hobbies and
learning. When I started on Temple Trees in 1998 at Ramnagar with taking

a photo of a
Peepal tree entwined with a Frangipani , I never realised I was on an amazing
voyage of discovery about Ficus genus and this developed a wonderful purusit with TreeWatch..

The study  actually began when I attended the punar  pratishta of  Sri Ram temple in Mavungal (Kanhangad Dist) inauguration. My room mate was a very nice person who had a copy of a book "Temple Culture" by one AKB Nair of Kasargode..In 2-3 days , I went through it with deep interest  at the ashram itself and managed to go through most of it, as it was a small booklet -but brilliantly researched and written. Later, spoke to him and purchased  several copies o and distributed to friends. This book is now available at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. The one  titled  "Sacred Trees of Tamilnadu".by the CPR Foundation of Chennai is also very good. There are also a few papers available on  Temple Trees by some authors. ( in later years) gave an added impetous to progress on the study of  Temples and Tree Watch.

Sthala Vriksha means the Tree of the sacred location (and specific ) is linked to the Deity in the temple and so we have Sthala (place)  Vrikshas (Tree) .

The tree study  of  1998 began with the Peepal -Frangipani -Banyan, Oudamber (all same  Ficus genus but differ ) was an amazing start. Then the Neem and the  study gradually increased my awareness of our culture and tradition that had largely been missed earlier, as I have been  living in a metro city.

Then as time passed in 2009--shared on sites and finally a blog "Prakruti Mother nature" .
It has kept me happily occupied.

If we look carefully we will find  many trees near Temples in the south especially but one Tree
will gain  prominence -eg   Palash--Purasai (tamil)  in in Puraswalkam at Shree Gangadeeshwar Temple -Chennai., Punnai at Shree Kapaleeswar-Mylapore.

These 5 trees have a special significance  --,  

1 Bilwa (Aegle marmelose)
2 Shami (Banni) (Acacia ferruginea)
3 Ashwatha (Arali) (Ficus religiosa)
4 Margosa (Neem) (Azadirachta indica)
5 Audumbara (country fig) (Ficus racemosa)

In almost every town and village,  temples in south India  maintain these great trees. 
They also serve as a meeting centre of many social, religious and community activities of the village. It is widely believed  that these 5 Panchavati trees offer a sacred space.  
These trees have been a source of inspiration for many of our saints and sages.
Sadly most of the Hindus do not even care to read about Sthala Vrikshas -TR

Contd -----

Shree Durga Devi Temple KARLA: -

Shree Durga Devi Temple KARLA: -visited and darshan of July 2013. 

The Vision of our Seers is amazing and when Shree Trust was first spoken of about 24 years ago, we never knew this loction even-i.e.-before construction even- when heard of it in in Chennai) -

most of us never even knew the place.
Then followed the fund raising, many hurdles and all-- but finally in early 1990s was constructed and then progressively developed. For me and my family visits -darshans as the Chennai -Mumbai trains stop at Lonavla. A Sabbatical- rest at the Shree Durga Devi Temple & the Sanjeevani Samadhi of Pujya Sw. Parjnanashran is a great blessing. In recent years the wonderful Saptha Seva by Mumbai Sabha weekly batch volunteers and meeting them-their gracious -kind Hospitality and seva assistance is so touching-

Grateful thanks to All.
LOOKING BACK--
The Vision of Pujya Sw. Parjnanashran to select such a special location for our Shree Durga Parameshwari temple is amazing -Shastang Namaskar
Salutations & respects -
TR

POEM

“God made a beauteous garden
With lovely flowers strewn,
But one straight, narrow pathway
That was not overgrown.
And to this beauteous garden
He brought mankind to live,
And said "To you, my children,
These lovely flowers I give.
Prune ye my vines and fig trees,
With care my flowers tend,
But keep the pathway open
Your home is at the end."

God's Garden”
― Robert Frost

Growing Trees in metros.

Growing Trees in metros.

Let us first take a look at the Value of a Tree --
1.Trees generate Oxygen -removes CO2
2.Recycles fertility and soil erosion control,
3.Creates a Natural air pollution control system,  

4.Provides shelter for birds and animals--

5.Shade  for all mankind and creatures ;

Besides providing flowers, fruits.

So, when even one tree is cut, the city loses, mankind loses , all lose--

Trees in smaller spaces in metros--- Aerial Growth space. -

This pic has a Neem about 45 ft tall, a Bilwa of abt 30 ft and a Cotton Tree outside even --

This is seen at Sringeri Math Temple at Mandavelli, Chennai.
 

In my small compound-started in 1982-

Pic shows a Neem in my compound in 5 ft space -over 30 years.
In the rear space we managed 2 Coconut trees as we have 40 x 10 ft space only..

 

What is needed:

1) All that is required is Aerial Growth space,
2) A little care in pruning in growth stages will ensure branches do not spread horizontally and the Tree will grow well--vertically. Water the tree and care for it

Some trees can be grown and managed more easily --but Ficus genus like Ashwattha, Banyan and Oudamber will need more space and cannot be managed in small spaces. With the Metros buildings  crowding in more daily and Builders not giving much space for Greening --we have to carefully choose  suitable trees -to Plant and Take Care .

Think before you cut a tree!

Just a little care and concern--and assistance
Trees need this care and we need Trees

Nature is GOD!
Conservation is Prayer! 

Respects to All 

TR

Reflections in April, 2014-

On 31st. March we have the fin year ending which this time also coincides with our New Year of Yugadi; also for many in India. Tamil New Years day and Vishu and others follow in mid April.

Writing in a reflective mood -
For me the last year was one that can be best described as a Dizzy Bizzy Crazy year. Add in medical and all--But that's Life too- more seen with age and today perhaps a bit more stressful.
thought"Destiny is not something we choose, but rather some thingm that walks closely and quietly beside us"
Of things that we may be even unaware of even.
We all now live in a world where personal circumstances may vary totally & more so with this potpourri in India, soaring inflation and a service sector --inc Banks, Insurance, esp Mediclaim, Hospital-treatment that is spinning out of control as compared to the very simple and easier times till the 80s. Even working hours have changed and meeting at a dinner table is now a thing of the past..
Chai Time meet is a luxury and become rare!!However, we still have to make choices and take decisions setting simple goals and resolutions. 
So what all really matters most :
1) Time , Health & Energy Management to suit present day needs of our "body clock takes priority and helps a lot.--any age group.
2) Renewal of Friendships (and Healing) is a vital part but often lost out with job or other pressures piling up still ! but somethings just cannot be put on hold too long either.
Meet all your close and special people -
3) Catch up with all personal pending items -inc domestic,finance and set in order.The list seems just endless; Sounds very basic & so simple, but working this out takes commitment anjd application and time.
4) De -Clutter or in sailors language JETTISON, all unwanted Baggage and Focus on essentials is what I keep telling myself-as we often seem to get into too many hassles at times.
Gentle but firm speech & words and above all keep cool helps a lot.

5) Finally we decide where want to go-Direction and Course to Steer.
"A friend hears the song in my heart and sings it to me when my memory fails."
TR 

Yugadi 31st march 2014.

Monsoon Watch from a hotel balcony

Monsoon  Watch

Monsoon  Watch from a hotel balcony at Mumbai 2013.

I was briefly at Mumbai for a head office meeting -and was just too tired to go out after 6pm-stayed in my room at Sea Place hotel over looking the Sea at Colaba --Water front and stared out of the window-watched the Sea and Ships & boats--some thing I never tire of doing and it refreshes me--I did not go out at all in the monsoon --(age &health -my neuro- mg is telling badly on such frenetic rush- rush trips finally!! have to stop and take breaths .. )

Managed to take some pics of the sea front at Colaba- from Gateway ; my fav place really.

Evokes so many memories ...esp of my life on a Coastal Tanker m.t. Jag Jwala 1966-69.

Reflections at Dawn
The very early morning hours of 10th Feb.found me looking out of my window at Sea palace Hotel, Mumbai- across the bay and the scene was a vivid recall of T.S. Dufferin mornings . The view across was misty and with some haze---as the sunrise is quite late.. past 7 am, unlike my earlier sunrise time on East Coast.The Gulls and all tiny  sea birds floating and feeding  on the waters of the silent dawn are the only signals of a city awakening, apart from  a few early morning walkers.
The ships in the background is much the same as in 1963-5,-except now so many pleasure Yachts are moored there. 

The serenity of the view across the bay so vividly helped  recall those short periods  after early morning bugle call of Reveille and then  the the "Fallout for Prayers" as we prayed or reflected at Dawn as Cadets - across the Sea ;
A great experience continued over those two years as Cadets does remain etched in the recesses of one's memory..

As the sun slowly rose in the sky-  it also reminded me of basic navigational training  like  sun's amplitude, sextant altitude and all. The mist slowly lifted and the day break continued. Crows, - raucous as they are, replaced the Gulls and slowly the traffic noise replaced the Quietude of the wonderful morning....
Oh yes,  the beautiful scene was heightened with a Lemon Tea at The window.

 Never thought the hotel room overlooking the Sea face at Mumbai would offer such a gentle vista for a meditative space in the early hours esp. considering  the usual din of  city traffic and noise that starts later.

Moments of Silence still reigned in the early Dawn-

"take time to appreciate the wonders of Creation and the Creator is a truism".No wonder our Ancients valued the early hours so much as "Shubha Muhurat" and then said "Good Morning".
Cheers 
TR