Keen Observer

  As a quarter of a century comes to an end, I noticed, Here in Bengaluru, There are street dogs near familiar crossings. They know which shops open early, which corners stay warm, which roads grow loud by evening. People pass by. Some smile, some laugh, some don’t notice. Life keeps moving. Press enter or click to view image in full size At times, stones are thrown carelessly, sudden, not always meant to hurt. A mark may remain for a while. Movement slows, habits change, ways adjust. By evening, they are still there, watching the day settle, sharing space, staying alert. These dogs remember the roads they have walked, but they don’t sit on them. Memory helps with direction, not with weight. What matters more is the smell of food nearby, the sound of familiar footsteps, the stretch of road that remains open. As 2025 wraps itself up, heads lift quietly. There is no rush, no fear. Experience has taught them that something always comes maybe sooner, maybe later. Under Bengaluru skies,...

From the last two days, especially over there, the excitement must be building up with each passing moment. Devotees arriving from all over, by planes, buses, but the Railway station with the ruckus with excitement and the lot of jaikaras of bhagwan parshvanath and the welcoming nature holding spirit throughout must be unmatchable and  the atmosphere must be filled with joy, welcoming everyone like only Shikharji can. That 300-meter walk to Isri Bazaar for the night must have felt special. Even though I’m so far away, I can picture everyone finding a little space to settle down—hanging curtains in the lobby especially those Kothi passage, chanting mantras, exchanging smiles with fellow devotees. That sense of unity, that quiet peace, fills the air, I’m sure. And, as the morning light rises, I can imagine the hustle and bustle of getting ready for darshan. The excitement, the energy as everyone prepares to witness the divine. From there, the journey to Madhuban with those breathtaki...

So, May 2025 in Bengaluru, right? It truly felt like a month packed with countless " May-bes ." Almost every single day brought the same script: skies heavy with black clouds, responding with steady, long stretches of rain. It was as if each day aimed to out-pour the last. Normally, that rain brings such fresh air. But this May , it also meant heavier traffic and waterlogged pathways – a familiar setting where persistence found its way. Those clouds, they felt so much like certain life situations. Getting darker and more rigid, as if hinting: "This is a time to reflect, perhaps more than expected." And why May ? May - be this month was here to truly refine things. May-be there was a lot to truly grasp. May-be this was a chance for an upgrade. May-be gears are shifting. May-be . This May , with its fair share of essential lightning, felt like life's quiet preparations are underway. The word " May " itself, so strong when held vividly, seemed to whi...