Bangalore Diaries

  This book was a spur of the moment pick in a conference where I had the Soubhagya of sharing the stage with Vid. Veena Bannanje avaru. When I sit down to pen down the review, I am at a loss of words to describe the book. Is it an experience journey? Is it a journey? Is it an evolution of an individual? Is it the shedding of skin to be reborn? Or is it a collection of Miracles? At best, I can describe this as a human tale which may sprout many a question in the minds of the reader. This is an “as-is” told account by Veena Bannanje, a scholar and Vidwan in her own right. Being born in an illustrious family as the daughter of the very revered and respected Vid. Bannanje Govindaacharya avaru, she was having an exciting life until her encounter with Satyakama. A mystic, a philosopher, a guide, a father figure, Satyakama becomes the catalyst of Veena Bannanje’s evolution from a teacher to a sadhaka. The experiences narrated could be confounding to common mind, but as reiterated in the ...

 Narasimha swamy has been a constant influence in my life recently, specially after I lost my Appa. I wear a Tulasi mala with Narasimha Swamy pendant everyday. Last year, Dec 2025, I visited Kashi, Prayaga and Ayodhya once more to cover the temples I missed during Mahakumbh.  In Prayaga, I went for the Triveni Sangma dip (with my Tulasi mala of course). The boatman who was helping to lower me onto the platform said “Kya Achcha Narasimha swamy hai”. After the customary 3 dips, when I emerged out, I saw that the pendant was gone. The Tulasi mala was around me, open at both ends. This saddened me a lot and I felt a loss even though this happened at the Triveni Sangama. This used to play on my mind and I was unsure about why this came to pass. Around a month back, at 10:30 pm I got a very bad urge to find a replacement. Just searching for 2 mins, I found an EXACT match to what I used to wear. There is absolutely NO difference between what I used to wear and newly one that I found ...