In 2023, I embarked on a remarkable journey, a New Year’s resolution that led me to explore a new state in Bharath each month. As the year draws to a close, I am thrilled to declare that I’ve successfully kept this promise. This adventure has not only introduced me to the diverse landscapes, cultures, and people of our country, but it has also been a profound source of personal growth, a catalyst for strengthening bonds with dear friends, and an incredible source of happiness.
The Plan
September had thrown a spanner in the works, with work commitments sidelining my travel aspirations. To stay true to my resolution, I decided to make November a multi-state exploration month. Thus, my sights were set on Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, two states that had been on my list since March.
A bit of research led me to two remarkable destinations: the Samathaamoorthy (Statue of Equality) in Hyderabad, Telangana, and Lepakshi in Andhra Pradesh. Both places promised to be spiritual and architectural wonders.
The preparation
I called up my friend, a true source of inspiration for meaningful travel. He’s known for his spontaneous approach to trip planning — every time I’ve asked if he’s available to join a trip, he’s agreed first and then inquired about the destination, always with a good-natured laugh. It’s a testament to his adventurous spirit.
Another close friend, with whom I share a unique bond dating back to 3rd grade, is also an essential part of my life. He holds the distinction of being my very first driving instructor, my partner during my preparation for the National Defence Academy, a lot of combined studies and vault of so many secrets.
Two boys are best friends if the actual owner of the bike takes the pillion seat after picking his friend up from his home.
I share this bond with him.
Now, here’s where the story takes a delightful twist. Both of these dear friends happen to share the same name — Pranav! When they met, the moment was like
As fate would have it, we discovered during our trip that all three of us were born in the month of May. The synchronicity was uncanny, but it only added to the magic of our journey.
The trip
They both arrived the previous night to Preetikoota (my home) and after having the dinner I had prepared with all love and affection that they loved to have, we had an amazing time talking about so many things, laughing, jamming with songs and guitars.
We started early morning the next day finishing our worship rituals seeking blessings for a safe and fun trip; to drive on the NH 44 which happens to be the longest highway of Bharath connecting Srinagar to Kanyakumari. Our journey was on the stretch connecting Bengaluru & Hyderabad.
After an amazing 10 hour drive, we took rest at our hotel The Shloka Residency and headed towards Statue of Equality.
Statue of Equality
This divine place, a testament to the goodwill and dedication of Shri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji, was created to commemorate the 1000th anniversary of Ramanuja’s teachings. At its heart, it houses the world’s second-largest seated statue and it is of Shri Ramanujacharya, a marvel built with an estimated cost of ₹1,000 crore (US $130 million), exclusively through generous donations from devotees.
This temple stands as a fusion of modern architecture and ancient Vastu Shastra wisdom, reflecting the profound knowledge embedded in the construction of temples, palaces, and homes that channel positive energy for success and happiness. The moment I entered, I could sense its aura. The sculptors and architects have achieved something truly remarkable.
Inside, there’s a golden idol of Ramanujacharya, but the true wonder lies in the 108 Vishnu temples located in all four directions, each representing major Vishnu shrines across Bharath’s universe. The experience of witnessing all the forms of the Shri Maha Vishnu, who is the supreme consciousness in one place and seeking blessings for a life filled with strength, courage, and honesty is nothing short of divine.
Seeing this magnificent statue was a truly awe-inspiring experience. The charisma in its eyes, the authenticity in its smile, and the divine aura that seemed to envelop the statue told the stories of how amazingly Shri Ramanujacharya has lived his life that he is guiding the world even after a millennium.
Now let’s take a look at the beautiful architecture of the temple premises.
Once we thoroughly explored the places, my friends know how much I admire my first wife, Friday. Hence, upon my ask they put their best efforts to get some amazing photos of Friday & with Friday😅
After returning to our hotel, we embraced some much-needed rest. But before that these folks made me eat my FIRST burger of my life. I had McAllo Tikki burger from McDonalds and I guess, I liked it! And this is exactly how an addiction starts!
My sleep that night was remarkable, devoid of any dreams or awareness of my surroundings. The following morning, as I awoke early, I found myself contemplating the total disconnection I had experienced during that night’s slumber. It felt as though nothing in the world mattered during that serene interlude. I couldn’t help but ponder how much more beautiful the sleep of death might be.
In response to this introspection, my inner self provided an enlightening insight: “Just as you can achieve such a beautifully disconnected sleep at night only after a fulfilling day, you will attain such a peaceful sleep of death only after a fulfilling life.” With this revelation in mind, I began to wonder about the path to living a fulfilling life and the key to happiness. I realised that this was a meditative question worth contemplating during the drive & not on the bed! 😅
After getting ready, we embarked on our next adventure to Lepakshi. During the checkout process at the hotel, the reception staff recommended visiting the nearby Sri Seetha Rama Chandra Swamy Temple in Ammapally, known for its picturesque spots for photography. Intrigued by the suggestion, we decided to pay it a visit. Although it was early in the day and the temple had not yet opened to the public, there was a lively crowd gathered for pre-wedding photoshoots. I couldn’t help but smile at the amusing poses the couples struck, silently offering them my best wishes for a joyful married life as we continued on our journey. Right beside the temple there was a beautiful farm of Marigold flowers, so we enjoyed the nature and captured some beautiful frames.
Continuing our journey towards Lepakshi, I let my friends rest peacefully as I took the wheel on a serene drive. Friday hummed at a tranquil 2000 rpm, maintaining a steady 80 kmph, ensuring both fuel efficiency and a smooth, jerk-free ride.
As I guided our vehicle, my mind began to ponder a question that had been lingering since the morning — ‘How can one lead a truly fulfilling life?’ My contemplations led me down a path of ambition, with dreams of becoming a CEO, amassing wealth, or acquiring a grander home. Yet, something felt amiss, and these aspirations failed to provide the inner peace I sought.
Deep in thought, I gradually realised that the Statue of Equality of Sri Ramanujacharya was whispering the answer to me. It seemed to proclaim that the key to a fulfilling life lies in acts of philanthropy and in embracing a life of service. I now have everything I could ask for to live a comfortable life. I realised that going forward I should think of providing value addition to this world through Karma yoga. That is how I would be able to live a fulfilling life.
As I found the answer I sought, sun was over our head and it was time for lunch. After having an amazing spicy lunch, we continued again. And this time my friends were up & we started talking about the idea of marriage, how are we prepared for it, about wide spread woke culture, pseudo feminism, role of politics and caste, etc with some serious conversations and some fun. But I think that the summary of that conversation will be another beautiful blog in itself that will make a good read. So, keep an eye out for it.
Lepakshi
Finally, we arrived in Lepakshi, where I introduced my friends to the magnificent statue of Jatayu, a symbol of valor and selfless service, reminding us of his heroic battle to protect Mother Sita from Ravana. Jatayu laid down his life in the noble cause of safeguarding Sri Rama.
We couldn’t resist a glimpse of the world’s largest monolithic Nandi, which sat majestically, gazing upon Lord Shiva. Not far from there, Sri Veerabhadreshwar temple offered a majestic sanctuary for Lord Shiva. Inside the temple, we sought blessings from the various Gods and Goddesses gracing its sacred halls. It also has a giant footstep that some say is of Mother Sita and some say is of Hanuman ji.
Afterward, we explored the temple complex, marveling at the remarkable Vijayanagara architecture, including the famed hanging pillars, which remain an enigmatic architectural wonder to this day. The complex also housed a Ganapati temple and a remarkable Nagalinga monolith, said to have been carved between breakfast and lunch, a testament to the remarkable craftsmanship of the artisans.
We couldn’t help but be captivated by the beautiful Kalyana Mantapa, a perfect venue for wedding ceremonies, seamlessly blending architectural grandeur with divine vibes. Lepakshi was a treasure trove of art, history, and spirituality, and our visit left us in awe of its rich heritage.
Right when we wanted to explore more of it in detail in started raining heavily and we took shelter inside Friday. And the rain did not show signs of slowing down. So we decided to head towards home as it would get further late. Also, my friends were super eager to watch the cricket world cup match expecting a century from Virat Kohli on his birthday overriding the Ricky Ponting’s curse.
The drive back on the rain-soaked highway was a uniquely beautiful experience. Both Pranavs immersed themselves in the match, providing their own commentary and celebrating, creating a lively atmosphere.
The conclusion
Upon finally reaching home, we exchanged expressions of gratitude, recognizing the memorable camaraderie that had defined our trip. I felt a deep sense of thankfulness toward my friends, not just for their companionship but for their unwavering support in helping me fulfill my resolution.
We made a heartfelt promise to embark on more adventures in the future, with the potential for even more companions to join us. This commitment solidified the lasting bond of shared adventures that had been a cornerstone of our friendship.
Back home, as I reflected on our journey and our enduring friendship, I realised that the essence of our bond was a lack of expectations and the presence of pure goodwill. It was this very quality that had forged the strong and lasting friendship we cherished.
With a smile on my face and a heart filled with gratitude, I enjoyed a meal brought by my brother; prepared by my sister-in-law and settled into bed, anticipating another night of peaceful and restful sleep.