just blogging

SQL Server SUBSTRING giving me incorrect results

2010-12-19T11:58:00.000-08:00

I get incorrect result when i try to do a substring within a stored proc,but the same thing if i try it in a query window gives me proper results.

declare @FinalCol_List as varchar(100)
Set @FinalCol_List= '11,22,33,bb,'
print @FinalCol_List
IF LEN(@FinalCol_List) > 0
SET @FinalCol_List = SUBSTRING(@FinalCol_List, 1, LEN(@FinalCol_List) - 1)

print @FinalCol_List

Using SQL Remove the Last character in a String

2010-02-23T01:31:00.000-08:00

There are cases when we may need to remove only the last character after we have done some concatenation.
In SQL Query we can do it using Substring and Left

Substring

SUBSTRING (Text,Start_From,Till_lenght)

Remove a comma, at the end of the string

Eg: select substring('1,2,3,4,5,', 1, (len('1,2,3,4,5,') - 1))

LEFT :
LEFT gives and output of the string from starting to end

Eg: SELECT LEFT(String, LEN(String) - 1)

The same can be used to trim data from the Right
Eg: SELECT RIGHT(String, LEN(String) - 1)

Design of the UNSPSC: A Hierarchical Structure.

2009-12-14T02:29:00.000-08:00

The UNSPSC is a hierarchical classification, having five levels. The levels allow users to search products more precisely (because searches will be confined to logical categories and eliminate irrelevant hits) and it allows managers to perform expenditure analysis on categories that are relevant to the company’s situation.
Each level contains a two-character numerical value and a textual description as follows:
XX Segment
The logical aggregation of families for analytical purposes
XX Family
A commonly recognized group of inter-related commodity categories
XX Class
A group of commodities sharing a common use or function
XX Commodity
A group of substitutable products or services
XX Business Function
The function performed by an organization in support of the commodity

UNSPSC Examples
In the UNSPSC classification, products and services are placed within logical categories so that people can more easily find what they are looking for and evaluate expenditures on commonly grouped items.
For example, the commodity “pen refills” is part of a larger class of products, “Ink and lead refills”, which in turn is part of a family of products, “Office supplies,” which is itself part of a segment of products, “Office equipment, accessories, and supplies.” Each level of the hierarchy has its own unique number.

Hierarchy Category Number and Name
Segment 44 Office Equipment, Accessories and Supplies
10 Office Machines and their supplies and accessories
11 Office and desk accessories
Family 12 Office supplies
15 Mailing supplies
16 Office supplies
17 Writing instruments
18 Correction media
Class 19 Ink and lead refills
01 India ink
02 Lead refills
Commodity 03 Pen refills

“Pen refills” = UNSPSC classification 44-12-19-03.
The hierarchy allows people looking for pen refills to use the higher level terms to narrow their search to the relevant domain that will most likely lead them to the desired item.
In post facto analysis of spending, purchasing managers can evaluate expenditures according to any level of the hierarchy. Companies that use significant amounts of writing utensils and supplies, such as architectural, graphic arts, and printing companies, may want to analyze spending on the class or commodity levels. Such analysis will allow them to spot opportunities where they can consolidate suppliers, find better sources, negotiate volume discounts, and similar optimizations of their supply chain. Companies where these items are not a significant portion of their spending, may elect to analyze spending on the higher family and segment categories only.
The UNSPSC can be further extended by adding a ninth and tenth digit after the commodity number. These numbers can indicate business relationships to the supplier such as rental/lease, wholesale, retail, or original equipment manufacturer (OEM).

Why follow Standardised Taxonomy across domains

2009-12-12T11:08:00.000-08:00

Enables buyers and employee requisitioners to find all suppliers of a
given category
Enables purchasing managers to analyze expenditures and perform
strategic sourcing
Consistent coding across company divisions, suppliers, and information
systems gives uniform picture of company expenditures.
Integrates procurement card statement categories with all purchase
transactional data.
One numbering system integrates entire processing flow - from RFPs, to
ordering, to accounts payable, to general ledger.
Facilitates control over and compliance to spending limits and
authorized commodities by individuals and departments.
A standardized, already devised code is easy to implement and saves the
company time and expense in developing its own.

GO -> Google's OpenSource programming Language

2009-11-14T22:28:00.000-08:00

Google has released it new opensource programming language called GO.
GO tends to be a mixture of C , C++ ,Phyton and Javascript.
It is said to be very fast in compilation (over 120K lines of code compiling in under 10 seconds)

Currently Google tells it still has not started implementing the GO platform for it own internal use, but it has started moving towards it.
GO runs on GO.

With Google Android for Mobile , Google Wave on Collaboration , Google GO will make a impact on the coming next generation of Software Applications

Features :

Maps is a inbuilt variable
Has no hierarchy, so no time is spent defining the relationships between types.
Has static types the language attempts to make types feel lighter weight than in typical OO languages
Does not provide Implicit Numeric conversion
Has pointers but no pointer arithmetic
Garbage Collection ( Mark - Sweep )
No Generics at this point (has the ability to use the empty interface to construct containers (with explicit unboxing))
No Exceptions

MySQL: Set Auto Increment Value of a Table

2009-09-15T04:04:00.000-07:00

I have come across many times where in we keep deleting rows from behind the database and when we run the application, suddenly things are not working.

One Main reason for this is some reference table is still incrementing vaules but the main table would have been gone ahead increment.and hence the mapping between the tables have gone haywire.

So to fix this it is necessary to reset our tables AutoIncrement(auto-index) Values.

Query :

ALTER TABLE table_name AUTO_INCREMENT = start_value

Eg:
If you want to start a increment from value 100 then query is as

ALTER TABLE table_name AUTO_INCREMENT =  100

Incase you want have cleared all the data from the table , and want the table to start the increment from 1,

TRUNCATE TABLE table_name

Note :

When TRUNCATE is fired if there are any existing triggers of ON DELETE will not be fired

NHPC IPO Allotment status

2009-08-25T11:06:00.000-07:00

NHPC IPO has had an outstanding subscription of nearly 24X times.This is also the first IPO to come up with the allotment status within a week. This being the new norm of the SEBI. Aug 26th would be when we should be able to get to know abt our allotments of the share for the compnay.
We can check the NHPC Allotment for our application online at karvy/.

More IPO shopping coming our way.

Keep investing....

MAHARA : Site not available , Could not generate a new SSL key

2009-07-28T11:48:00.000-07:00

MAHARA - MOODLE Integration

In Some cases, when you are integrating MAHARA with Moodle , the OpenSSL certificate Key is not displayed.
We came across this problem many times in a windows installation.The reason was the OpenSSL within the Apache folder is not configured in the MAHARA and Moodle.

They are more of configured to work on Linux than Windows.

The solution for the same is , using the OPENSSL methods we can override the existing methods by directly pointing to the openssl certificate file (openssl.cnf)

In Mahara,

Edit the File / api/xmlrpc/Lib.php

$config is a array which holds the path of the Openssl.cnf in the your exisiting setup

$config = array("config" => "C:\Apache\openssl.cnf");

// ensure we remove trailing slashes
$dn["commonName"] = preg_replace(':/$:', '', $dn["commonName"]);

//if (!$new_key = openssl_pkey_new()) {
if (!$new_key = openssl_pkey_new($config)) {
throw new ConfigException('Could not generate a new SSL key. Are '
. 'you sure that both openssl and the PHP module for openssl are '
. 'installed on this machine?');
}

//if (!$csr_rsc = openssl_csr_new($dn, $new_key, array('private_key_bits',2048))) {
if (!$csr_rsc = openssl_csr_new($dn, $new_key, $config)) {
// This behaviour has been observed once before, on an ubuntu hardy box.
// The php5-openssl package was installed but somehow openssl
// wasn't.
throw new ConfigException('Could not generate a new SSL key. Are '
. 'you sure that both openssl and the PHP module for openssl are '
. 'installed on this machine?');
}
//$selfSignedCert = openssl_csr_sign($csr_rsc, null, $new_key, 365 /*days*/);
$selfSignedCert = openssl_csr_sign($csr_rsc, null, $new_key, 365 /*days*/,$config);

unset($csr_rsc); // Free up the resource

The Same applies to Moodle.

Edit the File : /mnet/lib.php

$config = array("config" => "c:/apache/conf/openssl.cnf");
//$new_key = openssl_pkey_new();
$new_key = openssl_pkey_new($config);
//$csr_rsc = openssl_csr_new($dn, $new_key, array('private_key_bits',2048));
//$selfSignedCert = openssl_csr_sign($csr_rsc, null, $new_key, $days);
$csr_rsc = openssl_csr_new($dn, $new_key, $config);
$selfSignedCert = openssl_csr_sign($csr_rsc, null, $new_key, $days,$config);
unset($csr_rsc); // Free up the resource

The Groups in the Indian Stock Markets(BSE / NSE)

2009-07-08T02:53:00.000-07:00

The scrips traded on BSE have been classified into various groups.

BSE has, for the guidance and benefit of the investors, classified the scrips in the Equity Segment into 'A', ‘B’,'T', ‘S', ‘TS' and 'Z' groups on certain qualitative and quantitative parameters.

Group A
It is the most tracked class of scripts consisting of about 200 scripts. Market capitalization is one key factor in deciding which scrip should be classified in Group A.
At present there are 216 companies in the A group.

Quote:
According to BSE circular dated February 5, 2008 the criterion to get listed in Group A is
1. Company must have been listed for minimum period of 3 months.
Exceptions:
* The Company can be directly listed in group 'A' provided the market capitalisation of a company being listed, based on its issue price, is higher than the average market capitalisation of 100th company in the existing group 'A' as per the ranking based on preceding 3 months data.
* Any company permitted to be traded in F&O segment from date of its listing shall be directly listed in group 'A'.
* Companies listed subsequent to any corporate action involving merger/ demerger/ capital restructuring etc.

2. Companies traded for minimum 98% of the trading days in past 3 months shall be considered eligible.

3. Companies with minimum non-promoter holding of 10% as per the shareholding pattern of most recent quarter shall be considered eligible. The criteria of minimum 10% non-promoter holding shall not be applicable to public sector undertakings (PSUs).

4. The weightage of 75% and 25% shall be given to ranking on three monthly average market capitalisation and traded turnover respectively to arrive at the final ranks.

5. The list derived, based on final rank shall be screened for compliance and investigation. Based on this screening, the list of top 200 companies shall constitute group 'A'.

6. The group re-classification shall be reviewed twice in a year i.e. February and August.

7. On inclusion of any new Company in group 'A' based on criteria 1(a) or 1(b) detailed above, the last company in the existing group 'A', based on its final rank calculated on data preceding three months shall be excluded.

Group G
G includes all governmental securities for retail investors

Group F
The "F" Group represents the Fixed Income Securities.

Group T
The "T" Group represents scrips which are settled on a trade-to-trade basis as a surveillance measure.

Group TS
The "TS" Group consists of scrips in the "BSE-Indonext" segment, which are settled on a trade-to- trade basis as a surveillance measure.

Group S

“The Exchange has introduced a new segment named “BSE Indonext” w.e.f. January 7, 2005. The “S” Group represents scripts forming part of the “BSE-Indonext” segment. “S” group consists of scripts from “B1” & “B2” group on BSE and companies exclusively listed on regional stock exchanges having capital of 3 crores to 30 crores. All trades in this segment are done through BOLT system under S group.”

Group B1 & B2:
All companies not included in group ‘A’, ‘S’ or ‘Z’ are clubbed under this category. B1 is ranked higher than B2.

B1 and B2 groups will be merged as a single Group B effective from March 2008.

Group G
Trading in Government Securities by the retail investors is done under the "G" group.

Group Z
The 'Z' group was introduced by BSE in July 1999 and includes companies which have failed to comply with its listing requirements and/or have failed to resolve investor complaints and/or have not made the required arrangements with both the depositories, viz., Central Depository Services (I) Ltd. (CDSL) and National Securities Depository Ltd. (NSDL) for dematerialization of their securities.

BSE also provides a facility to the market participants for on-line trading of odd-lot securities in physical form in 'A', 'B', 'T', 'S', 'TS' and 'Z' groups and in rights renunciations in all groups of scrips in the Equity Segment.

F&O expands to the Futures and Options segment, which indicates the way the stock price would move in the future and the traders bets on it.

Also I heard somewhere that T Group is also a bad group. Stocks in this group are settled in parts/settlements. For example, if you buy XYZ company shares, 100 numbers and sell it in same day, also actually you cannot sell unless u have shares in your account already, you have to give delivery and take delivery of it separately, it cannot be squared off in same day.

Data from link

Rename an Existing Column of a Table in MS SQL

2009-06-25T00:56:00.000-07:00

In SQL server , Renaming a existing column without any data loss is possible .
A Inbuild System Stored Proc is available for the same

Syntax
EXEC sp_rename `tableName.[existingColumnName]`, `newColumnName`, `COLUMN`

Eg:
EXEC sp_rename `tblShortName.[longName]`, `shortName`, `COLUMN`

The above SP on execution will change the column longName in the tblShortName table to shortName

Note :

Take care you make the changes in all the stored proc and function where you are refering the old Column to the new Column

Convert Multiple Row results into a variable , comma seperated into a single Row result

2009-06-09T08:31:00.000-07:00

I wanted to display a set of row results in a single Row or a single variable by comma seperated values in a SQL query.

DATA from a select statement is

NAME
-----
Alpha
Beta
Gaama

Need result in the manner of

Desired Result

Alpha,Beta,Gaama

The can be done by

DECLARE @strText varchar(Max)
SELECT @strText = COALESCE(@strText + ',', '') + CONTACT_NAME FROM table
SELECT @strText

ASP.NET 2.0 : Cross Page Posting

2009-04-27T01:45:00.000-07:00

Cross Page Posting in ASP.NET 2.0

By default, button controls in ASP.NET pages post back to the same page that contains
the button, where you can write an event handler for the post. In most cases this is the
desired behavior, but occasionaly you will also want to be able to post to another page in
your application. The Server.Transfer method can be used to move between pages, however
the URL doesn't change. Instead, the cross page posting feature in ASP.NET 2.0 allows
you to fire a normal post back to a different page in the application. In the target page,
you can then access the values of server controls in the source page that initiated the post
back.
To use cross page posting, you can set the PostBackUrl property of a Button, LinkButton
or ImageButton control, which specifies the target page. In the target page, you can then
access the PreviousPage property to retrieve values from the source page. By default, the
PreviousPage property is of type Page, so you must access controls using the FindControl
method. You can also enable strongly-typed access to the source page by setting the
@PreviousPageType directive in the target page to the virtual path or Type name of the
source page.
Here is a step-by-step guide for implementing the cross-page post back using controls
that implement the IButtonControl interface.
√ Create a Web Form and insert a Button control on it using the VS .NET designer.
√ Set the button's PostBackUrl property to the Web Form you want to post back. For
instance in this case it is "nextpage.aspx"
PostBackUrl="~/nextpage.aspx" Text="Post to nextpage" />
When the PostBackUrl property of the IButtonControl is set, the ASP.NET framework
binds the corresponding HTML element to new JavaScript function named
WebForm_DoPostBackWithOptions. The corresponding HTML rendered by the ASP.NET
2.0 will look like this:
< input type="submit" name="Button1" value="Post to Page 2"
onclick="javascript:WebForm_DoPostBackWithOptions(new
WebForm_PostBackOptions("Button1", ",false”,"Page2.aspx", false, false))"
id="Button1" / >

How do we access viewstate value of this page in the next page ?
View state is page specific; it contains information about controls embedded on the
particular page. ASP.NET 2.0 resolves this by embedding a hidden input field name,
__POSTBACK . This field is embedded only when there is an IButtonControl on the
page and its PostBackUrl property is set to a non-null value. This field contains the view
state information of the poster page. To access the view state of the poster page, you can
use the new PreviousPage property of the page:
Page poster = this.PreviousPage;
Then you can find any control from the previous page and read its state:
Label posterLabel = poster.findControl("myLabel");
string lbl = posterLabel.Text;
This cross-page post back feature also solves the problem of posting a Form to multiple
pages, because each control, in theory, can point to different post back URL.

Can we post and access view state in another application?

You can post back to any page and pages in another application, too. But if you are
posting pages to another application, the PreviousPage property will return null. This is a
significant restriction, as it means that if you want to use the view state, you are confined,
for example, posting to pages in the same virtual directory. Even so, this is a highly
acceptable addition to the functionality of ASP.NET.

Difference between Design Pattern & Framework

2009-04-21T10:25:00.000-07:00

Framework:
A framework is a set of collaborative classes for a specific application that can be reused (API) following a predefined design.

A general specification that is collection Of classes and Interfaces APIs that are designed to work together to handle a particular type of Problem. Framework is a skeleton of code used for developing an application.

Eg: Struts based framework
(Action Classes, Configuration Files) grouped together called Framework

a framework is a finite solution that help you structure your code and solve a particular kind of problems. A framework is usually made of several patterns implementation. A framework is based upon the IoC (Inversion of Control) principle; your application just need to provide and declare some callback functions and start the framework. From there the framework is in charge of running the application, calling your callback functions whenever it's necessary. So as you can see, they are very different concepts, the main difference being that a framework is a physical and usable piece of code while a pattern is a logical design solution to a given kind of problem.

Design Pattern :

Best practice for solving a common problem.

Design Patterns is a solution for recursively occured problem. These patterns wont have sperate API.

A Design pattern is a way of doing common things in a special way .Each known pattern has evolved from the failures of many programs that had been written in various domains.The most effective way of dealing with a problem is documented in a given style recommended by GoF (Gang of Four). The patterns themselves are useless is not applied properly and needs some experiance in writing solutions and different scenarious has to be taken in mind. The pattern that is in close resemblance with the problem at hand is the pattern to work with. Patterns are tried and tested ways of writing programs better but dont be too hasty to apply them with a blind eye. They need patience and a sharp eye of distinction. Patterns are also related closely with the logic and the code.

A pattern may not be restricted to programs only. It extends to the database level too.

Postgres Windows install problem. Error 'User Doesnot Exists'

2009-04-14T00:36:00.000-07:00

I Installed postgre using the windows installer and later on did a uninstall.
Later when i tried installing again, the installer never allowed me to install with the normal settings of User Postgre and superuser Postgre
It always gave me the error
'User Doesnot exists'.

or Unable to install, Security name Not mapped to the UserID

Solution:
Windows machine :
Go to your Control Panel -> User Accounts ->Advanced -> Advanced USer Management Advanced USer Management -> Advanced

You would be seeing all the Local Users/Groups

you would find the intial username used while installing Postgre.

You can right click -> delete

or create a New User and make him a normal User group
and then use the same username while postgre install.

Run a .SQL file from PHP

2009-03-03T03:11:00.000-08:00

Execute a .SQL file from PHP code

// executes the SQL commands from an external file.

$file = "sqlQueryfile.sql";
//Check if file exists
if (!file_exists($file))
{
die("Error : "The file $file does not exist.");
}

$str = file_get_contents($file);
if (!$str)
{
die("Error : Unable to read the contents of $file.");
}

$this->last_query = $str;

// split all the query's into an array
$sql = explode(';', $str);
foreach ($sql as $query)
{
if (!empty($query))
{
$r = mysql_query($query);
if (!$r)
{
die("Error : "mysql_error());

}
}
}

PHP Extract / Unzip a Zip file by code

2009-03-03T02:13:00.000-08:00

I came across a task where i had to unzip a zip folder on a server to a new directory path in PHP

For the code to work we need the PCLZip library.The PclLib is a free open source.

You can download the library from the PCLZip site

Steps for UnZip of files

//make a directory
// $target is the directory where you want to unzip the files
//$zipfile is the zipped file which has to be unzipped
@mkdir($target);
$path = $target;
$file = $zipfile;
// Use the library
require_once('pclzip.lib.php');
$archive = new PclZip($file);
if (($v_result_list = $archive->extract(PCLZIP_OPT_PATH, $path)) == 0)
{
die("Error : ".$archive->errorInfo(true));
}

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PCLZip also supports error detection

Built in error function are
errorName() : Returns a string containing the name of the error.
errorCode() : Returns the error code value.
errorInfo() : Returns a description associated with the error.

Using the Traceable Library we can also trace our errors.
You can download the trace library seperately.

require_once('pcltrace.lib.php');
require_once('pclzip-trace.lib.php');

PclTraceOn(2);

$zip = new PclZip('test.zip');
$list = $zip->create("readme.txt");
if ($list == 0) {
PclTraceDisplay();
die("Error : ".$zip->errorInfo(true));
}

PclTraceDisplay();

?>

Get Connected to LinkedIn for professional Networking

2009-02-24T21:59:00.000-08:00

I am not a big virtual social networking person. But i have really started to get hooked up with linkediin(www.linkedin.com).
This is a really useful networking site for getting your professional network together and also to get connected to other corporate networks.The information exchange is a huge advantage when it comes to your professional goals.

There is a lot of HR activites that is happening now on the netowrk, which really can help real professional for specific domains and a sort of verification on the resource.

so I would say ... go ahead and get connected in Linkedin.

It also supports groups and you may find a lot of your college or school groups.But again this is at a very professional level. no scarapping or sending messege.

Give it a Try !!!

a synopsis from there aboutus

What is LinkedIn?

LinkedIn is an interconnected network of experienced professionals from around the world, representing 170 industries and 200 countries. You can find, be introduced to, and collaborate with qualified professionals that you need to work with to accomplish your goals.

http://www.linkedin.com

my profile -> http://www.linkedin.com/in/prasannagnanasekaran

Nilgiri's Cake Exhibition

2008-12-22T11:47:00.000-08:00

Bangalore hosted the 36th annual Nilgiri's Cake Exhibition, this december

Venue for the show is St. Jospeh's Indian High School, Vittal Mallya Road, Bangalore (close to MG Road, drive straight down from MG road and after first signal on the left you can see the school - near to Kandeerava Indoor Stadium) .
The Cake Exhibition is clubbed with the National Consumer Fair 2008.

The theme of the cake exhibition is the 7 new wonders of the world. The highlight of the exhibition was the 16 Feet by 58 feet Buckingham Palace.
Other Exhibits include , The Taj Mahal of India, Christ Redeemer of Brazil, The Great Wall of China, Petra of Jordan, Machu Picchu of Peru, Colosseum of Rome and The Pyramid at Chichen Itza

Nearly 20,000 man-hours and 9.5 tonnes of sugar were used in creating the cakes

After the exhibition, the cakes are usually distributed to orphanages.

For those who missed out the cakes here are the pics

Entry Ticket : 30 rs/head
Parking : 20 rs (car park) 10rs(bike)

Huge Parking lot available.

The event is on the school ground with a closed interiors. The crowd management is very bad.Toilets are not availble and there was hush hush with ladies toilets as drunken guys were near the ladies toilet on the first floor of the school, and the ladies toilet didnot have any water or mugs and to the least even the doors didnot have any latches. Please avoid the toilets.

Search for Text + String within a Stored Proc in SQL

2008-12-11T03:20:00.000-08:00

I was searching for a Query in MS SQL for searching a string inside the available stored procedure, and found this query.

Query with the Objects and search with the content(definition) of the stored proc

select o.name as [StoredProc] from sys.objects o
inner join
sys.sql_modules m
on
o.object_id = m.object_id
where
m.definition like '%[String to be Searched]%'

or we can directly query into the Sys.Procedures

SELECT Name FROM sys.procedures
WHERE
OBJECT_DEFINITION(OBJECT_ID) LIKE '%%'
AND
OBJECT_DEFINITION(OBJECT_ID) LIKE '%%'

கொடைகன்னல் - KodaiKannal

2008-08-11T10:54:00.000-07:00

Kodaikannal is one of the famous hill station of south india.
Kodai as it is called is a trekker's delight.The Scenic and nature it has is also really pleaseant.

Kodai is around 4hrs trip in bus from Madurai and 3 hrs from Palazhni(near dindigal).
There are lot of private travels that have a night journey to reach you to Kodai.
If you reach Dindigal or Madurai by train then , you can take a bus.
Kodai Road happens to be a starting point to the hill when coming from Madurai and it is famouse for its Malli Poo(Jasmine).If you are coming from Dindugal then you can reach Palazhini and then Kodai

Kodaikannal is famouse for its lake. and it has been popularised by some very famous movies from south india (GUNA, Tenali -kamal , RAAM - jeeva). some of the spots have been names on these movies.

Places to watch

Coaker's Walk : Named after Coaker an English gentleman who used to talk a walk during his time. The Walk is a beautiful steep climb from the Kodai Lake and botanical Garden junction.

Upper Lake View : Iti s a view point from where we can see the Kodai lake in its Star Shape

Pamper Falls , Golf Course , Green Valley view

Pillar Rock : Devil's Kitchen : Four Pillar These places are linked to each other. This is a view point from where we can see the mount as a Pillars. Watching the pillars with Mist is a Real Beauty.

Devil's Kitchen is now also called as GUNA caves. The caves were used in the Climax of Kamal's movie GUNA. Now it has become a tourist spot. Earlier it was allowed to enter the caves but now due to security and safety reasons it has been blocked.

Pine Forest : This has been the most used spot of Kodai , almost hundreds of movies have been shot here, and now it has become a famous Cine Shooting Spot

Nandhi Hills

2008-06-29T04:21:00.000-07:00

i have been planning the Nandhi hills trip for a long time, and everytime it has been a disaster.
Today was tuli's bday and the gang had planned to go to Nandhi hills today after our lunch.unfortunately thimgs didnot work out even today. The lunch got late and one of my friend had to shift his house and it started to rain.It was just 3pm.Me and one of my friend we decided to proceed with our plan.
Nanadhi hills is a very small hill 50km from bangalore.Watching sunrise and Sunset is the main reason why people go there.Till 2007 Dec the road was difficult to travel as highway to the BIAL(Bangalore International Airport) was getting layed.Now the Highway is really good. It takes 30mins to reach from Hebbal to reach the BIAL but may take more when the traffic is at peak. 5 kms from the airport you get Devenahally.There is a small for on the right side while moving towards Nandhi hills.It happens to be related to TipuSultan 's Hisoty.Few kms and you will see a Jain Temple on the hill top to the left.and just below the hill you will get a road that deviates to the left.The road is a straight smooth drive.Watch out for the speed breakers.From the turn ,Nandhi hills is 23kms.

My Ikon was beeping red as the fuel was getting empty.there are no petrol bunks once u deviate from the highway.but 8kms inside the road turns left and there are few small shops for snacks.You get petrol in bottles but will cost 10rs more.which is fine.
5 km more into the road, the Nandhi hill begin there are totally 32 curves to reach the top. 10 mins as you drive the wind gets cold and you start to get the view of the city which is spectacular.Once you reach the top you need to take a ticket for the car 60rs and you need to go furthur 2 kms to the top.

On the peak there is a KSTDC hotel .The hotel has a garden on the ground floor which is accessible for people staying there.You get Beer and hot drinks.
There are small Tshops outside but they are mostly available only during weekends.

I reached Nandhi hills at 5.30pm.The wind brining the dew drops was amazing.Seeing the wind take the dew and fog down on the village down is really a thrill to watch.When the wind blows suddenly there is a blanket that covers the whole of the hill and drifts slowly downwards.
I recommend everyone to visit it once a while if you need to just sit and watch the wind play.

I will make another visit soon with the whole gang.