Saturday, November 30, 2013

Birds of Hebbal Lake - 4, Bangalore

Hebbal Lake in north Bangalore is favorite spot for joggers, photography enthusiasts and birds. Here is the sequence of shots when a flying Pond Heron landed next to Egret in the lake.





Thursday, November 28, 2013

Dark Passage, Devgiri Fort

The only entrance to citadel of 14th century Devgiri Fort is through a devious tunnel which in times of siege was rendered impassable by an ingenious contrivance. This sub-terrain passage is indeed mysterious and in spite of several individual's attempts, all its mysteries are not known. 



The long ascending tunnel rises rapidly and tortuously by a flight of steps, which are uneven in width and height, difficult for climb in the absence of light.



The labyrintheine passage coupled with the darkness confuse the enemy army to kill themselves along a tunnel containing numerous chambers cut out of solid rock which were used then as guard rooms and store houses. The tunnel was impassable when the great obstacles come in the form of darkness, barrier of smoke, splash of oil and water from above. 

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Images of India - 38

A glimpse of structures of India in black and white. They may not be ancient, yet artistic.


A window of one of the house in Jaisalmer

Monday, November 25, 2013

Talkad

Talkad is an ancient town located 33 kms from Mysore. This city on the banks of Cauvery river in the ancient days had been the capital city of Chola and Ganga kingdoms. 



It was ruled by the Gangas before the 11th century and then Cholas from the 11th through the 12th centuries. It came under the control of Hoysala in the 12th century. It was then patronized by the Vijayanagar rulers and the Maharajas of Mysore. 



Apart from the temples, this place is known for its sand dunes. The sand dunes here have buried large number of monuments. The excavation work is in progress here to unearth these precious treasures. 

Some of such monuments are:

Being the countryside you can get to see many birds here. On the way to this place there are several water ponds with birds in them.

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Tiger Relaxing

Mysore Zoo is the most popular zoo at Mysore in India. There are various wild animals and birds at the zoo.  



Tiger at Mysore Zoo in relaxing mood.



Friday, November 22, 2013

Top View of Kailash Temple, Ellora

Kailashnath Temple at Ellora is one of the most famous marvel in stone. This 8th century temple is one of the true example of  sculptural ornamentation and rich craftsmanship of rock-cut architecture.



Designed to resemble Mount Kailash, the abode of Lord Shiva is notable for vertical excavation as carvers started at the top of the original rock, and excavated downward.



Every inch of the temple is carved and there are exceptional carvings even on the roof of the temple. The magnificence of this temple can be seen by climbing the hillock around the temple from which temple was carved.



Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Images of India - 37

A glimpse of ancient sculptures of India in black and white and are showcased museums for the benefit of interested people.


The 10th century sculpture of Uma Maheshwar at Archaeological Museum in Shimoga

Monday, November 18, 2013

Siddheshwar Temple, Bhubaneswar

Siddheshwar Temple in Bhubaneswar is located northwest of another famous temple the Mukteshwar Temple. This 10th century temple is built in Pancha Ratna style of classical Orissan temple architecture.



The temple tower is grouped by a row of miniature turrets, which is surmounted by four rampant lions. 



The deity in the sanctum of the temple is Lord Shiva. On the external walls of the temple is an attractive idol of Lord Ganesh. 



The Temple walls are decorated with lovely ornamental motifs There are wonderful sculptures and designs on the temple walls.





Saturday, November 16, 2013

Birds in Neighbourhood - 13

I get to see variety of birds around my parents house in Udupi. I have captured few of them in my camera and one such beautiful bird is Cattle Egret




It is a stocky heron that is white in color. It has a relatively short thick neck, sturdy bill, and a hunched posture. The adult bird has mainly white plumage, a yellow bill and greyish-yellow legs. 


During the breeding season, they develop orange-buff plumes on the back, breast and crown, and the bill. They prefer drier and open habitats more than other heron species. They are often seen accompanying cattles, catching insect and small vertebrate prey disturbed by these animals.

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Anekere Padmavathi Basadi, Karkala

From Karkara town on our way to Hiriyangaddi we passed through a picturesque lake called Anekere. In the ancient times this lake was used to bath the Kings elephant and hence the name Anne (elephant) kere (lake).



In the middle of lake there is a beautiful structure, a Jain Basadi. This is the Padmavati Basadi, built in 1545 by Pandya VI the successor of Abhinava Pandya.



Today place was closed and as a result we could not go inside.  Never the less this is a beautiful place with reflection of the basdi in the lake.


Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Images of India - 36

A glimpse of heritage monuments of India in black and white. Check other posts that will give you more details about this monument.



view outside from City Palace, Udaipur

Monday, November 11, 2013

Rani Gumpha, Udaygiri

Rani Gumpha at Udaygiri is in the middle terrace of the eastern slope of Udayagiri Hillock. The cave is dated back to 1st century B.C. The cave is belongs to Kharavela of Mahameghavahana Chedi dynasty,  the Emperor of Kalinga. It is believed that the cave was occupied by the queen of Lalatendu Kesari.


It is a double storeyed rock-cut cave rectangular in plan covering three sides of a quadrangle, the forth on the south-eastern side is open. The upper storey is not immediately above the lower one but recedes a few meters away into the rocky mass.


The lower storey has 3 component, consists of two wing and the main wing, where the right and left wings meet the main wing are two small guard rooms. The upper storey also has same component except the guard room. 


The entrance arches are relieved with flowers, honey-suckle lotus and creepers of various designs. In the triangular portions above these arches are variously srivatsa, nandipada, snake and lotus- all auspicious Jaina symbols.


The facade of the cells are carved with sculptural friezes like women rescuing scene from wild elephant, deer, hunting scene, female dancing scene, couple offering flowers, royal procession, and the unique guard / door keeper of Greek style ornamentation adorned the cave. 


Saturday, November 9, 2013

Mysore Zoo - Nilgai

Mysore Zoo is the most popular zoo at Mysore in India. There are various wild animals and birds at the zoo. One among them is Nilgai, the largest Asian antelope. 



It has thin legs and a robust body that slopes down from the shoulder. Adult males have a grey to bluish-grey coat, while the females and young are tawny brown in color  The tips of the long, tufted tail and of the ears are black. They also possess a tubular-shaped "pennant" of long, coarse hair on the midsection of the throat.



Only the males have  two black, conical horns, arising close together just behind the eyes. The horns project upwards, but are slightly curved forward; they measure between 15 and 24 centimeters.



They  live in grasslands and woodlands where they eat grasses, leaves, buds, and fruit. They avoid dense forest and prefer the plains and low hills with shrubs. In India, it can be seen mostly in central and northern part.

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Buddhism in Kurma

The ancient Buddhist site of Kurma is situated 8 kms to the south-east of Konark. Very little is known about this place when compared to other famous Bhuddust sites in Orissa.



The excavation work done by Orissa State Archaeology department has led to the discovery of many interesting structures and sculptures in the area. The mound of bricks in a well laid format has been attributed to the presence of monastery between 9th and 10th century.



A small modern structure houses three Buddhist images that have been discovered in the area. One of them is crowned Buddha seated in Bhumisparsa mudra.



Other two are Padmapani Avalokitesvara and Revanta. These three images are jointly worshiped as 'Yamadharma' by local inhabitants. Even though very less is known about this place it is worth a visit.

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Images of India - 35

A glimpse of heritage monuments of India in black and white. Check other posts that will give you more details about this monument.



Jehanghir Palace courtyard at Orchha

Monday, November 4, 2013

Quite Deepavali

Deepavali, the festival of lights is celebrated all over India with great enthusiasm.  It is celebrated outside India other counties like Sri Lanka, Nepal. It is cerebrated as win of good over the evil.



One of the highlight of the festival is lighting lamps and decorating in the night and busting crackers. The sky is brightened by these crackers.



They form different patterns on the sky with different colors of light. But this year there are busting of crakers in the sky, but are not same as previous year may be because of sky rocketing prices. 



Even though it comparatively quite, it is still a bright festival. People celebrate it with same zest as earlier.


Happy Deepavali to all.

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Mysore Zoo - Congo Grey Parrot

Mysore Zoo is the most popular zoo at Mysore in India. There are various wild animals and birds at the zoo. One among them is Congo Grey Parrot.


It is a beautiful bird which is about 33 cm long, with silver-grey body that is lighter around eyes and rump. It has cherry-red tails, and an all-black beak and white around the eyes.



They can be seen in the rain-forests of West and Central Africa. Their main food is palm nuts, seeds, fruits, and leafy matter. They are very intelligent birds. They are often able to mimic many sounds and talk.