Lalitgiri Buddhist complex has various structures of religious and architectural importance that have been excavated by the A.S.I. One such interesting discovery of Buddhist architecture is Apsidal Chaityagriha.
The brick chaitya griha is apsidal on plan having a structural stupa at the rear end. It has as usual component such as apse, axial and nave. The stupa at the rear end provided with a area around it to go around. The chaitya graham also provided with a stone pavement around it of letter construction as evidence from the excavation.
This unique structure was believed to be the biggest prayer hall is built sometime between 8th and 12th century A.D.
Pavagadh is part of UNESCO World Heritage Site Champaner - Pavagadh Archelogical Park. This place which is just 45 kms from Vadodara is a must visit not only for pilgrims, but also for tourists.
The Pavagadh Hill rises to 830 m and descends in five successive plateaus which are separated by steep cliffs namely Kalikamata, Mauliya, Bhadrakali, Machi and Atak. The higher plateaus on the west and south makes it safe and inaccessible from invasion.
One can choose to reach the top of the hill either taking the steps to the the top or rope-way. If one takes the steps and walk all the way up to the top of the hill from Machi and it takes approximately 3 hours. We choose to use the rope-way to reach top of the hill from the base station at Machi. It took just 6 minutes to reach the top.
The places of interest on the hill that we visited are:
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 Tufted Capuchin and and it is native of South America.
It is recognized by its characteristic head coloration, a black or dark brown cap with dark sideburns. The tail is prehensile and helps to control risky movements, assist in changes in direction and to stabilize the Capuchin while feeding in its characteristic seated posture.
They are social animals forming groups of 8 to 15 animals. It has a lifespan of 35 to 40 years.
Fruits are a large part of their diet. Vegetation, seeds, eggs, insects, reptiles, birds and small mammals are also consumed frequently. Wild tufted Capuchin are capable of using tools to open up otherwise inaccessible fruits, the husks of which it cannot open in its teeth or jaws.
A glimpse of India in black and white. This picture is of a pathway at the farm.
This temple is a important landmark in the city of Bhavnagar. It is located at the center of the city on a hillock and and named after its patron Maharaja Takhtsinhji. The temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is built sometime in 1863.
The temple has a courtyard in the front and it can be reached by climbing a flight of steps made up of marble.The entire temple is made of white marble.
Even the pillars and tower of the temple is constructed using marble. There are about 18 pillar that supporting the roof.
As it is a Shiva temple, a Nandi bull is also present in the temple courtyard.
The Botanical Garden in Ooty laid on the lower slopes of Doddabetta peak is divided into several sections. The garden covering an area of around 22 hectares is laid down in 1848.
The entrance of the garden leads into an extensive lush green lawn of Kikiyu grass.
Here one can also see a fossilized tree trunk. There are several lawns with flowering plants, several plots of flowering plants, a variety of medicinal plants.
Ascending on the slopes of the hill it has a terraced layout. The garden is home for several exotic and indigenous, of plants, shrubs, ferns, trees.
The flowers in the garden are treat to the eyes. The flower beds and ponds in the park are very well laid and one can spend here hours soaking in the beauty of nature.
There are many roses of different colors and sizes at the Government Rose Garden at Ooty.
They differ from each other with very minute differences. One of the them is in red color is here.
A glimpse of India in black and white.
Lalitgiri Buddhist complex has various structures of religious and architectural importance that have been excavated by the A.S.I. One such luminous piece of Buddhist architecture is Mahastupa.
This giant circular stupa of Mahavira built between 1st to 12th century A.D is at the top of the Pushpagiri hill. Inside the brick stupa two relic caskets kept in a container made of Khandolite stone were found. The discovery of relic caskets was the first of its kind in the eastern India.
A climb of approximately 50 steps takes one close to this stupa.
The Naulakha Palace at Gondal is an magnificent palace, that is a must visit for all those who are interested in architecture, history.
The palace complex is entered through a high gateway with the clock tower.
Built in the 17th century the facade of the palace is very attractive. The facade in stone carving showcases splendid sculpture, relief work, carved columns and carved arches.
This grand place is the oldest building in the city. One of the interesting aspect of the palace is ornate jarokha balconies.
The imposing architecture definitely engulfs and encapsulates the viewer in its beauty and grandeur.
The palace have been converted into a private museum and exhibits brassware, textiles, library, royal wardrobes, vintage cars, toys .
Hebbal Lake in north Bangalore is favorite spot for various colorful birds. People have identified nearly 100 spices of birds here.
One among them is Purple Swamphen. These birds have bright plumage and red bill and a large frontal shield. They have red eyes.
They prefer wet areas such as swamps, lake edges and damp pastures. They are often seen in pairs and larger communities.
They feed on tender shoots and vegetable-like matter, eggs, small fish.
A glimpse of India in black and white. This picture was taken on road covering outer area of Bangalore.
Ramlingeshwar Temple complex at Avani has several shrines and one of them is Bharateshwara Temple. This temple is built by rulers of Nolamba dynasty in 10th Century A.D.
The entrance to this shrine is beautifully carved and very ornate with guards on the either side.
The temple has Shiva-linga in the sanctum and there is a black stone Bull facing it in the outer area.
The pillars inside the temple have a octagonal shape with small carvings all around it.
The Hall of Thousand Pillars at Meenakshi Temple of Madurai is on the north side Sundareswarar flag staff hall. This beautiful hall is a sculptural marvel.
The hall was built by Ariyanatha Mudaliar in 1569 is an architectural and engineering marvel. It contains 985 carved pillars and each one outdoes the other. There are also few Musical Pillars in this hall and each pillar produces a unique musical note.
Each pillar in the hall is a carved monument of the Dravidian sculpture. The more prominent among the carved figures are those of Rati, Karthikeya, Yali, Shiva.
This hall also serves as a Temple Art Museum and there are icons, photographs, drawings. I liked the huge sculpture of Ganesha on the pillar very much.
A glimpse of India in black and white. This picture was taken at a prominent shopping area in Bangalore.
The Sarkhej Roza Complex at Ahmedabad has various interesting structures. One among them is the early 15th century structure the Baradari.
It is a 16 pillared structure located at the center of the open courtyard in front of the Tomb of Sheikh Ahmed Khattu Ganj Baksh.
There are a total of small 9 domes on the top well supported by the slender pillars.
It is believed that the excavation of the lake and the building of the Jama Masjid in its initial stages were supervised by Sheikh Ahmed Khattu himself from the Baradari.
