Veera Brahmam Cave, Yaganti

Yaganti has many places of historic importance apart from the Uma Maheswara Swamy Temple. There are several caves in the hills surrounding and one of them is Veera Brahmam Cave.

To reach the cave, one has to climb a series of steep steps that are not too steep. 

Once one reach the top to enter inside one has to bend half over. Inside the cave there is small Shiva Linga and Nandi in front of it.

This is the cave where saint Sri Potuluri Veera Brahmendra swamy wrote some of his Kala Gnaanam (prophecy).

Common Kingfisher at Usgalimal

When we were in Usgalimal to visit the Rock Engravings we came across Common Kingfisher.

It is a small bird, measuring 25-35 cm in length with a wingspan of 25 cm. These birds have bright plumage and have compact body, short tails, large heads and long bills. The upper-parts of this beautiful bird are greenish blue and the back and the rump are pale sky-blue. 

On the throat and the nape it has a whitish patch. It has rufous patches at the base of the bill and ear region. It has greenish blue neck strip while the breast, abdomen and rest of the underparts are rufous. 

Their main diet is mostly fish. It also feeds on aquatic insects, flies, dragonfly nymphs, butterflies. 

Sursagar Lake, Vadodara

Sursagar Lake at Vadodara is right in the middle of the city. The lake has held the water in one place with the help of stone banks and masonry and as a result it is full of water throughout the year.

In case the lake overflows to control the water several underground gates have been constructed to empty the lake. Water from these gates gushes to Vishwamitri river, which flows through the City. 

The Vadodara Mahanagar Seva Sadan has intalled a 120 ft tall statue of Lord Shiva in standing posture in Year 2002, in the middle of this lake. 

Basilica of Bom Jesus, Old Goa

The Basilica of Bom Jesus is one of the oldest churches located in Old Goa. This is India’s first minor basilica and its construction began in 1954.

The architecture of the church is one of the best examples of baroque architecture. The entrance of the church is very ornamental.

The church with simple interiors has marble flooring inlaid with precious stones. The main altar holds a large statue of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus.

The church holds the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier. He died on Sancian Island while en route to continental China in the year 1552. His body is placed in silver casket on top of a mausoleum. 

It was designed by the 17th-century Florentine sculptor Giovanni Battista Foggini. The church also holds paintings of scenes taken from the life of St. Francis Xavier. 

This church is recognised as UNESCO World Heritage Site

Indian Peahen at Gir

In Gir Sanctuary went for Safari in an open jeep and we could see some birds flying around. We spotted the Indian Peahen in open areas of the forest.

It has a mixture of dull grey, brown, and green in the plumage.  It has brownish upperparts while underparts, lower breast and belly, are whitish. 

The flight feathers are darker brown. The neck is glossy green whereas the breast is dark brown with green gloss.  On the head, it has glossy green forehead and crown, with the same form of crest but greenish at tip. The bare skin of the face is white.

Sri Gangamma Devi Temple, Bangalore

Sri Gangamma Devi Temple in Bangalore is located in Malleswaram region. It is built very close to the Kadu Mallikarjunswamy Temple. The temple has beautiful and colourful tower at the entrance.

The main deity of the temple is Gangamma representing the river Ganga. Other sub shrines inside the temple are for Sri Ganapathi and Sri Subramanya.

Seven Sisters Waterfalls, Gangtok

On our way to Lachen in North Sikkim from Gangtok we came across beautiful scenes and water falls. One such water fall just 32 kms away is Seven Sisters Waterfalls.

There are quite a few waterfalls on the way and this is a place where one has to break to savour the pristine beauty and to be with nature.

This lovely falls is named so because it can be seen that water in the waterfall falls cascades in seven stages. 

This serene waterfall can be seen in three distinct tiers. One can climb a few steps gives a beautiful view of the waterfall in the upper stages.

This is a ideal place for break up for the tourists travelling to North Sikkim.

Bank Myna at Patan

When we were in Patan to visit the ancient Rani-Ki-Vav we could spot several common birds in the vicinity. One of them is Bank Myna.

This bird identified by the grey body, black hooded head and the bare brick red patch behind the eye. The upper plumage is slaty grey while the underside is lighter grey. The legs are yellow while the iris is deep red. 

It is found in northern parts of South Asia. They inhabit mainly in the vicinity of open water and cultivated farmland.

Sri Rudreshwar Temple, Aravelam

Sri Rudreshwar Temple at Aravelam is newly built on the site where only a image of diety existed earlier. 

This temple is also known by the name 'Temple of Lord Shiva'.

Inside the temple is a old Linga of Rudreshwar facing the waterfall.

Veerabhadra Temple Complex, Lepakshi

Veerabhadra Temple Complex in Lepakshi is one of the ancient structures in the area. Built in 16th century this is a architectural marvel. This was built by Virupanna Nayaka and Viranna, both brothers who were Governors under the Vijayanagar Empire. 

The outermost waled enclosure has three gates, of which the northern gate is used regularly. The temple complex has Veerabhadra Temple and Natya Mantapa. 

Within the temple complex, to its eastern side, there is huge boulder of granite stone which on one side has carving of coiled multi-hooded serpent providing an umbrella cover over a Linga. On the other side of the same boulder there is also a huge statue of Lord Ganesha.

There are also several other structures in the complex like Shiva Linga and Hanuman.

Black-headed Ibis at Ponda

During our trip to Ponda, we could spot some birds  in a field filled with water and one of them is Black-headed Ibis.

They have white-plumage with some greyer areas on the wings. The bald head, the neck and legs are black. The thick down curved bill is dusky black. 

Their diet is fish, frogs and other water creatures, as well as on insects.

It can be seen walking around on marshy land probing with its bill into soft mud and shallow water.