At flower show in Lalbagh Gardens at Bangalore on January 2011 there were exclusive collection of Orchids on display. The colors were amazing. Below are some of the orchids on display:
There were stalls selling the Orchids plants outside the flower show. The price ranged from Rupees 600 to 1200 depending on the variety.
The Lighthouse at Mahabalipuram is built in 1900 on a rock nearby to Mahishasura Mardhini Cave Temple. It is constructed in such a way that it blends very well with the 7th and 9th century Pallava cave temples around it.
This is a 26m high circular stone masonry tower. The exterior surface is natural and unpainted to blend with surroundings. The light on tower was commissioned for the first time on March 1901.
The stone tower at the top has a lantern dome painted red in color.
Hebbal Lake is located in north Bangalore. It is here that I had my first experience of bird watching. In the morning time the park by the lake side is busy with people doing morning walk and exercise. There are enthusiastic photographers trying their luck with every bird they spot.
The habitat is favored by many species of water birds including large waterbirds such as the Spot-billed Pelican, Eurasian Spoonbill, Shoveller, Pintail, Garganey, Little Grebe, Coot and Spot-billed Duck.
On my first trip here, I was accompanied few of my friends. This has been a memorable exercise for me. Waiting near any spot trying to get that one precious shot of the bird. But age of Digital camera is a real help, where one can just go on clicking.
My friends identified this bird as Pelican.
Birds of Hebbal Lake: 1, 2, 3
At flower show in Lalbagh Gardens at Bangalore on January 2011 there were exclusive collection of various flowers on display. A wide variety of Celosia flowers were also there on display.
One of them is red in color.
This is one of the most important sites in Mamallapuram (State: Tamil Nadu). This amazing relief, carved sometime in the 7th century, measures approximately 30m (100ft) long by 15m (45ft) high. This beautiful work symbolizes either "Arjuna's Penance" or "the Descent of the Ganges", or possibly both.
Arjuna's Penance: According to the story in the epic Mahabharata, Arjuna, one of the Pandava brothers, offers prayers in extreme conditions in order to obtain Lord Shiva's weapon.
Descent of the Ganges: According to this story, the sage Bhagiratha, offeres prayers in extreme conditions in order to bring the river Ganges down to earth.
On the relief one can can see many scenes being carved out in support of both the stories. The left side has the main elements of the story. Just above the shrine, Arjuna (or Bhagiratha) stands on one leg, his arms upraised, in a yogic posture.
While the right side has scenes of the natural and celestial worlds and the life-sized elephants protect their young. A natural cleft populated by nagas (snakes) separates the two halves of the relief.
We shall explore finer details of this relief soon: 1
Mysore Zoo is the most popular zoo at Mysore (State: Karnataka) in India. There are various animals and birds at the zoo. One among them is Zebra.
They have been provides lot of space to move around. There are around 2 to 3 of them moving all over the space.
This is a nice place for the kids to get know about the various animals in the wild. The trip through the zoo consumes more than half a day.
At flower show in Lalbagh Gardens at Bangalore on January 2011 there were exclusive collection of various flowers on display. The colors were amazing. Below is the Brain Celosia Flower on display:
Mamallapuram (State: Tamil Nadu) located at a distance of 56kms from state capital is known for its ancient shrines. This is also known as Mahabalipuram. The history of city dates back to the 7th - 9th century when Pallava dynasty ruled the place.
The temples of the city portray the events described in the Hindu epic Mahabharata. Majority of thee monuments are rock-cut and monolithic. The style of architecture is Dravidian with influences of Buddhist elements. The sculptures are excellent examples of Pallava art.
The important attractions are:
The historic monuments here are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This is fifth in the series on the rich cultural heritage of temples in India. The ancient temples are richly carved and they behold ones attention for their craftsmanship and the focus here is on the Buddhist Stupas. The construction of famous Great Stupa of Sanchi is commissioned sometime in 3rd century BCE. It has sandstone gates in in all the four corners of the Stupa.
The Eastern Gate is carved beautifully like all the other gates here. There are beautiful carvings of people, animals like elephants, lions, peacocks on it. But most famous sculpture on this gate is that of an shalabhanjika or Yakshi.
Here, it is added as an auspicious element to the decoration of the gate. The Yakshi is hanging by a mango tree. The sensuous maiden is carved with a single pearl necklace falling between her breasts, heavy anklets and bracelets. Her hair is tied into elaborate plaits.
At flower show in Lalbagh Gardens at Bangalore on January 2011 there were exclusive collection of various flowers on display. A wide variety of Celosia flowers were also there on display.
One of them is yellow in color.
This is a 26m high circular stone masonry tower. The exterior surface is natural and unpainted to blend with surroundings. The light on tower was commissioned for the first time on March 1901. 
It is believed that there are not less than 360 temples inside the Fort in its golden period. In the short time I spent there I have captured few of them in my lens.
The upper left of the relief has an setting of mountain with grazing animals, lions, humans, and celestial's. This part also has a pair of bird-like creature with human bodies. Lord Shiva attended by his ganas can be seen at the far rightmost side.
Arjuna is performing a extremely difficult yoga posture of standing one-legged with arms above his head to please the Lord. This posture held unmoved for months together. The protruding rib-cage is an indication of how long he stood in such a position without bothering about self-starvation.To the left of Arjuna is four-armed Lord Shiva. From the looks on his face he is pleased and his left hand extended to grant the blessings. In the other left hand is the weapon that probably Arjuna is seeking.
The other important features of the scene are at lower left, an antelope bounds from ledge to ledge, flying celestial's, and a pair of birds near Arjuna's left elbow.
They have been provides lot of space to move around. There are around 2 to 3 of them moving all over the space.
