Parvati Hill and Temple, Pune

Parvati Hill and Temple in Pune is an important landmark. Located very close to the city center it is a main tourist attraction.

The hill is at a height of 2100 feet above sea level. One can reach top of the hill by climbing approximately 110 steps.

The steps are wide, but they are also smooth. The steps are so smooth that there is a chance for anyone to slip if not careful. There are railings by the side of steps to which one can hold on to.

There are several temples at the top, the most prominent being Parvati Temple, There is also a museum, the Peshwas Museum at the top. As per the popular legend, from this hill the Peshwa ruler Balaji Baji Rao watched the British defeat at the Battle of Kirkee.

This hill is frequented by people who want to get away from the maddening crowds and busy life of the city.

Krishna Mandapam, Mahabalipuram

Krishna Mandapam at Mahabalipuram is one of the interesting place. This is a cave temple.

It has a huge bas-relief carved out of a single rock. This carving is done some time in the middle of 7th century.

In Hindu culture, cows have great importance, and their association with Krishna during his life among the milkmaids. A calf is kept beside the cow to encourage her milk production, a practice which has been followed in most parts of the World.

The carvings on the panel depicts one of the stories of Lord Krishna. It mainly has the story of Krishna Govardhana, in which Krishna lifts up the mountain to shelter his followers from a storm.

There is also a cow at the top in one of the corner, overlooking the entire scene. This can be seen in the first image at the top.

Aga Khan Palace, Pune

Aga Khan Palace is one of the important landmark in Pune. This palace was built in the year 1892 by Sultan Muhammed Shah, Aga Khan III. This was done to provide employment to people in the area who were drastically hit by the famine. In those days it took 5 years to complete at a cost of Rupees 12 lakhs.

The magnificent palace occupying 7 acres of land is surrounded by the lavish green gardens all around with fountains.

Some of the rooms are lavishly decorated as a reminder of its royal past and it has five halls. The arches are designed in Italian style. With its grand architecture the palace it captivates once attention.

Father of Nation - Mahatma Gandhi with his wife Kasturba were held as a prisoners here from 9 August 1942 to 6 May 1944. Later in 1969 the palace was donated to the nation by Aga Khan IV as a mark of respect to Gandhi and his philosophy.

Devi Jagadambi Temple, Khajuraho

The Devi Jagadambi Temple is one of the oldest temple in Khajuraho (State: Madhya Pradesh). Belonging to Western Group of Temples it is smaller when compared to Lakshmana Temple, Vishwanath Temple and Kandaria Mahadeva Temple. It is built by the kings of dynasty in the middle of 11th century.

Carved beautifully it is on the same platform as Kandaria Mahadeva Temple. Smaller in size, it is much more delicately proportioned temple.

It is decorated with some of the finest sculptures in three bands around the temple. The carvings are exquisite.

The images of deities set into prominent places in the temple's exterior, so they were functioning as more than mere decoration.

There is a big sculpture of a warrior fighting with a lion bare handed at the entrance of the temple. This is the symbol of Chandela Dynasty.

Ganjam

Ganjam is a small historical place on Bangalore Mysore Highway. It is 17 kms from Mysore and 2 kms from the highway near Srirangapatna.



It lies at the confluence of two rivers Cauvery and Lokapavani. This centuries old place is the land of rulers of Mysore and they built the beautiful Nimishamba Temple for goddess Nimishamba on the banks of the river.



The landscape here is amazing with the temple on one side of the river and hill on the other side. The hill is hemmed in intermittently by bushes, tropical trees. 



Here one can enjoy the beauty of the countryside by the riverside. For those who know swimming this is a ideal place as water is not deep. Coracles can be rented here for a ride in the calm waters and explore the other bank of the river.

Ibrahim Roza - Tomb, Bijapur

The Ibrahim Roza complex located in the western outskirts of the Bijapur (State: Karnataka) city. Built sometime in 16th century, it comprises of a tomb and mosque. We have already seen the details of and now for the tomb.

The tomb has perfect domes that is topped with crescent moons. There are symmetrical minarets on four corners of the tomb. The tomb is 13 meters square with the ceiling that is divided into nine squares with curved sides.

Steps are provided to approach the raised platform on which the two structures (tom and mosque) have been built. The tomb is for the ruler of Bijapur, Ibrahim Adil Shah II, his two sons and his mother.

Lalbagh Flower Show - Cosmos

At flower show in Lalbagh Gardens at Bangalore on August 2011 there were lot of colorful Cosmos flowers. The colors were amazing.

Light pink Cosmos is one of the color on display.

Tiger's Cave, Mahabalipuram

Tiger's Cave is located in a small village Saluvankuppam 5 kms from Mahabalipuram. Don't be surprised, if you do not see neither a tiger nor a small dark den of the tiger.

This is actually a 8th century temple dedicated to Goddess Durga. This was built during the reign of Pallava Kings. The shrine is known by this name as there are series of carved heads of a animal that resembles tiger surrounding the entrance of the shrine.

Hebbal Lake, Bangalore

Hebbal Lake is located in north Bangalore. It is on your left while one dives to Bangalore International Airport. It occupies around 150 acres and has beautiful garden on one side of the lake. It is created by building bunds to hold the water of natural valley system.

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.

In the morning time the park by the lake side is buzzing with lot of activity: jogging, exercise, birding. Fishing can also be done if adequate permissions or contracts are there.

The park has lot of variety of flowery trees and plants. The park looks colorful with these flowers.

This lake was established by Kempe Gowda, the founder of the city.

Flowering Tree - Pink Trumpet

Bangalore (State: Karnataka) known as Garden City true to its name as lot of flowering trees on either side of most of the roads. They bloom with flowers of various colors. One such tree is Pink Trumpet Tree.

The flowers are deep pink with a pale yellow center and are borne in clusters. The tree starts flowering in winter and spring.

In the spring the entire tree is covered with pink blossoms.

The trees have very distinctive broad leaflets that are pointed at the tip and curved inwards. There are total 5 leaflets of unequal size. When the tree begins to flower the tree sheds all leaves.

Dagduseth Ganapati Temple, Pune

Dagduseth Halwai Ganesh Tempe is an important landmark in Pune (State: Maharashtra). Established in 1893 it is one of the oldest Ganapati temples in the city. The temple is located at a short distance from the historical fort of Peshwas, Shaniwar Wada.

The construction of this temple is attributed to the sweet-maker of the city who lost his son in a plague outbreak.

The temple construction is very unique and has a beautiful stepped tower. It is painted in white and golden color and looks great against the blue sky.

The idol is 4 feet wide and 7.5 feet tall and mesmerizes everyone by its beauty. The devotees can catch a glimpse of the Ganesh idol even from outside the temple.