Saturday, March 31, 2012
Lalbagh Flower Show - Antirrhinum Snap Dragon
At flower show in Lalbagh Gardens at Bangalore on August 2011 there were exclusive collection of Antirrhinum Snap Dragon on display. The colors were amazing. One of the colorful Antirrhinum flower is below.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Bibi-Ka-Maqbara, Aurangabad
The Bibi-Ka-Maqbara in Aurangabad is a beautiful mausoleum of Dilras Banu Begum, the wife of the Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb. This was built by Prince Azam Shah in memory of his mother between 1651 and 1661 A.D. The mausoleum was built in style similar to the world famous Taj Mahal of Agra and hence it is rightly known as the "Taj of Deccan".
The mausoleum stands at the center of a huge enclosure. There is a beautiful garden in the Mughal style in front of the adding beauty and splendor through its symmetry and excellent garden layout.
The mausoleum is entered through a main entrance gate on its south, which has excellent designs in the ceiling. After passing through the entrance one will come across a small tank. After this the pathway that leads to the mausoleum has a series of fountains at its center.
The mausoleum is built on a high square platform which has four minarets at its corners and platform is approached by a flight of steps.
The lower and upper part of the mausoleum is made up of pure marble , decorated with beautiful carvings, whereas the middle portion is of basaltic trap, covered with plaster, rendered with a marble finish and adorned with stucco work.
The mortal remains of queen is placed below the ground level surrounded by an octagonal marble screen. The octagonal gallery running around the interior enables imposing view of the grave below. There are interesting patterns in the ceiling and walls of the mausoleum.
In the morning we had visited Ellora caves. By the time we traveled back to this place, it was late in the evening after 7:00 p.m.
The mausoleum stands at the center of a huge enclosure. There is a beautiful garden in the Mughal style in front of the adding beauty and splendor through its symmetry and excellent garden layout. The mausoleum is entered through a main entrance gate on its south, which has excellent designs in the ceiling. After passing through the entrance one will come across a small tank. After this the pathway that leads to the mausoleum has a series of fountains at its center. The mausoleum is built on a high square platform which has four minarets at its corners and platform is approached by a flight of steps.The lower and upper part of the mausoleum is made up of pure marble , decorated with beautiful carvings, whereas the middle portion is of basaltic trap, covered with plaster, rendered with a marble finish and adorned with stucco work. The mortal remains of queen is placed below the ground level surrounded by an octagonal marble screen. The octagonal gallery running around the interior enables imposing view of the grave below. There are interesting patterns in the ceiling and walls of the mausoleum. In the morning we had visited Ellora caves. By the time we traveled back to this place, it was late in the evening after 7:00 p.m.Monday, March 26, 2012
Places around Kumbkonam
During the trip of Tamil Nadu we visited in Kumbkonam. The city has lot of ancient temples which are definitely worth a visit. There are around 188 Hindu temples within the municipal limits of Kumbakonam. But we visited only a few temples in the city and stayed in this place overnight.
There are lot of historical places around the city. And our focus was on visiting these places.
Some of these places that interested me and their distance from Kumbkonam are:
There are lot of historical places around the city. And our focus was on visiting these places. Some of these places that interested me and their distance from Kumbkonam are:- Darasuram (4 Kms)
- Thanjavur (32 Kms)
- Gangaikonda Cholapuram (32 Kms)
- Trichy (98 Kms)
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Mysore Zoo - White Tiger
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 white tiger.
This is a nice place for the kids to get know about the various animals in the wild.
This is a nice place for the kids to get know about the various animals in the wild.Thursday, March 22, 2012
Nandi at Brhadeeswarar Temple, Tanjavur
In the 1000 year old Brhadeeswarar Temple complex of Tanjavur there are several sculptures of Nandi. Some of them are on the tower of the temple.
The Main Nandhi is made up of huge monolithic stone is housed in a Mandapam with numerous pillars. It is 13 feet in height. The Nandhi and the mandapam were erected during the Nayaks period 1000 years back. The Nadhi is erected here before the flag-mast and such a Nandhi is called Porkala Nandhi or Wartime Nandhi.
The ceiling of the Nandi mandapam is beautifully painted. Centuries old paintings have passed the test of time so far.
At the top of the temple tower near its neck there are 8 Nandhis facing the 8 directs. These Nandi are visible prominently even while standing on the ground near the temple. They are huge and carved from single stone. There is also a Nandhi of the similar scale on the Southern side of the temple.
The Main Nandhi is made up of huge monolithic stone is housed in a Mandapam with numerous pillars. It is 13 feet in height. The Nandhi and the mandapam were erected during the Nayaks period 1000 years back. The Nadhi is erected here before the flag-mast and such a Nandhi is called Porkala Nandhi or Wartime Nandhi.The ceiling of the Nandi mandapam is beautifully painted. Centuries old paintings have passed the test of time so far.At the top of the temple tower near its neck there are 8 Nandhis facing the 8 directs. These Nandi are visible prominently even while standing on the ground near the temple. They are huge and carved from single stone. There is also a Nandhi of the similar scale on the Southern side of the temple.Monday, March 19, 2012
Junagarh Fort Museum, Bikaner
In Bikaner the Junagarh Fort is an imposing structure. The fort has several palaces built over different time from 1588 to 1593.
Each of the palace here are unique. One of them is Gagan Mahal built in the early 20th century. It was contribution by the Maharaja Ganga Singh.
It is a pink sandstone hall and the walls are carved with delicate tracery and scrollwork. It houses part of fort museum.
There are an exotic array of antique Rajput weaponry is on display including jade-handled daggers to ivory-inlaid muskets.
Each of the palace here are unique. One of them is Gagan Mahal built in the early 20th century. It was contribution by the Maharaja Ganga Singh.It is a pink sandstone hall and the walls are carved with delicate tracery and scrollwork. It houses part of fort museum.
There are an exotic array of antique Rajput weaponry is on display including jade-handled daggers to ivory-inlaid muskets.Saturday, March 17, 2012
Lalbagh Flower Show - Orchids - 11
At flower show in Lalbagh Gardens at Bangalore on January 2011 there were exclusive collection of Orchids on display. The colors were amazing. Below is one 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.
There were stalls selling the Orchids plants outside the flower show. The price ranged from Rupees 600 to 1200 depending on the variety.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
G.P.O, Bangalore
G.P.O (General Post Office) in Bangalore is a very well known landmark in Bangalore. It is the central post office which caters to the postal need so people of Bangalore through its branches through out the city.
The design of GPO building is a mixture of traditional and modern architecture. The podium and the sides of the building are of fine chiseled stone masonry with huge pillars and corridors in the front. The central hall has an imposing height of 28 feet.
The building has three domes, cast in R.C.C. and veneered with stones. Two of them are small and one on the above the front side of the building is very huge.
In Oct 1988, Govt of India released 4 stamps on monumental postal buildings. One of them was on Bangalore G.P.O.
The design of GPO building is a mixture of traditional and modern architecture. The podium and the sides of the building are of fine chiseled stone masonry with huge pillars and corridors in the front. The central hall has an imposing height of 28 feet. The building has three domes, cast in R.C.C. and veneered with stones. Two of them are small and one on the above the front side of the building is very huge.In Oct 1988, Govt of India released 4 stamps on monumental postal buildings. One of them was on Bangalore G.P.O.Monday, March 12, 2012
Iron Pillar, Delhi
Iron Pillar at Qutb Complex of Delhi is one of the most interesting structure other than Qutb Minar. This is 7.3 m tall of which one meter is below the ground. It is at the foot 48 cms in diameter and 29 cms tapering at the top. The pillar weighs approximately 6.5 tonnes.
This pillar dates back to 4th century A.D. The pillar is made of 98% of pure iron. In-spite of such high proportion of iron, it is 100% corrosion resistant even after 1600 years. This feat clearly shows great technological achievements of the ancient Indians.
There are Sanskrit inscription in the Brahmi script on the pillar that states it was erected as a flagstaff in honor of the Hindu god, Vishnu, and in the memory of the Gupta King Chandragupta II. It is not clear how and when the pillar has been moved from Udaygiri to its present location.
This pillar dates back to 4th century A.D. The pillar is made of 98% of pure iron. In-spite of such high proportion of iron, it is 100% corrosion resistant even after 1600 years. This feat clearly shows great technological achievements of the ancient Indians. There are Sanskrit inscription in the Brahmi script on the pillar that states it was erected as a flagstaff in honor of the Hindu god, Vishnu, and in the memory of the Gupta King Chandragupta II. It is not clear how and when the pillar has been moved from Udaygiri to its present location.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Lalbagh Flower Show - Roses
At flower show in Lalbagh Gardens at Bangalore on August 2011 there were exclusive collection of Roses on display. One of the colorful red rose is seen here.
Apart from red there were also various other color shades.
Apart from red there were also various other color shades.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Brihadeeswarar Temple, Gangaikondacholapuram
The Brihadeswara Temple which is constructed in 1020-1029 AD is the main attraction at Gangaikondacholapuram. The temple complex built by King Rajendra Chola occupied 6 acres of land. This temple is called the second Brihadeswara Temple and is known as the Gangaikkondacholeswara Temple.
This temple was constructed as an attempt to build a temple, which excels in architectural splendor than the Big Temple at Thanjavur. Built using hard southern granite stone has beautiful carvings all around the temple and some of them are very unique and masterpieces.The temple showcases gracefulness and elegance of the Pallava and the earlier Chola empires.
The main temple consists of a sanctum tower, a big rectangular mandapa called the mahamandapa with an intervening vestibule called mukhamandapa. The tower is 180 feet tall and consists of eight stages and is carved intricately. This temple of Lord Shiva is built in such a way that the interiors of the temple always maintained in almost pleasant temperature condition. Irrespective of the seasonal changes the temperature inside the temple is always optimal.
The guardians carved on either side of the entrance of the temple are very huge. This can be seen from the image above.
The Nandhi constructed using bricks and lime that is facing the Brihadisvara is 15 feet in length, 8 feet breadth and 11 feet in height. There is also a well in the temple complex for which entrance is trough the lion sculpture. There are also many sub-shrines in the temple complex.
There are many sub shrines around the temple. They are: Amman shrine, Chandigeswarar shrine, Mahisasuramardhini shrine, Ganapathy shrine.
This temple was constructed as an attempt to build a temple, which excels in architectural splendor than the Big Temple at Thanjavur. Built using hard southern granite stone has beautiful carvings all around the temple and some of them are very unique and masterpieces.The temple showcases gracefulness and elegance of the Pallava and the earlier Chola empires. The main temple consists of a sanctum tower, a big rectangular mandapa called the mahamandapa with an intervening vestibule called mukhamandapa. The tower is 180 feet tall and consists of eight stages and is carved intricately. This temple of Lord Shiva is built in such a way that the interiors of the temple always maintained in almost pleasant temperature condition. Irrespective of the seasonal changes the temperature inside the temple is always optimal. The guardians carved on either side of the entrance of the temple are very huge. This can be seen from the image above.The Nandhi constructed using bricks and lime that is facing the Brihadisvara is 15 feet in length, 8 feet breadth and 11 feet in height. There is also a well in the temple complex for which entrance is trough the lion sculpture. There are also many sub-shrines in the temple complex.There are many sub shrines around the temple. They are: Amman shrine, Chandigeswarar shrine, Mahisasuramardhini shrine, Ganapathy shrine.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Haridwar, Gateway to Lord Vishnu
From Delhi, with my friends and family, I had been to Haridwar and Rishikesh to see a glimpse of both this cities. I did not spend much time here, but I did capture some of the little precious moments.
Haridwar is one of the important holy city and this translates into "Gateway to Lord Vishnu". The place has passed through various dynasties in the ancient times such as Maurya and then Kushan.
As one of the oldest living cities, it finds its mention in the ancient Hindu scriptures. It has a rich and ancient religious and cultural heritage. There are many interesting sites in the city such as:
Haridwar is one of the important holy city and this translates into "Gateway to Lord Vishnu". The place has passed through various dynasties in the ancient times such as Maurya and then Kushan.
As one of the oldest living cities, it finds its mention in the ancient Hindu scriptures. It has a rich and ancient religious and cultural heritage. There are many interesting sites in the city such as:
- Har Ki Pauri
- Chandi Devi Temple
- Mansa Devi Temple
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Birdwatching at Sinhagad
Sinhagad is an important fortress located at a distance of 30 kms from Pune. The fort is perched on an isolated cliff of the Bhuleswar range of the Sahyadri Mountains.
During our excursion to this fort in the picturesque location, we were dumbstruck by the beauty of the surroundings. I had least idea I will be able to see any birds at a such height. Suddenly we saw a small bird flying around.
It sat on the branch of a isolated leafless tree extending out from the edge of the hill where the fort was located. I was more than happy to snap it.
During our excursion to this fort in the picturesque location, we were dumbstruck by the beauty of the surroundings. I had least idea I will be able to see any birds at a such height. Suddenly we saw a small bird flying around.It sat on the branch of a isolated leafless tree extending out from the edge of the hill where the fort was located. I was more than happy to snap it.