Mahakoot, Devgiri Fort

The Devgiri Fort is one of the most complex and intricate forts of India  The defense system consists of two moats, three encircling fortification walls, bastions at regular intervals, zigzag and lofty gates with spikes.

The combination of Hill and Land fort is divided into small sectors encircled by fortification walls. 

The second line of defence management is known as Mahakoot was made complicated by construction of four distinct lines of enclosure walls with innumerable, small and bastions of single, double and triple storied rampant which would have to be scrambled before main entrance is reached.

The outer wall of the fort is 5 k.m in circumference, has an average height between 6 to 9 mts and 2 to 3 mts in thickness. In every interval there are strong chambers that serve both as guardrooms as well as stores for ammunition.

The area consists of noteworthy monuments like the Saraswati Step well, Hathi Hauz, Bharatmata Mandir, Chand Minar and ruins of palaces.

Cave No. 19, Ajanta

Cave No. 19 at Ajanta is a very grand chaityagriha of 5th century A.D. belonging to Mahayana cult of Buddhism. This hall of worship is considered one of the most perfect specimens of Bhuddist art of India.

The exquisitely decorated facade and beautiful interior, form a grand combination of richness of detail and graceful proposition. The exterior facade of the cave has small elegant pillared portico and projected ornate cornice, and a window at the top flanked by corpulent figure of yakshas against a background of delicately carved friezes. 

The sidewalls along with the facade are carved with array of multiple figures of Lord Buddha. There are two sculpture of Lord Buddha in standing position flanking the entrance wearing ornate crowns on their head. 

In front there is a courtyard with side-chapels flanked by two cells. In the left cell there is a beautiful sculpture of a Naga couple seated on a rock with a female chamara-bearer standing on the left-side.

The apsidal hall is divided into a nave, an apse, and aisles by a colonnade of 17 pillars. The votive stupa with an elaborate and elongated drum  and a globular dome stands against the standing image of Lord Buddha and other decorative motifs.

The columns have square bases, round shafts, and rich bands of carvings on bracket capitals. The sidewalls are also adorned with countless figures of Buddha while the ceiling is filled with painted floral motifs in which animals, birds and human figures are cleverly interwoven.  Paint still clings to the inner faces of the great arch at the entrance.

This cave is known for it sculptural grandeur of the facade and particularly the two life size Yaksha images on the exterior facade. The sculptural extravagant is exquisite.

Bannerghatta Zoo - Leopard

Bannerghatta Zoo is part of  Bannerghatta National Park near Bangalore. The zoo has wide variety of animals and birds. One among them is leopard.

Chand Minar, Devgiri Fort

At Devgiri Fort 15 kms from Aurangabad, the most distinctive structure is red coloured Minar which is contrast to the rustic surroundings in the fort. 

This tower standing in front of the pyramidal hill within the fort can be seen be from very far. Seeing this tower from the road  while going to Ellora is an experience by itself.

Built in the Persian style in 1435 by Ala-ud-din Bahmani to celebrate his victory over Surat the fort is an outstanding example of Islamic art. This tower 110 meters height is plain and simple from outside and inside.

It is constructed of stone & was decorated with colored tiles which were stuck on the walls. Some of which are still visible even though the tower is colored in red now. It has 4 floors and every floor, a circular balcony is present that is beautifully carved from the bottom. 

For every floor there are 80 steps and 6 small ventilators. The small windows provided are for fresh air an light. On one side of the Minar there is a mosque  and on the other side there is a Naqar Khana. At the base there is a 24 arched chamber without any decorative motifs.

Being Original is not Easy

For a brand to be original and to protect its identity from plagiarism is tough. It is believed for years that originals are always costly and hence many even if they desire to own it they can not afford to do so. 

At the recent indiblogger meet at Fortune Park JP Celestial hotel in Bangalore revolved around the theme "Original Copy" and was sponsored by HP. The event was attended by around 200 bloggers and various contests were organised where one could win from original books, pen drives and the HP Printers. As the event progressed, HP showed the way in how to be original in the printer cartridges and also protect its identity. They shared with the participants:

• It may be expensive to buy the original, but in the long run it does help as cost of maintenance is minimum. So with original you get high return on investment when compared to the fake.
• Cartridge prices have been sliced to nearly half of the prices earlier, so they are more affordable now.
• The unique QR Code can be verified using the application loaded on your smart phone. Fake is expected not to come up with this. 

Three cheers to HP for showing the way how to protect one from plagiarism.  But for us bloggers apart from this the other attraction at the event is being able to meet so many faces behind the blogs whom you know only by their name. Here again you get to meet the original people behind this creative blogs rather than knowing them  only on the internet.

However, I also say that it is not easy to copy and fool every one around you as though you are the original. The images on this post related to HP are from hp.com as I had not taken any snaps at the event. 

Bylakuppe

Bylakuppe in Karnataka is the oldest settlement for the Tibetans-in-exile in India. This refugee settlement established way back in 1961 amid the lush green mountains with dense forests and lush coffee plantations. 

Here there are two settlements, Lugsum Samdupling (set up in 1961) and Dickyi Larsoe (set up in 1969), nestled next to each other. Their main purpose is to preserve the religion, traditions and the way of life of exiled Tibetans. The Government of India granted them land here in 1950 as they had no other place to settle-down. For this people agriculture is the mainstay of life.

Here there are various structures that showcase the Tibetian architecture. The most prominent is Namdroling Monastery which is popularly called the Golden Temple.

How to reach: From Bengalore drive towards Mysore and then go to Kushalnagar. Bylakuppe is approximately 5 kms away from Kushalnagar. 

Mysore Zoo - Kite

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 kite.

Amman Shrine, Gangaikondacholapuram

Around the Brihadeeswara Temple of Gangaikondacholapuram there are many shrines which are built around the same time as the main temple  in 1020-1029. One of them is Amman Shrine. 

A closer look at the temple tower showcases exceptional craftsmanship. One can also see the Nandi being carved at each corner of the tower.

The exterior of the temple is beautifully carved with various sculptures of Hindu God and Goddess.

Here Nataraja in the middle and Ganesh have been carved beautifully.

Cave No. 26, Ajanta

Cave No. 26 of Ajanta dated to 6th - 7th century A.D is one of the largest Mahayana Chaityagriha of dimension 25 X 12 m that has been elaborately and exquisitely carved with sculpted figures.

This magnificent Mahayana Chaityagriha was the gift of various devotees, named monk Buddhabhadra, Bhadanth Gunakara and Bhikashu Sanghmitra. The spacious forecourt, pillared veranda  with two side porches, and an apsidal hall are main components of chaitya. 

The facade, the inner pillars, the triforium (between pillars and roof arch), aisles side walls are extensively carved with images and decorative designs. The hall is divided by a colonnade into a central nave, and apse, and the side aisles around the hall which act as a circumlocutory passage. 

At the apsidal end, the composite monolithic stupa is the main object of worship, whose pinnacle touches the roof of the vault. The stupa overlaid with intricate carvings contains seated figures of Buddha.

However, the most striking and prominent image is that of Mahaparinirvana of Buddha on the right aisle wall. Below this are also there are various sculptures.

Another prominent sculpture is Assault and Temptation by Mar-on the eve of Enlightenment  These sculptures are of unique composition displaying delicacy and ingenuity.

The pillars with triforium and vaulted roof are all decorated with figures of Buddha and decorative motifs in paintings and sculptures. 

Birds in Bannerghatta Park - 3

Bannerghatta Zoo is part of  Bannerghatta National Park near Bangalore. The zoo has wide variety of animals and birds.

I love these small, playful colorful birds.

Municipal Corporation Building, Mumbai

The Municipal Corporation Building in Mumbai. opposite to the Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus is at the junction of Dadabhai Naoroji Road and Mahapalika Marg. Hosting civic body that governs the city of Mumbai it is also known as the Bombay Municipal Corporation Building, or BMC.

The construction of this building representing Gothic Architecture was completed in 1893. It has a impressive central tower rising to a height of 71.5 m. The gable has a huge winged allegorical figure representing the 'urbs prima in Indis', the first city of India as it was to be known then.

The exterior of the structure has Golden–beige basalt rock. The building has has cusped window arches and elaborately domed corner towers. There is also a Winged Lion, Griffin like sculpture or Gargoyle on the building.

There are intricate carving on the arches of the building. 

Barkur

Barkur on the banks of Seeta river is located at a distance of 16 kms from Udupi. This ancient city is a cluster of 3 villages Hosala, Hanehalli, Kachoor. The coastal town was ruled by Cholas in 11th century AD. Later the place was ruled by Alupa rulers who made this place as their The archaeologist have discovered in this area over 100 stone and several copper plate inscriptions belonging to the ancient times.

There are remains of palaces and other constructions in the two Fort areas. The town contained 365 temples, and the remains of which can be seen even today. A few of them are now in renovated condition. The prime attractions of the place are:

• Kattale Basadi
• Shiva Temple
• Panchalingeshwara Temple
• Someshwar Temple
• Sri Bairagi Ganapathi Temple at Chowlikeri

Reaching there: Barkur is at a distance of about 16 Km from Udupi. Take a deviation at Brahmavara and it is just 3Km away. 

Playful Wild Cats, Mysore Zoo

Mysore Zoo is the most popular zoo at Mysore in India. There are various wild animals and birds at the zoo. One of the cell had 2 wild cats and they were in playful mood.

Teen Tal Cave, Ellora

In Ellora the cave numbered as 12 is a Buddhist monastery. This three-storied cave dates back to 8th century A.D. This cave is popularly known as "Teen Tal" as it has three floors. 

Even though the structure is massive and majestic, it has a simple facade and is devoid of rich sculptures inside. The first floor has a pillared hall an antchamber and a sanctum with cells. The sanctum houses Lord Buddha in preaching position on a lotus throne.

The sidewalls have panels of Pancha-Dnyani Buddhas. The second floor is more rich in sculptures when compared to first floor.