Butterfly in Hebbal Garden, Bangalore

Hebbal Lake in north Bangalore has a small garden on its banks. There are various flowering trees as well as small flowering plants in the garden. 

One can see different colorful small birds and butterflies here. 

Hati Gumpha, Udaygiri

Hati Gumpha is located on Udayagiri hill near Bhubaneswar. This natural cave is of the period 1st century B.C. when Mahameghavahana Chedi dynasty ruled the place.

This is a large natural cavern of an irregular shape, enlarged by humans for shelter. From the engravings in this cave is a prehistoric rock art shelter.

On the brow of the rock above the cavern is the inscription of King Kharavela. There are total 17 lines of Brahmi inscription in Prakrit language. 

In 1902, in order to protect the inscription from the effect of weather, Archaeological Survey of India has built a masonry-shed over it. 

Images of India - 3

A glimpse of heritage monument of India in black and white. Other posts will give you more details about this monument.

Brihadeeshwar Temple tower at Tanjore

Karkala, the Jain Thirtha

Karkala is a small town located at a distance of 42 kms from Mangalore. The history of the place dates back to the beginning of the 10th century.

The place was ruled by various dynasties like Alupas, Santaras, Bhairarasas. This place was under Jain rule for around 300 years and hence it was also known as Jain Thirtha.

The first important king was Veera Bhairava, who constructed numerous basadis, temples. The kingdom was prosperous then and overall development of the place took place during the period. 

The places of int erst here are:

• Statue of Bahubali 
• Chaturmukha Basadi
• Sri Venkataramana Temple (1, 2)
• Hanuman Temple
• Anekere Padmavathi Basadi
• Hiriyangaddi Neminatha Basadi

Other interesting place nearby are:

• Moodbidri

Birds at Teeta Reservoir - 1

At a distance of 73 kms from Bangalore in the Teeta village there is a Teeta reservoir. 

At this picturesque location one can see egrets and cranes. 

Puncha Mukhi Ganesha Temple, Bangalore

On Bangalore - Mysore Highway just on the outskirts of Bangalore city there is a Ganesha temple that has been built very recently. This is a Puncha-Mukhi Ganesha Temple one can never miss when driving on this road.

The temple is very different from other temples as there is a huge sculpture of Lord Ganesh on its top. This sculpture  is five faced  which is coated in gold color and is visible from very far distance. 

The temple has entrance in all the four directions. The deity of lord Ganesha inside the temple is located at the center. This idol is also Puncha Mukhi and is carved out of black stone.

Images of India - 2

A glimpse of heritage monument of India in black and white. Other posts will give you more details about this monument.

Ganesh Pol at Amber Fort in Jaipur

Jain Temples, Jaisalmer

Within the Golden Fort walls in Jaisalmer, there are seven beautifully carved Jain Temples built between the 12th and 15th centuries. The cluster of temples is connected by a series of corridors and walkways. 

The first temple you come around is the one dedicated to Chandraprabhu, the eighth tirthankar (Jain Teacher), whose symbol is the moon. It was built in 1509 and features fine sandstone sculpture in sandstone in Mandapa.

To the right of the Chandraprabhu Temple is Rikhabdev Temple. There are some fine sculptures around the walls protected by glass cabinets, and the pillars are beautifully sculpted with apsaras and gods. This temple has a lovely and tranquil atmosphere.

There is a temple dedicated to Parasnath, a few steps behind Chandraprabhu. Entry is via an enormous and beautifully carved torana (Gateway) that culminates the image of the Jain tirthankara its apex. 

A door to the south side of the temple leads to the small Shitalnath Temple, dedicated to the 10th tinrthankar. The image of Shitalnath enshrined here is composed of eight precious metals. A door in the north wall leads to the beautiful Sambhavnath Temple.

Steps lead from the courtyard before the Sambhavnath temple to the Shantinath Temple, which was built in 1536. The enclosed gallery around the temple is flanked by hundreds of images of saints, some of marble and some of Jaisalmer sandstone. Steps lead below the temple to Kunthunath Temple, which was also built in 1536.

The sculptures here around the temple are carved out with great finesse. Each sculpture outdoes the other in every possible way.

Pale-billed Flowerpecker at Hebbal, Bangalore

Hebbal Lake in north Bangalore is favorite spot for various colorful birds. People have identified nearly 100 spices of birds here.

One among them is Pale-billed Flowerpecker.  This is a 8 cm long tiny bird. The bird is plain brownish to olive green. The underside is buff olive. It has been considered one of the early flowerpeckers, originating in the Malay Peninsula, to colonize the Indian Subcontinent.

They have a rapid chipping call and the pinkish curved beak separates it from other species in the region.  They are found majorly in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Cave No. 8, Ellora

The Cave No. 8 at Ellora is a Hindu Cave that is constructed sometime in 7th century during the period of Kalchuri dynasty. 

The shrine is separated from the back wall by a circumlocutory passage. A number of cells are carved inside the wall. One of the beautiful carving shown above. 

Outside the cave, on the free wall there is a carving of the yaksha Jambhala sitting with his wife, Hariti, who holds one of her five hundred children on her lap. As protective as well as wealth-bestowing figures, they often figure in Buddhist contexts.

Images of India - 1

A glimpse of heritage monument of India in black and white. Other posts will give you more details about this monument.

Meharangarh Fort and palace at Jodhpur

Airavateswarar Temple, Darasuram

Darasuram is a small village at a distance of 34 kms from Tanjore or 3 kms from Kumbkonam. Airavateswarar Temple at Darasuram is a architectural and sculptural masterpiece. This temple has been declared as World Heritage Monument. 

As per the legend Airavata, the white elephant of Indra, worshiped Lord Siva in this temple. In the 12th century this temple was built by the King Raja Raja Chola II. During the 14th century the large stone statues surrounding the temple were replaced with brick and mortar statues.

The south side of the front sanctum is in the form of a huge chariot with large stone wheels drawn by horses.

Lion hunting an elephant a beautiful sculpture on the steps - made by stacking granite sculpture to one of the shrines in the complex.

Whatever remains of the sculptural part of the temple is on the external wall of inner courtyard. The sculptural extravaganza is unmatched and can only be enjoyed looking yet it in ones own eyes. 

There is also a small Vinayagar shrine before the inner tower of the temple. 

Darter at Hebbal Lake, Bangalore

Hebbal Lake in north Bangalore is favorite spot for various colorful birds. People have identified nearly 100 spices of birds here.

One among them is Darter. They are tropical waterbirds. They are commonly known as "snakebird" as their long thin neck, which has a snake-like appearance when they swim with their bodies submerged. 

This is a migratory bird that comes to here from outside India, may be Africa. 

Marsh Glory at Teeta Reservoir

At a distance of 73 kms from Bangalore in the Teeta village there is a Teeta reservoir. 

This is a picturesque location and one can see various plants in the region. One of them is wild plant Marsh Glory flower plant.

Lion Well, Gangaikondacholapuram

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

The well in the temple premises is considered a sacred place and water from this was used for all the activities at the temple. The interesting aspect is entrance to the well is through a Lion sculpture which is close to the well. A flight of steps takes one to the bottom of the well.

Halebid, the Ruined City

Historic place Halebidu is a small village 216 kms from Bangalore. Nearest town to this place is at at distance of 28 kms is Hassan. This place was known by the name of Dwarasamudra in the 12th century, meaning "Entrance from Ocean". During 12th century it was the capital of Hoysala Kingdom.

As the city was ruined by twice by Bahmani Sultanate, the name literally translates to "the Ruined City". The place is best known for the architecture and ornate temples built by them. Other interesting historic place with architectural marvel close by is Belur.

The temple complex here comprises two Hindu temples, two huge Nandis and two Jain Basadis. The sculptural extravaganza at its peak here.

The places of interest here are:

• Hoysaleswara Temple
• Kedareshwara Temple
• The Nandi
• Surya Shrine
• Jain Basadi

Mysore Zoo - Ducks

Mysore Zoo is the most popular zoo at Mysore in India. There are various wild animals and birds at the zoo. One among them are ducks.

These ducks were roaming freely in their designated area.