A glimpse of heritage monument of India in black and white. Check other posts that will give you more details about this monument.
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Monday, April 28, 2014
Parsurameswar Temple, Bhubaneshwar
Parsurameswar Temple located in Bhubaneshwar, is one the oldest temples in the city. The temple is dated to the Sailodbhava period between the seventh and eighth centuries AD. It is preserved temple of early Orissan Hindu temple architecture.
The temple dedicated to Lord Shiva has a tower, the sanctum, the curvilinear spire over its roof, raising up to a height of 40 ft. It is the first temple to have an additional prayer hall in front of sanctum. The tower in the form of a pyramid composed of horizontal planes. The prayer hall is rectangular in shape and has a two element sloping roof with clerestory windows between them.
The latticed windows are classified as pata jali where perforations are square or rectangular in shape. In addition, there are windows having slabs of stone sculptures depicting dancers and musicians.
The carvings of the temple include a variety of fruits, flowers, birds and animals depicted in scenes and parts of designs. The temple contains the images of numerous Sakta deities sculpted on its walls.
The temple has Saptamatrikas images, namely, Chamunda, Varahi, Indrani, Vaisnavi, Kaumari, Sivani and Brahmi.
The temple dedicated to Lord Shiva has a tower, the sanctum, the curvilinear spire over its roof, raising up to a height of 40 ft. It is the first temple to have an additional prayer hall in front of sanctum. The tower in the form of a pyramid composed of horizontal planes. The prayer hall is rectangular in shape and has a two element sloping roof with clerestory windows between them.
The latticed windows are classified as pata jali where perforations are square or rectangular in shape. In addition, there are windows having slabs of stone sculptures depicting dancers and musicians.
The carvings of the temple include a variety of fruits, flowers, birds and animals depicted in scenes and parts of designs. The temple contains the images of numerous Sakta deities sculpted on its walls.
The temple has Saptamatrikas images, namely, Chamunda, Varahi, Indrani, Vaisnavi, Kaumari, Sivani and Brahmi.
Saturday, April 26, 2014
Pelicans at Hebbal Lake, Bangalore
Hebbal Lake in north Bangalore is favorite spot for various colorful birds.
On one of my visit to the lake I spotted group of pelicans.
On one of my visit to the lake I spotted group of pelicans.
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Sita Temple, Avani
At Avani which is near Kollar is a small hillock with references to the time of Hindu epic Ramayana. It is believed that Sita mata stayed in this place during her separation of Lord Rama.
At the top of the hillock is a temple dedicated to Sitamata. The temple is relatively new and to reach this place and one has to walk up to the top o the hill.
From the hill one can get a view of the village and fields.
At the top of the hillock is a temple dedicated to Sitamata. The temple is relatively new and to reach this place and one has to walk up to the top o the hill.
From the hill one can get a view of the village and fields.
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Images of India - 58
A glimpse of heritage monument of India in black and white. Check other posts that will give you more details about this monument.
Monday, April 21, 2014
Government Rose Garden, Ooty
Ooty has many interesting places. One among them is the Government Rose Garden which is is the largest rose garden in India. The Rose Park was established on the slopes of the Elk Hill at Vijayanagaram in Ooty on May 1995.
The flowers are arranged in five curving terraces covering four hectares and garden is maintained by the Tamil Nadu Horticulture Department. Here the tropical mountain climate is the ideal climatic conditions for growing of roses.
This garden has more than 20,000 varieties of roses of 2,800 cultivars. The collection of roses include Miniature Roses, Ramblers, Hybrid Tea Roses, Yakimour, Polyanthas, Papagena, Floribunda. The varieties of rose plants planted here were assembled from different sources around the world.
The rose garden has received the Garden of Excellence Award for being the best rose garden in south Asia, from The World Federation of Rose Societies, during May 2006, in Osaka, Japan.
The flowers are arranged in five curving terraces covering four hectares and garden is maintained by the Tamil Nadu Horticulture Department. Here the tropical mountain climate is the ideal climatic conditions for growing of roses.
This garden has more than 20,000 varieties of roses of 2,800 cultivars. The collection of roses include Miniature Roses, Ramblers, Hybrid Tea Roses, Yakimour, Polyanthas, Papagena, Floribunda. The varieties of rose plants planted here were assembled from different sources around the world.
The rose garden has received the Garden of Excellence Award for being the best rose garden in south Asia, from The World Federation of Rose Societies, during May 2006, in Osaka, Japan.
Saturday, April 19, 2014
Birds in Neighbourhood - 16
I get to see variety of birds around my parents house in Udupi. I have captured few of them in my camera and one such beautiful bird is White-throated Kingfisher.
This bird has a bright blue back, wings and tail. Its head, shoulders, flanks and lower belly are chestnut, and the throat and breast are white. The large bill and legs are bright red.
It can be seen in variety of habitats, mostly open country in the plains with trees, wires or other perches. It mainly feeds on large crustaceans, insects, earthworms, snakes, fish and frogs.
This bird has a bright blue back, wings and tail. Its head, shoulders, flanks and lower belly are chestnut, and the throat and breast are white. The large bill and legs are bright red.
It can be seen in variety of habitats, mostly open country in the plains with trees, wires or other perches. It mainly feeds on large crustaceans, insects, earthworms, snakes, fish and frogs.
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Shringi Teertha at Bhoganandishwara Temple, Nandi
Shringi Teertha is large indoor water pond in 1000 year old Bhoganandishwara Temple Complex at Nandi on outskirts of Bangalore.
Around the pond there are various beautiful stone carvings.
This pond is believed to be a source of South Pinakini River. The pond has rock cut steps on which many lamps are lit by the side of the tank on certain festive days like Deepavali.
Around the pond there are various beautiful stone carvings.
This pond is believed to be a source of South Pinakini River. The pond has rock cut steps on which many lamps are lit by the side of the tank on certain festive days like Deepavali.
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Images of India - 57
A glimpse of heritage monument of India in black and white. Check other posts that will give you more details about this monument.
![]()
Monday, April 14, 2014
Bhoganandishwara Temple Complex, Nandi
Just 60 kms away from Bangalore at the foot of Nandi hills there is a little known small village Nandi. This place has architectural wonder in Dravidian style in the form of Bhoganandishwara Temple Complex. This magnificent temple complex is definitely worth a visit.
The temple complex comprises of many shrines and other beautiful structures. The complex is first constructed in 9th century and new additions were made till 13th century. They are:
There are many sculptures in the temple. One of the interesting sculpture is stone umbrella.
The temple complex comprises of many shrines and other beautiful structures. The complex is first constructed in 9th century and new additions were made till 13th century. They are:
- Bhoganandishwara Temple
- Arunachaleshwara Temple
- Uma Maheshwara Temple
- Shri Apit Kuchamb Shrine
- Kalyana Mandapa
- Girijamba Shrine
- Shringi Theertha
- Mahanavami Dibba
There are many sculptures in the temple. One of the interesting sculpture is stone umbrella.
Saturday, April 12, 2014
Rose-ringed Parakeet at Bhitarkanika
In Bhitarkanika National Park we hired a boat and cruised in the lake. After cruising for hours we got down from the boat on a different shore. We could spot some birds there and one of them is the Rose-ringed Parakeet.
They are gregarious tropical Afro-Asian parakeet species that has an extremely large range. They are one of few parrot species that have successfully adapted to changed living styles.
In the wild, this is a noisy species with an unmistakable squawking call.
In the wild, this is a noisy species with an unmistakable squawking call.
Thursday, April 10, 2014
Reality of Vibrant Gujarat
Along with my family, I went around Gujarat for around 10 days to cover ancient archaeological sites as well as new sites. The tour served dual purpose:
The infrastructure in the State is in very good shape as both the state as well as national highways are very well maintained. Some local roads in the city need minor attention, but far better than what I have seen in other states. The roads are broad and there are fly overs in the smaller cities to address traffic congestion.
To help people travel in the city of Ahmedabad, the BRTS runs AC buses in the middle of the road on the separate lanes marked for them. This has reduced traffic congestion a lot and local people are happy to use them as they can reach their destinations on time.
In my 10 days of stay I did not witness a single power cut even in the remote areas of the State. The water supply system is in good shape as I could see green fields all over the state where cultivation is possible. The farmer population with electricity and water round the clock.
To check reality I discussed with the locals of several community and according to them:
- Fun and new place discovery for the family
- As Chief Minster of Gujarat is aspiring PM candidate in the current assembly election on the development plank, I wanted to get feel of the development in his state.
The infrastructure in the State is in very good shape as both the state as well as national highways are very well maintained. Some local roads in the city need minor attention, but far better than what I have seen in other states. The roads are broad and there are fly overs in the smaller cities to address traffic congestion.
To help people travel in the city of Ahmedabad, the BRTS runs AC buses in the middle of the road on the separate lanes marked for them. This has reduced traffic congestion a lot and local people are happy to use them as they can reach their destinations on time.
In my 10 days of stay I did not witness a single power cut even in the remote areas of the State. The water supply system is in good shape as I could see green fields all over the state where cultivation is possible. The farmer population with electricity and water round the clock.
To check reality I discussed with the locals of several community and according to them:
- Entire state has 24 hours electricity.
- Entire state has 24 hours water supply as water from Sardar Sarovar dam has been effectively utilized and reaches even remote parts of the state.
- Infrastructure is in good shape and development is fast paced
- The CM is able administrator as he sets development targets for his staff and makes sure that they deliver them on time.
- Under the current CM's regime there has been no communal violence for past 12 years which has been a constant factor before that.
- Women feel secure as they can walk alone on the street even as late as 2:00 AM.
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Images of India - 56
A glimpse of heritage monument of India in black and white. Other posts will give you more details about this monument.
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Lalbagh Flower Show - Celosia Wool
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 orange in color.
One of them is orange in color.