Usgalimal, a Prehistoric Site

There is more to Goa, it is just not beaches and churches. Usgalimal is a small village in the interiors of South Goa. This place very close to mining area is one of the most important prehistoric sites in India. To reach this place we had to ask lot of people for directions and little known place is a must visit.

To reach this place one has to walk across a small wooden bridge.  One can see lot of rock arts on the banks of river Kushavati that exhibit earliest traces of human settlement in India. They are approximately 20,000 to 30,000 years old. 

More than 100 distinct rock engravings are carved on laterite stones, spread an area of 500 sqm depicting images of bulls, peacock, labyrinths and human figures.

This art is outside the village, and a winding pathway leads to this place. It is about 1 km interiors down from the main road between Rivona to Neturlim.

White-cheeked Barbet at Karanji Lake, Mysore

Karanji Lake at Mysore is a beautiful lake spread over a area of 55 hectares with many trees all around even in the lake. 

It is one of the favorite haunts of many birds and we spotted one such bird the White-cheeked Barbet.

Tomb of Sikander Shah, Halol

Tomb of Sikander Shah at Halol is one of the beautiful structure in this city. He is ruler of Champaner who was assassinated by Imad-ul-Mulk, Khusqadam in 1526 AD. 

This tomb standing on an elevated plinth is a simple stone structure at beautiful. The aesthetics and craftsmanship of the structure are remarkable. 

On the pillars there are intricate carvings of flowers and other artistic designs. The simple domes are fluted and they are quite  elegant.

This tomb also houses the graves of the two brothers of Sikander Shah.

Images of India - 140

A glimpse of India in black and white. A chefs special in a 5-star hotel at an event. 

Parthasarathy Swamy Temple, Chennai

The Parthasarathy Swamy Temple located in modern Triplicane of Chennai is one of the oldest temple in the city. It was originally built by the Pallavas in the 8th century by king Narasimhavarman I. 

The temple was expanded during the Chola period and subsequently by the Vijayanagara kings in the 15th century. The temple has two towers in opposite directions to each other that is in eastern and western directions.

The temple has two main shrines one for main deity Parthasarathy facing East and the shrine of Narasimha facing West. The two shrines are located back-to-back with a very narrow passage between them.

There are beautiful carving on the Kalyana Mandapam, four pillared mandapam in front of the temple.

The pillars of the temples are decorated with elaborate carvings. The stone carvings both big and small have been crafted with great care and it is a treat to the eyes.

Cormorant at Jakkur Lake, Bangalore

Jakkur Lake in north Bangalore you can come across some colorful birds. 

It is a large black bird that has a long body and long neck. Its medium-sized bill is blunt and white patch at base of bill.

They mainly feed on eel, fish. 

Kallu Basadi, Moodbidri

At Moodbidri there are several Jain Basadi's built anytime between 14th and 16th century. One among them is Kallu Basadi. This temple is completely built of stone and hence the name Kallu Basadi.

The temple consist of sanctum, Sukanasi as the innermost area. It is surrounded by  Namaskara Mantapa followed by Badhra Mantapa. The temple has double tiled sloppy roof.

In the sanctum the presiding deity is Sri Sheethala Natha Swami, cut in a rare variety of stone, its color being a blend of white and brown.

In front of the temple is finely carved Manastambha.

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

Bhimbetka 

Somnath, Protector of Moon God

Somnath is an ancient temple town located on the sea shore of Arabian sea. It is at a distance of 80 kms from Junagadh.

According to the legend, the conceited Moon, otherwise called Chandra became so arrogant that her father-in-law cursed her to fade away. She prayed to Lord Shiva who gave partial respite from the curse, so she disappears periodically.

The place is mainly known for the legendary shore temple of Somnath dedicated to Lord Shiva. As  a result the place is called Somanth which means "Protector of Moon God". Other place of interest we have visited here is Gita Mandir and Lakshmi Narayan Mandir.

Places of interest nearby are:

• Gir
• Junagadh
• Diu

Nadankanan Zoo - Pelicans

Nadankanan Zoo at Bhubaneswar is one of great zoo in India. There are various animals and birds at the zoo. One among them is Pelicans.

These birds are in a artificial pond along with other water birds in the zoo.

Lila Gumbaz Ki Masjid, Champaner

Lila Gumbaz Ki Masjid at Champaner is located near the east gate of the former city is a 15th century mosque. It is part of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites as it is  part of the Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park.

Built on a high plinth, with an arched entrance at the center flanked by two lateral arches. The main arch is flanked by minarets patterned at regular  intervals by horizontal cornices and mouldings decorated with niches.

Originally the Masjid had three entrances on East, South and North. It has three domes, the central dome is fluted which was once colored. The domes are carved beautifully.

The pillars of prayer hall and interiors of the dome are beautifully carved.

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A glimpse of India in black and white. Deepavali is festival of lights.

Wish you all Happy Deepavali

Somnathapura

Somanathapura is a small village located 35 km from the historic town Mysore. It is often referred as poor cousin of Belur and Halebidu the places known for more famous temples of Hosyala period.

In the ancient times the Hoysala's were the major power in South India and they has built many temples during their reign. One among them is the extraordinary Chennakeshava Temple in the area.

Since it is a remote village one could also see here lot of birds.

The other tourist places near by are:

• Mysore
• Talakad
• Shivansamudra
• Srirangapatan

Nadankanan Zoo - Vervet Monkey

Nadankanan Zoo at Bhubaneswar is one of great zoo in India. There are various animals and birds at the zoo. One among them is Vervet Monkey.

It has a black face with a white fringe of hair, while the overall hair color is mostly grizzled-grey. The males are ranging in length from about 50 centimeters and females are about 40 centimeters.

They are mostly herbivorous monkeys living mostly on wild fruits, flowers, leaves, seeds, and seed pods.

Images of India - 137

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

Krishna Temple entrance at Udupi 

Kathale Basadi, Barkur

One of the prominent structure of ancient times in Barkur is Kathale Basadi. Even though it is in dilapidated state it definitely worth a visit.

Built by the Alupa rulers the structure dates back between 8th to 12th centuries. It is named so as it is made of black granite that gives the temple a dark appearance. 

The sanctum is surrounded by stone walls with sloping pillars over them. This temple originally had the idol of Mahavir and after its destruction, it has been replaced by stone tablets.

Rani-Ki-Vav, Patan

Rani-Ki-Vav (the Queen's Step Well) at Patan is one of the most magnificent step-well in the World. It was added to the list of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites in the year 2014 and rightly so. It is a distinctive form of subterranean water resource and storage systems on the Indian subcontinent.

It was built in the last decades of 11th century by Queen Udayamati as a memorial to her husband King Bhimdevan 1 of Solanki Dynasty. Measuring more than 65 meters in length, it is designed inverted temple  it is divided into seven levels of stairs with sculptural panels of high artistic quality.

At the ground level a free standing structure om two columns with an elaborate superstructure was built as a kind of ceremonial structure. The well is located at the westernmost end of the structure and consists of a shaft 10 m in diameter and 30 meters   deep. 

Beyond the entrance commences a stepped corridor  marked at intervals by landings where multi-storyed pavilions were built; at the end of a corridor there is a reservoir, beyond which is the well.

Adorned with exquisitely carved sculptures arranged in paneled niches. Both walls of the corridor, and the well itself, besides the pavilions, were  fully covered with large sculptures which must have numbered about eight hundred, and with many other carvings of a symbolic or decorative character.

There are more than 500 principle sculptures and over a thousand minor ones combine religious, mythological and secular imagery, often referencing literary works.