Buddhist Caves, Junagadh

Buddhist Caves in Junagadh, close to the mosque inside the Uppekot Fort is fine example of Buddhist rock cut architecture of 2nd century A.D. These caves are on the eastward slope leading to the Adi-chadi Vav. 

These caves are scooped out in three tiers from surface downwards, with all members of each gallery shown in semi-relief. There are three rock-hewn chambers, each open to the skies. The caves feature many monastic meditation cells.

Only two of the stories have regular floors. The main hall of the lowest storey is partly open to the skies and contains exquisitely carved pillars, whose base, shaft and the capital contains unique decorative designs. 

The pillars, having spiral ridges on their shaft, octagonal plinth bases and floral ornamented capitals with animal figures etc, represent the main Satvahana art traditions on one hand, and in the exotic, Grecco-synthian trends on the other hand.

There are still some traces of beautiful carvings in the cave that is built across several floors.

Indian Roller on the Highways

While travelling on the highway from Bangalore to Mangalore one can see beautiful bird perched on the electric wires by the side of the road. One such colorful bird is Indian Roller.

It is a stocky bird. The breast is brownish where as the crown and vent are blue. The primaries are deep purplish blue with a tail that is sky blue with a terminal band of Prussian blue and the central feathers are dull green.

The neck and throat are purplish lilac with white streaks. The bare patch around the eye is ochre in color. They have a long and compressed bill with a curved upper edge and a hooked tip.

These birds can be seen perched along roadside trees and wires. They can also be seen in open grassland and scrub forest habitats.