Monday, November 18, 2024
Namdroling Monastery near Mysore
Namdrolling is the largest teaching center of the Nyingma lineage of Tibetan Buddhism in the world. It is located in Bylakuppe, part of the Mysuru district of the state of Karnataka. The sangha community lives in this monastry - more than five thousand monks and nuns and qualified teachers, a junior high school named Yeshe Wodsal Sherab Raldri Ling, a Buddhist philosophy college or shedra for both monks and nuns, a home for the elderly, and a hospital.Here are some of the pictures of the main temple:
Monday, November 4, 2024
Bat Close-up
The above photo was taken in the Singapore zoo and the short video below, more like a gif, is the bat fanning itself.
Monday, August 19, 2024
Aerial view of the River Thames in August 2024 - London aerial view
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| The Thames river snaking its way through London |
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| Close-up of the River Thames from the sky |
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| The River Thames with its sandy banks |
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| The River Thames looks muddy here, doesn't it? |
Tuesday, August 3, 2021
Chai Shops in India
There has been a recent trend of chai shops sprouting up at every nook and corner. While the quintessential chai shop has been around since time immemorial, the new trend is a little different. The shops are bigger and attract college youth and other youngsters. They gather around there, standing and chatting and gulping down cups of thick, sweet tea.
Maybe you can these a middle-class man's Starbucks!
The sad thing is that Covid-19 restrictions forced many of these shops to shut down. But hopefully, these will revive and be restored to their former glory. Most of these pictures are from Pune.
This one is a chai shop in Belgaon, Maharshtra.
Thursday, June 24, 2021
Hindu Religious symbols silhouettes
Here are some silhouettes of some typical religious symbols which artist might like to use in their artwork.
This is a Kalash. It is usually made of copper and used in Hindu religious rituals.
This is a silhouette of the Trishul of Shiva with a snake wrapped around it.
This is a silhouette of the steeple of a temple.
This first one is the Om symbol atop a flat.
The two symbols below are of the Swastika, a Hindu sacred symbol.
Tuesday, June 22, 2021
Wall Painters at work
Here is a picture of a worker painting a house. Holding a brush in his hand, concentrating on his work.
Tuesday, February 16, 2021
Expressway Scenery
Travelling on the expressway is still quite a pleasant experience especially on days when there is less traffic. The scenery is a sight for sore eyes.
A farmer tending to his field in rural Maharashtra
A farmer tending to his fields amongst the sugarcane fields with his goats for company.
Scenic Beauty around Akluj
The countryside around the Fratelli winery at Akluj is beautiful and stark. The clear air, the blue skies and the vast vineyards spread across the sprawling land are a sight to see.
To watch the sunset from a place called the Machan (belonging to the Fratelli winery) gives a breathtaking view of the surroundings.
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Fratelli Vineyards
Fratelli Vineyards, a 3- hour drive from Pune have acres and acres of vineyards. Visiting during the harvest season means that you see vines laden with grapes.
The accommodation is clean and spacious though not 5-star.
Besides the normal wine tasting, you can wander around the beautiful vineyards, walk or bike and experience lovely sunset. Food served is simple but tasty. Very affordable at 6500/- for a day/night with all 3 meals included.
For more photos you can check here.
Akluj Fort
Akluj Fort is just over a hundred km from Solapur in Maharashtra. This fort is several hundred years old but has been well restored which is not that common in India. Another name of the fort is Shivshrushti, a new name. Several important historical figures have lived at this fort and prisoners too.
The main gate has been re-built, thus created during the renovation project.
The lawns are well maintained.
Inside the fort:-
There is also a museum which has models of different forts of India as well as frescoes depicting scenes from the period.
If you are in the vicinity, this is worth a visit. You can improve on your historical knowledge and at Rs 20/- a ticket it's almost free.
Tuesday, December 3, 2019
Shaniwar Wada Inside and Out
This is the view from the front balcony facing the outside.
The main gate, called the Dilli Gate. The spikes are at the height of an elephant so that if the enemy tried to break the door using elephants, it would be very difficult.
This is what it looks like from the front.
Saturday, November 30, 2019
Flowering Adenium
Adenium obesum is a species of flowering plant in the dogbane family, Apocynaceae, that is native to the Sahel regions, south of the Sahara and tropical and subtropical eastern and southern Africa and Arabia. Common names include Sabi star, kudu, mock azalea, impala lily and desert rose.
Deep pink in colour, these flowers have five petals, creating a vignette.
Deep pink in colour, these flowers have five petals, creating a vignette.
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
Friday, July 5, 2019
One-way street in Sadashiv Peth
The name of the street is Krantiveer Vasudev Phadke Path. It has been declared a one-way street and the signs have been put up at both ends of the road. But this is how the road looks:
Can you even guess which way is the right way? As you can see, people are streaming out of the Pune Vidyarthi Gruha, one of Pune's landmarks, taking the wrong way up the road, despite there being myriad lanes just a block away. Saving time and petrol cannot be the reason. The real reason? A total disregard for the law.
Thursday, July 4, 2019
Golden Temple at Amritsar, India
Devotees at the entrance of the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar.
The Golden Temple at Amritsar at dusk.
A night view of Amritsar's Golden Temple:
A panoramic view of the Golden Temple at Amritsar:
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