The temple of Jagannath at Puri is one of the four most important temples across India. Sometimes called the Char Dham – Badrinath in the north, Rameswaram in the South, Dwarka in the west, and Puri in the east – these temples mark four corners of our country, and each of these temples has a connection to Adi Shankara. He is said to have travelled to each of them, thus marking a sacred geography of India, long before the country actually existed. Among these 4 temples, 3 are dedicated to Lord Vishnu, while only Rameswaram is dedicated to Lord Shiva, though the lingam there is said to have been installed by Rama. Further, Shankara set up Mutts at 3 of these sites (or very close to these sites, like at Badrinath, where the mutt is at Joshimutt), while the mutt in the south is at Sringeri in Karnataka, quite a distance away from Rameswaram. Coming back to the topic, I have visited Rameswaram most often, Badrinath during my childhood, and Dwaraka a few times, but Puri had stayed out of re...
It has been a while since I posted photos of birds, so here is one I see the most these days - the Oriental Magpie Robin.
There are three of these birds in our garden, and I see them frequently flying around, and can hear their distinctive, melodious call even before I see them! Capturing them on camera, however, has been another matter entirely, and I managed these only because the birds were nice enough to sit on the window ledge near my house, and also pose for a while on the tree right opposite my window!
There are three of these birds in our garden, and I see them frequently flying around, and can hear their distinctive, melodious call even before I see them! Capturing them on camera, however, has been another matter entirely, and I managed these only because the birds were nice enough to sit on the window ledge near my house, and also pose for a while on the tree right opposite my window!
Nice little birds. Nice photos, well taken..
ReplyDeleteThanks Shalu!
DeleteSuch womderful captures, extra special as they are birds and that means a lot of patience :D
ReplyDeleteThanks Mridula! for such reasonably big birds, they are hard to capture! am unsuccessfully trying now for the purple sunbird. its flitting around, but cant get an image!
DeleteMy God! I can't believe it! In Mumbai? What lovely luck, Anu :))
ReplyDeleteWe are lucky to live in an area which is covered with greenery, Julia! tho it comes with its share of problems! and this one is a regular visitor...
DeleteLucky you to get visitors like them. :)
ReplyDeleteYes, Indrani! we are indeed lucky to see such beauties!
DeleteBeautiful bird.. I think ot is cached in Dandeli Jungle.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing with us.
Thank you, Madhukar... this is quite a common bird, seen everywhere in India.
DeleteNice... I miss the sounds of birds chirping (even crow)! You must be hearing that all the time, no?
ReplyDeleteoh yes, Neeraj! birds chirp here all the time , as for crows, they are here all day long!
DeleteSo pretty!!
ReplyDelete