The city of Kashi is filled with temples, big and small, old and new. There are temples at every corner, and you never know where you will stumble upon a small shrine. There are idols beneath what remains of trees (there are hardly any trees any more within the core area of the city), there are saffron covered forms resembling deities which seem attached to walls, an especially incongruous sight when the idol itself appears to be old, while the wall is evidently new…. And there are surprisingly large temples rising from what appear to be a bunch of houses. The city is sometimes colloquially said to be as old as time, and some of the shrines and temples are said to date back to times unknown, at least the deity itself, if not the structure. Not much remains of the ancient structures anyway. The city has seen more than its fair share of good and bad times. It has seen the heights of grandeur, and the lows brought about by destruction. The city that exists today has grown so haphaza...
For Skywatch today is an interesting natural sight – the Phantom
Rock near Ambalavayal town in Wayanad, Kerala.
This natural, metamorphic rock resembles a skull, which
brings about its name.
It is visible from quite a distance, which only enhances its
popularity.
Locally, it is called ‘Cheengeri Mala’ or ‘Thalappara’,
which means ‘stone head’.
For more beautiful skies from around the world, visit the
Skywatch Page.
Have heard about this rock a lot. Yet to visit it. It looks so precariously placed there. Nice clicks!
ReplyDeletehttp://rajniranjandas.blogspot.in/2013/06/alibaug-beyond-beach.html
Thanks Niranjan. It is really placed precariously and its amazing to see it still standing like this!
DeleteAnd I had not heard of it at all before today. They look majestic. catch up with your blog once i am back on the other side of June.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mridula! it is really a majestic sight! and all the best for your trek! I look forward to your posts!
DeleteA majestic rock.
ReplyDeleteYes, THomas. it is majestic indeed!
DeleteWhat a wonderfully moody rock! Great pics.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Ladyfi!!
DeleteI've heard about Chengeri Mala / Thalapara, but never seen them. The picture of the rock against the sky is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThanks Anu!! you should go see it someday! really beautiful place!
DeleteThere is a spooky place in Wayanad, could you visit it?
ReplyDeleteNo Indrani, we couldnt visit that. I did hear of it, but our time went off in other pursuits :D
DeleteVery interesting! There are so many unheard of places.
ReplyDeleteThank you Kusum! there indeed are many such places across India!
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ReplyDeleteNever heard of this, Anu. But then I don't really know much of Wayand. Nice captures all.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sudha! its quite a landmark in Wayanad!
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