The first time I visited Pandharpur was back in 2007 . The names Vitthal and Pandharpur, were just names to me. I had heard of them, but that was about it. Seeing the lord standing on the brick, hands on his hips, was memorable, but more memorable was the sight that greeted us as we walked out of the main sanctum of the temple. In the mandap just outside were a group of devotees singing abhangs , and dancing. This was the first time I had heard abhangs , and even almost 15 years later, I can remember the welling of feeling within me, listening to the songs, and how fascinated I was by the sight of the devotees dancing, lost in their love of the Lord. Over the years, as I have read more about Vitthal, and participated in Ashadi Ekadashi programmes at Puttaparthi, that first experience has stayed clear in my mind and heart. Every time I tell my Balvikas students of the saints who sang of Vitthala, it is that experience that I re-live. I visited Pandharpur again, in 2010, but that experie
I started getting interested in birds only when Samhith began noticing them and asking their names. When I realised that his interest made him conscious about being quiet and calm while we were looking at birds, I decided to encourage him just to teach him some patience. You can see the influence he has had on me, just by going through my blog. But you can really gauge his influence when you see the pics below. These were taken by my sister-in-law, Sandhya, when she was on a trip to Chidambaram. Till now, she has shown no interest in birds, but thanks to him, the whole family has jumped on the birding bandwagon!
I have no idea about the names of the birds, so if any of you do know, please leave a comment....
This is the best one - a bird inside its nest...... again, I have no clue as to the name.....
She actually took a lot more photographs, but they were not all that clear, and I could not put them up! But as of now, thanks to Samhith, there is a whole new family of birding enthusiasts!!!!
Thats good to know that Samhith has inspired you all. So we too can expect some virtual birding here.
ReplyDeleteAnu I am not 100% sure but that kind of nests are made by tailor birds. I unfortunately cannot identify the bird.
ReplyDeleteNice interest you have all developed. now all of you will be looking for birds when you are out. To tell you the truth I don't know any thing much abt. birds other than the common birds we find around.
ReplyDeleteThats so cool, how one can infulence all others in the family. Thanks for the lovely pictures, in this fast paced world we dont even have time to look at flying pigeons, yet alone sparrows or anything.
ReplyDeleteTry to keep some bird feed at home :)
Hi anu,,great to see a birding enthusiast in Samhith..my kids aged 12 n 10 love birding too..we are members of this adventure group called Sprouts..u can find them on the net..my kids have learnt a grat many birdnames thanks to the interest generated by the outings we have had with Sprouts..Cheers
ReplyDeleteHema
@Jayasree: Oh yes, i shall certainly try!
ReplyDelete@Mridula: even i wondered if they were tailor birds, but the pic is unfortunately not too clear...she took this one at dusk....
@Chitra: Oh yes, it is a recent interest, but i find myself noticing more and more birds all around me...... till recently i too knew little...
@Sri: you cant imagine the influence a kid has on the family.... which is why i just love being a mom!
as to bird feed, we feed lots of birds... unfortunately, it is the crows which hog all the food... and barely allow the smaller birds near it...we get bulbuls and other birds when the crows have had their fill...
@Hema: thanks so much..... I was so interested in Sprouts that I checked it out, and have decided to join too.... lets hope to meet sometime there...
Fast work Anu..lets hope we meet soon:)
ReplyDelete