Skip to main content

Featured Post

The Vaishnodevi Experience 2023

My first trip to Vaishnodevi was unimpressive. Climbing was hard, and it only served to highlight how badly out of shape I was, while my in-laws managed to cope so much better. Further, I hadn’t quite realized that the cave experience wouldn’t be the same as I had imagined, since the original cave was only opened at certain times a year, and that we only entered a newly created tunnel, one far easier to access, and hence more manageable with the crowds that thronged the mountain shrine. The resulting experience at the shrine, for barely a fraction of a second, hardly compared to what I had expected / imagined / heard about. So, for me, Vaishnodevi was like any other temple, nothing to write home about, something that was reflected (though not explicitly mentioned) in the blog post I wrote then.
3 comments

Skywatch Friday - Mountains and the Sky


Lush green, pine-covered mountains extend till the horizon, while the snow capped peaks are hidden by the clouds.... this was the typical scenery as we travelled across Almora and Binsar.

For more skies around the world, go to Sky Watch Friday


Labels:

Comments

  1. chitraApril 23, 2010 at 8:09 AM

    Wish I could see the snow capped mountains, at least that would have brought some coolness to escape the sweltering heat here.
    Was it cold there?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Smalltown RNApril 23, 2010 at 8:27 AM

    Those moutains look so inticing..wonderful photo...hope you enjoyed your adventure!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anuradha ShankarApril 23, 2010 at 10:51 AM

    @Chitra: the weather was good early in the morning and in the evenings... afternoons were really hot , but of course, nothing as it is here! it was,after all, summer! you too should go sometime.. the sight of the snow capped mountains is wonderful, but even better if you go to those mountains themselves....

    @smalltown RN: thanks.... oh yes, we did ! it was just too wonderful!
    and i saw the sunrise pics in your blog! wow! what was that dark thing?? did u find out??? it almost looked like a whirlwind in the sky!

    @J Bar: thanks....and your pics are great too! the moon looks awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Carolyn FordApril 23, 2010 at 11:49 AM

    What a beautiful scene. I would love to be standing there gazing at that!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Gemma WisemanApril 23, 2010 at 3:32 PM

    Beautiful, soft and mystical atmosphere here in these mountains! Lovely photo!

    ReplyDelete
  6. MridulaApril 23, 2010 at 9:28 PM

    Mountains are so refreshing! Beautiful picture.

    ReplyDelete
  7. KcalpeshApril 24, 2010 at 2:35 PM

    The place looks so beautiful and inviting! Almora and Binsar are the names now added in my TO VISIT list :-)

    Pixellicious Photos

    ReplyDelete
  8. muthuApril 25, 2010 at 3:58 AM

    Snow capped mountains- always makes me sing the age old tamil classic song- Pudiya vaanam, Pudiya boomi- engum pani Maalai poligirethe---

    I loved the snap.. :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anuradha ShankarApril 25, 2010 at 1:06 PM

    @CarolynL thanks...... it was really great, looking at the wide expanse of mountains....

    @Greyscale territory: thanks a lot!

    @Mridula: thanks.....

    @Kcalpesh: yes, you should certainly go! would love to see what you come back with.. pics i mean!

    @muthu: oh yes..... these are places which surely make you sing!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thanks so much for stopping by. Please leave a comment for me so that I will know you have been here....

Popular posts from this blog

Gokarna Part II – The Five Lingams

We continued our Gokarna trip by visiting four other Shiva temples in the vicinity, all connected to the same story of Gokarna. The story of Gokarna mentions the Mahabaleshwara Lingam as the one brought from Kailas by Ravana, and kept at this place on the ground by Ganesha. (See my earlier post- Gokarna – Pilgrimage and Pleasure). However, the story does not end here. It is believed that, in his anger, Ravana flung aside the materials which covered the lingam- the casket, its lid, the string around the lingam, and the cloth covering it. All these items became lingams as soon as they touched the ground. These four lingams, along with the main Mahabaleshwara lingam are collectively called the ‘ Panchalingams’ . These are: Mahabaleshwara – the main lingam Sajjeshwar – the casket carrying the lingam. This temple is about 35 Kms from Karwar, and is a 2 hour drive from Gokarna. Dhareshwar – the string covering the lingam. This temple is on NH17, about 45 Kms south of Gokarna. Gunavanteshw
8 comments
Read more

The Power of 8 - The Ashta Dikpalas and Ashta Vasus at Khajuraho

The four cardinal directions form the axis on which a temple is built, and are thus the basis of temple architecture. Leading from them are the eight directions, which are believed to be guarded by the eight guardians, or Ashta Dikpalas . In the temples of Khajuraho, great care has been taken by the sculptors to carve the Ashta Dikpalas on the walls, both inside and outside. They not only guard the temple, but also look over us as we circumambulate the shrine, protecting us by their presence. They are augmented by the Ashta Vasus , celestial beings which represent natural phenomena. Together, they enhance the idea of the temple as cosmos, enfolding within it, all the aspects of nature, both, on earth, as well in space.
4 comments
Read more

The Havelis of Bikaner - A Photo Post

The lanes are narrow , twisting and turning amidst buildings old and new. Crumbling old structures with intricate workmanship stand side by side with art deco buildings, and more modern constructions, which follow no particular style. Autos, bicycles, motorcycles and vans rush past, blowing their horns as loudly as possible, while cows saunter past peacefully, completely unaffected by the noise. In the midst of all this chaos, children play by the side, and women go about their chores, as we explore these by-lanes of Bikaner, and its beautiful Havelis. Facade of one of the Rampuria Havelis
9 comments
Read more