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Temples of Kashi - The Kardameshwar temple

The absence of ancient Hindu structures in Kashi is something I have always lamented about. The shrines are certainly ancient, and that is something that has always attracted me to the city. However, I miss the beauty of the ancient structures that we see at other sites. This feeling is intensified when I see marble and concrete and tiles in temples that once would have been beautifully adorned with evocative sculptures, and worn by the passage of time, touched by the hands of seekers who came before. This time , this desire to see some remnants of an ancient Hindu structure in Kashi came true when I managed to visit the Kardameshwar Temple. The Kardameshwar temple is not one of the main temples in the city. It is part of the temples on the Pancha Kroshi yatra, a pilgrimage which takes one on a circumambulatory tour of the whole city. The temple is located on the outskirts of the city, on the western bank of a tank called the Kardama Kund. The Kardameshwar temple is one of the...
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Drenched!!

While we sit inside the house in relative comfort, while it pours cats and dogs outside, look at this kingfisher sitting patiently in the pouring rain, apparently oblivious to the cold, even though it appears to be huddled up...



It sat still for almost half an hour, and then suddenly swooped down, caught something in its beak, and sped off towards a tree....I was left with mixed emotions - I had been feeling rather sorry for the poor bird having to sit in the rain and cold, but now I was left wondering if that was what the bird had intended - to wait patiently till its prey came along... Does it enjoy the rain or is it just a matter of necessity? I have no idea, and am not likely to find out either... What do you think?
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  1. AnonymousJuly 5, 2010 at 8:15 AM

    Oh how lovely.. to watch the rains..

    ReplyDelete
  2. Shyam Govind - International SEO expertJuly 5, 2010 at 9:42 AM

    I gues that lamp post is a very popular hangout joint in the bird community...

    earlier the parakeets, now the kingfisher.. :P

    ReplyDelete
  3. MridulaJuly 5, 2010 at 10:17 AM

    They have started showing up on this side too after the rains.

    ReplyDelete
  4. chitraJuly 5, 2010 at 11:30 AM

    It is monsoon and Mumbai gets submerged by water. But the air gets fresh, all the dirt gets washed away and good you get to see to see lot of birds ....

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sankara SubramanianJuly 5, 2010 at 11:44 AM

    Ah hah! Now a white breasted kingfisher comes and gives you a show. You are definitely lucky...

    I am sure that all birds are programmed to handle the rain comfortably.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Aarti BadamikarJuly 5, 2010 at 1:56 PM

    lovely sight! so calm and content :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. IndraniJuly 5, 2010 at 4:23 PM

    Strange are the ways of a nature!
    Great observation.

    ReplyDelete
  8. ShilpaJuly 6, 2010 at 7:58 PM

    Nice observation!!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. indicaspeciesJuly 8, 2010 at 5:58 PM

    I wish to get drenched in some rains too..and I promise not to prey on anyone..hehe!

    ReplyDelete

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