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.

Something new here... Please give your suggestions..

Hi everyone, did you notice the new page on my blog? Entitled "My Travel Maps', it is just a trial - an attempt - at making my travel entries easier to find. At present, I have started off with just some of my temple blogs, and have embedded the links into the locations on the map. Google Maps being interactive, it allows you to pan over the entire map and look for locations you are interested in. When you click on the locations I have marked with a pin, it will direct you to my blog entries about that location.

Please try it out and let me know what you think. Please do try it out and leave your suggestions so that I can make the appropriate changes. If it isnt convenient, please let me know that too!

As I mentioned earlier, this is just a trial... If it is convenient, I plan to do the same thing for not just the temples, but also all the other places I have written about.

Eagerly looking forward to your reactions....

Comments

  1. Anu
    I liked it. very informative and easily accessible
    all the best for your innovative step

    ReplyDelete
  2. I am quite scared of maps, they seem to be such a difficult puzzle.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thats a cool thing... just saw, am also gonna try :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. A super cool idea Anu. This will turn out to be a handy utility for people wanting information.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Way to go Anu.Good job..!
    It should really be useful and looks good.In fact Geo-tags are intended for such applications. I experimented with it for my photos and videos long time back and with good effect. Hope , will find time to do it in my blog too sometime.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Anu, came here through Ashok Banker's site. I'm a fan of his work too.
    YOu have a pretty neat blog here yourself. I've added you to my blogroll. Will comment on the map later.
    Good going!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks everyone... glad that this idea seems to be liked by almost everyone! Shall update it soon!

    @Mridula: I absolutely love maps! have done since a long time...

    @Aarti: try it out... its fun to do, actually!!

    @Sridharan: I didnt even know of Google maps till some time back... and was rather wary of online maps anyway.... have you put those up on your blog? shall see them!

    @Rajk: great to see you here! Look forward to seeing you more often..

    ReplyDelete
  8. Excellent.
    I would like to attempt something similar.

    ReplyDelete
  9. This is great... Since my internet connection is slow, it took long to load the whole thing but in the end it was a good experience!!
    I give it my thumbs up:)
    You have done a fabulous job!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. GooooooooooooooooD one and imrovising.pl visit my blog and follow.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I have also put most of my picasa album on the map Anu. I think it would help.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Excellent idea and a very cool Google tool! Have you incorporated this on your Tirupati posts too?

    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

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.

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