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Odisha Part 3 - Konark : The Surya Temple, through my eyes

Many years back, when I visited the National Museum in Delhi, one of the images that I was most impressed by, was the Surya from Konark. I remember being rooted to the ground as I stood in front of the sculpture, admiring every detail, simply unable to walk away. There are various ideas of where the sculpture was placed in the temple, but wherever it was placed, there is no question that it would have drawn all eyes. I remember wondering back then, if this single sculpture was so impressive, how much more impressive the temple would have been! The first thing that struck me about the Konark temple during my first visit, was its size. I have seen huge ancient temples before – the Brihadeeshwara temple and the Kandariya Mahadev temple, to name just two. However, Konark was something else. It was awe-inspiring to even think of just how much larger the original temple would have been, with its main spire intact. So many years later, on my second visit, the size was still impressive, bu...
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Memories from Corbett Safari Resort

While on a vacation, I usually don't like to stay in a resort, preferring instead to wander and discover the area I am visiting. On my recent visit to Corbett, there were so many things planned that we spent very little time in our rooms, which is just the way I liked it! However, there are some things about the Club Mahindra Safari Resort which I shall always remember.... such as the towel art.....







And my first sighting of a Pied Kingfisher, and that too just outside our room!


Oh, and there were lots of other birds, too. But the only ones I managed to capture on camera were the Pond Heron and the White Browed Wagtail...



We were treated to a Kumaoni dinner one night, accompanied by folk songs and dances... and can you believe that the item I liked the most was one similar to the Khichdi???

Yes, that does look like a bagpiper...
apparently, the Kumaonis play a similar instrument!!!


On our last evening there, we had some spare time, which the others used to try and photograph the birds, while I simply wandered away (as usual) trying to see the parts of the resort I hadn't seen as yet!

This is how our rooms looked like from the front...


And here is the back- view.... facing the river... 

This wide expanse of green with a path for walking was so so inviting...

And the gazebo-like structure was the perfect place to relax and enjoy the cool breeze from the river...

What I shall always remember about the place, however, is the river... the Kosi, and the mountains on the other side...


I could just sit and look at the water for hours on end...... 


While I have this burning desire to visit Corbett again, I have been wondering what has been pulling me more - the jungle, the tigers, or the river? and I have begun to think that maybe it is the river which calls out to me....

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Location: Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand, India

Comments

  1. Rniranjan_dasNovember 24, 2011 at 2:50 PM

    Nice captures Anu.

    www.rajniranjandas.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Mridula DNovember 24, 2011 at 8:21 PM

    Lovely pictures Anu. For me sea has the same charm that you say about the river. Do you take sea for granted?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anu ShankarNovember 24, 2011 at 8:58 PM

    Thanks, Raj Niranjan!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anu ShankarNovember 24, 2011 at 9:00 PM

    Thanks Mridula! I am actually rather afraid of the sea.. cant swim at all, and cant venture inside without holding on to someone! the max i usually do is stand near the beach with my feet in the water.... dont go much into the river either, but love to sit by it and watch the water flowing past, again, with my feet dangling in the water!

    ReplyDelete
  5. ChitraNovember 25, 2011 at 8:48 AM

    Loved the pics.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anu ShankarNovember 25, 2011 at 4:33 PM

    Thanks Chitra!

    ReplyDelete
  7. ZephyrNovember 26, 2011 at 2:51 PM

    I can so empthasise with your . Loattraction to the river. I feel the same for it too and like you I am intimidated by the sea and its vastness. Loved the pictures, especially the towel art. :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. NishaNovember 26, 2011 at 8:06 PM

    I agree with you. Looking at the river, I think even honeymooners won't mind a place famous for tigers. :)And towel art is Club Mahindra's specialty. :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anu ShankarNovember 27, 2011 at 7:49 PM

    Thanks Zephyr! more similarities cropping up!!!! and apparently, their towel art is one of their specialties!!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anu ShankarNovember 27, 2011 at 7:53 PM

    right, Nisha!! I really wanted to go and sit by the river, but they dont allow anyone near :( and i always enjoy Club Mahindra's towel art! first saw it at Binsar!

    ReplyDelete

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