Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from March, 2014

Featured Post

The Elephanta Caves

The Elephanta Caves , located on Elephanta Island, or Gharapuri, about 11 Km off the coast of the Gateway of India, Mumbai, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A visit to these caves, excavated probably in the 6 th century CE, is awe-inspiring, and also thought-provoking. Over the years, I have visited the caves a number of times, and also attended a number of talks by experts in the fields of art, history and archaeology on the caves. Together, they help me understand these caves, their art, and the people they were created for, just a little bit better. Every new visit, every new talk, every new article I read about the caves, fleshes out the image of what the island and the caves would have been like, at their peak. I last wrote about the caves on this blog, in 2011, almost exactly 11 years ago. Since then, my understanding of the caves has, I would like to think, marginally improved. Hence this attempt to write a new and updated post, trying to bring to life, the caves of Elephan
Post a Comment
Read more

St. Philomena's Church, Mysore

The twin spires of the church towering over the trees and the houses grab my attention, and my auto driver tells me it is the St. Philomena’s Church. “You have been in Mysore for a week and haven’t seen it yet?” he exclaims, and proceeds to rectify my grave error in not paying a visit to this landmark of Mysore.
6 comments
Read more

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary - a Photo Blog

“Cranes” whispered Samhith, his voice filled with awe! “They are not cranes. They are Open Billed Storks ” replied our boatman-cum-guide. “When we go closer, you can see how their bills have a slight gap and seem to be open. That’s where they get their name from” he elaborated. Open Billed Stork (Asian Openbill)
13 comments
Read more

Hidden Goa - a Temple in Tambdi Surla

The winding road led us deeper into the forest, and the pouring rain ensured that miles passed before we saw a living soul. It was clear that we were lost. A tiny hamlet was a sight for sore eyes, and its amused residents informed us that we were indeed lost. We had taken the wrong turn , and had no choice but to go back. We drove slower this time, intent on finding our way, and thankfully, we did. As we stepped out of the vehicle and walked down a narrow path, navigating the pools of water left by the heavy rain, I wondered if the temple I had come all this way to visit was worth the long drive, and especially, the detour. A slight curve brought the temple into view – the wet, black stone in stark contrast to the lush green mountains of the Western Ghats, and I knew that it was indeed worth it all!
26 comments
Read more

Rediscovering Mumbai - A Different Perspective

The double decker buses of Mumbai have a long and glorious history. They were first tried out in 1937 to cope with the rising number of passengers, and they were soon a success. How could they not? They not only accommodated more people, but the thrill of riding on the upper deck, seeing the city from a different angle would have been a big incentive too! More than 75 years down the line, double decker buses are on their way out, thanks to the increased traffic on the roads and the fewer number of people using the buses. However, the charm of travelling by these buses remains the same. They still give you a different perspective of the city, especially when the bus is a roofless one!
13 comments
Read more

Progress and more at Victoria Terminus (now Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus)

For a long time, I thought she was Queen Victoria, and I often wondered why she had a torch in her hand. The only other lady I knew who held a torch was the Lady of Liberty, and her standing here didn’t make sense either. After all, this was Victoria Terminus. It should be Queen Victoria standing up there, right?
5 comments
Read more

Birds from my window - Golden Oriole

Having your work table by the window can be distracting.... especially when you have winged visitors clamoring for attention right outside! Of course, I don't mind, and actually, welcome the distraction, at times...like yesterday, when these rare visitors dropped by, and brightened up my day!
2 comments
Read more

Skywatch Friday - The Sun, playing Hide and Seek!

It's been a while since I have posted here, for various reasons, and what better way to break this silence than this beautiful scene from our trip to Shirdi last week?
16 comments
Read more