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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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Egyptian Vulture near Dharamsala

We were on our way to a temple, with a hot spring. "It is a nice temple" assured our driver. "It won't be crowded at all." The single bus standing outside the tiny temple should have warned us, but we didn't pay attention till it was too late. The shrine, and the spring, were filled with people - who stared as we walked in. It was an unnerving experience, and we rushed to get out. A flash of white on a tree diverted me, and I hurried to see what it was. It turned out to be an  Egyptian Vulture.. the saving grace of the long journey it had taken us to get here!!!




The vulture perched on the bare branch for a while, allowing me a good capture...



and then spread its wings, and soared up into the air. I watched, struck by just how beautiful it looked, and almost forgot to click. But the vulture circled, and another one joined it.... and I just had to try my luck to capture it in flight....





We stood there, losing track of time, watching the birds swoop and circle, and wondered what they were doing. Our driver rushed up, surprised to see out outside, looking at a bird, instead of the temple. By the time I turned back, the birds had disappeared, and we headed back to the car.

It was as if they had appeared just for us, to make up for the disappointing temple, and the baleful stares of those we had surprised!It is moments like these which make trips memorable, don't they?

This post is part of my series on my #summertrip 2015, and I hope to take you along with me as I recount stories from my month long trip, which took me across the country. To get an idea of all the places I visited, and what you can hope to read about, click here.  

Related Posts:
  • The Himachal Series- 


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Location: Himachal Pradesh, India

Comments

  1. TusharJuly 1, 2015 at 8:06 AM

    Vulture watching is rare these days. You are lucky you saw it. And thanks for sharing photos. We also watching because of you.

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    Replies
    1. Anuradha ShankarJuly 1, 2015 at 10:44 AM

      surprisingly Tushar, I have seen Egyptian vultures earlier too, near Mysore. but its always a pleasure to see such rare birds!

      Delete
  2. Prashanth MJuly 7, 2015 at 4:16 PM

    Look at the wing span!! Lovely catch there Anu.

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    Replies
    1. Anuradha ShankarJuly 8, 2015 at 10:11 AM

      Thank you, Prashanth! I was fascinated by the wingspan too, and elated that I could capture it, for once :D

      Delete
  3. UshaJuly 20, 2015 at 7:28 PM

    Well, I would have liked to see your driver's face! Rushing out of a temple and staring at a vulture :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anuradha ShankarJuly 22, 2015 at 8:27 AM

      Oh Usha.. that was certainly a sight worth it! I dont think he ever had passengers like us. first we didnt want to visit any of the popular temples, and then i stopped him for birds, and sheep! not sure if he will come again if i call him on my next trip there :P

      Delete

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