The Burden of Water

We are so used to our comforts that we forget to think about them who are struggling for their basic needs! Water, a basic need, is scarce today. The lucky ones who have access are not so careful enough to use it judiciously and the unlucky ones have to travel huge distances in search of it.


The Problem

Water scarcity
Distance to water source
Carrying back water home

Few years from now,

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, Mandya, Karnataka

It is sad news from Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, near Mysore. Incessant rains, overflowing of Cauvery River has played havoc in this region.

Every year around 70,000 birds, including those from Europe migrate to this sanctuary for three to four months to nest. Usually this is from June to November. Karnataka tourism has developed this place well, spruced it up with little gardens, a couple of

Non Veg Temptations at CPK

The non-veg menu from California Pizza Kitchen has some amazing dishes. I was at the sampling session of their dishes; the presentation was so grand that I felt each item was inviting me to take a bite. This spread is bound to score top marks in the eateries section of newspapers and magazines.

Ambiance: very good
Service: timely, polite
Non-Vegetarian Specialty: Lettuce Wrap(my choice)
Wallet

Veg Delights at California Pizza Kitchen

This season California Pizza Kitchen is offering a wide range of mouth watering items. I was at the Indiranagar branch (Bangalore) of CPK recently. It is a cosy place to have sumptuous dishes with friends, be it be for celebrations or after a day’s hard work! CPK is reputed to have a classy fare, yet the team there makes changes now and then to ensure its top position among the various eatery

Faces of India - 120

I met him near Kankalitala temple, near Shanti Niketan, West Bengal. He was singing a melodious devotional song. Observe carefully, he is playing 3 instruments at the same time. Ek tara (single stringed instrument) with his right hand, a drum with his left hand and bells with his right foot. It was amazing to see him perform; I stood rooted in one spot for long.

Faces of India, a series

Shiva Temples of Kalna, West bengal

The figure ‘108’ refers to the number of Shivlings in the 108 temples. In addition to 108 there are 2 more temple like structures at the entrance to both series of temple which doesn’t have the idol. I was amazed at the uniqueness of the temple, its construction style! I doubt if anywhere else in India there is this kind of temple. (You can click to enlarge the pictures.)





Siddeshwar

108 Shiva Temples of Kalna

With 108 Shiva temples at one spot, Kalna definitely deserves the status of temple town of Bardhman district. The temples are built by Tejachandra Bahadur in 1809 AD. Each temple is a single room like structure constructed in a series. They look as if they have been beaded together. The façade is uniformly decorated with terracotta designs. They were given a white coating, wish they had the

Not All Roses are Red

One may live without bread, not without roses. 

Jean Richepin 




 

Today's Flowers

Faces of India - 119

Shot taken in Koti, a town on the way between Kufri and Chail. His mother was keen that he be photographed.

Faces of India, a series through which I intend to portray the various characters of my country whom I met during my travels. See more here.

The Blue of Sky and Sea

Is the blue below the reflection of blue above? Seeing this sight I obviously got the impression the deep sea water is reflecting the sky above.

Science has a different answer though. The water surface of sea would have functioned as a plain mirror reflecting the blue sky had its surface been smooth, but that is not the case we know. The surface is wavy and full of ripples. The deep blue color

Photo Essay on Lalji Temple

The Lalji Temple is protected within a separate enclosure inside temple complex of Kalna. There is a Natamandapa in the enclosure, which may have been built for dance performances during festivals and important days as the name suggests. Each pillar of the structure is elaborately decorated with terracotta figures.





The temple has beautiful colored arched structure at the entrance.





Get

Petal Patterns

How many petals does this Dahlia have? I never tried to count them, but just gazing at the picture makes me feel as if I am lost in those petals. It does give the feel as if the number of petals belongs to Fibonacci series but it is hard to prove because the petals are arranged in several layers. It is easier to prove Fibonacci series in single layered flowers like Daisy, Buttercups or Lily.

Faces of India - 118

A fellow tourist at Chandigarh's Rock Garden.



Faces of India, a series through which I intend to portray the various characters of my country whom I met during my travels. See more here.

Lalji Temple, Kalna, West Bengal

Lalji Temple is the oldest temple among the group of terracotta temples of Kalna. It was built by Braja Kishori Devi, the wife of Maharaja Jagat Ram in 1739. It is built of bricks, and the walls covered with terracotta figures. Most of it has worn off with time, but what remains never fails to amaze the viewer.

 The peculiar feature of this temple is the 25 peaks on the roof, for this reason

Pratapeswar Temple, Kalna, West Bengal

Pratapeswar Temple may look tiny, but the number of terracotta figures on its façade is mind blowing. It was built in 1849 by Maharani Shiyari Kumari, wife of Maharaja Pratap Chand of Bardhaman in the town Kalna situated on the banks of river Bhagirathi.It is a Shiva Temple and houses a black Shiv ling inside.












I was surprised to se the picture of woman in English gown playing a

Pinkberry Yogurt Now in India

The latest yogurt brand to be launched in India is the Pinkberry! It is relatively young in yogurt industry, launched in 2005 Pinkberry Yogurt is now available in 230 stores world wide. India is its 19th global market. Last week I was at the opening of one of the branches in Indiranagar, Bangalore. It is very strategically located with lot of greeneries around in spite of being bang on the

Cereus, Midnight Queens

Commonly known as Queen of Night, they bloom at night and have a sweet and strong fragrance.
We were lucky to see 8 “Night Queens” blooms together in a single plant a couple of nights back. These two were pretty, close and fighting for their own space and my attention. The Night Queens start blooming in the evenings and by dawn they droop off, lasting for less than 12 hours.Locally they are

Faces of India - 117

A resident of Sunderbans, West Bengal. I failed to make her smile in spite of all our story exchanges. I even told her that her sari is good, of nice color and print.

Faces of India, a series through which I intend to portray the various characters of my country whom I met during my travels. See more here.

Disneyland Paris

Again from my archives for SkyWatch this week. It was a beautiful day, sky so blue and not too hot either. We had a good time. And NO! I didn’t ask that tourist to pose for me, nor did I call him. 

My Parallel Rope Walk Experience

I was watching the rescue operations in Uttarakhand… “With the launch of Burma Bridge across Alaknanda River at Lam Bagar on Joshimath - Bardrinath road, it is now possible for pilgrims to be evacuated from Badrinath to Govindghat.” The Indian Army and Indian Air Force personnel have put their heart and soul in the rescuing operations, carrying people to safety, lending them helping hand,