Marigold Fields of Karnataka

Just as we crossed Hassan on our way to Chikmagalur we came across big fields of gold; fields growing Marigold flowers. Green fields dotted with orange flowers, it made a very pleasing sight.

Floriculture is a big business in India. It is one of those low investment, low maintenance crops which prove to be profitable for the farmers. Since the flowers are delicate and prone to withering fast,

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I saw him brushing his teeth in the Ganges. I guess that is after his lunch, because the time was 1 PM approx. Shot taken in Murshidabad, West Bengal.

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.


 

Mullayanagiri, Chikmagalur

Before proceeding for Chikmagalur we had done good study of weather in Chikmagalur, courtesy Google. The prediction was pleasant and sunny. Within city limits it was indeed dry and pleasant, but as we drove up the Mullayanagiri peak we started experiencing light drizzle, soon it was raining.









It was just raining, not pouring, it was misty all around, and visibility was almost zero. We

A Cold Morning in Kufri

Brrrrr…. It was cold in Kufri.

The sky was cloudy, wind chilly and there was slight drizzle, we had these ingredients to keep us indoors. Some of us had layers of clothing on; some were gulping down hot tea, glass after glass. The other best thing we could do then was chat. We were busy chatting, having a small session of ‘getting to know each other’.

Meanwhile, one of the waiters there was

Kathgola Palace, Murshidabad

It was a long hectic day of sight seeing. At 8 in the morning we set off from Mayapur to Murshidabad in West Bengal. 96kms in 2hrs approx. Why Murshidabad? My daughter had just completed her 7th grade history lessons and was eager to visit it. I too learned some history from her: Murshidabad, was the capital of Bengal during the Mughal period. The nawabs (Mughal rulers) here played crucial role

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A happy fruit seller from Kufri, Himachal Pradesh. We bloggers bought many boxes of fresh fruits from him.

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.

Hanging Man of Olomouc, Czech Republic

One of the bizarre sculpted works of David Cerny is this ‘Hanging Man’.

I stopped stunned seeing a man hanging from a pole sticking out of Town Hall of Olomouc (pronounced OH-la-mootz), Czech Republic. Initially I saw the silhouette and couldn’t believe my eyes; I strained to see if there was any kind of movement. As I got closer I realized it was just a statue, but what a weird one! Since I

Adinath Temple, Kathgola, Murshidabad

After a couple of hours at Hazarduari Palace, we set off for Kathgola Gardens which is included in must see list of places in Murshidabad. Kathgola, the name comes from kath (wood) and gola (warehouse), a lumberyard which existed in this place before the palace was built. The huge area has a palace, fruits orchards, a small zoo and a Jain Temple. The horse driven carriage owner told us

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Making a living selling flags at traffic signals. A very common sight during Independence Day and Republic Day. A huge flag can cost up to Rs. 500, but then people bargain and it depends on your skills.

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.

Rayagopura of Chennakesava Temple, Belur, Karnataka

I visited the Chennakesava Temple of Belur today. The temple is 10 centuries old and the pictures are of the super structure (Rayagopura) built over the main gate of the temple. I was totally awed by the art work and sculpted images on just the entrance of the temple, imagine what lies inside! More pictures and notes, once I am back from the trip.








SkyWatch Friday

67th Independence Day

India is celebrating its 67th Independence Day today! 



If God gives me the opportunity to wish for one thing that will come true, it will be:
“O God! Give enough sense to the politicians and leaders of my country so that they stop being corrupt!” 






Happy Independence Day greetings to my fellow Indians!

Hazarduari Palace, Murshidabad.

Murshidabad is rich in terms of history, historical events and even pre-historic excavations. It is one of the 18 districts of West Bengal, ruled by kings of pre-Mauryan era (6th century BC), followed by several rulers, and finally by Humayun Jah and Feradun Jah the last of the Nawabs of Bengal. I had a great desire to spend more time in this city but with tight itinerary all I could spare was a

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While some locals are most willing to be photographed, some find it hard to overcome their shyness, and there are some who are willing but camera conscious. Here is a camera conscious lady from Himachal Pradesh. The image is straight from camera without any processing.

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

Sunrise Over River Ganges

“There's a sunrise and a sunset every single day, and they're absolutely free. Don't miss so many of them.” 

― Jo Walton 



“Sunrise looks spectacular in the nature; sunrise looks spectacular in the photos; sunrise looks spectacular in our dreams; sunrise looks spectacular in the paintings, because it really is spectacular!” 

― Mehmet Murat ildan 








Google blogger has huge problems

As Beautiful As Her Work

The civilized society today gives a lot of importance to “looking beautiful”. While I think it is good to look beautiful, how one has achieved that beauty and its relevance to his/her profile is equally important. Women are admired not just for their physical appearance but also her inner qualities. 


By inner qualities I mean her kindness, compassion, right judgment, being unselfish and more

Sunbrella from Venice

Have you seen a “sunbrella”?

Carver coined this term for this umbrella from Venice. Walking along the narrow lanes of Venice, crossing the cute little bridges I came across this outgrown sunflower. I stared for some time trying to figure out “what?” and “why?” It was open and suspended outside a shut window. The umbrella was so bright and beautiful, as you can see, it attracted everybody’s

Siddheswari Temple, Kalna, West Bengal

The most important temple of Kalna, from religious point of view is the Siddheswari Temple. A Hindu devotee of Goddess Kali feels his/her visit to Kalna is incomplete with out a darshan of Goddess Kali in this Siddheswari Temple. This temple is the holiest of all the temples in Kalna. And that is one reason why it is also known as Ambika Kalna, Ambika being another name of Goddess Kali.




The

Composite Flower

Initially I gave a passing glance to the red zinnia. Something caught my attention and looked back to see the details. The circular pattern of the disc flowers, the yellow ones, standing out so brightly in this composite flower seemed to add more beauty to the flower. The ones that I thought were petals, the red ones, are actually the ray flowers. Hmmm… Mother Nature’s amazing creations!

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Ready to take flight! A young boy flying paper planes, the picture taken in Barakar, West Bengal.


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.

A Nesting Painted Stork

A Painted Stork patiently waiting for its eggs to hatch. It is important that the eggs hatch; the chicks grow unharmed because Painted Storks are listed as “near threatened.” It is important that its nesting ecology is undisturbed. The recent incessant rains is a cause of worry for this new would-be mother.





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 Camera Critters