**Samson's Photoblog**: April 2011

April 25, 2011

Purple Blossom

Sunday Best / Perceptive Perspective / Todays Flower /

April 18, 2011

Nandi (Bull) - In Hindu Mythologyis Nandi is Lord Shiva's primary vehicle and is the principal follower of Shiva and also gate keeper of shiva and parvathi. Temples dedicated to shiva and parvathi will have stone images of seated Nandi facing the main shrine.

This giant 350+ year old monolithic statue of Nandi (Image below) is located on top of Chamundi Hill, Mysore. Its one of oldest iconic structure in Mysore and is 3rd largest Nandi statue in the world. This is an open shrine and Nandi is in active worship possibly ever since it was created

monolithic nandi statue on chamundi hills mysore

Originally this was a colossal boulder. One can find similar boulders around this site, there is a small cave temple under an overhanging boulder dedicated to Shiva right behind the this Nandi statue. The Nandi is portrayed in sitting position in an about to get up posture. You can see many sequences of bells and garlands carved over the Nandi. This statue is located almost at the 3/4th the way to the hilltop. If one decides to take the stairway, they have to climb 700 steps to reach Nandi and another 300 steps to reach the hill top. There is a beautiful temple on top of the hill dedicated to Goddess Chamundeshwari.

/ Outdoor Wednesday / Wordish Wednesday @ Sevenclowncircus, parentingbydummies

April 11, 2011

Mahanavami Dibba, Hampi

Mahanavami Dibba is a prominent stone structure in Royal Enclosure in Hampi. The monument is also known as “Dasara Dibba”, “Throne Platform” or “House of Victory”. King Krishnadevaraya constructed this in commemoration on the victory over Udaygiri (now in Orissa). Archeologists believe that this platform had undergone systematic enhancements by successive kings came into power. Originally this platform must have been a gorgeously painted and decorated pillared hall or pavilion of several storeys high but the the remains consist of a massive square granite base in three diminishing tiers.

From a distance this looks like an ordinary elevated square stage. As you go close, the details emerge. The walls of the tiers are covered with rows carved horizontal friezes, they depict anything from the royal ceremony to the city life, foreign envoys to the Vijayanagara kingdom, hunting scenes, Arab horse dealers, exotic animals, elephants, horsemen, warriors, dancers, musicians, clowns, foreign representatives etc. Probably this was made as a photo gallery for the benefit of the foreign envoys who had been visiting the capital of Vijayanagara Empire.