Showing posts with label Mysore. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mysore. Show all posts
May 16, 2011
May 2, 2011
Grand Entrance
April 18, 2011
Nandi
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
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
February 22, 2011
February 15, 2011
Taj Mahal
Replica of Taj Mahal was built in exhibition ground during Dasara 2010, posted here is an HDR image of the same.
Taj Mahal is situated on the banks of river Yamuna in Agra and is one of the most recognizable and most beautiful buildings in the world, it stands out as a symbol of Eternal Love. Taj Mahal is also one of seven wonders of the world. Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan got this monument constructed in the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. It took 22 years for 20,000 workers to build this mesmerizing monument out of pure white marble collected from all over India and central Asia.
January 28, 2011
January 17, 2011
Veeragase Folk Dance
Veeragase is a popular folk dance prevalent in the state of Karnataka, India. It is a vigorous dance based on Hindu mythology and involves very intense energy-sapping dance movements. Veeragase is one of the dances demonstrated in the Dasara procession held in Mysore. Veeragase gets its name from the Hindu legendary warrior and its a symbolic presentation of his heroism and valour at the time of Dakshayagna.
According to Hindu mythology Veerabhadra was a super being created by the wrath of Rudra (Lord Shiva) to destroy Daksha. Daksha was the chief of gods, his youngest daughter Sati (aka Dakshayani) set her heart on Shiva, worshipping him in secret. At the time of Swayamvara (was a practice in ancient India where a girl of marriageable age can choose a life partner from among a list of suitors. Swayam in Sanskrit means self and vara means choice or desire.)of Sati, Daksha invited all gods and celestial beings except Shiva. Sati cast her garland in the air, calling upon Shiva to receive the garland and miraculously he stood in midst of the court with the garland around his neck. Daksha had no choice but to get his daughter married to Shiva even though he was much against this marriage and he bore enmity with Shiva
January 5, 2011
Angry or Smiling???
I feel he is angry, my wife says there's a smile on his face, what do you guys think????? Any which ways I love the expression on his face....
December 23, 2010
Chilli Bajjis
My last post was very sweet ;o), so thought of posting something spicy. Above is a photo of one of the many bajji stalls in mysore exhibition during Dasara. Chillis decorating the stall will eventually be used to make yummy bajjis.
Bajji is a famous fried snack in India, it is made by taking one or two ingredients such as Onion, Potato, Chilli, or ocasionally bread and dipping them in a batter of gram flour and then deep-frying them.
Closer look at the chillis
September 27, 2010
August 18, 2010
Endangered
Bengal Tiger seen in Mysore Zoo
Tiger is the National animal of India, and India has the highest number of wild tigers in the world but not many Tigers are left in the wild now, there are only 1411 tigers left. Its an ENDANGERED species with a high rish of disappearing from the wild altogether.
A touchy Ad of Save Tiger Campaign (Must See)
July 8, 2010
Checking Out
Caught in the act :)
This photo always brings a smile on my face, always makes me wonder what's going on his (white duck) mind? What was he thinking?
Any Guesses?
Photo was shot in Mysore Zoo
Any Guesses?
Photo was shot in Mysore Zoo
May 15, 2010
Love Triangle
She doesnt look too happy, does she? she does not like what she is seeing, she didnt like the look in her man's eye and she knows he is upto something but is not sure how to stop him, she has a bad feeling that he does not love her any more, she sits there and watches helplessly.
January 18, 2010
St Philomenas church
Thought i'll post about one of my favorite place's to visit to mark my 50th post. I try not to miss visiting this beautiful cathedral when ever I'm in Mysore.
One of the famous landmark of Mysore is St Philomenas church, It is one of the oldest churches in India and also one of the biggest churches in South Asia. Its over 250 years old. Its designed by a frenchg man called Dally in a neo gothic style and draws inspiration from Cologne Cathedral in Germany. The floor plan of the cathedral is in the form of a cross. The long part of the cross is the 'nave', which is the congregation hall and can house upto 800 people. The two arms of the cross are the 'transepts'. The fourth part containing the altar and the choir is the 'crossing'
HDR Image made of 5 exposures
Interiors of the church is a piece of art initself, alter is made up of marble on which the statue of St. Philomena is placed and there is a beautiful catacomb below the alter which has a relic of a 3rd century St Philomena and a beautiful statue of her brought from france. There is also an idol of Christ lying in his sacred wounds. The main attraction of interiors of the church is the stained glass above the alter with painting depicting the birth of Jesus Christ, the Last Supper, the Crucifixion and the Resurrection.
The part of the church that is most attractive is the towers or spires which are 175 feet tall. There is a orphanage in the church campus and a school (st Mary's Higher Primary school).
December 6, 2009
November 16, 2009
Lalitha Mahal Palace
The Lalitha Mahal is the second largest palace in Mysore. It is located near the Chamundi Hills, east of the city. Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV commissioned this two-storied Palace in 1921. This Palace was built to exclusively to accommodate the Viceroy of India. The palace is noted for its white colour and is visible from a great distance. This Palace is designed in Renaissance style and included designs concepts from the Italian palazzo and English manor.
The Palace meant for special royal guests has now been converted into a heritage category five-star. The Palace has been maintained very carefully to keeps its grandeur intact. Life size portraits of the royalty of Mysore, lithographs portraying Tippu Sultan's battles with the British decorate the main hall and most of the old Palace furniture is being used in the hotel to this day
October 26, 2009
Mysore - Part 5 (Final)
Continued.....
District Commissioners Office which is about 2 min walk away from Mysore University
Krishna Raja Govt Hospital
From another angle
Sri Jayadeva Murugharajendra Pathology Laboratories which is in the same campus of K.R. Hospital
K.R. Hospital Out Patient Wing
Government College of Ayurveda
Govt Library which is right opposite Ayurveda College
Finally this long post has come to an end, Hope you all enjoyed your trip to Mysore :)
October 18, 2009
Mysore - Part 4
Continued........
Lets go on a fun ride around Mysore and see how the other Heritage buildings and streets are decorated for Dasara, I almost forgot to show you the lightings don one Chamundi Hill to welcome Tourists... It Reads "Suswagatha" which means Welcome, it can me seen even before you enter Mysore.
Now lets come out of the Mysore Palace from the West Gate, and go in the direction same as the vehicles (This place is called KR Circle, One of the busiest place in Mysore)
After a 3 min ride you will end up here, here's another beautiful statue of Maharaja Krishna Raja Wodayar
lets have a closer look
If you look in the same direction as the Statue is looking your view will be this, by now you would've noticed lights where ever we travelled, most of the buildings and almost all the streets will be decorated with lights.
Most of the Heritage Buildings have been converted into School's, College, Govt Office's, Hospital etc... lets have a look at some of them
Mysore City Corporation Office, Located behind the Main palace
Jaganmohn Palace which is now a Art Gallery, it is also located behind main palace at a walking distance of about 1000 mts. from the Corporation office. It was built in 1861 to celebrate the marriage of his daughter, the princess of Mysore. The main door of this Museum is it self a master piece of Art with intricate carvings. The original oil paintings of Raja Ravi Varma of Travancore on display here are on many mythological themes. The painting of lady holding the lamp of the Indian Artist S.G.Heldnker is another Master piece. A good collection of clocks is also on display here.
Government primary school located behind Jaganmohan palace
Maharaja Boy's College
Maharani Girls Science College
Mysore University
September 29, 2009
Mysore - Part 2
You can see part one here
Continued....
Colors of Dasara
This year (2009) Navarathri started on 19th september and the Dasara will be celebrated on 28th of september. As usual cultural programmes were organised, rain was a spoil sport and the programmes did not go as planned.
Here are some of the photos which was taken on the first day of Navarathri, I was lucky enough to sneak in along with the press :) It was amazing to get a first person view of the event or it would be that they would broadcast the programme on huge screen set up outside the palace for the crowd to see...
Artists posing for the Press before the act
Folk Dance called Karadi Kunitha (Bear Dance)
Another folk dance, I'm not sure what its called... they tell a story of warriors who fight demons and restore peace..
This guy was kind enough to pose for me after the programme upon my request...
Jumbos of the Dasara Jumbu Savari:
Dasara celebration begins with the of the “Gajapayana” during the mid of August, is the ceremonial journey taken by the elephants to take part in the Dasara procession.
The procession begins with the tribal and folk dances by the local artists Earlier, during the time of the Mysore Dasara, the kings, accompanied by the "Pattada Aane" would visit the forest and perform pooja to all the pachyderms that would participate in the celebrations. Then, the jumbos would walk to Mysore Palace.
These days the forest department transport the elephants in trucks, from Nagarhole to Mysore. A traditional welcome is given to the elephants once they arrive at the main entrance of Amba Vilas Palace in Mysore.
Elephants returning from their daily mock processions during the Navarathri. Mock Procession is held everyday so that the jumbo's get used to the busy streets of Mysore
I managed to gather some information about the elephants used in Mysore Dasara. A team of 6 elephants march to the palace city of Mysore.
Balarama: The magnificent leader, he is the one carrying the Golden Howdah. He has been leading for the past 9 years and has participated in the Dasara for 14years. He was captured in 1987 in the Katti pura forest area, now stays in Mathigodu elephant camp.
Abhimanyu:The mascot who pulls the “Anegadi” the elephant cart, has been participation from the past 10 years. He is from the Hebballa forest, Kodagu district, now stays in Murkal elephant camp.
Vijaya: She has been in Dasara for 5 years, was captured in 1963, from the Dubare forest area, Madikeri division.
Gajendra: He belongs to the Kattepura forest area. Captured in 1987, presently living in Nagarahole has been in Dasara for 12 years.
Arjuna: He has been in the Dasara for 7 years and has once shouldered the burden of carrying the Golden Howdah, is from the Hebballa forest area of Kodagu in 1969.
Sarala: Our oldest elephant, she has been participating in Dasara from the past 4 years. She is from Kakanakote in 1977 forest, now residing in Sunkadakatte elephant camp.
There is also another contingent of 6 elephants which will join this group during the first week of September.
Mysore Palace :
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)