Sun Temple, Gwalior

When ever we heard about Sun Temple, then only one place strikes our head, KONARK in Orissa, also known as 'Black Pagoda'.

But recently I found another temple dedicated to Sun God in Gwalior and was quite amazed. This was my first experience to see the statue of Sun God and never before I heard about any other Sun Temple.

The Temple(Vivaswana Mandir) was built by the famous Industrialist Mr. G. D. Birla during the 90s.

All the typical features of the temple resembles the Original Sun Temple in Konark. The whole Temple is assumed as a platform on a Chariot with big big wheels and is pulled by horses. You can notice the sculptures of many Hindu deities being carved outside.
Being a Sun Temple, the technical Sun-path diagram is properly followed for the orientation of the Temple and there are light wells designed in such a way that, it allows the Sun ray to fall on the beautifully carved sculpture of Sun God all the time when it is available.

How to reach?: This is quite popular and is near cantonment area. You can ask any local GPS for 'Surya Mandir' or Birla Temple. Please do a visit if you are in or around Gwalior. You might find the place bit isolated, but I bet the temple is worth a visit.
Where to Stay!: 'The Central Park' is one of the best hotels there and I personally have a very good experience. Budget hotels can be found near the railway station.
What else to see?: Never ever miss Gwalior Fort if you like 'Historical Architectural Ruins' and the Jain carving on the natural hills on the way to the Fort. My knowledge says it is the biggest Jain statue in India.
Climate: Mostly hot and dry.
Best time to Visit: October to March, means during Winters.
Connectivity: Road, Rail and Air

Photography was not allowed inside, so no photographs from the inner-sanctum.

Complete Photo Album HERE.

Wanna BEER!!!

Time to have some HANGOVER!!!







Yeah, FRIDAY night it is... Have fun!

Eureka...

Oh man, 'm happy like anything. The reason is, I just discovered a TREASURE. A pile of photographs from Udaipur, which were lying in a messy corner of my external hard drive(only have 3 of them :P). I was wondering where I missed them after my visit last year... Now could not resist to put them in a post. I really have stories to share with you, from Udaipur Fort Palace. But hopefully next week, now already started imagining sleepless nights for submissions... eerrrr... 'm not complaining, it's just another part of life.

Cheers.

Nano Superdrive Souvenir

It seems to be ages since 'Nano Superdrive' is over where I was the official blogger and photographer. Just found this image from the stack in my HD and it reminded me the flag-in event day with the presence of Mr. Ratan Tata. This small souvenir(read scale model) was presented to media along with the press-release.

Thanks to the effort of Tata Motors to send me a customized 1:12 Nano Scale Model, but saddest part was that I received it in pieces, thanks to the courier people. Anyways, still had this 1:32 to share :-)

Wollaton Hall, Nottingham

The spectacular Elizabethan mansion, 'Wollaton Hall', was built on a natural hill in Nottingham during the 16th century. This residential building is famous for it's historic 'Hall' and is surrounded by 500 acres of parkland. Except this it also houses the Natural History Museum and Nottingham Industrial museum.

On a sunny afternoon I managed to visit the place but until I reached at the main building enjoying the beautiful parkland in my pace, it was closed. So managed to get few external snaps of this lovely piece of architecture.

Heard that, there is a massive collection of VINTAGE machinery in the Industrial Museum including working steam engines, ploughing machines, telephone exchange and even bicycles and motor-cycles. So that is the target now. I also came to know that, Nottingham has a very rich industrial heritage. Once upon a time it was famous for LACE making and having an importance in textile industry.

The lovely path through the 'Park-Land'...










Complete Photo Album HERE.

PS: Stay tuned for the next post to see this place in details. Hopefully very soon I'll visit the place again ;)

Annual 'GOOSE Fair' 2010, Nottingham

My first BRITISH fair experience.

The annual Nottingham Fun Fair or 'Goose Fair' has a history of more than 700 year. It is one of the prestigious fairs in UK. The name 'GOOSE' came from GEESE, which were suppose to be walked some 100 miles away from Lincolnshire to be sold in Nottingham. Geese are similar to Ducks or Swans and were quite popular on dinner table. But now the fair is popular for its rides and crowd. It is highly popular among local people despite of any age group. The fair held in the first week of October every year.















Though Indians don't need any description of a FAIR, still it's another experience. If you are around at that time of the year, it's worth to give a visit.

Complete Photo Album HERE.

FALL '2010'

"Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns."

- George Eliot

Finally, before all the leafs DRY, before the Winter comes, I got to enjoy the Mother Nature whose every form is different.

This was really THE day. I was seated in library for 4-5 hours and felt like anything to click something, like some force is PULLING and saying 'Come out and Capture'! One hour of pure BLISS and here are the FRAMES.

PS: And here comes my FIRST set from a NIKON. Thanks a lot Khyati for the D5000.

My state, 'Orissa'

The greenery, the farmers, the simple innocent people, those historic Temples, those virgin sea-beaches, those river-beds, the sea-food, those short outing with pals, those festivals, the culture, the tradition, the villages, the Rain, the Summer and that fresh smell of Earth..... I do miss my state, I miss ODISHA.

My new 'Ride', the Green Way...

Got myself a BIKE recently... And the transformation from Cars n Motorcycles feels good.







Cycling is very popular here in UK when compared to motorcycling. To be true it is the most convenient way for students to get around. And it's easier either to get a used one for cheaper or to rent one from the University for the whole year, which should not more than 50GBP. But a new one might cost you around 200-300GBP.

Go Green, Go Cycling...

Fall is Here...

I wish if I had time to count each single leaf falling here... Fall is beautiful, especially for photographers. Hope to capture the essence of the changing weather in my frames.

Happy Dussehra :)

Wish you all a very happy Dussehra....



Dussehra/Durga Puja/Navratra
One of the most important Hindu festival celebrated with grand joy and happiness throughout India (mostly in the Eastern part) is Dussehra. This is the celebration of VICTORY of GOOD over EVIL. The 10 day long celebration and worship of Goddess Durga starts from Navratri and ends on Dussehra day, also known as Vijaya Dashami. According to mythology Dussehra symbolizes the triumph of Goddess Durga over Demon Mahisasura and also the triumph of Lord Rama over Demon Ravana. So this festival is to worship the POWER and Victory of Good.
The ritual of burning effigies of Ravana and his brothers, Kumbhakarna and Meghanada, indicates to follow the path of goodness and truth. This is one of the popular event throughout the country on the Dussehra day. Larger than life-size effigies were burnt with the display of fireworks.

This also marks the end of scorching Summer and the welcome of Winter.

This year Dussehra is on 17th October (2010).


PS: Thanks to my student life, I forgot that it's festive season there back home. Now 'm missing India :(

From 'OZ'

                                                               Don't go by it's face, it's an Australian Kangaroo.

A very good friend of mine, gifted me this at 4 AM in the morning kicking me off the bed. He was on his way to Pune after landing in Mumbai and by-chance I was there in the Bollywood City. Never expected to get a TEDDY as a gift after seeing 25 springs in ma life. Thanks a lot UTKAL for this gift and dropping-in on that day to see me. That 1 hour of laughter and nostalgia session on Mumbai Roads at early hours of morning was really worth it. 3 Cheers to our 12 years of FRIENDSHIP...

Chittorgarh

I was on my way to Udaipur from Kota. Started from Kota in late afternoon and was in a full mood for a night drive. But thanks to the RAIN which forced me to take my survival kit out, the Eicher-India Road Atlas. Suddenly my eyes got stock at a point 'Chittorgarh' and I got a shock, HOW I MISSED THIS PLACE!!!

Few steps down the memory lane and in to the 'History of Architecture' book; the Royal Rajasthan was again blinking in my eyes. After struggling a little I only managed to remember the 'Victory Pillar' but nothing else. I always felt a heaviness in the name 'Chittorgarh', later also discovered the importance of the place in the history of India. The placed seemed to be closer and decided for the night-stay there and to explore the city in the morning. So started looking for the road-signs.

The city is 10-15 kilometers off NH-76 and seemed to be bit sleepy, the stormey night might be the reason. Still managed to dash in a room but saddest part was there was no electricity. Damn, I so much wanted to google about the place, anyways there is always an option 'Live GPS'. Before I enter into my room, the chatting session with the guy at the reception was quite informative. Now there was a pure excitment to explore Chittorgarh.

Chttorgarh City from the Fort...


The weather was clear and pleasant, so perfect to visit a Fort.

This 7th Century city was the capital of Mewar and betterly known for the heroism and sacrifise of Rajput Men as well as women with loads of stories to blow the trumph. The place also has links with 'Mahabharat Era', as there are stories related to Pandavas. This place is also associated with Meera, the poetess devotee of Lord Krishna. The fort itself covers more than 700 acres of land and properly walled with two entrances, one from the hillside and the other from the cityside. The hill side entrance is called 'Suraj Pole' and used to be the main entry for the Fort.

The various structures and monumets inside it are Vijay Stambh (Tower of Victory), Kirti Stambh (Tower of Fame), Gaumukh Reservoir, Rana Kumbha Palace, Padmini Palace, Kumbhaswamin Temple, Meera Temple, Kalika Mata Temple, Bhim Talao etc. The Fort had 84 water bodies in total covering about 40% of total land coverage.

Vijay Stambh



Kirti Stambh



Kumbhaswamin Temple



Meera Temple


Suraj Pole


Bhim Talao




One of 'Many' Water bodies