Walkway through Qutab Minar

Monday, June 6 2011 i was sitting in my apartment at Gurgaon, feeling lonely all day and doesn't know the reason why i am feeling low. I dropped my wife to her office and came back home. The entire afternoon i was sitting only watching some futile television show. At 5pm suddenly i had a click to do something which would kill my loneliness. I went straight drive to Qutub Minar situated at a distance of 15 km from my house. I parked my car and entered the Qutub Minar premises.

"Qutub Minar" the tall and ever gorgeous monument of Delhi. This extraordinary piece of architecture can be spotted from most parts of the city. The striking feature of this attractive monument is its unique structure and at the same time question arises "why Qutub Minar has such unique structure?". The reason may be "Qutub minar symbolizes Victory for Mughals.

It is the world's tallest brick minaret made up of buff sandstone with a height of 72.5 meters (237.8 ft). Construction was started by Qutb-ud-din Aibak who won Delhi from the Prithviraj under Muhammad Ghori as his commander in chief, and finished by Iltutmish, The Qutub Minar is notable for being one of the earliest and most prominent examples of Indo-Islamic architecture. It is surrounded by several other ancient and medieval structures and ruins, collectively known as Qutub complex.
Qutub minar comes under UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Reference: Wikipedia.

SHIMLA TRIP NOVEMBER-2010

It's November and everywhere people are in festive mood. Dewali is about to knock the doors with bright lights of cracker. We are planning to go for some quick weekend trip and after a long thoughts and googling finally decided to visit Shimla. Though it is a common destination for people staying in Delhi and we started our journey for shimala with a hope to discover something new.

About Shimla:

Shimla formerly known as Simla, is the capital city of Himachal Pradesh, India. In 1864, Shimla was declared the summer capital of the British Rule in India. It became a popular tourist destination, Shimla is popularly as the "Queen of Hills,". Located in the north-west Himalayas at an average altitude of 2,205 metres (7,234 ft), the city of Shimla, draped in forests of pine, rhododendron, and oak, experiences pleasant summers and cold, snowy winters. The city is famous for its buildings styled in tudorbethan andneo-gothic architecture dating from the colonial era. Shimla is connected to the city of Kalka by one of the longest narrow gauge railway routes still operating in India, the Kalka-Shimla Railway. Shimla is approximately 115 km 4 miles) from Chandigarh, the nearest major city, and 365 km (226.8 miles) from New Delhi, the national capital. The city is named after the goddess Shyamala Devi, an incarnation of the Hindu Goddess Kali.

Places of Interest

The Mall:The mall is mainly the shopping street of Shimla. It has restaurants, clubs, banks, bars, Post Offices and tourist offices. The image shows " the Mall" at night.

View of Sunset from " The Mall"

Christ Church: It is Situ ated on the Ridge and is the second oldest church in Northern India. It has a very royal appearance. Christ Church is a place where every visitors should spend some time in.

The Municipal Corporation (The Town hall) located on the Mall, Shimla

Kufri is a tiny hill station located in Shimla district of HimachalPradesh state in India. It is located 13 km from the state capital Shimla on the National Highway No.22. The name Kufri is derived from the work "Kufr" meaning a lake in the local language. Kufri has a Himalayan Wild Life Zoo which hosts rare Antelopes, Felines and Birds including Himalayan Monal, the state bird of Himachal Pradesh.

Photo Gallery:

MAA-ASCHEN- ARRIVAL OF GODDESSES DURGA

Maa Durga(Bengali: ma durga, meaning "Mother Durga") "one who can redeem in situations of utmost distress".Durga is a form of Devi, the supremely radiant goddess, depicted as having ten arms, riding a lion or a tiger, carrying weapons and alotus flower, maintaining a meditative smile, and practicing mudras, or symbolic hand gestures.

An embodiment of creative feminine force called Shakti, Durga exists in a state of svatantrya (independence from the universe and anything/anybody else, i.e., self-sufficiency) and fierce compassion. Kali is considered by Hindus to be another facet of Durga. Durga is also the mother of Ganesha , Kartikeya, Laxmi and Sarswati. She is thus considered the fiercer, demon-fighting form of Shiva's wife, goddess Parvati. Durga manifests fearlessness and patience, and never loses her sense of humor, even during spiritual battles of epic.

According to a narrative in the Devi Mahatmya story of the Markandeya Purana text, Durga was created as a warrior goddess to fight an asura (the demon) named Mahishasura. He had unleashed a reign of terror on earth, heaven and the nether worlds, and he could not be defeated by any man or god, anywhere. The gods went to Brahma, who had given Mahishasura the power to be the invincible conqueror of the universe and no god could destroy him. Brahma could do nothing. They made Brahma their leader and went to Vaikuntha — the place where Vishnu lay on Ananta Naag. They found both Vishnu and Shiva, and Brahma eloquently related the reign of terror Mahishasur had unleashed on the three worlds. Hearing this Vishnu, Shiva and all of the gods became very angry and beams of fierce light emerged from their bodies. The blinding sea of light met at the Ashram of a priest named Katyan. The goddess Durga took the name Katyaayani from the priest and emerged from the sea of light. She introduced herself in the language of the Rig-Veda, saying she was the form of the supreme Brahman who had created all the gods. Now she had come to fight the demon to save the gods. They did not create her; it was her lila that she emerged from their combined energy. The gods were blessed with her compassion.

It is said that upon initially encountering Durga, Mahishasura underestimated her, thinking: "How can a woman kill me, Mahishasur — the one who has defeated the trinity of gods? However, Durga roared with laughter, which caused an earthquake which made Mahishasur aware of her powers.

And the terrible Mahishasur rampaged against her, changing forms many times. First he was a buffalo demon, and she defeated him with her sword. Then he changed forms and became an elephant that tied up the goddess's lion and began to pull it towards him. The goddess cut off his trunk with her sword. The demon Mahishasur continued his terrorizing, taking the form of a lion, and then the form of a man, but both of them were gracefully slain by Durga.

Then Mahishasur began attacking once more, starting to take the form of a buffalo again. The patient goddess became very angry, and as she sipped divine wine from a cup she smiled and proclaimed to Mahishasur in a colorful tone — "Roar with delight while you still can, O illiterate demon, because when I will kill you after drinking this, the gods themselves will roar with delight". When Mahashaur had half emerged into his buffalo form, he was paralyzed by the extreme light emitting from the goddess's body. The goddess then resounded with laughter before cutting Mahishasur's head down with her sword.

Thus Durga slew Mahishasur, thus is the power of the fierce compassion of Durga. Hence, Mata Durga is also known as Mahishasurmardhini — the slayer of Mahishasur. According to one legend, the goddess Durga created an army to fight against the forces of the demon-king Mahishasur, who was terrorizing Heaven and Earth. After ten days of fighting, Durga and her army defeated Mahishasur and killed him.

Festival preparations begin a month or two in advance for a year long awaited bengalis. Employees of different Govt. and private organizations get extra money as Puja bonus to enjoy the festival. If not, then processions and posters press the demand for Puja bonus, as the bread-winner has to meet many demands for new clothes and furbishing for the home. Businesses have special advertisement campaigns before Puja and stock themselves with special products. Pre-Puja bargain sales and exhibitions introduce the sartorial style for the coming year. Bengali newspapers and magazines publish special issues "Sharad Sankhya" - the platform for many budding author, besides the works by well-known writers. Music companies have a number of new discs and cassettes published in every Puja and the music lovers await eagerly for the new releases.

Reference: Wikipedia

Indian fish eagles-Kakinada AP

The White-bellied Sea-eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster), also known as the White-bellied Fish-eagle or White-breasted Sea Eagle, is a large diurnal bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. It is closely related to other eagles, kites, hawks, harriers and vultures.
It is resident from India through southeast Asia to Australia on coasts and major waterways. It is a distinctive bird. The adult has white head, breast, under-wing coverts and tail. The upper parts are grey and the black under-wing flight feathers contrast with the white coverts. The tail is short and wedge-shaped as in all Haliaeetus species.
The White-bellied Sea-eagle is one of the largest raptors in Southeast Asia, and the second largest bird of prey in Australia after the Wedge-tailed Eagle (Aquila audax) which stands up to 1 m.
The sea eagle is white on the head, rump and underparts and dark grey on the back and wings. In flight the black flight feathers on the wings are easily seen when the bird is viewed from below. The large, hooked bill is a lead blue-grey with a darker tip, and the eye is dark brown. The cere is also lead grey. The legs and feet are yellow or grey, with long black talons (claws). Young Sea-eagles in their first year are predominantly brown. Their plumage becomes more infiltrated with white until they acquire the complete adult plumage by their fourth or fifth year. The loud "goose-like" honking call is a familiar sound, particularly during the breeding season; pairs often honk in unison.
Adult birds are unmistakable and unlikely to be confused with any other bird. Immature White-bellied Sea Eagles could be confused with Wedge-tailed Eagles. However the plumage of the latter is darker, the tail longer and the legs feathered.

They feed on fish and sea snakes, which they catch by skimming over the water and catching their prey with their talons. They do not dive under water, however. They keep within 1 km of shores, as there are no thermals over water.
The White-bellied Sea-eagle hunts mainly aquatic animals, such as fish, turtles and sea snakes, but it takes birds, such as Little Penguins, coots and shearwaters, and mammals as well. In the Bismarck Archipelago it has been reported feeding on various species of possum. It is a skilled hunter, and will attack prey up to the size of a swan. They also feed on carrion such as dead sheep, birds and fish along the waterline, and may even raid fishing nets. They harass smaller birds such as Swamp Harriers, forcing them to drop any food that they are carrying. Sea-eagles feed alone, in pairs or in family groups.

My Experience:
This is for the first time i captured indian sea eagles in my camera. I first saw white bellied sea eagle catching fish on the way to port area in kakinada AP. Unfortunately i missed out that particular moment and timing to be capture in my camera. On 11th of August i was fortunate to capture some images of white bellied eagles which i am sharing to all my friends in the blog.

Pictures of other sea eagles

About Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh, India)

Kakinada is a city and a municipal corporation in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is the largest city urban agglomeration and the headquarters of East Godavari district. It is fourth largest city in Andhra Pradesh. Kakinada Information Portal. This coastal city is witnessing rapid growth thanks to the recently granted Special Economic Zone status. The city also has a deep-water port which is expanding rapidly.
The presence of a small island called Hope Island about 5 km from Kakinada coast, makes Kakinada a natural Harbor. Prior to construction of the deep water port, the old anchorage port operated for several decades as the largest minor port in India. At present, both the deep water port and older anchorage port operate side by side. It is one of the busiest fishing center of east coast.

Reference: Wikipedia

Life of Butterfly

The life of a butterfly starts when male and female adult butterflies meet and mate while flying around each other in a meadow for a short span of time. The male adult butterfly then flies away from the female butterfly and the female butterfly finds place to lay her eggs. The female butterfly curves her long body in the direction of a leaf and lays her very tiny eggs on the surface of the leaf during the time of monsoon.
The eggs are made of sticky substance so that they wont fall from the leaf. The young stage known as larva is then developed inside the egg and one caterpillar will hatch out from one egg. The caterpillar grow very quickly, the more it eats the bigger it become in size. Eventually the caterpillar will shed from its first skin and grow a bigger skin. There is no time for caterpillar to sleep because it has to store as much energy as needed to change into butterfly. It is now time for the caterpillar to make chrysalis for butterfly and cocoon for moths. The caterpillar mus find a hard sturdy branch where it can spin silk threads around the branches. It will shed its skin for the last time and a shell will form underneath. This shell will hardens into a protective cover which is called Chrysalis.
The caterpillar turns into a soft,squidy jelly like blob. The caterpillar then change into a beautiful butterfly after few weeks. When the chrysalis turns clear it is the appropriate time for butterfly to take its first flight. Once the butterfly breaks out its wings are wet and crumpled. The butterfly then pumps blood into its wings which will help to dry out and to expand.
This stage doesnot take long time.Once its wings are dry the butterfly is ready to fly away for the search of flowers. Not all butterflies hatch out of thier chrysalis, some spend winter month inside and hatch out in spring time. Most of the butteflies have short span of life about a month so it must find a mate quickly to start new life cycle all over again.
There are several butteflies that have longer lives (upto nine months). For these butterflies, when winter arrives, they will hibernate by findings a safe shelter. Butteflies use the sun to elevate their body temperature.

Yab-Yum

Yab-yum (Tibetan meaning "father-mother") is a common symbol in the Buddhist art of India, Bhutan, Nepal and Tibet representing the male deity in sexual union with his female consort. Often the male deity is sitting in lotus position while his consort is sitting in his lap.

The symbolism is associated with Anuttarayoga tantra and, while there are various interpretations of the symbolism in the twilight language, the male figure is usually linked to compassion (karuṇā) and skillful means (upāya-kauśalya), while the female partner to 'insight' (prajñā).

The symbolism of union and sexual polarity is a central teaching Tantric Buddhism, especially in Tibet. The union is realised by the practitioner as a mystical experience within one's own body.

Yab-yum is generally understood to represent the primordial (or mystical) union of wisdom and compassion. In Buddhism the masculine form is active, representing the compassion and skillful means (upaya) that have to be developed in order to reach enlightenment. The feminine form is passive and represents wisdom (prajna), which is also necessary to enlightenment. United, the figures symbolize the union necessary to overcome the veils of Maya, the false duality of object and subject.

Yab-yum may also be represented through the aniconic signification of yantra and mandala. In Tibetan Buddhism, the same ideas are to be found concerning the bell and the dorje, which, like the yab-yum, symbolize the dualism that must be exceeded. The sacred Tantric practice leads to rapid development of mind by using the experience of bliss, non-duality, andecstasy while in communion with one's consort.

In Hinduism the yab-yum has a slightly different meaning. There, the embraced posture represents the divine strength of creation. The Hindu concept is the one of a passive masculine deity embracing his spouse called shakti, which represents his activity or power. These figures are frequently worked in the shape of statues or reliefs, or are painted on thangkas.

Photographs by Sreerup Chakroborty

Reference: Samir Pathak and Sharmishtha Pathak

Chittaranjan Park fish market

Chittaranjan Park is a neighbourhood in South New Delhi, set up in the late 1960s to house Bengali migrants from what was then East Pakistan and soon after became Bangladesh. The evening time is best to take a "walk" through the market.

It comes alive with Bengalis eating their fill of the Calcutta style street food of mutton, fish chops, kathi rolls, and Calcutta Chinese street food. Yum! It's also the best place to go a hunting for freshwater fish, an integral part of Bengali cuisine.

If you can stomach the stink of fresh and dried seafood and fresh water fish this place is unbelievable.It is popularly known that wherever there are fishes there are bengalis. Chittaranjan Park is the main place to buy fishes from rohu to hilsa.

My Pet

My pet is a fish. It is a "OSCAR".

Astronotus ocellatus is a species of fish from the cichlid family known under a variety of common names including oscar, tiger oscar, velvet cichlid, or marble cichlid. In South America, where the species naturally resides, A. ocellatus are often found for sale as a food fish in the local markets. The fish can also be found in other areas including China, Australia, and the United States. Although its slow growth limits its potential for aquaculture, it is considered a popularaquarium fish.A. ocellatus have been reported to grow into a length of 34 cm (approximately 15 in) and a mass of 1.6 kg (2.6 lb). The wild caught forms of the species are typically darkly coloured with orange ringed-spots or ocelli on the caudal peduncle and on the dorsal fin. It has been suggested that these ocelli function to limit fin-nipping by piranha (Serrasalmus spp.) which co-occur with A. ocellatus in its natural environment. The species is also able to rapidly alter its colouration, a trait which facilitates ritualised territorial and combat behaviours amongst conspecifics. Juvenile A. ocellatus have a different colouration from adults and are striped with white and orange wavy bands and have spotted heads.

This fish is very intelligent, it can even recognize it’s owner. Oscars have they own ideas, although they're not the only fish having them. If Oscars don´t like how the items are placed in the aquarium, they pick them up and replace them, or they spit it out from the tank. It doesn’t matter if the plant orrock is real or plastic. If you have a high aquarium, standing near it can be dangerous. The best choice is to have a sand bottom and a few big rocks in the tank. Sometimes Oscars pretend that they are dead. In nature they pretend to be dead and wait until a small fish comes close so it can be caught and eaten.

Basic information about the Oscar fish species:

Maximum size (min-max): 30.0 - 40.0 cm ( 11.8 - 15.7 in)
Recommended temperature: 24.0°C - 30.0°C ( 75.2°F - 86.0°F)
Recommended water hardness (dGH): dGH 4.0 - 18.0 N
Recommended pH of water: 6.5 - 7.5
Origin: South America