Photography

Ganapathi Darshan !!!

NatarajanLeave a comment

Readers' PHOTOS: Ganpati from Girgaum to Germany

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ganpati decoration at his home in San Jose, California.    Photo by Satish ..

 

Here’s four-year-old Ditya‘s rendition of the Lord Ganesha. Photo sent by Satish 

San Jose California

 

Sanjay Garothaya sent this photo of the Ganpati at his residence in Singapore. 

 

Sridhar Balakrishnan sent this photo of the Lord installed at the Maha Ganpati Temple in Arizona, United States.  

 

Kedar Kolharkar sent this photo of the Ganpati at his residence in Bayrueth, Germany.

 

 

A reader sent us this photo from Dubai.  

 

Lalbaugcha Raja

Lalbaugcha Raja

Where: Lalbaug, Mumbai

Famous for: It is known to fulfil your wishes

The history: In 1932, a temporary but prime market place in the Peru Chawl area of Lalbaug was shut down by the government. The fishermen and vendors who lost their livelihood decided to pray to Ganesha to help them with a permanent place to do business. Thanks to the efforts of a few councillors in the area, a new market was constructed in the same place 

In celebration, the localites formed the Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal in Lalbaug in 1934.

Since Ganesha fulfilled the wish (navas) of the fishermen and vendors, the Lalbaug Ganpati also came to be known as ‘the wish-fulfilling one.’

The first Ganesh idol was incepted on September 12, 1934. Since then, the mandal is thronged with visitors throughout the 10 days of the festival.  

 

Girgaoncha Raja

Where: Girgaon, Mumbai

Famous for: It’s the tallest, eco-friendly idol made of clay

The history: In 1928, Ramchandra Tendulkar, who was the Mandal’s treasurer at that time, started the Ganesh Utsav in the Nikadvari Lane. The speciality of the Ganesh idol at Girgaon is that it is one of the few idols in the state that is made out of clay.

Unlike the regular idols which are made out of Plaster of Paris, the Girgaoncha Raja is made of Shadu clay, a special type of clay which is imported from West Bengal and is also used to make Durga idols for the Durga pooja.

Another tradition here is that since the last 85 years, the Patkar family is in charge of making the idols, which are peculiarly over 20 feet in height every year. 

 

Mumbaicha Raja

Where: Ganesh Galli, Mumbai

Famous for: Oldest Ganesh pandal in the city

The history: One of the oldest known Ganesh pandals in the state, the Lalbaug Sarvajanik Utsav Mandal, Ganesh Galli started the festival in 1928 to inspire people to fight for their rights in the pre-independence era. Throughout the 10 days of the festival, after the evening pooja, the organisers would host plays like the Ramayana and Mahabharata and screen regional movies to raise awareness about India’s rich culture and various art forms. 

In the year 1977, the pandal entered its 50th year and to celebrate the occasion, erected a 22 ft idol, which went on to become the first biggest Ganesh idol in the whole of Maharashtra. While the record was subsequently broken by Khetwadicha Raja in the year 2000, the organisers have ensured to keep the idol well over 20 ft since then. This is despite the BMC issuing a warning to restrict the height of idols to 18 feet. 

 

Khetwadicha Ganraj

Where: Lane 12, Khetwadi, Mumbai

Famous for: They made the tallest ever Ganesh idol in Maharashtra

The history: When the Khetwadi Mandal was incepted in 1959, it had humble beginnings. However, in 1984, the members of the Mandal started collecting one rupee coins as donation towards their dream of making the largest Ganpati in the state.

With each passing year, the height of the Ganesh idol rose from 28 to 35 feet high. In the year 2000, the Khetwadi Mandal fulfilled their long cherished dream and created history. They made the highest idol of Ganesha — a whopping 40 feet high statue replete in Parshuram Avtar, which is claimed to be the highest idol of Ganesh in the Indian history. 

Since then, there has been no looking back for them.

 

GSB Samaj Ganeshotsav

Where: Ram Mandir, Wadala

Famous for: Adorned in a 22 karat gold-plated throne and precious jewels, it’s the richest Ganesh idol in the city

The history: The Goud Saraswat Brahmin Samaj started the festival in 1955 with the sole aim of uniting the Goud Saraswat Brahmin community in Mumbai. Over the years, it is said to have answered the prayers of lakhs of people from different communities which went on to attract visitors from various parts of Mumbai. While some of them rewarded in cash, others donated gold and coins to the deity. In the year 2011, the GSB Samaj sought an insurance cover of Rs 222 crore for the idol. Needless to say, the GSB Samaj Ganesha is known to be the richest deity in the city.

 

Bhandarkarcha Raja

Where: Bhandarkar Road, Matunga East, Mumbai

Famous for: Provides food to over 20,000 people through the festival

The history: In 1962, a few residents from Bhandarkar Road area came together to start the festival and promote a social cause. Unlike the other Ganesh pandals which collect money from locals and residents for the festival, the Bhandarkar Road Sarvajanik Seva Samiti works in peculiar way.

“We don’t go door to door collecting money. Whatever money comes through donations is used to make the idol. Even the jewels and throne are not owned by the mandal. There are some noble people who have agreed to contribute to it. After the festival, they take it with them and provide it again the following year,” informs Rajendra Verma, a committee member who has taken leave from work to look into the arrangements.   

 

Andhericha Raja

Where: Andheri, Mumbai

Famous for: Besides fulfilling people’s wishes, the pandal is known to replicate larger-than-life themes every year

The history: About 47 years ago, a few factory workers had moved from Lalbaug area of Mumbai to settle in the western area of Andheri, Mumbai next to their respective factories — the Golden Tobacco Company, Tata Special Steel and Excel Industries Ltd.

These people, missed visiting and celebrating the Ganesh festival in Lalbaug and hence started the Azad Nagar Sarvajanik Utsav Samitee in 1966 with the festive aim in mind.

Over the years, it has replicated various themes in its pandal which include famous temples like the Akshardham, Somnath, Mangueshi and Saras Baug.  

 

source:::::Rediff.com

natarajan

Top 10 Mesmerizing Views Around The World !!!!

NatarajanLeave a comment

From the freedom of wide open spaces to glittering of big city lights, our world is filled with thousands of breathtaking panoramas just waiting to be enjoyed. With the variety of natural wonders and stunning cities throughout the world, finding the best views can be somewhat of a daunting task. Well, we’ve gone to the community of thousands of travelers and locals at minube to find out their favorite viewpoints, overlooks, galleries, and gazebos the world over and create this list of the world’s 10 most mesmerizing views.

 

2013-09-05-PreikestolenNorwayPacoLdoRgz.jpg

Preikestolen, Norway – Towering more than 650 yards above the epic Lysefjord, Norway’s Preikestolen (or Pulpit Rock) is understandably one of the country’s most popular landmarks, and home to some of the world’s best views. While the hike up can be tough (travelers unanimously suggest bringing good boots!), you’re rewarded with a jaw-dropping landscape and a peaceful silence broken only by the wind bringing the fog dramatically down over the cliffs. (Photo by Paco Ldo Rgz)

Click here to see more photos of Preikestolen

 

2013-09-05-BaganMyanmarJohann.jpg

 

 

Bagan, Myanmar – Few relics of the ancient world are as spectacular as Bagan, an open plain in central Myanmar dotted with literally thousands of stupas and temples. To enjoy the best views (and the peace and quiet before the tour buses arrive), many travelers suggest getting there first thing in the morning when the sun first hits the stupas appearing slowly out of the morning mist. (Photo by Johann)

Click here to see more photos of Bagan

 

2013-09-05-IsladePescadoresGiuseppeCivica.jpg

Isla de Pescado, Bolivia – Bolivia’s Uyuni Desert is a seemingly endless and mesmerizing expanse of white salt whose center is marked by the Isla de Pescado, an “island” of cactus and rock rising out of the vast white landscape. From here, travelers have a unique vantage point to take in the flats in all their overwhelming glory and marvel at the ever-changing display of clouds and sky mirrored in the thin sheet of water covering the land. (Photo by Guiseppe Civica)

Click here to see more photos of the Uyuni Desert

 

2013-09-05-RockefellerCenterNYCFernandoCuestaLpez.jpg

Top of the Rock, New York City – 850 feet above the bustling streets of Manhattan, the Rockefeller Center observation deck has arguably the best views of the City that Never Sleeps, perhaps even better (and cheaper) than those of the Empire State Building. While many travelers suggest setting your alarms and getting there early to avoid the long lines, it’s especially spectacular during an evening visit when you can see the sunset cast its colors on Central Park and the buildings of Lower Manhattan begin to light up. (Photo by Fernando C. López)

Click here to see more photos of New York City.

 

2013-09-05-ChipequeCanaryIslandsRuymnGarcaFumero.jpg

Chipeque Viewpoint, Canary Islands – Perhaps the most romantic view on this list is the Chipeque Viewpoint in Tenerife in Spain’s Canary Islands. The magic of this viewpoint comes from the combination of Orotava Valley, the various towns below, the Atlantic Ocean in the background, the imposing peak of the Teide volcano. One of the best parts though, is the area’s unique geography, which lets travelers enjoy a bird’s-eye-view of the ebb and flow of fluffy white clouds coming in from the ocean. (Photo by Ruymán G. Fumero)

Click here to see more photos of Tenerife

 

2013-09-05-TunnelViewYosemiteEugenioVegaBencomo.jpg

Tunnel View, Yosemite National Park – As soon as you leave the Wawona Tunnel on California’s SR41, travelers are greeted with one of the most breathtaking views in the American West: the Yosemite Valley from the historic Tunnel View overlook. From here, the valley is in full splendor, with Bridalveil Fall and the craggy face of El Capitan creating the perfect welcome to this stunning National Park. (Photo by Eugenio V. Bencomo)

Click here to see more photos of Yosemite National Park.

 

2013-09-05-MrsMacquariesChairAustraliaNaxos.jpg

Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, Australia – On the thin strip of land jutting out into Sydney Harbor known as Mrs Macquarie’s Point, there’s a stone chair that beckons travelers to take a load off and enjoy the simply sublime view of the skyscrapers of the business district, the Harbour Bridge, and the iconic Sydney Opera House. As one traveler put it, “by day the view is stunning, but at dusk when the city lights reflect off the sea, it becomes a magical place.” (Photo by Naxos)

Click here to see more photos of Sydney.

 

2013-09-05-ThePeakHongKongDavidEsteban.jpg

The Peak, Hong Kong – There’s nowhere better to take in the neon spectacle that is Hong Kong’s skyline than The Peak, a complex of restaurants, shops, and bars perched atop the island’s highest point, Victoria Peak. You can get there quickly by cable car, spend the afternoon taking in the panorama and enjoying dinner with a view, and then try heading back down on foot (it’s fairly easy) to take in the city from all angles. Make sure to get tickets online and early, as the lines that form can be as impressive as the view itself! (Photo by David Esteban)

Click here to see more photos of Hong Kong

 

2013-09-05-RioBrazilMaryMora3S.jpg

 

Corcovado Mountain, Brazil – Few skylines are as unique and evocative as that of Rio de Janeiro, and there’s no better place to take it all in than the viewpoint atop Corcovado Mountain. Here, travelers can not only come face to face with the world-famous Christ the Redeemer statue, but also take in the dazzling Guanabara Bay topped off by the emblematic Sugarloaf Mountain. More than Ipanema Beach, Corcovado Viewpoint is the true essence of Rio. (Photo by Mary Mora3S)

Click here to see more photos of Rio de Janeiro

 

2013-09-05-YanyuangChinaBasso.jpg

Yuanyang Rice Paddies, China – After centuries of transformation, the Yuanyang terracs are the world’s largest rice paddies and home to one of the most interesting and surreal views on the planet. To enjoy them at their prime, try to visit during springtime when the paddies are flooded and mirror-like, gradually changing colors and reflecting the sky and surrounding hills. (Photo by Chiara Basso)

Click here to see more photos of Yuanyang

 

source ::::::

minube is a social travel platform where you can get inspired by real-life recommendations from thousands of travellers, plan your trips, and share your experiences.

natarajan

Animal Photos of The Week…

NatarajanLeave a comment

Jaguar ambushes caiman

This jaguar in Brazil swam silently across the river to ambush the unsuspecting caiman on the opposite bank. The 20-stone cat sank its teeth and claws into the 8 foot reptile, then carried it off in its jaws, swimming back across the river with its catch.

 

Water vole

This little vole has been seen whittling away from his nest in the Kent woodland, and caught the eye of amateur snapper Mark Bridger.

 

Hyena shower

Tourists at Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in Mabuasehube, Botswana were amazed to see this hyena nip into the outdoor campsite bathroom for a soak just metres away from them.

 

Lions in shower

Word must have got out about the leaking shower, two lions turned up after the hyena in search of some water. Within a few minutes a pride of eight more lions descended on the outdoor shower. 

 

Two geese looks out of step as they surrounded by a massive flock of black birds. The white geese cut a striking figure against the dark storm clouds and thousands of Red Winged Blackbirds

 

Two geese looks out of step as they surrounded by a massive flock of black birds. The white geese cut a striking figure against the dark storm clouds and thousands of Red Winged Blackbirds

 

Pictures of the day: 3 September 2013

A tuna swims among a school of fish at Galapagos Marine Reserve.

 

Pictures of the day: 4 September 2013

Dustin Bockman lies on top of his record setting alligator, weighing 727 pounds (330 kg) and measuring 13 feet (3.96 m), captured in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Dustin, a 27-year-old UPS driver, and his crew spotted the mammoth creature in the Mississippi River and trailed it for two hours before getting close enough to spear it. It took another two hours to hook it with a second line and noose its neck.

 

Pictures of the day: 4 September 2013

Keepers hand-rear baby elephant rejected by mother at Shendiao Mountain Zoo, Weihai, Shandong Province, China. When the mother of this cub gave birth early on 31 August she immediately appeared very agitated and refused to have anything to do with it. Zoo keepers then had to step in to rescue the cub and are now hand-rearing it..

 

Pictures of the day: 4 September 2013
The Memphis Zoo announced the first Snow Leopard birth in more than a decade. The cub, a male, was born to parents ‘Ateri’ and ‘Darhan.’ Ateri, a first-time mother, is nursing the cub behind the scenes. The public will be invited to vote on their favorite of seven pre-chosen names.

 

A bumblebee approaches a sunflower in Godewaersvelde, Germany

A bumblebee approaches a sunflower in Godewaersvelde, Germany

 

Whale shark

British diver Pash Baker photographed this whale shark in the Red Sea. These sea-beasts weigh in at an average of twenty tonnes as they cruise the ocean’s waters in their quest to consume as much plankton as they possibly can.

 

This giraffe took such a dislike to this cyclist – who was taking picture of the giraffe on his mobile phone – that the enraged 18-foot-tall creature gave chase, eventually destroying the cyclist’s mountain bike. The cyclist who stirred up the giraffe’s anger, Louise John Rex and his friend Ryk van Niekerk, who took the footage, were travelling by bike across the Groenkloof Nature Reserve in Pretoria, South Africa.’I had to jump off my bike immediately – there was no time to drive away,’ said Louise

 

Two male cheetah cubs, Winspear and Kamau

Two male cheetah cubs, Winspear and Kamau, born July 8, that have joined the Dallas Zoo population

 

A greedy chipmunk looks ready to burst after stuffing her cheeks full with peanuts

A greedy chipmunk looks ready to burst after stuffing her cheeks full with peanuts

 

source:::::The Telegraph uk

natarajan

Boeing 747 Jumbo Jet Yesterday…. Hostel cum Hotel on Ground Today !!!!

NatarajanLeave a comment

Aviation fans are in for a treat as a 450-seater jumbo jet has been converted into a unique hotel – letting guests sleep on a Boeing 747.

The unique Jumbo Stay hostel has a selection of 27 cabins to choose from, with some en-suite and all with Wi-Fi and flatscreen TVs.

For frequent flyers it might not exactly be their cup of tea, in fact far from it, but for aeroplane enthusiasts, it could be the next big buzz.
Jumbo Stay: For those who have never had a Jumbo experience, they can now book a cheap night in a converted jet in Sweden for as little as £42 a night

Jumbo Stay: For those who have never had a Jumbo experience, they can now book a cheap night in a converted jet in Sweden for as little as £42 a night

 

Guests can even stay in the luxurious cockpit suite, which has panoramic views of the airport in Arlanda, near Stockholm, Sweden
.

The plane – which now remains grounded – can also be used for conferences and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for guests to come and visit.

The owner and the man behind Jumbo Stay is Swedish business man Oscar Divs, who bought the 1976 Boeing 747-200 and converted it into the hostel.

 The grounded Boeing 747 is now a fixed hostel at Arlanda airport, near Stockholm, where gusts can even pay to stay in the cockpit suite


The rooms are all kitted out with flatscreen TVs, WiFi and en-suites

 

Unusual: The unique Jumbo Stay hostel has a selection of 27 cabins to choose from with rooms having elevated views of the airport  The unique Jumbo Stay hostel has a selection of 27 cabins to choose from

 

The 1976 Jumbo is now a fixed hostel feature at the Arlanda airport near Stockholm, in Sweden

Open for business: The 1976 Jumbo is now a fixed hostel feature at the Arlanda airport near Stockholm, in Sweden


Oscar said: ‘I was getting ready to expand my hostel business in 2006 when I heard about an old wreck of an aircraft for sale at Arlanda.

‘Since I had for a long time wanted to establish my business at Arlanda I didn’t hesitate for a second when this opportunity struck.’

The airplane, a decommissioned jumbo jet built in 1976, was last operated by Transjet, a Swedish airline that went bankrupt in 2002

The airplane, a decommissioned jumbo jet built in 1976, was last operated by Transjet, a Swedish airline that went bankrupt in 2002

The unique style of accommodation is likely to appeal to aviation enthusiasts, but perhaps not frequent flyers

 

Mr Divs said the opportunity to buy the Jumbo came at exactly the right time: 'Since I had for a long time wanted to establish my business at Arlanda I didn't hesitate for a second when this opportunity struck'

 

Cosy: Guests have the same hotel luxuries as standard accommodation, including en-suites, flatscreen TVs and WiFi

 

Guests have a hefty flight of stairs to climb if they want to stay in the Jumbo, climbing to entrances either at the front or the back of the plane

Guests have a hefty flight of stairs to climb if they want to stay in the Jumbo, climbing to entrances either at the front or the back of the plane

The prices at the Jumbo hostel range from 50 euros – around £42 – for a shared single sex dorm to almost 200 euros – £170 – a night for the exclusive pilot’s suite.

The airplane, a decommissioned jumbo jet built in 1976, was last operated by Transjet, a Swedish airline that went bankrupt in 2002.

Guests will recognise the jet as one of the most popular planes for holiday travel, and the owner promises guest will have an experience like no other in this novelty hostel.
Transformation: Much work has gone into converting the decommissioned Jumbo from a passenger plane to a comfortable hostel with places to kick back and relax

Transformation: Much work has gone into converting the decommissioned Jumbo from a passenger plane to a comfortable hostel with places to kick back and relax

Some parts of the aeroplane still resemble the traditional Boeing 747 interior

Some parts of the aeroplane still resemble the traditional Boeing 747 interior

source:::: mailonline.com UK

natarajan

 

நமது அருமை கோயில்களின் சில அரிய புகைப்படங்கள் …சில நூறு ஆண்டு முன்பு!!!

Natarajan3 Comments

200 வருடங்களுக்கு முன்னாள் திருவண்ணாமலை கோவிலின் அமைப்பு 

 

Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple..Thiruvanandapuram

 

Rameswaram Ramanathaswamy Temple

1000 Pillar Mandapam…Rameswaram Temple

 

Chidambaram Nataraja Temple

 

Srirangam Temple

 

Srirangam Temple

 

Mamallapuram Shore Temple

 

source:::::Rudran in blog

natarajan

 

 

 

Miracle of Mother Nature !!! Watch Thousands of Birds Dance in the Twilight !!!

NatarajanLeave a comment

http://vimeo.com/31158841

Murmuration – it is something amazing to see.

No one knows why they do it. Yet each fall, thousands of starlings dance in the twilight above England and Scotland. The birds gather in shape-shifting flocks called murmurations, having migrated in the millions from Russia and Scandinavia to escape winter’s frigid bite. Scientists aren’t sure how they do it, either.

The starlings’ murmurations are manifestations of swarm intelligence, which in different contexts is practiced by schools of fish, swarms of bees, and colonies of ants. As far as I am aware, even complex algorithmic models haven’t yet explained the starlings’ aerobatics, which rely on the tiny birds’ quicksilver reaction time of under 100 milliseconds to avoid aerial collisions—and predators—in the giant flock.

source:::::vimeo.com

natarajan


Message For The Day….Install Krishna in Your Heart and Mind ….

NatarajanLeave a comment

Thirst for Krishna, to see Him, to hear Him, to listen to His Flute, for installing Him in the heart and mind, and for grasping His reality through the intellect – this thirst is most conducive to peace and joy. Devotion to Krishna is the chain by which the monkey mind can be fastened and subdued. The word Krish means to attract (as in aakarshana). Lord Krishna attracts your mind towards Him and turns them away from sensory desires that torment you. He satisfies the deepest thirst of all beings, for peace, joy and wisdom. Hence thirst for Krishna is a sign of health in the spiritual field. Repetition of the name Krishna is useless, unless the contemplation of the Glory of Krishna starts purifying your character. The Grace of the Lord is very powerful and is endowed on the deserving alone. Hence begin today to sublimate your character saturated with piety and devotion. Then you will secure the Grace of the Lord.   

 

Sathya Sai Baba