PODS

History tells us India had trade links with the Pharaohs, the Greeks and Romans for spices and which also was the main reasons for the Western occupation of our country.
Katapanna in the Idukki ranges is the trading town for the spices with all the trappings of a city. It is good to walk the streets filled with aroma of cardamon, tea, coffee and so many other exotic spices. Deep interiors will take you to the plantations, here are few the pods

Pepper

Coffee

Cardamom Pods

Chitradurga da kalina kote

This hair rising song from the Kannada movie " Nagarahavu", rings in your ears when you near the fort. Its a beauty but I am yet to admire it. This is my third visit to this fort and I am yet to explore the vast area and see for myself, the brave lady Obavva's kindi. Like always this time too I reached the fort around 6 pm, after a days work and had to be satisfied roaming around the periphery and take couple of shots promising myself a next visit.

The Bastions at the base of the mountains

The path to the summit of the fort

Harihareshwara Temple

After a hard days work in Harihara, we go to the Harihareshwara temple at about 7 pm.
The pillars of the temple are awesome and the carvings intricate , but almost total darkness and no tripod to shoot. This is probably the time one can hone their skills in photography.
For someone who loves history, this temple built by the Hoysala kings was great to admire , More so because I am yet to visit Belur-Halebidu - another beauty of Hoysala period.

Both this images were shot with the camera on a pillar with a shutter speed of 15 sec and a aperture of 4.0

The Entrance to the Temple



Lateral view of the temple

Kokkare Bellur

I had not heard of this place, until my uncle who presently resides in Maddur suggested a visit to this village of Kokkare Bellur. A pretty ordinary village, but with a difference, here the man and the beast (birds) coexist peacefully. A nesting place for the soft billed pelicans and the painted stork, these birds probably cross couple of continents are confident to build their nests right in the midst of the village. We came across a old woman who says the right time to visit is the last of January. The village kids come to you and describe the birds to you assuming the mantel of guides. For people visiting this place ( Take a right turn a little away from Maddur town on the Bangalore Mysore Highway), don't forget to carry some biscuits and chocolates for these kids.

A Pensive Pelican


An aggressive one delicately perched

Majestic in flight

A flock of painted stork nesting on a tree top

A stork in deep thought

How dare you zoom on me

Macro shots of Flowers

Close up shots of flowers are always challenging. here are some....
One of the First shot taken with my new camera

Bees on a flower, yes, But a spider???

This was taken by my daughter

HAPPY NEW YEAR

I wish a joyous new year to all of you . Hear are few pictures of the first rays of the sun on the first day of the year

Idukki hill ranges-Tea gardens

Munnar is one beautiful place in the Gods own country, largely untouched by commercialisation. Couple of days in these hill ranges would be rejuvenating . The tea gardens are a beauty, you could keep gazing at it for hours or decide to take a walk along the steep paths.

A bewitching shot of the existing tea bushes and the sprouting ones

The clouds too wants its print on the garden

Amidst all the beauty periyar flows nonchalantly

Idduki Hill Range_ Kurisumala Ashram

If silence is what one need to experience, then Kurisumala Ashram is the best place. Established by Christian monks and situated in the famous Vagamon grasslands of Idukki hill ranges , its place where silences is strictly followed and is so quiet and tranquil, you will wish to spend at least a couple of days in this place in complete silence and contemplation- tending to the cattle and participating in the chores of the Ashram.
ByLanes of the Ashram

Cattle sheds and Milk processing centre
Splendid view of the Vegetable patch and beyond

PASSING SHOW.

I have a faint recollection of a cigarette called Passing show in my childhood, This photograph of my friend took me back to those times

MIST LADEN PONMUDI

This virgin mist laden valley is just under 60 kms away from Trivandrum largely untouched and waiting to be commercialized. The nip in the mountain air gets you and you have this unmistakable exhilaration.

The majestic Kallar river flowing in the valley


Misty Breeze sweeping across the mountain side


On a trek in the mountains

Misty, misty, Misty pathway

Dhund se lipte in vadiyon mein kahin lika hai mera nam (Faintly recollect these lines were of Deepti Naval)

Cottages on the top of the mountain

Food-French delicacies

French- nation of gourmets, not only love their food but go a long way in presenting it. The best part of it is having lunch or dinner in french style whether at their homes or at the pavements of Bistros/ brasseries at our own time with wine of course. It takes some time to develop a taste for french cuisine, but have developed once, there will be no looking back and one will start enjoying it so much, they would start exploring the dishes of various regions of France and the local delicacies.

This is a working meal of noodles, chicken shreds, salad and baguette (bread)

Duck with sliced Potato and salad leaves

This one for veggies, shredded vegetables with mushrooms

Again for veggies but a better one- French fries with french beans

Sliced meat (raw ?) with sausages and a type of cabbage probably grown in Germany (Photograph is out of focus)

Combination of raw and smoked salmon over spaghetti and fish sauce

With over 350 varieties of cheese always, dessert is always cheese.

Few shots of a brick kiln

Famed Tulip gardens-No our own marigold

Just about a hours drive from Bangalore will lead to Narasapur, 15 kms away from the the gold mine of Kolar, We were in the midst of a power system survey in the interiors of Narasapur and suddenly this sea of yellow unveiled in front of us. It was shocking, for it for not expected but no less beautiful than famed tulip gardens of Holland.

Kolapur_Mahalaxmi temple

The road from Belgaum to Kolapur is absolute beauty-comparable to the best in the world, The approximate distance of 120 kms can be covered in a little more than a hour. Kolapur is best known for the fame Kolapuri chappals and I learn later for the Mahalaxmi temple too. The temple is a exquisite beauty-first look reminds one - of the temples ate Belur-Halebidu. Set in black stone and is intricately carved

The entrance door to the temple complex

One of the Facades of the Temple

If you wonder what does one need in life, look below, Notice the pillow

Hukkeri

My saga in the northern part of karanataka continues.
This is a beautiful country side of hukkeri, The weather in this part of karnataka is always moderate and gives a sort of English village feel (not that I have seen one, but the you read a lot in so many of the book). The chirping/tweeting and (what else I don't know ) of birds reaches a crescendo of sorts, believe me its a lovely experience.
The Village at a distance

A humble dwelling at the edge of a field

Just as the woman stares at her worldly belongings , imagine yourself here I am sure you will smell the earthy goodness of a village

Ah! This is my favorite, I could have taken a better shot, They make a lovely pair isn't?