Goodbye 2013

Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning�..

These lines from the prayers we used to recite in primary school (I studied in a Catholic Convent) are probably the best prayer that one can make for the New Year.

Like the image above, 2013, was a mixed blessing� some things were fruitful but more we disappointing or sad. 2013 was also the year that saw losses that affected one very deeply. Some were very personal, with loved ones passing away and leaving a unfillable void but others though not personal, affected one deeply�.  

It is hopeful that 2014, will herald new beginnings and shall keep all lamps burning till the end of time�.

Enigmatic smile of The Buddha

Inner wisdom leads to a beautiful but enigmatic smile  

Flowery flames…

Why is it that things that are the most fragile are also the most beautiful….

Nataraja at Bhoganandishwara Temple, Bangalore

Shiva, without any beginning or end, is the Supreme Creator of the Universe. Lord Shiva is known by a thousand names and is worshiped in  many forms. One such form is that of Nataraja, or King of Dance.

Whenever the Universe is debilitated and needs to be renewed, Lord Shiva performs his cosmic dance and prepares the Universe for rebirth….

Even in ourselves, we need to continuously undertake this process of cleaning and remove all that is negative and bad and renew ourselves to a greater future….

The above photograph is a beautiful sculpture of Lord Nataraja at the Bhoganandeeshwara Temple near Nandi Hills at Bangalore. The temple is said to be mentioned in copper plate writings from around 800  AD, making the temple about 1200 years old.

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Cloudy skies and a hidden moon…. Guru Purnima

The cloudy skies over Delhi made shooting the full moon today a game of hide and seek. Waiting for the clouds to move and give a clear shot was a test of patience, but then like all good things, patience was rewarded and I got a clear shot at this beautiful moon, this Guru Purnima.

Significance of Guru Purnima

1. Hindus celebrate it in honour of the great sage Vyasa, who is seen as one of the greatest gurus in ancient Hindu traditions and a symbol of the Guru-shishya tradition. Vyasa was not only believed to have been born on this day, but also to have started writing the Brahma Sutras on ashadha sudha padyami, which ends on this day. Their recitations are a dedication to him, and are organised on this day, which is also known as Vyasa Purnima

2. Traditionally the festival is celebrated by Buddhists in honour of the lord Buddha who gave His first sermon on this day at Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, India.

ISKCON Temple – Vrindavan

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Buddha Purnima Moon 25.05.13

Vesākha also known as Buddha Purnima is a holy day observed traditionally by Buddhists. Sometimes informally called "Buddha's Birthday", it actually commemorates the birth, enlightenment (nirvāna), and death (Parinirvāna) of Gautama Buddha.

 

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Northern Shoveler–Sultanpur

The Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata), is a common and widespread duck. It breeds in northern areas of Europe and Asia and across most of North America, wintering in southern Europe, Africa, the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, Central and northern South America.

Golden Backed Woodpecker

Black-rumped Flameback (Dinopium benghalense), also known as the Lesser Golden-backed Woodpecker or Lesser Goldenback, is a woodpecker found widely distributed in the Indian Subcontinent. It is one of the few woodpeckers that are seen in urban areas. It has a characteristic rattling-whinnying call and an undulating flight. It is the only golden-backed woodpecker with a black throat and black rump.

Mooning away… January 2013

It was a clear night in January, with cold winds blowing across the Delhi-scape, and in that weather rose a full Wolf Moon, named by the Old American Indians, referring to hungry wolves howling outside Indian Villages….

This is the first full moon of the year and was a beautiful sight to behold….