Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam (வண்டியூர் மாரியம்மன் தெப்பக்குளம்) is a temple tank located near to Vandiyur Mariamman Temple and situated at a distance of about 4 km from the Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai. Teppakulam, literally translates to temple pond and is mainly used for devotional festivals. The tank is connected to Vaigai River through an ingenious system of underground channels. This was constructed by the King Thirumalai Nayak. One of the largest Ganesha, the Mukkuruni Vinayagar in Meenakshi Amman Temple is said to be found when this tank is dug in 1645.
As a kid, I had seen this pond often used as cricket playing field. But when filled with water, the artificial tank makes the temple within – an island and is a sight to behold. An walk around this would take 30 minutes and would be awesome during early morning or evening times. The place is filled up with lot of road side shops to eat and walk with. If the tank is filled with water and the climate is breezy, you definitely would enjoy this spot !
DJI Mavic Pro : ISO 172 : 4.73 mm : f2.2 : 1/50 sec
Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam Madurai, TamilNadu, India
The dark does not destroy the light; it defines it. It’s our fear of the dark that casts our joy into the shadows. Find your light and make it shine :)
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore. Dream. Discover – Mark Twain
The lava flow and the associated ocean entry, when it happens, is a sight to behold. It is, as if the lava flows all the way to jump into the ocean, while the water keeps lashing it back. Together they keep creating earth, one layer at a time !
Just a short drive from Karaikudi is lraniyur, which hosts this lovely Aatkondanathar Swami temple. As the first rays of the sun hit, birds chirped all around, accompanied by the cool and pristine breeze – one is just teleported to a different world and time !
The history goes that Lord Narasimha incurred a dosha for killing demon Hiranya. He worshipped Lord Shiva for relief. Lord Shiv granted darshan to Lord Narashima and cleansed him of His dosha.
In a conflict between the heart and the head, follow your heart. – Swami Vivekananda
Eight years back, when I visited Kanyakumari, I did not get to actually visit the Vivekananda Rock. Back then, I had to settle for the view from ashore. It brought back memories from my childhood visit – the grandeur mandap, the towering pillars, the roaring waves, the serene & the cool rock – were all etched in my memory.
So this time around, when the chance presented itself, I was more than eager to get out there. But, I was a bit taken aback, on how things had taken a turn. From the confusing ticketing queues (one for the ferry and one for the entry at the rock, makes one wonder why someone would take a ferry and avoid entering the rock) to the huge crowds this place draws, the experience is no longer pristine. It was really sad that sitting in silence or meditation was no longer allowed on the grand hall and the so called meditation hall, set up down below makes one claustrophobic.
Don’t get me wrong, the rock and the mandap is still an awe inspiring structure. Actually the design of the mandapa incorporates different styles of temple architecture from all over India. You definitely should visit if you are around in Kanyakumari. But at the same time, the experience is no longer as serene as it used to be. For now. given a choice, I’ll settle for the view from ashore and hold on to my memories :)
Canon 7D : Tamron 18-270 mm : ISO 125 : 76 mm : f6.7 : 30 sec
If Big Bang happened at the first day of the year, the first second of January 1, then : humans didn’t arise until the last day of the year, and modern civilization makes up about the last 14 seconds of the year. – Neil Tyson, Cosmic Calendar.
In large scheme of things, our life is minuscule and insignificant. Yeah your read that right – insignificant, but it is wonderfully insignificant. We often lose track of the time that we have out here and the difference we make.
If the Cosmic Calendar makes you feel insignificant, the Life in Weeks Calendar, can help put things in perspective of how much time we really have, to make a difference. And it is up to us, to make it wonderful.
Its funny how we think we have all the time in the world, yet it is the other way around. But its never too late to become aware of how time and life drifts away, each moment. So, what are you waiting for – build that business, open that school, start that hobby, make that phone call, learn that skill, take that vacation …
Don’t wait, go DO that thing you really wanted to do …
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 2500 : 10 mm : f3.5 : 30 sec
Nature has its way of taking care of things, all we need to do is not interrupt :)
Bulls Island, is an undeveloped barrier island within the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge. Its one of the most pristine spans of coastline on the eastern seaboard. Its seven miles of beaches include the famed Boneyard Beach, where the remains of surf-battered trees are littered across the sand. To add to that, after each high tide, every corner of the beach is restored to its immaculate state :)
To preserve the wildlife and its habitat, Cape Romain is closed from dawn to dusk, and no camping is allowed on the refuge islands. Hence not many get to witness sunrise on the pristine Boneyard Beach.
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 100 : 10 mm : f3.5 : 1/125 sec
Initiated around 1793, the core building of The Capitol (Washington D.C) construction took 33 years. It was interesting to learn that the current dome of the capitol building was actually the second one. The original wooden dome was subsequently replaced as a precaution for fire.
Today it stands as the meeting place of the nation’s legislature. The Capitol also houses an important collection of American art, and it is an architectural achievement in its own right. The several blocks from Washington memorial to the capitol building houses the various Smithsonian museums and is a great place to take a walk !
Canon 7D : Tamron 18-270 mm : ISO 200 : 33 mm : f4.0 : 1.5 sec
Don’t judge a book by it’s cover And never judge a day by it’s weather
This particular Saturday started with showers all around. It was a tough choice to decide between lazing the afternoon with family in the couch vs driving couple of hours and taking a hike. With the rain, it was tempting to decide to stay at home, especially since it involved a hike. ClearOutside showed a small break in weather for the late afternoon. Am glad I gambled to take the risk, at the end it really paid off :) Though I did get wet, the rain added to the volume of the cascade and the rolling fog made the day !
Generally, worse the weather & lower the probability of getting a shot, the better it turns out to be :)
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 100 : 10 mm : f22 : 10.0 sec
It’s possible to travel thousands of miles to the other side of the world, to take a plane, three trains, two ferries and a bicycle, in order to stand completely still. – TED Talks
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 100 : 10 mm : f22 : 30 sec
Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see and wonder about what makes the Universe exist. Be curious. And however difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at. It matters that you don’t just give up. – Stephen Hawking
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 2500 : 10 mm : f3.5 : 20 sec
Sometimes I do get to places just when God’s ready to have somebody click the shutter – Ansel Adams
Jones Gap is one of a kind, so wild, yet not very far from Greenville. The main highlight of Jones Gap is the Middle Saluda River – the states first designated scenic river. The hike & terrain is somewhat challenging in a couple of places, but the views are amazing.
The late afternoon sun and the clouds were just right. The fall colors and the diffused light caused the entire place to be flooded with the golden glow. Was there just in time to enjoy this lovely scene :)
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 100 : 13 mm : f22 : 15.0 sec
Jones Gap Wilderness Marietta, South Carolina, USA
Soco falls is a beautiful, double waterfall on the edge of the Cherokee Indian Reservation, located near Maggie Valley. Its one among the most lovely waterfalls, by the Blue Ridge parkway – just 1.5 miles south of Soco Gap @ Milepost 455.7. Look for the small roadside parking area on the left of the road. It is easy to miss, since there is just one tiny sign.
This view requires a short hike. It is not a cake walk, but not super hard either. You need to be careful as it is steep and a bit slippery, especially when wet. But the adventure is well worth the view, wouldn’t you agree :)
Canon 7D : Tamron 10-270 mm : ISO 160 : 18 mm : f11 : 8.0 sec
Snowflake, snowflake, little snowflake. Little snowflake falling from the sky. Snowflake, snowflake, little snowflake. Falling, falling, falling, falling, falling, falling, falling, falling, falling…falling on my glove :)
After couple of years, got to shoot the little little snowflakes again. It was fun. Snow out here in South Carolina is rare and that made it even more exciting :)
Canon 7D : Tamron 10-270 mm : ISO 320 : 270 mm : f5.6 : 1/90 sec
