Experiments in Life: May 2006

Konark - Amazing piece of sculpture

Konark is also known as Konaditya. The name Konark is derived form the words Kona - Corner and Arka - Sun; it is situated on the north eastern corner of Puri or the Chakrakshetra. Konark is also known as Arkakshetra.

This temple built in 1278 CE by the Ganga King Narasimhadeva. The entire temple was designed in the shape of a colossal chariot with seven horses and twelve wheels, carrying the sun god, Surya,

The temple is a brilliant chronicle in stone, with thousands of images including deities, the Surasundaris, heavenly damsels, and human musicians, lovers, dancers, and different scenes from courtly life.

It is said that the temple was not completed as conceived because the foundation was not strong enough to bear the weight of the heavy dome. Local beleif has it that it was constructed in entirety, however its magnetic dome caused ships to crash near the seashore, and that the dome was removed and destroyed and that the image of the Sun God was taken to Puri.

The entire temple has been conceived as a chariot of the sun god with 12 wheels, each about 10 feet in diameter, with a set of spokes and elaborate carvings. Seven horses drag the temple. Two lions guard the entrance, crushing elephants. A flight of steps lead to the main entrance.

According to the guides, 'all life is here', which might go some way towards explaining the high population of India. This is wheel which shows all days work of a woman, starting form wakeup in the morning till having sex in night.

The Konark temple is widely known not only for its architectural grandeur but also for the intricacy and profusion of sculptural work

The main theme of the sculpture is love. There are beautifully shaped figures in close embrace, dancing or making music.

The fine sculptures depicting Court life, hunting, scenes, celestial deities are epitomes of precision and grace. Graceful sculptures from the world of the Kamasutra, epic of eroticism also adorn the structures.

Konark temple’s sculptures are living beauties in silence

Sunset n' sunrise..

These are the some of pics which I have taken on the trip of Digha.

Picture - I

Picture - II

Picture - III

Picture - IV

Picture - V

Picture - VI

Just for fun !!

Picture - VII

Picture - VIII

Picture - IX

Beautiful Kolkata from my eyes...

The modern cable stayed bridge, Vidyasagar Setu, better known locally as the second Hoogly Bridge, stands on the river Hoogly. The construction work took 22 years and cost Rs. 3.88 billion and finally it was opened to traffic officially on 10th October 1992.

St. Paul's Cathedral Church, India's first Catholic cathedral church, built in the Indo-Gothic style, also with India's first stained-glass windows.

Front view of St. Paul's Cathedral Church

Victoria Memorial, a splendid example of British Architecture exhibiting British artifacts one of India's most beautiful monuments, built entirely of white marble

Victoria Memorial, represent a unique combination of classical European architecture and Mughal motifs. The domed and white marble museum sprawls over 64 acres

The memorial was the inspiration of Lord Curzon, who in 1901, felt that his recently departed Queen Victoria, required a suitable monument to her memory.

The building was designed by Sir William Emerson President of the British Institute of Architects.

Lord Redesdale and Sir David Prain designed the gardens. Though the construction of the building substructure began in 1904, it was completed only after 20 years at a cost of 10 million rupees. The Prince of Wales formally inaugurated it in 1921

Next two pictures are placed in front of memorial's gate in a circle. There are four other sculptures placed in this circle, repersent the development of commerce, law, agriculture and science.

Howrah Station, second oldest train stations in India, is situated on the West bank of the Hooghly River. It has 21 platforms handling over 300 trains each day serving over a million passengers. The station was brought into service on 1 December 1905

Howrah Bridge, renamed Rabindra Setu, is a suspended bridge on pillars. Completed in 1874 and opened for traffic on 17 October 1874, the Calcutta-Howrah Bridge became the biggest floating structure ever built in Bengal and in India. Famed British professional Engineer Sir Bradford Leslie was contracted for planning. Its length is 1528 feet between abutments, and its cost was about six million rupees