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Perspective

Perspective – it changes everything. One of the amazing things in life – just when we think we have everything figured out & then you stumble upon something new or suddenly see the same things in a different perspective & everything shifts again :) Today’s shot is that of a top perspective of Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam temple – something that most would never have witnessed, lest be captured in the golden twilight. Perspective – it changes everything :)

Courage

Courage in the path is what makes the path manifest itself - Paulo Coelho

Cosmic Unison

Some dreaming, some planning and a lot of waiting was involved for this shot. When I first got to visit this spot, I went crazy with ideas like a kid with cotton candy. Of those, capturing this beauty under the cosmic stars was on top. This past weekend everything came together to make this possible ... The temple was just couple feet away while the milky way was 25,000 light years away. The temple was constructed around 1000 years back while the milky way is from a couple million years back. Separated vastly by space and time, yet in in cosmic unison – it was one beautiful sight to behold ! Being no moon, it was quiet dark. Hence decided to play with light painting to make the temple pop. To make it even sweeter, I had a lovely assistant who diligently worked with me thru the process. Having to accompany my son on his first night out and shooting stars was even a greater experience :)

Little things

Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.

In spite of everything …

You can feel the stars and the infinity of the sky since life, in spite of everything, is like a dream. – Vincent van Gogh In spite of all the noise, there is a connect when you are with the nature In spite of all the chaos, there is a tranquil when you are with the cosmos In spite of all the chase, there is a silence when you are with the stars Cherish it, live it, love it and don’t ever lose it !

Merku Gopuram of Meenakshi Temple

This shot is just part of the base 2 tiers of the 9 tier Merku Gopuram (west tower) of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai. The temple complex spanning 14 acers - has 4 nine-storey gopurams (outer, raja), 1 seven-storey gopuram (Chittirai), 5 five-storey gopurams, 2 three-storey, and 2 one-storey gold-gilded sanctum towers. Each one compete and excel at being more intricate and detailed as the other. Though there are references to Meenakshi Amman temple in literature going back to 6th century, these were restored back to its pristine glory in the 16th century, when King Thirumalai Naicker came back to power in Madurai. What awe-inspiring structures, with-standing the test of time. With such intricate work, would you believe this was conceived and constructed centuries ago ?!!!

Love

Love is the absence of judgment !

View with a Vertigo

Dubai is known for high rise skyscrapers and its views. But this one is special. This is probably what Tom Cruise would have seen, when maneuvering over Burj Khalifa, if he had done the same stunt by night :)

Kotravaleeswarar Temple of Koviloor

The Koviloor temple of "Sri Kotravaleeswarar" was initially built by the Pandiya King "Veerasekara Pandiyan" - approximately thousand years ago. Legend says that once when King Veerasekaran was on his hunting at this place, he lost his sword and later recovered it. The temple was raised for the lord who helped recover the same. And hence the name Kotrai val eeswaran Temple ! The temple tank right in front of the temple called Madhu Puskarani, is one magnificent structure. The pretty mandapam backed by the row of coconut trees, reflected in the sparkling waters is a sight to behold, especially during sunset.

Divine Island

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 !

Find your light

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 :)

Alone by the Gulf

This is from few years back. Photographically not a great shot. But this brings back candid memories from the sole road trip, chasing some light and lightning ! The twilight Sun, wears the veil of the rainfall Thunder, though distant, rumbles across the Clouds The rolling waves, gently crash across the feet The gentle breeze with its tropical warmth, caresses the face And I realize – I am no longer alone :)

Ocean Entry @ Hawaii

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 !

Center of my Universe

You are not at the center of The Universe, but you definitely are center of your universe :)

Iraniyur

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.

Vivekananda Rock by twilight

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 Vivekanda 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 :)

Empire State by Twilight

There is no other place like NYC :) Each visit brings an experience unto itself. Sometimes the best view is not from the tallest tower , but from the one just behind it !

Time

The problem is we think we have time. 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 many a time forget 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 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 it is 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 …

Pristine beaches of SC

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.

You are exactly where you need to be …

You are exactly where you need to be ... And you have the choice to stay or move forward, one step at a time :) Either way, enjoy the journey.

Yin Yang of Fall

Be Thankful for the shadows, for they are there only because of the light :)

Fall Colors by Tranquil lake

A tranquil lake, twilight shades, fall colors, some calming reflections – prefect recipe for a lovely shot :)

The Capitol by full Moon

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 !