did you know...a Meerkat can spot an eagle in flight more than a thousand feet away

a humorous clip on Meerkats in the Kgalagadi

youtu.be/drzq1x0mqjo

The Pantheon is a former Roman temple and since the year 609 a Catholic church (Basilica di Santa Maria ad Martyres or Basilica of St. Mary and the Martyrs), in Rome, Italy, on the site of an earlier temple commissioned by Marcus Agrippa during the reign of Augustus (27 BC – 14 AD). It was rebuilt by the emperor Hadrian and probably dedicated c. 126 AD. Its date of construction is uncertain, because Hadrian chose not to inscribe the new temple but rather to retain the inscription of Agrippa's older temple, which had burned down.

The building is cylindrical with a portico of large granite Corinthian columns (eight in the first rank and two groups of four behind) under a pediment. A rectangular vestibule links the porch to the rotunda, which is under a coffered concrete dome, with a central opening (oculus) to the sky. Almost two thousand years after it was built, the Pantheon's dome is still the world's largest unreinforced concrete dome. The height to the oculus and the diameter of the interior circle are the same, 43 metres (142 ft).

It is one of the best-preserved of all Ancient Roman buildings, in large part because it has been in continuous use throughout its history and, since the 7th century, the Pantheon has been in use as a church dedicated to "St. Mary and the Martyrs" (Latin: Sancta Maria ad Martyres) but informally known as "Santa Maria Rotonda". The square in front of the Pantheon is called Piazza della Rotonda. The Pantheon is a state property, managed by Italy's Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism through the Polo Museale del Lazio. In 2013, it was visited by over 6 million people.

The Pantheon's large circular domed cella, with a conventional temple portico front, was unique in Roman architecture. Nevertheless, it became a standard exemplar when classical styles were revived, and has been copied many times by later architects.

The Lacon Bridge is a continuous through bridge over the Illinois River on Illinois Route 17 at Lacon in Marshall County. Built in 1939, it is one of the oldest crossings of the Illinois River. The bridge was rehabilitated in 1990, and is tentatively scheduled for repairs to the structural steel, painting the entire structure, concrete repairs to the piers and abutments, and repairing the existing lighting in 2023.

This bridge has a distinctive appearance because its top chord and end posts visually seem comparatively smaller than one would expect to the point where they do not look much larger or heavier than the other truss members. As such, from a visual standpoint, all the members and chords on the bridge look to be about the same size. This is quite different from a traditional bridge of this design.

This is one of those bridges that looks exactly like a cantilever truss, with a variable depth truss forming "towers" over the piers, however it appears to lack hinges which means that it functions as a continuous truss, not a cantilever truss. As such, it does not have a suspended span. A series of steel stringer spans provide an approach to the through truss spans.

Marshall County, located in north central Illinois, is primarily an agriculture county. Lacon, the county seat, is the second most populous city in the county behind Henry with a recorded population of 1,878 at the 2020 census.

Sources: Wikipedia, HistoricBridge.org, and Marshall-Putnam Farm Bureau

Continuous multiplicity

Rhythmic organization

Of the whole

The whole universe is based on rhythms. Everything happens in circles, in spirals ( John Hartford) !!

The first references to the Château de Fontainebleau date back to the 12th century. Since then, all the kings of France have lived in the palace, and have continuously enlarged and embellished it. It is a unique example of a royal residence, loved and cherished for over eight centuries.

State Apartments

The château was one of the major artistic centres of 16th-century Europe. The Renaissance Rooms, unique in France, have retained their stunning fresco and stucco décor created by the Italian artists Rosso and Primaticcio under the reigns of François I and Henri II.

The apartments of the sovereigns evoke all the pomp and splendour of the French court ; antechambers, drawing rooms, ceremonial rooms, the Council Room and the Throne Room all paint a vivid picture of the life of the monarchy. The carved woodwork, paintings, tapestries and furnishings provide evidence of the apartments occupancy from the 16th to the 19th century.

Refurbishment of Napoleon I’s interior apartments began in 1804. Comprised of a series of rooms for the Emperor’s private use (bedchamber, office, private drawing room, bathroom, aide-de-camp’s common room and antechamber). From here, Napoleon I abdicated on 6 April 1814.

Private Apartments

Located on the ground floor of the château, they complete the changes made for Napoleon I, who wanted two private adjoining apartments, one for himself, and the other for Josephine (later occupied by Marie-Louise). There are also rooms that were reserved for the use of the Emperor’s close advisors and the Stag Gallery.

Soulis: Ode to the Sun.

Every second in the core of the Sun 700 million tons of Hydrogen are transformed via solar fusion into 695 million tons of Helium and 5 million tons of energy in the form of Gamma Rays.

Large amounts of the Gamma Rays that are currently reaching the Earth were originally produced in the core of the Sun at least 100,000 years ago. At the speed of light, they take about 8.3 minutes to reach the Earth from the surface of the Sun (about 150 million kilometers away).

This is an incredible natural process of nuclear fusion of mythical proportions, which has been taking place continuously for about 4.6 billion years.

Without the Sun's heat and light, the Earth would be a lifeless ball of ice-coated rock.

Therefore, for me, an "Ode to the Sun" is certainly overdue.

From the Sunshine State of Florida, thank you!

Outflow dominant storm with continuous anvil cloud lightning.

This what I believe to be a BMH Marine Siwertell auger-type continuous unloader which has a capacity of 17,000 tonnes per normal working day. The unloader is installed at the Kwinana Bulk Berth No. 4, Kwinana, Western Australia.

This is the popular name of Milan municipal fountains, which supply drinking water to humans and animals on the street, without taps and without interruption.

They are cast iron structures, painted green and with the brass filler in the shape of a dragon's head in imitation of the gargoyles of the Cathedral (hence the nickname of "green dragons"), also called widows because they are never silent and give water continuously: in 1931, the year of installation, the great war had just ended and these fountains that gave water without ceasing evidently recalled the tears of young widows.

To date there are about 580 in the city, and their continuous gushing also performs technically useful functions: it cools the running water by keeping it in constant movement, it contributes to the venting of the aqueduct network, and at the end of the route, through the purifiers, goes to feed the agricultural irrigation network.

Continuous welded rail makes for such a smooth ride under our caboose as we leave Jim Thorpe on the 11:00 train bound for the Lehigh Gorge State Park.

This is a "continuous ship unloader" of the "bucket elevator" type. Capacity is 2,500 t/h. It just finished unloading the vessel "Pu Sheng 6" (浦盛6, IMO 3686337), still moored to the pier.

Photo taken from a ferry, in this upload you can see unloading "in action".

© All Rights Reserved - you may not use this image in any form without my prior permission.

This picture was taken from beneath the Blue Water Bridge(-s). It clearly shows that their construction is of two styles, but observed from either side they appear to be one bridge. Likewise, when traveling from the US to Canada, as shown in this picture, we would take the Blue Water Bridge. Conversely, when returning to the US from Canada, we would take the Blue Water Bridge. So 1 bridge span + 1 other bridge span = (2 sections of) one Blue Water Bridge.

Both bridges are now one-way traffic. The original 1938 bridge has three westbound lanes from Point Edward, Ontario, Canada to Port Huron, Michigan, USA; the later 1997 bridge has three eastbound lanes from Port Huron to Point Edward.

The "Blue Water Bridge", a 1938 international bridge between Port Huron, Michigan and Point Edward, Ontario, Canada, is actually two bridges.

The first bridge, built in 1938, is a "Cantilever Truss Bridge". It was built high enough to allow commercial freighters and military vessels to pass beneath, and was 6178 feet (1883m) in length.

Eventually, the bridge was accessed by three major highways, and the traffic became too heavy, so a second bridge was built in 1997 alongside the first bridge, allowing one-way traffic on each bridge. The new bridge was a "continuous bowspring arch" bridge built to look similar to the first bridge.

The bridges are jointly owned by Canada and the US.

Pinakothek der Moderne # 11

DSC_2515 RKO. This photo was taken at Kalizo, Namibia!

These birds are difficult to capture as they continuously fly around, fighting each other and moving constantly!.

They are so beautiful and gracious when they fly around looking for insects, absorb some water from the river or just escaping the predating Yellow Billed Kites!

Copyright: Robert Kok. All rights reserved!

Please do not use my photos on websites, blogs or in any other media without my explicit permission.

Thanks for visiting, commenting and faving my photos. Its very much appreciated!

I grow this smoke bush because it always has such attractive new growth..... spring, summer and fall

These remarkable sandstone cliffs are part of the Jurassic Coast and are to the east of West Bay on the Dorset coast. With their alternating hard and softer sandstone layers they remind me of a wafer biscuit. The harder sandstone protrudes from the cliff-face about every three feet, with the softer version in between. It's known as the Bridport Sand Formation, and was deposited about 180 million years ago. Unfortunately, it becomes weaker when wet, and so continuous heavy rainfall can cause landslides.

The cliffs featured in Broadchurch, a British TV crime drama that aired from 2013 to 2017. The show ran for three series and had a total of 24 episodes. Some of the stars include David Tennant, Olivia Colman, and Jodie Whittaker.

Freihand Stack via Serienbildmodus

Freehand stack via continuous shooting

Continuous as the stars that shine

And twinkle on the milky way,

They stretched in never-ending line

Along the margin of a bay:

from "I Wandered Lonely As A Cloud" by Wordsworth

Continuous Time project is growing with new material.

In this case an small lighthouse on the beach.

Shot 2

The series shots were taken in the wild

This 2nd-century AD amphitheatre in Europe’s longest continuously-inhabited city has witnessed many a dramatic, thundery Bulgarian summer and long, frosty autumns. Set among the six hills of the Thracian Plain, the amphitheatre offers rich views year-around whether you find a rewarding angle from Hemus Street or pay to explore the space itself – giving access to extraordinary details such as ancient district names carved into the seating to direct audiences to the appropriate zones. You could even take in a show in the evening, as the amphitheatre has been functional since being rediscovered following a landslide in the 1970s.

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Dati Tecnici

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a) Fujifilm X-H1+ Anello adattatore FRINGER-EF-FXPRO2 + Canon Zoom Lens EF 24/70mm f.2,8 L USM:

b) Tempo 1/65s con apertura diaframma a f.4,8 +1,5 di stop in manuale (a mano libera);

c) Lettura Esposimetrica effettuata con esposimetro della macchina impostata su "Media a Prevalenza Centrale" ( ho effettuato 5 misurazioni a luce incidente con il Sekonic Dual Spot F-L778 con lettura impostata a 1° per confrontarla con la lettura che mi dava l’esposimetro della macchina, ho effettuato quella correzione di +1,5 di stop per recuperare alcun particolare nelle ombre e nelle penombre.

d) Impostazione nel corpo camera ISO/ASA 6400, DR (100%), Modalità AF (Area), WB Bilanciamento del Bianco (Auto), Simulazione Film (Provia Standard), Colore (+2), Nitidezza (0), Tono Alte luci (0), Tono Ombre (0), Riduzione disturbo (+1), Gamma Dinamica (Auto), Qualità Immagine (Fine), Filtro ND (On), Dimensione Immagine (3:2 - L);

e) Tecnica di ripresa esposimetrica con il sistema dell”Esposizione a Destra;

f) Prima Post-Produzione (leggerissima file quasi perfetto) per la correzione del bilanciamento cromatico/tonale (dopo la desaturazione) delle varie aree e zone di colore per compensare l’intensità di luce (ore 12,30 di ripresa) con Nikon Capture NX 2;

g) Seconda Post-Produzione con Adobe Photoshop CC per il bilanciamento delle zone d’ombra (Lievissima file quasi perfetto);

h) Post-Produzione di completamento con Nikon Capture NX 2 e CorelPhoto-Paint X5 per il completamento e la sistemazione finale del "Sistema Zonale".

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Mio breve Curriculum Vitae su LinkedIn: - My Brief Curriculum Vitae on LinkedIn:

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Visualizza il profilo di Luigi Mirto/ArchiMlFotoWord

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Tutti i diritti riservati ©2022©2030 da ArchiMlFotoWord/Luigi Mirto/Photography

Nessuna immagine o parte di essa può essere riprodotta o trasmessa in qualsiasi forma e con qualsiasi mezzo senza preventiva autorizzazione.

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All rights reserved ©2022©2030 by ArchiMlFotoWord/Luigi Mirto/Photography

No images or part thereof may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means Without prior permission.

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Luigi Mirto/ArchiMlFotoWord's most interesting photos on Flickriver

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Da Ascoltare guardando l’immagine e leggendo Ia poesia

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Letter from a Friend - Carlos Viola

www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vEFnzC69Wk

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Nella penombra tu sei la luce

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Trattenerti non posso come vorrei in questo

abbraccio

chiudo gli occhi

mi lascio cullare

dal battito del tuo cuore

mi perdo nella tua dolcezza

tieni aperti i tuoi fari figlia mia io sarò qui al tuo

fianco nella penombra.

Ti lascerò viaggiare nella luce

tu sei la stella più fulgida. Nel cammino della vita i

passi ti condurranno lontano da questo abbraccio.

ma niente ci terrà distanti

io sentirò ancora il tuo odore di buono rimasto

tatuato nel mio cuore bambino

abbracciato al tuo.

………………………………..Maria Sapienza

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In the twilight you are the light

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I can't hold you as I would like in this

hug

I close my eyes

I let myself be cradled

from the beat of your heart

I get lost in your sweetness

keep your headlights open my daughter i will be here at yours

side in the dark.

I will let you travel in the light

you are the brightest star. On the journey of life i

steps will lead you away from this embrace.

but nothing will keep us apart

I will still feel your smell of good left

tattooed on my heart baby

hugged to yours.

………………………………..Maria Sapienza

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Si ringrazia la scrittrice e poetessa Maria Sapienza per la concessione dei bellissimi versi.

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We thank the writer and poet Maria Sapienza for the concession of the beautiful verses..

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Winter of the Past - Crows Over The City (By Carlos Viola)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMrPiYc93Fk

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Italiano

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Questa immagine è tratta da un reportage in continua evoluzione che sto effettuando nella ricerca di particolari volti che esprimano particolari sensazioni, scene di particolare enfasi ambientale, espressioni e sentimenti profondi trasmessi attraverso semplici sguardi, di particolari posture del corpo o anche dai semplici abiti e decorazioni fisiche.

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Tali immagini verranno raccolte in un “Manuale Artistico Tecnico Fotografico” nella quale saranno descritte le particolari tecniche di ripresa, i materiali impiegati, l’attrezzatura fotografica, i luoghi e le condizioni sceniche ambientali.

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English

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This image is from a report in continuous evolution that I am making in the search for specific faces expressing particular feelings, scenes of environmental emphasis, expressions and deep feelings conveyed through simple look, a particular posture of the body or even from simple clothes and decorations individuals.

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These images will be collected in a "Artistic Photography Technical Manual" which will describe the special filming techniques, materials, photographic equipment, sites and scenic environmental conditions.

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7DWF Thursdays: B&W and Sepia (NO monochrome in color, NO selective colors)

”A roundabout, also called a traffic circle, road circle, rotary, rotunda or island, is a type of circular intersection or junction in which road traffic flows almost continuously in one direction around a central island.” -Wikipedia

The original Cochem Castle, perched prominently on a hill above the Moselle River, served to collect tolls from passing ships. Modern research dates its origins to around 1100. Before its destruction by the French in 1689, the castle had a long and fascinating history. It changed hands numerous times and, like most castles, also changed its form over the centuries.

In 1151 King Konrad III ended a dispute over who should inherit Cochem Castle by laying siege to it and taking possession of it himself. That same year it became an official Imperial Castle (Reichsburg) subject to imperial authority. In 1282 it was Habsburg King Rudolf’s turn, when he conquered the Reichsburg Cochem and took it over. But just 12 years later, in 1294, the newest owner, King Adolf of Nassau pawned the castle, the town of Cochem and the surrounding region in order to finance his coronation. Adolf’s successor, Albrecht I, was unable to redeem the pledge and was forced to grant the castle to the archbishop in nearby Trier and the Electorate of Trier, which then administered the Reichsburg continuously, except for a brief interruption when Trier’s Archbishop Balduin of Luxembourg had to pawn the castle to a countess. But he got it back a year later.

The Electorate of Trier and its nobility became wealthy and powerful in large part due to the income from Cochem Castle and the rights to shipping tolls on the Moselle. Not until 1419 did the castle and its tolls come under the administration of civil bailiffs (Amtsmänner). While under the control of the bishops and electors in Trier from the 14th to the 16th century, the castle was expanded several times.

In 1688 the French invaded the Rhine and Moselle regions of the Palatinate, which included Cochem and its castle. French troops conquered the Reichsburg and then laid waste not only to the castle but also to Cochem and most of the other surrounding towns in a scorched-earth campaign. Between that time and the Congress of Vienna, the Palatinate and Cochem went back and forth between France and Prussia. In 1815 the western Palatinate and Cochem finally became part of Prussia once and for all.

Louis Jacques Ravené (1823-1879) did not live to see the completion of his renovated castle, but it was completed by his son Louis Auguste Ravené (1866-1944). Louis Auguste was only two years old when construction work at the old ruins above Cochem began in 1868, but most of the new castle took shape from 1874 to 1877, based on designs by Berlin architects. After the death of his father in 1879, Louis Auguste supervised the final stages of construction, mostly involving work on the castle’s interior. The castle was finally completed in 1890. Louis Auguste, like his father, a lover of art, filled the castle with an extensive art collection, most of which was lost during the Second World War.

In 1942, during the Nazi years, Ravené was forced to sell the family castle to the Prussian Ministry of Justice, which turned it into a law school run by the Nazi government. Following the end of the war, the castle became the property of the new state of Rheinland-Pfalz (Rhineland-Palatinate). In 1978 the city of Cochem bought the castle for 664,000 marks. (spottinghistory.com) Cochem, Germany.

Continuous processes

Particle redistribution

Awareness change

continuously basking in the bright southwestern sun.... Rhyolite Nevada, bordering Death Valley, Calif.

Today I present another picture of the road

"teamLab: Continuous 光涟" 2024

The past few days have brought continuous rain, creating an abundance of rodents for the barred owls. Last Sunday, I had the incredible opportunity to observe one of these majestic birds hunting in the deep forest. The experience was thrilling as I got to see it up close. I hope you find as much joy in it as I did. Feel free to share your thoughts, like, and share this with your friends and family. For more daily photos post, www.facebook.com/ThyBunPhotography/

Thank you, and have a wonderful day, folks!

********** FANTAVATAR & MOONSTRUCK *********

The Medi/Fantasy Creations

F&M * Medieval Modular Library

Gorgeous Modular set, you can built your own Library.

Includes, several pieces that you can match at your requirements.

This item is part of a continuous growing collection gathering

all those medieval and fantasy fashion and apparel related products such as clothes,

shoes, hair, accessories and much more.

You can find this and many other themed furnitures and accessories

at F&M main store And Marketplace

A photo from Farolim de Felgueiras with long exposure and fog.

linktr.ee/davidcucalonphoto

Studio work - D850 - 24-70mm2,8 @ f9 1/100s

By Catherine Boeckmann

February 9, 2024

The daylily is an amazingly low-maintenance perennial. It’s virtually disease-free, pest-free, and drought-resistant; it’s also not picky about soil quality. Plus, the flower has a long bloom period! Here’s how to plant and care for daylilies in your garden, as well as how to easily propagate them for more plants!

About Daylilies

The daylily’s botanical name, Hemerocallis, comes from the Greek hemera (“day”) and kallos (“beauty”). The name is appropriate since each flower lasts only one day! However, each scape has 12 to 15 buds on it, and a mature plant can have 4 to 6 scapes, which is why the flower seems to bloom continuously.

Originally from Asia, these plants have adapted so well that many of us think of them as natives. Imagine the excitement of a 16th-century explorer cruising the Orient and finding these gorgeous plants! European gardeners welcomed daylilies into their gardens, and when early colonists sailed for the New World, daylilies made the crossing with them.

Despite their name, daylilies are not “true lilies” and grow from fleshy roots. True lilies grow from onion-like bulbs and are of the genus Lilium, as are Asiatic and Oriental lilies. In the case of daylilies, leaves grow from a crown, and the flowers form on leafless stems—called “scapes”—which rise above the foliage.

There are thousands of beautiful daylilies to choose from. Combine early, midseason, late blooming varieties, and repeat bloomers to have daylilies in flower from late spring through the first frost of fall. If you see a height listed alongside a daylily variety, this refers to the length of the scape. Some can reach 6 feet tall!

For more information please visit

www.almanac.com/plant/daylilies

These Daylilies were photographed at Pashley Manor Gardens. At Pashley you will discover 11 acres of beautiful borders and vistas – the culmination of a lifetime of passion for gardening, an appetite for beauty and an admiration of the tradition of the English Country garden. These graceful gardens, on the border of Sussex and Kent, are family owned and maintained – visitors often express delight at the attention to detail displayed throughout and the intimate, peaceful atmosphere.

All the ingredients of the English Country Garden are present – sweeping herbaceous borders, ha-ha, well maintained lawns, box hedges, espaliered rose walk, historic walled garden, inspiring kitchen garden, venerable trees and the Grade I listed house as a backdrop. The gardens are a haven for wildlife – bees, butterflies and small birds as well as moor hens, ducks and a black swan. Then, of course, the plants! Borders overflowing with perennials and annuals – the look changing through the seasons, but always abundantly filled, and each garden ‘room’ planted in a different colour theme.

Pashley is also renowned for fantastic displays of tulips, roses and dahlias. Our annual Tulip Festival features more than 48,000 tulips this year! During Special Rose Week over a hundred varieties of rose swathe the walls, climb obelisks and bloom in flower beds. Then in late summer our Dahlia Days event transforms the gardens once more with bountiful, brightly coloured dahlias in every border and pot.

Add to all this a Café and Terrace with excellent garden views, serving delicious homemade lunches, scones and cakes; Sculpture and Art Exhibitions; a Gift Shop with Plant Sales; and a friendly, knowledgeable team waiting to welcome you, and the recipe for a wonderful day out is complete.

For more information please visit www.pashleymanorgardens.com/

In der mittelalterlichen Burg Scharfenstein aus dem Jahr 1250 sind die Mythen und Magie des Erzgebirges zu spüren. Eines der ältesten Herrschaftssitze in Sachsen, welches seit mehr als 750 Jahren durchgängig bewohnt wird, zeigt die authentische Architektur das Leben seit den mittelalterlichen „Ur-Burgen“.

Das Burgmuseum bietet Vielfalt und Spaß für Groß und Klein. Das Weihnachts- und Spielzeugmuseum bietet das gesamte Jahr über Einblicke in die regionale erzgebirgische Volkskunst.

The myths and magic of the Ore Mountains can be felt in the medieval Scharfenstein Castle, dating back to 1250. One of the oldest manorial residences in Saxony, continuously inhabited for more than 750 years, its authentic architecture depicts life since the medieval "primal castles."

The Castle Museum offers variety and fun for all ages. The Christmas and Toy Museum offers insights into regional Ore Mountain folk art throughout the year.

Continuous World Cup matches were exhilarating but taxing at the same time. A break away from the television is much needed for the body and mind. Michigan's summer weather is so mild as if still spring time. Take a long stroll in the woods, taking in the air with refreshing aroma after the rain, stepping on the soft ground and feasting the eyes on all shades of wonderful greens ... so relaxing !

连雨不知春去，一晴方觉夏深。

Continuous effort,not strength or intelligence, is the key to unlocking our potential.

Liane Cardes

I apologise if I do not get around to commenting on everyone. The internet is terrible where we are camping.

An old papermill

No Foundation!

Hawa Mahal is the tallest building in the world without a foundation. The five-storey building managed to maintain upright because of it is curved. Just another masterpiece of Rajput and Mughal architecture.

Durga Puja pandal architecture is a vibrant and dynamic art form, deeply rooted in Bengali tradition but continuously evolving with contemporary trends. The pandal serves as the temporary abode for the goddess Durga during the annual festival and is often an elaborate and creative expression of architectural ingenuity.

Materials Used

Bamboo: The traditional material used for the structure of the pandal, which is highly flexible and abundant.

Cloth and Paper: These are used for decorations, draping, and wall coverings. They are often painted or printed with intricate designs.

Plaster of Paris and Clay: Used for creating idols and sculptures.

Fiberglass and Metal: These are often used in modern pandals for creating stronger, more durable structures.

1. Traditional Designs

Bengali Folk Art: Traditional pandals often draw from rural Bengal’s heritage, incorporating local materials like bamboo, jute, and clay. These pandals typically feature motifs inspired by nature, mythology, and folk art.

Sholar Kaaj: This is a technique involving intricate designs made from shola (a type of plant) and is used to create ornaments, canopies, and decorations within the pandal.

Terracotta and Wooden Crafts: Terracotta sculptures, wooden carvings, and images of mythological figures are common in older pandals.

2. Modern Interpretations

Innovative Materials: Modern pandals often use contemporary materials like fiberglass, metal, and plastic alongside traditional materials. For instance, large fiberglass idols of Durga are increasingly used, along with innovative lighting, mirrors, and glasswork.

Thematic Pandals: Many pandals these days are built around a specific theme. The themes can range from environmental issues (like conservation of rivers or wildlife) to technological advancements, historical events, or even popular culture. The architecture of the pandal is designed to reflect this theme, often incorporating multimedia elements.

Eco-friendly Designs: In recent years, there has been a push for sustainable and eco-friendly pandals. These are often constructed using biodegradable materials such as bamboo, paper, and cloth, with designs that minimize environmental impact.

3. Architectural Features

Structural Form: Traditionally, pandals were dome-shaped or cylindrical, but now they can take on all sorts of avant-garde shapes, from temples to spaceships to replicas of famous monuments like the Eiffel Tower or the Taj Mahal.

Facade and Entrances: The entrance of the pandal is often grand and acts as a focal point of the design. It may incorporate arches, columns, and ornate carvings, often reflecting the temple architecture of India.

Ceilings and Roofs: The roofs of pandals are a key area for artistic expression, ranging from elaborate canopies made of flowers to highly stylized, often abstract, designs using light and color.

Lighting: Pandals are spectacularly lit, with millions of light bulbs strung up in intricate patterns. The lighting not only enhances the aesthetics but also creates a divine ambiance, especially at night.

Interior Layout: The interior of the pandal is designed to accommodate the idol of Durga, with a focus on creating a spiritual environment. The idol is often placed on a raised platform, surrounded by artistic depictions of various deities, animals, and scenes from mythology.

4. Regional Variations

Kolkata Pandals: In Kolkata, Durga Puja pandals are known for their immense creativity and often become larger-than-life structures. Famous areas like Kumartuli, Behala, and Santoshpur are known for their extravagant pandals.

Delhi and Other Urban Centers: Pandal designs in metropolitan areas might incorporate modern styles, influenced by international trends, such as futuristic designs, art installations, or replicas of foreign monuments. These pandals often blend cultural elements with urban sophistication.

Rural and Smaller Town Pandals: These tend to have simpler, more rustic designs but are rich in cultural symbolism. Often constructed with bamboo, they may showcase more traditional and handcrafted artworks.

5. Innovative and Avant-Garde Designs

Optical Illusions: Some pandals are designed to give the illusion of floating structures, using materials like mirrors and lights to create mesmerizing visual effects.

Interactive and Immersive Designs: Some pandals now aim to create immersive experiences. Visitors can walk through installations that engage all their senses, with sounds, lights, and even augmented reality elements enhancing the experience.

6. Famous Pandals and Their Architects

Kumartuli Park (Kolkata): Known for its amazing artistry!

Four continuous miles of Heber Valley Railroad's route through Provo Canyon runs literally along the bank of the Provo River. Maine Central 52 pulls Friday's train into Vivian Park, illuminated by a brief patch of sun between the trees. The train paused here for half an hour. Passengers were invited to step off the train and enjoy the fresh canyon air while the crew ran the GP9 to the north end of the train. At 12:45 p.m. sharp, the 'Provo Canyon Limited' departed for the 16 mile journey back to Heber City.