Dedicated in 1924 on the site of the old opera house, Litchfield's Former Masonic Temple is now the Majestic Banquet Hall.

 

Litchfield is a city in Montgomery County, and is located off exit 52 on I-55 about halfway between Springfield, Illinois and St. Louis, Missouri. The population of Litchfield was 6,939 at the 2010 Census. Historic U.S. Route 66 runs through the City.

 

More photographs of Litchfield can be found in my "Litchfield IL" set.

 

World Impact is a Christian missions organization dedicated to ministering God's love in the inner cities of America.

 

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Since it's establishment in June of 1996, the Dallas ministry has sought to share the love of Christ with the community through Bible clubs for children, youth ministries, church planting, and leadership training for indigenous leaders.

 

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History of World Impact

In 1965, Keith Phillips, a student at UCLA, began teaching Youth For Christ Bible clubs in Watts. He began recruiting BIOLA students to volunteer with him and the ministry to the urban poor grew. By 1971, God called Keith to full-time ministry and World Impact was incorporated. Full-time missionaries moved into the communities they served. Evangelism to children expanded to teens and whole families.

 

News of the ministry spread to other urban areas of the country and by 1972 World Impact was ministering in San Diego, California, and Wichita, Kansas. In 1975, Keith wrote about World Impact's experiences in They Dare to Love the Ghetto. In 1976, the St. Louis and Newark ministries began and World Impact moved into their present headquarters at 20th and Vermont in Los Angeles. In 1977, the Fresno ministry began.

 

During the 1970's, while retaining a strong emphasis on evangelism, World Impact became more intentional about discipleship. By 1981, Keith Phillips wrote The Making of a Disciple, still recognized as one of the seminal books on discipleship. Films depicting urban ministry, as well as urban ministry training materials, were developed.

 

In the early 1980's, World Impact started ministries to the whole person, while keeping its priority of evangelism and discipleship. In 1982, the Los Angeles Christian School was opened and Morning Star Ranch was acquired to disciple young men from the inner city. By 1984, World Impact began job training opportunities (Inner City Enterprises), a thrift shop (The Sonshine Shop), and the Newark Christian School, while writing a culturally-conducive "through-the-Bible" curriculum. Out of these experiences, Keith wrote No Quick Fix, explaining the need for ministry to the whole person and the importance of whole families.

 

In 1986, the Wichita Village property was acquired, from which the Good Samaritan Clinic was launched, an old Y.M.C.A building was remodeled for ministry in St. Louis, low-income housing was developed in Newark, and God provided THE OAKS camp, 65 miles north of Los Angeles. In 1988, the Chester, Pennsylvania, ministry opened, and ministry centers in San Diego and Fresno were remodeled.

 

During the 1980's, the efforts of evangelism and discipleship were bearing fruit and new believers were forming into worshiping communities, leading World Impact to plant culturally-relevant churches in the inner city. The massive numbers of immigrants from Central America and Asia, along with the growing numbers of urban poor, underscored the need to not only evangelize and disciple individuals, but to establish new churches among the poor. In 1990, church planting became the primary strategy to evangelize, equip, and empower the urban poor.

 

In the early 1990's, as national attention was focused on the inner-city during the Los Angeles riot, World Impact acquired Harmony Heart camp in Pennsylvania, began ministry in Oakland and San Francisco, opened schools in Watts and Chester, launched The Urban Ministry Institute (TUMI) and planted its first churches in various cities.

 

In 1996, World Impact celebrated its 25th anniversary as Deer Creek camp (outside Denver) and the Dallas ministry were added. Keith Phillips wrote about World Impact's emerging church planting ministry in Out of Ashes. In 1999, World Impact hosted the first of three conferences on urban church planting, called Crowns of Beauty, each of which welcomed over 1200 international delegates.

 

In 2000, World Impact began hosting its School for Urban Cross-Cultural Church Planting, training urban church plant teams from all over the nation. In 2001, The John Mark Curriculum was published to train cross-cultural missionaries and three TUMI satellite campuses were opened. By 2004, 20 churches had been planted in eight World Impact cities, and an auditorium at THE OAKS Adult Conference Center was completed, dedicated in honor of board member Dr. Jack Hayford.

 

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World Impact Center

2017 S. Ervay

Dallas, TX 75215

214-426-0044

 

www.worldimpactdallas.org/

History of Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park

Opened & Dedicated January 1, 1961

By Charles R. Eatherly

Sitting on a bluff overlooking the Colorado River, three miles west of the confluence of the Colorado and the historic Gila River, stand the ruins of Arizona’s famous Territorial Prison, and a short distance west are the remaining buildings that served as a part of the Yuma Quartermaster’s Depot. Fernando de Alarcon, who accompanied Coronado on his search for the Seven Cities of Cibola, passed this site in 1540. Padre Kino saw the present location of the Prison and the Quartermaster’s Depot in 1683, and Padre Graces established a mission directly across the river and was later killed there by the Indians in 1781.

 

Yuma began to experience the American westward surge when countless immigrants crossed by ferry from Yuma on their way to the California gold fields in 1849. In 1850, a military post was established at Yuma, and when rich placer gold strikes on the Colorado River precipitated a gold rush in 1858, Yuma experienced a boom. In 1871 Yuma incorporated and became the county seat of Yuma County.

 

The Territorial Prison was authorized by the Legislature in 1875 and $25,000 was budgeted for the project. Ground was broken on April 28, 1876, and some of the prisoners were pressed into service to build their cells. The first seven inmates moved into the facility on July 1, 1876. The Prison held a variety of law violators, including the legendary stagecoach robber Pearl Hart. The Prison continued in operation for 33 years when, due to overcrowding, all inmates were moved to a new facility in Florence, Arizona.

 

From the date of closure, the prison’s facilities have been occupied and used by various groups. After Yuma High School burned, the High School Board rented four structures and used them from 1910 until 1914. The school athletic teams became known as “The Criminals”. The County Hospital utilized the facilities from 1914 until 1923. In 1924, the Southern Pacific Railroad demolished the western one-third of Prison Hill to make way for the new tracks. The Veterans of Foreign Wars leased the guard’s quarters in 1931 and used it as their clubhouse until 1960. Hobos, riding the trains in the 1920’s and 1930’s, stayed in the cells, and homeless families during the Great Depression lived in the cells.

 

The first request to preserve the Prison came in the early 1930’s, and in 1939 local residents began to raise funds for renovation of the guard tower and construction of a museum to be located on the site of the mess hall. The City of Yuma operated the museum and prison area until 1960.

 

Chairman L. Max Connolly at 2:15 p.m., Sunday, August 11, 1957, called the fourth regular meeting of the Arizona State Parks Board to order in the Stardust Room of the Stardust Hotel in Yuma, Arizona. The first order of business that day was the introduction of Senator Harold Giss as a great friend of the Board and Arizona. Following comments by Senator Giss, the Board was taken to the Territorial Prison with the thought in mind of its becoming a State monument. Mr. Charles Reitz, State Parks Board member and Superintendent of Parks for the City of Yuma, distributed materials to the Board on the Arizona Territorial Prison (1875-1909). Mr. Marcus and Mrs. George, of the Yuma Parks and Recreation Department, escorted the Board members through the museum and cellblocks. Mrs. Clarisa Windsor, custodian of the museum, welcomed the Board and explained the history of the pieces in the museum.

 

The City Council and the citizens of Yuma strongly supported the Territorial Prison becoming a State Park. At the January 24, 1958, Parks Board Meeting, the Board unanimously agreed to accept the Territorial Prison subject to the resolution of various issues.

 

On February 6, 1958, the Board agreed that the Territorial Prison would be accepted as a priority and as the first donation from a municipality. Land ownership issues held up the transfer until October 4, 1960, when the City of Yuma sold the Territorial Prison to the Parks Board for one dollar. The Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park opened to the public on a limited basis January 1, 1961. Clarisa Windsor served as the first Park Manager.

  

The Pashupatinath Temple (Nepali: पशुपतिनाथ मन्दिर) is a famous, sacred Hindu temple dedicated to Pashupatinath and is located on the banks of the Bagmati River 5 kilometres north-east of Kathmandu Valley in the eastern city of Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. This temple is considered one of the sacred temples of Hindu faith. The temple serves as the seat of the national deity, Lord Pashupatinath. This temple complex is on UNESCO World Heritage Sites's list Since 1979. This "extensive Hindu temple precinct" is a "sprawling collection of temples, ashrams, images and inscriptions raised over the centuries along the banks of the sacred Bagmati river" and is included as one of the seven monument groups in UNESCO's designation of Kathmandu Valley as a cultural heritage site. One of the major Festivals of the temple is Maha Shivaratri on which day over 700,000 devotees visit here.

 

The twelve Jyotirlinga (in India) are the body and the Jyotirlinga at Pashupatinath in Kathmandu (Nepal) is the head over this body.

 

The temple is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams (Holy Abodes of Shiva) on the continent. Kotirudra Samhita, Chapter 11 on the Shivalingas of the North, in Shiva Purana mentions this Shivalinga as the bestower of all wishes.

 

HISTORY

The temple was erected anew in the 15th century by Lichhavi King Shupuspa after the previous building had been consumed by termites. Countless further temples have been erected around this two -storied temple. These include the Vaishnav temple complex with a Ram temple from the 14th century and the Guhyeshwari Temple mentioned in an 11th-century manuscript.

 

LEGEND ABOUT THE TEMPLE ORIGIN

Pashupatinath Temple is the oldest Hindu temple in Kathmandu. It is not known for certain when Pashupatinath Temple was founded. But according to Nepal Mahatmaya and Himvatkhanda, the deity here gained great fame there as Pashupati, the Lord of all Pashus, which are living as well as non-living beings. Pashupatinath Temple's existence dates back to 400 A.D. The richly-ornamented pagoda houses the sacred linga or holy symbol of Lord Shiva. There are many legends describing as to how the temple of Lord Pashupatinath came to existence here. Some of them are narrated below:

 

THE COW LEGEND

Legend says that Lord Shiva once took the form of an antelope and sported unknown in the forest on Bagmati river's east bank. The gods later caught up with him, and grabbing him by the horn, forced him to resume his divine form. The broken horn was worshipped as a linga but overtime it was buried and lost. Centuries later an astonished herdsmen found one of his cows showering the earth with milk. Digging deep at the site, he discovered the divine linga of Pashupatinath.

 

THE LINCHCHAVI LEGEND

According to Gopalraj Vamsavali, the oldest ever chronicle in Nepal, this temple was built by Supuspa Deva, a Linchchhavi King, who according to the stone inscription erected by Jayadeva 11 in the courtyard of Pashupatinath in 753 AD, happened to be the ruler 39 generations before Manadeva (464-505 AD).

 

THE DEVALAYA LEGEND

Another chronicle states that Pashupatinath Temple was in the form of Linga shaped Devalaya before Supuspa Deva constructed a five storey temple of Pashupatinath in this place. As the time passed, the need for repairing and renovating this temple arose. It is learnt that this temple was reconstructed by a medieval King named Shivadeva (1099-1126 AD). It was renovated by Ananta Malla adding a roof to it. Thousands of pilgrims from all over the world come to pay homage to this temple, that is also known as 'The Temple of Living Beings'.

 

OTHER BELIEFS

There are several complex stories involving the origins of Pashupatinath. One story goes, in brief, that Shiva and Parvati came to the Kathmandu Valley and rested by the Bagmati while on a journey. Shiva was so impressed by its beauty and the surrounding forest that he and Parvati changed themselves into deers and walked into the forest. Many spots in the Kathmandu Valley are identified as places where Shiva went during his time as a deer. After a while the people and gods began to search for Shiva. Finally, after various complications, they found him in the forest, but he refused to leave. More complications ensued, but ultimately Shiva announced that, since he had lived by the Bagmati in a deer's form, he would now be known as Pashupatinath, Lord of all animals. It is said that whoever came here and beheld the lingam that appeared there would not be reborn as an animal.

 

FINDING OF SHIVA LINGA AT PASHIPATINATH TEMPLE

It is said that the wish-fulfilling cow Kamadhenu took shelter in a cave on the Chandravan mountain. Everyday Kamadhenu went down to the place the lingam was sunken into the soil and poured her milk on top of the soil. After ten thousand years some people saw Kamadhenu pouring milk on that same spot everyday, and started to wonder what that would be. So they removed the soil and found the beautiful shining lingam and started worshiping it.

 

TEMPLE COMPLEX

The area of Pashupatinath encompasses 264 hectare of land including 518 temples and monuments. Main pagoda style temple is located in the fortified courtyard within the complex guarded by Nepal Police and has a police outpost post along with living quarter within. In front of the western door there is a huge statue Nandi bull, in bronze. Along with many temples and shrines of both Vaishnav and saiva tradition.

 

TEMPLES AND SHRINES IN THE INNER COURTYARD

Vasuki nath temple

Unmatta Bhairav temple

Surya narayan temple

Kirti mukh bhairav shrine

Budanil kantha shrine

Hanuman shrine

184 shivaling shrine

 

TEMPLES AND SHRINES IN THE OUTER COMPLEX

Ram mandir

Virat swaroop temple

12 jyotirlingha and Pandra Shivalaya

Guhyeshwari Temple

 

MAIN TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE

This main temple is built in the Nepalese pagoda style of architecture. All the features of pagoda style is founded here like cubic constructions, beautifully carved wooden rafters on which they rest (tundal). The two level roofs are of copper with gold covering. The temple resides on a square base platform with a height of 23m 7 cm from base to pinnacle. It has four main doors, all covered with silver sheets. This temple has a gold pinnacle (Gajur). Inside are two Garbhagrihas, outer and inner. The inner garbhagriha or sanctum sanctorum is where the idol is placed and outer sanctum is an open corridor like space.

 

THE DEITY

The sacro sanctum, or the main idol is a stone Mukhalinga with a silver yoni base bound with silver serpent. The lingam is one metre high and has faces in four directions. These faces represents various ascepts of Shiva; Sadyojata (also known as Barun), Vamdeva (also known as Ardha nareshwor), Tatpurusha, Aghor & Ishana (imaginative). Facing West, North, East, South and Zenith respectively representing five primary elements namely earth, water, air, light and ether. Each face has tiny protruding hands holding rudraksha mala on right hand and a kamandalu on the other.Unlike other shiva lingams in India and Nepal this pashupati shiva lingam is always Dressed in its golden vastra except during abhishakam, so pouring milk and ganga jal is only possible during abhishakam through the main priests.

 

PRIESTS

Daily rituals of Pashupatinath are carried out by two sets of priests ;one being the Bhatt priests and other Bhandari. Bhatta or Bhatt are the one who performs the daily ritual and can touch the lingam, where as Bhadaris are the helper and temple care taker priests but are not qualified perform pooja rituals or to touch the deity.

 

Bhatta or Bhat are highly educated Vedic bhramin Scholars from Brahmin family from South Indian State Karnataka.Unlike other Hindu temples priesthood of Pashupatinath is not hereditary. Priests are selected from a group of scholars educated by Shri Shankaracharya Dakshinamnaya Peeth Sringeri on Rig Vedic Recitation, initiated in Pashupata Yoga by Kashi Math,Shiva Āgama and learned Recitation of Samaveda from Haridwar.After qualifying and fulfilling all those criteria they will be selected for Priesthood by Raj Guru of Pashupatinath Temple undergoing strict examination on Vedas and Shiva Agamas and then the qualifies are sent to Kathmandu for performing Puja and Daily Worship of Lord Shri Pashupatinath This tradition is reported to have started by the request of Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century, who sought to unify the different states of Bharatam (Unified India) by encouraging cultural exchange. This procedure is also followed in other temples around Bharata-varsa which were sanctified by Adi Shankaracharya. The unique feature of this temple is that only 4 Bhatta priests can touch the deity.Current Bhatt priests of the temple are;

 

Ganesh Bhat (15th head priest of the Pashupatinath Temple aka Mool Bhat) from Udupi.

Ram Karanth Bhat from Mangaluru.

Girish Bhat from Sirsi.

Narayan Bhat(Recently appointed) from Bhatkal

Raghavendra Bhat (Priest for Vasuki Nath temple only)

 

Bhandaris or Rajbhandari are the treasurers, temple caretakers, and assistant priest of the temple.

 

These Bhandaris are the descendants of helper priests brought up by early Bhatts, but were allowed to settle in Kathmandu valley and later assimilated in existing Newar caste of Rajbhandari - a high-caste Chathariya/Kshatriya clan of Kashyapa gotra. Their main function is to help the Bhatta priest and perform maintenance of the inner Garbhagriha. They can have little or no Vedic knowledge but still qualify as assistant priests if they belong from the same family lineage and undergo some basic criteria like caste, gotra, lineage purity, educational qualification, etc. They work in set of four and change in every full moon day. There are a total of 108 Bhandaris.

 

ENTRY AND DARSHAN

Temple courtyard has 4 entrances in all directions.The western entrance is the main entrance to the temple courtyard and rest three entrances are only opened during big festival . Temple security (Armed Police Force Nepal) is selective regarding who is allowed entry into the inner courtyard . Practicing Hindus and buddhist of Indian and Tibetan descendent are only allowed into temple courtiyard . Practicing Hindus of western descent are not allowed into the temple complex along with other non Hindu Visitors. Sikh and Jain groups are allowed into the temple compound if they are of Indian ancestry. Others can look at the main temple from adjacent side of the river and has to pay a nominal fee of $10 (1000 Nepali rupee) for visiting hundreds of small temples in the external premises of the temple complex . The inner temple courtyard remains open from 4 am to 7 pm for the devotee but the Inner Pashupatinath Temple where the Lingam of lord Pashupatinath is established is open from 5am to 12 pm for the morning ritual and viewing and from 5pm to 7 pm for evening ritual. Unlike many other Saiva temples devotees are not allowed to enter in the inner-most Garbhagriha but are allowed to view from the exterior premises of the outer Garbhagriha.

 

FESTIVALS

There are many festivals throughout the year .Thousands of people attend these festival.The most important festival is the Maha Shiva Ratri .Bala chaturthi and Teej.

 

CONTROVERSY OF 2009

In January 2009, after the forced resignation by the chief priest of Pashupatinath temple, the Maoist-led government of Nepal "hand picked" Nepalese priests to lead the temple, thus bypassing the temple's long-standing requirements. This appointment was contested by the Bhandaris of the temple, stating that they were not against the appointment of Nepalese priests but against the appointment without proper procedure. After the appointment was challenged in a civil court, the appointment was overruled by Supreme Court of Nepal.However, the government did not heed the ruling and stood by its decision. This led to public outrage and protests over a lack of transparency. The paramilitary group of the CPN (Maoist), called YCL, attacked the protesters, leading to over a dozen injuries. Lawmakers and activists from opposition parties joined protests, declaring their support for the Bhatta and other pro-Bhatta protesters. After long dissatisfaction and protest by Hindus both in and outside Nepal, the government was forced to reverse its decision that had been declared illegal by the Supreme Court of Nepal and reinstate Bhatta priests.

 

2015 EARTHQUAKE

The main temple complex of Pashupatinath and the sanctum sanctorum was left untouched but some of the outer buildings in the World Heritage Site were damaged by the April 2015 Nepal earthquake.

 

WIKIPEDIA

LEGOLAND Windsor a theme park dedicated to children aged 3-12 years old and of course big kid adults.

An inspirational land where the kids are the hero and adults relive their childhood.

The fun never stops and imagination knows no bounds, a family attraction like no other.

Set in 150 acres of beautiful parkland, LEGOLAND Windsor is a unique family theme park with over 55 interactive rides, live shows, building workshops, driving schools and attractions.

It's amazing what can be built with LEGO bricks - nearly 55 million of them!

From comical camels to fearsome fire-breathing dragons, world landmarks to musical pirates, young and old alike will be fascinated by the incredible LEGO models throughout the park.

Fun Facts about LEGOLAND Windsor

There are 34 LEGO pieces in an average Miniland figure.

The largest model in Miniland is the Canary Wharf Tower which is 5.2 metres tall and took 3 model makers 850 hours to complete using 200,000 LEGO Bricks!

The smallest models are the pigeons in Trafalgar Square which contain 5 LEGO bricks each

New in 2011 - Atlantis Submarine Voyage

Take a deep breath and submerge yourself in an underwater adventure.

Plunge into the depths with this world-first LEGO® submarine ride and immerse yourself in a magical underwater adventure.

So what’s New in 2012

STAR WARS MINILAND EXPERIENCE - The Force has arrived at LEGOLAND

Take a trip to a galaxy far, far away at the UK’s only indoor LEGO® Star Wars™ Miniland Experience at the LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort. Enjoy seven of the most famous scenes from the six live-action Star Wars movies, as well as a scene from the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars™ all made out of 1.5 million LEGO® bricks built in 1:20 scale. Follow the chronological path through the Star Wars timeline and retrace the major events of the beloved Saga featuring 2,000 LEGO® models, authentic sounds and lighting effects in the ultimate LEGO® Star Wars experience.

 

LEGOLAND WINDSOR RESORT HOTEL - Now open

 

An exciting LEGO adventure awaits you, as the amazing 150 room, fully themed LEGOLAND Hotel opens at LEGOLAND Windsor RESORT!

Staying overnight at the new LEGOLAND Windsor Resort Hotel is a must for all LEGO fans. From the spectacular dragon-guarded entrance and interactive LEGO features through to the brightly coloured pirate splash pool and fully themed bedrooms, the new hotel will inspire imaginations and create laugh-out loud memories. With dedicated indoor play areas, entertainment and a buffet-style restaurant serving child-friendly meals, it’s the perfect family treat.

These dedicated volunteers spent the day calling local voters out of a Virginia field office.

Photo by OFA Virginia for Obama for America.

Brentwood Cathedral

 

Brentwood Cathedral began in 1861 as a parish church built in a gothic style.This relatively small building was raised to Cathedral status in 1917. Between 1989 and 1991 the church was enlarged in an Italianate Classical style by Quinlan Terry. The original church building on the south (liturgical east) side was retained

 

The new Brentwood Cathedral was dedicated by Cardinal Basil Hume on 31 May 1991. The donors chose to remain anonymous and the money was given solely for this purpose.

 

Architecturally, Quinlan Terry took his inspiration from the early Italian Renaissance crossed with the English Baroque of Christopher Wren. This, it was felt, would be appropriate for the town and its conservation area, but above all it would provide the right space and light for the liturgy to be celebrated. The cathedral was designed along a square plan, focussed on the high altar, placed in the nave to accommodate the changes in liturgical fashion after the Second Vatican Council.

 

Work began in 1989 and was completed two years later. The north elevation consists of nine bays each divided by Doric pilasters. This is broken by a huge half-circular portico, which was inspired by a similar one at St Paul's. The handmade traditional Smeed Dean brick of the clerestory leads up to the octagonal lantern, or cupola, the high point both of the outside and inside.

 

A conscious decision was taken to retain part of the Gothic revival church of 1861 alongside the new classical cathedral. The east elevation juxtaposes the old and the new, linking them through the scale of the 1991 building and the sympathetic use of ragstone and Welsh slate roof tiles.

 

All the Classical architectural orders are represented in the interior - the four giant Doric pilasters, the Tuscan arcade of arches, the Ionic pilasters of the Palladian windows in the east and west aisles, the Corinthian and Composite influences evident on the cathedral and the organ case.

 

While the interior of the cathedral has a deliberately 'restrained' feeling to it, richness is to be found in the ceiling. The Roman key pattern and the double guilloche pattern, picked out in gold leaf, are dominant here. All the round-headed windows are in the Classical-Wren style, with clear leaded lights of hand-made glass.

 

With clear windows on all four sides, the cathedral is flooded with light at any time of the day. This, together with the white walls and stone floor, combines to give a translucent effect which uplifts the spirit and conveys its own sense of the presence of God. The cathedral is lit by brass English Classical chandeliers (one of which was formerly in the church at Epping) and, above the cornice, concealed lighting.

 

The processional cross is a copy of a medieval design. The figure represents a transitional period in the theology of design where Christ still wears the crown of the Risen Lord, but the corpus is that of the crucified Saviour. The Bishop's chair or cathedra is a tangible sign of his presiding over the diocese. It was made in Pisa, in Nabrassina stone, and has steps of Portland stone. In the centre is the coat of arms of the diocese. The base of the seat is inlaid with slate, to match the floor.

 

Consecration crosses are incised into the stone of the Doric pilasters that hold up the clerestory. They were anointed like the altar, as a sign that the whole building is dedicated to God.On the feast of the Dedication the candles in front of the gilded crosses are lit. In the east aisle, there are two rooms set aside to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation or Confession. Opposite them is a crucifix, formerly in the church at Stock, Essex.

 

Around the arcade are terracotta roundels representing the 15 Stations of the Cross. These were modelled by Raphael Maklouf, the well-known sculptor, who was responsible for the Queen's head on Commonwealth coinage from 1985 to 1997. Their milky glaze perfectly complements the subtlety and intimacy with which the familiar scenes have been expressed.

My mother is english and this hardly an english teapot, but a very beautiful one just like my mom! Shes not doing the best! Seems like one day she is doing better and then the next she is not! This was in the de young museum san francisco

Copyright ©childofGOD. All rights reserved. Use without permission is illegal.

 

One of my contacts Duncan takes some amazing photos of swans so I'm dedicating my feeble attempt to him!

 

Mike and I will be gone today so no need to comment as I won't be able to visit you!

The Province is helping keep people safe by creating hubs of police, dedicated prosecutors and probation officers focused on tackling repeat violent offending in every region of the province. Learn more: news.gov.bc.ca/28552

These audience members staked out their spots close to the stage in anticipation for a good show that included, "The Crazy Carls," "iLa Mawana," "Big B," and, "The Expendables."

uno scatto dedicato a tutte le donne

 

Click here to view large

© All rights reserved

 

see it on fluidr

 

prints here - stampe qui

  

Dedicated to the designers, developers and engineers who build the world’s most engaging user interfaces. From the community, for the community.

Dedicated: Work by »Rait«, spotted in the Dedicated HoF at night. Early July 2013. – Thanx to Babak and the Shop-Crew.

The abbey, dedicated to Saint Magloire of Dol, a Welsh monk who became Bishop of Dol-de-Bretagne (25 kms east) and ended his life on the island of Sark (~575). The abbey was founded on the banks of the river Rance in the 9th century with a strong support of Nominoë, the legendary first Duke of Brittany. In 910 the Vikings raid the area. They loot and destroy the monastery. The monks had left already. At that time, the monks had transferred the relics of Saint-Magloire already to Paris, where they founded a new Abbaye Saint-Magloire.

 

The monks returned and started to rebuilt from 1008 on. The abbey flourished, but was dependent from the Abbaye de Marmoutier (Tours), what caused trouble with all bishops around. The convent had a long history, that ended when, in 1767, - the buildings were crumbling -, the last six monks left. The buildings were sold as "National Property" after the French Revolution and were used as a brewery for a while. Reconstruction started mid 19th century. The church, built around 1190-1210, now serves the parish.

 

the song

Dedicated to Anais.

The renowned Jain temple at Ranakpur is dedicated to Adinatha. There is also a small Sun temple which is managed by the Udaipur royal family trust.

 

Architecture

 

Light colored marble has been used for the construction of this grand temple which occupies an area of approximately 60 x 62 meters. The temple, with its distinctive domes, shikhara, turrets and cupolas rises majestically from the slope of a hill. Over 1444 marble pillars, carved in exquisite detail, support the temple. The pillars are all differently carved and no two pillars are the same. It is also said that it is impossible to count the pillars. Also all the statues face one or the other statue. There is one beautiful carving made out of a single marble rock where there 108 heads of snakes and numerous tails. One cannot find the end of the tails. The image faces all four cardinal directions. In the axis of the main entrance, on the western side, is the largest image.

 

The temple is designed as chaumukha—with four faces. The construction of the temple and quadrupled image symbolize the Tirthankara's conquest of the four cardinal directions and hence the cosmos.

 

The construction is well documented in a 1437 CE copper-plate record, inscriptions in the temple and a Sanskrit text Soma-Saubhagya Kavya. Inspired by a dream of a celestial vehicle, Dhanna Shah, a Porwad, commenced its construction, under the patronage of Rana Kumbha, then ruler of Mewar. The architect who oversaw the project was named Deepaka. There is an inscription on a pillar near the main shrine stating that in 1439 Deepaka, an architect, constructed the temple at the direction of Dharanka, a devoted Jain. When the ground floor was completed, Acharya Soma Sundar Suri of Tapa Gachha supervised the ceremonies, which are described in Soma-Saubhagya Kavya. The construction continued until 1458AD.

 

The temple was renovated time to time. Some famililies supported the construction of devakulikas and mandaps. The descendants of Dharanashah now mainly live in Ghanerao. The temple has been managed by the Anandji Kalyanji Pedhi trust in the past century

An entire store dedicated to Pokemon items! Wanted to go here for years! #pokemon #pokemoncenter #tokyo

 

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juliiow: @michaelwuilfredo clica na LOCALIZAO das fotos.. e vê as fotos.. do poke centro que tem lá em Tokyo 😢😢😢😢😢 partiu morar lá ????

 

michaelwuilfredo: Top @juliiow

  

Dedicated in 1899,The Horse Tamers, by Frederick MacMonnies (1863-1937), flank the Park Circle Entrance of Brooklyn's Prospect Park. Horse Tamers is an allegory of the Triumph of Mind over Brute Strength. The sculptures depict nude young men riding bareback on rearing, unbridled horses. To achieve their great dynamic energy, MacMonnies sculpted the horses after live Andalusian models.

 

(textures thanks to ghostbones and playingwithbrushes)

 

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

The Fox and the Little Prince

 

it was then that the fox appeared.

"good morning" said the fox.

 

"good morning"

the little prince responded politely

altho when he turned around he saw nothing.

 

"I am right here" the voice said, "under the apple

tree."

 

"who are you?" asked the little prince, and added,

 

"You are very pretty to look at."

 

"I am a fox", the fox said.

 

"Come and play with me,"

proposed the little prince, "I am so unhappy."

 

"I cannot play with you," the fox said,

"I am not tamed."

 

"AH please excuse me,"said the little prince.

But after some thought, he added:

"what does that mean---'tame'?"

 

"you do not live here," said the fox,

"what is it you are looking for?"

 

"I am looking for men," said the little prince.

"What does that mean---tame?"

 

"Men,"said the fox,

"they have guns, and they hunt.

It is very disturbing.

They also raise chickens.

These are their only interests.

Are you looking for chickens?"

 

"No," said the little prince.

"I am looking for friends.

What does that mean---tame?"

 

"It is an act too often neglected,"

said the fox.

"It means to establish ties."

 

"To establish ties?"

 

"Just that," said the fox.

"to me, you are still nothing more than

a little boy who is just like

a hundred thousand other little boys.

And I have no need of you.

And you, on your part, have no need of me.

To you I am nothing more

than a fox like a hundred thousand other foxes.

But if you tame me, then we shall need each other.

To me, you will be unique in all the world.

To you, I shall be unique in all the world. . ."

 

"I am beginning to understand,"

said the little prince.

 

"There is a flower. . .I think she has tamed me. . ."

 

"It is possible," said the fox.

 

"On earth one sees all sorts of things."

 

"Oh but this is not on the earth!"

said the little prince.

 

The fox seemed perplexed, and very curious.

"On another planet?"

 

"Yes"

 

"Are there hunters on that planet?"

 

"No"

 

"Ah that's interesting! Are there chickens?"

 

"No"

 

"Nothing is perfect," sighed the fox.

But he came back to his idea.

"My life is very monotonous," he said.

"I hunt chickens; men hunt me.

All chickens are just alike,

and all the men are just alike.

And in consequence, I am a little bored.

But if you tame me,

it will be as if the sun came to shine on my life.

I shall know the sound of a step that will be

different from all the others.

Other steps send me hurrying back

underneath the ground.

Yours will call me, like music out of my burrow.

And then look:

you see the grain-fields down yonder?

I do not eat bread.

Wheat is of no use to me.

The wheat fields have nothing to say to me.

And that is sad.

But you have hair that is the color of gold.

Think how wonderful that will be

when you have tamed me!

The grain, which is also golden,

will bring me back the thought of you.

And I shall love to listen

to the wind in the wheat. . ."

 

The fox gazed at the little prince,

for a long time.

"Please---tame me!" he said.

 

"I want to, very much," the little prince replied.

"But I have not much time.

I have friends to discover,

and a great many things to understand."

 

"One only understands the things that one tames,"

said the fox.

" Men have no more time to understand anything.

They buy things all ready made at the shops.

But there is no shop anywhere

where one can buy friendship,

and so men have no friends any more.

If you want a friend, tame me. . ."

 

"What must I do, to tame you?

asked the little prince.

 

"You must be very patient," replied the fox.

First you will sit down

at a little distance from me

-like that-in the grass.

I shall look at you out of the corner of my eye,

and you will say nothing.

Words are the source of misunderstandings.

But you will sit a little closer to me,

every day..."

 

The next day the little prince came back.

 

"It would have been better to come back

at the same hour," said the fox.

"If for example, you came at four o'clock

in the afternoon,

then at three o'clock I shall begin to be happy.

I shall feel happier and happier

as the hour advances.

At four o'clock,

I shall be worrying and jumping about.

I shall show you how happy I am!

But if you come at just any time,

I shall never know at what hour

my heart is ready to greet you. . .

One must observe the proper rites. . ."

 

"What is a rite?" asked the little prince.

 

"Those also are actions too often neglected,"

said the fox.

"they are what make one day

different from other days,

one hour different from other hours.

There is a rite, for example, among my hunters.

Every Thursday they danse with the village girls.

So Thursday is a wonderful day for me!

I can take a walk as far as the vineyards.

But if the hunters danced at just any time,

every day would be like

every other day,

and I should never have any vacation at all."

  

So the little prince tamed the fox.

And when the hour of his departure drew near---

 

"Ah," said the fox, "I shall cry."

 

"It is your own fault," said the little prince.

"I never wished you any sort of harm;

but you wanted me to tame you. . ."

 

"Yes that is so", said the fox.

 

"But now you are going to cry!"

said the little prince.

 

"Yes that is so" said the fox.

 

"Then it has done you no good at all!"

 

"It has done me good," said the fox,

"because of the color of the wheat fields."

And then he added:

"go and look again at the roses.

You will understand now

that yours is unique in all the world.

Then come back to say goodbye to me,

and I will make you a present of a secret."

 

The little prince went away,

to look again at the roses.

"You are not at all like my rose," he said.

"As yet you are nothing.

No one has tamed you, and you have tamed no one.

You are like my fox when I first knew him.

He was only a fox

like a hundred thousand other foxes.

But I have made a friend,

and now he is unique in all the world."

And the roses were very much embarrassed.

"You are beautiful, but you are empty," he went on.

"One could not die for you.

To be sure, an ordinary passerby would think

that my rose looked just like you

--the rose that belongs to me.

But in herself alone she is more important

than all the hundreds of you

other roses: because it is she that I have watered;

because it is she

that I have put under the glass globe;

because it is for her

that I have killed the caterpillars

(except the two or three we saved

to become butterflies);

because it is she that I have listened to,

when she grumbled,

or boasted,

or even sometimes when she said nothing.

Because she is MY rose."

  

And he went back to meet the fox.

"Goodbye" he said.

 

"Goodbye," said the fox.

"And now here is my secret, a very simple secret:

It is only with the heart that one can see rightly;

what is essential is invisible to the eye."

 

"What is essential is invisible to the eye,"

the little prince repeated,

so that he would be sure to remember.

 

"It is the time you have wasted for your rose

that makes your rose so important.

 

"It is the time I have wasted for my rose--

"said the little prince

so he would be sure to remember.

 

"Men have forgotten this truth," said the fox.

"But you must not forget it.

You become responsible, forever,

for what you have tamed.

You are responsible for your rose. . ."

 

"I am responsible for my rose,"

the little prince repeated,

so that he would be sure to remember.

  

From the Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery

   

Kalkaji Mandir, कालकाजी मंदिर, दिल्ली , भारत , also known as Kalkaji Temple, is a Hindu mandir or temple, dedicated to the Hindu Goddess Kali. This temple is situated in the southern part of Delhi, India, in Kalkaji, a locality that has derived its name from the temple and is located opposite Nehru Place business centre. The temple is accessible by public transport on Kalkaji Mandir (Delhi Metro) and is near Bus Terminus-Nehru Place and Railway Station-Okhla.[1][2][3] The general belief is that the image of the Goddess Kalka here is a self-manifested one, and that the shrine dates back to Satya Yuga when the Goddess Kalika had incarnated and killed the demon Raktabija along with other giant demons.

General information

Kalka or Kalkaji Mandir is amongst the oldest and the most revered temples of India.[citation needed] The temple is dedicated to the goddess Kalka or Kali, an incarnation of Durga. It is also called 'Jayanti Peetha' or 'Manokamna Siddha Peetha'. 'Manokamna' literally means desire, 'Siddha' means fulfillment, and 'Peetha' means shrine. So, it is believed to be the holy shrine where one gets the blessings of Maa Kalika Devi (Goddess or Mother Kalika) for the fulfillment of one's desires.

 

The temple complex is situated on Kalkaji Mandir (Delhi Metro) between the Nehru Place bus terminus & business center and Okhla railway station & industrial area, and is right beside the Bahá'í Lotus Temple. Close by to the temple, on a hill in the East of Kailash neighbourhood and near the ISKCON temple, lies an Edict of Ashoka, dating 3rd century BC.

 

Devotees attend the Kalkaji temple throughout the year, but the culmination point of their prayers and celebration comes during the festival of Navratri twice a year. This is a nine-day Hindu festival, in Spring and Autumn during which a large fair is organized. Devotees gather and sing various hymns and songs praising the Goddess Durga.

History

While the Hindu scriptures have multiple references and legends regarding the birth and acts of the Goddess Kali, the legend which tells about the circumstances attending to the birth of Maa Kalika Devi at the Kalkaji Mandir is as below:

 

Millions of years ago, the gods who dwelt in the neighbourhood of the present temple were troubled by two giants and were compelled to prefer their complaint to Lord Brahma, 'the god of all'. But Lord Brahma declined to interfere, and referred them to the Goddess Parvati. Out of the mouth of Maa Parvati sprung Kaushki Devi, who attacked the two giants and slaughtered them, but it so happened, that as their blood fell on the dry earth thousands of giants came into life, and the battle was maintained by Kaushki Devi against great odds. Maa Parvati took compassion on her offspring and out of the eyebrows of Kaushki Devi came maa Kali Devi, 'whose lower lip rested on the hills below and the upper lip touched the sky above. She drank the blood of the slaughtered giants as it poured out of their wounds; and the goddess obtained a complete victory over their enemies. Maa Kali Devi then fixed her abode here, and she was worshipped as the chief divinity of the place.

It is believed that the Goddess Kalkaji, pleased with the prayers offered and rituals performed by the Gods on the advice of Lord Brahma, appeared on this mount, known as Surya Koota Parvata, and blessed them. Ever since, the Goddess took this holy place as her abode and has been fulfilling the wishes of her devotees. During the Mahabharata, Lord Krishna and the Pandavas are said to have worshipped this Goddess during the reign of Yudhisthir.

References in History

According to the Government records, the temple of Kalkaji is said to have a very ancient origin, but the oldest portions of the present building is believed to have been constructed not earlier than the 1764 AD by the Maratha rulers.[4] In 1816 A.D. Mirza Raja Kidar Nath, the Peshkar of Akbar II, is said to have made some additions to it. Over the last five to six decades, a considerable number of dharamshalas have been erected in the vicinity by the Hindu bankers and merchants of Delhi place. It is said that Baba Balak Nath of Nath Sampradaya, i.e. the Kanpata Yogis (who have rings pierced in the ears) visited this holy place hundreds of years ago. He is believed to have had the darshan of Goddess Kalika who asked him to stay here and get the temple reconstructed, which by then was completely ruined due to neglect. From that time onwards the yogis of Nath Sampradaya have been serving the Goddess and are enthroned as Mahant. Baba Sandhya Nath, Baba Sahaja Nath, Mahant Prithvi Nath, Mahant Rama Nath are remembered with great respect. They were renowned yogis of their time empowered with special spiritual powers and visions.

Modern Structure

The temple complex, as it stands today, is constructed of brick masonry, finished with plaster (now with marbles) and is surrounded by a pyramidal tower. The Central Chamber which is 12-sided in plan diam. (24' I.M.) with a doorway in each side is paved with marble and is surrounded by a verandah 8'9" wide and containing 36 arched openings (shown as the exterior doorways in the Parikrama). This verandah encloses the Central Chamber from all sides. About the middle of this arcade opposite the eastern doorway there are two red sandstone tigers sitting on a marble pedestal on which the inscription engraved on the marble railings is repeated. The language of the inscriptions is Urdu and the characters on the railings as well as on the pedestals are nastaliq without any pretensions to antiq mvbm,cuity. Between the tigers there is stone image of Kali Devi with her name engraved on it in Hindi, and a trident of stone standing before it.

Rituals

The major ritual consists of offering and bathing the idol (Mata Snanam) with milk followed by an Aarti every morning (6 AM) and evening (7:30 PM). This, in turn, is followed by hymn recitation. Offerings can be purchased just before the entrance of the temple. Visitors should be alert in the area as the place is very crowded and there can be Pickpockets. The Puja archana and other rituals are performed turn by turn (Monthly Basis) by Pujaris consisting of more than 1000 Nai families who are the descendants of 4 main clans (Thule's) of Brahmin pujaris and one clan of Jogis/Mahants.

 

The atmosphere around the temple is airy and bright with lights which stay during the whole night. Devotees also try to meditate there and a tantric aarti is held in the evening. BY KAILASH MANSAROVAR FOUNDATION SWAMI BILASH GIRI www.sumeruparvat.com , www.naturalitem.com

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A visit to The Art Gallery of New South Wales 14/2019

 

The Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW), located in The Domain in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, is the most important public gallery in Sydney and one of the largest in Australia. The Gallery's first public exhibition opened in 1874. Admission is free to the general exhibition space, which displays Australian art (from settlement to contemporary), European and Asian art. A dedicated Asian Gallery was opened in 2003.

 

Garden Palace

 

The Art Gallery of New South Wales (c.1900)

On 24 April 1871, a public meeting was convened in Sydney to establish an Academy of Art 'for the purpose of promoting the fine arts through lectures, art classes and regular exhibitions.' From 1872 until 1879 the Academy's main activity was the organisation of annual art exhibitions. The first exhibition of colonial art, under the auspices of the Academy, was held at the Chamber of Commerce, Sydney Exchange in 1874. In 1875 Apsley Falls by Conrad Martens, commissioned by the trustees and purchased for £50 out of the first government grant of £500, became the first work on paper by an Australian artist to be acquired by the Gallery.[2]

 

The Gallery's collection was first housed at Clark's Assembly Hall in Elizabeth Street where it was open to the public on Friday and Saturday afternoons. The collection was relocated in 1879 to a wooden annexe to the Garden Palace built for the Sydney International Exhibition in the Domain and was officially opened as "The Art Gallery of New South Wales". In 1882, the first Director, Eliezer Montefiore and his fellow trustees opened the art gallery on Sunday afternoons from 2 pm to 5 pm. Montefiore believed:

 

... the public should be afforded every facility to avail themselves of the educational and civilising influence engendered by an exhibition of works of art, bought, moreover, at the public expense.[3]

 

The destruction of the Garden Palace by fire in 1882 placed pressure on the government to provide a permanent home for the national collection.[2] In 1883 private architect John Horbury Hunt was engaged by the trustees to submit designs. The same year there was a change of name to "The National Art Gallery of New South Wales". The Gallery was incorporated by The Library and Art Gallery Act 1899.[4][5]

 

In 1895, the new Colonial Architect, Walter Liberty Vernon (1846–1914), was given the assignment to design the new permanent gallery and two picture galleries were opened in 1897 and a further two in 1899. A watercolour gallery was added in 1901 and in 1902 the Grand Oval Lobby was completed.[5]

 

20th century

Over 300,000 people came to the Gallery during March and April 1906 to see Holman Hunt’s painting The Light of the World. In 1921, the inaugural Archibald Prize was awarded to W.B. McInnes for his portrait of architect Desbrowe Annear. The equestrian statues The offerings of peace and The offerings of war by Gilbert Bayes were installed in front of the main facade in 1926.[6] James Stuart MacDonald was appointed director and secretary in 1929. In 1936 the inaugural Sulman Prize was awarded to Henry Hanke for La Gitana. John William Ashton was appointed director and secretary in 1937.[2]

  

William Dobell, photographed by Max Dupain (1942)

The first woman to win the Archibald Prize was Nora Heysen in 1938 with her portrait Mme Elink Schuurman, the wife of the Consul General for the Netherlands. The same year electric light was temporarily installed at the Gallery to remain open at night for the first time. In 1943 William Dobell won the Archibald Prize for Joshua Smith, causing considerable controversy. Hal Missingham was appointed director and secretary in 1945.

 

In 1958 the Art Gallery of New South Wales Act was amended and the Gallery’s name reverted to "The Art Gallery of New South Wales".[7]

 

In 1969 construction began on the Captain Cook wing to celebrate the bicentenary of Cook's landing in Botany Bay. The new wing opened in May 1972, following the retirement of Missingham and the appointment of Peter Phillip Laverty as director in 1971.[2]

 

The first of the modern blockbusters to be held at the Gallery was Modern masters: Monet to Matisse in 1975. It attracted 180,000 people over 29 days. The 1976 the Biennale of Sydney was held at the Gallery for the first time. The Sydney Opera House had been the location for the inaugural Biennale in 1973. 1977 saw an exhibition "A selection of recent archaeological finds of the People's Republic of China."[8][9] Edmund Capon was appointed director in 1978 and in 1980 The Art Gallery of New South Wales Act (1980) established the "Art Gallery of New South Wales Trust".[10] It reduced the number of trustees to nine and stipulated that "at least two" members "shall be knowledgeable and experienced in the visual arts".[2]

 

With the support of then Premier Neville Wran a major extension of the Gallery became a Bicennential project. Opened just in time in December 1988, the extensions doubled the floor space of the Gallery. In 1993 Kevin Connor won the inaugural Dobell Prize for Drawing for Pyrmont and city. In 1994, the Yiribana Gallery, dedicated to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, was opened.[2]

Te dedico estas fotos hechas en el parque que conoces. Te echamos de menos y como se q entras a leer todos los días, quiero decirte que te quiero mucho.

De todos modos, como dice Benedetti, para vos no es novedad

que el mundo

y yo

te queremos de veras

pero yo siempre un poquito más que el mundo.

  

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www.morvor.com/video/shes-dedicated/

717am, got to the location at 0515, which meant leaving the warm comfy hotel room at 0230. -20C (-30 with the windchill.) dark. wolves nipping at my heels, which are waist deep in snow. constantly hopping in and out of the truck to warm up; both myself and the camera. what the hell kind of hobby is this?

 

this should probably be called "committed" but in a different sense.

Mesa Arch, Canyonlands National Park, Utah, USA

 

This is what happens on Thanksgiving weekend - everyone gets up at 6am to go photographing things! This is not something I have ever seen in NZ - maybe we are not as dedicated?! One guy had been there since 5.30am just to get a good spot (sunrise was at about 7.15am)!

Unfortunately there was a band of cloud on the horizon just where the sun came up so no body here got any terrific shots but it was still a lot of fun :)

Dedicated to Love.

My Love.

 

This is my first attempt to "write" on an object more than 300 meters away.

Unfortunatelly the letters are not very clear but i hope you can read it!

Below you can find my other today attempts.

 

"Η αλήθεια έρχεται στο φώς, χωρίς να την αναζητούμε κάποτε"

Μενάνδρου - "Ραπιζομένη"

"Truth comes to light without looking for it"

Menandros

  

(I had this idea for more than a couple of months. I tried to find one lazer pointer but in 3 shops i was told that it was illegal and they had no stock.

Maybe due to some "nice guys" using them against opponents in football and basket games, or even some idiots use them against airplanes when landing, cars on highways etc!!

So while taking pics last night on a rather isoladed port, a nice Indi-Pakistan guy was selling torches, radios etc and also had lazer pointers. If i purchased it? What do you think?)

 

The Brihadeshwara Temple at Thanjavur in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva. It is an important example of Tamil architecture achieved during the Chola dynasty. The temple is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the "Great Living Chola Temples".

 

This is one of the largest temples in India and one of India's most prized architectural sites. Built by emperor Raja Raja Chola I and completed in 1010 AD. Brihadeshwara Temple, also popularly known as the 'Big Temple', turned 1000 years old in 2010.

 

Thanjavur Periya Kovil stands amidst fortified walls that were probably added in the 16th century. The vimana (or temple tower) is 66 m high and is among the tallest of its kind in the world. The Kumbam (Kalasha or Chikharam, the apex or the bulbous structure on the top) of the temple is carved out of a single rock and it weighs around 80 tons. There is a big statue of Nandi (sacred bull), carved out of a single rock, at the entrance measuring about 16 feet long and 13 feet high. The entire temple structure is made out of granite, the nearest sources of which are close to Tiruchirappalli, about 60 km to the west of Thanjavur.

 

HISTORY

The temple had its foundations laid out by the Tamil emperor Arulmozhivarman, popularly called Rajaraja Chola I,

 

in 1002 CE, as the first of the great Tamil Chola building projects.

 

The Brihadeshwarar Temple was built to grace the throne of the Chola empire in compliance to a command given to him in his dream. The scale and grandeur is in the Chola tradition. An axial and symmetrical geometry rules the temple layout. Temples from this period and the following two centuries are an expression of the Tamils (Chola) wealth, power and artistic expertise. The emergence of such features as the multifaceted columns with projecting square capitals signal the arrival of the new Chola style.

 

The Brihadeshwarar Temple was built to be the royal temple to display the emperor's vision of his power and his relationship to the universal order. The temple was the site of the major royal ceremonies such as anointing the emperor and linking him with its deity, Shiva, and the daily rituals of the deities were mirrored by those of the king. It is an architectural example showcasing the pure form of the Dravida type of temple architecture and representative of the Chola Empire ideology and the Tamil civilisation in Southern India. The temple "testify to the brilliant achievements of the Chola in architecture, sculpture, painting and bronze casting."

 

CONSTRUCTION

The wish to build a mammoth temple like this is said to have occurred to Raja Raja while he stayed at Sri Lanka as an emperor.

 

The esteemed architect and engineer of the temple was Kunjara Mallan Raja Raja Perunthachan as stated in inscriptions found at the temple. The temple was built per ancient texts called Vaastu Shastras and Agamas. He is the ancient ancestor of the doyan of Vaastu Vedic architecture, the late Dr. V. Ganapti Sthapati of Chennai and Mahabalipurim (architect of the 133' granite Thiruvalluvar statue at the tip of south India). Members of his family still live and practice the ancient art and science. The American University of Mayonic Science and Technology was initiated by Dr. V. Ganapati Sthapati to perpetuate the same form of architectural principles used by Kunjara Mallan Raja Raja Perunthachan to build the Brihadeeswarar temple. The temple was built using a measure of 1 3/8-inch called an angula (24 units equalling 33 inches called a hasta, muzam, or kishku). This is the same measure found in ancient Lothal and other sites in the Indus Valley dating back 4000 - 6000 years. This same measure is used to build structures compliant with the Vaastu Shastras and Agamas today. While some builders use a different measure this is considered a standard due to its antiquity.

 

This temple is the first building fully built by granite and finished within 5yrs [1004AD – 1009AD]. The solid base of the temple raises about 5 metres, above which stone deities and representatives of Shiva dance. The huge kalasam or Vimanam (top portion of the shrine) is believed to weigh 81.28 tonnes of single stone block and was raised to its present height by dragging on an inclined plane of 6.44 km. The big Nandi (bull), weighing about 20 tonnes is made of a single stone and is about 2 m in height, 6 m in length and 2.5 m in width. The presiding deity of lingam is 3.7m tall. The prakaram (outer precincts of the temple) measures 240m by 125m. The outer wall of the upper storey is carved with 81 dance karanas – postures of Bharathanatyam, the classical dance of Tamil Nadu. The shrine of Goddess was added by Pandyas during the 13th century, Subramanya Shrine by Vijayanagara rulers and the Vinayaka shrine was renovated by Maratha rulers.

 

TEMPLE COMPLEX

The temple complex sits on the banks of a river that was channelled to make a moat around the complex's outer walls, the walls being built like a fortress. The complex is made up of many structures that are aligned axially. The complex can be entered either on one axis through a five-story gopuram or with a second access directly to the huge main quadrangle through a smaller free-standing gopuram. The massive size of the main Vimanam (Shikhara) is ca. 60 meters high, with 16 elaborately articulated stories, and dominates the main quadrangle. Pilaster, piers, and attached columns are placed rhythmically covering every surface of the Vimanam.

 

The gopuram of the main entrance is 30 m high, smaller than the vimana. It is unusual in the dravidian architecture where the gopurams are generally the main towers and taller than the vimana.

 

MAIN TEMPLE

A first rectangular surrounding wall, 270 m by 140 m, marks the outer boundary. The main temple is in the center of the spacious quadrangle composed of a sanctuary, a Nandi, a pillared hall and an assembly hall (mandapas), and many sub-shrines. The most important part of the temple is the inner mandapa which is surrounded by massive walls that are divided into levels by sharply cut sculptures and pilasters providing deep bays and recesses. Each side of the sanctuary has a bay emphasising the principle cult icons. The karuvarai, a Tamil word meaning the interior of the sanctum sanctorum, is the inner most sanctum and focus of the temple where an image of the primary deity, Shiva, resides. Inside is a huge stone linga. The word Karuvarai means "womb chamber" from Tamil word karu for foetus. Only priests are allowed to enter this inner-most chamber.

 

In the Dravida style, the Karuvarai takes the form of a miniature vimana with other features exclusive to southern Indian temple architecture such as the inner wall together with the outer wall creating a pradakshina around the garbhagriha for circumambulation (pradakshina). The entrance is highly decorated. The inside chamber housing the image of the god is the sanctum sanctorum, the garbhagriha. The garbhagriha is square and sits on a plinth, its location calculated to be a point of total equilibrium and harmony as it is representative of a microcosm of the universe. In the center is placed the image of the deity. The royal bathing-hall where Rajaraja the great gave gifts is to the east of the hall of Irumudi-Soran.

 

The circumambulation winds around the massive lingam in the garbhagriha and is repeated in an upper story, presenting the idea that Chola Empire freely offered access to the gods.

 

The inner mandapa leads out to a rectangular mandapa and then to a twenty-columned porch with three staircases leading down. Sharing the same stone plinth is a small open mandapa dedicated to Nandi, Shiva's sacred bull mount.

 

TEMPLE DEITIES

The "moolavar" or prime deity of the Brihadeeswarar Temple is Shiva. All deities, particularly those placed in the niches of the outer wall (Koshta Moorthigal) like Dakshinamurthy, Surya, Chandra are of huge size. The Brihadiswarar temple is one of the rare temples which has idols for "Ashta-dikpaalakas" (Guardians of the directions) – Indra, Agni, Yama, Nirṛti, Varuṇa, Vāyu, Kubera, Īśāna – each of whom was originally represented by a life-sized statue, approximately 6 feet tall, enshrined in a separate temple located in the respective direction. (Only Agni, Varuṇa, Vāyu and Īśāna are preserved in situ.)

 

ADJOINING STRUCTURES

Surrounding the main temple are two walled enclosures. The outer wall is high, defining the temple complex area. Here is the massive gopuram or gateway mentioned above. Within this a portico, a barrel vaulted gorpuram with over 400 pillars, is enclosed by a high wall interspersed with huge gopurams axially lined up to the main temple.

 

FEATURES

Another widely held belief is that the shadow of the gopuram (pyramidal tower usually over the gateway of a temple) never falls on the ground. The temple is said to be made up of about 130,000 tons of granite. The Kumbam itself, a 60 ton granite stone carved in one piece, on top of the main gopuram is believed to have been taken to the top by creating an inclined slope to the height of 66m to the top of the gopuram. The prevailing belief is that a mud-slope, which starts at about three miles from the temple site, from Thirukoilore (birthplace of Raja raja's mother) near Sri Virateshvara swamy temple. Elephants might have been used to drag the stone up the slope. This was claimed to be the only part of the gopuram, which does not cast a shadow that fall on the ground, at least not within the temple premises.

 

MURALS

The temple has Chola frescoes on the walls around the sanctum sanctorum potryaing Shiva in action, destroying demonic forts, dancing and sending a white elephant to transport a devotee to heaven. These frescoes were discovered in the 1940s and portray the mythological episodes of the journey of Saint Sundarar and the Chera King to heaven, the battle scene of Tripurantaka (Lord Siva) with Asuras (demons). The Chola artists have proved their mettle by portraying even the Asura women with a sense of beauty. Some of the paintings in the sanctum sanctorum and the walls in the passage had been damaged because of the soot that had deposited on them. Owing to the continuous exposure to smoke and soot from the lamps and burning of camphor in the sanctum sanctorum over a period of centuries certain parts of the Chola paintings on the circumambulatory passage walls had been badly damaged. The Tanjore Nayak kings replaced them with a few paintings of their own, about 400 years ago. The Archaeological Survey of India, for the first time in the world, used its unique de-stucco process to restore 16 Nayak paintings, which were superimposed on 1000-year-old Chola frescoes. These 400-year-old paintings have been mounted on fibre glass boards, displayed at a separate pavilion.

 

TEMPLE PERSONNEL

The temple was consecrated in 1010 CE by Raja Raja Chola I & in 2010 a celebration commemorated the temple's thousandth anniversary. The temple maintained a staff of 1000 people in various capacities with 400 being temple dancers Besides the Brahmin priests, these included record-keepers, musicians, scholars, and craftsman of every type as well as housekeeping staff. In those days the temple was a hub of business activities for the flower, milk, oil, and ghee merchants, all of whom made a regular supply of their respective goods for the temple for its poojas and during festival seasons. Moreover as evidenced by the inscriptions that found in the compound wall of this temple, the temple had always been serving as a platform for the dancers who excelled in the traditional dance form of Bharatnatyam. vallamuthu minnadi generation worshipped this temple.

 

MILLENNIUM CELEBRATIONS

Built in the year 1010 CE by Raja Raja Chola in Thanjavur, Brihadeeswarar Temple popularly known as the 'Big Temple' turned 1000 years old in September 2010. To celebrate the 1000th year of the grand structure, the state government and the town held many cultural events. It was to recall the 275th day of his 25th regal year (1010 CE) when Raja Raja Chola (985–1014 CE) handed over a gold-plated kalasam (copper pot or finial) for the final consecration to crown the vimana, the 59.82-metre tall tower above the sanctum.

 

BHARATHANATYAM YAJNA

To mark the occasion, the state government organised a Bharathanatyam Yajna, classical dance show under noted dancer Padma Subramaniam. It was jointly organised by the Association of Bharatanatyam Artistes of India (ABHAI) and the Brhan Natyanjali Trust, Thanjavur. To mark the 1000th year anniversary of the building, 1000 dancers from New Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Singapore, Malaysia and the US danced in concert to the recorded 11 verses of divine music Thiruvichaippa (ninth of Thirumurai) composed by Karuvur Thevar (the guru of Raja Raja Chola) named Tiruvisaippa. The small town turned into a cultural hub for two days beginning 26 September 2010 as street performers and dancers performed throughout the town.

 

WIKIPEDIA

DAY 1 of the FINALE to the 2021 Motorsport Season and the end of the Season Brings us once again Back to Brands Hatch for a weekend Dedicated to the Enduro KA Series with Many Ford KA'S Ready to do Battle on the Track along with other Support Races such as Champion of Brands MSVT Track Day Trophy and MSV Super Cup Championship to name Just a Few.

 

With a Full Day of Motorsport on the Circuit Each Driver was Getting their Car Ready and making sure they had a Really Hardy Breakfast Before Getting into their Cars to Begin their Respective Qualifying Sessions for the Day.

 

Lets Get to it and See what The Last Event of the Motorsport Season Brings and who has Taken the First Pole of the Weekend.

 

Champion Of Brands-(Qualifying)

 

First Up onto the Circuit was The Champion of Brands and these Cars are Formula Ford Based and can be Very Quick in a Straight Line and through the Corner. With Cars such as the Van Diemen JL13 and the Ray GR16 Thease Cars and Drivers know how to Really Push Hard and Get Superb Results.

 

Lets Find Out who Took Pole and By How Much

 

In First Place Taking the First Pole Position of the Weekend was (Morgan Quinn) in his Formula Ford 1600 Kent with a Best Lap Time of 50.561 and a Top Speed of 86.00mph. Brilliant Work there Morgan Fantastic Lap to Start the Weekend of with a Bang.

 

In Second Place was (Lucas Romanek) in his Van Diemen JL13 with a Best Lap Time of 50.594 and a Top Speed of 85.95mph. Amazing Drive there Lucas Fantastic Work and a Very Good Spot on the Front Row for Race 1.

 

In Third Place was (Johnny Cochran) in his Formula Ford LA10 with a Best Lap Time of 51.250 and a Top Speed of 84.85mph. Great Drive there Johnny Fantastic Car Control and a Brilliant Lap to Complete The Top Three.

 

A Really Great First Qualifying Session of the Day with the Likes of Morgan Lucas and Johnny all taking the Top Three Spots in Qualifying but will anyone Else in the Field be able to Beat them off the Line into the First Corner at Paddock Hill Bend?

 

Lets Find Out

  

Champion Of Brands-(Race 1 Results)

 

After a Thrilling Qualifying Session which saw the likes of Morgan Quinn take Pole Position from Second Place Lucas Romanek with Johnny Cochran in Third Position in a Very Close Battle at the Top, it was Now Time to see which of thease Top Three Drivers could Defend their Positions thought the Race and who would be Brave Enough to make a Challenge for the Podium.

 

In First Place Taking the Victory was (Lucas Romanek) in his Van Diemen JL13 with a Best Lap Time of 50.711 and an Average Speed of 84.44mph. Congratulations Lucas a Really Well Deserved Win Under Immense Pressure Thought The Entire Race from Morgan Quinn. Brilliant Drive.

 

In Second Place was (Morgan Quinn) in his FF 1600 Kent with a Best Lap Time of 50.564 and an Average Speed of 84.42mph. Super Job out there Morgan Only 0.131 Seconds Behind Lucas and Some Really Good Defending and Battling From both of You Thought the Race. Fantastic Drive and Well Deserved.

 

In Third Place was (Benjamin Cochran) in his Formula Ford LA10 with a Best Lap Time of 51.095 and an Average Speed of 83.99mph. Great Work there Benjamin Keeping Hold of that P3 Position and Doing some Incredible work to Keep that Car on the Tarmac in Conditions that were Already Quite Dark.

 

A Really Thrilling Race to Open up the Weekend with the Likes of Lucas, Morgan and Benjamin all Taking Superb Victories in Race 1 as Well As Proving Thrilling Battles at The Top End of the Field.

 

Really Well Done to (Morgan Quinn) who also Took the Fastest Lap of the Race an Incredible (50.564) Second Lap Around The Famous Indy Circuit. Amazing Driving from Morgan.

 

A Big Congratulations to All of the other Drivers who also Took Part Your Passion and Dedication is Immense.

 

With One Last Race to Go will the likes of Lucas Romanek be able to Make it 2 out of 2 Wins for Champion of Brands or will the likes of both Benjamin and Morgan try to take that Last Victory Away from Him?

 

Lets Find Out

  

Champion Of Brands-(Race 2 Results FINAL)

 

In First Place taking the Last Victory for Champion of Brands Is (Lucas Romanek) in his Van Diemen JL13 with a Best Lap Time of 50.825 and an Average Speed of 83.45mph. Congratulations Once Again Lucas Two out of Two Wins and no Doubt a Very Happy Team and Family Awaiting You Before and After the Podium Fantastic Driving All Weekend.

 

In Second Place was (Morgan Quinn) in his FF 1600 Kent with a Best Lap Time of 50.754 and an Average Speed of 82.99mph. Very Well Driven there Morgan Great to See Such an Intense Battle Between you and Lucas for Victory in Conditions that were Almost Impossible to see anything in. Incredible Dedication and Drive.

 

In Third Place was (Benjamin Cochran) in his Formula Ford LA10 with a Best Lap Time of 51.862 and an Average Speed of 81.70mph. Nice Work there Benjamin Fantastic Driving in both Qualifying and The Two Races with a Brilliant P3 Finnish to Round off The Weekend for Champion of Brands.

 

What a Fantastic Day it has been for Champion of Brands seeing some Incredible Racing Action and a huge amount of Competitiveness from the Likes of Lucas Morgan and Benjamin who All Drove Fantastically and Put on One Hell of a Good Show.

 

A Huge Congratulations to both Lucas and Morgan as Well Who were in a Class of their Own at The Front of the Field Racing in Deteriorating Lighting Conditions with no Front Headlights on their Formula Fords to Light their Way around The Indy Circuit they Both Drove Insanely Well.

 

MSV Super Cup-(Qualifying)

 

Next Up onto the Circuit for the Day was the MSV Super Cup Championship and with a Wide Range and Variety of Racing Cars on Display it will be Very Interesting to see how many different Battles will Develop thought Both Qualifying and The Race.

 

From BMW E36's to Seat Super Copa's and even a Peugeot 205 GTI This Series has a Huge Amount of Variety Racing Within it.

 

Lets Take a Look at Qualifying and See Who Came Where

 

In First Place taking Pole Position was (Darren Goes) in his Seat Cup Racer with a Best Lap Time of 52.257 and a Top Speed of 82.21mph. Great Work there Darren Really Pushing the Car Hard and Having to Extract Everything from both Car and Driver to take P1. Super Job.

 

In Second Place was the Pairing of (A Bradley and D Bradley) in their BMW E36 with a Best Lap Time of 52.621 and a Top Speed of 82.64mph. Really Well Driven Gentlemen Very Close to Darren looking Forward to a Competitive First Race Between you All.

 

In Third Place was (Gary Hufford) in his BMW E46 M3 with a Best Lap Time of 52.723 and a Top Speed of 82.48mph. Nice Work there Gary Keeping that Fast and Capable BMW on the Track Looked to be no Easy Task but what a Fantastic Position to Start the First Race in.

 

Another Really Close Qualifying Session Between the likes of Darren Goes and the Pairing of A Brandley and D Bradley at the Top with Third Place Gary Hufford Following Closely Behind them.

 

With Their Only Race of the Day Coming Up Next will Daren Be able to Fend off the Charging Pair of A Bradley and D Bradley to take Home Victory or Will the Likes of Gary Hufford Surprise them All and Take the Victory for Himself?

 

Let's Find Out!

 

MSV Super Cup-(Race 1 Results FINAL)

 

In First Place Taking Victory was (Darren Goes) in his Seat Cup Racer with a Best Lap Time of 52.891 and an Average Speed of 77.05mph. Congratulations Darren A Well Deserved Victory Under Immense Pressure the Entire Time and No Doubt a Very Proud and Happy Family Waiting for Him Back in the Paddock.

 

In Second Place was the Pairing of (Brytchta/Smith) in their Seat Super Copa with a Best Lap Time of 52.594 and an Average Speed of 77.04mph. Great Drive from Both of You and Keeping Right on the Heels of Darren All The Time as well as Putting up a Huge Fight for First Place. Superb Drive and a Well Deserved P2 Finnish.

 

In Third Place was the Pairing of (A Bradley and D Bradley) in their BMW E36 with a Best Lap Time of 52.680 and an Average Speed of 76.93mph. Great Work to the Both of You Putting Pressure on Second Place Brytchta and Smith.

 

What an Intense Finnish to the Super Cup Championship with the Likes of Darren Goes Brytchta/Smith and A Bradley and D Bradley All Taking Superb Podium Finishes and no Doubt Going Back Home to a Very Happy and Proud Family of Great People.

 

Congratulations to All of the Other Drivers who were Also Out there Giving it their All You Guys are What Brings to Sprit of Every Racing Series to Life. Keep Working Hard and I'm Sure your Time Will Come.

 

MSVT Trackday Championship-(Qualifying)

 

Next Up was the Track Day Championship and with Another Massive Grid of 32 Cars from All Different Makes such as BMW Volkswagen Renault Ford and Caterham it was Going to be a Dynamic Qualifying Session with Many Different Cars and Drivers All Battling for Positions thought the Qualifying Session.

 

Lets Find Out who Came Out on Top and Who will be Starting on the Front Row for what Promises to be a Very Exciting and Close Race Later on.

 

In First Place taking the Victory and The Fastest Lap was (Scott Parkin) in his VW Golf TDI with a Best Lap Time of 54.419 and a Top Speed of 79.90mph. Congratulations Scott a Brilliant Pole Lap and Fantastic Car Control thought Every Corner.

 

In Second Place was (Chris Payne) in his Caterham Supersport with a Best Lap Time of 54.540 and an Average Speed of 79.73mph. Awesome Drive there from Chris Keeping up at The Front with Scott and Trading Fastest Laps thought the Qualifying Session. I Think both of them are going to put on a Brilliant Display of Racing Later.

 

In Third Place was The Pairing of (Keen and Roberts) in their Honda Civic Type R with a Best Lap Time of 55.231 and a Top Speed of 78.73mph. Amazing Drive from Thease Two Both Pushing Hard and Securing a Brilliant P3 Position for The Race. Great Job.

 

What a Qualifying Session with the Likes of Scott Parkin and Chris Payne Both Looking to be Very Competitive and Ready to Take Each other Head On Come the Race. But Will the Pairing of Keen and Roberts Come in and Also do Battle with Them?

 

Lets Find Out!

 

MSVT Trackday Championship-(Race 1 Results FINAL)

 

In First Place taking the Victory was (Scott Parkin) in his VW Golf TDI with a Best Lap Time of 54.706 and an Average Speed of 70.47mph. Congratulations Scott what a Performance and a Really Dominant Display of Driving to take Home a Wonderful Victory.

 

In Second Place was (Chris Payne) in his Caterham Supersport with a Best Lap Time of 54.397 and an Average Speed of 70.35mph. Amazing Drive there Chris Really Working Hard to Keep that 2nd Position while Also Fighting Hard to take 1st away from Scott at the front during some Laps.

 

In Third Place was (John Lyne) in his BMW E36 328i with a Best Lap Time of 55.309 and an Average Speed of 68.87mph. Congratulations John P3 with a Very Clean and Perfectly Controlled Drive thought, Its so Great to See a New Face on the Podium and Taking Victory. His Family and Close Friends Will be Very Proud of Him Indeed.

 

Another Incredible Race Today with the Likes of Scott Chris and John All Taking Home Superb Victories and no Doubt some Fantastic Memories from the Days Events too.

 

A Big Congratulations to both the Pairing of Keen and Roberts too who also put in a Monstrous Qualifying Lap to Land P3 on the Gird. Finishing the Race in 8th is not too Bad but I'm sure they have a lot of Work to-do Back at the Workshop and Will Come Back Next Year with an even more Competitive Honda Ready to Go.

 

Finally Congratulations to the Many other Drivers who also Took Part in this Race You All Put in a Tone of Hard Work and Dedication and I'm Sure that Over Time We Will See Some of You also on the Podium Just like John Lyne Today.

 

MSVT Trackday Trophy-(Qualifying)

 

Now it was Time for The Penultimate Qualifying and Race of the Day for the Track Day Trophy. Just like with the Previous Track Day Championship Many of the Same cars that Competed Before Also Entered This Race Giving Some Drivers a Second change to Show their Skills and Talents on the Race Track.

 

Lets take a Look at Qualifying and See Who will be on Pole This Time.

 

In First Place Taking Pole Position and The Fastest Lap was The Pairing of (R. Parkin and S. Parkin) in their VW Golf with a Best Lap Time of 53.795 and a Top Speed of 80.83mph. Incredible Work by both of the Parkin Pair as Scott Parkin Previously Won in Super Cup and Now he takes His Second Pole Position of the Day! Brilliant Driving.

 

In Second Place was (Chris Kirby) in his Caterham 1.6 Super Sport with a Best Lap Time of 53.863 and a Top Speed of 80.73mph. Brilliant Driving there Chris Keeping the Two Parkins on their Toes and Almost Taking Away Pole Position from them by Just 0.068 at The Checkered Flag.

 

In Third Place was the Pair of (Palk and Pottinger) in their Reno Clio with a Best Lap Time of 54.757 and a Top Speed of 79.41mph. Very Well Done both Palk and Pottinger on a Well Deserved and Defended P3 Finish by Less than a Second to Start on the Second Row for The Race.

 

A Super Fast and Really Exciting Qualifying Session Once Again with the Pairing of R. Parkin and S. Parkin Taking Pole Position Followed Closely by Chris Kirby in Second Place and Finally The Pairing of Palk and Pottinger in Third Place.

 

With The Race Just Around the Corner Will it be the Pairing of R Parkin and Scott Parkin Taking Victory Once More or Will a New Challenger Appear to take the Fight right to the Front of the Field?

  

MSVT Trackday Trophy-(Race 1 Results FINAL)

 

In First Place Taking the Victory is (R.Parkin and S.Parkin) in their VW Golf with a Best Lap Time of 54.046 and an Average Speed of 74.44mph. What a Dominant Display of Driving from thease Two Drivers in a Class of their Own they Have Managed to Win in Both Trackday Championship and Trackday Trophy. Brilliant Driving Well Deserved.

 

In Second Place was (John Lyne) in his BMW E36 328 with a Best Lap Time of 55.415 and an Average Speed of 73.09mph. Congratulations Once Again John P2 Finish and a Lot of Smiles and Congratulations from the Family I'm sure when you Return to the Paddock. Great Driving All Weekend.

 

In Third Place was (Stewart Donavan) in his Toyota Celica with a Best Lap Time of 55.083 and an Average Speed of 73.08mph. Congratulations Stewart P3 and Another New Face on the Podium and a Brilliant Looking Celica too. Fantastic Driving Great Job.

 

What a Brilliant Race from the Trackday Trophy with the Likes of Scott Parkin and R Parkin Taking the Spoils on P1 Followed Closely by John Lyne in P2 and Finally Stewart Donavan in P3.

 

A Big Congratulations Once Again to All of the other Drivers who took Part and Fought their way Through the Field to Finnish at The Checkered Flag. Keep Racing and Keep Pushing.

 

Enduro KA -(Qualifying)

 

After a Long Days Racing and with Night Falling Fast The Headlights of The Enduro KA'S Began to Illuminate the Indy Circuit.

 

Every Part of the Track was a Wash with Darkness and The Only Thing Illuminating the Way for Each Driver was The Bright Headlights and LED'S Fitted to Each Car with some Teams and Driver Trying their Luck on the KA'S Standard Headlights to Brighten their Way to Victory.

 

A Silent Hum Came From the Engines as they Raced Around the Indy Circuit with Each Driver Pushing Hard to Set the Fastest Time Possible.

 

The Tension in the Air was Electrifying as Drivers Danced their Cars Through Traffic and Had Small Battles with One Another Trying to see what their Opponents Tactics were and How Brave each of Them Dare Go in Terms of Pace.

 

It Wasn't Long before Each Driver Began to Put their Right Foot Hard Down and Push their

73BHP KA To its Limits Trying Desperately to Grab Hold of Pole Position Ahead of Sundays Intense 8 Hour 500 Minute Race.

 

After a Really Hectic Day of Both Qualifying and Racing Lets Find Out Who Took The Last Pole of Today and Who Will be Starting on The Front Row for Tomorrow's 8 Hour Endurance Race.

 

In First Place Taking the Victory and pole Position was Team (IP Racings) (Adam Blair / Scott Parkin / Oliver Wilmot / Mark Witherington) in their Ford KA with a Best Lap Time of 1:02.845 and a Top Speed of 69.19mph. Congratulations IP Racing Fantastic Work and a Super Start to the Endurance Race at The Very Front of The Grid.

 

In Second Place Following Closely Behind by Just 0.261 Seconds was Team (JTR) Elliot Mason / Nick Tandy / David Mason / James Rhodes in their Ford KA with a Best Lap Time of 1:03.106 and a Top Speed of 68.90mph. Superb Job there JTR Fantastic Effort and Really Good Pace to Gain P2 on the Grid for Tomorrow.

 

In Third Place was Team (Octane Junkies) (Adam Smith / Martyn Smith / Bazza Ward) in their Ford KA with a Best Lap Time of 1:03.110 and a Top Speed of 68.90mph. Great Work Octane Junkies Pushing Hard and Giving it Everything for P3.

 

After an Intense Qualifying Session the Likes of

 

Team IP Racings

 

(Adam Blair / Scott Parkin / Oliver Wilmot / Mark Witherington) Start the Endurance Race in First Place with

 

(JTR) Elliot Mason / Nick Tandy / David Mason / James Rhodes in Second Place Followed By

 

(Octane Junkies) (Adam Smith / Martyn Smith / Bazza Ward) in Third Place with the Top Three Very Closely Matched on Lap Times Thought Qualifying.

 

With Tomorrows Endurance Race being 8 Hours and The use of Driver Changes after 2 Hours in a Team with Four Drivers as Well as Pit Stops and a Whole Field of 45 Cars and Drivers Will the Likes of Team IP Racing Be able to Hold Out and Take Victory After 8 Gruelling Hours of Hard Racing.

 

Or Will JTR or Octane Junkies Try and Take that Thunder Away From Them? and Can Anyone Else Have a Go at Taking The Victory?

 

Only Time Will Tell!

 

See You All On Sunday.........!

 

Information On Race Results Found on TSL Timing Solutions

 

www.tsl-timing.com/Event/214651

                         

With the entire village dedicated to making and exporting musk incense sticks, the streets and sidewalks are valuable resources to be used.

 

It is a lot of hard work, but at least, it always smells good.

 

7R306187

Meiji Shrine (明治神宮 Meiji Jingū?), located in Shibuya, Tokyo, is the Shinto shrine that is dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shōken.[1] When Emperor Meiji died in 1912 and Empress Shōken in 1914, the Japanese people wished to pay their respects to the two influential Japanese figures. It was for this reason that Meiji Shrine was constructed and their souls enshrined on November 1, 1920.[2]

 

After the emperor's death in 1912, the Japanese Diet passed a resolution to commemorate his role in the Meiji Restoration. An iris garden in an area of Tokyo where Emperor Meiji and Empress Shōken had been known to visit was chosen as the building's location. Construction began in 1915, and the shrine was built in the traditional Nagarezukuri style and is made up primarily of Japanese cypress and copper. It was formally dedicated in 1920, completed in 1921, and its grounds officially finished by 1926.[3]

The original building was destroyed during the Tokyo air raids of World War II. The present iteration of the shrine was funded through a public fund raising effort and completed in October, 1958.[4]

Meiji Shrine was brought into the flow of current events with the 2009 visit of United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. After arriving in Tokyo on her first foreign trip representing the newly elected President Barack Obama, she made her way to this shrine in advance of meetings with Japan's leaders to show her "respect toward history and the culture of Japan." [5]

 

Meiji Shrine is located in a forest that covers an area of 700,000 square-meters (about 175 acres). This area is covered by an evergreen forest that consists of 120,000 trees of 365 different species, which were donated by people from all parts of Japan when the shrine was established. The forest is visited by many people both as a spiritual home of the people and as a recreation and relaxation area in the center of Tokyo.[2] The shrine itself is comprised of two major areas:

[edit]Naien

The Naien is the inner precinct, which is centered on the shrine buildings and includes a treasure museum that houses articles of the Emperor and Empress. The treasure museum is built in the Azekurazukuri style.

[edit]Gaien

The Gaien is the outer precinct, which includes the Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery that houses a collection of 80 large murals illustrative of the events in the lives of the Emperor and his consort. It also includes a variety of sports facilities, including the National Stadium, and is seen as the center of Japanese sports. It also includes the Meiji Memorial Hall, which was originally used for governmental meetings, including discussions surrounding the drafting of the Meiji Constitution in the late 19th century. Today it is used for Shinto weddings.

 

Meiji Shrine (明治神宮 Meiji Jingū?), located in Shibuya, Tokyo, is the Shinto shrine that is dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shōken.[1] When Emperor Meiji died in 1912 and Empress Shōken in 1914, the Japanese people wished to pay their respects to the two influential Japanese figures. It was for this reason that Meiji Shrine was constructed and their souls enshrined on November 1, 1920.[2]

 

After the emperor's death in 1912, the Japanese Diet passed a resolution to commemorate his role in the Meiji Restoration. An iris garden in an area of Tokyo where Emperor Meiji and Empress Shōken had been known to visit was chosen as the building's location. Construction began in 1915, and the shrine was built in the traditional Nagarezukuri style and is made up primarily of Japanese cypress and copper. It was formally dedicated in 1920, completed in 1921, and its grounds officially finished by 1926.[3]

The original building was destroyed during the Tokyo air raids of World War II. The present iteration of the shrine was funded through a public fund raising effort and completed in October, 1958.[4]

Meiji Shrine was brought into the flow of current events with the 2009 visit of United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. After arriving in Tokyo on her first foreign trip representing the newly elected President Barack Obama, she made her way to this shrine in advance of meetings with Japan's leaders to show her "respect toward history and the culture of Japan." [5]

 

Meiji Shrine is located in a forest that covers an area of 700,000 square-meters (about 175 acres). This area is covered by an evergreen forest that consists of 120,000 trees of 365 different species, which were donated by people from all parts of Japan when the shrine was established. The forest is visited by many people both as a spiritual home of the people and as a recreation and relaxation area in the center of Tokyo.[2] The shrine itself is comprised of two major areas:

[edit]Naien

The Naien is the inner precinct, which is centered on the shrine buildings and includes a treasure museum that houses articles of the Emperor and Empress. The treasure museum is built in the Azekurazukuri style.

[edit]Gaien

The Gaien is the outer precinct, which includes the Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery that houses a collection of 80 large murals illustrative of the events in the lives of the Emperor and his consort. It also includes a variety of sports facilities, including the National Stadium, and is seen as the center of Japanese sports. It also includes the Meiji Memorial Hall, which was originally used for governmental meetings, including discussions surrounding the drafting of the Meiji Constitution in the late 19th century. Today it is used for Shinto weddings.

Shrine dedicated to Filipina revolutionary Melchora Aquino de Ramos. "Tandang Sora" means "Elder Sora," a title given to her in respect to her age at the time she started assisting the independence movement (she was already 84 - the Revolution broke out 1896). Her home and a store she operated became a refuge for sick & wounded revolutionaries and secret meetings of the Katipuneros (revolutionaries). "Grand Woman of the revolution," "Mother of Balintawak," "Mother of the Katipunan," "Mother of the Philippine Revolution" are also affectionate titles referring to her.

Ekambaranathar Temple (Tamil: ஏகாம்பரநாதர் கோயில்) or Ekambareswarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva, located in Kanchipuram in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is the largest temple in the town of Kanchipuram and is located in the northern part of the town. The temple gopuram (gateway tower) is 59m tall, which is one of the tallest gopurams in India.

 

It is one of the five major Shiva temples or Pancha Bootha Sthalams (each representing a natural element) representing the element - Earth. The other four temples in this category are Thiruvanaikaval Jambukeswara (water), Chidambaram Natarajar (Sky), Thiruvannamalai Arunachaleswara (fire) and Kalahasti Nathar (wind). It is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams, where all of the four most revered Nayanars (Saivite Saints) have sung the glories of this temple.

 

LEGEND

Legend has it that once Parvati, the consort of Shiva was doing penance under the temple's ancient Mango tree near Vegavathi river. In order to test her devotion Shiva sent fire on her. Goddess Parvati prayed to her brother, Vishnu, for help. In order to save her, he took the Moon from Shiva's head and showed the rays which then cooled down the tree as well as Parvati. Shiva again sent the river Ganga (Ganges) to disrupt Parvati's penance. Parvati prayed to Ganga and convinced her that both of them were sisters and so should not harm her. Subsequently, Ganga did not disturb her penance and Parvati made a Shiva Linga out of sand to get united with Shiva. The God here came to be known as Ekambareswarar or "Lord of Mango Tree".

 

According to another legend, it is believed that Parvati worshipped Shiva in the form of a Prithivi Lingam (or a Lingam improvised out of sand), under a mango tree. Legend has it that the neighboring Vegavati river overflowed and threatened to engulf the Shiva Lingam and that Parvati or Kamakshi embraced the Lingam. Shiva touched by the gesture materialized in person and married her. In this context he is referred to as Tazhuva kuzhainthaar ("He who melted in Her embrace") in Tamil.

 

Tiurkuripputhonda Nayanar, one of the 63 saivite saints, called nayanars was a washerman in near the temple and he washed the clothes of all the Saivities. He was divinely tricked by God Shiva appearing as an aged brahmin and asked him to wash before dawn. At the same time Shiva made a cloudly evening. On observing the approach of the evening, the washerman banged his head in a stone in disappointment. God appeared in his true form and graced his devotee.

 

HISTORY

This vast temple is one of the most ancient in India having been in existence since at least 600 AD. Second century AD Tamil poetry speaks of Kama kottam, and the Kumara kottam (currently the Kamakashi Amman temple and the Subramanya temple).Initially temple was built by Pallavas. The Vedantist Kachiyapper served as a priest at the temple. The existing structure then, was pulled down and rebuilt by the later Chola Kings. Adi Sankara, the 10th-century saint got Kanchipuram remodelled along with expansion of this temple along with Kamakshi Amman temple and Varadaraja Perumal Temple with the help of local rulers.

 

The Vijayanagar kings, during the 15th century, also made lot of contributions to the temple and later developed by Vallal Pachiyappa Mudaliar used to go regularly from Chennai to Kanchipuram to worship in this temple, he spent significant money he amazed during British rule on the temple renovation, Pachiyappa Mudaliar seated at horse back can be seen in the temple pillar. At the later stage a similar temple with same name Ekambareswarar was constructed in Chennai by Pachiappa Mudaliar in order to avoid travelling time to Kanchipuram. The Archaeological Survey of India report of 1905–06 indicates widespread renovation activities carried out in the temple by Nattukottai Chettiar.

 

TEMPLE

The temple covers an area of over 23 acres (93,000 m2). Reaching a height of 59 meters, the temple's Raja gopuram (the entrance tower to the temple) is one of the tallest in South India. One notable feature of the temple is the Aayiram Kaal Mandapam, or the "hallway with a thousand pillars", which was built by the Vijayanagar Kings. The temple's inner walls are decorated with an array of 1,008 Siva lingams. The campus is 25 acres with 5 prakarams (or courtyards) and has a thousand-pillared hall. Kampai Tirtha, the temple tank is believed to have an underground holy river. The fourth courtyard contains a small Ganesha temple and a pond. The third courtyard contains lot of smaller shrines. The sanctum sanctorum contains the lingam along with the image of Shiva.

 

There is no separate shrine for Parvati within the complex as with other Shiva temples in Kanchipuram. A local belief is that Kamakshi Amman Temple is the consort for Ekambaranathar. There is a small shrine for Vishnu named Thiru Nilaaththingal Thundathan inside the temple complex. Vishnu is prayed as Vamana Murthy and the shrine is hailed by the Alvar saints as one of the 108 Divya Desams. The sthala-virutcham or temple tree is a 3,500 year old mango tree whose branches are said to yield four different types of mangoes from its four branches.

 

Panguni Uthiram festival celebrated during the month of March–April is the most popular of all the temple festivals in Kanchipuram.

 

RELIGIOUS SIGNIFICANCE OF THE TEMPLE

Pancha Bhoota Stalam (Sanskrit: पन्च भूत स्थल) refers to the five Shiva temples, each representing the manifestation of the five prime elements of nature - land, water, air, sky, fire. Pancha indicates five, Bhoota means elements and Stala means place. All these temples are located in South India with four of these temples at Tamil Nadu and one at Andra Pradesh. The five elements are believed to be enshrined in the five lingams and each of the lingams representing Shiva in the temple have five different names based on the elements they represent. In the temple, Shiva is said to have manifested himself in the form of Prithvi Lingam. The other four manifestations are Appu Lingam (representing water) at Jambukeswarar Temple, Thiruvanaikaval, Akaya Lingam (representing sky) at Thillai Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram, Agni Lingam (representing fire) at Annamalaiyar Temple and Vayu Lingam (representing air) at Srikalahasti Temple.

 

INSCRIPTIONS

There are inscriptions dated 1532 CE (record 544 of 1919) indicating the gift of number of villages made by Achutaraya. Vira Narasingaraya Saluva Nayaka who was directed by Achutaraya broke the royal order by giving more lands to Ekambaranathar temple than the Varadaraja Swamy temple against the instruction of an equal gift to either of the temples. Achutaraya on hearing this equally distributed the lands to both the temples.

 

IN CULTURE

Kanchipuram is famous for hand woven silk sarees - a design by name Ekambaranathar obtain its name from the designs of these shrines.

 

WIKIPEDIA

She really wanted to see this, after I told her that yesterday my job involved taking pictures of poop that a Maine resident brought in. She said it was different than any other poop she'd seen and wanted us to test it and see if it's Mountain Lion poop. In Maine, there is a big battle between residents claiming there to be Mountain Lions in the state, and Inland Fisheries & Wildlife not having enough evidence to prove that they do exist in Maine.

This poo was extremely large and consisted of a lot of hair, and some small bones, as noticed below the poo in this picture.

New set-up built specifically for delicate work and autopilot programming on the Vulture 2 spaceplane

DNA strand, with some name recognition, finally. Isn't Greg AWESOME?

Dedicated to new music. We presents you this weeks BEST 10-20 new albums streamed and updated regulary in 4 listening booths

 

staggered tiles

 

this would be a good place to have audio crossfades

 

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Posted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden - Visit Pop Art Lab

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Crosspost by Koinup - original here

Lying between the north chantry chapel dedicated to St Anne, which he endowed with a priest in 1342 , and the entrance to the chancel is the tomb and effigy of Sir Richard Pembrugge 1346

 

He is dressed in full armour with a sword on his left side, and his shield with his coat of arms on his left hip. His right hand holds the hilt of a dagger. At his feet is a dog. www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/zRpy61

 

According to one source he was the son of Henry Pembridge who had the manor of Newland and lands in Clehonger and whose heir, his brother Henry junior, he succeeded.

He seems to have succeeded to Clehonger by 1321/2 as he is named in a list of 'contrariants', with Clehonger and Monnington his late possessions

Richard was MP for Hereford in September 1337 and February 1337/8;

Richard, a follower of Roger Mortimer and an adherent of Thomas of Lancaster in 1322 and 1325 was summoned for service in Guyenne in 1318.

 

Sir Richard Pembrugge m Petronilla d1348

Children

1. Hawise www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/115xrA m Thomas de la Barre 1385 of Hereford son of Thomas de la Barre of Rotherwas ( great great grandparents of Sir John Barre who inherited Clehonger manor www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/5E287K)

2. Amicia m Sir John de Burley / de Burele son of Sir Roger Burley and Lucy Gilford.

3. Richard ll c.1320-1375 who was at Crecy 1346 and Poitiers 1356, KG 1368. He acquired further possessions including Wadley, Berks, Ayot St Lawrence, Herts, and Burgate and Fordingbridge, Hants. m 1360 (3rd husband) Elizabeth 1362 daughter of Sir John le Strange 2nd Baron of Blackmere and Ankaret Le Boteler / Ferrers ; Elizabeth was the widow of Edmund Lord St John & Gerald de Lisle ; Richard & Elizabeth had 1 child Henry who died in 1376 just after his father aged about 15. (When the St. Anne’s chapel was restored in 1956, it was found that the floor was actually covering an earlier floor of stone slabs, in which were many memorial stones. The inscriptions were unreadable, and most were removed when the new floor was laid, however when one of the slabs was taken up a stone coffin was found in which was a skeleton of a child between 12 and 16 thought to be that of Henry . The grave was closed again)

 

After the death of Sir Richard Pembridge ll followed by his only son Henry d1376 , Hawise de la Barre and her sister Amicia Burley amicably divided their inheritance up between them

Hawise's son Sir Thomas de la Barre ll inherited the manors of Ayot St. Lawrence (Hertfordshire), Mathern (Monmouthshire), and Clehonger and Mere Court with other manors in Herefordshire, as well as the manor of Burgate and the hundred of Fordingbridge (Hampshire).

The sisters continued to keep good relations between their families. This is evidenced by the fact that, not having a suitable daughter of his own to marry off, Sir John de Burley, possessing both marriage and property wardship rights over a rich minor in his care William Lucy, gave this young man in marriage to his wife’s sister’s daughter, Elizabeth de Barre.

- Church of All Saints, Clehonger Herefordshire

www.wikitree.com/wiki/Pembridge-76