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Trees are frequently dedicated to members of the community who have died. 2001 was the 10th year anniversary of this canine patrol man's death. He'd been killed by a drunk driver barreling thru an illegal left turn.
The star shaped flashlight lights and the figure and the wings move. His uniform is accurate. The badge was cut off an Olympic bid key fob that had the Murray, UT police badge.
GIUSEPPE GRECO 2008
CANON EOS 400D EF 50MM 1.8
Please don't use this image on websites, blogs or other media without my explicit permission. © All rights reserved
The kanchi Kailasanathar temple is the oldest structure in Kanchipuram. Located in Tamil Nadu, India, it is a Hindu temple in the Dravidian architectural style. It is dedicated to the Lord Shiva, and is known for its historical importance. The temple was built from 685-705AD by a Rajasimha ruler of the Pallava Dynasty. The low-slung sandstone compound contains a large number of carvings, including many half-animal deities which were popular during the early Dravidian architectural period. The structure contains 58 small shrines which are dedicated to various forms of Shiva. These are built into niches on the inner face of the high compound wall of the circumambulatory passage. The temple is one the most prominent tourist attractions of the city.
GEOGRAPHY
The temple is located on the banks of the Vedavathi River at the western limits of the Kanchipuram. It faces east. Its location, demarcated according to the religious faiths, is in one of three "Kanchis", the Shiva Kanchi; the other two Kanchis are, Vishnu Kanchi and Jain Kanchi. It is 75 kilometres from the Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu. Kailasanathar is one of several notable temples in Kanchipuram, the others being Ekambaranatha, Kachapeshwarar, Kamakshi Amman, Kumarakottam Temple, and Varadaraja Perumal.
HISTORY
The Kailasanathar Temple (meaning:“Lord of the Cosmic Mountain”), is built in the tradition of Smartha worship of Shiva, Vishnu, Devi, Surya (Sun), Ganapathi and Kartikeya, in Hinduism, a practice which replaced the Buddhism.
Temple construction is credited to the Pallava dynasty, who had established their kingdom with Kanchipuram (also known as "Kanchi" or "Shiva Vishnu Kanchi") as the capital city, considered one of the seven sacred cities under Hinduism. There was an interregnum when the Chalukya rulers defeated the Pallavas and occupied Kanchipuram. However, the Pallavas regained their territory and started expanding their capital city of Kanchipuram and built many temples of great magnificence. The only temple of this period which is extant is the Kailsahanathar Temple.
The temple was built during 685-705AD. It is the first structural temple built in South India by Narasimhavarman II (Rajasimha), and who is also known as Rajasimha Pallaveswaram. His son, Mahendravarman III, completed the front façade and the gopuram (tower). Prior temples were either built of wood or hewn into rock faces in caves or on boulders, as seen in Mahabalipuram. The Kailasanathar temple became the trend setter for other similar temples in South India. According to local belief, the temple was a safe sanctuary for the rulers of the kingdom during wars. A secret tunnel, built by the kings, was used as an escape route and is still visible.
The temple has gone by other names such as Kachipettu Periya Thirukatrali (meaning: Stone Temple of Kachipettu, the old name for the present day Kanchipuram) when Rajaraja Chola I of the Chola Dynasty paid a visit to this temple. Inspired by the architecture of this temple, he built the Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur. Currently, Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple is maintained by Archaeological Survey of India.
ARCHITECTURE
The temple has retained the Pallava architecture in its original stylized form with influence of the later styles developed by the Chola Dynasty and Vijayanagara Emperors. It is of stone built architecture unlike the rock cut architecture built into hallowed caves or carved into rock outcrops as in Mahabalipuram. The tall gopuram (tower) is to the left and the temple complex is to the right. The temple's foundations are made of granite, which could withstand the weight of the temple, while the super structure including the carvings are all made of sandstone. Initially, only the main sanctuary existed with pyramidal vimana and a detached mandapa (main hall). The temple complex is complete in all respects as it has garbagriha (sanctum sanctorum), antarala (inner enclosure), mandapa, a high compound wall, and an entrance gate, the gopuram. The mandapa, which was initially detached, was made part of the main shrine by interposing an ardhamantapa (smaller hall). The pillars of the mandapa have the repetitive features of mythical lion mounts.The structure has a simple layout with a tower or shikara at the center of the complex. The shikara of the temple, above the main shrine (sanctum sanctorum), is square in plan and rises up in a curvilinear style or pyramidal shape. The tower has many levels rising proportionately. At the top of this tower, there is a small roof in the shape of a dome. The pillar elements with mythical animal shapes (lions on the base) are extra features in Pallava style. At the entrance, the gopuram walls are plastered. Its entrance wall has eight small shrines and a gopura, precursor to the main gopura. At some later stage, the mandapa and the sanctuary were joined by an intermediate hall called the ardhamantapa, which is reported to have marred the beauty of the temple to some extent. The temple is enclosed within walls in a rectangular layout.
SHRINES
The main shrine has a 16 sided Shivalinga in black granite stone deified in the sanctum sanctorum. Within the walls of the main shrine there is padabhanda adhisthana (main pedestal) with very elegantly carved images of gods with a sculpted Nandi, a little distance away giving guard to the deity. On each face of the outer walls of the main shrine there are many carvings of gods and goddesses. In the south facing wall the sculpture depicts Shiva as Umamaheshavara with Varaha (incarnation of Vishnu as a boar) raising the linga, flanked by Brahma and Vishnu and flying amaras at the lower level. The west facing hall has sculptures of Shiva in the form of Sandhya Tandavamurti and Urdhava Tandvamurti and the ensemble is completed with images of ganas in dancing poses and also with images of Brahma, Vishnu, Nandi and Parvathi. The carving of Shiva on the north facing wall is a composition of Tripurantaka flanked by three ganas, goddess Durga with three ganas, and Bhairavi, Kaushiki and Jyestha. The exterior faces of the vimana (tower) have images of Bhikshatana, Somaskanda and Shiva in Samhara-Tandava (destructive dancing) pose. In the inner walls of the prakara (circumabulatory passage) there is galaxy of images of Durga, Skanda, Bhavati, Tripurantaka, Garudarudha-Vishnu, Asura Samhara (slaying of demons), Narasimha Vishnu (Vishnu in the incarnation of lion faced man), Trivikrama, Shiva Tandava (Shiva in a dancing pose), Shiva severing the fifth head of Brahma, desecration of Yagna of Daksha, Brahma and his wife, Gangadhara, Urdhava tandava, Vishnu flanked by Bhudevi and Sridevi, Lingodhbava (emergence of linga), Bhikshatana, Ravana, and Vali offering prayers to Atmalinga Chandikeshvara. Vimana's south facing wall has very elegant image of Shiva in a sitting posture of peace and quietude known as Dakhshinamurti, and its west wall has Shiva in the form of Lingodhbava.
The tower has multiple shrines embodied on all its external faces which have the appearance of miniature shrines. These shrines have three features, the sala (rectangular), kuta (square) and panjara (apsidal) styles. Eight small shrines also decorate the entrance wall. The 58 small shrines are built into the niches of the compound wall that encloses the main shrine; they depict Somaskanada reliefs of Shiva and his consort Parvathi in many dance forms.
OTHER FEATURES
The outstanding feature of sculptures is the profusion of depiction of the erect lions projecting out in several directions. There are two sculptures of Shiva here which are seen holding the Veena (musical string instrument) in the hand. There is a lot of difference between the Veena found in the said sculptures and the present day Veena. There are also beautiful sculptures of Mathahvialasa Prakshanam. The temple also has the earliest stone inscription records of the twenty eight Saivagamas (Shaiva saints) in which the Pallava King Rajasimhavarman states his faith in Shaivism. The murals on the inner walls are well preserved.
CIRCUMAMBULATORY PASSAGE
A circumambulatory passage, with a symbolic meaning is situated along the compound wall. In order to make the circumambulation, there is a narrow entry passage which devotees must crawl through. Seven steps must be climbed in order to reach the passage. Passing through the narrow passage is indicative of passage through life. After the circumambulation, the exit is through a pit or another narrow passage symbolic of death. It is believed that making the circumambulation round the various deities would usher the same blessings as visiting paradise.
FESTIVAL
Maha Shivaratri is the biggest festival held in the temple when thousand of devotees throng the temple in the evening hours to offer prayers to the main deity.
WIKIPEDIA
reworked image........
just to say hi and sorry if ive not caught up with you this week.......
things a wee bit busy.....
ill try to catch up later this week..........
andrew..x
and for those of you who remember our wee man wilbur ,he died today....
it was old age but that dont make it easy.....
so this is for you our wee blue bird and thanks for the fun and joy you brought us little man xx
Big Four Depot
This Depot, dedicated on December 27, 1900, served as division headquarters for the Cleveland, Chicago, Cincinnati and St. Louis railroad, commonly called the Big Four. Peak passenger usage occurred during and after World War I when 32 trains stopped here dally. Railway Express serviced as many as 20 trains a day into the 1950s and Gallon became a "whistle stop" for presidential campaigns with speeches from the train platform from such candidates as Al Smith in 1928. Franklin D. Roosevelt In 1932, and Dwight D. Eisenhower and Richard Nixon in 1952. In 1929 the New York Central acquired the Big Four, which moved the division headquarters west to Bellefontaine in Logan County. The ticket office remained opened until 1964, but all railroad offices closed in 1969. The Depot was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.
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
Specially dedicated to A.G. Photography & Farbspiel who given me idea and inspiration !
My first shot of photography trip after holiday. Have to consider my self lucky yesterday morning because having a wonderful driver (SamLow) who brought me to explore this place, plus having this kind of lovely clouds in the morning. Oh ya,most importantly with fine weather too~
But I don`t think I`m so lucky today as the sky was crystal clear (no clouds) !!! & the weather is like freaking over 30c !!! ARrgghhhh !!!
This series is dedicated to one the great Flash Blesst and his Harley 883: a great photographer, a crazy driver and a great friend.
Only natural light.
Check the series out on
www.facebook.com/DanieleFontaninPhotography
Featured on KUSTOM WORLD magazine
Admin Fave - Unforgettable Flowers,
Award of Distinction - Unforgettable Flowers,
Super Photographer - Perfect Petals,
Admin Award - Perfect Petals,
Gold Award - The Best Of Unforgettable Flowers,
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You're A Star Award - Perfect Petals,
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Russell Huiet, a pharmacist with the Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) from South Carolina, is working day and night in sweltering hot temperatures to help people in Puerto Rico get the care that they need. Huiet is hesitant to be too far from the action and he even found an innovative way to get a little sleep when he wasn’t on duty, setting up a makeshift cot just inches away from the pharmacy.
the main stars of the upcomming movie, "hunger games" showed up at the westfield mall in century city to promote their movie. it was a start of a multi-city tour. thanks to a friend of mine from archery, she hooked me up with a VIP wrist band which enabled me to do a quick meet and greet with the cast, however no photos were allowed until the Q&A part which was pretty packed and chaotic. all my shots of the cast were taken with my camera fully extended over my head and using live preview. and if you've ever held a D300, with a grip and a 70-200mm VRII lens... you know how heavy it is. all in all, it was a fun event and i'm looking forward to the movie even more now.
British Army barracks, built in the 1960s, replacing some 1940s structures [ whole area was a maze of British army barracks, forts, batteries & PoW camps built between 1875 – 1899 ]. Dedicated to officers with families. British Army left in 1979 and site was handed over to the Maltese government.
The place is now falling apart, and used for motorcross, paintballing, laser tag, picnicking, graffiti and possibly home to some homeless people. Some quotes I've found online . . . .
“The accommodation was of high quality in a mix of 4 bedroom houses and 3 bedroom flats. All of them were provided with central heating, telephone and garage.“
“From 1973 to 1975 I lived in one of the 4 bedroom bungalows. They were very spacious and comfortable with fantastic views. Not a bad place to spend a couple of years, school in the mornings and then swimming in the afternoons. It’s a shame to see the state they’re in now.”
“In October/November 1978 I was one of the last UK MoD residents at St Patrick’s. The whole married quarter’s complex was handed over to the Malta Government, complete and in excellent working order. The houses and flats still had their furniture and fittings and could have been occupied immediately by Maltese families as either social (Government) housing or sold to private and individual owners.
In 1984 the whole complex was being marketed as a holiday resort – “The White Rocks Resort”. . . . . . . . By 1992 the resort was no more and the former housing was turning into an unauthorised tip, the houses stripped of fixtures and fittings.”
“I spent several excellent holidays at White Rocks and I am very sorry to see the state it is in. We stayed in a spacious two bedroom ”bungalow” with sitting room and kitchen plus a shared patio area and we just loved the place. The bulk of guests at the times we stayed there were kids from Europe sent to improve their English. They were off the premesis in class by 9 o’clock and we had the pool to ourselves until they returned at 1 o’clock; by which time we were nicely toasted and ready to go out exploring . . . . “
“I spent two summers at the White Rocks with friends from Rome and Sicily in -best guess- 1985 and 1987 or 1988. It was cheap enough for us college students back then. So many memories. . . . “
milano october 1984
valeria magli - performer/danseur -
this series is dedicated to carmen h. ......
best...... fan......# 1 on black
feel free to visit my web site
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Shaun Flack, Barry Parker, Eric Almeida, David Flack( Semper Fi), Shelly Prescod, Duane Nickerson, Brent Hines,( front)Jerry Moore, Vinnie Smith, and Carmen Sowers
Having visited this dockyard in August 2017, it brought back many memories for me having sailed out from there in 1963 on H.M.S. Venus to the Azores. I was then a Cook in the Royal Navy serving at H.M.S Ganges in Suffolk. It was a cold winter day then and I was over the side of the ship scrubbing it clean before we sailed. Arriving at the entrance it was a bit disconcerting to see the queues of people waiting to get in. The queue took 40 minutes to allow where I was to arrive at the ticket gate. A bag search told me I was to leave my Monopod with them for safe keeping at the ticket office. This also applies to Tripods for camera equipment so remember this.
The first ship you see is the H.M.S Warrior on the left hand side dock. This ship was the fastest, largest and most powerful warship in the world when she was launched. Such was her reputation that enemy fleets were intimidated by her obvious supremacy and deterred from attacking Britain at sea although she never fired a shot in anger. HMS Warrior was a 40 gun steam powered armoured frigate built for the Royal Navy. She was the name ship of the Warrior-class ironclads. Warrior and her sister ship HMS Black Prince were the first armour-plated, iron-hulled warships, and were built in response to France's launching in 1859 of the first ocean-going ironclad warship, the wooden-hulled Gloire. Warrior conducted a publicity tour of Great Britain in 1863 and spent her active career with the Channel Squadron. On board HMS Warrior which was launched in 1860, Britain’s first iron-hulled, armoured battleship. The ship is powered by steam and sail and was the largest, fastest and most powerful warship of her day and had a lasting influence on naval architecture and design. Work and life on board reflected both the changes the Royal Navy experienced as it evolved into a professional service and shifts in Victorian society.Built to encounter the latest of the French ships, Warrior was, in her time, the ultimate sea warrior. Yet by creating a new era in naval technology, she very soon became outdated. After 22 years’ service, Warrior’s hull was to be used as a depot, floating school and an oil jetty. Painstakingly restored in Hartlepool and then back home to Portsmouth since 1987, Warrior is a unique survivor of the once formidable Victorian Navy and now serves as a museum ship, visitor attraction, popular private hire venue and more. HMS Warrior was rescued in the 1980’s, restored and brought back home to Portsmouth and is owned by Warrior Preservation Trust, an independent charity. Sadly, time has it taken its toll and today she is in a sorry state - her bulwarks, which keep her watertight, have failed and are deteriorating to a point which places her at significant risk.
Next ship I saw was H.M.S. Victory is a 104-gun first-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, ordered in 1758, laid down in 1759 and launched in 1765. She is best known for her role as Lord Nelson's flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. She additionally served as Keppel's flagship at Ushant, Howe's flagship at Cape Spartel and Jervis's flagship at Cape St Vincent. After 1824, she was relegated to the role of harbour ship. In 1922, she was moved to a dry dock at Portsmouth, England, and preserved as a museum ship. She has been the flagship of the First Sea Lord since October 2012 and is the world's oldest naval ship still in commission. This the world’s most famous warship HMS Victory is crumbling under her own weight. An 18-month programme to bring this historic ship back to its original condition. H.M.S. Victory has been sitting in dry dock in Portsmouth since 1922 supported by 22 steel cradles positioned at six metre intervals. It has been well recorded that the 252 year old ship is collapsing ( so to speak ) under her own weight and following a detailed laser scan of 89.25 billion measurements and computer modelling, a new support system has been designed to record how the ship would sit in water.
The Mary Rose Museum is run by the Mary Rose Trust. The construction has been a challenge because the museum has been built over the ship in the dry dock, which is now a listed monument. During construction of the museum, conservation of the hull continued inside a sealed hotbox. In April 2013, the polyethylene glycol sprays were turned off and the process of controlled air drying began. In 2016 the hotbox walls were removed and after reopening on 20 July 2016 the ship is currently on display behind glass. This new museum displays most of the artefacts recovered from within the ship in context with the conserved hull. Since the opening it has been visited by over a million people. The museum is dedicated to the 16th century Tudor navy warship Mary Rose as well as the historical context in which she was active. The museum opened in 1984.T he Mary Rose is a Tudor ship that was built in 1510. In service for 34 years, it sank in 1545 and then discovered in 1971 and was raised in 1982.
Another ship I went to visit was HMS M.33 which is the only sole remaining British veteran of the bloody Dardanelles Campaign of 1915-1916, and also the Russian Civil War which followed. The ship is one of just three British warships from World War I still in existence. HMS M.33 was built in 1915 on the orders of the First Lord of the Admiralty, Winston Churchill. She was a floating gun platform designed to bombard coastal positions from the sea. Her first active operation was the support of the British landings at Suvla during the Battle of Gallipoli in August 1915. She remained stationed at Gallipoli until the evacuation in January 1916. She served in the Mediterranean for the remainder of the War and was involved in the seizure of the Greek fleet at Salamis Bay in 1916.
In the dockyard you will find many other attractions and museums along with various shops catering for items of interest connected to this historic site.
This beautiful event is dedicated to the Divine Mother, Gayatri Devi. It took place at Bhakti Marga's main Ashram Shree Peetha Nilaya in Heidenrod-Springen (close to Frankfurt).
Find out more visit at www.bhaktimarga.org
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
Dedicated to Major Frederick Stukeley Savage (died 31st March 1866)
Located to the west, at the north end of St. Chad's Avenue, Midsomer Norton
History from the Midsomer Norton Town Trust website:
towntrust.co.uk/st-chads-well/
Norton House:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norton_House,_Somerset
Historic England:
historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/111517...
British Listed Buildings:
britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101115172-st-chads-well-abou...
Photo Cdv by B Woodward, Church Walk, Trowbridge
4800dpi scan
Original unpublished private photograph from my own collection
© All rights reserved
Cropredy has ancient origins, a chapel in the church is dedicated to St Fremund, an anglo-saxon saint thought to be the son of King Offa. It's name combines the Old English croppe or hill and ridig, a small stream. The village is only a few miles from Banbury, in hilly country along the banks of the River Cherwell. Before the Dissolution of the Monasteries Cropredy belonged the Bishop of Lincoln. More recently Brasenose College, Oxford, has become a significant landlord giving it's name to the local pub.
Dramatic changes to centuries of agrarian life were heralded by the excavation of the Oxford canal which runs alongside the Cherwell south-east of the church. This busy waterway was superseded by the Great Western railway, the village even had it's own station until 1956.
Unusually Cropredy retains the ringing of the curfew bell, in Medieval times this was a signal to return home and 'cover their fires'. Roger Lupton local priest between 1487 and 1528 was so lost in dense fog that he could only find his way from nearby Chacombe by the ringing of Cropredy's bells. He founded a fund in gratitude which paid for the daily winding of the clock and tolling the bell morning, noon and night. The bell is still rung Tuesday and Thursday nights for five minutes after eight O'clock.
The village is best known for the Civil War 'Battle of Cropredy Bridge'. A rare Royalist victory at a time when the Parliamentary forces were in the ascendancy. In June 1644 the King slipped out of Oxford to avoid two Roundhead armies which were rapidly approaching. At this point the Earl of Essex chose to lead his army south and relieve the siege of Lyme Regis leaving Sir William Waller to pursue the King with half of the men. Waller shadowed the Royal army to Worcester only for the King to double back towards Banbury where the Parliamentary commander saw an opportunity to split the Royal forces which were strung out along the Daventry road. Waller's artillery crossed Cropredy bridge but were too far ahead of the infantry and were overrun. Fierce fighting followed but neither side achieved a significant advantage and a chance of capturing the King was lost. As children we were told stories of a phantom drummer boy.
Cropredy's most prominent claim to fame is their music festival founded when Fairport Convention played the village fete in 1976. Cropredy Music Festival grew from these modest beginnings and now attracts over 20,000 music fans every year.
St. Mary the Virgin is an impressive building constructed from the local rust-coloured ironstone. While part of the wall of the south aisle has been dated to c1050 the present church begins in the 13th century with significant 14th and 15th century additions. The south wall has two tomb recesses thought to be built for Simon de Cropredy and his son c1200. The church has an interesting 13th century parish chest and the chapel dedicated to the anglo-saxon saint Fremund has two 15th century screens, one of which has the initials AD which may stand for Alice Danvers. The nave arcading, tower and choir arches are Perpendicular in style with no capitals and continuous moulding from ground level. The tower is early 15th century with the belfry and parapets added 80 years later, There are eight bells, six from the late 17th century, two added in 2007 called Fairport and Villager. Fragments of a Doom survive above the chancel arch. The church has a 17th century pulpit and a rare pre-reformation eagle lectern which is said to have been hidden in the river before the Battle of Cropredy where it lost one of it's lion feet. The beak has a slot for collecting 'Peter's Pence'. There is a beautiful 15th century head of the Virgin Mary in stained glass which was found in the churchyard. There are two fonts, one Norman and one Victorian. In the tower is a magnificent clock by John Moore of Clerkenwell dated 1831.
Cropredy is just off the Daventry road a few miles from Banbury about an hour from Stratford-upon-Avon.
this morning I was in the intense small Catalonian village of Falset, in the downtown crawed of people and, suddenly an emtpy street smiled to me. I explain to my wife this picture was an homage to my MES (Master of Empty Spaces) 'cause I can almost belive how he manages himself to getting empty people captures.
AWIB-ISAW: The Temple to Ramesses II at Abu Simbel (IX)
The facade of the temple to Ramesses II at Abu Simbel. Along with the deified pharaoh himself, the temple is dedicated to the triad of Amun, Ra-Horakhty, and Ptah. by Kyera Giannini (2009)
copyright: 2009 Kyera Giannini (used with permission)
photographed place: (Abu Simbel) [pleiades.stoa.org/places/721417202]
Published by the Institute for the Study of the Ancient World as part of the Ancient World Image Bank (AWIB). Further information: [www.nyu.edu/isaw/awib.htm].
Highway 560, North Shore, Kauai
Located literally at the end of the road, Ke'e Beach is probably the most visited beach on Kauai. The famed Kalalau Trail begins at the western end of the beach. Several movies and min-series have been filmed here such as The Thorn Birds and Castaway Cowboys. Ke'e's inviting lagoon is teaming with fish and perfect for snokeling. Beware, however of the Puka Ulua, an opening on he left side from the lagoon to the sea. Currents can be very strong here. People often fish for the large, prized Ulua fish in this area. A short walk towards Ha'ena provides a panoramic view of the Na Pali Coast. Keep walking toward the Limahuli Stream. This is where Taylor Camp was located - the largest, most noted hippie colony on Kauai. Founded by the brother of actress Elizabeth Taylor, this colony had up to 100 residents before the state condemned the land and evicted them. In the opposite direction, walk down the path above the reef channel along a low rock wall. Look uphill to the site of Ka Ulu a Paoa Heiau. This ancient religious site was dedicated to Paoa, a friend of the legnedary Lohiau, lover of Pele, the volcano goddess. A shrine to Laka, goddess of the hula, is also located in a hillside cleft behind the heiau platform.
Services and Amenities
Sandy lagoon
Good swimming and snorkeling in calm summer months
Great snorkeling and scuba diving on offshore reef
Good shore fishing near the reef channel
Trailhead for the Kalalau Trail
Restrooms
Picnic facilities
Scenic and historic sites
The University of Central Arkansas Student Government Association and university administration held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new student recreational field on Tuesday. The field will be located behind the HPER Center and the Physical Plant. President Tom Courtway, Dean of Students Gary Roberts, Vice President for Finance and Administration Diane Newton, and SGA President Spencer Sims spoke during the ceremony.
Calcutta (Kolkata) Kalighat Kali Temple Bengali: কালীঘাট মন্দির Hindu temple in West Bengal India dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kali Feb 17 1990
dedicated to my gf =)
This was shot with D2H and 50mm f1.4 at f1.4, which is very sharp to me, solid lens!
A random day wandering around with some photog buddies, at market night in Redlands!
ps. the gyros food stands smells......so good!