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The Kamakshi Temple is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Kamakshi, one of the forms of the goddess Parvati. It is located in the historic city of Kanchipuram, near Chennai, India and is popularly associated with Sankaracharya, one of the greatest Hindu gurus. The Meenakshi Temple in Madurai, the Akilandeswari temple in Thiruvanaikaval near Tiruchirappalli and this Kamakshi are the important centers of worship of Parvati as the mother goddess, in the state of Tamil Nadu. The temple was most probably built by the Pallava kings, whose capital was Kanchipuram, around 6 C.E.
The main deity, Kamakshi, is seated in a majestic Padmasana, an yogic posture signifying peace and prosperity, instead of the traditional standing pose. The goddess holds a sugarcane bow and bunch of flowers in the lower two of her arms and has a pasha (lasso), an ankusha (goad) in her upper two arms. There is also a parrot perched near the flower bunch. There are no other Parvati temples in the city of Kanchipuram, apart from this temple, which is unusual in a traditional city that has hundreds of traditional temples. There are various legends that account for this fact. One of them according to Kamakshivilasa is that the Goddess had to absorb all the other shakthi forms to give a boon to Kama, the Hindu god of love. Another legend attributes it to the Raja Rajeswari pose of the deity that signifies an absolute control over the land under the deity's control. Legend has it that Kamakshi offered worship to a Shivalingam made out of sand, under a mango tree and gained Shiva's hand in marriage.
FESTIVALS
Four worship services are offered each day. The annual festival falls in Spring, in the Tamil month of Masi, which runs from mid-March to mid-April. During this time the chariot festival (Ther) and float festival, (Theppam) are held. Other festivals include Navaratri, Aadi and Aippasi Pooram, Sankara Jayanthi and Vasanta Utsavam in the Tamil month of Vaikasi. All Fridays are considered sacred, though the Fridays in the Tamil months of Adi (mid-July to mid-August) and Thai (mid-January to mid-February) are celebrated.
THE OLD KAMAKSHI DEVI TEMPLE
The original Kamakshi Devi Temple is what is now known as Adi Peeteswari or the Adi Peeta Parameswari. This temple is just adjacent to the Kumarakottam, and is near to the Kamakshi Devi temple.
Adi Shankaracharya, the famous 8th-century CE scholar and saint, established the Sri Chakra at this original Kamakshi Devi temple in the trough-like structure in that shrine. This Sri Chakra soon became the All India famous Kamakoti Peeta. The Acharya's Lalitha Trishati Bhashya comments Kamakoti Peetam as Sri Chakra.
The Acharya changed the fierce form of worship into a sowmya form. The Devi in this original Kamakshi temple is called by various names like Kirtimati, Devagarbha in extant Tantric works like Tantrachudamani. She has four hands containing in each of them respectively, Ankusa, PAsa, Abhaya and a Kapala. This description corresponds to those extant old tantric works. Further, Girvanendra Saraswathi describes precisely this swaroopa as Kameswari.
Sundaramurthi Nayanar, the Saiva saint of the 12th century is aware of the Kamakottam. He in fact mentions that the Kamakottam has come in existence just at that time.
THE MODERN KAMAKSHI DEVI TEMPLE AT KANCHI
The Siruthondar Puranam of Sekkilar Peruman, written during this time, is aware of both the temples and mentions the original temple as the Yoga Peeta and the present Kamakshi devi temple as Bhoga peetam. The reference to the present Kamakshi Devi as Aram Purappaval (bestower of boons)by Sekilar Peruman is noteworthy, as the present name of the street in which this new temple is located in Kanchipuram is called Arapanak Ara Theru.
The present Kamakshi temple too, has a Sri Chakra which was established during the 16th Century by NrusimhAdvari, of the famous dathamAnji family. There is a stone inscription inside the new temple, near this Sri Chakra, which states this fact. It is noteworthy that Arunagirinathar a 15th Century Tamil Saint, sings in praise of the Goddess as devi of dark emarald complexion and the mother of Muruga of Kumarakottam. The Original Kamakshi Devi temple i.e. Adi PeeteswariKamakshi Devi temple is just adjucant to the Kumarakottam. Arunagirinathar mentions the Sri Yantra in the Kamakshi Devi temple, which can apply, during the 15th century, only to the original Adi Peeteswari Kamakshi Devi, which contained the Sri Chakra installed by Adi Shankara. Arunagirinathar does not make any reference to the new temple.
Also noteworthy is the fact that this new temple's legend considers the Bangaru Kamakshi at Thanjavur as Dharmadevi This is the metallic counterpart of the stone image of Dharmadevi, which is at present at Thiruparuthikunram (Jina Kanchi) to where it was removed from this present Kamakshi (Tara Devi) temple after the conversion of the Jain Tara Devi temple into Hindu Sakta tradition has become stronger. There is a stone inscription at the Jina Kanchi temple which explains this fact. There are strong evidences that Dharadevi was worshipped in the present day main shrine.
THE KANCHI KAMAKSHI AMMAN TEMPLE AS A
SHAKTI PEETH
The mythology of Daksha yaga and Sati's self immolation is the main theme in the origin of Shakti Peethas.
Shakti Peethas are divine temples of Adiparashakti. The cause of the presence of Devi's presence is due to the falling of body parts of the corpse of Sati Devi. The eyes/back of Sati Devi is believed to have fallen here. There are 51 Shakti Peeth linking to the 51 alphabets in Sanskrit. There are also arguments that the old Kanchi temple is the Shakti peetha, where Sankaracharya has installed the Shri Chakra. It is reverred world wide as Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham.
TIRUKKALAVANUR
In the shrine of Kamakshi Amman close the sanctum, the Tirukalavanur Divya Desam, the temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu glorified by the 7th-10th century alwars (Tamil saint poets) is present. The temple faced west went to ruins and the deity is now placed inside the Kamakshi Amman temple. There are shrines over the vimana.
WIKIPEDIA
17 мая 2014, Мотопробег, посвященный преподобному Сергию Радонежскому / 17 May 2014, Motocross dedicated to St. Sergius of Radonezh
Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga
Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the deities Shiva and Parvati, located at Srisailam in Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is significant to the Hindu sects of both Shaivam and Shaktam as this temple is referred to as one of the twelve Jyothirlingas of Lord Shiva and as one of the eighhteen Shakti Peethas of goddess Parvati. Shiva is worshiped as Mallikarjuna, and is represented by the lingam. His consort Parvati is depicted as Brahmaramba. It is the only temple in India which is revered as both Jyotirlinga and Shaktipeeth.
When Shiva and Parvati decided to find suitable brides for their sons, Ganesha and Kartikeya argued as to who is to get wedded first. Shiva bade that the one who goes round the world in Pradakshinam could get married first. By the time Kartikeya could go round the world on his vahana, Ganesha went round his parents 7 times (for according to Shastras, going in pradakshinam round one's parents is equivalent to going once round the world (Bhupradakshinam)). Siva got Buddhi(intellect), Siddhi (spiritual power), and Riddhi (prosperity) married to Ganesha. kartikeya on his return was enraged and went away to stay alone on Mount Kraunja in the name of Kumarabrahmachari. On seeing his father coming over to pacify him, he tried to move to another place, but on the request of the Devas, stayed close by. The place where Siva and Parvati stayed came to be known as Shrishailam
Srisailam Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple is one of the 18 Maha Shakti Peetha. The legend of Daksha yaga and Sati's self immolation resulted in the emergence of Sri Parvati in the place of Sati Devi and making Shiva a house holder. This mythology is the story behind the origin of Shakti Peethas. They are holy abodes of Adiparashaktiformed due the falling of Sati Devi's corpse when Shiva carried it and wandered. It is believed that Sati Devi's Upper lip has fallen here
BY KAILASH MANSAROVAR FOUNDATION SWAMI BIKASH GIRI www.sumeruparvat.com , www.naturalitem.com
Dedicated to Kayla Mueller from Prescott, AZ....whose body was murdered; but her Spirit, Light and Love remain - always....
We met our Flickr friend, Jim Griggs, at Mushroom Rock State Park yesterday. It was great to finally meet him, and we really enjoyed our day.
See the excellent shot Jim took here.
The Round Chapel
Dated to the 12th century, this little gem of Norman architecture is one of the few circular naves to survive in Britain.
Dedicated to St Mary Magdalene, it originally had a square chancel with a polygonal apse, the foundation of which can be seen. The roof line of the chancel is visible on the nave wall.
The Interior
A stone bench ran all the way round the nave. The zig-zag carving of the round arches is typical of 5en12th century, as are the scalloped capitals (or tops) of the pillars of the blind arcade around the interior.
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Ludlow Castle
Heritage Category: Scheduled Monument
List Entry Number: 1004778
More information can be found on the link below:-
historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1004778
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Ludlow Castle, Castle Square, Ludlow, Shropshire
Ludlow Castle the standing structural remains
Heritage Category: Listed Building
Grade: I Listed
List Entry Number: 1291698
Summary
The standing structural remains of Ludlow Castle, an enclosure castle, begun in the late C11, and converted into a tower keep castle in the early C12.
Reasons for Designation
The standing structural remains of Ludlow Castle are listed at Grade I for the following principal reasons:
Historical: as one of England's finest castle sites, clearly showing its development from an enclosure castle into a tower keep castle in the C12; the castle played an important historical role particularly as seat of the President of the Council of the Marches; Architectural: the castle remains illustrate significant phases of development between the C11 and the C16; Survival: the buildings are in a ruinous condition, but nonetheless represent a remarkably complete multi-phase complex.
History
An enclosure castle is a defended residence or stronghold, built mainly of stone, in which the principal or sole defence comprises the walls and mural towers bounding the site. Enclosure castles, found in urban and in rural areas, were the strongly defended residence of the king or lord, sited for offensive or defensive operations, and often forming an administrative centre. Although such sites first appeared following the Norman Conquest, they really developed in the C12, incorporating defensive experience of the period, including that gained during the Crusades. Many enclosure castles were built in the C13, with a few dating from the C14, and Ludlow Castle is not alone in having begun as an enclosure castle and developed into a tower keep castle. At Ludlow, the large existing gate tower was converted into a tower keep in the early C12, providing more domestic accommodation, as well as defence.
Ludlow Castle occupies a commanding position at the steep-sided western end of a flat-topped ridge overlooking the valleys of the River Teme and the River Corve. The adjacent town of Ludlow, which was established by the mid-C12, lies to the south and east of the castle. The defences surrounding the medieval town are designated separately. The castle was probably founded by Walter de Lacy in about 1075 and served as the ‘caput' (the principal residence, military base and administrative centre) of the de Lacy estates in south Shropshire until the mid-C13. During the Anarchy of King Stephen's reign the castle was for Matilda until 1139, when it was besieged and captured by Stephen. The de Lacy family recovered the castle in the C12 and retained it, apart from occasional confiscations, until the death of Walter de Lacy in 1241. Ludlow Castle features in an ‘ancestral romance’ called ‘The Romance of Fulk FitzWarren', written in the late C13 about the adventures of a C13 knight. Other documentary sources indicate that when the castle was in royal control it was used for important meetings, such as that held in 1224 when Henry III made a treaty with the Welsh prince, Llewellyn. Following the death of Walter de Lacy in 1241 the castle came into the possession of the de Genevilles, and in the early C14, the castle passed through marriage to Roger Mortimer. Between 1327 and 1330 Roger Mortimer ruled England as Regent, with Edward II's widowed queen, Isabella. Mortimer had himself made Earl of March in 1328. In 1425 the Mortimer inheritance passed to Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York, who made Ludlow a favoured residence. His eldest son, who assumed the title of Earl of March, claimed the crown as Edward IV in 1461. Edward IV's son Edward was created Prince of Wales in 1471, and in 1473 was sent to Ludlow, where the administration of the principality known as the Council in the Marches was established. Both Edward and the Council remained at Ludlow until Edward IV's death in 1483. Ludlow Castle continued as an important royal residence and in 1493 the Council was re-established at Ludlow with Henry VII's son and heir, Prince Arthur as Prince of Wales. In 1501 Arthur was installed at Ludlow with his bride, Katherine of Aragon, and it was at Ludlow that Arthur died in 1502. In 1534 the Council in the Marches received statutory powers both to hear suits and to supervise and intervene in judicial proceedings in Wales and the Marches, and from that time until 1641, and again from 1660 to 1689, Ludlow's principal role was as the headquarters for the Council and, as such, the administrative capital of Wales and the border region. Milton’s mask, ‘Comus’, was first performed here in 1634 before John Egerton, 1st Earl of Bridgewater, in celebration of the earl’s new appointment as Lord President of Wales. On the dissolution of the Council the castle was abandoned and left to decay. Lead, window glass and panelling were soon removed for reuse in the town. In 1771, when the castle was leased to the Earl of Powis, many of the buildings were in ruins.
Since the late C18, the buildings have undergone repair and restoration at various times, as well as some further deterioration, with some rebuilding and replacement of stonework. Extensive archaeological excavations were undertaken by William St John Hope between 1903 and 1907. The castle is now open to the public.
Details
The standing structural remains of Ludlow Castle, an enclosure castle, begun in the late C11, and converted into a tower keep castle in the early C12.
MATERIALS: the castle is constructed of a variety of local stones; it appears that the greenish-grey flaggy calcerous siltstones that underlies the castle was used in its initial phase, with local sandstones being used thereafter.
PLAN: the castle consists of an elliptical INNER BAILEY, in the north-west corner of the site, representing the earliest area of development, with the OUTER BAILEY, created in the second half of the C12, to the south and east.
BUILDINGS:
The curtain wall of the inner bailey incorporates four mural towers and the former gatehouse, all thought to have been constructed by 1115. Three of the four towers are open at the back and would originally have contained wooden scaffolding supporting look-out and fighting platforms. The fourth tower, known as the POSTERN TOWER, on the western side of the enclosure, has small ground-floor postern doorways on its north and east sides. The former gatehouse, situated at the south-eastern part of the enclosure, is rectangular in plan and was originally three storeys in height. Remaining in the ground-floor of the building is part of a wall arcade, thought to be late-C11, with ornamented capitals. In the early C12 a fourth storey was added to provide more domestic accommodation, thus converting the gatehouse into a tower keep, known as the GREAT TOWER. In the later C12 the original gatehouse entrance passage was blocked (the location of the former arch remains visible on the south elevation) and an archway was cut through the adjacent part of the curtain wall to the north-east, reached by a stone bridge. This archway was partially infilled and a smaller arch constructed in the C14. Access to the upper floors of the tower is by a spiral stair to the east, reached by an ornamented doorcase, the Tudor arch having a trefoiled lintel flanked by cusped panelling and trefoiled lintel, which also gives access to rooms in the Judges’ Lodgings (see below). On the first floor is the hall, with a chamber and garderobe to the west. In the second half of the C15 the north wall of the Great Tower was rebuilt and internal floors added to create new rooms lit by enlarged windows. Adjoining the Great Tower, in the south-west section of the inner bailey, is the INMOST BAILEY, a walled enclosure constructed in the C12 and C13 to provide greater security and privacy to those living in the Great Tower. There is a well within this enclosure surrounded by a low stone wall.
Located in the north-eastern sector of the elliptical enclosure of the inner bailey are the remains of the CHAPEL OF ST MARY MAGDALENE. This was built in the first half of the C12, probably by Gilbert de Lacy, and was remodelled in the C16, probably in two phases. In the first phase, thought to have been undertaken circa 1502 for the installation of Arthur, Prince of Wales, a first floor was inserted in the circular nave, together with additional openings, including a first-floor doorway which gave access to a passage linking the chapel with the Great Chamber Block to the north. In the second phase, during the presidency of the Council in the Marches of Sir Henry Sidney (1560-86), the original presbytery and chancel were taken down and a new chancel, or chapel, built, stretching as far as the curtain wall. The crenellated circular nave, which measures 8.3m in diameter internally, survives to its full height as a roofless shell, and contains much original carving to the round-headed order arches of the door openings, with chevron and billet mouldings, and to the internal blind arcade with a variety of capitals and moulded arches.
Since the late C12, the castle site has been entered through the two-storeyed GATEHOUSE within the eastern part of the curtain wall of the outer bailey. The wall originally had two adjoining rectangular mural towers of which the one to the north of the gatehouse survives as a standing structure; this, together with the adjacent section of the curtain wall form part of the CASTLE HOUSE built in the C18 (listed separately at Grade I). Protruding from the curtain wall defining the western side of the outer bailey are the remains of a semi-circular tower known as MORTIMER'S TOWER, possibly built in the early C13; this originally consisted of a ground-floor entrance passage, with two floors above, and was used as the postern entrance to the outer bailey until the C15. In the south-west corner of the outer bailey are the remains of ST PETER’S CHAPEL, originally a free-standing rectangular structure, founded by Roger Mortimer to celebrate his escape from the Tower of London in 1324, following his rebellion against Edward II. The chapel served as the Court House and offices of the Council in the Marches, for which an adjacent building to the west was constructed. The south-east corner of the chapel is now attached to a wall which completes the enclosure of the outer bailey’s south-west corner. In the north wall of the chapel is a blocked two-light window, enlarged at the bottom when a floor was inserted for the court house; a second original window towards the eastern end now contains a first-floor blocked doorway.
At the end of the C13 or in the early C14 an extensive building programme was initiated, replacing existing structures within the inner bailey with a grand new range of domestic buildings, built along the inside of the north section of the Norman curtain wall. The construction of these new buildings indicates the changing role of Ludlow Castle from military stronghold to a more comfortable residence and a seat of political power, reflecting the more peaceful conditions in the region following the conquest of Wales by Edward I. The first buildings to be completed were the GREAT HALL and the adjoining SOLAR BLOCK (private apartments). The Great Hall, which was used for ceremonial and public occasions, consisted of a first floor over a large undercroft, reached through a moulded pointed arch in the south elevation. The Hall was lit on both south and north sides by three pointed-arched windows with sunk chamfers and ‘Y’ tracery formed of paired cusped trefoil-headed lights, under hoodmoulds; these originally had seats, now partially surviving. The central south window was converted to a fireplace, replacing the louver which formerly covered the open fire towards the east of the Hall, its position indicated by elaborate corbels. At the west end, a series of openings lead into the Solar Block, only one of these (that to the north) being of the primary phase. Within the Hall, at the western end, is a timber viewing platform, which is not of special interest.* The Solar Block is thought to have been begun as a two-storey building, and raised to three storeys shortly afterwards, at which time the adjacent NORTH-WEST TOWER was raised, with the new CLOSET TOWER being built in the angle between the two. Each of the three floors of the Solar Block extended into the North-West Tower, with each being linked to a room in the Closet Tower. All three floors of the Solar were heated, the ground floor having a fireplace which originally had a stone hood; the first-floor room has hooded fireplace, on nearly triangular-sectioned jambs; the room above has a plainer hooded fireplace. The windows include original openings with ‘Y’ tracery and trefoil-headed lights, similar to those in the Hall, and a ground-floor mullioned window probably dating from the late C16.
In the early C14 two additional buildings containing more private apartments were constructed by Richard Mortimer. The three-storeyed GREAT CHAMBER BLOCK was built in about 1320 next to the Great Hall to balance the Solar Block to the west of the Hall. The connecting four-storeyed GARDEROBE TOWER, which projects from the curtain wall of the inner bailey, was also probably built about the same time. As in the Hall and Solar blocks, the floors are now lost but features in the walls remain to indicate layout and function. The main entrance to this block is through a recessed doorway in the south-west corner, with a pointed two-light window above. The undercroft was heated, and is lit by two two-light windows with stone side seats in the south wall. The tracery of the eastern of these windows has been lost. The first-floor main room, or ‘Great Chamber’, contains a grand hooded fireplace carried on a fourfold series of corbels; to either side of the fireplace are large head corbels with leafwork. The Tudor transomed and mullioned window probably replaced an earlier window. The upper room also has a large hooded fireplace, and was lit principally by a large trefoil-headed window with head-stopped hoodmould in the southern wall.
Following the establishment of the headquarters for the Council in the Marches at Ludlow, new buildings were constructed and many existing buildings changed their use. Within the inner bailey the main room in the Great Chamber Block became the council chamber, with additional chambers above. A new adjoining residential block, now called the TUDOR LODGINGS, was built to the east, replacing earlier structures. The block consisted of two sets of lodgings both being of three storeys with attic rooms above. The south wall of this block cuts across openings in the east wall of the Great Chamber Block. Between the lodgings, projecting from the south wall, is a circular stair tower, entered through an ogee-headed arch. The windows in the south elevation are mullioned; several have been blocked. In the north wall of the western lodging, at ground-floor level, is an opening with double trefoil head, having a divided light above. Otherwise, the features of this range are plain, with pointed door openings, and straight lintels to fireplaces.
As the power of the Council grew, further domestic accommodation was needed. To the east of the entrance within the inner bailey, a three-storeyed range, known as the JUDGES LODGINGS, was completed in 1581. On the south side, this building extends the curtain wall upwards, with two gables, and piercing for fenestration, the earlier arched entrance to the inner bailey becoming visually part of the newer building, with rooms above; stone arms set immediately over the archway dated 1581 commemorate the Presidency of the Council of Sir Henry Sidney. Rooms set above the arch leave a gate-passage leading through a second archway to the inner bailey, and giving access to both the Great Keep and the Judges’ Lodgings. The rooms above the gate-passage appear to have been accessed by the embellished Tudor-arched doorway in the Keep at the north end of the passage. The north side of the Judges’ Lodgings, within the inner bailey, has a polygonal stair turret (which originally had a pyramidal roof), with mullioned and transomed eight-light windows set regularly to either side. Within, some indication is given of the arrangement and appearance of the rooms by the survival of numerous fireplaces of red sandstone backed by brick set in herringbone pattern. The adjoining building to the east, originally two-storeyed, is thought to date from the C17.
Other developments during the C16 included changes to the south-west corner tower, enclosed within the inmost bailey, with the installation of a large oven at ground-floor level, with residential rooms above; the tower became known as the OVEN TOWER. In 1522 the PORTER'S LODGE was built in the outer bailey to the south of the gatehouse. The shell of this building now contains the castle shop; the modern structure and fittings of the shop are not of special interest.* Also dating from 1522 is the PRISON, adjoining to the south, which retains square-headed windows with moulded frames and hoodmoulds, and the stable block, completed in 1597, with mullioned windows. Like the porter's lodge, these buildings remain as incomplete shells.
*Pursuant to s.1 (5A) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 ('the Act'), it is declared that these aforementioned features are not of special architectural or historic interest.
Sources
Books and journals
Cathcart-King, D J, Castellarium Anglicanum, (1983)
Goodall, J, The English Castle, 1066-1650, (2011)
H M Colvin, D R Ransome, The History of the KIng's Works, vol 3, (1975)
Kenyon, J, Castles in Wales and the Marches Essays in honour of DJ Cathcart King, (1987), 55-74
Pevsner, N, Newman, J, The Buildings of England: Shropshire, (2006)
R Allen Brown, H M Colvin, The History of the King's Works, vol 2, (1963)
Shoesmith, R, Johnson, A (eds), Ludlow Castle. Its History and Buildings, (2000)
'' in Archaeological Investigations Ltd, Hereford archaeology series, (1991)
W. H. St John Hope, , 'Archaeologia' in The Castle of Ludlow, (1908)
Other
Pastscape Monument No. 111057,
Shropshire HER 01176,
historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1291698
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Ludlow Castle, Castle Square, Ludlow, Shropshire
Construction of Ludlow Castle began in the late 11th century by the de Lacy's and held by them until the 13th century. In the 14th century it was enlarged by the Mortimers. In the 15th century ownership transferred between the House of York and Lancashire during the War of the Roses. In Elizabethan times the castle was further extended by Sir Henry Sidney. After the civil war the castle declined. It is now owned by the Earl of Powys for the crown.
Grade I listed.
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Welcome to Ludlow Castle, one of the finest medieval ruins in England. Set in the glorious Shropshire countryside at the heart of the superb, bustling black & white market town of Ludlow. Walk through the Castle grounds and see the ancient houses of kings, queens, princes, judges and the nobility – a glimpse into the lifestyle of medieval society
The Castle, firstly a Norman Fortress and extended over the centuries to become a fortified Royal Palace, has ensured Ludlow’s place in English history – originally built to hold back unconquered Welsh, passing through generations of the de Lacy and Mortimer families to Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York. It became Crown property in 1461 and remained a royal castle for the next 350 years, during which time the Council of the Marches was formed with responsibility for the Government of Wales and the border counties. Abandoned in 1689 the castle quickly fell into ruin, described as ‘the very perfection of decay’ by Daniel Defoe
Since 1811 the castle has been owned by the Earls of Powis, who have arrested further decline, and allowed this magnificent historical monument to be open to the public. Today the Castle is the home to Ludlow’s major festivals throughout the year and open for all to enjoy.
www.ludlowcastle.com/the-castle/
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See also:-
www.britainirelandcastles.com/England/Shropshire/Ludlow-C...
Dedicated to my buddy Jax.
Jax, I pulled in from my ride today and this beauty was staring me in the face. I remembered you talking about the giant Hibiscus blooms you used to see on the neighbor's tree as a kid and so I'm dedicating this to you my friend! :)
I measured this bloom and it is a full 6" in diameter!
Enjoy. :)
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More beautiful flowers in my new set, "Flowers 2012:"
www.flickr.com/photos/motorpsiclist/sets/72157629708128522/
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My photographs and videos and any derivative works are my private property and are copyright © by me, John Russell (aka “Zoom Lens”) and ALL my rights, including my exclusive rights, are reserved. ANY use without my permission in writing is forbidden by law.
Dedicated to All at St. Brigid's Photo Group Blanchardstown.
Window supplied by Lobin of Tours France 1872.
The Virginia National Guard dedicated the South Boston readiness center to the memory of the late Maj. Gen. Carroll Thackston, former Adjutant General of Virginia, during a ceremony held July 13, 2013. Thackston, the Adjutant General of Virginia from July 1994 to September 1998, passed away Feb. 17, 2013, at Lynchburg General Hospital at the age of 79. He served as the mayor of South Boston from 2004 until his passing. Former Governor George Allen, Secretary of Public Safety Marla Graff Decker, Virginia Senator Frank Ruff, former delegate and retired judge Frank Slatyon and Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Long, Jr., the Adjutant General of Virginia, joined the Thackston family, Virginia Guard Soldiers and Airmen and members of the South Boston community in remembering Thackston's dedicated service to community, commonwealth and country. (Photo by Cotton Puryear, Virginia National Guard Public Affairs)
On Saturday, 9/24/16 we have perfect weather to work with over 50 dedicated volunteers at Bear Creek Park and Stream nearly filling a 40 yard dumpster with trash and debris they removed from the stream and the adjacent park totally over 3 tons!!! This included 171 bags of trash, a truck full of metal to be recycled, 7 shopping carts, 4 couches, 3 bicycles, 2 tires, 2 street signs, a VCR, a metal detector, a recliner, a vacuum cleaner and much more! Thank you everyone so very much for all your incredible hard work under such tough conditions! Our volunteer’s dedication of working toward a cleaner, greener, healthier community and environment is without equal! Thank to everyone who volunteered with us today.
We would also like to thank the Ocean Conservancy, American Rivers, Day to Serve, National Public Lands Day and Trash Free Maryland for all their assistance and support on this cleanup. We also wish to thank Tradepoint Atlantic and Walmart for your generous donations allowing is to purchase much needed supplies!
We would also like to thank CCBC, Towson University, the U. S Navy and the community for all the incredible volunteers they supplied! Thank you also to Baltimore County Highways for supplying us with a dumpster for our cleanup.
We also wish to thank photographers Brenda Harris, George Fischer and Brittany Jackson for contributing many of the wonderful photos that appear in this album.
Do visit my dedicated photography page at www.facebook.com/mentorgraphy for more insights into my photography and for photography tips.
Redchurch Street East London Street Art:
Portal - CitzenSane - 2014 Dedicated to my late son Joe who took his own life a year ago today June 21 2013 Hare Krsna
Khajuraho, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a famous tourist and archaeological site known for its sculptured temples dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu, Jain patriarchs, and others. Khajuraho was one of the capitals of the Chandela kings, who from the 9th to the 12th century CE developed a large realm, which at its height included almost all of what is now Madhya Pradesh state. Khajuraho extended over 21 sq. km and contained about 85 temples, built by multiple rulers mostly between 950 to 1050. In the 12th century the Chandelas, in a period of chaos and decline, abandoned Khajuraho and moved to hill forts elsewhere. Khajuraho puttered along until the 14th century (Ibn Batuta was impressed by its temples) but was afterwards largely forgotten and overtaken by jungles, which probably saved it from the desecration that Muslim conquerors sometimes inflicted on Hindu monuments. In 1838 a British army captain, TS Burt, employed by the Asiatic Society in Calcutta, came upon information that led him to the rediscovery of the complex of temples in the jungle in Khajuraho.
Of the 85 original temples—most constructed of sandstone—about 20 are still reasonably well preserved. Both internally and externally the temples are richly carved with excellent sculptures that are frequently sensual and often sexually explicit. The temples are divided into three complexes—the western is the largest and best known, containing the magnificent Shaivite temple Kandariya Mahadev, a 31m high agglomeration of porches and turrets culminating in a spire. Khajuraho's name derives from the prevalence of khajur, or date palms, in the area.
There are many theories explaining the real reason for incorporating erotic art with the temples. One of the most popular theories is that they were meant to provide education about earthly desires. During the medieval era, young boys were sent to hermitage and practice bramhacharya till reaching maturity. The sculptures were meant to educate them about grahasthahram.
Yet another theory states that they were meant to represent kama (desire) as the third purushartha (aim of life). The sculptures are also accredited to the rise of the Tantric cults during that time. However, several experts reject these theories.
However, the most credible explanations for the erotic sculptures at Khajuraho are as follows:
1. Sign of happiness, prosperity and auspiciousness: During the medieval era there was a common belief that having erotic sculptures were considered alankaras or decorative motifs, protective and auspicious. This hypothesis is based on the authoritative religious texts like the Shilpashastras and the Brihat Samhita. According to the Brihat Samhita, mithunas (couples), goblins, creepers and erotic sculptures were meant to be carved on the temple door to bring in good luck and as a sign of auspiciousness.
2. Mock the Ascetics: Yet another theory explaining the old erotic art at Khajuraho states that the coital couples represent ascetics as well as people from the royal class. It is also believed that the sculptures of couples participating in the orgies are scenes imagined by the artists. Also, it is also said that the artists used ascetics in sensuous and passionate moods as a way to mock the extreme Tantric sects that rose during that era.
3. Code Language: According to experts, the erotic figures were used as a code language to convey Tantric doctrines and non-communicable experiences. For e.g. A sculpture wherein a washerwoman clings to an ascetic may look erotic and sensuous for the layman. However, in the Tantric language, the washerwoman represents the Kundalini energy that has ascended up to the chakras i.e. the neck of the ascetic. Thus, the erotic sculptures have a deeper meaning related to the Tantric cult.
4. Conceal the Magico-Propitiory Yantra: According to the architectural text of the Shilpa Prakasha, every temple must have a Kamakala Yantra strategically placed to protect it from evil spirits and natural calamities. However, the Yantra, which is basically a set of lines drawn symmetrically, must not be visible to the lay man. Thus, a few erotic sculptures with the head down posture were made corresponding to the lines of the Yantra and superimposed on it.
5. Non-duality: It is possible that the erotic sculptures symbolically represent the union of two opposing forces or energies like, inhalation and exhalation, in a timeless state of non-duality.
The erotic art at Khajuraho is considered to be the pinnacle of love and passion. However, during the period between 900 – 1300 AD most Hindu, Jain and Buddhist temples across western and southern India comprised of erotic art.
However, at other temples, these sculptures were carved at the plinth level, below the eye level and thus did not get noticed. It is only at Khajuraho that these sculptures were so prominently displayed on the main wall of the temples
Dedicated to:
Hassaan Ahmed
Hassan
Jalal bin Thaneya
Rahema Zaheer
Saad Abbasi
And all the other people who've only seen Lightbulb Sunsets.
The minster of Villingen
The minster of Villingen (Minster of Our Lady) is a cathedral in the center of the district of Villingen in Villingen-Schwenningen. It is the main Catholic church of Villingen. Originally, the minster was dedicated to John the Baptist. In Villinger Münster there is the cross Nägelinskreuz.
Building
The landmark of Villingen was started in 1130 in the Romanesque style and completed in 1284 in the Gothic style but later expanded. The reason for the change of style was the Villinger city fire of 1271 that destroyed parts of the cathedral. Two 50 meter high towers were added in the 15th and 16th centuries.
Renovations
In the 18th century it was expanded by Baroque elements, including a stucco ceiling and a high altar (1738) by Johann Martin Hermann. The Gothic rose window was replaced by a pointed arch window and the barrel ceiling was 1701 replaced by a stucco ceiling of Villinger plasterer Ignatius Bürkner. The apostle figures on the side walls created from 1715 to 1719 Anton Joseph Schupp. 1724 produced the local locksmiths Johann Stern and Caspar Speth the chancel conclusion grille. Remains of which are still preserved in the Franciscan Museum.
Puritan aspirations in the 19th century led to the loss of many interior objects. There were 1829 removed, inter alia: 70 statues, 10 stained glass windows, 60 epitaphs and the choir grille. 1851, the porch of the double portal of 1623 was removed. It is handed-down on a watercolor by Pieter Francis Peters. The Baroque high altar was removed in 1857. Has remained the Gothic pulpit, whose builder until now remains unknown.
From 1978 to 1982, the cathedral was completely renovated. It got among other things a new flooring and new benches. The nave was equipped with new windows and a new priest bank (both of Elmar Hillebrand) as well as with an ambon and a celebration altar of Klaus Ringwald.
The building has a main portal and a south portal. Both were designed by Klaus Ringwald and made of bronze.
51 bells represent "one of the largest carillons in southern Germany".
Organ
The Sandtner Organ
The organ was built in 1983 by the organ builder Sandtner. The instrument has a mechanical key action and electric stop action.
Villinger Münster
Das Villinger Münster (Münster Unserer Lieben Frau) ist ein Münster im Zentrum des Stadtbezirks Villingen in Villingen-Schwenningen. Es ist die katholische Hauptkirche Villingens. Ursprünglich war es Johannes dem Täufer geweiht. Im Villinger Münster befindet sich das Nägelinskreuz.
Bauwerk
Das Wahrzeichen Villingens wurde 1130 im romanischen Stil begonnen und 1284 gotisch fertiggestellt, später aber erweitert. Anlass für den Stilwechsel war der Villinger Stadtbrand von 1271, der Teile des Münsters zerstört hatte. Zwei 50 Meter hohe Türme wurden im 15. und 16. Jahrhundert hinzugefügt.
Renovationen
Im 18. Jahrhundert wurde es um barocke Elemente erweitert, unter anderem um eine Stuckdecke und einen Hochaltar (1738) durch Johann Martin Hermann. Das gotische Radfenster wurde durch ein Spitzbogenfenster und die Tonnendecke wurde 1701 durch eine Stuckdecke des Villinger Stuckateurs Ignatius Bürkner ersetzt. Die Apostelfiguren an den Seitenwänden schuf 1715 bis 1719 Anton Joseph Schupp. 1724 fertigten die einheimischen Schlosser Johann Stern und Caspar Speth das Chorabschlussgitter. Reste davon sind noch im Franziskanermuseum erhalten.
Puritanische Bestrebungen im 19. Jahrhundert führten zum Verlust zahlreicher Einrichtungsobjekte. Es wurden 1829 unter anderem entfernt: 70 Statuen, 10 Glasfenster, 60 Epitaphien und das Chorgitter. 1851 wurde der Vorbau des Doppelportals von 1623 entfernt. Er ist überliefert auf einem Aquarell von Pieter Francis Peters. Der barocke Hochaltar wurde 1857 entfernt. Erhalten blieb die gotische Kanzel, deren Erbauer bisher unbekannt blieb.
Von 1978 bis 1982 wurde das Münster grundlegend renoviert. Es erhielt unter anderem einen neuen Bodenbelag und neue Bänke. Das Kirchenschiff wurde mit neuen Fenstern und einer neuen Priesterbank (beides von Elmar Hillebrand) sowie mit einem Ambo und einem Zelebrationsaltar von Klaus Ringwald ausgestattet.
Das Gebäude verfügt über ein Hauptportal und ein Südportal. Beide wurden von Klaus Ringwald entworfen und aus Bronze gefertigt.
51 Glocken stellen „eines der größten Glockenspiele im süddeutschen Raum“ dar.
Orgel
Die Sandtner Orgel
Die Orgel wurde 1983 von der Orgelbaufirma Sandtner erbaut. Das Instrument hat eine mechanische Spieltraktur und eine elektrische Registertraktur.
Dedicated to a neighbor that was like a grandmother. The photo was taken from her apartment. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Tower dedicated 18 Mar 1933 in memory of Sir John Lancelot Stirling.
Foundation stone 25 Feb 1870 by Lady Edith Ferguson, opened 29 Oct 1871, apse opened 2 Apr 1903, consecrated 31 Oct 1903, purchased former Primitive Methodist chapel as Parish Hall 1905, schoolroom 1912, tower 1933, bell 1950. First services in the courthouse.
“The portion of land on which the church is to be erected . . . the kindness of Mr Archibald McLean, is situated on the eastern side of Murray street and at the end of Chapel-street, and being on high ground is in a capital position for the church. . . it is at first intended to erect is the nave. . . The transept and chancel will be added at some future time, and at present the tower is only to be erected as far as the roof.” [Southern Argus 5 Mar 1870”
“Although the late Bishop Short and Bishops Kennion and Harmer have preached in this church, and all rites and ceremonies pertaining to the church and its creed have been performed within it, it has never been consecrated, because by law no church of the Anglican denomination can be so consecrated while it is under debt.” [Advertiser 24 Oct 1903]
“The building formerly occupied by the Primitive Methodists has passed into the hands of the Anglican Church, who have purchased it for a Sunday-school and parish hall.” [Chronicle 29 Apr 1905]
“The ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the new schoolroom which is being erected at the rear of Christ Church, Strathalbyn, to serve the dual purpose of day and Sunday School, was performed on Friday afternoon last, in the presence of a large and representative gathering of church folk by Sir J. L. Stirling.” [Southern Argus 31 Oct 1912]
“In 1933 the tower was added to the church in memory of the late Sir Lancelot Stirling. This memorial has now be completed by the addition of a bell, which has been given in memory of Lady Stirling, who was a devout and regular worshipper in Christ Church for more than half a century.” [Southern Argus 26 Oct 1950]
This statue is dedicated to the early pioneers of space.
The plaque on the statue says
"On 2 June 1965 Ed White became the first American to conduct a space walk, three months after Alexei Leonov had achieved the feat for the Soviet Union. He used a hand-held propulsion unit and a tether to move around outside the Gemini IV space capsule as it travelled around the Earth at 17,500mph. He returned home a hero.
Eighten months later he and his collegues, Virgil "Gus" Grissom and ROger Chaffee, died in the fire on the launch pad whilst training for Apollo 1 mission.
Space is a difficult place to get to and a dangerous place to be. The National Space Centre salutes the bravery of the early pioneers and all those who have since travelled, lived and worked in space"
National Space Centre 30 June 2011"
I too salute those men and women dedicated to furthering mankind
Dedicated to Billie-Girl !5th Birthday...........
Glitter Light............
htt://youtu.be/8jREIIS1dlE
Music JoJo Effect
Enjoy..................
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXxxAUGURI
可惜沒有穿表演服~
What a pity has not put on the performance to take ~
~を取るためになんと同情性能を置かなかったか
Quel dommage n'a pas mis dessus l'exécution pour prendre le ~
~를 가지고 가기 위하여 얼마나 애련 성과를 위에 두지 않은
Una qué compasión no ha puesto el funcionamiento para tomar el ~
Few hours ago two Hellenic Air Force pilots died when their fire-fight plane crashed...
Capt. Stoilidis Dimitrios age 34
1st Lt. Hatzoudis Ioannis age 27
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcqguPTBteQ
www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSB928031