View allAll Photos Tagged NEW_BATCH
Back to last weekend, while Saturday was a rainy day, I went for a hike and got wet. Sunday would be a better day with some sun.
We went for a short hike/stroll at the Poepenhemeltje and Deurzerdiep area on the Sunday. We did enjoy the sun while we walked around for a while.
Did only take a Canon Eos 3 in HS config (Powerbooster PB-E2 attached) an EF 24-105 F4 L IS USM and the EF 80-200 F2.8 L (the magic drainpipe)
Loaded the Canon Eos 3 with some Fujicolor Superia Xtra 400 with an expiry date 06-2019.
Developing was done with the Cinestill Cs41 kit back at home at 38c and 5 minutes.
Still using the same batch mixed in October 2019, and this was the 27th roll developed with this batch.
This might be one of the last film rolls I developed with this batch. I think it's time to mix the new batch, so I have a fresh batch for our summer holiday photos.
Soapbox alert.....
This is one of my current Monarch caterpillars on the job site. I bring several into Lowe's or Home Depot when they get a new batch of milkweed (which the stores like to label "Butterfly Weed"). I'll carry the guys in in a little box and deposit them on a plant, then wander around the store's tool department for a half hour and come back to see if there is evidence of chomping on the leaves. At this stage of their life cycle, the caterpillars or "larvae" eat constantly.
If there are no holes or nibbled edges, I won't buy the plants and will contact the garden center managers to report yet another batch of incoming plants that have been treated with pesticides or fertilizers and won't work for butterflies. It's nice that plant suppliers are finally beginning to stock milkweed widely, but they have to ensure that it's organically raised, or there is no point. As often happens, the critters know the difference, even if we don't.
Monarch butterflies can only lay their eggs on one plant - milkweed - and the caterpillars eat this plant for two weeks or so while they grow and then they go into their chrysalis stage (cocoons are for moths, not butterflies). Without natural, high quality milkweed, Monarchs cannot survive. Milkweed used to be found in the wilds throughout the continent, but development has destroyed much of this habitat, and apparently the world's Garden Clubs don't consider milkweed pretty enough for them to push as "proven winners" or club selections.
As many have probably heard, there has been a very drastic decline in the Monarch population recently due in part of loss of habitat (milkweed) and in part to the cold weather throughout North America. But over the past two weeks, good news... a massive arrival at the winter migratory site in St Rosario, Mexico. (Monarchs are the only butterfly that migrates - I'm sure you've heard about this amazing journey.) Weather conditions during the 2014 breeding season were ideal, following the three bad years that led to the population crash. However, if this year's population at this site does double — to 66 million butterflies — it would still be only 20% of the long term average. There's no question that we could be losing the Monarchs forever.
Here in Florida, I have been waiting for weeks for a single Monarch to start my regular over-winter flock. Finally - one found her way to my milkweed patch and laid about fifty eggs, one at a time, during a busy afternoon. I located a dozen of the eggs (each the size of a pinhead), brought them in to my terrarium where they are protected from insect predators, and most of them have hatched and are thriving. Eggs that hatch in the wild have a tiny chance of getting past the first stage of their life cycle due to predators.
This batch of caterpillars will pupate in a week or so, then after ten days in chrysalis form, they will hatch (official term - "eclose"). I will release them when they're ready to fly and I can count on the ladies to mate and be back the very next day to my milkweed garden to lay lots more eggs and start the program in earnest. I generally raise and release several hundred Monarchs each season. I know they only live for six weeks or so, but in the spring, my group will re-populate quickly in nature and some will make the migration to Mexico next year.
In the comment box below, you'll find a rare picture I took last season of all three stages of the Monarch life cycle in one shot - caterpillar (larva), chrysalis (pupa) and adult.
How to help the Monarchs?... plant milkweed and boycott Monsanto's fertilizers and pesticides! We need to get our bees and our butterflies back! Sorry about the soapbox, but it's a cause I really believe in....
Liverpool has become a major location for transferred Enviro400-bodied Scania N230UDs for the best part of 5 years by Stagecoach, with 2018 being a major influx to arrive in the region.
Other than Gillmoss, Rock Ferry also benefitted from a fleet of Gold-spec Alexander Dennis Enviro400-bodied Scania N230UDs cascaded from Stagecoach Midlands following the X4 receiving a new batch of Enviro400MMCs.
11 61-reg Alexander Dennis Enviro400s (15739-15749/15751) made the move from Stagecoach Midlands to Stagecoach Merseyside & South Lancashire, although one example went to Stagecoach South East. Currently, 9 reside at Rock Ferry whilst the remaining 2 are based at Preston.
Alexander Dennis Enviro400 15746 (KX61 DLN) turns into Sir Thomas Street, Liverpool on 1 to Chester via Birkenhead, Bromborough, Ellesmere Port and Cheshire Oaks.
In July 1975, routes 275 & 276 had just been converted to DMS and DMS1867 was one of a new batch allocated to Walthamstow garage (WW). Bizarrely, a few months later, this vehicle and its two succceding sisters were transferred to Cricklewood (W) garage in exchange for two older vehicles; DMS1544 & DMS1545. Never did understand the rationale behind that one!
Copyright myself
took my lovely 'Gift' OLYMPUS OM-2 Spot Program out loaded with Fuji Press 800 outdated downrated to 200 ASA with various lenses and processed in a new batch of CPAC C41 Developer, the LAST of my CPAC Chemicals. Grainy but OK for 'Tests' Next time will use better quality film.
Taken with S-Zuiko Auto-Zoom 28-48mm f4 at full aperture to test and it is sharp enough !
The beautiful formal gardens on the grounds of the Hershey Hotel in Pennsylvania on an overcast afternoon...
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This photo is part of a new batch of Sony QX100 photos I have put together to accompany a blog post that describes the QX100's interface, shooting modes, and various menu options. You can read that blog post here:
Unlike the first batch of New York City photos I took with the QX100 that I posted last week which were not altered in any way, this photo and the others I am adding along with it have been edited in Lightroom.
*Taken using an iPhone 4S as the viewfinder for the Sony QX100.
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View my New York City photography at my website NY Through The Lens.
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As if the build up to Christmas wasn't stressful enough I also had to contend with various new batches of 2019 Hot Wheels appearing in quick succession and not being able to find everything I want! Ive given myself a much needed break from it all and normal services will resume in January when hopefully stock will become more bountiful but not before I managed to find some Case B & C stuff in the previous week.
I did find a coupe of "C" goodies in ASDA in long cards distributed on clip strips oddly away from the toy aisles including the latest recolour of the 1995 Mazda RX-7. Its yet another liveried recolour, this time being centred around Mad Mike which means lots of intricate licensed logos and no semblance of stock reality!
Happily its base black colour gives it a menacing authoritative appearance especially when mated to dark coloured wheels and is yet another neo-modern Japanese classic in the HW arsenal. Mint and boxed.
A trade press advert of c.1937 for Daimler announces a new batch of orders from English, Scottish and Welsh municipalities. A MetroCammell-bodied Daimler COA6 of Coventry Transport is featured. An early adoption of the Wilson preselector gearbox gave Daimler a competitive edge during the 1930s and the following decades, and the company won large orders from such leading municipal bus operators as Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh and Belfast. The buses were well engineered, with most vehicles taking the supremely reliable and economical Gardner engine. Coventry was an exception, preferring to use the AEC 7.7-litre engine.
There is some poignancy in this view, as it features the backdrop of a freshly modernised Broadgate in the Coventry city centre, Daimler’s home city. In November 1940, Broadgate and much of Coventry was destroyed in a ferocious attack by the Luftwaffe. This attack also devastated the Daimler factory. Large numbers of Coventry Transport buses were likewise destroyed. In due course, the RAF retaliated in full measure, devastating German population centres from 1942 onwards. The toll in civilian and air crew lives was enormous.
Today was a good day, Dominic got a Porche toy car on a loan from a friend, I did my chores, and it wasn't raining. So I thought, HEEEEY, this car is about the right scale for Momokos. A devious idea hatched in my head; and - half an hour later - all covered in suds but happy I was downloading new batch of photos.
The license plate actually exists, but does not belong to me - I took a pic of it more than a year ago.
Hildur, baby Treeson, cute Be@rbrick and mini froggie want's to say that there's info at you know where :0
Washtec SoftCare Pro Classic with red Softecs brushes at Shell Dagenham, London, installed in 2016.
One of Shell's sparse numbers of their newer batch of Washtec systems, looks similar to the previous system but the yellow Mcdonaldy frame does look nice.
Stagecoach East Midlands have a new batch of Enviro E400s for Pronto services. 10973 (SN18 KTG) is seen in Chesterfield this afternoon, 24th July, 2018.
The first few vehicles in Lothian’s brand new batch of 50 Volvo BZL electric buses entered service today on services 8 and 9.
705 is seen here at the King’s Buildings terminus of the 9, with 703 (SF74 YLZ) sitting behind experiencing some issues.
Close up of one of the new batch of ADL/Alexander Enviro200 MMCs now operating on the P13 is seen here on Underhill Road, East Dulwich on a murky October Friday afternoon.
I'm going to put a wee album together to show each member of the new batch of MMCs now that (apart from 10932) they are in service on the 11 service. Passing the former Templetons supermarket, nowadays a Sainsbury's is 10919.
. . . sadly Non-Hindus are not allowed inside the temple complex
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The Jagannath Temple of Puri (Odia: ଜଗନŕŤŕ¬¨ŕ¬ľŕ¬Ą ମନŕŤŕ¬¦ŕ¬żŕ¬°) is a famous, sacred Hindu temple dedicated to Jagannath and located on the eastern coast of India, at Puri in the state of Odisha.
The temple is an important pilgrimage destination for many Hindu traditions, particularly worshippers of god Krishna and god Vishnu, and part of the Char Dham pilgrimages that a Hindu is expected to make in one's lifetime.
Even though most Hindu deities that are worshiped are made out of stone or metal, the image of Jagannath is wooden. Every twelve or nineteen years these wooden figures are ceremoniously replaced by using sacred trees, that have to be carved as an exact replica. The reason behind this ceremonial tradition is the highly secret Navakalevara ('New Body' or 'New Embodiment') ceremony, an intricate set of rituals that accompany the renewal of the wooden statues.
The temple was built in the 12th century atop its ruins by the progenitor of the Eastern Ganga dynasty, King Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva. The temple is famous for its annual Rath Yatra, or chariot festival, in which the three main temple deities are hauled on huge and elaborately decorated temple cars. Since medieval times, it is also associated with intense religious fervour.
The temple is sacred to the Vaishnava traditions and saint Ramananda who was closely associated with the temple. It is also of particular significance to the followers of the Gaudiya Vaishnavism whose founder, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, was attracted to the deity, Jagannath, and lived in Puri for many years.
DEITIES
The central forms of Jagannath, Balabhadra and the goddess Subhadra constitute the trinity of deities sitting on the bejewelled platform or the Ratnabedi in the inner sanctum. The Sudarshan Chakra, deities of Madanmohan, Sridevi and Vishwadhatri are also placed on the Ratnavedi. The deities of Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra and Sudarshan Chakra are made from sacred Neem logs known as Daru Brahma. Depending on the season the deities are adorned in different garbs and jewels. Worship of the deities pre-date the temple structure and may have originated in an ancient tribal shrine.
ORIGINS OF THE TEMPLE
According to the recently discovered copper plates from the Ganga dynasty, the construction of the current Jagannath temple was initiated by the ruler of Kalinga, Anantavarman Chodaganga Dev. The Jaga mohan and the Vimana portions of the temple were built during his reign (1078 - 1148 CE). However, it was only in the year 1174 CE that the Oriya ruler Ananga Bhima Deva rebuilt the temple to give a shape in which it stands today.
Jagannath worship in the temple continued until 1558, when Odisha was attacked by the Afghan general Kalapahad. Subsequently, when Ramachandra Deb established an independent kingdom at Khurda in Orissa, the temple was consecrated and the deities reinstalled.
LEGENDS
Legendary account as found in the Skanda-Purana, Brahma Purana and other Puranas and later Oriya works state that Lord Jagannath was originally worshipped as Lord Neela Madhaba by a Savar king (tribal chief) named Viswavasu. Having heard about the deity, King Indradyumna sent a Brahmin priest, Vidyapati to locate the deity, who was worshipped secretly in a dense forest by Viswavasu. Vidyapati tried his best but could not locate the place. But at last he managed to marry Viswavasu's daughter Lalita. At repeated request of Vidyapti, Viswavasu took his son-in-law blind folded to a cave where Lord Neela Madhaba was worshipped.
Vidyapati was very intelligent. He dropped mustard seeds on the ground on the way. The seeds germinated after a few days, which enabled him to find out the cave later on. On hearing from him, King Indradyumna proceeded immediately to Odra desha Orissa on a pilgrimage to see and worship the Deity. But the deity had disappeared. The king was disappointed. The Deity was hidden in sand. The king was determined not to return without having a darshan of the deity and observed fast unto death at Mount Neela, Then a celestial voice cried 'thou shalt see him.' Afterwards the king performed a horse sacrifice and built a magnificent temple for Vishnu. Sri Narasimha Murti brought by Narada was installed in the temple. During sleep, the king had a vision of Lord Jagannath. Also an astral voice directed him to receive the fragrant tree on the seashore and make idols out of it. Accordingly, the king got the image of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra and Chakra Sudarshan made out of the wood of the divine tree and installed them in the temple.
INDRADYUMNA´S PRAYER TO LORD BRAHMA
King Indradyumna put up for Jagannath the tallest monument of the world. It was 1,000 cubits high. He invited Lord Brahma, the cosmic creator, consecrate the temple and the images. Brahma came all the way from Heaven for this purpose. Seeing the temple he was immensely pleased with him. Brahma asked Indradyumna as to in what way can he (Brahma) fulfill the king's desire, since was very much pleased with him for his having put the most beautiful Temple for Lord Vishnu. With folded hands, Indradyumna said, "My Lord if you are really pleased with me, kindly bless me with one thing, and it is that I should be issueless and that I should be the last member of my family." In case anybody left alive after him, he would only take pride as the owner of the temple and would not work for the society.
THE EPISODE OF THE LORD´S GRACE DURING A WAR WITH KANCHI
At one time, a king of Kanchi in the down south remarked that the king of Orissa was a chandala (a man of very low caste or status) because, he performs the duties of a sweeper during the Car Festival. When this news reached the ears of the king of Orissa, he led an expedition to Kanchi. Before that, he implored the mercy of Lord Jagannath. The soldiers of Orissa marched towards Kanchi from Cuttack (earlier capital city of Orissa, located on the banks of Mahanadi, at a distance of 30 km from Bhubaneswar. It so happened that when the soldiers, headed by the king Purusottam Dev, reached a place near the Chilika lake, a lady, who was selling curd (yogurt) met him (the king) and presented a golden ring studded with precious gems and submitted. "My Lord, kindly listen to me. A little earlier, two soldiers riding over two horses (white and black in colour), approached me and said we are thirsty give us curds to drink.' I gave them curds. Instead of giving me money, they gave me this ring and said,'the king of Orissa will come here, after some time, on his way to Kanchi. You present it to him and he will pay you the money.' So my Lord, you take it and give me my dues.
It took no time for the king to know that the ring belongs to Lord Jagannath. He was convinced that Jagannath and Balabhadra were proceeding to the battle field ahead of him to help him there. To perpetuate the memory of this great incident, the king founded a village in the Chilika lake area. As the name of the lady was Manika, the name given to the village was Manika Patana. Even to this day, the curds of this village are famous.
LEGEND SURROUNDING THE TEMPLE ORIGIN
The traditional story concerning the origins of the Lord Jagannath temple is that here the original image of Jagannath (a deity form of Vishnu) at the end of Treta yuga manifested near a banyan tree, near seashore in the form of an Indranila nilamani or the Blue Jewel. It was so dazzling that it could grant instant moksha, so the god Dharma or Yama wanted to hide it in the earth, and was successful. In Dvapara Yuga King Indradyumna of Malwa wanted to find that mysterious image and to do so he performed harsh penances to obtain his goal. Vishnu then instructed him to go to the Puri seashore and find a floating log to make an image from its trunk.
The King found the log of wood. He did a yajna from which god Yajna Nrisimha appeared and instructed that Narayana should be made as fourfold expansion, i.e. Paramatma as Vasudeva, his Vyuha as Samkarshana, Yogamaya as Subhadra, and his Vibhava asSudarsana. Vishwakarma appeared in the form of artist and prepared images of Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra from the tree. When this log, radiant with light was seen floating in the sea, Narada told the king to make three idols out of it and place them in a pavilion. Indradyumna got Visvakarma, the architect of Gods, to build a magnificent temple to house the idols and Vishnu himself appeared in the guise of a carpenter to make the idols on condition that he was to be left undisturbed until he finished the work.
But just after two weeks, the Queen became very anxious. She took the carpenter to be dead as no sound came from the temple. Therefore, she requested the king to open the door. Thus, they went to see Vishnu at work at which the latter abandoned his work leaving the idols unfinished. The idol was devoid of any hands. But a divine voice told Indradyumana to install them in the temple. It has also been widely believed that in spite of the idol being without hands, it can watch over the world and be its lord. Thus the idiom.
INVASIONS AND DESECRATIONS OF THE TEMPLE
The temple annals, the Madala Panji records that the Jagannath temple at Puri has been invaded and plundered eighteen times. The invasion by Raktabahu has been considered the first invasion on the temple by the Madalapanji.
RANJIT SINGH´S WILL
Sikh ruler Maharaja Ranjit Singh, had donated massive amounts of gold to the Jagannath temple. In his last will, he also ordered that Koh-i-noor, the most precious and greatest diamond in the world, to be donated to this temple, but the diamond could never actually make its way to the temple because the British, by that time, had annexed the Punjab and all its royal possessions. Thus, claiming that the Koh-i-noor was theirs. It is currently a part of British crown jewels and is located in the Tower of London.
ENTRY AND DARSHAN
Temple has 4 entrances in all directions.Temple security is selective regarding who is allowed entry. Practicing Hindus of non-Indian descent are excluded from premises, as are Hindus of non-Indian origin. Visitors not allowed entry may view the precincts from the roof of the nearby Raghunandan Library and pay their respects to the image of God Jagannath known as Patitapavana at the main entrance to the temple. There is some evidence that this came into force following a series of invasions by foreigners into the temple and surrounding area. Buddhist, and Jain groups are allowed into the temple compound if they are able to prove their Indian ancestry. The temple has slowly started allowing Hindus of non-Indian origin into the area, after an incident in which 3 Balinese Hindus were denied entry, even though Bali is 90% Hindu.
The temple remains open from 5 am to 12 midnight. Unlike many other temples devotees can go behind the idols(go round the idols).All devotees are allowed to go right up to the deities during the Sahana Mela without paying any fees . The Sahana mela or the public darshan is usually following the abakasha puja between around 7 to 8 am in the morning. Special darshan or Parimanik darshan is when devotees on paying 50 Rupees are allowed right up to the deities. Parimanik darshan happens after the dhupa pujas at around 10 am, 1 pm and 8 pm . At all other times devotees can view the deities from some distance for free. The rathyatra occurs every year some time in the month of July. 2 or 6 weeks before Rathyatra (depending upon the year) there is a ritual of Lord undergoing "Bhukaar" (sick) hence the idols are not on "Darshan". Devotees to make a note of this before they plan to visit the lord.
CULTURAL INTEGRITY
Shrikshetra of Puri Jagannath, as is commonly known, can verily be said to be a truthful replica of Indian culture. To understand this culture, one has to have some idea of the history of this land, which again is different from that of other countries of the world.
Starting from Lord Jagannath himself, history has it that he was a tribal deity, adorned by the Sabar people, as a symbol of Narayan. Another legend claims him to be Nilamadhava, an image of Narayana made of blue stone and worshipped by the aboriginals. He was brought to Nilagiri (blue mountain) or Nilachala and installed there as Shri Jagannath in company with Balabhadra and Subhadra. The images made of wood are also claimed to have their distant linkage with the aboriginal system of worshipping wooden poles. To cap it all the Daitapatis, who have a fair share of responsibilities to perform rituals of the Temple, are claimed to be descendants of the aboriginals or hill tribes of Orissa. So we may safely claim that the beginning of the cultural history of Shrikshetra is found in the fusion of Hindu and Tribal Cultures. This has been accepted as a facet of our proud heritage. The three deities came to be claimed as the symbols of Samyak Darshan, Samyak Jnana and Samyak Charita usually regarded as Triratha (of the Jain cult), an assimilation of which leads to Moksha (salvation) or the ultimate bliss...
Jagannath is worshipped as Vishnu or Narayana or Krishna and Lord Balabhadra as Shesha. Simultaneously, the deities are regarded as the bhairava with Vimala (the devi or the consort of Shiva) installed in the campus of the temple. So ultimately we find a fusion of Saivism, Shaktism and Vaishnavism of the Hindu religion with Jainism and up to an extent Buddhism in the culture of Jagannath and the cultural tradition so reverently held together in Shrikshetra.
ACHARYAS AND JAGANNATHA PURI
All of the renowned acharyas including Madhvacharya have been known to visit this kshetra. Adi Shankara established his Govardhana matha here. There is also evidence that Guru Nanak, Kabir, Tulsidas, Ramanujacharya, and Nimbarkacharya had visited this place. Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu of Gaudiya Vaishnavism stayed here for 24 years, establishing that the love of god can be spread by chanting the Hare Krishna mantra. Srimad Vallabhacharya visited Jagannath Puri and performed a 7-day recitation of Srimad Bhagvat. His sitting place is still famous as "baithakji." It confirms his visit to Puri. A famous incident took place when Vallabhachrya visited. There was a discourse being held between the Brahmins and 4 questions were asked. Who is the highest of Gods, What is the highest of mantras, What is the highest scripture and What is the highest service. The discourse went on for many days with many schools of thought. Finally Shri Vallabh said to ask Lord Jagannath to confirm Shri Vallabh's answers. A pen and paper were left in the inner sanctum. After some time, the doors were opened and 4 answers were written. 1) The Son of Devaki (Krishna) is the God of Gods 2) His name is the highest of mantras 3) His song is the highest scripture (Bhagavat Geeta) 4) Service to Him is the Highest service. The king was shocked and declared Shri Vallabh the winner of the discourse. Some of the pandits who participated became jealous of Shri Vallabh and wanted to test Him. The next day was Ekadashi, a fasting day where one must fast from grains. The pandits gave Shri Vallabh rice Prasad of Shri Jagannathji (The temple is famous for this). If Shri Vallabh ate it, He would break His vow of fasting but if He did not take it, He would disrespect Lord Jagannath. Shri Vallabh accepted the prasad in his hand and spent the rest of the day and night explaining slokas of the greatness of Prasad and ate the rice the next morning.
CHAR DHAM
The temple is one of the holiest Hindu Char Dham (four divine sites) sites comprising Rameswaram, Badrinath, Puri and Dwarka. Though the origins are not clearly known, the Advaita school of Hinduism propagated by Sankaracharya, who created Hindu monastic institutions across India, attributes the origin of Char Dham to the seer. The four monasteries lie across the four corners of India and their attendant temples are Badrinath Temple at Badrinath in the North, Jagannath Temple at Puri in the East, Dwarakadheesh Temple at Dwarka in the West and Ramanathaswamy Temple at Rameswaram in the South. Though ideologically the temples are divided between the sects of Hinduism, namely Saivism and Vaishnavism, the Char Dham pilgrimage is an all Hindu affair. There are four abodes in Himalayas called Chota Char Dham (Chota meaning small): Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri - all of these lie at the foot hills of Himalayas The name Chota was added during the mid of 20th century to differentiate the original Char Dhams. The journey across the four cardinal points in India is considered sacred by Hindus who aspire to visit these temples once in their lifetime. Traditionally the trip starts at the eastern end from Puri, proceeding in clockwise direction in a manner typically followed for circumambulation in Hindu temples.
STRUCTURE
The huge temple complex covers an area of over 37,000 m2, and is surrounded by a high fortified wall. This 6.1 m high wall is known as Meghanada Pacheri. Another wall known as kurma bedha surrounds the main temple. It contains at least 120 temples and shrines. With its sculptural richness and fluidity of the Oriya style of temple architecture, it is one of the most magnificent monuments of India. The temple has four distinct sectional structures, namely -
- Deula, Vimana or Garba griha (Sanctum sanctorum) where the triad deities are lodged on the ratnavedi (Throne of Pearls). In Rekha Deula style;
- Mukhashala (Frontal porch);
- Nata mandir/Natamandapa, which is also known as the Jagamohan (Audience Hall/Dancing Hall), and
- Bhoga Mandapa (Offerings Hall).
The main temple is a curvilinear temple and crowning the top is the 'srichakra' (an eight spoked wheel) of Vishnu. Also known as the "Nilachakra", it is made out of Ashtadhatu and is considered sacrosanct. Among the existing temples in Orissa, the temple of Shri Jagannath is the highest. The temple tower was built on a raised platform of stone and, rising to 65 m above the inner sanctum where the deities reside, dominates the surrounding landscape. The pyramidal roofs of the surrounding temples and adjoining halls, or mandapas, rise in steps toward the tower like a ridge of mountain peaks.
NILA CHAKRA
The Nila Chakra (Blue Discus) is the discus mounted on the top shikhar of the Jagannath Temple. As per custom, everyday a different flag is waved on the Nila Chakra. The flag hoisted on the Nila Cakra is called the Patita Pavana (Purifier of the Fallen) and is equivalent to the image of the deities placed in the sanctum sanctorum .
The Nila Chakra is a disc with eight Navagunjaras carved on the outer circumference, with all facing towards the flagpost above. It is made of alloy of eight metals (Asta-dhatu) and is 3.5 Metres high with a circumference of about 11 metres. During the year 2010, the Nila Chakra was repaired and restored by the Archaeological Survey of India.
The Nila Chakra is distinct from the Sudarshana chakra which has been placed with the deities in the inner sanctorum.
Nila Chakra is the most revered iconic symbol in the Jagannath cult. The Nila Chakra is the only physical object whose markings are used as sacrament and considered sacred in Jagannath worship. It symbolizes protection by Shri Jagannath.
THE SINGHADWARA
The Singahdwara, which in Sanskrit means The Lion Gate, is one of the four gates to the temple and forms the Main entrance. The Singhadwara is so named because two huge statues of crouching lions exist on either side of the entrance. The gate faces east opening on to the Bada Danda or the Grand Road. The Baisi Pahacha or the flight of twenty two steps leads into the temple complex. An idol of Jagannath known as Patitapavana, which in Sanskrit, means the "Saviour of the downtrodden and the fallen" is painted on the right side of the entrance. In ancient times when untouchables were not allowed inside the temple, they could pray to Patita Pavana. The statues of the two guards to the temple Jaya and Vijaya stand on either side of the doorway. Just before the commencement of the Rath Yatra the idols of Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra are taken out of the temple through this gate. On their return from the Gundicha Temple they have to ceremonially placate Goddess Mahalakshmi, whose statue is carved atop the door, for neglecting to take her with them on the Yatra. Only then the Goddess allows them permission to enter the temple. A magnificent sixteen-sided monolithic pillar known as the Arun stambha stands in front of the main gate. This pillar has an idol of Arun, the charioteer of the Sun God Surya, on its top. One significant thing about Arun stambha is that prior it was located in the Konark Sun temple, later, the Maratha guru Brahmachari Gosain brought this pillar from Konark. The Puri Jagannath Temple was also saved by Maratha emperor Shivaji from being plundered at his times from the Mughals.
OTHER ENTRANCES
Apart from the Singhadwara, which is the main entrance to the temple, there are three other entrances facing north, south and west. They are named after the sculptures of animals guarding them. The other entrances are the Hathidwara or the Elephant Gate, the Vyaghradwara or the Tiger Gate and the Ashwadwara or the Horse Gate.
MINOR TEMPLES
There are numerous smaller temples and shrines within the Temple complex where active worship is regularly conducted. The Vimala Temple (Bimala Temple) is considered one of the most important of the Shaktipeeths marks the spot where the goddess Sati's feet fell. It is located near Rohini Kund in the temple complex. Until food offered to Jagannath is offered to Goddess Vimala it is not considered Mahaprasad.
The temple of Mahalakshmi has an important role in rituals of the main temple. It is said that preparation of naivedya as offering for Jagannath is supervised by Mahalakshmi. The Kanchi Ganesh Temple is dedicated to Uchchhishta Ganapati. Tradition says the King of Kanchipuram (Kanchi) in ancient times gifted the idol, when Gajapati Purushottama Deva married Padmavati, the kanchi princess. There are other shrines namely Muktimandap, Surya, Saraswati, Bhuvaneshwari, Narasimha, Rama, Hanuman and Eshaneshwara.
THE MANDAPAS
There are many Mandapas or Pillared halls on raised platforms within the temple complex meant for religious congregations. The most prominent is the Mukti Mandapa the congregation hall of the holy seat of selected learned brahmins. Here important decisions regarding conduct of daily worship and festivals are taken. The Dola Mandapa is noteworthy for a beautifully carved stone Torana or arch which is used for constructing a swing for the annual Dol Yatra festival. During the festival the idol of Dologobinda is placed on the swing. The Snana Bedi is a rectangular stone platform where idols of Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra are placed for ceremonial bathing during the annual Snana Yatra
DAILY FOOD OFFERINGS
Daily offerings are made to the Lord six times a day. These include:
- The offering to the Lord in the morning that forms his breakfast and is called Gopala Vallabha Bhoga. Breakfast consists of seven items i.e. Khua, Lahuni, Sweetened coconut grating, Coconut water, and popcorn sweetened with sugar known as Khai, Curd and Ripe bananas.
- The Sakala Dhupa forms his next offering at about 10 AM. This generally consists of 13 items including the Enduri cake & Mantha puli.
- Bada Sankhudi Bhoga forms the next repast & the offering consists of Pakhala with curd and Kanji payas. The offerings are made in the Bhog Mandapa, about 200 feet from the Ratnabedi. This is called Chatra Bhog and was introduced by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century to help pilgrims share the temple food.
- The Madhyanha dhupa forms the next offering at the noon.
- The next offering to the Lord is made in the evening at around 8 PM it is Sandhya Dhupa.
- The last offering to the Lord is called the Bada Simhara Bhoga.
The Mahaprasad of Lord Jagannath are distributed amongst the devotees near the Ratnavedi inside the frame of Phokaria, which is being drawn by the Puja pandas using Muruj, except for the Gopal Ballav Bhog and Bhog Mandap Bhoga which are distributed in the Anabsar Pindi & Bhoga Mandap respectively.
ROSAGHARA
The temple's kitchen is considered as the largest kitchen in the world. Tradition maintains that all food cooked in the temple kitchens are supervised by the Goddess Mahalakshmi, the empress of Srimandir herself. It is said that if the food prepared has any fault in it, a shadow dog appears near the temple kitchen. The temple cooks, or Mahasuaras, take this as a sign of displeasure of Mahalakshmi with the food, which is, then, promptly buried and a new batch cooked. All food is cooked following rules as prescribed by Hindu religious texts, the food cooked is pure vegetarian without using onions and garlic. Cooking is done only in earthen pots with water drawn from two special wells near the kitchen called Ganga and Yamuna. There are a total of 56 varieties of naivedhyas offered to the deities, near Ratnabedi as well as in Bhoga Mandap on five particular Muhurta. The most awaited Prasad is Kotho Bhoga or Abadha, offered at mid-day at around 1 pm, depending upon temple rituals. The food after being offered to Jagannath is distributed in reasonable portions as Mahaprasad, which is considered to be divine by the devotees in the Ananda Bazar (an open market, located to the North-east of the Singhadwara inside the Temple complex).
FESTIVALS
There are elaborate daily worship services. There are many festivals each year attended by millions of people. The most important festival is the Rath Yatra or the Chariot festival in June. This spectacular festival includes a procession of three huge chariots bearing the idols of Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra through the Bada Danda meaning the Grand Avenue of Puri till their final destination the Gundicha Temple. Early European observers told tales of devotees being crushed under the wheels of these chariots, whether by accident or even as a form of meritorious suicide akin to suttee. These reports gave rise to the loan word juggernaut suggesting an immense, unstoppable, threatening entity or process operated by fanatics. Many festivals like Dol Yatra in spring and Jhulan Yatra in monsoon are celebrated by temple every year.Pavitrotsava and Damanaka utsava are celebrated as per panchanga or panjika.There are special ceremonies in the month of Kartika and Pausha.
The annual shodasha dinatmaka or 16 day puja beginning 8 days prior to Mahalaya of Ashwin month for goddess Vimala and ending on Vijayadashami, is of great importance, in which both the utsava murty of lord Madanmohan and Vimala take part.
- Pana Sankranti: Also known or Vishuva Sankranti and Mesha Sankranti: Special rituals are performed at the temple.
RATH YATRA AT PURI
The Jagannath triad are usually worshiped in the sanctum of the temple at Puri, but once during the month of Asadha (Rainy Season of Orissa, usually falling in month of June or July), they are brought out onto the Bada Danda (main street of Puri) and travel (3 km) to the Shri Gundicha Temple, in huge chariots (ratha), allowing the public to have darśana (Holy view). This festival is known as Rath Yatra, meaning the journey (yatra) of the chariots (ratha). The Rathas are huge wheeled wooden structures, which are built anew every year and are pulled by the devotees. The chariot for Jagannath is approximately 45 feet high and 35 feet square and takes about 2 months to construct. The artists and painters of Puri decorate the cars and paint flower petals and other designs on the wheels, the wood-carved charioteer and horses, and the inverted lotuses on the wall behind the throne. The huge chariots of Jagannath pulled during Rath Yatra is the etymological origin of the English word Juggernaut. The Ratha-Yatra is also termed as the Shri Gundicha yatra.
The most significant ritual associated with the Ratha-Yatra is the chhera pahara." During the festival, the Gajapati King wears the outfit of a sweeper and sweeps all around the deities and chariots in the Chera Pahara (sweeping with water) ritual. The Gajapati King cleanses the road before the chariots with a gold-handled broom and sprinkles sandalwood water and powder with utmost devotion. As per the custom, although the Gajapati King has been considered the most exalted person in the Kalingan kingdom, he still renders the menial service to Jagannath. This ritual signified that under the lordship of Jagannath, there is no distinction between the powerful sovereign Gajapati King and the most humble devotee.
Chera pahara is held on two days, on the first day of the Ratha Yatra, when the deities are taken to garden house at Mausi Maa Temple and again on the last day of the festival, when the deities are ceremoniously brought back to the Shri Mandir.
As per another ritual, when the deities are taken out from the Shri Mandir to the Chariots in Pahandi vijay.
In the Ratha Yatra, the three deities are taken from the Jagannath Temple in the chariots to the Gundicha Temple, where they stay for nine days. Thereafter, the deities again ride the chariots back to Shri Mandir in bahuda yatra. On the way back, the three chariots halt at the Mausi Maa Temple and the deities are offered Poda Pitha, a kind of baked cake which are generally consumed by the Odisha people only.
The observance of the Rath Yatra of Jagannath dates back to the period of the Puranas. Vivid descriptions of this festival are found in Brahma Purana, Padma Purana, and Skanda Purana. Kapila Samhita also refers to Rath Yatra. In Moghul period also, King Ramsingh of Jaipur, Rajasthan has been described as organizing the Rath Yatra in the 18th Century. In Orissa, Kings of Mayurbhanj and Parlakhemundi were organizing the Rath Yatra, though the most grand festival in terms of scale and popularity takes place at Puri.
Moreover, Starza notes that the ruling Ganga dynasty instituted the Rath Yatra at the completion of the great temple around 1150 AD. This festival was one of those Hindu festivals that was reported to the Western world very early. Friar Odoric of Pordenone visited India in 1316-1318, some 20 years after Marco Polo had dictated the account of his travels while in a Genoese prison. In his own account of 1321, Odoric reported how the people put the "idols" on chariots, and the King and Queen and all the people drew them from the "church" with song and music.
CHANDAN YATRA
In Akshaya Tritiya every year the Chandan Yatra festival marks the commencement of the construction of the Chariots of the Rath Yatra.
SNANA PURNIMA
On the Purnima of the month of Jyestha the Gods are ceremonially bathed and decorated every year on the occasion of Snana Yatra.
ANAVASARA OR ANASARA
Literally means vacation. Every year, the main idols of Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra & Sudarshan after the holy Snana Yatra on the jyestha purnima, go to a secret altar named Anavasara Ghar where they remain for the next dark fortnight (Krishna paksha). Hence devotees are not allowed to view them. Instead of this devotees go to nearby place Brahmagiri to see their beloved lord in the form of four handed form Alarnath a form of Vishnu. Then people get the first glimpse of lord on the day before Rath Yatra, which is called 'Navayouvana. It is said that the gods fall in fever after taking a huge bath and they are treated by the special servants named, Daitapatis for 15 days. During this period cooked food is not offered to the deities.
NAVA KALEBARA
One of the most grandiloquent events associated with the Lord Jagannath, Naba Kalabera takes place when one lunar month of Ashadha is followed by another lunar month of Aashadha. This can take place in 8, 12 or even 18 years. Literally meaning the “New Body” (Nava = New, Kalevar = Body), the festival is witnessed by as millions of people and the budget for this event exceeds $500,000. The event involves installation of new images in the temple and burial of the old ones in the temple premises at Koili Vaikuntha. The idols that are currently being worshipped in the temple premises were installed in the year 1996. Next ceremony will be held on 2015. More than 3 million devotees are expected to visit the temple during the Nabakalevara of 2015 making it one of the most visited festivals in the world.
NILADRI BIJE
Celebrated on Asadha Trayodashi. Niladri Bije is the concluding day of Ratha yatra. On this day deities return to the ratna bedi. Lord Jagannath offers Rasgulla to goddess Laxmi to enter in to the temple.
GUPTA GUNDICHA
Celebrated for 16 days from Ashwina Krushna dwitiya to Vijayadashami. As per tradition, the idol of Madhaba, along with the idol of Goddess Durga (known as Durgamadhaba), is taken on a tour of the temple premises. The tour within the temple is observed for the first eight days. For the next eight days, the idols are taken outside the temple on a palanquin to the nearby Narayani temple situated in the Dolamandapa lane. After their worship, they are brought back to the temple.
THE NAME PURUSHOTTAMA KSHETRA AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE
Lord Jagannath is the Purushottama as per the scripture, Skanda Purana. In order to teach human beings how to lead a life full of virtue, he has taken the form of Saguna Brahman or Darubrahman. He is the best brother to his siblings, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra. He is the best husband to goddess Shri. The most noteworthy aspect is still in the month of Margashirsha, on three consecutive days during amavasya he does Shraddha to his parents (Kashyapa-Aditi, Dasharatha-Kaushalya, Vasudeva-Devaki, Nanda-Yashoda), along with the king Indradyumna and queen Gundicha. As a master he enjoys every comfort daily and in various festivals. He grants all wishes to his subjects, and those who surrender before him he takes the utmost care of.
CULTURE AND TRADITION OF PURI
Puri is one of the fascinating littoral districts of Orissa. The Cultural heritage of Puri with its long recorded history has its beginnings in the third century B.C. The monuments, religious sanctity, and way of life of the people with their rich tradition is the cultural heart of Orissa. Indeed, Puri is considered the cultural capital of Orissa. The culture here flourished with its manifold activities.
The District has the happy conglomerate of different religions, sects and faith. In the course of history, Hindu, Buddhist, Jaina, Muslim, Christian, and Sikh are found here in the District.
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, an incarnation of Lord Krishna, appeared 500 years ago, in the mood of a devotee to taste the sublime emotions of ecstasy by chanting the holy name of Krishna. Stalwart scholars of Puri like Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya (a priest & great Sanskrit pandit) and others followed His teachings. Even kings and ministers of His period became His disciples. Especially King Prataparudra became His great admirer and ardent follower. Thus all cultures and religion became one in Puri after his teachings were given to all with no consideration of caste and creed.
MANAGEMENT
After independence, the State Government, with a view to getting better administrative system, passed " The Puri Shri Jagannath Temple (Administration) Act, 1952. It contained provisions to prepare the Record of Rights and duties of Sevayats and such other persons connected with the system of worship and management of the temple. Subsequently Shri Jagannath Temple Act, 1955 " was enacted to reorganize the management system of the affair of the temple and its properties.
SECURITY
The security at the 12th century Jagannath Temple is increased ahead of Ratha Yatra, the homecoming festival of the deities of Jagannath temple. In the wake of terror alert on 27 June 2012, the security forces were increased to ensure smooth functioning of the crowded Ratha Yatra and Suna Besha.
WIKIPEDIA
The superb Majorette Mercedes-Benz Actros truck is thankfully available in other articulated body styles such as this cargo version complete with licensed Maersk logo. I never thought i'd see the day when brand new batch Majorette models especially these larger truck models would be available freely here in the U.K. but thanks to Tesco they can usually be found in their larger Extra stores. Until you see them up close I can't overestimate how good this truck is especially considering how little it costs. Its not just the detailing which impresses but its also the heavyweight feeling to the cab too. Mint and boxed.
POSSIBLY the very last of this Case A recolour I will buy......
Found recently at Tesco who must surely be now ready for a new batch. Mint and boxed.
A new batch of Halloween preparation. The big day is right around the corner !
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New batch of author inspired drawings done on pages from their books. I'll be sending these drawings to Southsea (United Kingdom) as part of a guerilla art project where they will be placed in public places for people to find and take home.
Drawings from top (L to R):
Ernest Hemingway (The Old Man and the Sea), Henry Thoreau (Walden), JRR Tolkein (The Hobbit), John Steinbeck (The Grapes of Wrath), T. S. Eliot (The Hollow Men), F. Scott Fitzgerald (The Great Gatsby), Robert Frost (A wishing Well), Stephen Crane (Red Badge of Courage)
Shot from about a year ago. I've resorted to browsing through old folders of scans cos there's no new stuff til I crack open a new batch of chemicals
Billy Joe Bob can say one thing for Chevy Harlan Jed's new batch of moonshine, stuff really has a kick to it!
Stansberry Lake, Washington 2018
My mother and I do most of our discussion about the photos of hers that I post via email. When I visit, we select a new batch for me to take home and scan. After scanning, I make a proof sheet with 12 thumbnails on it, each numbered. When she writes a new commentary, she references the intended photo by number.
First of a new batch of code generated neuron images. Been tweaking the source code, and pushing the results a little.
More of my artwork can be found in my online portfolio
and some prints are available
With depressing predictability the U.K. is currently miles behind many other countries when it comes to new batches of Hot Wheels. Ive barely been able to scrape together Case E yet J has just been announced and F is a non starter in my area though some collectors have just begun to find it.
I was beginning to lose hope of finding anymore of the new Land-Rover Series III Pick-Up until a chance encounter at Halfords.
Its a place I rarely venture as I see it as a bit expensive and a bit corporate but an emergency MOT for the MG6 meant I had to darken its doors. Well the MG6 passed its MOT, I found the service excellent and a quick wander around for some wiper blades took me past the small Hot Wheels section. Ive always known this retailer does stock Hot Wheels but is completely off my radar as they have always been overpriced and thus usually way behind batch wise. Well, a lot of U.K. retailers are closing the gap price wise now making Halfords stock seem less out of touch. Imagine my delight when I spotted the full Case E assortment which had just been put out onto the pegs and there begging to be taken home were TWO gorgeous Series III models! :-)
Undoubtably one of my favourite 2019 HW castings so far, it looks so stock and so crisply cast that you could easily mistake it for a Matchbox. The spirit of the original Corgi Juniors equivalent definitely lives on in this though obviously modern manufacturing techniques ensures far more intricate detailing and better casting quality.
Naturally I couldn't resist getting out my Molotow ;-p and adding chrome to its standard grey plastic. Possibly not factually accurate but pretty effective.
Mint and boxed.
Although i'm not a particular fan of the U.K. arm of Toys R Us I do make an effort to visit them on a regular basis in the hope of finding brand new batches of Hot Wheels. Most visits end up in disappointment but one at the beginning of this month revealed new Batch D models including a couple of these 2017 Jeep Wranglers. Its an odd mix of crisp realism which then veers in to the realms of typical HW extravagance with its non stock exposed beam doors but ultimately its actually a very accomplished little model. Mint and boxed.
Sing along with me and Nina Simone :)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_ZD9cFk7DM
"I got my hair, I got my head
I got my brains, I got my ears
I got my eyes, I got my nose
I got my mouth, I got my smile
I got my tongue, I got my chin
I got my neck, I got my boobs
I got my heart, I got my soul
I got my back, I got my sex
I got my arms, I got my hands
I got my fingers, Got my legs
I got my feet, I got my toes
I got my liver, Got my blood
I've got life , I've got my freedom
I've got the life"
I've got a whole new batch of shots just waiting to be looked at / edited / posted, but first I need to share a few more from some recent days out with William that I just can't bear to leave gathering pixel dust in the archives.
This is from a walk along Turf Walk at Totland Bay and like all good walks, involved a stick
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©2012 Jason Swain, All Rights Reserved
This image is not available for use on websites, blogs or other media without the explicit written permission of the photographer.
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A new batch of homemade plates. These turned out pretty good, I think I know the trick now to get the surface as I want it.
After suffering from massive withdrawal symptoms of not finding any new variants of the beloved Hot Wheels 1963 Aston Martin DB5 since mid 2016 the New Year finally answers my prayers! ;-)
Ok, technically its not all new as we have already seen this silver James Bond Skyfall version before a few years back but it reappears for 2018 Batch D in updated packaging and that is a sound reason to buy more. Beautifully beautifully formed in a very unlike HW manner with delicate chrome features and intricate detailing especially at the rear. Bought recently from Wilkinsons of all places who let me down big time in 2017 for finding new batches but could hopefully come good this year. Mint and boxed.
5461 (SN15 LPK)
Alexander Dennis Enviro400 H45/31F
Arriva the Shires
Showbus, Woburn Abbey, 20 September 2015
Aylesbury garage's 280 service to Oxford, previously operated with coach-seated Olympians, was upgraded to Sapphire standard with heavily refurbished five-year old Enviros in 2013. A brand new batch arrived earlier this year, displacing the older examples to Hemel Hempstead.
Wrexham & Chester Charity Running Day
Back in the day Arriva allocated a new batch of Northern Counties bodied Olympians to the 1 Chester - Wrexham service, albeit not with this style of bodywork. Nevertheless preserved 3312 very much looks the part heading out of Chester on today's running day.
It was new to MTL in 1998.
I found my first example of the Matchbox Moving Parts 1978 Ford Bronco way back in May in Japan but due to back ordered commitments the full set I ordered from the Netherlands has only just arrived. Due to the quick succession of new batches this already seems like old news but its good enough to warrant a few more extras for my collection.
Rightly popular with many US collectors who not only appreciated its vehicle choice but also its solid construction, well matched opening bonnet/hood and chrome content.
Mint and boxed.
I was lucky enough to find a second example of the this amazing new recolour of the Hot Wheels Mercedes-Benz 500 E, again at B&M Bargains who continue to wipe the floor with other major UK retailers for getting in new batches. Our supermarkets are particularly useless at the moment! Mint and boxed.
Agua Papel presenta un nuevo lote de papel para venta inmediata interesados preguntar acá
Agua Papel presents a new batch of paper for immediate sale. Those interested ask here
Its great to see this casting get another recolour for late 2016 as it seems a while since the last one. It might be because i'm now used to seeing so many cheapo Chinese copies of this 2012 Ford Explorer but this casting is also beginning to look a bit cheap with its heavy use of plastic and total lack of front tampo work though I have to say this new deep blue Police livery does lift things somewhat!
Bought as part of a full case directly from the U.S. as ASDA seem to be struggling at the moment to keep up with new batches which I have to say is something Morrisons were particularly good at! Mint and boxed.