This
View allAll Photos Tagged manuscript
The royalty of India understood long ago that power was best wielded from the back of an elephant. Kings appeared before their dazzled subjects on elephants whose ivory tusks glittered with gold and silver and whose bodies shimmered in silk and velvet. “An elephant mounted by a king is radiant; a king mounted on an elephant is resplendent,” proclaims one historical manuscript.
Garden at Getty Museum, Los Angeles, California.
The J. Paul Getty Museum, commonly referred to as the Getty, is an art museum in California housed on two campuses: the Getty Center and Getty Villa.
The J. Paul Getty Museum at the Getty Center in Los Angeles houses European paintings, drawings, sculpture, illuminated manuscripts, decorative arts, and photography from its beginnings to the present, gathered internationally.
Livro manuscrito em sânscrito.
Nepal
................................
Handmade rice paper, hand written letters, handpainting too.
Book (traditional) writthe in sänscrit language (Language ancient about 3000 years) telling about Buddha's Life and His Teachings).
Bought in Nepal - it came with me :)))
This stationery is a reproduction of the cross-carpet page of St. Mark, The Lindisfarne Gospels, c. 698 A.D. This little pocket dragon is pretending he can actually create beautiful art.
Palm-leaf manuscripts are manuscripts made out of dried palm leaves. Palm leaves were used as writing materials in Indian subcontinent and in Southeast Asia dating back to the 5th century BCE and possibly much earlier.
The palm leaves are first cooked and dried. The writer then uses a stylus to inscribe letters. Natural colourings are applied to the surface so the ink will stick in the grooves. This process is similar to intaglio printing.
the entire orginal manuscript for Neal Stephenson's "Baroque Cycle".
Excerpt from a note at the end of the "Quicksilver":
"The manuscript of the Baroque Cycle was written by hand on 100 percent cotton paper, using three different fountain pens: a Waterman Gentleman, a Rotring, and a Jorg Hysek. It was then transcribed, edited, formatted and printed using eMacs and TeX. When it was totally finished, the TeX version of the manuscript was converted to Quark XPress format using an eMacs LISP program written by the author."
I had forgotten that the manuscript was kept here until I came across the display, and my jaw dropped. Neal Stephenson is one of my favorite authors, and this alone was worth almost the entire trip for me, because I am big goddamn nerd.
chinguetti, a medieval trading center founded in the 13th century is now home for some libraries full of ancient manuscripts. here the library of the Fondation Ahmed al Mahmoud
chinguetti, mauritania
africa2007 trip
As a kid reading the titles in the old mans book collection, I never understood why Steinbeck would write about a bit of driftwood.
As an adult I understand the title but why photograph such?
Fuji X-T1, Samyang 12/2.0, 25 secs at f/11, ISO 400
Temple University Library.
The tables and the manuscripts and books created an appealing pattern. Add a wide angle lens to give the perspective. Unfortunately walking around with a camera and taking pictures creates all sorts of questions by security guards and evil eyes of students and staff.
This small anthology of Persian poetry consisting of poems by such authors as Jāmī, Azārī, Fayz̤ī, Navāʾī, and Saʿdī was put together by an anonymous scribe in 1105 AH / 1693 CE. Illustrated with six miniatures, the margins of this manuscript are embellished with stenciled designs of angels, men and animals. The folio illustrates a young man standing with a pomegranate in his right hand.
To explore fully digitized manuscripts with a virtual page-turning application, please visit Walters Ex Libris.
I’ve wanted to post snowflakes all December, but I was under pressure to complete the manuscript for the second edition of my macro book before Christmas, and that’s been done. Woo! Now I can delve into these beauties again and share them through the winter. This one in particular has a lot going on: a slit cascading dendrite with skeletal form elements.
“Split” crystals begin from a central column-type crystal which grows hexagonal plates from both sides of the column. It’s always a race for these plates – if one corner of one plate grows out further than the same corner on the other end of the column, the race (for that corner) is won. One of the fundamental rules that govern snowflake growth: whatever sticks out the farthest grows the fastest. We can see that the top plate won four of these races, and the bottom plate won two of them. Can you spot this diagonal delineation across the center of the snowflake?
When split crystals form, the surface detail is usually on the sides of the snowflake that face each-other. This means that the bottom branches have detail pointing up towards the center column, making them appear more roughly textured. The top portion appears smoother, but this is an illusion – the same levels of details exist, but on the side of the crystal facing away from the camera. The bottom branches are where we can really see the magic of these details: the cascade.
Snowflakes grow in layers by many means. How many layers can you see? The brighter area in the lower half of the center is due to air being trapped between two layers of ice. This top “ceiling” layer then disappears to reveal the layer beneath, and there are further smaller cascades below. Imagine if this snowflake were allowed to stay in the cloud longer! Here’s a visual breakdown of the center of the snowflake to see the layers: donkom.ca/bts/close-up-cascade-label.jpg
This snowflake was the one I was working on when bTV came to interview for an episode of bTV Разказва which aired this past Sunday. You can watch it online here, though it’s all in Bulgarian. My segment begins around the 17:15 mark: www.btv.bg/shows/btv-razkazva/videos/btv-razkazva-ako-nja... . The episode is about climate change, and having no snow here on the Black Sea coast has hindered the creation of images from new snowflakes. Thankfully I still have hundreds of unedited gems, and there are some very surprising specimens still to come. I doubt we will have snow here this season, though I can always take a trip into the mountains. :)
Also, some people have been asking “where have you been, is everything alright?” – Yes. Better than ever, really. This year was something of a sabbatical from social media, which has been quite refreshing. I’ve still been creating and I look forward to sharing more very soon, including some really fun work with mobile phone photography. Stay tuned!
Duomo Museum. Illuminated Manuscript. Florence, Italy. Photos available for purchase at Wits End Photography. Follow my blog Traveling at Wits End for ways to create travel adventures everyday.
The Plymouth Methodist Church on Buffalo's Lower West Side, for a decade a focus of preservation concern, has been taken off the critical list by a combination of hard work and its residue, luck. But at the same time, some voices are being heard calling for the total or partial demolition of adjacent Grover Cleveland High School, the former State Normal School. Both buildings are on Porter Avenue, which, as part of Frederick Law Olmsted’s park system, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Another of this year's Fourth of July celebration using action on the medium telephoto-zoom. It looks like opening pages of an ancient yellowed but well worn manuscript. I've gotten golden veils like that before with zooms. I do like these hand-held telephoto traces. This EXIF reports 200mm but I probably used more zoom range than shows of the red and gold explosions at different times and during different parts of the visible zoom.
I was in the good spot I used last year although I took shelter under a Roger's Grove tree during the heavenly sprinkle. I ran into the same problems with procedures shooting fireworks at night as I did last year. Maybe I'll get it right before long. This year was a chore: I had to buy my fifth for the fourth on the third! What else could go wrong on my long walk to the fourth venue from the Golden Ponds parking.
The most prominent problem is tracking the action when triggering the exposure: the display and eyepiece go blank and alternate tracking strategy is needed. I am coming up with an apparatus that could overcome the problem, I had trouble with accurately tracking the action while using the monopod so I ditched the monopod this year. Why would I need steady? I have conferred with several psychiatrists about the many people with explosive personality defects even though psychiatrists have little to do with the study of science. There is a marked difference between psychiatrist's study of explosive personalities and the study of psychotics like the Koch Brothers and con-servatives. It's a cause and effect study. The Broes have taken major revenge upon my region of Kochistan with a couple days at 102 degreess and idiots from Alabama, on the run from the South, starting forest fires near Nederland. They probably didn't like their mountain retreat camp. The scoflaws were found at the refuge center. Go figure! Don't take a dump where you dance!
I am adding these "action" shots to my stash, all of the fiery kind. Although I still have a pile to clean up, I dumped even more into storage this year. This one was taken at an opportune time that revealed there were multiple eruptions during the 2 1/2 second exposure. The EXIF reports only the start of zooms. Apparently there was good motion and the usual shakes as the fireworks erupted. I remained impressed with how these can appear stable at all at these slow exposures. The colors: I thought of how to react to the mass of colors.
歌 無孤苦古 ⚡❄
2021 答 Big Dream 1993
♩ ♩ ♫ ♩
6 71 2 7♭65
4 56 1 7♭65
Big enough to share
only I can make
123 5 654
making it come true
making me feel new
5 32
Maybe
©《Big Dream》 (The Thing Called Love)
#Vegan↓ #WeWillRiseTogether↑
Pomposa Abbey is a Benedictine monastery in the comune of Codigoro near Ferrara, Italy. It was one of the most important in northern Italy, famous for the Carolingian manuscripts preserved in its rich library, one of the wealthiest of Carolingian repositories, and for the Romanesque buildings.
This is a hand-written manuscript produced on some type of fine polished animal skin. I own two of them, which I bought very inexpensively years ago. One has a defect at the edge of the page, and this one has some sort of random mark on oneside. I used to do a lot of calligraphy, some with handmade reed pens, so I could appreciate how these scribes worked. Years ago, pages like this were plentiful and not really seen as any type of art form.
Edward Johnston, a calligrapher who was largely responsible for the rebirth of the art during the last century, wrote a lot about the old scribes. He said that "the thing that would have struck us most--even more than the skill, would have been the speed with which he wrote...they didn't seek beauty directly....everything they did was primarily for use and even those gorgeous letters they put in their illuminated manuscripts were primarily for use as book markers. " He went on to point out that despite the utilitarian goal, scribes had a "dream of divine beauty that they were seeking," and thus were able to manifest it in their work.
Uxahryggir (Route 52) is a scenic gravel road in southwest Iceland that stretches between Þingvellir and Biskupstungur. Winding through dramatic highlands, it provides a quieter, rugged alternative to the main Golden Circle routes. The road offers spectacular views of lava fields, glacial rivers, ancient ridges, and geothermal spots. Along its route lies Krosslaug, a historically significant hot spring known from medieval manuscripts and modern archaeological digs. Route 52 is especially stunning during the summer months, when midnight sun bathes the valley in gold and pink hues, revealing Iceland’s raw volcanic textures and isolated serenity.
The Emar Mutt complex was demolished August 2019 completely.
++++ FROM WIKIPEDIA ++++
Raghunandana Library is located in the Emara Math-a complex (opposite Simhadwara or lion gate, the main entrance gate). The Jagannatha Aitihasika Gavesana Samiti (Jagannatha Historical Centre) is also located here. The library houses ancient palm leaf manuscripts on Jagannatha, His cult and the history of the city.
Puri (Odia: [ˈpuɾi (ପୁରୀ)] is a coastal city and a municipality in the state of Odisha in eastern India. It is the district headquarters of Puri district and is situated on the Bay of Bengal, 60 kilometres (37 mi) south of the state capital of Bhubaneswar. It is also known as Sri Jagannatha Dhama after the 12th-century Jagannath Temple located in the city. It is one of the original Char Dham pilgrimage sites for Hindus.
Puri is known by several names since the ancient times, and was locally known as "Sri Kshetra" and the Jagannath temple is known as "Badadeula". Puri and the Jagannath Temple were invaded 18 times by Muslim rulers, from the 7th century AD till the early 19th century with the objective of looting the treasures of the temple. Odisha, including Puri and its temple, were part of British India from 1803 till India attained independence in August 1947. Even though princely states do not exist in India today, the heirs of the House of Gajapati still perform the ritual duties of the temple. The temple town has many Hindu religious mathas or monasteries.
The economy of Puri is dependent on the religious importance of the Jagannath Temple to the extent of nearly 80 percent. The 24 festivals, including 13 major ones, held every year in the temple complex contribute to the economy; Ratha Yatra and its related festivals are the most important which are attended by millions of people every year. Sand art and applique art are some of the important crafts of the city.
Puri has been chosen as one of the heritage cities for Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY) scheme of Government of India.
History
Names in history
Puri, the holy land of Jagannatha, also known by the popular vernacular name Srikshetram, has many ancient names in the Hindu scriptures such as the Rigveda, Matsya purana, Brahma Purana, Narada Purana, Padma Purana, Skanda Purana, Kapila Purana and Niladrimahodaya. In the Rigveda, in particular, it is mentioned as a place called Purushamandama-grama meaning the place where the Creator deity of the world – Supreme Divinity deified on an altar or mandapa was venerated near the coast and prayers offered with Vedic hymns. Over time the name got changed to Purushottama Puri and further shortened to Puri, and the Purusha came to be known as Jagannatha. Sages like Bhrigu, Atri and Markandeya had their hermitage close to this place. Its name is mentioned, conforming to the deity worshipped, as Srikshetra, Purusottama Dhāma, Purusottama Kshetra, Purusottama Puri and Jagannath Puri. Puri, however, is the popular usage. It is also known by the geographical features of its location as Shankhakshetra (the layout of the town is in the form of a conch shell),[4] Neelāchala ("Blue mountain" a terminology used to name a very large sand lagoon over which the temple was built but this name is not in vogue), Neelāchalakshetra, Neelādri.[5] In Sanskrit, the word "Puri" means town or city,and is cognate with polis in Greek.
Another ancient name is Charita as identified by General Alexander Cunningham of the Archaeological Survey of India, which was later spelled as Che-li-ta-lo by Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang. When the present temple was built by the Eastern Ganga king Anantavarman Chodaganga in the 11th and 12th centuries AD, it was called Purushottamkshetra. However, the Moghuls, the Marathas and early British rulers called it Purushottama-chhatar or just Chhatar. In Moghul ruler Akbar's Ain-i-Akbari and subsequent Muslim historical records it was known as Purushottama. In the Sanskrit drama Anargha Raghava Nataka as well, authored by Murari Mishra, a playwright, in the 8th century AD, it is referred to as Purushottama.[4] It was only after the 12th century AD that Puri came to be known by the shortened form of Jagannatha Puri, named after the deity or in a short form as Puri.[5] It is the only shrine in India, where Radha, along with Lakshmi, Saraswati, Durga, Bhudevi, Sati, Parvati, and Shakti, abodes with Krishna, who is also known by the name Jagannatha.
Ancient period
King Indradyumna of Ujjayani credited with building the original Puri Jagannath temple in 318 AD
According to the chronicle Madala Panji, in 318 AD, the priests and servitors of the temple spirited away the idols to escape the wrath of the Rashtrakuta king Rakatavahu.[9] In the temple's historical records it finds mention in the Brahma Purana and Skanda Purana stating that the temple was built by the king Indradyumna, Ujjayani.
S. N. Sadasivan, a historian, in his book A Social History of India quotes William Joseph Wilkins, author of the book Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Purānic as stating that in Puri, Buddhism was once a well established practice but later Buddhists were persecuted and Brahmanism became the order of the religious practice in the town; the Buddha deity is now worshipped by the Hindus as Jagannatha. It is also said by Wilkinson that some relics of Buddha were placed inside the idol of Jagannatha which the Brahmins claimed were the bones of Lord Krishna. Even during Maurya king Ashoka's reign in 240 BC, Kalinga was a Buddhist center and that a tribe known as Lohabahu (barbarians from outside Odisha) converted to Buddhism and built a temple with an idol of Buddha which is now worshipped as Jagannatha. Wilkinson also says that the Lohabahu deposited some Buddha relics in the precincts of the temple.
Construction of the present Jagannath Temple started in 1136 AD and completed towards the latter part of the 12th century. The Eastern Ganga king Anangabhima III dedicated his kingdom to Lord Jagannatha, then known as the Purushottama-Jagannatha, and resolved that from then on he and his descendants would rule under "divine order as Jagannatha's sons and vassals". Even though princely states do not exist in India today, the heirs of the Eastern Ganga dynasty of Puri still perform the ritual duties of the temple; the king formally sweeps the road in front of the chariots before the start of the Ratha Yatra. This ritual is called Cherra Pahanra.
Medieval and early modern periods
The history of Puri is on the same lines as that of the Jagannath Temple, which was invaded 18 times during its history to plunder the treasures of the temple, rather than for religious reasons. The first invasion occurred in the 8th century AD by Rastrakuta king Govinda III (798–814 AD), and the last took place in 1881 AD by the monotheistic followers of Alekh (Mahima Dharma) who did not recognise the worship of Jagannatha.[13] From 1205 AD onward there were many invasions of the city and its temple by Muslims of Afghan and Moghul descent, known as Yavanas or foreigners. In most of these invasions the idols were taken to safe places by the priests and the servitors of the temple. Destruction of the temple was prevented by timely resistance or surrender by the kings of the region. However, the treasures of the temple were repeatedly looted.[14] The table lists all the 18 invasions along with the status of the three images of the temple, the triad of Jagannatha, Balabhadra and Subhadra following each invasion.
In the 16th century, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu of Bengal established the Bhakti movements of India, now known by the name the Hare Krishna movement. He spent many years as a devotee of Jagannatha at Puri; he is said to have merged with the deity.[25] There is also a matha of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu here known as Radhakanta Math.
In the 17th century, for the sailors sailing on the east coast of India, the temple served as a landmark, being located in a plaza in the centre of the city, which they called the "White Pagoda" while the Konark Sun Temple, 60 kilometres (37 mi) away to the east of Puri, was known as the "Black Pagoda".
The iconic representation of the images in the Jagannath temple is believed to be the forms derived from the worship made by the tribal groups of Sabaras belonging to northern Odisha. These images are replaced at regular intervals as the wood deteriorates. This replacement is a special event carried out ritualistically by special group of carpenters.
Govardhana matha main gate
The city has many other Mathas as well. The Emar Matha was founded by the Tamil Vaishnava saint Ramanujacharya in the 12th century AD. This Matha, which is now located in front of Simhadvara across the eastern corner of the Jagannath Temple, is reported to have been built in the 16th century during the reign of kings of Suryavamsi Gajapatis. The Matha was in the news on 25 February 2011 for the large cache of 522 silver slabs unearthed from a closed chamber.
The British conquered Orissa in 1803, and, recognising the importance of the Jagannath Temple in the life of the people of the state, they initially appointed an official to look after the temple's affairs and later declared the temple as part of a district.
Modern history
H.H Jagadguru Swami Nischalananda Saraswati, The Shankaracharya of Puri
In 1906, Sri Yukteswar, an exponent of Kriya Yoga and a resident of Puri, established an ashram, a spiritual training center, named "Kararashram" in Puri. He died on 9 March 1936 and his body is buried in the garden of the ashram.
The city is the site of the former summer residence of British Raj, the Raj Bhavan, built in 1913–14 during the era of governors.[30]
For the people of Puri, Lord Jagannatha, visualized as Lord Krishna, is synonymous with their city. They believe that Lord Jagannatha looks after the welfare of the state. However, after the partial collapse of the Jagannath Temple (in the Amalaka part of the temple) on 14 June 1990, people became apprehensive and considered it a bad omen for Odisha. The replacement of the fallen stone by another of the same size and weight (7 tonnes (7.7 tons)), that could be done only in the early morning hours after the temple gates were opened, was done on 28 February 1991.[25]
Puri has been chosen as one of the heritage cities for the Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana scheme of the Indian Government. It is chosen as one of the 12 heritage cities with "focus on holistic development" to be implemented within 27 months by the end of March 2017.[31]
Non-Hindus are not permitted to enter the shrines but are allowed to view the temple and the proceedings from the roof of the Raghunandan library, located within the precincts of the temple, for a small donation.[32]
Geography and climate
Geography
The Atharanala Bridge dating back to the 16th century at the entrance of Puri
Puri, located on the east coast of India on the Bay of Bengal, is in the centre of the Puri district. It is delimited by the Bay of Bengal on the southeast, the Mauza Sipaurubilla on the west, Mauza Gopinathpur in the north and Mauza Balukhand in the east. It is within the 67 kilometres (42 mi) coastal stretch of sandy beaches that extends between Chilika Lake and the south of Puri city. However, the administrative jurisdiction of the Puri Municipality extends over an area of 16.3268 square kilometres (6.3038 sq mi) spread over 30 wards, which includes a shore line of 5 kilometres (3.1 mi).[33]
Puri is in the coastal delta of the Mahanadi River on the shores of the Bay of Bengal. In the ancient days it was near to Sisupalgarh (also known as "Ashokan Tosali"). Then the land was drained by a tributary of the Bhargavi River, a branch of the Mahanadi River. This branch underwent a meandering course creating many arteries altering the estuary, and formed many sand hills. These sand hills could be cut through by the streams. Because of the sand hills, the Bhargavi River, flowing to the south of Puri, moved away towards the Chilika Lake. This shift also resulted in the creation of two lagoons, known as Sar and Samang, on the eastern and northern parts of Puri respectively. Sar lagoon has a length of 5 miles (8.0 km) in an east–west direction and a width of 2 miles (3.2 km) in north–south direction. The estuary of the Bhargavi River has a shallow depth of just 5 feet (1.5 m) and the process of siltation continues. According to a 15th-century Odia writer Saraladasa, the bed of the unnamed stream that flowed at the base of the Blue Mountain or Neelachal was filled up. Katakarajavamsa, a 16th-century chronicle (c.1600), attributes filling up of the bed of the river which flowed through the present Grand Road, as done during the reign of King Narasimha II (1278–1308) of Eastern Ganga dynasty.
Climate
According to the Köppen–Geiger climate classification system the climate of Puri is classified as Aw (Tropical savanna climate). The city has moderate and tropical climate. Humidity is fairly high throughout the year. The temperature during summer touches a maximum of 36 °C (97 °F) and during winter it is 17 °C (63 °F). The average annual rainfall is 1,337 millimetres (52.6 in) and the average annual temperature is 26.9 °C (80.4 °F).
Demographics
According to the 2011 Census of India, Puri is an urban agglomeration governed by the Municipal Corporation in Odisha state, with a population of 200,564, comprising 104,086 males, 96,478 females, and 18,471 children (under six years of age). The sex ratio is 927. The average literacy rate in the city is 88.03 percent (91.38 percent for males and 84.43 percent for females).
Administration
Samudra arati or worship of the sea at Swargadwar by disciples of the Govardhana matha
The Puri Municipality, Puri Konark Development Authority, Public Health Engineering Organisation and Orissa Water Supply Sewerage Board are some of the principal organisations that are devolved with the responsibility of providing for civic amenities such as water supply, sewerage, waste management, street lighting and infrastructure of roads. The major activity, which puts maximum pressure on these organisations, is the annual event of the Ratha Yatra held during June- July. According to the Puri Municipality more than a million people attend this event. Hence, development activities such as infrastructure and amenities to the pilgrims, apart from security, gets priority attention.
The civic administration of Puri is the responsibility of the Puri Municipality. The municipality came into existence in 1864 in the name of the Puri Improvement Trust, which was converted into Puri Municipality in 1881. After India's independence in 1947, the Orissa Municipal Act (1950) was promulgated entrusting the administration of the city to the Puri Municipality. This body is represented by elected representatives with a Chairperson and councilors representing the 30 wards within the municipal limits.
Economy
The economy of Puri is dependent on tourism to the extent of about 80 percent. The temple is the focal point of the city and provides employment to the people of the town. Agricultural production of rice, ghee, vegetables and so forth of the region meet the large requirements of the temple. Many settlements around the town exclusively cater to the other religious requirements of the temple. The temple administration employs 6,000 men to perform the rituals. The temple also provides economic sustenance to 20,000 people. According to Colleen Taylor Set an author on food and travel, writing on the food culture of India, the temple kitchen has 400 cooks serving food to as many as 100,000 people,. According to J Mohapatra, Director, Ind Barath Power Infra Ltd (IBPIL), the kitchen is known as "a largest and biggest kitchen of the world."
Landmarks
Jagannath Temple at Puri
The Jagannath Temple at Puri is one of the major Hindu temples built in the Kalinga style of architecture.The temple tower, with a spire, rises to a height of 58 metres (190 ft), and a flag is unfurled above it, fixed over a wheel (chakra).[
Left:Ritual chakra and flags at the top shikhara of Puri temple of Jagannatha also related to Sudarsana chakra. The red flag (12 hand or 14 feet (4.3 m) denotes that Jagannath is within the temple.
Right: Statue of Aruna the charioteer of the Sun God on top of the Aruna Stambha in front of the Singhadwara
The temple is built on an elevated platform (of about 420,000 square feet (39,000 m2) area),[46] 20 feet (6.1 m) above the adjacent area. The temple rises to a height of 214 feet (65 m) above the road level. The temple complex covers an area of 10.7 acres (4.3 ha).[39] There are four entry gates in four cardinal directions of the temple, each gate located at the central part of the walls. These gates are: the eastern gate called the Singhadwara (Lions Gate), the southern gate known as Ashwa Dwara (Horse Gate), the western gate called the Vyaghra Dwara (Tigers Gate) or the Khanja Gate, and the northern gate called the Hathi Dwara or (elephant gate). These four gates symbolize the four fundamental principles of Dharma (right conduct), Jnana (knowledge), Vairagya (renunciation) and Aishwarya (prosperity). The gates are crowned with pyramid shaped structures. There is a stone pillar in front of the Singhadwara, called the Aruna Stambha {Solar Pillar}, 11 metres (36 ft) in height with 16 faces, made of chlorite stone; at the top of the stamba an elegant statue of Aruṇa (Sun) in a prayer mode is mounted. This pillar was shifted from the Konarak Sun Temple.[47] The four gates are decorated with guardian statues in the form of lion, horse mounted men, tigers, and elephants in the name and order of the gates.[32] A pillar made of fossilized wood is used for placing lamps as offering. The Lion Gate (Singhadwara) is the main gate to the temple, which is guarded by two guardian deities Jaya and Vijaya.[46][47][48] The main gate is ascended through 22 steps known as Baisi Pahaca, which are revered, as it is believed to possess "spiritual animation". Children are made to roll down these steps, from top to bottom, to bring them spiritual happiness. After entering the temple, on the left side, there is a large kitchen where food is prepared in hygienic conditions in huge quantities; the kitchen is called as "the biggest hotel of the world".
The main entrance of the Jagannath Temple
According to a legend King Indradyumma was directed by Lord Jagannatha in a dream to build a temple for him which he did as directed. However, according to historical records the temple was started some time during the 12th century by King Chodaganga of the Eastern Ganga dynasty. It was completed by his descendant, Anangabhima Deva, in the 12th century. The wooden images of Jagannatha, Balabhadra and Subhadra were then deified here. The temple was under the control of the Hindu rulers up to 1558. Then, when Orissa was occupied by the Afghan Nawab of Bengal, it was brought under the control of the Afghan General Kalapahad. Following the defeat of the Afghan king by Raja Mansingh, the General of Mughal emperor Akbar, the temple became part of the Mughal empire till 1751. Subsequently, it was under the control of the Marathas till 1803. During the British Raj, the Puri Raja was entrusted with its management until 1947.
The triad of images in the temple are of Jagannatha, personifying Lord Krishna, Balabhadra, His older brother, and Subhadra, His younger sister. The images are made of neem wood in an unfinished form. The stumps of wood which form the images of the brothers have human arms, while that of Subhadra does not have any arms. The heads are large, painted and non-carved. The faces are marked with distinctive large circular eyes.[25]
The Pancha Tirtha of Puri
Markandeshwar Tank
Hindus consider it essential to bathe in the Pancha Tirtha or the five sacred bathing spots of Puri, to complete a pilgrimage to Puri. The five sacred water bodies are the Indradyumana Tank, the Rohini Kunda, the Markandeya Tank, the Swetaganga Tank, and the Bay of Bengal also called the Mahodadhi, in Sanskrit 'Mahodadhi' means a "great ocean";[49] all are considered sacred bathing spots in the Swargadwara area.[50][51][52] These tanks have perennial sources of supply from rainfall and ground water.[53]
Gundicha Temple
Main article: Gundicha Temple
Main entrance of the Gundicha Temple
The Gundicha Temple, known as the Garden House of Jagannatha, stands in the centre of a garden, bounded by compound walls on all sides. It lies at a distance of about 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) to the northeast of the Jagannath Temple. The two temples are located at the two ends of the Bada Danda (Grand Avenue), which is the pathway for the Ratha Yatra. According to a legend, Gundicha was the wife of King Indradyumna who originally built the Jagannath temple.
The temple is built using light-grey sandstone, and, architecturally, it exemplifies typical Kalinga temple architecture in the Deula style. The complex comprises four components: vimana (tower structure containing the sanctum), jagamohana (assembly hall), nata-mandapa (festival hall) and bhoga-mandapa (hall of offerings). There is also a kitchen connected by a small passage. The temple is set within a garden, and is known as "God's Summer Garden Retreat" or garden house of Jagannatha. The entire complex, including the garden, is surrounded by a wall which measures 430 by 320 feet (131 m × 98 m) with height of 20 feet (6.1 m).
Except for the 9-day Ratha Yatra, when the triad images are worshipped in the Gundicha Temple, otherwise it remains unoccupied for the rest of the year. Tourists can visit the temple after paying an entry fee. Foreigners (generally prohibited entry in the main temple) are allowed inside this temple during this period.[56] The temple is under the Jagannath Temple Administration, Puri, the governing body of the main temple. A small band of servitors maintain the temple.
Swargadwar
Sea at Swargadwar of Puri
Swargadwar is the name given to the cremation ground or burning ghat which is located on the shores of the sea. Here thousands of dead bodies of Hindus brought from faraway places are cremated. It is a belief that the Chaitanya Mahaparabhu disappeared from this Swargadwar about 500 years back.
Beach
Puri sea sunrise
Puri sea beach viewed from the light house
The beach at Puri, known as the "Ballighai beach, at the mouth of Nunai River", is 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) away from the town and is fringed by casurina trees.[10] It has golden yellow sand. Sunrise and sunset are pleasant scenic attractions here. Waves break in at the beach which is long and wide.
District museum
The Puri district museum is located on the station road where the exhibits in display are the different types of garments worn by Lord Jagannatha, local sculptures, patachitra (traditional, cloth-based scroll painting), ancient Palm-leaf manuscripts, and local craft work.
Festivals of Puri
The Grand Road near the Jagannath Temple
Puri witnesses 24 festivals every year, of which 13 are major. The most important of these is the Ratha Yatra, or the car festival, held in the June–July, which is attended by more than 1 million people.
Ratha Yatra at Puri
The Ratha Yatra in Puri in modern times showing the three chariots of the deities with the Temple in the background
The Jagannath Temple triad are normally worshipped in the sanctum of the temple at Puri, but once during the month of Asadha (rainy season of Orissa, usually in June or July), they are brought out on the Bada Danda (main street of Puri) and taken over a distance of (3 kilometres (1.9 mi)) to the Gundicha Temple[61] in huge chariots (ratha), allowing the public to have darśana (holy view). This festival is known as the Ratha Yatra, meaning the journey (yatra) of the chariots.[62] The yatra starts every year according to the Hindu calendar on the Asadha Sukla Dwitiya day, the second day of bright fortnight of Asadha (June–July).[63]
Historically, the ruling Ganga dynasty instituted the Ratha Yatra on the completion of the Jagannath Temple around 1150 AD. This festival was one of those Hindu festivals that was reported to the Western world very early.[64] Friar Odoric, in his account of 1321, reported how the people put the "idols" on chariots, and the King, the Queen and all the people drew them from the "church" with song and music.[65][66]
The Rathas are huge wooden structures provided with large wheels, which are built anew every year and are pulled by the devotees. The chariot for Lord Jagannatha is about 45 feet (14 m) high and 35 square feet (3.3 m2) and takes about 2 months for its construction.[67] The chariot is mounted with 16 wheels, each of 7 feet (2.1 m) diameter. The carving in the front face of the chariot has four wooden horses drawn by Maruti. On its other three faces, the wooden carvings are of Rama, Surya and Vishnu. The chariot is known as Nandi Ghosha. The roof of the chariot is covered with yellow and red coloured cloth. The next chariot is of Balabhadra which is 44 feet (13 m) in height fitted with 14 wheels. The chariot is carved with Satyaki as the charioteer, roof covered in red and green coloured cloth, and the chariot is known as Taladhwaja. The carvings on this chariot include images of Narasimha and Rudra as Jagannatha's companions. The next chariot in the order is of Subhadra, which is 43 feet (13 m) in height supported on 12 wheels, roof covered in black and red colour cloth, and the chariot is known as Darpa Dalaan and the charioteer carved is Arjuna. Other images carved on the chariot are of Vana Durga, Tara Devi and Chandi Devi.[63][68] 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.[62] The chariots of Jagannatha pulled during Ratha Yatra is the etymological origin of the English word Juggernaut.[69] The Ratha Yatra is also termed as the Shri Gundicha yatra and Ghosha yatra
Pahandi bije during Ratha Yatra at Puri
Chhera Panhara
The Chhera Panhara[70] (sweeping with water) is a significant ritual associated with the Ratha Yatra. During this ritual, the Gajapati King wears the outfit of a sweeper and sweeps all around the deities and chariots. The king cleans the road in front of the chariots with a gold-handled broom and sprinkles sandalwood water and powder. 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 Jagannatha. This ritual signifies that under the lordship of Jagannatha, there is no distinction between the powerful sovereign and the humblest devotee.[71]
Chandan Yatra
The Chandan Yatra festival held every year on Akshaya Tritiya day marks the commencement of the construction of the chariots of the Ratha Yatra. It also marks the celebration of the Hindu new year.
Snana Yatra
Every year, on the Purnima day in the Hindu calendar month of Jyestha (June), the triad images of the Jagannath Temple are ceremonially bathed and decorated on the occasion of Snana Yatra. Water for the bath is taken in 108 pots from the Suna kuan (meaning: "golden well") located near the northern gate of the temple. Water is drawn from this well only once in a year for the sole purpose of the religious bath of the deities. After the bath the triad images are dressed in the fashion of the elephant god, Ganesha. Later, during the night, the original triad images are taken out in a procession back to the main temple but kept at a place known as Anasara pindi.[63] After this the Jhulana Yatra is performed when proxy images of the deities are taken out in a grand procession for 21 days, cruised over boats in the Narendra Tirtha tank.[10]
Anavasara or Anasara
Anasara, a derivative of the Sanskrit word "Anabasara", literally means vacation. Every year after the holy Snana Yatra, the triad images, without the Sudarshana Chakra, are taken to a secret altar named Anavasara Ghar (also known as Anasara pindi, 'pindi' is Oriya term meaning "platform" [72]) where they remain for the next fortnight of (Krishna paksha); devotees are not allowed to view these images. Instead, devotees go to the nearby Brahmagiri to see the Lord in the four-handed form of Alarnath, a depiction of Vishnu.[63][73] Devotees then get the first glimpse of the Lord only on the day before Ratha Yatra, which is called Navayouvana. It is a local belief that the gods suffer from fever after taking an elaborate ritual bath, and they are treated by the special servants, the Daitapatis, for 15 days. Daitapatis perform special nitis (rites) known as Netrotchhaba (a rite of painting the eyes of the triad). During this period cooked food is not offered to the deities.[74]
Naba Kalebara
Main articles: Nabakalevara and Nabakalebara 2015
Naba Kalebara is one of the most grand events associated with the Lord Jagannatha that takes place when one lunar month of Ashadha is followed by another of Ashadha called Adhika Masa (extra month). This can take place at an interval of 8, 12 or even 18 years. Literally meaning the "New Body" (Nava = New, Kalevar = Body) in Odia, the festival is witnessed by millions of people and the budget for this event generally 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. During the Nabakalebara ceremony held during July 2015 the idols that were installed in the temple in 1996 were replaced by specially carved new images made of neem wood. More than 3 million people are reported to have attended this festival.[77]
Suna Besha
Main article: Suna Besha
Suna Besha or Golden Attire of Lord Jagannatha
Suna Besha, ('Suna besh'in English translates to "gold dressing"[78]) also known as Raja or Rajadhiraja Bhesha [79] or Raja Bhesha, is an event when the triad images of the Jagannath Temple are adorned with gold jewelry. This event is observed five times in a year. It is commonly observed on Magha Purnima (January), Bahuda Ekadashi also known as Asadha Ekadashi (July), Dashahara (Bijayadashami) (October), Karthik Purnima (November), and Pousa Purnima (December).[80][81] One such Suna Bhesha event is observed on Bahuda Ekadashi during the Ratha Yatra on the chariots placed at the Simhadwar. The other four Beshas are observed inside the temple on the Ratna Singhasana (gem studded altar). On this occasion gold plates are decorated over the hands and feet of Jagannatha and Balabhadra; Jagannatha is also adorned with a Chakra (disc) made of gold on the right hand while a silver conch adorns the left hand. Balabhadra is decorated with a plough made of gold on the left hand while a golden mace adorns his right hand.[80]
Niladri Bije
Niladri Bije, celebrated in the Hindu calendar month Asadha (June–July) on Trayodashi (13th day),[82] marks the end of the Ratha Yatra. The large wooden images of the triad of gods are taken out from the chariots and then carried to the sanctum sanctorum, swaying rhythmically; a ritual which is known as pahandi.
Sahi yatra
A scene from a play being enacted during the Sahi Yatra
The Sahi Yatra, considered the world's biggest open-air theatre,[83] is an annual event lasting 11 days; a traditional cultural theatre festival or folk drama which begins on Ram Navami and ends on Rama avishke (Sanskrit meaning : anointing). The festival includes plays depicting various scenes from the Ramayana. The residents of various localities, or Sahis, are entrusted the task of performing the drama at the street corners.[84]
Samudra Arati
Samudra arati of worship of the sea by disciples of the Matha at Puri
The Samudra arati is a daily tradition started by the present Shankaracharya 9 years ago.[85] The daily practise includes prayer and fire offering to the sea at Swargadwar in Puri by disciples of the Govardhan Matha. On Paush Purnima of every year the Shankaracharya himself comes out to offer prayers to the sea.
Transport
Earlier, when roads did not exist, people used to walk or travel by animal-drawn vehicles or carriages along beaten tracks to reach Puri. Travel was by riverine craft along the Ganges up to Calcutta, and then on foot or by carriages. It was only during the Maratha rule that the Jagannath Sadak (Road) was built around 1790. The East India Company laid the rail track from Calcutta to Puri, which became operational in 1898.[86] Puri is now well-connected by rail, road and air services. A broad gauge railway line of the South Eastern Railways which connects Puri with Calcutta, and Khurda is an important railway junction on this route. The rail distance is about 499 kilometres (310 mi) from Calcutta[87] and 468 kilometres (291 mi) from Vishakhapatnam. Road network includes NH 203 that links the city with Bhubaneswar, the state capital, situated about 60 kilometres (37 mi) away. NH 203 B connects the city with Satapada via Brahmagiri. Marine drive, which is part of NH 203 A, connects Puri with Konark. The nearest airport is the Biju Patnaik International Airport at Bhubaneswar.[60] Puri railway station is among the top hundred booking stations of the Indian Railways.[88]
Arts and crafts
Sand art
Sand art of a baby elephant
Sand art is a special art form that is created on the beaches of Puri. The art form is attributed to Balaram Das, a poet who lived in the 14th century. Sculptures of various gods and famous people are now created in sand by amateur artists. These are temporary in nature as they get washed away by waves. This art form has gained international fame in recent years. One of the famed sand artists of Odisha is Sudarshan Patnaik. He established the Golden Sand Art Institute in 1995, in the open air on the shores of Bay of Bengal, to provide training to students interested in this art form.[89][84]
Appliqué art
An applique art work
Appliqué art, which is a stitching-based craft unlike embroidery, was pioneered by Hatta Maharana of Pipili. It is widely used in Puri, both for decoration of the deities and for sale. Maharana's family members are employed as darjis or tailors or sebaks by the Maharaja of Puri. They prepare articles for decorating the deities in the temple for various festivals and religious ceremonies. The appliqué works are brightly coloured and patterned fabric in the form of canopies, umbrellas, drapery, carry bags, flags, coverings of dummy horses and cows, and other household textiles; these are marketed in Puri. The cloth used is made in dark colours of red, black, yellow, green, blue and turquoise blue.[90]
Patta Chaitra
Patta Chittra is the one of the oldest forms of art which has its roots to thousands of years ago. It has stayed vibrant amidst changes in cultures and still remains one of the unique art forms of India especially Odisa which originated in Puri.
Culture
Odissi dancer
Cultural activities, including the annual religious festivals, in Puri are: The Puri Beach Festival held from 5 to 9 November every year, and the Shreekshetra Utsav held from 20 December to 2 January every year. The cultural programmes include unique sand art, display of local and traditional handicrafts and food festival.[91] In addition, cultural programmes are held for two hours on every second Saturday of the month at the district Collector's Conference Hall near Sea Beach Police Station. Odissi dance, Odissi music and folk dances are part of this event.[91] Odissi dance is the cultural heritage of Puri. This dance form originated in Puri from the dances performed by Devadasis (Maharis) attached to the Jagannath Temple who performed dances in the Nata mandapa of the temple to please the deities. Though the devadasi practice has been discontinued, the dance form has become modern and classical and is widely popular; many of the Odissi virtuoso artists and gurus (teachers) are from Puri.[92] Some of the notable Odissi dancers are Kelucharan Mohapatra, Mayadhar Raut, Sonal Mansingh, and Sanjukta Panigrahi.[citation needed]
Goti Pua nacha (a dance form) is a famous one which has its origins from hundreds of years before much before Odissi.
Many Odia dishes have their roots from Puri, Malpua, Pakhala (fermented water rice), Dalma are few dishes which originated from Puri.
Education
Samanta Chandra Sekhara College, Puri
Schools
D.A.V Public School
Bholanath Vidyapith
Biswambhar Bidyapitha
Blessed Sacrament High School Puri
Kendriya Vidyalaya
Puri Zilla School
Colleges and universities
Ghanashyama Hemalata Institute of Technology and Management
Shri Jagannath Sanskrit University
Sri Jagannath Medical College and Hospital
Notable people
Chakhi Khuntia – Freedom fighter [93]
Bidhu Bhusan Das - Academic and Vice Chancellor, DPI Odisha
Gopabandhu Das – Social worker
Nilakantha Das – Social activist
Pankaj Charan Das – Odissi dancer
Prabhat Nalini Das - pro Vice Chancellor, academician, feminist, Dean IIT Kanpur
Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb - Odia King
Charles Garrett – Cricketer
Kelucharan Mohapatra – Odissi dancer
Raghunath Mohapatra – Architect and sculptor
Baisali Mohanty - ALC Global Fellow at University of Oxford, United Kingdom
Rituraj Mohanty – Singer
Sudarshan Pattnaik – Sand Artist
Jayee Rajguru - Freedom fighter
Madhusudan Rao – Odia Poet
Sudarshan Sahoo - Sculptor
Pinaki Misra - Politician
Biswanath Das- Scholar, Philosopher (Emar Mutha, Puri)
The St. Walburgis Church in Zutphen in the Netherlands.
The largest and oldest church of the city is the St. Walburgis (Saint Walpurga) Church, which originally dates from the twelfth century. The present Gothic building contains monuments of the former counts of Zutphen, a thirteenth century candelabrum, an elaborate copper font (1527), and a modern monument to the Van Heeckeren family.
The chapter-house ("Librije") contains a pre-Reformation library which includes some valuable manuscripts and incunabula. It is considered one of only 5 remaining medieval libraries in Europe (the other 4 being in England and Italy respectively).
The old books are still chained to their ancient wooden desk, a habit of centuries ago, dating from the times the library was a "public library" and where the chains prevented the books from being stolen.
Zutphen (about 47,000 inhabitants) is a old city in the province of Gelderland. It lies some 30 km north-east of Arnhem, on the Eastern bank of the river IJssel at the point where it is joined by the Berkel. The name Zutphen (first mentioned in the eleventh century) appears to mean ‘zuid-veen’, or in English, south-fen.
The history of Zutphen covers more than 1700 years. About 300 AD a Germanic settlement was the first permanent town on a complex of low river dunes. The Normans raided and ravaged it about 900. Afterwards a system of walls was built to protect the budding town. The town received city rights between 1190 and 1196, making it one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands.
It also became part of the Hanze, a group of cities with great wealth, this group of cities were the economic center in that part of Europe during the Late Middle Ages.
De St. Walburgiskerk in Zutphen
De St. Walburgiskerk werd gesticht en gebouwd als Romaanse kapittelkerk omstreeks 1050, verbouwd in romano-gotische Keulse stijl in 1200-1270, daarna vergroot in de 14e, 15e en vroege 16e eeuw tot een grote hallenkerk, een voorbeeld van rijke Nederrijnse gotiek. In de toren hangen zes klokken die nog altijd met de hand geluid worden, op zaterdagavond vanaf 18.00 uur en vóór de kerkdiensten. In de viering hangt het Angelusklokje, dat dagelijks te horen is.
Bij de kerk hoort sinds 1561 de Librije, een bibliotheek met 750 oude folianten die vastgeketend zijn op eeuwenoude lectrijnen, lessenaars, om diefstal te voorkomen. Behalve de Librije zijn er nog maar twee andere 'kettingbibliotheken' bewaard gebleven, in het Italiaanse Cesena en het Engelse Hereford.
De Librije is gesticht als een 'openbare' bibliotheek voor welgestelde Zutphenaren, en tegenwoordig een belangrijke collectie van voornamelijk 15e-17e-eeuwse boeken.
De huidige gemeente Zutphen (soms ook als Zutfen geschreven) telt ongeveer 47.000 inwoners, de stad alleen ongeveer 32.000. De naam Zutphen wordt voor het eerst in de elfde eeuw genoemd en lijkt 'Zuid-Veen' te betekenen.
De geschiedenis van Zutphen omvat meer dan 1700 jaar. Ongeveer 300 na Christus was een Germaanse nederzetting het begin van de eerste permanente bewoning op een complex van lage rivierduinen. De Noormannen plunderden en verwoestte het rond 900. Daarna werd een stelsel van muren gebouwd ter bescherming van de ontluikende stad. De stad kreeg stadsrechten tussen 1190 en 1196, waardoor het een van de oudste steden van Nederland is. Ook werd Zutphen lid van de Hanze, een groep van steden met een grote rijkdom. Deze groep van steden waren het economische centrum in dit deel van Europa (Oostzee en Noordzee) tijdens de late Middeleeuwen.
______________________________________________________________________
All rights reserved. Copyright © Martien Uiterweerd. All my images are protected under international authors copyright laws and may not be downloaded, reproduced, copied, transmitted or manipulated without my written explicit permission.
______________________________________________________________________
.
Author Andrea Perron (a member of the family that the film The Conjuring is based on) with my friend Kerry Walker in the Paine House in Coventry, RI.
About Andrea:
"My name is Andrea Perron. I am the eldest daughter of Roger & Carolyn Perron. I have four sisters: Nancy, Christine, Cynthia and April. My birth date: October 10, 1958…the only one of five siblings to be born in Rhode Island. I was just two months old when my parents bought our first home in Willimantic, Connecticut, where all my sisters came into the world. A burgeoning family required more space so we bought a larger home in Cumberland, R.I. when I was six. Living in a suburb of Providence proved disquieting. After six years my mother decided her girls required a place in the country in which to grow and thrive.
In June of 1970 she found a glorious farm, then she and my father moved mountains to buy what was known as the old Arnold Estate; two-hundred acres of land with a big barn and a farmhouse; plenty of space to spread out and explore Nature. It was the perfect place to raise a family, according to the owner, though he failed to disclose a crucial element of the experience he endured as an occupant. The day we moved in, he told my father: “…leave the lights on at night.” A rather cryptic message. Thus began an incredible odyssey; a supernatural excursion through dimensions of time and space as the history of its characters from the ages began to reveal themselves to seven mortals who could not conceive of and never anticipated such events transpiring in our lives.
For almost a decade our family lived among the dead. There we came to understand that we are not alone and there is something beyond mortal existence. I graduated from high school in 1976 and attended Chatham College in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Graduating in 1980 with an interdisciplinary degree in Philosophy and English, it was during my senior year when my mother announced the sale of the farm was pending. I was heart broken. In spite of the trials, it was “home” and I loved it. Returning to Rhode Island, we were there only a few weeks before relocating to Georgia; long enough to pack and say goodbye. It was over. Though we abandoned our place in the country, it never left us. Memory is powerful.
I’ve spent my life since engaging in a variety of endeavors. Georgia did not suit me. After seven years I went home to R.I. Though I have always been a writer, I have likewise explored my own creative abilities. As a professional singer, songwriter, musician and actor, my time has been full of adventures and interesting characters. For more than twenty years I was a cast member with The Theatre Company of Rhode Island, performing on the stage of The Assembly Theater, the historic centerpiece of Harrisville. For the last ten years I lived in R.I. I was employed as a youth counselor at Harmony Hill School in Chepachet and lived in the village of Harmony, in a quaint cottage on Waterman Lake, also known as paradise on a pond.
In 2007 I began writing the manuscript which has now evolved into the trilogy “House of Darkness House of Light” and relocated (again) to Georgia to be with my family while embarking on such a major project involving all of them as well. It has proved to be quite an excursion in its own right, spawning some nightmares while exhuming our memories of the dead. Often painful, it has been a healing process as well, as each revisited a past impacting our present, clearly mapping the future of a family. There was no escaping unscathed, though we thought we has successfully done so at the time. This is a story whose time has come. Many have spoken or written about fragments of the story for decades. Now is the time to tell the whole truth about what happened in a house alive with death as we lived an illuminating decade of life. It is a tale worth telling because it is true. Time has come because we are ready to disclose our secrets and the world is ready to receive them."
IMG_1887 Wall in the Old Blind School, Liverpool. To me it looks like musical notation - minims and semi quavers. It's the glue from underneath the old wall surface which has been removed. The texture is remarkable - when i ran my fingers over the marks they "spoke" quite loudly.
Manuscript title: Breviarium basileense
Manuscript summary: This breviary was meant for use in the diocese of Basel. There are still partially visible traces of coats of arms that were painted on ff. 33r, 41r, 129r and 279r and were later erased; these allow the codex to be attributed to Arnold of Rotberg, Bishop of Basel from 1451 to 1458. His successor, Jean de Venningen (1458-1478) noted on f. 5r the repurchase of the manuscript from Porrentruy Castle on June 29th 1461.
Origin: Porrentruy, Switzerland
Period: 15th century
Image source: Porrentruy, Bibliothèque cantonale jurassienne, Ms. 22: Breviarium basileense (www.e-codices.unifr.ch/en/list/one/bcj/0022).
Manuscript title: Jean Thenaud, Introduction to the Kabbalah, dedicated to King Francis I
Manuscript summary: This parchment manuscript contains the mystic text of the Kabbala in cursive script, illustrated with numerous highly colorful drawings with allegorical, cosmological, and liturgical themes.
Origin: Geneva (Switzerland)
Period: 16th century
Image source: Genève, Bibliothèque de Genève, Ms. fr. 167: Jean Thenaud, Introduction to the Kabbalah, dedicated to King Francis I (www.e-codices.unifr.ch/en/list/one/bge/fr0167).