virtualview

2010-11-13T02:37:00.000-08:00

The Eye

2010-11-13T02:25:00.001-08:00

The Eye , originally uploaded by ajitchouhan.

“The eye sees a thing more clearly in dreams than the imagination awake.” ~ Leonardo da Vinci

Be thou the rainbow ...

2010-11-13T02:24:00.001-08:00

Be thou the rainbow ..., originally uploaded by ajitchouhan.

Photostream

2009-07-05T19:15:00.001-07:00

Tulip Collection

2009-06-23T21:46:00.000-07:00

Black and White,Sepia Series

2009-06-23T21:35:00.000-07:00

Chicago Slideshow

2009-05-29T20:36:00.000-07:00

Museum of Science and Industry (MSI) is located in Chicago, Illinois in Jackson Park, in the Hyde Park neighborhood adjacent to Lake Michigan. It is housed in the former Palace of Fine Arts from the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. Initially endowed by Sears, Roebuck and Company president and philanthropist Julius Rosenwald, it first opened in 1933 during the Century of Progress Exposition.

Among its diverse and expansive exhibits, the Museum features a working coal mine, a German submarine (U-505) captured during World War II, a 3,500-square-foot (330 m2) model railroad, the first diesel-powered streamlined stainless-steel passenger train (Pioneer Zephyr), and a NASA space capsule used on the Apollo 8 mission.

Pella Tulip Collection

2009-05-17T12:23:00.000-07:00

1. Pella Tulip, 2. Tulip, 3. Tulip time, 4. Colours, 5. All Alone ..., 6. Angel's smile, 7. Little master, 8. Kids in action, 9. Vermeer Mill, 10. Pella Architecture, 11. Dutch Architecture, 12. Yellow Tulip, 13. Tulip Time Tower, 14. IMG_8496, 15. Tulip, 16. Fountain, 17. White Tulip, 18. Tulip.., 19. Parade, 20. Sweet child o mine...

Most Viewed Set

2009-05-17T12:13:00.000-07:00

1. It's Green, 2. Together forever, 3. Flamingo, 4. Chicago Skyline 002, 5. By the Green River, 6. When the sun goes down.., 7. All Alone ..., 8. Bahai temple, 9. Lakeshore, 10. Walk along the shore.., 11. Bird's eye view, 12. Chicago Skyline 005, 13. Chicago Skyline 004, 14. Chicago Skyline 001, 15. Bahai temple, 16. Chicago Skyline, 17. Blue Sky, 18. Dream on dreamer !!, 19. Father & Son, 20. Hope, joy and faith.., 21. Bahai temple, 22. Bahai temple, 23. On the way.., 24. light my fire, 25. Bahai temple, 26. Bahai temple, 27. Bahai temple, 28. Destination Nowhere, 29. Light my fire ..., 30. Bahai temple, 31. Bahai temple, 32. Patna College, 33. Sky is the limit !!, 34. Bahai temple, 35. Navy Pier, 36. Sears tower

Walk down the road...

2009-03-26T21:39:00.000-07:00

Hare Krishna

2009-03-20T19:11:00.000-07:00

Life in the fast lane

2009-03-20T19:09:00.000-07:00

The Crown Fountain

2009-03-20T19:03:00.000-07:00

Designed by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa and inspired by the people of Chicago, The Crown Fountain is a major addition to the city's world-renowned public art collection. The fountain consists of two 50-foot glass block towers at each end of a shallow reflecting pool.

The towers project video images from a broad social spectrum of Chicago citizens, a reference to the traditional use of gargoyles in fountains, where faces of mythological beings were sculpted with open mouths to allow water, a symbol of life, to flow out. Plensa adapted this practice by having faces of Chicago citizens projected on LED screens and having water flow through a water outlet in the screen to give the illusion of water spouting from their mouths. The collection of faces, Plensa's tribute to Chicagoans, was taken from a cross-section of 1,000 residents.

By the Green River

2009-03-17T20:28:00.000-07:00

54th edition of the downtown St. Patrick's Day @ Chicago. Every year on St. Patrick's Day, the river is dyed green.

Bill King, the administrator of Chicago's St. Patrick's Day committee, stated that "the idea of dyeing the Chicago River green originally came about by accident when a group of plumbers were using fluorescein dye to trace illegal substances that were polluting the river".

The secret ingredients used to dye the river green today are claimed to be safe and not harmful to the thousands of living organisms that find a habitat in the Chicago river.

Lost in wilderness...

2009-03-12T22:49:00.000-07:00

I often have wandered in deep contemplation
It seems that the mind runs wild when youre all alone
The way that it could be
The way that it should be
Things I'd do differently if I could do them again

Ive always loved spring time, the passing of winter
The green of the new leaves and life goin on
The promise of morning
The long days of summer
Warm nights of loving her beneath the bright stars
J Denver

Colors changing hue
morning fields of amber grain
weathered faces lined in pain
are soothed beneath the artist's loving hand.

Evening Silhouette

2009-03-12T22:15:00.000-07:00

As I walk alone

Through each troubled day

I hope the lord above will help guide my way

As I walk alone

Through the valleys ,I will roam

Searching for the rivers leading to my home

To my home , As I walk alone

Listening to the wise men from the years of old

Trying to remember the words the Bible told

As I walk alone

Towards heaven I will fly

If the devil calls me I'll pass him by Pass him by

As I walk alone

What's Up!!

2009-03-12T22:13:00.000-07:00

Snow playground

2009-03-12T22:02:00.001-07:00

Mirror view

2009-03-12T22:01:00.001-07:00

Portrait

2009-03-12T20:28:00.000-07:00

Light my fire ...

2009-03-12T20:21:00.000-07:00

The time to hesitate is through
No time to wallow in the mire
Try now we can only lose
And our love become a funeral pyre
Come on baby, light my fire....

Flames ...

2009-03-12T20:10:00.000-07:00

Blew for a little life, and made a flame
Which was a mockery; then they lifted up
Their eyes as it grew lighter, and
Each other's aspects. saw, and shriek'd, and died, beheld

By Lord Byron

Hope, joy and Faith...

2009-03-08T19:34:00.000-07:00

I love those who can smile in trouble, who can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink, but they whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves their conduct, will pursue their principles unto death.

Leonardo da Vinci

Sun goes down the river

2009-03-08T19:31:00.000-07:00

In the name of God...

2009-03-08T19:15:00.000-07:00

My roots...

2009-03-08T19:03:00.000-07:00

Many shops in India follow this age old practise of hanging Lime and Green Chilli at the entrance.Its considered auspicious and protects the business and prosperity of the shop. Nimbu Mirchi : Buri Nazar wale ......

Lost in his deep thoughts

Thela wala busy mixing his Tobacco special(khaani) after a hard day at work

Adi...in action

2009-03-08T18:57:00.000-07:00

My little cousin Adi, he loves to pose for the camera.

Dream On Dreamer !!

2009-02-26T21:59:00.000-08:00

I stand amid the roar, Of a surf-tormented shore,

And I hold within my hand, Grains of the golden sand-

How few! yet how they creep,Through my fingers to the deep,

While I weep- while I weep! O God! can I not grasp

Them with a tighter clasp? O God! can I not save One from the pitiless wave? I

s all that we see or seem But a dream within a dream?

Edgar Allan Poe

Temple of Faith

2009-02-26T19:38:00.000-08:00

Designed by Canadian Louis Bourgeois, the building was dedicated on May 1, 1953, over thirty years after the cornerstone was laid by Abdu’l Baha, son of Bahá’u’lláh (the prophet-founder of the faith). Today, the temple is undergoing various seen and unseen renovations as part of the Baha’i-funded Kingdom Project.

There are currently seven Baha'i Houses of Worship in the world. Each temple has its own distinctive design, and yet conforms to a set of architectural requirements that give a unifying theme. All Baha'i Houses of Worship must have nine sides and a central dome.Construction of the Baha'i House of Worship for the North American Continent in Wilmette, Ill. was completed in 1953. On the lower level of the House of Worship is Foundation Hall (the oldest part of the temple) and the Cornerstone Room, which contains the cornerstone laid by Abdu'l-Baha in 1912. The auditorium features walls of lace-like ornamentation and a dome rising 135 feet above the main floor.

Baha'is believe:•the purpose of life is to know and worship God, to acquire virtues, to promote the oneness of humankind and to carry forward an ever-advancing civilization •all humanity was created by one God and is part of one human race •work performed in the spirit of service is a form of worship •the soul, created at the moment of conception, is destined by God to reach the afterlife, where it will continue to progress until it attains the presence of God .

Baha'is practice:•daily prayer and communion with God •high moral principles, including trustworthiness, chastity and honesty •independent investigation of truth •a life dedicated to the service of humanity •fellowship with the followers of all religions •avoidance of excessive materialism, partisan politics, backbiting, alcohol, drugs and gambling

Baha’i Houses of Worship feature no depictions of figures of the faith, both because Baha’is avoid portraying the founders in art forms and as a sign of respect for other faiths. Baha’i temples are meant to serve as places of interfaith activity, where all people of faiths can worship God.

Arabic phrase in the center of the dome (a Baha'i symbol known as the Greatest Name that reads "O Glory of the Most Glorious!"); a few lines from the writings of Bahá’u’lláh bordering the tops of the building’s interior walls; and nine-pointed stars, a symbol commonly used by Baha’is to represent their faith.

Street View

2009-02-26T19:15:00.000-08:00

On the road...

2009-02-26T19:02:00.000-08:00

When I look down that road,

I see the world inside this town.

I weave the threads of my life

That lead me to where I stand now.

Melissa Manchester

Tinseltown

2009-02-12T18:21:00.000-08:00

Twilight Zone

2009-02-12T18:16:00.002-08:00

When there's no destination - that's too far

And somewhere on the way,

you might find out who you are

Speed

2009-02-12T18:16:00.001-08:00

Oh Papa !!

2009-02-08T18:01:00.000-08:00

“Na Hanyate Hanyamane Sarire"

Consciousness is eternal it is not vanquished with the destruction of the temporary body" - Bhagwat Gita

My father performing the last rites of my Grandfather. I have a tough time whenver I go through these images, brings back the memories of the great loss.

Another Day...

2009-01-30T22:31:00.000-08:00

Live another day

Climb a little higher

Find another reason to stay

Ashes in your hands

Mercy in your eyes

If you are searching for a silent sky...

Metallica Concert

2009-01-28T19:28:00.000-08:00

So close no matter how far
Couldnt be much more from the heart
Forever trusting who we are
No nothing else matters - Metallica

Morning has broken ..

2009-01-20T22:25:00.000-08:00

Mine is the sunlight, mine is the morning

Born of the one light, Eden saw play

Praise with elation,

Praise every morning,God's recreation of the new day

Beyond Sunset...

2009-01-18T19:08:00.000-08:00

Just beyond the sunset

Someone waits for me

Just beyond the sunset

Lies my destiny

Where the purple mountains

Lie in deep tranquillity

There I’ll find the treasure

Of love eternally .....

Another day out in Snow

2009-01-14T19:01:00.000-08:00

Celebrations 09

2009-01-10T10:17:00.000-08:00

These boots are made for walkin....

2008-12-30T19:00:00.000-08:00

Out in the snow,was trying to figure out the levels.My foot just kept goin deep, almost 8 inch deep.Thanks to these boots or else my feets would have melted .

On Christmas Eve

2008-12-30T18:51:00.000-08:00

Power of Black

2008-12-30T17:03:00.000-08:00

Amazing Bihar

2008-12-14T19:17:00.000-08:00

This is second part of the Bihar photo video series. For best viewing you can download the wmv file here.

You tube link

Revisiting Bihar

2008-08-06T09:57:00.000-07:00

It always a great experience to take photos in Bihar. In the last two weeks I had the chance to take some shots in my native village Minapur near Muzzafarpur and also had the privilege to visit Vaishali again after a long time.

Historically important, Vaishali, on the left bank of the Gandak river, is spiritually supreme. Lord Buddha visited this place frequently and at Kolhua, close by, preached his last sermon. To commemorate the event, Emperor Ashoka, in the third century B.C. erected one of his famous lion pillars here. A hundred years after the Mahaparinirvana of the Buddha - Vaishali hosted the second great Buddhist council. Two stupas were erected to commemorate this event. Jainism, too, has its origins in Vaishali, Lord Mahavir was born in 540 B.C. in vaishali and died in 468 B. C. in Pawapuri. Vaishali is then twice blessed and remains an important pilgrim center for both Buddhists and Jains, attracting also historians foraging for the past.

On the outskirts of Vaishali stood the grand double storied Buddhist monastery. Buddha often discoursed here. Much against his wishes, he extended spiritual enfranchisement to women by admitting them to the Holy Order which was founded here. Legend has it that on one of his visits, several monkeys dug up a tank for his comfortable stay and offered him a bowl of honey. This is regarded as one of the great incidents in the legends of Buddha, who announced his approaching Nirvana and preached his last sermon here. The Lichchhavis came a long way to bid him farewell on his way to Kushinagara and finally, they were stopped by a river created by Buddha. He once again paused to have a last of his much loved city. As a piety for Vaishali, he had already given his alms bowl which remained here for long time.

A life size-pillar beside a brick stupa at Kolhua commemorates Buddha's last sermon and announcement of his approaching nirvana. The lion faces north, the direction Buddha took on his last voyage. Adjacent to this is the tank associated with the monkeys offering honey. Nearby are the skeletal remains of a monastery where Buddha resided and a votive stupas dot the region.

Ashokan Pillar : Emperor Ashoka built The Lion Pillar at Kolhua. It is made of a highly polished single piece of red sandstone, surmounted by a bell shaped capital, 18.3 m high. A life-size figure of a lion is placed on top of the pillar. There is a small tank here known as Ramkund. This pillar beside a brick stupa at Kolhua commemorates Buddha's last sermon.

Budha Stupa-II : Excavation at this site in 1958 led to the discovery of another casket containing the ashes of the Lord Buddha.Kundalpur:Birth place of Lord Mahavira. It is believed that the Jain Tirthankar, Lord Mahavir was born over 2550 years ago. Mahavir is said to have spent the first 22 years of his life here.

On one side of the Abhishek Pushkarni is the Vishwa Shanti Stupa(World Peace Stupa) that adds to the glory of Vaishali. It is sixth in the series to be created in India after Rajgir, Dhauli, Leh, Wardha and Darjeeling by Nipponzan Myohoji under the guidance of Rev.Fuji guruji of Japan. The 125 feet tall peace pagoda, inaugurated on Oct 23, 1996, was constructed over the ruins of the sixth century BC stupa that also contained the casket with the ashes of Buddha. Buddha is believed to have preached his last sermon here which was the sixteenth chapter, Saddharmapundarika Sutra.

Kadkani Diary

2008-06-15T05:20:00.000-07:00

http://www.kadkani.com/Index.html

252 kms from Bangalore and 1525 m above sea level lies Madikeri, the district headquarters of Kodagu. Coorg or Kodagu(originally called Kodaimalenadu) means 'dense forest on steep hill'. Dubbed as the Scotland of India, this town has a lot to offer to the tourist. Misty hills, lush forest, acres and acres of tea and coffee plantation, orange groves, undulating streets and breathtaking views.

There are many versions behind the origin of the name Kodagu. According to the Puranas, Kodava is the redifned name of Krodhadesa, meaning 'Land of Anger', said to have been inhabited by the Kodava tribe. While for some, it is believed to hve been named after the River Cauveri, where 'kod' means 'give' and 'ava' means 'mother' - which means Cauvery is the 'mother to the people'. Few believe the name originated from the Kannada kudu which means 'dense forest' on a steep hill. It is said that the history of Coorg dates back to as early as 888 AD.

Ooty View

2008-04-20T07:46:00.000-07:00

Ooty also known as Udhagamandalam is the "Queen of hill stations" and the capital of Nilgiris district. It is one of the most popular tourist resorts in India. Nilgiris means "Blue Mountains". It is a land of picturesque picnic spots. Used to be popular summer and weekend getaway for the Britishers during the colonial days. It is situated at an altitude of 2,240 meters above sea level.

History

This beautiful botanical paradise was first brought to the public eye by John Sullivan, Collector of Coimbatore district in 1819. But prior to this in 1812, the first Englishmen who were sent up the Nilgris by the Collector of Coimbatore, were Mr. Keys, Assistant Revenue Surveyor, and his Assistant, McMahon. They made their way via Dananayakan Kottai to Aracad and the existing village of Denad, and penetrated as far as Kallatti, the lower level of North Ooty, but never set their eyes on the beautiful valley in which Ooty lay. After Keys' visit there was no further expedition until 1818 when J.C.Whish and N.W.Kindersly (Asst. and second Asst. to the Collector of Coimbatore respectively) went up by the Dananayakan Kottai-Denad route, crossed the plateau in a south-western direction and descended by the Sundapatti pass from Manjakombai to the Bhavani valley and then went back to Coimbatore. The purpose of their visit is not known.

Locations to visit

The places of tourist importance in Ooty are the Avalanche, the Western Catchment, the Government Botanical Garden, St Stephen's Church, Elk Hill, Doddabetta (2,592 meters above sea level), Snowden peak on the Kotagiri road that commands a view of Mysore, the lake (formed in 1824 by Sullivan) and the boat-house, Wenlock Downs, Parson's Valley, Kalhatty Falls and Glenmorgan. The Mudhumalai sanctuary lies at a distance of 36 km from Ooty. Of these, Avalanche located at a distance of 28 km from Ooty is a nature lover's paradise. It is a lake surrounded by thick sholas which abound in avi-fauna. The Western Catchment is about 20 km from Parson's Valley, and it is a rolling grassy down, interspersed with temperate sholas in valleys and depressions. Glenmorgan lies about 17 km from Ooty and there is a winch of the Electricity Board to transport staff to the Singara power house. As the winch glides along the slopes, the sight of thick sholas unravels itself. The Kundah hydroelectric project executed in 1956, is also worth a visit.

Amazing world of Infy

2008-04-05T23:32:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Jungle

2008-03-22T12:04:00.000-07:00

My Flickr Slideshow

2008-03-08T22:31:00.001-08:00

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Tribute to Bihar

2008-02-16T22:54:00.000-08:00

Pune Diary

2008-01-06T09:17:00.000-08:00

KIRKEE WAR CEMETERY was created to receive Second World War graves from the western and central parts of India where their permanent maintenance could not be assured. The cemetery contains 1,668 Commonwealth burials of the Second World War.

The KIRKEE MEMORIAL stands within the cemetery and commemorates more than 1,800 servicemen who died in India during the First World War, who are buried in civil and cantonment cemeteries in India and Pakistan where their graves can no longer be properly maintained. This total includes the names of 639 servicemen whose remains were brought from Bombay (Sewri) Cemetery for re-interment here in 1960.

On the same memorial are commemorated almost 200 East and West African servicemen who died in non-operational zones in India in the Second World War, and whose graves either cannot be located or are so situated that maintenance is not possible.

Nanjangud Temple

2008-01-06T06:11:00.000-08:00

The main temple at Nanjangud is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, whose another name is Nanjundeshwara. Nanjundeshwara means the God who drank poison. Hindu mythology quotes an interesting legend in which the Gods and demons churned the ocean in search of the nectar of immortality. During this churning, there were lots of artefacts that emanated out of the ocean, including poison. To prevent the poison from spreading across the universe and destroying it, Shiva came to the rescue and drank the poison. His wife Parvati then held his throat tightly to prevent the poison from spreading to the rest of his body. Nanjanagud literally means the place where Nanjundeshwara resides.

Brahmagiri Hills,Irrupu trek

2007-12-19T09:11:00.000-08:00

Brahmagiri is a mountain range in the Western Ghats of south India. It is situated on the border between Wayanad District of Kerala state on the south and Kodagu district in Karnataka on the north side. Brahmagiri Hill, at 1608 m height, is a scenic tourist attraction.The top of Brahmagiri Hill (1608 m) is well forested and has a lot of wildlife.Iruppu (or Irpu or Lakshmana Tirtha) Falls of the Lakshmana Tirtha River lies on the Karnataka side of Brahmagiri. According to legend, when Rama and Lakshmana were searching for Sita, they became thirsty. Lakshmana shot an arrow into the Brahmagiri from which the river sprang. Rama is said to have dedicated a Shiva Kshethra known as Rajeshwara Temple on the banks of river Lakshmana Tirtha. The Lakshmana Tirtha river eventually flows into the Kaveri River.

Chandigarh Diary

2007-12-08T00:13:00.000-08:00

Patna View

2007-12-07T09:12:00.000-08:00

Innocent eyes

2007-11-04T22:15:00.000-08:00

Love unbound

2007-11-04T18:42:00.000-08:00

Adi

2007-11-03T10:28:00.000-07:00

Crocodile tears

2007-10-21T12:42:00.000-07:00

Mosaic

2007-10-21T12:28:00.000-07:00

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Trivandrum Diary

2007-10-21T07:11:00.000-07:00

Mysore Palace

2007-10-13T11:51:00.000-07:00

Mysore Palace

2007-10-13T11:47:00.000-07:00

Mysore Palace

2007-10-13T11:43:00.000-07:00

Mysore Dashara

2007-10-13T11:36:00.000-07:00

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2007-10-07T05:50:00.000-07:00

Just another day in paradise..

2007-10-01T00:00:00.000-07:00

Raindrops keep falling...

2007-09-29T11:12:00.000-07:00

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