Sukhna Lake, Chandigarh, India

Sukhna Lake is a beautiful lake that lies in the foothills of Shivalik range. Beautifully placed with mighty mountains and reserved forest land in its background.

Sukhna Lake is neither a natural lake nor it was a part of the original Master Plan of Chandigarh as designed by Le Corbusier. It is a 3 km long man made lake that was created in the year 1958. It was done by damming the Sukhna Choe, which is a seasonal stream flowing down from the Shivalik hills.

Sukhana Lake of Chandigarh, India has become an integral part of the city. It emerged as the great contributor to the soul of this city beautiful. Every tourist visiting Chandigarh will never forget to visit this lake and Rock garden developed by "Nek Chand", will show you in later posts.

It is part of life for Chandigarh people, People visit this place in the morning to enjoy the cool breeze and the beauty of nature. Sukhna lake also attracts migratory birds from places as far as Siberia and elsewhere. Residents of Chandigarh love their lake, and volunteer in large numbers to de-silt it before the monsoons set in.

Lord Krishna's Vrindavan, India - 1

Vrindavan, just 15 km from Mathura, is the city of Radha & Krishana. Its a major place of pilgrimage. It is noted for its numerous temples - both old and modern. The name Vrindavan evokes the playfulness and lovable characteristics of Shri Krishna. This is the wood where he frolicked with the gopis and tenderly wooed Radha.

We visit there regularly. This is my collection of pictures from this holy city. Some are taken with my Nikon D80 and some old one are from my Motorola Cell phone.

Goddess Radha's name is on everybody tongue. Its written everywhere with beautiful colors.

(Camera: Nikon D80)

There are many temples spread all over 84 Kos You can say around 250 K.M. Vrindavan itself is a small town filled with temples, some are really big. Main temples are:

• Banke Bihari temple (Most famous) : The Banke-Bihari Temple built in 1864 is the most popular shrine at Vrindavan. The image of Banke-Bihari was discovered in Nidhi Vana by Swami Haridas, the great Krishna devotee, belonging to the Nimbarka sect. Direct photography of Idol is not allowed.

This is the inside view of temple. Daily Flower decorations costs are borne by donor people. There is a long list of persons who booked themselfs for this. This decoration costs around 4-5 Lakh Rupees. Around 10K $$ daily. (Camera: Nikon D80)

It is popular about Banke Bihari, that Sri Krishana still lives here. And if you can stare for long in the eyes of Idol then he will move with you. So Pujaris constantly keep on curtains on and off.

Holi, The festival of colors is one of the most famous festivals there, and many more are celebrated there like Krishana Janam Ashtami,Radha ashtami,Charan Darshan etc. Will describe in details later on.

This is the street to temple, occupied with many shops displaying items for Krishana images. (Camera: Nikon D80)

This is outside view of temple,decorated with beautiful flowers. (Camera: Nikon D80)

Flower vendors visible outsideall major temples. (Camera: Nikon D80)

• The another famous Temple is Radha Vallabh, set up by the Radha - Vallabh sect, has the crown of Radha-Rani placed next to the Shri Krishna idol in the sanctum.

This is also beautiful temple, just few yards away from Banke-Bihari temple. Every temple has fixed time of opening and closing. and they do so number of times in a day. (Camera: Nikon D80)

• One of another major temple is ISKCON also known as Sri Krishana Balram Mandir

The Krishna Balaram Mandir was personally established by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada on Rama Navami in 1975.

This is outside view of ISKCON, all white marble. (Camera: Nikon D80)

Inside of ISKCON, in front of temple idols (Shot with Cellphone)

Inside of ISKCON, Radha-Krishana(Shot with Cellphone)

Inside of ISKCON, Krishana-Balram(Shot with Cellphone)

Flower vendors outside ISKCON (Shot with Cellphone)

Sri Sri Krishna Balaram Temple schedule

	Winter	Summer
Samadhi Arati	4:10 AM
Mangala Arati	4:30 AM
Tulasi Arati	5:00 AM
Shringar Darshan and Guru-Puja	7:15 AM
Bhagavat Pravachan (English & Hindi)	7:45 AM
Dhoop Arati	8:30 AM
Raj Bhoga Arati	12:00 Noon
Temple Closes	12:45 PM
Pushpa Arati	4:00 PM	4:30 PM
Sandhya Arati	6:30 PM	7:00 PM
Bhagavad-gita class	5:30 PM
Shayana Arati	8:00 PM	8:30 PM
Temple Closes	8:15 PM	8:45 PM

24 brahmanically trained pujaris worship the Deities according to strict spiritual regulations. 6aratis are offered to the Deities everyday. The outfits of the Deities are changed twice every day, morning and evening.

• Next Famous Temple is "Ranga Ji"

The Rangaji Temple, built in 1851 is dedicated to Lord Ranganatha or Rangaji depicted as Lord Vishnu in his sheshashayi pose, resting on the coils of the sacred Shesha-nag. The temple built in the Dravidian style has a tall gopuram (gateway) of six storeys . A water tank and a picturesque garden lie within the temple enclosure.

The annual festival of Jal Vihar of the presiding deity is performed with great pomp and splendour at the tank. The temple is also famous for its `Brahmotsdav' celebration in March-April, more popularly known as the `Rath ka Mela'. The ten day long celebrations are marked by the pulling of the rath (the chariot car) by the devotees from the temple to the adjoining gardens. This temple is spread in vast area.

Entrance Gate (Shot with Cellphone)

Entrance Gate (Shot with Cellphone)

This is gold - plated Dhwaja stambha, 50 feet high

There are 7 around passages inside, its spread in 2 KM (Shot with Cellphone)

A big Water Pond inside(Shot with Cellphone)

• Katyayni Temple, This is Constructed in 1923, the main attraction of the temple is the idol of Katyani Devi made up of ashta dhatu (an eight metal alloy).

Katyayani is another name for Durga. Many people visit this temple, on the main day of Durga Puja, in the month of Asvina (Sept-Oct). After Sati burned herself alive, Lord Siva took her body and started to do his dance of destruction. Lord Vishnu then cut up her body and different parts fell at different places. It is said that the hair (katya) of Sati felt at Keshi Ghata. Sati is another name of Durga or Katyayani.

Vrajanabha is said to have installed the deity of Katyayani Devi at Chira Ghata. The gopis worshiped the goddess Katyayani to obtain Krishna as their husband. This Katyayani temple in Vrindavana is not the same temple that the gopis worshiped at, which is mentioned in Srimad Bhagavatam. This pastime happened at Chira Ghata (14 km north) and this temple in Vrindavana is a good distance from there.

• Chamunda Devi Temple

This temple is located outer area of Vrindavan and can be difficult to locate for new visitors. When I visited, its being renovated. Deity Chamunda(another name of Maa Durga)

Following is River Yamuna, Whole young life Sri Krishana in his childhood revolves around river Yamuna. So its very sacred river just like river Ganga. (Camera:Nikon D80)

End of part 1

Sun flowers looking at sun, Haryana, India

Shot this during my recent trip to one of the city of Haryana state. I travelled due to some urgent personal work, as early as 3.30 am, so as to return back before office time.

There were lots of sunflower fields around the road. So I stopped the car and took some shots.

I normally take different angle shots of a single scene , so to find a perfect catch.

This shot taken with This shot taken with Nikon D80.

People of Vrindavan, India

I recently visited Vrindavan . There I spottedthis guy posing as guide a volunteer. I asked for the pose and happily he did so. He liked the pic on LCD and said wow!!.

Shot taken with Shot taken with Nikon D80. I did some burning, dodging and some levels adjustments in Photoshop CS3.