NATURE'S OFFERINGS

 Another week and time for sharing last week's clicks with friends.


'P' is for a pair.   Here it is Pair of Jacaranda Trees

The Jacaranda is in resplendent glory laden with delicate orange flowers on the roadside close to our house.

This is  the second one happily smiling,offering visual pleasure.

The twin colored bougainvillea flowers beautify the open space right outside our house.

Friends, welcome here as always!

 The post is part of:                                      



our World,                                                            
Outdoor Wednesday,                                                                           
ABC Wednesday
image-in-ing, 
Nature Notes,
Today's Flowers,
NF TREES

I WALKED INTO A BEAUTIFUL WORLD- 2

Hi friends,

About a month's absence from a world which you love and receive intellectual sustenance from, is enough to leave you in a depressed mood. During this period, a vice like grip of viral fever and allied issues, left me totally incapable of doing anything. I realize now when you cross 70 your body doesn't listen to you any more. All your propositions go haywire. Looks like, gone are the days when you could do things at your will. Greatly disappointing of course. However, life is like that. It's a continuous, conscious struggle for the thinking beings.

Now, there will be gaps in my offerings and i HOPE my cyber buddies will  keep encouraging me. I constantly need that deeper level of satisfaction, which sharing with you can provide. I feel better and relieved after sharing my woes with you.

.........

I  had decided to acquaint you with this fabulous place,(Pl. read my previous post). Here are a few more glimpses into that world through this photo journey. The  inspirational thread has been  dimmed by my illness yet the effort is there to reenter the arena of a loving world.  

The front park bordered by abundance of trees and thick green bushes.

The expanse of the grand lake keeps you company during part of your walking trail.

This is the entrance to the HEALTH MUSEUM(closed in the pic.), where they screen documentaries as well as pictures on fixed days  for the patients.

This is the amphitheater for laughing exercises and Yoga, which begins at 6am daily and goes up to 7am.The laughing sculptor says it all.

 The bamboo plantation inside the institute. They bamboo sticks are used for fencing etc. at the appropriate time.

 Another sculptor made of stone, adorning the empty space in a grassy lawn.

 

Here is a grand platter of organic produce,which is cooked to feed the inmates. All this is grown in the farm house adjoining the institute. From here it is taken to the kitchen early morning. The picture taken before seven, when I'd gone for a walk.

This is part of the farm house where  half a dozen cows are kept. Milk is used for setting curd and making cheese. It is also served for drinking to some patients.

The beans plantation overlooked by coconut trees.  Tender Coconut water is extensively consumed here.

 

Landscaping in the middle of the lake and flowerbeds on the bank maintained by the Institute.

Friends,welcome here as always!

Linking to:
image-in-ing,  Our World Tuesday , Wordless Wednesday ,Outdoor Wednesday ,Nature Thursday

WAIT FOR THE SUPREME ENERGY

 'W' is for 'Wait'

Don't mind, if I say we human beings are crazy creatures.  I think we're really like that.  Our minds possess treasures of boundless fecundity. Yet, it is no child's play to fathom its knotty, sometimes childish contours. Well, taking my own example of inactivity and languor for about a fortnight will suffice to make a point.

During the hangover of sorts, I tried hard but failed to prevail upon my whimsical inner being to take up its usual creative activities, which remained postponed for no reason. Believe me, my ubiquitous internal policeman was obstinately indulging in a chiding spree all the time. However, my mental space remained uninspired. 

Then something unexpected happened. Fortunately for me, I traveled to a holy town (Damdama Sahib, Talwandi Sabo) in my state of Punjab, on an invitation to visit a newly established private University there.  Afterward, we visited the historical Gurudwara located there, which is one of the five sacred Takhats of Sikhs ( Seats of Temporal Authority) in India. While taking a round of the hallowed precincts in the company of throngs of devotees,  I experienced the feeling of elevating supreme energy and positive vibes enveloping the surroundings. Slowly and slowly I felt the veil of inertia and cynicism melting away. Long awaited spiritual resolution filled the mind zone liberating the inhibiting web. Such are the magical moments, which make the earthly journey of ours worth pursuing.
So, here I'm.

The entrance to the Gurudwara. The rush of the people on an ordinary day.

 

The sanctum sanctorum (above) where the devotees pay obeisance. On the left, on the dais are ragis (singers) singing Gurbani (sacred hymns). The process goes on throughout the day with ragis'  group getting replaced after a fixed time.

Friends welcome here as always!

The post is linked to:

ABC Wednesday,
Our World,

OUR WORLD OF HEARTFUL GRACES

 Won't you agree with my above statement? The innumerable graces, which the nature has bestowed upon us are mind blowing. What with majestic mountains, elegant hills, serpentine lakes, rivers and lively water bodies, forests harboring exotic natural beauty and protecting the animal kingdom, while safeguarding the ecological balance, the exquisite plants, imposing trees, resplendent blossoms, the scented,cool breeze of spring mornings, the monsoons rejuvenating the parched earth and smothered humans with the free elixir from above, the  mighty sun, the fountain head of all all natural growth, warming the chilled bones in winter, the summer outings for play and adventure, the moon lit nights,veiled in mysterious tender, romance and so forth. The list is long and indefinable. In the spirit of thanksgiving, shouldn't we be grateful for the overflowing benedictions of the Almighty, which are always available to us?

I waited till most of the buds opened themselves  up to capture them. This spread of chrysanthemums brightens the space across our boundary wall.

 In our backyard the small  flowering plant  adorns the space with its lovely persona. Its shadow is cute too!

The full moon capture of 25th November at 10 pm, while standing midway on the outside stairs of our house!

The sunset in the urban milieu. Funnily, I took this picture through the window pane of the dining area of our house.
Hope you like these images!

This post is part of:Our World Tuesday, image-in-ing ,wordless-wednesday

Nature Notes, Today's Flowers ,Outdoor Wednesday

Friends,welcome here as always. 

OUR WORLD OF GRANDEUR

courtesy google

Truly, our world presents a grand spectacle every single moment. Though the winter is slowly tightening its tentacles around us and nature, yet there are pockets in our midst, where we find flowers defying the chill and smiling at us in all the glory. The grandeur of nature's beautiful persona keeps our spirits buoyant even in  stressful times.

A beaming singleton in my garden!

 Early morning shot of the red and yellow blossoms in our neighborhood.

 In my backyard a small chrysanthemum's plant has these maroon beauties on display.The long shadow of the whole plant at 8.30 in the morning proved a bonus.

This spread of white chrysanthemum blooms create magic outside our boundary wall space tended by us.

The luxurious exhibition of lemon hued chrysanthemums occupy a corner in my backyard.

Friends,welcome here as always!

This post is part of:
Our World Tuesday,
Today's Flowers, image-in-ing
Nature Notes,
Wordless Wednesday
Outdoor Wednesday

OUR WORLD OF SURPRISES

courtesy google

There are  some poor people in villages, who keep a flock of goats, and lambs born to them are taken care of, for a few months and then at the right time, sold to meat shops in the city. 

Below are two young urchins, carrying wooden sticks, out in the late afternoon - busy in an animated conversation-  to help the lambs, have some green bites on the roadside.

Designer pruning of the 'Ashoka' trees in the front of a house in our neighborhood, which attracted my attention.

Even though autumn is half way through here, this bush in one of our parks is green and resplendent with delicate marshmallow type flowers! Early morning shot today. Pure blue sky feels so peaceful!
 

Absent from the cyber world for more than a week, waiting for the creative juices to flow again. I'm back to share with you some of my 'KODAK' moments.

Friends,welcome here as always and thanks for the support!

This post is part of:
Our World,
image-in-ing
Nature Notes
Wordless Wednesday 
Outdoor Wednesday 

THE ETERNAL QUEST

THE ETERNAL QUEST for the meaning of life...

 'Q' is for QUEST.

 "...............You will never live

If you are looking for the meaning of life.”         Albert Camus

How futile to chase a  mirage,

Unreachable like the horizon.

Jumbled maze of the universe,

Was never meant to be unknotted.

Our journey is a pilgrimage,
Sans any cut off date or finality.

Yet crazy souls exit the world,

Famished by the quest.

The chase will continue,

However, fruitless it may be.

Happiness as the goal is elusive,

Doubts sway our hearts.

 The wise select a mission

And pursue it with a committed zeal.


 Here i end it on a lighter refrain:

Courtesy: The internet

 Friends, welcome here as always!

 Linking to:
abc Wednesday, wordless-wednesday









 

NATURE'S POTPOURRI

image: courtesy Internet

Love, Robert Frost's poetic treatise on the impermanence of all entities!


“Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf's a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.”
― Robert Frost

It's necessary to hunt for fresh images.

Yesterday, all of these pictures were clicked in the early afternoon, when i mustered up courage to step out in the sun to explore another residential area nearby. Armed with my camera, sunglasses and dupatta( veil) covering my head, i set out for the adventure. Mercifully, there were very few people on the road, otherwise they'd have taken me for a crazy specimen, taking pictures at that hour, God knows, for what? Hardly convincing, a lady of my age indulging in a weird hobby. However, I's not to be deterred.

 Red flowers in a park.

Flowery bushes and rows of trees alongside the main road of the area,

Pink bougainvillea flowers growing on the divider of the double entry road.

One of the parks at the entrance of our community.

A green landscaped vista which is lively but neglected!

I captured this nimble butterfly with  loads of patience.

 A row of bushes with tiny red flowers, in one of the green areas.


Friends, welcome here as always!

This post is part of:
Our World Tuesday
image-in-ing
Nature Notes
Today's Flowers
ABC Wednesday ( 'P' is for potpourri)
Outdoor Wednesday
Wordless Wednesday

OUR WORLD: NATURE'S LABOR OF LOVE

The spectacular display of nature's treasures, which fill our surroundings and are taken for granted by us are 'labor of love' bestowed upon humanity by some gracious,benevolent super power.

Sunrise and its shimmering glow amidst trees and bushes on the roads leading to our community.

The larger view crafting the boulevard  like impressive look.

The deciduous trees  are already shedding leaves, stepping into autumn mood.

The above bush,  laden with peculiar type of soft and airy looking flowers,i found in the park of our community.

The white blooms in  our compound!

Friends, welcome here as always!

Sharing with: Our World,  image-in-ing, ABC Wednesday (L is for Labor of Love)   Outdoor Wednesday
Nature Notes,  Wordless Wednesday

OUR WORLD: DOVES

Dove is a small, sweet and peace loving bird. In mythology, it is associated with all the virtues, which we prize as the most elevating possessions of humans. It is said to symbolize love, kindness, grace, self sacrifice and perfect motherhood. It is believed to have its own milk which she feeds her young ones. Near about the time of their hatching, it stays away from solid food to  purify its milk for the delicate digestion of its progeny. 
Its coo cooing   always resonates a honeyed melodic effect!

The duo, tries to enter the back of the AC unit(above). The other is curiously waiting for the final decision to be made (below).

Today at 7 o'clock in the morning, I took my cup of tea in one hand and newspaper tucked under the other arm, to sit in the backyard to scan the headlines. What prompted me to do this was the cool breeze of the morning. I had hardly settled myself in the chair, when i heard flapping of  wings behind me.There was a pleasant surprise waiting for me, given that i love birds and am always inspired by them. I saw this dove couple surveying the outside unit of our split AC.
Obviously to build the nest, as i spied some twigs lying on the ground. The sad part was, they failed to execute it, as every twig came down right away. They gave it up soon after, but not before i had captured them in their efforts,

Friends,welcome here as always!

Linking to: Our World, image-in-ing, Wordless wednesday, Outdoor Wednesday


ABC Wednesday   ( 'K' is for Kindness)

OUR WORLD OF FAITH

'J' is for 'joyous'

 The state of mind, when faith in  some mysterious supreme power transports us to another world of piety, merging our identities and enabling us to exist in a wonderful, joyful spiritual state. The place of worship of your choice is one of the mediums to help you attain the state of profound well being and equanimity. The only condition is genuine surrender in absolute mindfulness. A recent visit to a gurdwara, had a deep and positive effect on me, reinforcing confidence and hope!

GURUDWARA Shri Dukh Nivaran Sahib, Patiala: Where i often go for prayers.

 The picture was taken on Sunday (13th September 2015) in the afternoon. In the foreground is the sacred Sarover! The visit always fills one with bliss and  invokes the unseen presence of our Maker, though for a short time!

This gurdwara is  one of the historical monuments of the princely city of Patiala. Its inception is associated with ninth Guru of Sikhs- Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib ji. It is believed by the faithful that a visit with a pure heart and a dip in the sacred waters of the sarover (pond) will rid them of their sufferings. The literal meaning of DUKH NIVARAN  is something, which eradicates Dukh (sufferings). People from far off villages, towns, cities and also from  all the nooks and corners of the world, where Sikhs reside,  throng the place on religious festivals, on full moon days and other important days. The locals are seen paying obeisance every day.

A brief history of the gurdwara:

Source:Wikipedia

"The building complex sprawls over several acres. The two storey gateway has a collapsible iron gate and black and white marble floor. On the left of the pathway leading to the principal building is a small marble shrine marking the site where Guru Tegh Bahadur had sat under the banyan tree. The central two storey building, with a domed pavilion on top, is on a raised base having an octagonal domed chamber at each corner. The pinnacled lotus dome on top has a round sun-window on each side with a curved coping, projected horizontally at the ends. There are decorative domed pavilions at the corners and lotus blossoms in leaf in the middle on top of the walls.

The interior is paved with marble slabs in white and grey against black and white of the outer platform. The walls and pillars are also panelled with white marble slabs. The ceiling is decorated with stucco work in floral design. The Guru Granth Sahib is seated under a square canopy at the far end. The 75metre square sarovar, since considerably extended, is on the right and Guru ka Langar on the left as one enters. The Gurdwara is administered by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Co"

 Friends,welcome here as always!

This post is part of:Our World Tuesday, image-in-ing, Wordless Wednesday
ABC Wednesday, Outdoor Wednesdayl

OUR WORLD

'H' is for hills and  habitation:

Houses stand cheek by jowl on the hill slopes at Solan (Himachal Pradesh). This is one such scene amongst many at Solan. It is one of the thickly populated towns of (H.P).

This post is part of           OUR WORLD,         image-in-ing,    ABC Wednesday,      Wordless Wednesday,     Outdoor Wednesday



Friends,welcome here as always!