TravelStream™ news feed for member indianature on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/indianature en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:36:23 -0500 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/indianature/9/1250160396/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/indianature/9/1250160396/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/indianature/9/1250160396/tpod.html Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:36:23 -0500 Matheran - Wildflower Paradise near Mumbai

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Matheran, Mahārāshtra, India

For all my wildflower photos from Matheran with proper labels, tags and descriptions, please see http://www.flickr.com/groups/floraofmatheran/pool/Matheran is a wildflower lovers paradise.  For anyone in Mumbai wanting a few hours walk through forested trails without travelling too far, it is an easy day trip especially if you take your own vehicle.  If you stay a couple of days, you can explore even more, for there are different species of flora in different areas of Matheran.We have been 8 times so far in 2009, day trips on 18 July, 8 August, an overnight trip on 29-30 August, another day trip on 6 September , again on 8 October, 17 October [Deepavali], 24 October  and 7 November.  On all the trips we were well rewarded with sightings of pretty, unusual wild flora not easily seen elsewhere.  This year the monsoons have virtually failed and even though there is always some rain in Matheran due to it peculiar location i.e. a range of mountains just waiting to trap rain clouds coming in from the Arabian sea; the flowering habits of wild flora are not at their usual times.  Here are some photos from the  grasslands of Mt Barry plateau, Governors Hill or Wireless Hill as it is also known, and the eastern and western trails to Panorama Point.  Some more added from Garbut Point on the 29-30 August trip; and even more from the visit to Mt Barry and Governor's Hill on 6 September when we had to cut the trip short due to torrential, incessant rain.   More from Mt Barry and Governors Hill grasslands and Panorama Point on 8 October, 17th and 24th October. On the last 3 trips, it was dry, the grasses slowly turning from green to gold and eventually they will be a russet red in November before they dry out completely.              
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/indianature/13/1227145200/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/indianature/13/1227145200/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/indianature/13/1227145200/tpod.html Tue, 22 Sep 2009 11:50:12 -0400 My Flower Garden in Mumbai - updated with photos from time to time

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Mumbai [Bombay], India

From my terrace garden in Mumbai.  Let the photos speak for themselves!   Updated every now and then.  Also included are some wild orchids of this region which Ive collected from a forest which is now destroyed - a dam site in progress - The Middle Vaitarna. Pleased to say that they are happy and thriving.The baby tailorbird was born in a nest stitched out of our avocado tree leaves. It fell out one day and we picked him up and cuddled him before returning him to his nest.The red whiskered bulbul laid three eggs, two hatched but were suffocated by the mother as she attempted to hatch the third obviously infertile egg. Read about it in a separate post below.Sunbirds and rose ringed parakeets are regulars. Sparrows virtually live here especially after we installed a couple of bird feeders for them. Munias sometimes come by.Pigeons and crows are unwanted visitors, they know they are unwelcome and push off when they see us, but Im sure they visit when we are not around!Several other birds, butterflies and other insects visit sporadically, some pose for photos, some do not linger long enough.In the first week of March 2009, I noticed a developing colony of small honey bees.  I was advised to remove it but I have decided to let them be[e] as they will probably fly away when the monsoons begin in June.Update:  The bees suddenly disappeared in the week commencing 14 September 2009.  They are all gone as of today 22 September.  I shall miss them, I hope they return.  In the same week, the tailor bird stitched another nest out of mussaenda leaves.  Will update as it progresses.Will keep adding photos by and by.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/indianature/16/1249472516/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/indianature/16/1249472516/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/indianature/16/1249472516/tpod.html Sun, 20 Sep 2009 11:54:48 -0400 Near the Tansa Sanctuary, Mumbai

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Forests Near Tansa Sanctuary, Mahārāshtra, India

Desperate for an escape to nature, we headed out along NH3 to one of our favourite forested areas, the foothills of the Mahuli mountain range in the environs of the Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary.  NH3 is in the process of being 4 laned, once this is complete, it will be a quick dream run all the way to Nasik.  The stretch we took upto Vashind was in pretty good shape and we were at our forest in just over an hour, turning left at Vashind phata, on the road going towards Pivli gaon.  The forest begins between Dahagaon and Catbow villages, about 2 km down the road.  There is sporadic traffic as the road connects NH3 to Wada, however the forest is mostly pristine as not few people come here to picnic.  What immediately struck us was the low level of water in the many streams and tributaries of the Tansa river that traverse this region.  This year's deficit monsoons will lead to a serious water shortage if the rains do not return in full force.   The pretty waterfall and river rapids were still there but not at expected force.     Suddenly while delighting at a multitude of butterflies hovering around a Wrightia Tinctoria tree, I slipped badly on the seemingly dry rocks.  My cheap plastic raincoat broke the fall, causing me to slide.  This saved my back from what could have been a more serious impact.  Apart from the immediate shock and a mild ache, I was okay and after a good 7km walk I felt I was back to normal.  All's well that ends well. Here are the photos: SECOND VISIT: 22 AUGUST 2009 We returned to the foothills of the Mahuli range after about a month.  Due to the scanty rainfall in the preceding weeks, the streams and falls were barely a trickle compared to what they were a month ago.  A very serious water shortage portends in the coming year if the rains do not revive.  The flowering cycles of the wild flora endemic to this region have naturally been affected. Some photos from 22/8/2009.    THIRD VISIT  19 SEPTEMBER 2009Wildflowers galore.  The entire forest is carpeted with cheerful yellow sensitive smithias.  A huge variety of tiny fabaceae wildflowers, indigofera sp. and trichodesma indicum bluebells also seen.      Not as many butterflies as expected, and the rivers were not what they ought to be at this time of the year, due to the failed monsoons. The Mahuli mountain range loomed large and clear with its impressive pinnacles.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/indianature/21/1252917248/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/indianature/21/1252917248/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/indianature/21/1252917248/tpod.html Mon, 14 Sep 2009 04:37:55 -0400 Kanchipuram temple town near Chennai

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Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India

We stopped by an interesting old monument, one of many such ancient minor temples, maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India.An interesting feature was a sculpture of a many headed idol on the temple vimanam tower.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/indianature/21/1252916719/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/indianature/21/1252916719/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/indianature/21/1252916719/tpod.html Mon, 14 Sep 2009 04:33:40 -0400 Kanchipuram temple town near Chennai

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Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India

The Varadaraja Perumal or Devaraja Swamytemple in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu datesfrom the 12th century. The idol of SriVaradaraja Perumal is housed in thesacred Pushkarini tank . The deity istaken out only once in 40 years forworship by devotees. This temple is a Divya Desam, one ofthe 108 primary Vishnu temples. The Dhwajasthambham is made of a singlepiece of stone.The 100 pillar hall [actually 96pillars] is an art lovers delight,boasting magnificent stone sculptures,carvings, pillars and fine architecturaldetail. The 96 carved granite pillarsare in 12 rows of 8 each with 4 oneither side of the central aisle. Ahuge platform rests on a large granitetortoise in the junction of two aisles. The equestrian statues and Yazhis aresimilar to the magnificent horse pillarsof Srirangam. The incarnations of LordVishnu are depicted in various panels.A young temple priest moonlighting as a guide will willingly open the 100 Pillar Hall for a small fee, to let visitors take photographs.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/indianature/21/1252915666/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/indianature/21/1252915666/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/indianature/21/1252915666/tpod.html Mon, 14 Sep 2009 04:18:22 -0400 Kanchipuram temple town near Chennai

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Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India

The Kailasanathar temple was built bythe Pallava emperor Rajasimha Varman andhis son Mahendra Varman. Unlike mostother Dravidian temples, it isconstructed out of sand stone. Anyonewho has seen the  Pallava era Mamallapuram monumentsand then come to Kailasanathar temple,will experience a sense of deja vu.Although the priceless carvings andfrescoes are poorly preserved by theauthorities, it remains a treasure houseof art, architecture and sculpture,equalling the best of Dravidian heritagemonuments.The elderly and most erudite priest,willingly provides interestinginformation about the temple. Thanks tohim, we looked for and found, theremnants of the damaged frescoes in themeditation cells that line the innerwalls of the complex.The sanctum sanctorum is closed between12 noon and 4pm but the complex is openall day.Kanchipuram is within 2 hours drivingdistance of Chennai, well connected bypublic transport. Temples of Tamil Nadu by AVShankaranarayana Rao has usefulinformation about this temple.http://www.eprarthana.com/temples/kancheepuram/tn460kail.asp?tid=460
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/indianature/21/1252914341/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/indianature/21/1252914341/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/indianature/21/1252914341/tpod.html Mon, 14 Sep 2009 04:07:03 -0400 Kanchipuram temple town near Chennai

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Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India

The ancient Ekambareswarar or SriEkambaranatha Swamy temple of Lord Sivais one of the 5 Pancha Bootha Sthalams,representing the element Earth.   The main shrine is made of sand and known as a Prithvi Linga. The temple dates from the pre Pallavaperiod in Tamil history, and has beensculpted by master craftsmen during thePallavas, Cholas and Vijayanagarempires.A consequent oddity is that no twogopuram towers are aligned, no two wallsare parallel and there are very fewright angles.The Rajagopuram entrance tower is 57mtall, built by Krishnadeva Raya, theVijayanagara Emperor.The temple is known for its AayiramKaal Mandapam, or the "thousandpillars" hall, built by theVijayanagar Kings. The inner walls areadorned with 1008 Siva lingams.  Sthaala Vruksham - Temple Tree - Areportedly 3500 year old mango tree inthe complex is said to yield 4 differentvarieties of mangoes.  Detailed information about this templeis in the book Temples of Tamil Nadu by AVShankaranarayana Rao.  Also see:http://www.shivatemples.com/tnaadu/tn01.htmlhttp://www.templenet.com/Tamilnadu/ekamkanc.html 
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/indianature/21/1252683314/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/indianature/21/1252683314/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/indianature/21/1252683314/tpod.html Mon, 14 Sep 2009 03:45:05 -0400 Kanchipuram temple town near Chennai

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Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India

The Kamakshi Amman Temple is one of the foremost Shakthi [Mother Godess] shrines.   Kamakshi is the only Ambal shrine in Kanchipuram, there being no other separate Ambal shrines in any of the other temples. The   sanctum is crowned with a gold vimanam. Kamakshi is enshrined in a seated posture in the sanctum - referred to as the Parabhrama Swarupini, seated with Bhrama Vishnu Rudra Eswara and Sadasiva.   A Sri Chakra was installed in front of the image by Adi Sankaracharya, and worship is offered to it.More about the temple at:http://www.srikanchikamakshi.org/kamakshi-ambal.htmhttp://www.templenet.com/Tamilnadu/kamakshi.html
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/indianature/20/1252906797/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/indianature/20/1252906797/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/indianature/20/1252906797/tpod.html Mon, 14 Sep 2009 02:07:56 -0400 Mumbai - Sanjay Gandhi National Park - Monsoon visits 2009

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Bombay, Maharashtra, India

A late monsoon morning walk at Mumbai's city forest, the Sanjay Gandhi National Park.Pretty monsoon wildflowers and their attendant butterflies were in full form.  We also saw a peacock run across the road and a teeny baby langur fall off a branch and wait patiently for his Mummy to come and fetch him! We saw huge pink wild cleome flowers for the first time, I think they are cleome speciosa. See the photos.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/indianature/3/1252905940/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/indianature/3/1252905940/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/indianature/3/1252905940/tpod.html Mon, 14 Sep 2009 01:37:52 -0400 Botanical Gardens in Mumbai - Bombay

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Mumbai (Bombay), Mahārāshtra, India

Sunday, 13 September 2009Most of the trees that were flowering a month earlier such as the Colvilles Glory were bereft of flowers.  The Lagerstroemia speciosas were experiencing a second season, due to the peculiar weather pattern, but not as profuse as in summer.The huge echites caryophylla creeper was in full bloom and another unidentified huge creeper had also put out flower buds.   Here are the photos.   
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