Sarodiya 2012

In the past one year I was busy in my college junks..so didn't get any time for travel.

So it came down to the greatest festival of Bengal i.e. The Durga Puja. Here are some shots taken in the different parts of the City of Joy (Kolkata). This year I visited the heritage places (zamindar house) in kolkata  where this traditional Durga Puja started about 100 years back and since then it is held every year.

At first I started with the Bhukailash Rajbari. It is in the Kidderpore area. Inside this temple is the largest shiv-linga of the world.

The Bukailash Mandir & The Shib-Ganga Talaab

Then I went to the Pathuriaghata Rajbari. It is near the Girish Park area.

The Pathuriaghata Ghosh Bari

A marble piece in the
Pathuriaghata Ghosh Bari.

The next house I visited is the Mallick Bari. It is the house of the famous Tollywood actor Ranjit Mallick. Another renouned Heritage Puja of Kolkata.

The Mallick Bari

Near to the Mallick Bari is the Mitra Bari. Another Heritage place.

The Mitra Bari

At last, when the Puja ends after four days an event is held called the "Sindur Khela" or smearing of the vermillion. In this event married women of the bengali families bids goodbye to the godess durga. After bidding her farewell, the married women smear one another with sindur and pray for their long and happy married lives. It is believed that sindur khela dates back to the time when the tradition of Durga Puja started nearly 400 years ago.

Sarodiya 2011

Durga Puja is one of the ancient and the greatest festival of West Bengal. The Festival started some hundred years back (Ref. Durga Puja Wiki ). Presently every year in the Autumn time at some particular simultaneous dates this festival is held. It refers to all the six days observed as Mahalaya, Shashthi, Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Navami and Vijayadashami. The dates of Durga Puja celebrations are set according to the traditional Hindu calendar and the fortnight corresponding to the festival is called Devi Paksha. Devi Paksha is preceded by Mahalaya, the last day of the previous fortnight Pitri Paksha (‘Fortnight of the Forefathers’), and is ended on Kojagori Lokkhi Puja (‘Worship of Goddess Lakshmi on Kojagori Full Moon Night’).

In the whole state of West Bengal, everywhere this festival is celebrated. It is generally held by the colonial sports clubs and in the colonies (organised by the members of the colonies). Kolkata (or Calcutta), the capital metro city of West Bengal, becomes the most densly popolated city of India during these six days. People from all over the World comes to visit The City Of Joy during The Durga Puja.

Many number of Pujas are held in this city, but there are some the most ancient Pujas which are held in this city.The tradition is going on for more than 400-300 years. The two most ancient Pujas which are held in this city are:-

1. Shobhabazar Rajbati (Ref. Nabakrishna Deb, Shobhabazar)

2. Sabarna Roy Choudhury (Ref. Sabarna Roy Choudhury)

This year I visited these two Heritage Places of West Bengal & I'm flattered by seeing the beauty of these places.

Here are some of the photos taken by me. 

For more info visit the links highlighted..
Ref. Wikipedia

Srisailam (Akka-Mahadevi Caves)

Srisailam is a holy town and mandal, situated in Nallamala Hills of Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh, India. It is located on the banks of River Krishna, about 232 km south of Hyderabad.

Bhramaramba Mallikarjunaswamy Temple dedicated to Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy (a form of Shiva) and Devi Bhramaramba (a form of Parvathi) is located here and it is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. Srisailam Dam, located about 245 km from Hyderabad and 132 km from Nandyal, is a multipurpose dam has been built across River Krishna and caters to the irrigation and power needs of the state.

During 12th Century A.D. this cave appeared to have attained it’s present name Akka Mahadevi caves after the famous ascetic, lyricist and philosopher, Akka Mahadevi who hailed from Karnataka. It is believed that Akka Mahadevi did penance in this cave and worshipped the Sivalinga that naturally existed in the deep and dark end of the cave.
The A.P. Tourism Department has arranged Motor Boats for visitors to see these caves.


The journey is carried out through the River Krishna, which is itself a scenic beauty surrounded by green mountains...

Ref: Wikipedia

Nagarjuna Sagar (Nagarjuna Konda)

Nagarjuna Sagar is one of the biggest dam of Andhra Pradesh. Its a sweet water dam. Its so huge that if I say it an Ocean, no one will deny it. On the Nagarjuna Sagar there is an Island named Nagarjuna Konda, where the excavations of the Indian Civilisation(Neolithic Age) are kept. The journey is really awesome, and the best part is the island, its natural beauty & of course the museum where the excavations are kept. One will just be amazed...

Trying 2 use a Camera