Palace of The Golden Horses

Be it in full polish or totally tarnished, one of my favorite statues in Selangor, Malaysia is the horse driven bronze cart placed in front of the luxury resort, Palace of the Golden Horses. 

Unfortunately, I haven't had a chance to get the detailed story behind this legendary looking beauty.

While I was trying to get a perfect shot, a Ferrari quickly entered my frame...

First I thought of deleting this imperfect shot, on second thoughts, it looked as if modern and ancient vehicles are in for a race!

Tambok Bugis and Perigi Portugis

In yet another blind driving spree from Melaka towards Muar, we followed a new route through kampungs (villages) and came across quite a different view!

Larger than life sized bicycles mounted on poles!

From the sign board, we knew that we were in Tambok Bugis. The whole area was deserted hence we couldn't get the story behind this fascinating display. As it was a coastal area, we started looking for a jetty and turned in a small lorong (lane) and we ended up in front of this...

Edible Bird's Nests

Perhaps, this must be a cottage industry that specializes in selling bird's nests, which is used in preparing a popular local delicacy 'Bird's nest Soup'. After several attempts in finding the shop keeper or car taker, we gave up and moved on. That entire stretch looked like abandoned area.

Driving further towards Muar/Merlimau, the sign board 'Perigi Portugis' attracted us. Perigi in Malay is well/water spring, so we assumed that the Portuguese Well must have some historical significance and decided to check out that spot.

Entrance to Perigi Portugis and the inlaid picture is the long shot of the well

The description at the site claimed that this water hole was dug by the Portuguese army stationed there (Pengkalan Samak) while defending the Bugis community, who were well known sea warriors originally from Java and Sumatra. It should have been built in the early 16th century when the Portuguese invaded Melaka.

Close-up view of the well - Weekend Reflections

We wondered if we were warriors or explorers in previous births as often we were ending up in early settlements or war zones!

Magical Moments - Pre-Dawn

SOOC

Skywatch

USM - Kota Kinabalu, Borneo

University Sains Malaysia - view of South China Sea - Sky Watch

 

Shadow Shot Sunday 2

SOOC

Greenery

Lately some of us have decided to go on photo-shooting trips in and around the town (Melaka, Malaysia) where we live! Let me show some of the greenery from our first trip to Durian Tunggal, about 20 KM from our town!

Photo Theme Thursday, Nature Notes and Weekend Reflections

SOOC

Shadow Shot Sunday 2

Sky Watch

Carnival @ A'Famosa

We friends, wanted to go on a short holiday with our families, so that our kids could have fun together and at the same time could also relax. After scouting various options, we decided to book a villa at the Afamosa Resort near Melaka, Malaysia. It had all the attractions of a typical theme park. What more could you ask for?

That was a terribly hot day, we were attracted only by the the Cowboy Town, as they had a night show.

Sky Watch

When we purchased the tickets, we were asked to hurry up as the show was about to start! With great expectations we entered the carnival grounds. However, our spirits were dampened when we realized that it was nothing more than a typical village fire-eater gimmick:p

Anyhow, here are some of the shots that I think is worth sharing...

SOOC

Well, to justify the hefty entrance fee, the show was presented with a lot of fanfare like animal march, dancing clowns etc. But, I had already lost interest in capturing those mundane activities^^

Well, no regrets as our children had fun at the carnival games like mini merry-go-round and Trampoline Bungee jumping. Overall it was a memorable holiday!

Thanjai Priya Koil (Brihadisvara Temple) - 10th Century Chola Living Temple

My love for Thanjai temple (Thanjavur Big Temple or Brihadisvara Temple) had flared up after reading the historical fiction 'Ponniyin Selvan', by Kalki. Well, the fiction is deeply rooted in the life and achievements of Raja Raja Cholan, the great Indian ruler of the Chola dynasty.

As per the novel, Raja Rajan developed a strong desire to build a huge temple for Lord Shiva after he returned from his successful invasion of Sri Lanka. There, he had seen colossal Buddha statues  all over the country. The monks had told him that lofty Buddha statues represents endless mercy and divine nature of their Lord, Buddha. Attracted by this concept, Raja Raja wanted to build a monumental temple that would befit Lord Siva in his kingdom as well!

Each step that I took in the Periya Koil was nostalgic and I was imagining the days when the temple was built. Kalki’s description of Chola artisans came alive and I had goose bumps just by wondering how Raja Raja managed to design this architectural wonder, in those days! It must have been a herculean task. With capable leadership, strong design skill and raw man power, Raja Raja had managed to build an architectural wonder! It felt so good to walk on the same path of the 10th Century CE legendary ruler!

The Maratha Fort Entrance and Keralanthakan Gopura (tower)

The gopura (tower) you see in the above picture was built in the 10th century CE to commemorate the victory of Raja Raja Chola over the Kerala rulers of the Chera Dynasty! However, the Maratha rulers of the 16th/17th Century CE, added the fort that is shown in the foreground of the above shot.

Layout of the temple and the inscription briefing about the temple

This has been declared as World Heritage site by UNESCO, but locally it is yet to gain the due recognition:(

2nd entrance - Raja Rajan Gopuram

Sculptures and inscriptions in the Raja Rajan Gopuram

No words to describe the beauty, and am sure my pics do not justify the grandeur of the granite carvings!

The majestic courtyard with huge Nandhi Mandapam and renowned granite Raja Gopuram (Main Tower) in the background

Before, going into the main temple, you will be awed by the larger than life Nandhi. This will be covered in a separate post.

Side view

Lord Siva resides in this temple in the name of Brihadisvara or Peruvudayar. Like any living temple, cameras are not allowed in sanctum sanctorum.

The dome is a single granite weighing around 81 tonnes!

This tower is built in such a way that the shadow NEVER falls on the ground! Just can't guess how Raja Raja managed to design this architectural wonder, in those days!!!
Let me show you some beautiful sculptures in the external walls...

Goddess - Sakthi on the left and Vishnu Durga on your right

Gate Keeper! - SOOC

Legendary warriors!?

Even the less visible side walls are adorned with sculptures and stone inscriptions. In fact, these inscriptions are a treasure trove that details the life in Chola period.
Here is the abode of Murga, son of Lord Siva

Each step that I took in the temple was nostalgic and I was imagining the days when the temple was built. It felt so good to walk on the same path of the 10th Century CE legendary ruler!

Sea views - Melaka, Malaysia

Listening to the sounds of the sea is one of my favorite activities. Often, I tend to drive along the beach roads in and around Klebalng and stop by, just to watch the gentle waves or go to a jetty and listen to the crashing waves. It helps me to unwind. Here are some of the shots I took recently.

Pantai Putrei

For the past few days, I was not myself, sort of restless and fidgety. To clear the cobwebs, today I drove by this stretch and stopped by this spot...sat on a small rock...after listening to the gentle rustle of the waves, I felt much better!

Near Malacca Club

Though I enjoy going to the beach alone, it becomes an exhilarating experience if I make it with a good company. The next shots were taken while playing tourist with a good friend, with whom I could relate to!

Jetty @ Portuguese Settlement

View of Pulau Besar

With little imagination, you could certainly see a sleeping pregnant lady with her head on your right! This island is legendary and has historical cemeteries which is believed to be powerful. Hoping to visit soon.

Memories of Mama

Every time I say/think of mama, I can clearly visualize his smiling face and 'what next' attitude. He was like a rock to all of us. He was always young at heart and used to enthrall us with his escapades.

It all happened 2 years ago, when he came back from the US. He had lost about 10kgs within 6 months and all of us were naive enough and attributed it to the low fat diet, that too devoid of the daily dose of deep fried stuff like vadai, kaaravadai and bajji, while in US.

At the maximum we thought it might be diabetics. But, all our assumptions were wrong and he was diagnosed with with level 4 stomach cancer. Since then the fight against that deadly enemy started. He was facing it with grace.

It is hard to believe that, even 2 weeks ago, when I was in India, mama was driving, talking and laughing with us. Life is too short. His health deteriorated drastically within a short span and his last 3 days were terrible, for the family.

Though, he was unconscious the thought that he might be silently suffering was terrifying. Yesterday, mama passed away and I was unable to go home and pay my last respect. Direct flights to my home town was fully booked because of Chinese New Year. However, tomorrow morning am going home to India to be with my aunt and give her moral support at this tough time.

During my childhood, like any other electronic items, camera was an expensive stuff and only he had an imported Yashika (B & W) film camera. He was my first inspiration to photography and here is a tribute to him.

Scenic Sunday, SOOC

6th Century Sri Somanathaswamy Temple @ Palayarai

As a die-hard fan of Kalki's historical novel பொன்னியின் செல்வன் (Ponniyin Selvan) I've always dreamt of visiting the places mentioned in that novel. Most of the places are near my Home town, Madurai in India. During this visit I managed to visit two top destinations, Palayarai and Thanjavur.

Palayarai, was the first capital of Medieval Cholas, until Thanjavur was built around 10th Century CE. Now, only a ruined Shiva temple is present at that place. We had to stop and ask for directions at several places, as Palayarai has lost its glory and now it is an insignificant sleepy village.

Ruins of the temple - viewed as we turned in that village

My heart sank, when I saw the locked gates of the ruined the Raja Gopuram (Tall tower) However, I got down from the car to take some shots of the tower and beautiful sculptures along the wall.

Only 2 levels of the gopuram exists

Pathetic reminder of the past glory:(

In remote villages, even now if they see a car, the villagers approach it with great curiosity! My dad asked one such villagers if there is anyone who could help us in entering the temple...'don't worry, the temple in-charge would have seen your car and anytime he would he here', before he finished the sentence, the in-charge came there with the keys!!!

Shrine of the Goddess

There is only limited online literature about this temple and town, so I tried to gather local info/folklore from the in-charge person. He said that this temple is more than 1400 years old...true it was built by the Chola dynasty in in 6th Century CE. He added that Raja Raja Cholan, the famous Chola king used to worship here before he built the Thanjvur Periya koil in the 10th Century CE.

The sanctum sanctorum of Lord Somanathaswamy

This shrine is designed like a horse drawn chariot!

Stone horse n wheel

It is unacceptable as per the Hindu customs to take pictures of the main deity...however, I did click at one of the most powerful Goddess worshiped by the kings, especially to give them moral and physical courage during war times.

Goddess Durga - carved out of single stone!

The half-gone murals behind the Goddess is supposed to be done by the Maratha rulers around 16th Century CE. Luckily, no one had tried to white-wash it!

Ardhanareeswara

Ardhanareeswara - is a beautiful concept where Lord Shiva manifests Himself as Half Man and Half Woman, to show that the male and female powers should co-exist! Later, on the same day, we saw similar beautiful sculptures in Thanjavur Periya Koil as well.

Yali - For SOOC

Yali, is a Hindu mythological creature, with Lion's head on a horse's body and this form is usually seen in Shiva temples.

The in-charge said that the temple renovation was underway as they were planning for Kumbabishekam. Now, I've mixed feelings, because they were sort of destroying our heritage by white-washing the precious, beautiful stone buildings and sculptures:(

Again, I've a big misgiving on Indian Archeological Dept, as to why do they fail to promote our assets? At least, can't we take care and preserve such glorious monuments of historical importance?!