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Odisha Part 2 - Puri: The Experience of Jagannath

The temple of Jagannath at Puri is one of the four most important temples across India. Sometimes called the Char Dham – Badrinath in the north, Rameswaram in the South, Dwarka in the west, and Puri in the east – these temples mark four corners of our country, and each of these temples has a connection to Adi Shankara. He is said to have travelled to each of them, thus marking a sacred geography of India, long before the country actually existed. Among these 4 temples, 3 are dedicated to Lord Vishnu, while only Rameswaram is dedicated to Lord Shiva, though the lingam there is said to have been installed by Rama. Further, Shankara set up Mutts at 3 of these sites (or very close to these sites, like at Badrinath, where the mutt is at Joshimutt), while the mutt in the south is at Sringeri in Karnataka, quite a distance away from Rameswaram. Coming back to the topic, I have visited Rameswaram most often, Badrinath during my childhood, and Dwaraka a few times, but Puri had stayed out of re...
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Alexandrine Parakeets

Rose Ringed Parakeets are regular visitors to our home, and, considering that they are so visible, (and also so audible, and thus easily spotted), I have clicked them often. Yet, as the winter shows signs of setting in, and the parakeets come visiting more often, I cannot help sharing some more recent clicks. All these have been clicked in the last week. And it is thanks to Mridula that I realized that what I had clicked weren't the usual Rose Ringed Parakeets I usually see, but Alexandrine Parakeets!


From what I could learn, Alexandrine Parakeets are bigger than the rose ringed ones, and they can be easily identified by the maroon patch on their wing coverts. More interestingly, the species gets its name from Alexander the Great, who is credited with the exporting of numerous specimens of this bird from Punjab into various European and Mediterranean countries, where they were considered prized possessions for nobles and royalty. 



Coming back to the birds I noticed, It is obvious that their breeding season has begun. No wonder I can hear them all the time, screeching away, attracting their mates, fighting away their rivals.. I don't know if I can call them 'expressions'. but the eyes of these birds, especially the males, seem to speak volumes, do they not? 


P.S. Thanks, Mridula for correcting me. I had simply assumed they were the ring necked ones, because they are the ones I see all the time! 

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Comments

  1. MridulaDecember 5, 2013 at 10:44 AM

    Anu these aee alexandrine parrots I think. Lovely images!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anuradha ShankarDecember 5, 2013 at 12:27 PM

      Thanks so much, Mridula! Have changed the title as well the text. i simply assumed they were the usual ones :(

      Delete
  2. Shine India TripDecember 5, 2013 at 1:31 PM

    what an interesting and creative work.... really a nice talent... loved your work very much....keep it up and keep sharing your creativity with us.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Meghana HassanDecember 5, 2013 at 11:10 PM

    Wow, so many of them, lovely shots.. Happy birdwatching...

    ReplyDelete

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