Picturesque Goa

Picturesque Goa
NOSTALGIA - Articles,Poems & Photos

TONFERNS CREATIONS

TONFERNS CREATIONS
TONFERNS CREATIONS - Tony's Art & Hobbies

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Saturday, January 22, 2011

TOOLS & IMPLEMENTS - Goa, India


The Goan 'Picaas' (Pick-axe)
Line Drawing by Tony Fernandes

A mid-sized implement for a lot of jobs.

Forged by professional local master craftsmen and iron-smiths of yesteryear, the pick-axe is a handy tool used in many village households, and also in the construction and agricultural sector in Goa. Mainly used in stone quarries for cutting out and shaping the initial rough form of commonly used laterite stones. for building houses, schools, churches, temples, bridges, river-side embankments, forts, government and commercial buildings, compound walls, and especially for wedged shapes and circular segments used for arches and round wells by professional masons.

The shape of this tool is generally T-shaped. Its head is typically metal, attached perpendicularly to a longer handle, traditionally made of wood. It has a pointed end on one side of its head and a broad flat blade opposite. A gradual curve characteristically spans the length of the head which gives it the advantage and leverage both for breaking and prying from both ends. The axe is used for hoeing, skimming, and chopping through roots.It is also used in mining and digging in hard rocky terrain and other tough earth surfaces.

Monday, January 17, 2011

GOA - India

BAGA Creekside - Bardez, GOA, India.

'Resort Rio' in Arpora, Bardez, GOA. India.

Nerul Creek, Bardez, GOA, India.

Miramar Beach, Panjim, GOA, India.View of the Capital - Panjim City - GOA - India.

Please double-click on picture for an enlarged view.

Saturday, January 15, 2011

PUSHKAR (पुष्कर) Rajasthan, India

Rickshaw - Tricycle Taxi
Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Temple at Pushkar Lake
with the Aravalli Mountain Range as a backdrop

SHOPS FOR TOURISTS
Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
पुष्कर

Pushkar is a town in the Ajmer district in the state of Rajasthan, India. It is situated at 14 km North West from Ajmer at an elevation of 510 metres (1673 feet). It is a site of pilgrimage for devout Hindus and a popular destination for foreign tourists. The Pushkar Fair, or Pushkar ka Mela, is the annual five-day camel and livestock fair, held in the town of Pushkar. It is one of the world's largest camel fairs.

Pushkar is one of the oldest cities of India. Pushkar lies on the shore of Pushkar Lake. Legend has it that it is creation of Lord Brahma.

Friday, January 14, 2011

AJMER, Rajasthan, India - राजस्थान

अजमेर - राजस्थान
भारत
Ajmer (Rajasthani: अजमेर, Urdu: اجمیر) pronounced [ədʒmeːr] ( listen) is the 5th largest city in Rajasthan and is the centre of the eponymous Ajmer District. Ajmer has a population of around 800,000 (2011 census), and is located 135 kilometres (84 mi) west of Jaipur, the state capital, 274 km from Udaipur, 439 km from Jaisalmer, and 391 km from Delhi.
Ajmer is surrounded by the Aravalli Mountains. It is a pilgrimage centre for the shrine of the Sufi Saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti and is also the base for visiting Pushkar (11 km), an ancient Hindu pilgrimage city, famous for the temple of Brahma.

AJMER, Rajasthan, India



TEMPLE OF JAIN LORD AADINATH
NARELI, near Ajmer, Rajasthan, India

Thursday, January 13, 2011

CHITTAURGARH FORT, Rajasthan, India

KUMBA SHYAM TEMPLE
Chittaurgarh Fort, Rajasthan, India

Princess Padmini's Palace,
Chittaurgarh Fort, Rajasthan, India.

Read more: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/padmini-palace-1422544.html#ixzz1E9B5jHeb
Under Creative Commons License: Attribution
Princess Padmini's Palace,
Chittaurgarh Fort, Rajasthan

Rani Padmini was a gallant, famous and celebrated beauty. Legend has it that it was here that Rana Ratan Singh showed a glimpse of her to Allauddin Khilji, the Sultan of Delhi. Overlooking a pool surrounding the 'Zanana Mahal', Padmini is believed to have her reflection shown to Allauddin Khilji in a mirror placed in the main hall from where the above photo is taken.

VIJAY STAMBH
(Victory Tower)
Chittaurgarh Fort, Rajasthan India.

A prominent feature of the Fort at Chittaurgarh is the Vijay Stambh or the Tower of Victory pictured above. This imposing, ornate and magnificent tower is 37 metres high with exquisite sculptures of Hindu deities. Built in 1440 AD by Maharana Kumbha, a powerful ruler of Mewar in celebrating his victory over the Muslim rulers of Malawi and Gujarat, it remains as one of the most visited tourists spots in India.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

UDAIPUR, Rajasthan, India

CITY PALACE MUSEUM
Udaipur, Rajasthan, IndiaTRADITIONAL FOLK DANCERSUdaipur, Rajasthan, India
SAHELIYON KI BARIUdaipur, Rajasthan, India.
MONSOON PALACE
Sajjangarh, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India

The Monsoon Palace was formerly known as the Sajjangarh Palace. It is a hilltop palatial residence in the city of Udaipur, Rajasthan in India, overlooking the lake Pichola. It is named as Sajjangarh after Maharana Sajjan Singh (1874–1884) of the Mewar Dynasty, who built it in 1884. It offers a panoramic view of the city's lakes, palaces and surrounding countryside. It is said that it was built basically to watch the beauty of the monsoon clouds and hence popularly known as Monsoon Palace. Legend has it that the Maharana built it at the top of the hill to get a view of his ancestral home of Chittaurgarh. It was previously owned by the Mewar royal family, but it is now under the control of the Forest Department of the Government of Rajasthan.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

UDAIPUR, Rajasthan, India


ROLLS ROYCE
One from the Maharajah's collection of various vintage cars
Udaipur Vintage and Classic Car Museum at Garden Hotel



SAHELIYON KI BARI
Udaipur City, Rajasthan, India
Saheliyon-ki-Bari means 'Garden of the Maidens'. It is beautifully appointed garden and a popular tourist spot. It is situated in the northern part of the city. It has a small museum, numerous fountains, a lotus pool and marble elephants. It was built by Maharana Bhopal Singh.
'Sahelion Ki Bari' was commissioned for young women attendants accompanying a princess to Udaipur as part of her dowry.
LAKE PALACE
Udaipur City, Rajasthan, India.


The majestic Lake Palace was formerly known as Jag Niwas. It has been converted into a luxury hotel with rooms and suites featuring white marble walls. It is founded on a 4-acre natural island of rock foundation on Lake Pichola, Udaipur, India. The hotel operates a boat which transports guests to the hotel from the city.

It was built in 1743 - 1746 by the Maharana Jagat Singh II (62nd successor to the royal dynasty of Mewar) of Udaipur, Rajasthan, as a royal summer palace. It was initially called Jag Niwas or Jan Niwas after its founder. The palace was constructed facing east, allowing its inhabitants to pray to the Sun god at dawn.

The rulers who succeeded later used this palace as a summer resort, holding regal durbars in its courtyards lined with columns, pillared terraces, fountains and gardens.

JODHPUR, Rajasthan, India


Monday, January 10, 2011

JODHPUR, Rajasthan, India

VIEW OF THE SPECTACULAR MEHRANGARH FORT
JASWANT THADA, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India

The Jaswant Thada is an architectural landmark located in Jodhpur. It is a white marble memorial built by Sardar Singh in 1899 in memory of Maharajah Jaswant Singh II


Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur, India

This spectacular fort is located in Jodhpur city in Rajasthan state and is one of the largest forts in India.

The fort is situated 400 feet (122 m) above the city, and is enclosed by imposing thick walls. It consists of several palaces with intricate carvings and expansive courtyards. A winding road leads to and from the city below.

There are seven gates, which include Jayapol (meaning 'victory') built by Maharaja Man Singh to commemorate his victories over Jaipur and Bikaner armies. Fattehpol (also meaning 'victory') gate was built by Maharaja Ajit Singh to mark the defeat of the Mughals.

The museum in the Mehrangarh fort has a selection of old royal palanquins, including the elaborate domed gilt Mahadol palanquin, which was won in a battle from the Governor of Gujarat in 1730. The museum exhibits the heritage of the Rathores in arms, costumes, paintings and decorated period rooms.
Please double-click on picture for an enlarged view.

Sunday, January 09, 2011

JAISALMER

Jaisalmer Fort, Rajasthan, India.
Jaisalmer Fort is one of the largest forts in the world. It is situated in Jaisalmer city in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It was built in 1156 AD by the Bhati Rajput ruler Rawal Jaisal, from where it derives it name.
It is completely self-contained - a fort with its own township. Souvenir shops line up the maze of alleyways. One can have a complete view of the surroundings below as one passes through the various terraces, portals, rooms, gun and canon holes and balconies of the fort.
The majestic fort stands proudly amidst the golden stretches of the great Thar Desert on Trikuta Hill. It has been the scene of many battles. Its massive yellow sandstone walls are a tawny lion color during the day, fading to honey-gold as the sun sets, thereby camouflaging the fort in the yellow desert. For this reason, it is also known as the "Golden Fort".

Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India.

Desert Camps near Sam on MDR 15

A tour of the desert consists of a camel ride across the stretch of the desert along the roads that lead towards the western border at sunset. An evening of entertainment is provided with traditional Rajasthani singing and dancing to to the music of local talented artistes.

Friday, January 07, 2011

BIKANER, Rajasthan,India






Bikaner
Bikaner is a District in the northwest of the state of Rajasthan in northern India. It is located 330 kilometres (205 mi) northwest of the state capital, Jaipur. Bikaner city is the administrative headquarters of Bikaner Districtand Bikaner division. It was formerly the capital of the princely state of Bikaner. The city was founded by Rao Bika. Bikaner.[1][2][3] in 1486 and from its small origins it has developed into the fourth largest city in Rajasthan. The Ganges Canal, completed in 1928, and the Indira Gandhi Canal, completed in 1987, have allowed the farming of crops such as mustard, cotton, groundnuts, wheat and vegetables. Other industries include wool production and the mining of Gypsum, plaster of Paris and bentonite.
Bikaner is famous for sweets and snacks (or namkeens in Hindi).