My Photography, The craze is Back!!!: My Diary

Dubai mall - Spanish Dance

Aug 2012

Munnar!

June 2012

Alleppey and Thekady!

June 2012

Al Ain Nights!

2012

Abu Dhabi - Good times!

2012

Drive to Kalba!

Feb 19, 2011

It is another favourite destination to the people of UAE! I with my room partner Dinesh'ettan went to explore this beautiful place. It was fun going to places in and around of Kalba. It is an enclave of the emirate of Sharjah, Kalba is north of Oman and south of the emirate of Fujairah. Khor Kalba (Kalba Creek), a mangrove swamp, is located further south of the town. The town was captured by the Portuguese Empire in the 16th century and was referred to as Chalba. lets come guys, explore few places and photos of the place with me.

my small experiment with the same shots!

Dont forget to write your comments or compliments!

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Al Ain Zoo

27 Jan 2011

My first try with wild life photography! All shots are taken at Al -Ain zoo, one of the best zoo I had ever been. Really worth goin that place. Yes! Though I missed some of the other good places, but still i hope you will enjoy some of these shots!!

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Pics of Khor Fakkan
Jan 1, 2011

Khor Fakkan (or Khawr Fakkan) is a town located along the Gulf of Oman on the east coast of the in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Khor Fakkan is scenically the most beautiful part of the entire country; the town is set on the picturesque bay of Khor Fakkan, which means "Creek of Two Jaws". Khor Fakkan belongs to the emirate of Sharjah but is geographically surrounded by the emirate of Fujairah. It is a natural deep water port that is now a major container terminal.
My trip was started with Shibu bhaiya, we enjoyed a good time in the place.

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Day out in Dubai
8 Oct 2010

Friday a very special Day in Middle east, since this is the day when people clebrate their weekend. Most of the fridays Iam out with Shibu Bhaiya, another fellow from Bhilai. We celebrate together and shots here taken are from all trips which we had together. After me coming to Dubai, you will now find more snaps from this place. DO visit this places from me and don't forget to write your feedback.

Heading towards Shaikh Zayed Road

Inside the Ibn Batuda

Inside the Ibn Batuda Mall - Chinese Section

Inside the Ibn Batuda Mall - Indian Section

The real diary of Ibn Batuda - The once manager of Qutab Minar of India

The Grand Atlantis Hotel

Roof of The Grand Atlantis Hotel

The Grand Atlantis Hotel

Undersea sub way heading to The Grand Atlantis Hotel

The Burj Al Arab - The once icon of Dubai

The Cross inside our Car!

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Velankanni and St. Thomas Mount, Chennai
July 2010
(Thanks once again to Wikipedia for telling us more about these places)

Velankanni can be traced to the mid-16th century and is attributed to three miracles: the apparition of Mary and the Christ Child to a slumbering shepherd boy, the curing of a lame buttermilk vendor, and the rescue of Portuguese sailors from a violent sea storm.

Although all three apparitions resulted in the erection of a shrine to our Lady, it was the promise of the Portuguese sailors that caused a permanent edifice to be built at Velankanni. The chapel was dedicated on the feast of the Nativity of Mary (8 September), the day of their safe landing. More than 500 years later, the nine-day festival and celebration is still observed and draws nearly 2 million pilgrims each year. The Shrine of Our Lady of Vailankanni, also known as the "Lourdes of the East", is one of the most frequented religious sites in India. Vailankanni church (Our Lady of Good Health) was built in the late 16th century CE with modifications by Portuguese and further expansions later on due to influx of pilgrimages.
The Gothic style of architecture is a unique feature of the church. The church itself is an imposing building with inspiring architecture. While the buildings have been painted white, roof of the church is made by the tiles with striking red in contrast to the colour of the walls. The environment around the shrine is spic and span radiating rays of hope and piety.

As a token of gratitude to Mother Mary, Portuguese sailors who escaped from a severe cyclone, built the chapel 24 feet to 12 feet with a dome overhead. In their possible subsequent visits, perhaps they brought porcelain plates, which could be seen even now illustrating bible scenes and other cultural arts of the time, to beautify the Church they had built earlier. The main statue that they had brought to the altar of the Shrine was Our Lady holding the Baby Jesus, standing majestically on the globe.

St. Thomas Mount, Chennai
St. Thomas Mount, (Tamil: புனித தோமையர் மலை) or Parangimalai (Tamil: பரங்கிமலை) or Bhringimalai, is a small hillock located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Located near the neighbourhood of Guindy and close to Chennai airport, St. Thomas Mount is associated with St. Thomas, the apostle of Christ, who is believed to have been martyred here. The mount is commonly called in Tamil "Parangi Malai" or "Bhringi Malai'.

According to legend, Lord Rama on his way to Lanka, offered homage to Sage Bhringi, who was doing penance on a hill named after him. Sage Bhringi requested Lord Rama to stay with him. A garden was laid near the hill where Lord Rama spent his time, which came to be known as Nandavanam. This changed to Nandambakkam, in course of time. Likewise, when Christian travellers came to Chennai and settled near the hill, it became referred to as "Parangi Malai".

History says 2000 years ago, a saint 'Parangi' lived here ('parangi' in Tamil language is used to refer to a white person). Over time Anglo-Indians predominated in this area. A small relic-filled Church built in 1523 by the Portuguese stands at the summit of the 300 feet high St. Thomas Mount. The place was visited by Pope John Paul II during his visit to India on 5 February 1986. The Indian Army operates an Officer Training Academy (OTA) on the mount. The South line of the Chennai suburban railway has a station named after St. Thomas Mount here.

It was joint visit of Me and my team of MGOCSM Bhilai, we together explored these places and enjoyed every moment of it!

Some shots Taken at Beach and on the way in our trip

Some of My Shots!

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High Dynamic Range Photography
July 4, 2010

Finally Sijo is professionally under the league of those photographer who can take HDR (High Dynamic Range) Photograph! DO watch my new album... with my latest update, my first ever attempt for a HDR Shot!

In image processing, computer graphics, and photography, high dynamic range imaging (HDRI or just HDR) is a set of techniques that allow a greater dynamic range of luminances between the lightest and darkest areas of an image than standard digital imaging techniques or photographic methods. This wider dynamic range allows HDR images to more accurately represent the wide range of intensity levels found in real scenes, ranging from direct sunlight to faint starlight.

The two main sources of HDR imagery are computer renderings and merging of multiple photographs, the latter of which in turn are individually referred to as low dynamic range (LDR) or standard dynamic range (SDR) photographs.

Tone mapping techniques, which reduce overall contrast to facilitate display of HDR images on devices with lower dynamic range, can be applied to produce images with preserved or exaggerated local contrast for artistic effect.

HDR photograph are always been my favorite. The below are my first ever attempt to take a HDR Shot the two shots taken at Kishkinda, Hospet. Hope you will like them, Click them to see enlarge. Dont forget to give your Comments, Compliments and Criticism.

Well below are though not a shots of HDR, but I took them while welcoming Monsoon in Hospet. Actually speaking they were my failed attempts to make a HDR.

Luv
Sijo!

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Visit to Vijayshree resort
June 20, 2010

Vijayshree Heritage Village is the World Heritage Centre of HAMPI where the history beckons you to travel back in time and makes you feel the grandeur the kingdom existed and flourished. Located half way to Hampi from Hospet amidst serene valley and nature in it’s tranquility, they have the perfect blend of tradition and culture with the technology and hospitality to make you feel comfortable and homely. Before making the second visit to Hampi i entered to resort to take some shots. Well! If you like or not, dont forget to comment or compliment.

Peace!!!
Sijo

peace in the valley

"Me"

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Cranes of Hampi!
June 20, 2010

I love watching cranes flying high making formation, so while making a second visit to Hampi, I could not resisted to stop myself in a man made lake near kamplapur (around 5Km from Hospet). I saw only three cranes flying and hunting fish, took some shots.. if you like dont forget to comment or compliment below!
Love,
Sijo

(Click to enlarge the shots)

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Hampi - The land of many sagas

April 18, 2010
Hampi (Kannada: ಹಂಪೆ hampe) is a village in northern Karnataka state, India. Located within the ruins of Vijayanagara, Hampi is the former capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. Predating the city of Vijayanagara, it continues to be an important religious centre, housing the Virupaksha Temple, as well as several other monuments belonging to the old city.

As the village is at the original centre of Vijayanagara, it is sometimes confused with the ruined city itself. The ruins are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, listed as the Group of Monuments at Hampi.

Hampi formed one of the cores of the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire from 1336 to 1565, when it was finally laid siege to by the Deccan Muslim confederacy.[1] Hampi was chosen because of its strategic location, bounded by the torrential Tungabhadra river on one side and surrounded by defensible hills on the other three sides.

The site is significant historically and architecturally. The topography abounds with large stones which have been utilized to make larger than life statues of Hindu deities. A structure of historic importance appears every quarter of a mile. The Archaeological Survey of India continues to conduct excavations in the area, to discover additional artifacts and temples.

Well this time again my journey was with Rohan. my Hospet partner.. We had unturned many stones and explored many world. Hampi has one the best sculpture and monuments in India. No wonder Karnataka is proud for its heritage.

Tungabhadra River as seen from the village

The old Roads are still alive

The Statue of Hanuman

Sculpture of Lion made on wood

The Krishna Temple

The Krishna Market

Inside the Krishna Temple

The Sister Rocks

The Stone Chariot

The Old Market of Vijay Nagar Dynasty

The Mughals gate to Hampi

The Hazarram temple

The Lotus Mahal made by Mughal

The Elephant Stable

Yet more many miles to Gooooooo

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One Day in Kishkindha

March 01, 2010
I always get attracted with this place the beauty this land has. The rocks speaks with you when you enter these valley. I love almost every part of this land.. still unexplored. No doubt! Unesco has declared this land and its heritage to be among the world heritage. Honestly telling, I really got a reason to buy a good camera when I first came to this place.
And I just don't believe myself that I spent a full day! believe me friends a full day and night in this valley! A WONDER FULL BREATH TAKING 24 HOURS... just to capture some beautiful shots for my blog.
Lets see What World best encylopedia says about this place. (Thanks once again to Wikipedia for telling us more about Kishkindha)
Kishkindha (kannada: ಕಿಶ್ಕಿನ್ದಾ, IAST:Kishkindhā, Devanagari: किष्किन्‍धा) (also known as Kishkindhya) was the kingdom of the Vanara KingSugriva, the younger brother of Vali, in the Ramayana. This was the kingdom where he ruled with the assistance of his minister, Hanuman. During the time of Ramayana ie, Treta Yuga, the whole region was within the dense forest called Dandaka Forestextending from Vindhya range to the South Indian peninsula. Hence this kingdom was considered to be the kingdom ofVanaras which in Sanskrit means Forest Dwellers. During Dwapara Yuga, the Pandava Sahadeva was said to visit this kingdom, as per the epic Mahabharata, during his southern military campaign to collect tribute for Yudhisthira's Rajasuyasacrifice.This kingdom is identified to be the regions around the Tungabhadra river (then known as Pampa Saras) near Hampi in Karnataka. The mountain near to the river with the name Risyamuka where Sugriva lived with Hanuman, during the period of his exile also is found with the same name. Click here to know more about Kishkindha.

The only language this land speaks is "Go GREEN!"

(Click every picture to see them enlarged)

me.. just went to turn some unturned stones!

Thanks to Rohan, who helped me in and out to know this place

Way To Kishkindha

The only language the valley speak is "Go Green!"

Way to Hanuman Temple

Temple above this mountain, as said to be the birth place of Hanuman

Hanuman Temple

People from around the world meditate in the valley

It still speaks about the hill.

Virupraksha Temple tower as seen from Kishkindha

The lost World

yes this thru this road only we came to this valley

The lonely planet - temple of the village

Sunset seen from the Hanuman temple mountain

Whispering Rocks

A paradise for all foreigners who come to this place

Our stay in the hut

Moon on the day!

Love and Peace

Sijo!!!

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Sandur (princely state)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

February 20, 2010

Flag of Sandur.

Before India's independence, Sandur was a princely state, the seat was at the town of Sanduru. The state was founded around 1700 CE by Shrimant Sidalji Ghorpade (died 1715), a Maratha nobleman. In the eighteenth century, the surrounding territory came under the control of the Nizam ofHyderabad. In 1801, Bellary district was transferred to British India, and the rajas of Sandur came under the political authority of the Madras Presidency.

The area of the state was 433 sq. km. (161 sq. mi.); its population in 1901 was 11,200. The ruler commanded an estimated annual revenue of Rs.3,500/-. The military sanatorium of Ramandrug is located in a range of hills on the western border of the district.

The Raja of Sandur merged his state with the union of India on April 1, 1949. Sandur state was incorporated into Bellary district, then part of the Madras Presidency. In 1953, Bellary District was transferred to Mysore State, which was later renamed Karnataka.

(Special Thanks to Wikipedia for telling us more about Sandur, Karnataka)

The Photograph which I taken from in and around of ancient temple of Narsimha Linga Temple

(Click Them to see them enlarged)