Birds, the common ones in Dhaula Kuan, New Delhi

Wiling away my time on a winter afternoon in New Delhi. Birding from my sister's balcony in New Delhi, Dhaula Kuan. All the birds except the spot billed ducks (which we spotted in Purana Quila, New Delhi) are from Dhaula Kuan.

I did not know that Delhi is so full of Parekeets!

Parakeets in Delhi

Parakeets

Brahminy Starling

Doves

Spot billed ducks

Kites

Pratapeswar temple; A 19th century terracotta temple in Kalna, West Bengal

Pratapeswar temple
Kalna, WB

Right opposite to the 108 Shiva temple complex in Kalna, West Bengal is another complex of beautiful terracotta temples.One of the temples, the Pratapeswar temple looked very simple from a distance. Up close, I am sure this temple is one of the most beautiful terracotta temples in West Bengal. It is so beautiful that I was awestruck. With the sunlight falling on the intricate terracotta work, the whole temple was glowing like a precious piece of jewel.This temple complex is a must visit too.You can't miss it if you are visiting the 108 Siva temple complex in Kalna.

Walls of temple

Intricrate work

Entrance door, terracotta

Carvings on the entrance door

Terracotta work

More detailed work on terracotta

Terracotta figures on the temple wall

Pratapeswar temple wall carvings in terracotta

Hanseswari (Hangseshwari temple) in Bansberia, Hooghly, West Bengal

Hanseswari temple

Hanseswari temple is a Kali temple and dates back to 1788.

Almost a two hour drive from Kolkata will take you to Bansberia. The Hanseswari temple complex is located in Bansberia in Hooghly district of West Bengal. This temple's architecture is very interesting. I am in the process of discovering so many such gems in and around Kolkata, if you are someone who is interested in temple architecture, you may want to visit this beautiful temple complex.

This temple complex has another temple (terracotta), the Ananta Basudeba Temple. There was some renovation work going on but I did manage to capture some nice sections of the temple.

Hanseswari temple

Goddess Kali

Ananta Basudeba Temple

Carvings on the Ananta Basudeba Temple

 Ananta Basudeba Temple in the temple complex

 Intricate work on the pillar

Brindaban Chandra's Math, terracotta temple complex, Kalna

Brindaban Chandra's Math
complex, Kalna

Brindaban Chandra's Math, terracotta temple complex is in Kalna, West Bengal. Kalna is around 90 kms from Kolkata. By road it should take around 2 to 3 hrs. This complex has four terracotta temples dating back to the 17th and 18th century. These temples are beautiful. Some of the paintings on the walls are absolutely awe inspiring.

One of the terracotta temples in the complex

A portion of the terracotta temple

Carvings on the wall

Intricate work on the walls of the temple

Paintings on the ceiling of
the terracotta temple

Paintings

Work in and around the entrance

A beautiful painting near the ceiling of the temple

Terracotta temple

108 Shiva temple complex in Kalna, West Bengal

108 Shiva temple complex,
Kalna, West Bengal

108 Shiva temples was constructed by Teja Chandra Bahadur in 1809 AD. These temples are in two concentric circles. The outer circle has 74 shiva temples and the inner circle has 34. They represent the beads in a rosary.

These beautiful temples are located in Kalna,West Bengal. Kalna houses some of the most beatiful terracotta temples of West Bengal.

Outer circle 108 Shiva temples

Inner circle 108 Shiva temples

One of the Shiva temples

View of the outer and inner circle

Durga puja 2012, South Kolkata

Goddess Durga

I continue to share the pictures I clicked of the Durga puja pandals and idols I saw during Durga pujas.

There are so many-many such beautiful pandals and beautifully sculpted idols of Ma Durga that I think I will easily need 2-3 blogs posts to share the pictures that I clicked. And believe me this is just about half of the Durga puja pandals in Kolkata itself! Amazing.

Badamtola Durga puja 2012

Badamtola Durga idol 2012

Badamtalo pandal decoration

Park circus Durga pandal

Durga idol, Park Circus maidan Kolkata

Ekdalia durga puja pandal 2012

Ekdali, Durga puja pandal decorations, 2012

Durga idol Ekdalia park, Kolkata

Durga puja pandal, South Kolkata

Durga idol, South Kolkata

Durga pandal decoration,South Kolkata

Singhi park durga pandal

 Singhi park durga idol

Mudiali durga puja pandal 2012

Mudiali durga idol

Mudiali, Durga puja pandal 2012