Konaseema

Konaseema is a delta located in the East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, India. This delta is surrounded on all sides by waters (of River Godavari and the Bay of Bengal). Konaseema is famous for its scenic greenery.The origin of the name may be from Telugu word "Kona" meaning corner which resembles its shape. The northern side is bounded by Gautami Godavari and southern side is bounded by Vasista Godavari.

It is one of most fertile lands. The entire region is rich in Coconut trees, Mango groves, Cashew and paddy fields.Its magnificent landscape, artistic temples, lavish greenery, lustrous coconut grooves and fields takes ones breath away.Coconut palms, the arboreal symbol of Konaseema landscape, fringe the backwaters framing the blue tropical sky during daytime and a starry twinkling firmament during evenings. 

There are diverse sceneries along the backwaters crisscrossing the coastal areas.Konaseema is known for its backwaters. They as a whole, form an intricate network of lagoons, lakes, canals, estuaries, and rivers that drain into the bay of bengal. Boating along the backwaters offers spectacular views and vistas of konaseema’s pristine natural beauty.Cruising along the backwaters is an ideal way to discover the real Konaseema. The placid backwaters that stretch for kilometers are covered with swinging coconut trees, canals and small islands.

Holy Temples have always been a strong reason of travel to Konaseema. There are many temples herewith excellent architecture and a story behind each temple. The important temples are Vinayaka temple at Ainavilli, Sri Jagan Mohini Keshava Swamy at Ryali, Sree veereswara swamy temple at Marumalla, Sri Someswara Swamy Temple at Kotipalli , Sri Suryanarayana Swamy Varu at G Mammidada, Bheemeshwara Swamy at Draksharamam, Sri Kukkuteshwara Swamy Temple at Pithapuram, Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple at Anthervedi, Venketeshwara swamy at Appanpalli, Sri Kshira Rama Lingeshwara swamy at Pallakollu, Sri Someshwara Janardhana Swamy at Bhimavaram.

These are pictures shot with a simple p&s Nikon Coolpix S8200, during my visit to this magnificient countryside alongwith my son, a post doctoral scholar at Harvard University, when he came on a vacation, to show him the beauty our countryside.

After the visit I realised why the people who hail from this place love Konaseema and are very proud to tell others that they belong to this beautiful place.

Small boat in Godavari

Hutments

Coconut grove around beautiful pond

Coconut trees skirting paddy fields

My son shooting in a paddy field

Tractor and cranes

Beautiful greenery

Tiled house surrounded by coconut trees

 

Hauz Khas

Hauz Khas is named after an ancient water reservoir by the same name, now part of the extensive Hauz Khas Complex in New Delhi the capital of India. In Urdu language, 'Hauz’ means “water tank” (or lake) and ‘Khas’ means “royal”, giving it the meaning - the “Royal tank”. The large water tank or reservoir was first built by Allauddin Khilji (1296–1316) to supply water to the inhabitants of Siri Fort.

It houses an Islamic seminary, a mosque, a tomb and pavilions built around with medieval history traced to the 13th century of Delhi Sultanate reign. It was part of Siri, the second medieval city of India of the Delhi Sultanate of Allauddin Khilji Dynasty. The Hauz Khas village which was known in the medieval period for the amazing buildings built around the reservoir drew a large congregation of Islamic scholars and students to the Madrasa for Islamic education.This site also holds forth the days of ruin that ravished the grandeur of Khilji’s reign after his death. Hauz-Khas is considered to be the only structure of Siri Fort, which has survived the thwarts of ravishing time.

The present status of the village also retains not only the old charm of the place but has enhanced its aesthetic appeal through the well manicured green parks planted with ornamental trees all around with walk ways, and the sophisticated “gentrified” market and residential complexes which have sprung up around the old village. The tank itself has been reduced in size and well landscaped with water fountains.

Some of the pictures were part of many shot by me with Nikon D50 and a front element damaged Kiron 28-105/3.2 1980 made zoom lens.

Chowmahalla Palace

Once regarded as the center of Hyderabad, the magnificent Chowmahalla Palace was the seat of the Asaf Jahi dynasty where the Nizams entertained their official guests and royal visitors. Built over 200 years ago, Chowmahalla is renowned for its unique style and elegance. A synthesis of many architectural styles and influences, the Palace Complex has been meticulously restored.

In Persian, Chahar means four and in Arabic Mahalat (plural of Mahal) means palaces, hence the name Chowmahallat/four palaces, or four palaces.All ceremonial functions including the accession of the Nizams and receptions for the Governor-General were held at this palace.The prestigious UNESCO Asia Pacific Merit award for cultural heritage conservation was presented to Chowmahalla Palace on March 15, 2010.

It is believed to be modelled on Shah of Iran's palace in Tehran.

The palace is unique for its style and elegance. Building of the palace began in the late 18th century and over the decades a synthesis of many architectural styles and influences emerged.

This palace consists of two courtyards, southern courtyard and northern courtyard. They have elegant palaces, the grand Khilwat (the Dharbar Hall), fountains and gardens.

The palace originally covered 45 acres (180,000 m2), but only 14 acres (57,000 m2) remain today.

Some of the pictures of the palace shot by me during my visits to this unique palace

Uppalapadu - migratory birds

Uppalapadu is a place of bird migration and a village near Guntur City, India. It is also a reputed bird sanctuary. Home to around 40 species of migratory birds . From countries like Siberia, Australia Painted Storks, Spotted Pelicans and other birds migrate and use the sanctuary. Many species birds including endangered Spot-Billed Pelicans and Painted Storks take refuge in this water tanks in the village .The bird population in these tanks are around 7000, in this dwindling habitat through the year.But some initiatives have taken place such as adding artificial trees, local awareness, proper water supply to the ponds etc. The artificial tress are added in the pond on which the birds can perch in addition to the natural trees.

On an average, over 3,500 Pelicans visit this Bird Protection Centre of the Department of Forests, and a similar number of Painted Storks share the 4.5-acre densely populated sanctuary.The uniqueness of this sanctuary is that one can spot a number of birds throughout the year. The number of birds inhabiting this small stretch of land/water body also makes it one of the densest place inhabited by migratory birds at any given time, anywhere in India, though the number could range between 3,000 and 12,000.

I visited the sanctuary in the last week of January, 2014. The pictures shot with Tamron 200-400/5 on Nikon D300 are as follows.