Somnathpur Temple

Somnathpur is a small village on the banks of the river Cauvery that was founded by the commander of the Hoyasala army, Somnath. The village is famous for its splendid and grand Keshava temple that has been built in the Hoyasala style. The temple is enclosed in a walled courtyard that has a gate and a porch. The temple is built on an elevated star shaped platform.

The temple is famous for its elaborate and intricate sculpturing. Here, you can see the interior walls and pillars of the temple.The main hall has exquisitely turned pillars and ceiling panels

The sides of the raised platform are decorated with richly carved friezes, portraying rows of cavalry, elephants and scenes from the epics.

The temple is an example of the grand and glorious temples built by the Hoysala rulers. The names of the sculptors are inscribed on their works, which was a common practice during the reign of the Hoysalas

Beauty Of The Gorgeous Sky's

I have not seen such beauty and these are some of the unique locations and a treat to your eyes, unless otherwise you feel earth is some place which will not be meant for you. I have shown such places in the past as well in my blog - but this has become a visual treat that I have to show these again and again,....

Early morning in Cheranmahadevi, it was tough shot but for not to take it but to control the folks in my car who just wanted to reach home and never wanted to wait to the see the beauty changing colors,… So said they are missing the moment in their life,…. So friends live for the moment. The Tamiraparani originates from the peak of the Periya Pothigai hills of the Western Ghats above Papanasam in the Ambasamudram taluk. The great river like the Cauvery, but unlike most of the other Indian rivers, is fed by both the monsoons – the south west and the north-eastern and is seen in full spate twice a year if the monsoons do not fail.

The river Manimuthar is a major tributary of the Tamiraparani. It arises from the dense forest a top Senkutheri in Ambasamudram taluk at the height of about 1300 m. from MSL. The tributaries of the Manimuthar are the Keezha Manimuthar (lower or eastern Manimuthar) and the Varattar.

The river runs from its source for a distance of 9 km. and confluences with the Tamiraparani near Kallidaikurichi. In its 9km. course, it makes minor cataracts. The river contributes a lot, as tributary, to enhance the water level of Tamiraparani as it is always in full spate and perennial. In the year 1957, Manimuthar anaicut was built across the river just three km. above its confluence with Tamiraparani.

The many anicuts, dams and reservoirs on the Thamirabarani river, along with those on the Manimuthar River, provide a large proportion of the water for irrigation and power generation for Tirunelveli District. 

 

Among the greenery you can find the beauty of loneliness as well in a single tree short in b & w 

Mudumalai Trip

The Mudumalai National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary now also declared a Tiger Reserve, lies on the northwestern side of the Nilgiri Hills (Blue Mountains), in Nilgiri District, we reached Mudumalai from the other side of tamilnadu i.e., from Mysore. The park is most conveniently accessible by road from Mysore on NH 212. A little past Bandipur cross the Ari Gouder bridge to a state border check post, passing here one will enter Mudumalai National Park – This was the route which took to reach our location in Mudumalai.

Mudumalai, which means 'first hills’, is one of the first wildlife sanctuaries established in India. The sanctuary is divided into 5 ranges - Masinagudi, Thepakadu,  Mudumalai, Kargudi and Nellakota.

Here one can often spot herds of endangered Indian elephants, vulnerable Gaur, and Chital. The sanctuary is a haven for Bengal Tigers and Indian Leopards and other threatened species.

The Western Ghats, Nilgiri which is about 6 ,000 km including all of Mudumalai National Park, is under consideration by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee for selection as a World Heritage Site.

I have seen many blogs and websites, most of them talked about Elephants and Tigers but for a change I have tried to capture insects, flowers and some manuals which my lens could capture.

The enchanting flowers & plants

 Insects - The gentle earth movers

Bamboo brakes are found amidst dry deciduous, moist deciduous and semi-evergreen forests and along the fringes of riparian forests and swamps, we did a 3 km treak into the forest and the path was so swamped that our leader Mr Ramani sir had a tough time walking in the forest. There are two species of bamboo found in Mudumalai. Elephants and Gaur eat both species of bamboo.

The delicious bamboo flakes

The swamp that gave our leader Ramani Sir a tough time :)

The love for nature can find beauty everywhere ,....

Folks who are found common in this part of western ghats - which will not miss your eyes,...

There is a high diversity of animal life in the sanctuary with about 21 species of amphibians, 34 species of reptiles, 227 species of birds and 55 species of mammal. We had couple of our friends who wanted to take birds and they got to take a few only – everything needs time and luck for spotting birds. But we as people should leave these animals live at peace and PLEASE AVOID PLASTICS AT THE PARKS