JAYAMANGALI BLACKBUCK CONSERVATION RESERVE-03 (Dec 2015)

Jayamangali-Mydnahalli -Hesaraghatta (03)

25th December 2015

I had been to Jayamangali Blackbuck Conservation Reserve (third time) with fellow photographer friend Mr. Vishwanath along with Mr. Viraj  on 25th December  2015. 

Left Bangalore by 4-00 am, enroute we had a tea and light breakfast at Gauribidnur and reached the Jayamangali Reserve by 8-00 am, 

Location

This area is located 23 km to the north east of Madhugiri town (Karnataka) and about 20 km to the west of Hindupur town (Andhra Pradesh). The geographical co-ordinates of the forest watch tower inside this area are 13 44’ 20” N and 7 19’ 41” E. It is located 4km away from the Jayamangali Blackbuck Conservation Reserve.

Maidenahalli Blackbuck Reserve

Jayamangali (formerly Maidenahalli) Blackbuck Conservation Reserve is Tumkur District's only notified protected area. It neighbours Maidenahalli, a small village in Madhugiri Taluk, at the north-eastern tip of Tumkur district of Karnataka state, India. This area is a part of the plains of Deccan plateau and borders Anantpur District of Andhra Pradesh. It is a 798-acre (3.23 km2) patch of grassland with Eucalyptus and Acacia auriculiformis. It has the largest contiguous population of Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) in Karnataka, apart from Ranibennur Blackbuck Sanctuary.

Brief history

The open grasslands of peninsular India were once widespread across the Deccan Plateau. Post- independence, however, they have shrunk to isolated patches thanks to immense pressure for cultivation, human habitation and other reasons that also include industrialisation. In 1987, the forest department of Tumakuru Division began protecting the area when the blackbuck’s presence was brought to their notice. In 1992, after sustained efforts by the forest department, the jurisdiction of the area was handed over from the Revenue Department to the Forest department. The Forest Department then fenced a portion of the area and raised a nursery. A concrete watchtower was erected along with two wood houses and watchmen sheds. But, the ownership of the land still rested with the revenue department.

Tumakuru’s nature lovers worked hard to have the area granted the status of a Protected Area, like a wildlife sanctuary. The first ever Status Survey report on the area was published by Tumakuru-based Wildlife Aware Nature Club (WANC) in 1997. This helped the wildlife wing of Karnataka Forest Department to source data on this area and recommend it be declared a 'Conservation Reserve'. The Government of Karnataka accepted this proposal. In February 2007, vide Government Order No: FEE 342 FWL 05, 798.33 acres (3.2307 km2) of the area was finally notified as Jayamangali Blackbuck Conservation Reserve, (though the original area proposed to be included in this Conservation Reserve was 893 acres). Thus, Tumkur District's first protected area was born.

Shikra (Accipiter badius)

BlackBuck -Female (Antilope cervicapra)

Flora and fauna

More than 80 species of plants have been recorded from this area. Many of these plants have medicinal value.

Butterflies

Sixty-seven species of butterflies belonging to seven families have been sighted in the area. Most of the species recorded are common throughout the Indian Peninsula and some are typical of the arid regions.

Long-tailed Shrike - Scientific Name Lanius schach
 

Cactus (plural: cacti, cactuses, or cactus

BlackBuck (Antilope cervicapra)

How to reach:

Route 1

BANGALORE TOWARDS TUMKUR-KORATAGERE

Bangalore – Tumkur – Koratagere – Madhugiri – take Hindupur road – Puruavara (10Kms from Madhugiri) – turn left on ID Halli road – turn right (after 8 KMs) where the board says ‘Jayamangali Blackbucks Reserve’.  (NOT GOOD)

Route 2

BANGALORE TOWARDS DODDABALLAPUR :-

Bangalore ----- Hebbal ----- Yelahanka ----- Doddaballapur ----- Gowribidhanur ----- Thondebavi --  Puruvara- Byrnalli-Kodigenahalli - Maidanahalli  (This one is OK and Good)

Hessarghatta

Hesaraghatta Lake is a manmade reservoir located 18 km to the north-west of Bengaluru in Karnataka state, India. It is a fresh water lake created in the year 1894 across the Arkavathy River to meet the drinking water needs of the city. Sir K. Seshadri Iyer, the then Dewan of erstwhile Mysore state and the then Chief Engineer of Mysuru, M. C. Hutchins, planned to build the scheme called the “Chamarajendra Water Works” to store a three-years' water supply to the city

DRONGO -[Scientific Name : Dicruridae]

Flora and Fauna

Even in the deteriorated condition of the lake, birds such as the kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis), magpie robin (Copsychus saularis), little egrets, common mynas (Acridotheres tristis), brahminy kites, black drongos, bulbuls, greater coucals, purple sunbirds, etc., (some are pictured in the gallery) have been reported in and around the lake periphery. Documented records of sighting of 2000 water birds of 29 species have been reported. The lake is also a great place for the winter migrants. Harriers and spotted eagles have been reported on this lake during winter. Bird poaching traps, a common sight, are located and removed from the bed of the lake quite often

 

 

INDIAN POND HERON -Scientific name: Ardeola

BLACK KITE -Scientific name: Milvus migrans

 

 

 

NEW DELHI 2015

NEW DELHI-2015

I had been to New Delhi on Official Visit, during the holidays and evening time, i had some time to visit the tourist attraction  in and around New Delhi, Here are the some the places i visited during my stay in New Delhi

27th JUNE 2015

I along with fellow participant from Andhra, Telangana hired a tempo traveller  from M/s Southern Travels, Karol Bagh, 

Left hotel premises by 9-00 am first we reached Humayun Tomb

Humayun's Tomb

The last refuge of Mughal Emperor Humayun reminds rather of a luxurious palace, than a tomb.

Located in the eastern part of Dehli, Humayun’s tomb is one of the best preserved Mughal monuments.  This spellbinding mausoleum is the first example of Mughal architecture in India

Humayun’s tomb was built thanks to the initiative of his widow Hamida Banu Begum, who commenced the construction of a mausoleum for her deceased husband in 1565, nine years after his death. The construction was finished in 1572

ISKCON TEMPLE NEW DELHI

Sri Sri Radha Parthasarathi Mandir (Hindi: श्री श्री राधा पर्थसरथि मन्दिर ), generally known as the ISKCON Delhi temple, is a well known Vaishnav temple of Lord Krishna and Radharani in the form of Radha Parthasarathi. Opened in 1998, it is located at Hare Krishna Hills, in the East of Kailash area of New Delhi, India.

ISKCON Temple, designed and built by Achyut Kanvinde who in 1993 agreed to accept a pro-bono commission to build this temple complex for the followers of Srila Prabhupada, is one of the largest temple complexes in India. It comprises numerous rooms for priests and for service renders. It has many halls that are used for its administration purposes. It is divided into four broad sections

Bahai Temple

The Lotus Temple, located in New Delhi, India, is a Bahá'í House of Worship completed in 1986. Notable for its flower like shape, it serves as the Mother Temple of the Indian subcontinent and has become a prominent attraction in the city.

Built in the shape of a half opened lotus flower the temple serves as a Mother Temple in India. This temple is also popularly known as Bahai Temple as it is a place of worship meant for the Bahai's

Designed by Fariborz Sahba the Lotus Temple is one of the greatest pieces of architecture in New Delhi. Located at Mandir Marg of South Delhi the Lotus Temple is one of the major tourist attractions of New Delhi

The Temple has received wide range of attention in professional architectural, fine art, religious, governmental, and other venues

RED FORT

The Red Fort was the residence of the Mughal emperor of India for nearly 200 years, until 1857. It is located in the centre of Delhi and houses a number of museums. In addition to accommodating the emperors and their households, it was the ceremonial and political centre of Mughal government and the setting for events critically impacting the region.

Constructed in 1648 by the fifth Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as the palace of his fortified capital Shahjahanabad, the Red Fort is named for its massive enclosing walls of red sandstone and is adjacent to the older Salimgarh Fort, built by Islam Shah Suri in 1546. The imperial apartments consist of a row of pavilions, connected by a water channel known as the Stream of Paradise (Nahr-i-Behisht). The fort complex is considered to represent the zenith of Mughal creativity under Shah Jahan and although the palace was planned according to Islamic prototypes, each pavilion contains architectural elements typical of Mughal buildings that reflect a fusion of Timurid, Persian and Hindu traditions. The Red Fort’s innovative architectural style, including its garden design, influenced later buildings and gardens in Delhi, Rajasthan, Punjab, Kashmir, Braj, Rohilkhand and elsewhere.With the Salimgarh Fort, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007 as part of the Red Fort Complex

LAHORE GATE

The Lahori Gate is the main gate to the Red Fort, named for its orientation towards the city of Lahore. During Aurangzeb's reign, the beauty of the gate was spoiled by the addition of bastions, Shahjahan described this as "a veil drawn across the face of a beautiful woman

 On Independence Day (15 August), the Prime Minister of India hoists the national flag at the main gate of the fort and delivers a nationally-broadcast speech from its ramparts.

Diwan-i-Aam
Ornate sandstone pillars and arches, dwarfing tourists
Diwan-i-Aam
The inner main court to which the Nakkar Khana led was 540 feet (160 m) wide and 420 feet (130 m) deep, surrounded by guarded galleries. On the far side is the Diwan-i-Aam, the Public Audience Hall.

The hall's columns and engrailed arches exhibit fine craftsmanship, and the hall was originally decorated with white chunam stucco. In the back in the raised recess the emperor gave his audience in the marble balcony (jharokha).

The Diwan-i-Aam was also used for state functions. The courtyard (mardana) behind it leads to the imperial apartments

 Mumtaz Mahal
The two southernmost pavilions of the palace are zenanas (women's quarters), consisting of the Mumtaz Mahal and the larger Rang Mahal. The Mumtaz Mahal houses the Red Fort Archaeological Museum.

Rang Mahal
The Rang Mahal housed the emperor's wives and mistresses. Its name means "Palace of Colours", since it was brightly painted and decorated with a mosaic of mirrors. The central marble pool is fed by the Nahr-i-Behisht.

Khas Mahal
The Khas Mahal was the emperor's apartment. Connected to it is the Muthamman Burj, an octagonal tower where he appeared before the people waiting on the riverbank.This was done mostly by all the kings present at that time.

 Diwan-i-Khas
A gate on the north side of the Diwan-i-Aam leads to the innermost court of the palace (Jalau Khana) and the Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience). It is constructed of white marble, inlaid with precious stones. The once-silver ceiling has been restored in wood. François Bernier described seeing the jewelled Peacock Throne here during the 17th century. At either end of the hall, over the two outer arches, is an inscription by Persian poet Amir Khusrow

After Red Fort we went to Aksharadham

Akshardham  is a Swaminarayan temple complex in Delhi, India. Also referred to as Delhi Akshardham or Swaminarayan Akshardham, the complex displays millennia of traditional Hindu and Indian culture, spirituality, and architecture. The building is the second monument inspired and developed by Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the spiritual head of the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, whose 3,000 volunteers helped 7,000 artisans construct Akshardham.

The temple, which attracts approximately 70 percent of all tourists who visit Delhi, was officially opened on 6 November 2005. It sits near the banks of the Yamuna adjacent to the 2010 Commonwealth Games village in eastern New Delhi.The temple, at the center of the complex, was built according to the Vastu Shastra and Pancharatra Shastra. In addition to the large central temple crafted entirely of stone, the complex features exhibitions on incidents from the life of Swaminarayan and the history of India, an IMAX feature on the early life of Swaminarayan as the teenage yogi, Nilkanth, a musical fountain on the message of the Upanishads, and large landscaped gardens. The temple is named after a belief in Swaminarayan Hinduism.

The temple has gained heavy criticism regarding its location from environmentalist whom have stated the temple which is built on banks of Yamuna River and is accused of lacking the environmental clearance and first culprit in Yamuna bed violation.

If heaven can be on the face of the earth,

As it was saturday heavy rush in the akshardham we could not get the tickets for Sahajanand Pradarshan [Hall of Values]
Nilkanth Darshan [Theatre]
Sanskruti Vihar [Boat Ride]
and finally we got tickets only for watershow, one of its kind, a spectacular extravaganza of Watershow reached the hotel by 9-30 pm


28th June 2015

Morning i took an autorickshaw visited the Central Sectt, Rastrapathi Bhavan, India Gate and Jantar Mantar 

Rastrapathi Bhavan

The Rashtrapati Bhavan  pronunciation (help·info), "Presidential Residence") is the official home of the President of India, located in New Delhi, Delhi, India. It may refer to only the mansion (the 340-room main building) that has the President's official residence, halls, guest rooms and offices; it may also refer to the entire 130 hectare (320 acre) President Estate that additionally includes huge presidential gardens (Mughal Gardens), large open spaces, residences of bodyguards and staff, stables, other offices and utilities within its perimeter walls. The main palace building was formerly known as Viceroy's House. In terms of area, it is the largest residence of a Head of State in the world.

Central Secretariat

The Secretariat Building or Central Secretariat is where the Cabinet Secretariat is housed, which administers the Government of India. Built in the 1910s, it is home to some of the most important ministries of the Cabinet of India. Situated on Raisina Hill, New Delhi, the Secretariat buildings are two blocks of symmetrical buildings (North Block and South Block) on opposite sides of the great axis of Rajpath, and flanking the Rashtrapati Bhavan (President's House).

North Block (Ministry of Finance)

PARLIAMENT

The Indian Parliament (Devnagari:भारतीय संसद) (Bhāratīya Sansada) is the supreme legislative body in India. Parliament is composed of:

The President of India

Lok Sabha (House of the People)

Rajya Sabha (Council of States).

The president in his role as head of legislature has full powers to summon and prorogue either house of Parliament or to dissolve Lok Sabha. However, in keeping with the Westminster Model of governance, the president rarely exercises such powers without the advice of the prime minister.

India's government is bicameral; Rajya Sabha is the upper house and Lok Sabha is the lower house. The two houses meet in separate chambers in the Sansad Bhavan (located on the Sansad Marg or "Parliament Street") in New Delhi. Those elected or nominated (by the President) to either house of Parliament are referred to as members of parliament or MPs. The MPs of Lok Sabha are directly elected by the Indian public and the MPs of Rajya Sabha are elected by the members of the State Legislative Assemblies, in accordance with proportional representation. The Parliament is composed of 790 MPs, who serve the largest democratic electorate in the world; 814.5 million Indians registered to vote in the 2014 general elections.

INDIA GATE

The India Gate, originally called the All India War Memorial, is a war memorial located astride the Rajpath, on the eastern edge of the ‘ceremonial axis’ of New Delhi, formerly called Kingsway. India gate is a memorial to 82,000 soldiers of the undivided British Indian Army who died in the period 1914–21 in the First World War, in France, Flanders, Mesopotamia, Persia, East Africa, Gallipoli and elsewhere in the Near and the Far East, and the Third Anglo-Afghan War. 13,300 servicemen's names, including some soldiers and officers from the United Kingdom, are inscribed on the gate. The India Gate, even though a war memorial, evokes the architectural style of the triumphal arch like the Arch of Constantine, outside the Colosseum in Rome, and is often compared to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, and the Gateway of India in Mumbai. It was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.

In 1971, following the Bangladesh Liberation war, a small simple structure, consisting of a black marble plinth, with reversed rifle, capped by war helmet, bounded by four eternal flames, was built beneath the soaring Memorial Archway. This structure, called Amar Jawan Jyoti, or the Flame of the Immortal Soldier, since 1971 has served as India’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

JANTAR MANTAR

The Jantar Mantar is an equinoctial sundial, consisting a gigantic triangular gnomon with the hypotenuse parallel to the Earth's axis. On either side of the gnomon is a quadrant of a circle, parallel to the plane of the equator. The instrument is intended to measure the time of day, correct to half a second and declination of the Sun and the other heavenly bodies.

There are four Jantar Mantar monuments in India, of which the largest is Jantar Mantar (Jaipur) which features many instruments along with the world's largest stone sundial.

LAKSHMINARAYANA MANDIR (BIRLA TEMPLE)

The Laxminarayan Temple (known as the Birla Mandir) is a Hindu temple dedicated to Laxminarayan in Delhi, India. Laxminarayan usually refers to Vishnu, Preserver in the Trimurti, also known as Narayan, when he is with his consort Lakshmi. The temple, inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi, was made built by B. R. Birla and Jugal Kishore Birla from 1933 and 1939. The side temples are dedicated to Shiva, Krishna and Buddha.

The temple is spread over 7.5 acres, adorned with many shrines, fountains, and a large garden, and also houses Geeta Bhawan for discourses. The temple is one of the major attractions of Delhi and attracts thousands of devotees on the Hindu festivals of Janmashtami and Diwali.

Qutab Minar
Qutab Minar, also written as Qutub Minar, at 73 meters, is the second tallest minar in India after Fateh Burj in Chappar Chiri at Mohali, which measures 100 meters in height. Qutub Minar along with the ancient and medieval monuments surrounding it form the Qutb Complex, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tower is located in the Mehrauli area of Delhi, India. Made of red sandstone and marble, Qutub Minar is a 73 meters (240 feet) tall tapering tower with a diameter measuring 14.32 meters (47 feet) at the base and 2.75 meters (9 feet) at the peak.Inside the tower, a circular staircase with 379 steps, leads from the bottom to the top storey. Entry to the tower has remained restricted since 1981, when a stampede inside Qutub Minar left 45 visitors dead.

In 1199 AD Qutub-ud-din Aibak, the founder of the Delhi Sultanate, started construction of the bottom storey of Qutub Minar. Around 1220 AD, Aibak's successor, and son-in-law Shams-ud-din Iltutmish]], added three storeys on top of Aibak's first. In 1369 AD, lightning struck the top storey, destroying it completely. Firoz Shah Tughlaq, the 19th emperor of Delhi (1351-1388) carried out restoration work and replaced the damaged storey with two new storeys, made of both red sandstone and white marble. 

 Common Dishes of Delhi and 

 In and around Delhi Streets