Ascending to the Stars

Ascending to the Stars, originally uploaded by ashish100.

Sun Wheel

Built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, designer of Jaipur city, this was one of five astronomical observatories built between 1727-1734 in west central India. Multiple colourful stone and metal structures scatter the park, some functioning as simple sundails, others using the shadow and angle calculations to discern the year, date, month and time. Positions of various stars were also tracked and mapped. This was of great significance in India, where astronomy was well developed relative to the time, and worked hand in hand with astrology, still highly respected and practiced by Hindu pundits (priests) and used to determine auspicious dates for weddings and major events, both at a societal and personal level.

Jai Singh built the first Jantar Mantar in Delhi for the Mughal emporor (as he was aligned to them, and thus indebted to them - serving as chief of the Mughal Army, and ensuring peace and protection from war with their fierce forces). The Jaipur JM is the largest of the five built.

The name is said to originally have been 'Yantra Mantra', 'yantra' meaning instrument, and 'mantra' meaning chanting. Mantra can also refer to a formula.

There are 14 instruments in the observatory, which measure time, predict eclipses, track stars in orbit, ascertain declinations of planets and celestial altitudes and more. There is a Chhatri (Hindu small domed cupola) used as a platform to announce important events like the arrival of monsoonal rains and eclipses.

Mostly built of marble inside, and with bronze metal components. Wikipedia notes "An excursion through Jai Singh's Jantar is the singular one of walking through solid geometry and encountering a collective weapons system designed to probe the heavens.
samrat yantra

The instruments are in most cases huge structures. They are built on a large scale so that accuracy of readings can be obtained. The samrat yantra, for instance, which is a sundial, can be used to tell the time to an accuracy of about two seconds in Jaipur local time.1 Today the main purpose of the observatory is to function as a tourist attraction."

It was declared a National Monument in 1948.

This is a smaller model of the Samrat Yantra - there is are two much larger also in the park. The models were used to check the accuracy of the concept and then translated to the larger structure which is more precise.

Guards, City Palace

Guards, City Palace, originally uploaded by ashish100.

Guards stand by, exit to City Palace in Jaipur.

Gun Chakra

Gun Chakra, originally uploaded by ashish100.

City Palace was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh, who also built the city where the palace is, Jaipur.

There is a large store of weapons on display in the Diwan-i-Khas of City Palace.

This was the formal hall to greet VIP ("khas") guests visiting Jaipur and receiving the audience of the Maharaja of Jaipur.

Built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh, founder of Jaipur, the capital replacing Amber. The architectural style employed is a mix of Rajasthani Hindu and Mughal influences.

Cakra ("chakre" in the Indic pronouciation, meaning 'circle').

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Grille, Amber Fort

Grille, Amber Fort, originally uploaded by ashish100.

An interesting marble grille, overlooking an internal courtyard in Amber Fort.

Siam BTS Station.

Siam BTS Station., originally uploaded by ashish100.

The Bangkok Skytrain is one of two mass rapid rail networks in Bangkok today. Both gleamingly new (the other is the subway) it has helped reduce traffic and stimulate development along its borders.

Brunswick Street/scape

Brunswick Street/scape, originally uploaded by ashish100.

Looking down Brunswick St, Fitzroy.

Fitzroy is an innercity suburb in the city of Yarra, one of Melbourne's inner councils.

Nearly Over The Hump

Nearly Over The Hump, originally uploaded by ashish100.

The pedestrian bridge connecting Southgate in Southbank to Melbourne CBD.

Chinatown Lanterns, Singapore

Chinatown Lanterns, Singapore, originally uploaded by ashish100.

Webb Bridge/Bolte Bridge

Webb Bridge/Bolte Bridge, originally uploaded by ashish100.

The Webb Bridge is located in Yarra's Edge, in the Melbourne Docklands.

www.docklands.com/docklands/about/buildingbridges/webb.shtml

St Kilda Sunset Series: Dark Gold

St Kilda Sunset Series: Dark Gold
Originally uploaded by ashish100.

St Kilda is one of the inner city suburbs of Melbourne. Situated in the local government area of the City of Port Phillip, it was once considered a seedy and drug-ridden area.

The pier at St Kilda Beach looks over Port Phillip Bay, and the city of Melbourne.

Melbourne from St Kilda Pier

Melbourne from St Kilda Pier
Originally uploaded by ashish100.

St Kilda is one of the inner city suburbs of Melbourne. Situated in the local government area of the City of Port Phillip, it was once considered a seedy and drug-ridden area.

The pier at St Kilda Beach looks over Port Phillip Bay, and the city of Melbourne.

Narrows | Night

Narrows | Night
Originally uploaded by ashish100.

The Narrows Bridge in Perth connects the wealthy Western Suburbs and the city to the Northern and Southern Suburbs.

It's a focal point of the river at the city, and was doubled while I was in Perth.

In the background of this shot the lights of South Perth and foreshore are visable.

Serrated Edge

Serrated Edge
Originally uploaded by ashish100.

Cut me not for I am real, Cut me not for I can't heal. Cut me not, for I grow through you. Love me for who I am. For then I can love others too.

Bareness...

Bareness...
Originally uploaded by ashish100.

I guess this is simple. A tree that has just as much promise to be full of life, leaves, birds, worms, possums, reflecting the sun's rays has as much chance as becoming berefit of all of these. It's the same for the person suffering depression - low energy, low mood, poor sleep and appetite, loss of enjoyment in hobbies... and it can affect any one of us.

A reminder why removing the stigma of all mental illnesses is so important.

Taken at the former psychiatric hospital in Beechworth, Victoria - Mayday Hills, now a conference venue for La Trobe University - www.latrobeatbeechworth.com.au

Tina and Mayur's Engagement

Tina and Mayur's Engagement
Originally uploaded by ashish100.

Tina and Mayur got engaged at a private party at Nine Marys, in Perth CBD.

Clockwise from left: Rajan, Sharmini, Roshni, Tanya and Unknown Human Female.

In the background from left to right: Matthew, Nital and Girisha

Roshni and Tanya are off to London next month, we will miss them :(

City of Perth, not of My Birth; I love thee.

City of Perth, not of My Birth; I love thee.
Originally uploaded by ashish100.

This truely is the easiest city in the world to photograph. Nothing else I've seen is so consistantly photogenic. Maybe its' the fact that this city in Australia is the sunniest in our fair land.

Hidden away like a gem, tucked in the southwestern corner of a huge barren land. It shines. I see it. I see it now, because I have left. And now I regret that. That life has moved on. And that those were the happiest days I can recall.

Perth will always be a spring day, birds singing, air fresh, light breeze, sun lightly warming my face. And bright colours.

Nijo Castle, Kyoto

Nijo Castle, Kyoto
Originally uploaded by ashish100.

Nijo Castle, Kyoto. The floorboards are constructed especially to creak in a way that sounds like a nightingale, primarily to warn the residents of an intruder.

No shoes are allowed in the castle, and it's still very highly preserved from it's original state.

(Purple) Light at the end of the Tunnel

(Purple) Light at the end of the Tunnel
Originally uploaded by ashish100.

The Bund Tourist Tunnel in Shanghai uses self driven trains to take you from the Bund to Pudong, in an explosion of neon and light.

Vibrancy in the Bundal Network

Vibrancy in the Bundal Network
Originally uploaded by ashish100.

Part of timeline series through the Bund Tourist Tunnel in Shanghai.