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  There are many brilliant depictions of Ardhanarishwara across the country. But, standing before Him/Her at Gharapuri/Elephanta always feels special. As one moves from the Sadashiva who occupies the center space, with his magnifying spell, towering over us is the Ardhanarishwara. The Her part which we first encounter, the lips that twist to represent the masculine and the feminine is sure to cast a spell. The stylish way in which His hand rests on the Nandi, and the light coming from the left adds to our appreciation of the full form.  On my first visit after five years, in December, when I was standing there, I asked my friend who is a student of Carnatic Music, “why don’t you sing Ardhanarishwaram” … that song reverberated in my ears for long after I left the island that day, to only revisit it with another friend, the next week. I thought as someone who loves temple visits as much as Carnatic music, and listening to lot more of the mahan vaggeyakara Muthuswami Dikshitar in...

Vidisha   Vidisa – Meghaduta says that Vidisa modern Bhilsa the capital of Dasarna was situated on Vetravati, the modern Betwa river. A city mentioned in Raghuvamsa – Rama gave to the two sons of Satrughna, Satrughatin and Subahu, the cities of Madhura and Vidisa. In the Malavikagnimitra Agnimitra is shown as enjoying himself on the banks of the Vidisa river and later on Pushyamitra refers to his son Agnimitra as Vidisastha (i.e. Vaidisa would mean a city on the Vidisa).   In the fourth volume of the History of Dharmasastra MM P.V. Kane has given a long list of Tirthas significant from the Hindu Dharmasastra point of view. That is from a volume which has details on Prayascitta, Tirthayatra etc., The BORI has brought out the ‘List of Tirthas’ as a separate volume for the benefit of students of Dharmashastra, history and geography of Bharata.   Vidisha, 54 km from the state capital of Bhopal and about 10 km from the UNESCO world heritage site of Sanchi, continues to b...

  I am not a follower of any fashion trends. Not that it matters. I have always followed my heart, with an eye on my purse.   Over the weekend I could see a war had erupted on social media and at the receiving end was a super popular Indian designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee. I first thought it was about the models or the photos he had used. Or the multiple magazine covers that featured his new range. Never mind, that would hardly ever get any storm of opinions against. The opposition is not towards the designs or models but about a commercial deal, I learnt later. Furore was over his tie up with global brand H&M and daring to bring it down to aam janta through online platforms like Myntra and price it “affordable”. I follow him, Anita Dongre among the few designers just as a curious news person than a fashion follower. I have never stepped into any of their stores. Honestly, I can’t afford. I hated Sabyasachi when he took the Kanjivaram sarees, fully woven, complete pieces,...

  KANHERI City of Caves “There were palace like buildings, images, houses, pillars, and water-cisterns. It was a city carved in rock that could hold seven thousand people” – Don Joao de Castro Kanheri – Location and origin   Kanheri (19°13’ N; 72°55’ E), the Kanhasela, Krishnagiri, Kanhagiri of ancient inscriptions, is located north of Mumbai. Kanheri is located in the island of Salsette and 6 miles from Thana. The caves are excavated in volcanic breccia, the hills rising at places to 1550’ above mean sea level. Kanheri is credited with the largest number of cave excavations in a single hill. To the west is the Borivili railway station and across the creek is the Arabian Sea.  Kanheri, large group of caves (109 not counting the new discoveries) located north of Mumbai excavated out of volcanic rock formation breccia, at a height of 1550’ above sea level. One of the oldest and largest numbers of cave excavations in a single hill. Located on the old trade route, start...